The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Tang Xixue sat on the soft couch, holding a cup of tea in her hands. The fragrant tea blurred her smile.

She took a leisurely sip of tea, observing their expressions.

Si Xingxuan feigned grievance, Feng Zhuo suppressed his unease, and Yan Ci remained restrained and calm.

She was clear-headed and handled things with ease.

"A-Ce".

She looked at Yan Ci, her tone gentle yet authoritative.

"That imperial edict is indeed genuine."

Yan Ci paused, fanning himself with his folding fan.

That hand, which was always as steady as Mount Tai, paused for a moment in mid-air before slowly falling down.

"really?"

He asked, his voice still steady, but inwardly he was rapidly recalculating.

"really."

Tang Xixue nodded, her tone casual.

"Ah Xue".

Feng Zhuo's voice suddenly lowered.

The light in her bright, deer-like eyes dimmed, like a lamp extinguished by the night wind.

"He is your son-in-law..."

His voice was trembling.

Her eyes reddened instantly, like a lake shrouded in a light mist at dawn, where a breeze stirred and ripples spread, almost overflowing the lake's water.

"And what about me?"

"And what am I then?"

Tang Xixue placed the teacup on the table.

She didn't answer immediately, but stood up and walked to Feng Zhuo.

The crimson hem of her skirt brushed against the car floor, like a cloud drifting slowly by.

She raised her hand, her fingertips gently brushing across the corners of his reddened eyes, tenderly wiping away the tears that were about to overflow.

"Burn it. It is naturally my one and only little rose."

Her voice was soft.

Feng Zhuo was stunned.

Those eyes, which had dimmed, lit up again in an instant.

It was like striking a match in the dark; suddenly, all the light returned.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but for a moment he was at a loss for words.

Those military orders that were shouted so loudly on the training grounds of the northern frontier, those bold words that never faltered on the battlefield, were all stuck in his throat at this moment, and he couldn't utter a single word.

"Really?"

In the end, he only managed to utter these three words.

He gazed at her as if waiting for confirmation more important than an imperial edict.

Tang Xixue reached out and gently rubbed the top of his head.

His hair brushed against her palm; it was a little stiff, with the roughness unique to young men.

He obediently lowered his head, his nose brushing against her wrist, his hot breath pressing against her skin.

"Um."

Feng Zhuo finally nodded emphatically.

The corners of his mouth turned up into small, pointed ridges that he couldn't suppress no matter how hard he tried.

Ok.

He was her little rose.

One of a kind!

Her words are more effective than any imperial edict.

Si Xingxuan's face darkened.

He watched as Tang Xixue got up, walked over, raised her hand to wipe away her tears, and rubbed her hair – a series of movements performed smoothly and seamlessly.

He remained seated, not even touching her elbow.

That little dog is shameless.

So clingy, does he have any of the demeanor of a young general commanding thousands of troops?

If the wolf riders of the Northern Frontier saw their Flame General wagging his tail like that, they would probably all gouge out their own eyes.

"Weaving."

He spoke softly, his jealousy almost corroding a hole in the silk gauze on the car window.

"What about me? Aren't I unique?"

Tang Xixue turned around and looked at him.

Si Xingxuan sat upright, his moon-white robe perfectly in place, and his light blue gauze fabric perfectly smooth, exuding the aloof and noble demeanor of the Prince of Suspense.

But those eyes, clear as the sky after the rain, were gazing at her expectantly, their eyes filled with the plea: "Praise me, praise me!"

"Yes, Zheyue is certainly special."

Tang Xixue gave a positive evaluation, her tone extremely sincere.

"What's so special about it?"

Si Xingxuan's eyes lit up for a moment, and her body unconsciously leaned forward a little.

Tang Xixue tilted her head and thought for three breaths, taking her time to think carefully.

Then she gave a glittering answer.

"Extremely rich, I guess?"

The carriage fell silent.

Si Xingxuan's expression underwent extremely complex changes.

First comes the bewilderment of dashed expectations, then the struggle of self-consolation, and finally the nonchalant acceptance of giving up.

These three emotions switched rapidly across his exquisite, jade-like face, creating a captivating display.

Qi Zhu almost burst out laughing outside, biting her sleeve tightly to avoid being silenced by her great demon master in his rage.

"Yes, it does. Why wouldn't it?"

Si Xingxuan took a deep breath and immediately replied.

He is exceptionally wealthy, which is certainly an advantage, something that others can't match.

Anyway, Zhizhi really likes money, so what's the difference between that and her liking him?

I basically just like him as a person!!!

"Oh."

Yan Ci unfolded his folding fan, concealing the curve of his lips.

His eyes were slightly curved, as if he were watching an extremely exciting game of chess, while the person holding the pieces was leisurely holding a teacup, arranging the three pieces clearly.

"Your Highness."

He spoke, his voice carrying a barely suppressed laugh.

"Your ability to balance water is even better than the scales of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion."

"You flatter me."

Tang Xixue smiled gently and raised her teacup towards him.

Her posture was calm and elegant, as if she were holding not a bowl of water, but an entire chessboard.

"Weaving."

Si Xingxuan gave up struggling and decided to just act cute. Anyway, she had already lost half her face, so she didn't care about losing the other half.

"When will this bowl of water be tilted a little towards me?"

He raised his eyes, his long eyelashes trembling slightly, his eyes brimming with tears. He looked so pitiful that it seemed he would break his heart on the spot if she didn't give in.

"It depends on your performance."

Tang Xixue took a sip of tea, her tone calm and unmoved.

Four words, no more, no less, perfectly balanced, holding a bowl of water steadily in the very center.

Feng Zhuo suddenly spoke up from the side.

He tilted his head, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were pondering an extremely serious question.

"Ah Xue, between him and me, who do you like more?"

The air inside the carriage suddenly froze.

Si Xingxuan's hand froze in mid-air.

Yan Ci paused for a moment with his folding fan.

Even Qi Zhu and Chu Yi outside the car pricked up their ears without prior arrangement.

Tang Xixue glanced at Feng Zhuo slowly.

That's a question that's both naive and tricky.

If I say I like the crescent moon, Little Rose will cry.

If I say I like little roses, Zheyue, that little crybaby, will explode.

Saying you like them both is too perfunctory.

If I say I don't like any of them, then I can't write this chapter.