The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"She likes whoever is obedient the most."

A calm and steady voice answered for her.

Yan Ci twirled his folding fan between his fingers, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Like a bystander who enjoys watching the drama unfold, or an outsider who has already excluded themselves from the situation.

"Both of you have to listen to her."

"Of course! I listen to Ah Xue the most."

Feng Zhuo straightened his chest, speaking with righteous indignation, his voice as loud as someone shouting commands on the drill ground.

After saying that, he gave Si Xingxuan a provocative look, his eyes clearly saying, "Did you hear that? When it comes to obedience, can you beat me?"

"Oh no, we've met our match... He's shameless enough not to care about saving face at all. Little Dog Feng is truly a little dog..."

Si Xingxuan glanced at him and suddenly had a very bad premonition.

There are too many competitors, and none of them are easy to deal with.

Although General Feng doesn't seem very bright, he is young, strong, and has a sincere heart; the word "obedience" is practically etched into his bones.

Although Yan Junshi said "you two" aloud, his eyes clearly never left Zhizhi for a moment.

And then there's his elder brother, the emperor, who's secretly sharpening his sword...

And the yet-to-be-disappeared geniuses of the Nine Provinces, each with their own unique strengths.

The Divine Physician Zheyue, whose health was not good, suddenly became somewhat withdrawn.

He lowered his eyelashes and looked at his long, fair, and well-defined hands.

It seems that all he can give Zhizhi is money.

"I think Orihime would prefer a gentler type..."

He thought to himself silently.

As she thought about it, the tips of her ears quietly turned red.

He lowered his head.

Yes, he's definitely gentler than that brute-force little dog.

He's a doctor, he knows more than they do, he'll definitely make Zhizhi happy.

Tang Xixue's gaze fell on his slightly reddened ear tips and lingered for a moment.

"Zheyue, are you feeling unwell again?"

The composure in her tone faded somewhat, replaced by concern.

She leaned forward slightly, placed the back of her hand on Si Xingxuan's forehead, and checked his temperature.

Her fingertips were slightly cool, carrying the chill of the night wind and the lingering warmth of the teacup, and pressed against his skin, cool and refreshing, like a snowflake falling on his forehead.

"Remember to take the medicinal diet I prescribed for you. Also, try not to worry too much and get plenty of rest."

Si Xingxuan was taken aback by her sudden concern.

A burning sensation spread through his heart.

He quickly shook his head, his voice still carrying a hint of panic that he hadn't had time to hide.

"I'm fine, I'm perfectly alright!"

He added another sentence, his tone resolute.

"Zhizhi, trust me, I can do it."

"Um."

Tang Xixue responded softly, without discouraging him.

She knew whether he was capable or not.

I felt dizzy as soon as I got into bed.

She'd heard that some people get seasick, but she'd never seen anyone get bedsick before in all her years of experience.

"Your Highness, you should take good care of your health."

Feng Zhuo spoke up, huffing and puffing.

"Don't overwork yourself. If you collapse, Xue will have to go through the trouble of treating you, which is too much trouble."

He realized after he finished speaking that he seemed to be concerned about his love rival, so he quickly straightened his face and added a sentence.

"I'm not concerned about you! I'm worried about Xue!"

"General Feng, there's no need to get so excited, is there?"

Si Xingxuan didn't let him off the hook either, giving him a cool glance and a slight smile.

"Don't you have a heart condition? Be careful not to turn joy into sorrow."

"My heart is perfectly fine now!"

Feng Zhuo immediately retorted, his voice loud and clear, full of confidence.

He raised his hand, clenched his fist, and pounded his chest with a swift and proud gesture, as if displaying a trophy on the training ground.

"Ah Xue, she healed me."

He glanced at Tang Xixue as he said this.

The pride and happiness on his face were almost overflowing.

His broken heart has been healed by Ah Xue.

From this day forward, every heartbeat will be inscribed with her name.

Tang Xixue looked at him and smiled slightly.

"Burning heart, truly healed."

"Therefore, no one is allowed to let it get hurt again."

As she said this, her gaze swept lightly over everyone in the carriage.

That glance was very light and gentle, but everyone who was touched by it fell silent for a moment.

