The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Young General Feng, what a coincidence."

Feng Zhuo suddenly turned around.

Yan Ci, dressed in a white robe with ink patterns, stood outside the shadow of the city gate, the moonlight like water, pouring down on his shoulders.

Her long, silver-gray hair was half-tied up with a silver black crown, the rest falling over her shoulders and back, gently swaying in the night breeze, like a stroke of light ink on rice paper.

He held a dark folding fan in his hand, the fan surface half-closed, his well-defined fingers resting on the fan ribs, his posture relaxed.

He stood there like a watercolor painting.

"Brother Yan Ce?"

Feng Zhuo's eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets.

"Why are you here too?"

Yan Ci gently tapped the folding fan in his palm.

"Smack."

The crisp sound was particularly clear in the night.

"On the Lantern Festival, why not visit old friends to admire the lanterns?"

His tone was indifferent, as if he were stating something perfectly natural.

But those calm eyes had already looked over Feng Zhuo's shoulder and were gazing at the lights that were gradually lighting up in the city.

There, he found the person he wanted to see.

Feng Zhuo stared at him for a moment.

His gaze first showed surprise, then contemplation, and finally settled on vigilance.

Then, the two of them fell silent.

Beneath the silence, undercurrents surged.

"You're not here to see Xue too, are you?"

Feng Zhuo spoke first, his tone carrying an undisguised wariness, like a puppy that had caught the scent of its opponent.

He regretted it.

He only asked about the whereabouts of the strategist, Ah Xue, and just that one question led to him coming along.

I should have known better than to ask.

Yan Ci raised an eyebrow, his brows slightly upturned, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"Isn't burning it the same thing?"

Feng Zhuo choked.

"I...I'm here to deliver something! I didn't come specifically to see Xue!"

He spoke with conviction, but his ears were subtly red, though not very noticeable against his red clothes.

Yan Ci unfolded his folding fan and slowly waved it.

The yin-yang ink wash on the fan surface is faintly visible, just like the calm expression in his eyes.

"Oh? So Ranzhi will leave after delivering the things?"

Feng Zhuo: "...What's it to you!"

Yan Ci smiled slightly, a smile that was very faint, yet full of meaning.

"What a coincidence, Ce is also here to deliver something."

The two exchanged a glance.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as if a spark flew through the air.

Then, they both stepped into the city.

One in front of the other.

They walked hurriedly, but in the same direction.

The long street was as bright as day, teeming with people.

The Lantern Festival night in Xuanxing City was as lively as a pot of boiling water.

The lantern vendors carried their loads through the streets and alleys, the lanterns at both ends swaying gently like two strings of flowing stars.

The shouts rose and fell, each one louder than the last.

"We sell lanterns! The finest lanterns, all kinds of styles."

"Roasted chestnuts, fragrant and sweet roasted chestnuts..."

Children chased each other, carrying little rabbit lanterns, their laughter as crisp as scattered glass beads, rolling all over the street.

Feng Zhuo walked ahead, his steps quick and hurried, as if he wanted to leap to Tang Xixue's side in one step.

He weaved through the crowd, his red clothes fluttering, like a flame charging wildly through a sea of ​​lights.

Yan Ci followed behind at a leisurely pace, gently waving his folding fan.

Despite the surging crowds, he always managed to find a gap to slip through, his clothes remaining spotless.

He had promised the young princess that he would spend the Lantern Festival with her again.

This is the first Lantern Festival since the young prince returned.

He came here and fulfilled his promise.

"Brother Yan Ce, where is Ah Xue?"

Feng Zhuo stopped and looked back at him.

He took leave after finishing his official duties and came looking for me in such a haphazard way.

He learned from the strategist that Tang Xixue was in Xuanxing City, but in such a vast city with hundreds of streets and thousands of lights, could he find her?

He wasn't sure.

He admitted that he was rather slow-witted and had no clue what to do.

From childhood to adulthood, he only knew one thing: once he set his sights on a direction, he would blindly rush forward.

But this Suspended Star City is too big; he doesn't even know which way to rush.

"You."

Yan Ci gently waved his folding fan, the Tai Chi orchid on the fan surface flickering under the lamplight.

"Since we can't find the young prince, why don't we let him see you?"

His voice was neither hurried nor slow.

"Huh!"

Feng Zhuo's eyes lit up, and his already bright eyes seemed to be ignited instantly.

"Yan Ce is so smart! How come I didn't think of that?"

He grinned, a radiant smile.

"Yan Ce, you're so kind!"

When Yan Ci saw Feng Zhuo's enthusiastic expression, the corners of his lips couldn't help but turn up slightly.

There was something indescribable hidden in that smile.

He also wants to thank General Feng.

Otherwise, in this vast sea of ​​people, his search for the young prince would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

So, who is the good guy?

At the other end of the long street, the crowd suddenly parted to both sides.

The way they parted was not through pushing and shoving, but naturally and silently, like the tide meeting a reef, separating to both sides.

A figure walked from the direction of the Hanging King's Palace.

Si Xingzhou wore a star-patterned imperial robe, with intricate star patterns embroidered in silver thread on the deep blue brocade.

The star map stretched from the hem of the garment to the corner of the robe, each star being stardust nailed in by the craftsman using a secret method, shimmering with a faint silver light under the lamplight.

He walked with extreme steadiness, his every step carrying the weight of mountains and rivers.

He possessed an aura of imperial authority that commanded respect without a word, instantly silencing the clamor of the street.

But his gaze was fixed on only one person at that moment.

"Mirror Weaving".

He looked at the figure in red begonia blossoms.

In that instant, it seemed as if stars flickered in the emperor's eyes.

"Would you like to join Ah Zhe and me on a trip to the observatory to observe the stars?"

He stretched out his hand.

Those hands were long and strong, with distinct joints and fingers as smooth as jade.

With palms facing upwards and fingers slightly spread, it's as if waiting for a rare treasure to fall into them.

Observatory.

The highest point of the Hanging King Hall.

The best view in the entire Starry City.

You can overlook the city lights that stretch as far as the eye can see, and look up at the starry sky that is dazzling.

Throughout history, the rules have been extremely strict, and only emperors and empresses of Xingze were allowed to ascend this platform during major festivals.

"My God, an observatory?"

Someone in the crowd gasped, their voice trembling.

"Isn't that a rule only for the Emperor and Empress to ascend the throne together? Your Majesty, what is this...?"

Someone covered their mouth, not daring to say anything more.

Some people stared wide-eyed, their gazes shifting back and forth between the emperor and the woman.

That is Emperor Xingze, the supreme ruler who holds the reins of a vast empire.

He stood there, in front of the entire city, and reached out his hand to a woman.

What does that mean?

Everyone had the answer in their hearts, but no one dared to say it aloud.

Tangxi Xue was unaware of the importance of the observatory.

She simply turned her head and glanced at Si Xingxuan, her eyes filled with inquiry and trust.

Si Xingxuan glanced at his brother with a lingering look.

That glance held three parts dissatisfaction and seven parts helplessness.

Then, he looked away and reached out to take her hand.

"Zhizhi, let's go."

Si Xingxuan did not take his brother's outstretched hand, but instead took Tang Xixue's hand and walked step by step toward the observatory.

The scenery there is exceptionally beautiful.

He naturally wanted to give Zhizhi the best.

As for his brother's ulterior motives, he simply pretended not to see them.

To avoid getting angry at yourself.

"Oh."

Si Xingzhou chuckled softly.

The laughter was extremely soft and brief, yet it rippled outwards in the night breeze with an ambiguous meaning.

The three of them climbed the observatory together.