The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Si Xingxuan lifted her head from under the covers, her eyes clearing somewhat.

He took out a communication talisman, his fingertips slicing rapidly across its surface. A flash of light danced and flickered across the talisman like fireflies as he issued a new command.

"The Seventh Generation Pavilion will send supplies to the Moon Weaving Pavilions in various parts of Kyushu every month thereafter."

We must ensure that all the supplies are used on those children.

Food, medicine, clothing, and books—none of them can be missing.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the message.

The manager's reply came back, tinged with a cautious confirmation.

"Yes, Lord Pavilion Master."

However, your medical clinic had previously been providing free medical treatment to the orphans of Zhiyueting.

They also regularly sent people to purchase medicinal herbs and handicrafts sold by Zhiyueting.

That's already quite a lot of aid.

"The Tsuki-tei side has always been very grateful to you."

"Um."

Si Xingxuan's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

"From now on, the Seven Generations Pavilion will be responsible for the living expenses of the Moon Weaving Pavilion."

However, we will continue to purchase the medicinal herbs and other handicrafts they provide.

They need to learn to survive on their own.

We are only providing them with temporary assistance, not permanent charity.

"Yes, I understand. Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish. Your Excellency has considered this very well."

Si Xingxuan put away the communication talisman, stood by the window, and looked at the gradually brightening morning light of Xuanxing City outside the window.

He now has a legitimate status.

The imperial edict bearing the seal of the Holy Emperor was lying quietly in his desk drawer.

Things that we used to only dare to do in secret can now be done openly.

It is perfectly justified and reasonable.

He knew that Tang Xixue cared about the poor children in Zhiyueting.

That was the place she built with her own hands; it was the gentlest piece of pure land she left in this world.

Therefore, even someone as cold and indifferent as him was willing to extend his love to her and give them more care to alleviate her stress.

There are many orphans in Kyushu, and she cannot afford to support them all by herself.

But he can.

He has plenty of money, plenty of people, and plenty of ways to get things done.

He used to think that money was just an external thing, and once you had a certain amount, it was just a string of numbers.

But now he suddenly realizes that these numbers can be used to help her, to do what she likes, and to protect the people she cares about.

Then this money has meaning.

He was willing to do good deeds for her sake.

He used to not believe in accumulating good deeds or karma.

All he knew was that whoever provoked him, he would poison them; whoever blocked him, he would kill them.

This world is inherently a dog-eat-dog world; the idea that good deeds will be rewarded is nothing but self-deceiving nonsense.

But now, he wants to do her a good deed.

It wasn't for myself, it was for her.

What if there really is cause and effect in this world?

What if those good deeds happen to her?

Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, he's willing to do it.

A soft cough came from outside the door.

"My lord, Her Highness the princess has returned."

Qi Zhu's voice rang out from outside the door.

Si Xingxuan turned around abruptly, subconsciously straightening his clothes and touching his hair to make sure he wasn't too disheveled before calling out, "Please let her in."

The door was pushed open.

Tang Xixue stepped into the bedchamber in a smart outfit, her long hair neatly tied back with a silver hairpin, and a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, which shimmered in the morning light.

She held a longsword that was not yet sheathed, with a faint layer of frost-white sword energy flowing over its blade, its cold light faintly visible, clearly indicating that she had just come down from the training ground.

Si Xingxuan's gaze fell on her, and his breath hitched slightly.

All the jumbled thoughts that had been churning in my mind just moments ago vanished in an instant.

He could only see her.

The way she walked against the light was both strikingly handsome and breathtakingly beautiful, like a sword that had just been tempered and a begonia that had been washed by the morning dew.

"woke up?"

Tang Xixue walked to the bedside and glanced at his face.

Seeing that he looked much better than last night, he nodded slightly.

"How is the pulse? Let me take a look."

As she spoke, she sheathed her longsword, then naturally reached out and placed her fingertips on Si Xingxuan's wrist.

Her fingers, still slightly cool from practicing swordsmanship that morning, touched Si Xingxuan's skin, causing him to tremble involuntarily.

"It's...it's alright."

Si Xingxuan lowered his head, not daring to look at her.

Her fingertips were resting on his wrist pulse, that small patch of skin feeling like it was covered by a cool snowflake.

A tingling, numb sensation spread along my veins all the way to my heart.

"Yes, it's much more stable than yesterday."

Tangxi Xue withdrew her hand.

"As long as you take good care of yourself, it is not irreversible."

Food therapy is worse than medication. Your body is weak, so take it slow.

"Okay. I'll do whatever Zhizhi says."

Si Xingxuan nodded obediently, but after nodding, he felt that his answer was too obedient and not manly enough.

He wanted to say something more responsible, but after thinking for a long time, he could only manage to say, "Then I'll eat properly every day from now on."

Tang Xixue couldn't help but chuckle.

The laughter was soft, like a spring breeze rustling through the eaves of a wind chime.

"You, a dignified seventh-generation sect leader, do you need someone to watch you while you eat?"

"No one used to keep an eye on me. Qizhu didn't dare to interfere."

Si Xingxuan raised his head, his clear, bright eyes looking at her earnestly, with a childlike sincerity in them.

"Now there's someone."

Tang Xixue paused slightly.

"OK."

"Then I will keep an eye on you. If you miss even one meal a day, I will hold you accountable."

Si Xingxuan's eyes lit up immediately.

"So—did you have breakfast today? You must have used up a lot of energy practicing swordsmanship just now."

"Not yet. I was just about to come back and call you."

"I'll go and have someone prepare."

The silver-scaled fish from Xuanxing Lake were just caught this morning; steaming is the best way to prepare them.

There are also mountain bamboo shoots, the kind still covered in dew. Slice them and boil them in soup; they're incredibly delicious without needing any seasoning.

As he spoke, he lifted the covers and tried to get up, his movements unusually swift, but before his feet even touched the ground, his body swayed.

Tang Xixue reached out and supported his shoulder.

That hand steadily supported him.

"What's the rush? Just let Qizhu go."

"I'm not in a hurry."

He steadied himself by supporting her arm, two faint blushes rising on his pale face from embarrassment.

"I just... wanted to arrange breakfast for Zhizhi."

"Then let's arrange it while we're seated. We'll use our mouths, not run around."

Tang Xixue pressed him back to sit on the couch, then turned to Qizhu at the door and told him the names of a few dishes.

Qizhu responded to each one.

Si Xingxuan sat on the edge of the couch, looking at Tang Xixue's profile as she instructed Qizhu, and a strange warmth welled up in his heart.

His Zheyue Palace used to be as cold as an ice cellar.

He eats alone here, drinks his medicine, and stares blankly at the account books and maps.

But now, she stands here, the morning light shining on her shoulders.

Suddenly, the Zheyue Palace, which was like an ice cellar, became warm.