This is not a request, it is a command.

They might play around and joke around, but if they actually hurt anyone, she would get angry.

Si Xingxuan silently put away the poisoned needle he had been playing with in his sleeve, appearing incredibly obedient on the surface.

The carriage rumbled as it entered the palace gates of the Hall of Longevity.

The silver bells jingled gently in the night breeze, their clear and melodious sound like the night plucking the strings of a musical instrument.

The Hall of Eternal Life is destined to be exceptionally lively tonight.

"Military Advisor Yan, General Feng, this way please."

Chu Yi led Yan Ci and Feng Zhuo to the guest rooms in the side hall.

The two strategists walked side by side along the way, but never exchanged a single word.

Yan Ci fanned himself while admiring the scenery, while Chu Yi stared straight ahead; the air was so silent it seemed you could wring water out of it.

"I wonder who's more capable, Yan Ce or Strategist Chu?"

Feng Zhuo, caught in the middle, looked to the left and then to the right, filled with curiosity.

"Zhizhi, I'm going back to rest now."

Si Xingxuan is going back to Zheyue Palace to recuperate; he is now focused on getting his health back.

"You must remember to think of me."

As he was leaving, he glanced back at Tang Xixue, his eyes filled with the pitiful look of a little pet locked out by its owner.

"Okay. Zheyue, get some rest."

Tang Xixue returned to the Palace of Longevity, bathed and washed herself, changed into a moon-white nightgown, her long hair half-wet and draped over her shoulders.

She leaned against the couch, holding a book in her hands, the candlelight burning quietly inside the lampshade.

The hall was filled with a warm, fragrant aroma, and everything was extremely quiet.

But beneath the brocade quilt, her fingers were still a little cold, and her body had not yet warmed up.

People who are weak and prone to feeling cold are like this: even when they are warmed up in bed, their hands and feet are still cold and it takes a long time for them to warm up.

Until a sound broke the silence.

"Ah Xue, may I come in?"

The voice was low, filled with nervousness and hesitation, and an awkwardness as if it had taken a lot of courage to speak.

It's the scorching wind.

Tang Xixue paused slightly as she turned the pages of her book.

She looked up at the window; the moonlight was perfect.

Why is he coming to the main hall so late at night instead of sleeping?

"Hmm? Ranzhi? Come in."

She closed the book, sat up, and responded.

The palace door was pushed open a crack, and then carefully widened little by little.

A crimson figure darted in through the crack in the door, moving with lightning speed, as if afraid of being seen by someone.

He slammed the door shut behind him, leaned against it, and his chest heaved violently.

He washed himself clean.

She changed into a clean, bright red outfit, her collar slightly open, revealing a small patch of her collarbone that had turned red from the heat.

Her hair was still wet, with a few stray strands sticking to her forehead, and water droplets dripping down the ends.

He exudes a refreshing and youthful spirit, like a red rose after the rain, delicate and beautiful.

It's like a newly forged sword, its sharpness just beginning to show, brimming with inexhaustible energy.

"What's the matter with Ranzhi?"

Tang Xixue tilted her head to look at him.

"Ah Xue, I, I, I—"

Feng Zhuo stammered.

His face grew redder and redder, his ears burned hotter and hotter, and his fingers twisted into a pretzel behind his back.

The words he had rehearsed countless times in his mind now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and he simply couldn't utter them.

He stood motionless at the door, like a little wolf that wanted to pounce but was afraid of offending its master.

Its claws pawed at the ground, its tail was taut, and all the muscles in its body were poised for action, yet it stubbornly kept itself rooted to the spot.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Tang Xixue blinked, looking at him with confusion.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and steeled his resolve.

"I'm here to warm Xue's bed!"

After saying that, he froze completely.

Her eyelashes were trembling slightly, and the redness at the base of her ears had spread down to her neck.

He dared not open his eyes, dared not look at Tang Xixue's reaction, and even dared not breathe.

The boy's scalding body temperature radiated through his thin clothes, and the heat wave could be felt even from several steps away.

It's over. It's over.

Wasn't he being too reckless?

Will Ah Xue think he's frivolous?

Will they kick him out?