The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The next morning, as dawn broke.

A thin layer of silver frost covered the glazed tiles of Xuanxing City, shimmering with tiny sparkles in the morning light, like diamonds scattered on the roof.

The silver bells on the eaves awakened the palace that had been sleeping all night.

Inside the Hall of Eternal Life, Tang Xixue was dressing up in front of the mirror.

Since Li Shuang wasn't there, she picked up the jade comb herself and slowly combed her long hair.

Her features were reflected in the bronze mirror, calm as water and composed as a mountain.

She glanced at her slightly flushed cheeks in the mirror and thought: Burning oil is indeed warm.

However, some people might be different.

Feng Zhuo got up very early, as energetic as a little wolf that had just run ten laps on the training field.

He was young and full of energy, and after a good night's sleep, he was radiant and full of spirit, as if he were about to fly to the sky and become a star.

He stretched in the hall, feeling like he had inexhaustible energy.

"Ah Xue, you look so beautiful in that crabapple hairpin today! Ah Xue looks good in anything!"

He lay on the edge of the couch, his hands supporting his chin, tilting his head to watch her do her hair, looking just like a little dog squatting at its master's feet, its tail wagging wildly behind it.

His gaze kept glancing at Tang Xixue.

He peeks as she combs her hair; he peeks as she puts flowers in her hair; he peeks as she sips tea.

It was so blatant that people around him wanted to blindfold him.

"Ranzhi, you're so good at praising people, did you train in the Northern Frontier?"

Tang Xixue glanced at him in the bronze mirror.

Every time Feng Zhuo heard her call him "Ran Zhi", he felt his heart skip a beat.

It wasn't the tension of facing a powerful enemy on the battlefield, but a kind of tingling sensation that spread from the heart to every part of the body, as if the whole person was soaking in warm water, with every pore relaxing.

"No way! On the training ground, all I do is swear... no, all I do is shout commands!"

Feng Zhuo corrected him confidently, then lowered his voice and his ears turned red again.

"Praising Xue... I don't need to practice, it just comes out of my mouth. Just like Xue is beautiful without needing to dress up... it's natural!"

"Then tell me, which of these two hairpins is prettier?"

She took out two almost identical begonia-shaped jade hairpins from her dressing case and handed them to him.

Feng Zhuo looked at the two jade hairpins in front of him and was faced with the most difficult choice of his life.

His eyebrows were twisted into a knot, and his eyes scanned back and forth between the hairpins seven or eight times before finally raising his head pitifully.

"Ah Xue, can I say they're both beautiful? I can distinguish the enemy's left and right flanks, but this... this is too difficult! Aren't these two hairpins twins? Why are you making me choose one of the twins?"

Tang Xixue put the hairpin back in her hair, inserted it into her own hair, and said with a smile.

Just kidding.

"Ah Xue, you always bully me, but... I just love being bullied by you!"

Feng Zhuo smiled broadly.

As for Si Xingxuan... he didn't sleep a wink all night.

He sneered inwardly, "Little Feng really is a sycophant."

Unfortunately, all talk is just empty words; unlike him, he's a man of action.

He sent Qizhu to the imperial kitchen to keep an eye on the pastries before dawn today, and the four layers of pastries in the food box are still warm.

In terms of practicality, it's miles ahead of the Wind Dog.

"Oh, His Highness Prince Xuan is awake?"

Feng Zhuo caught a glimpse of the movement on the chaise longue in the bronze mirror and immediately perked up.

He leaned closer, tilted his head, and examined Si Xingxuan's face with an expression as if he were appraising a newly unearthed artifact, even clicking his tongue twice.

"Your dark circles... tsk tsk, you look like you've been punched twice. What's wrong, didn't you sleep well last night? Was the chaise lounge uncomfortable? I knew it, with such a weak constitution, you should go back to your own bed."

"Why do you insist on staying here? Aren't you just asking for trouble? I told you, it would be much better if you slept under the bed—it's spacious and quiet..."

Before he could finish speaking, Si Xingxuan sat up, his face showing no sign of anger, but instead a slight smile.

"No need for General Feng to trouble himself. I was just thinking... about how to make some of those snoring so loudly back down."

"Snoring? What snoring? Who's snoring?"

Feng Zhuo looked around, her face quietly turning red.

"There are only the three of us in the hall. Who are you talking about? It's definitely not me... I've never snored since I was a child, my brothers in the army can testify! At most, I might talk in my sleep..."

"Hmm. He was talking in his sleep, telling Ah Xue to be quiet. I heard him. More than once."

Si Xingxuan said in an annoyed tone.

Feng Zhuo's face instantly turned a deep liver color.

"You...you were eavesdropping on me!"

"You were talking in your sleep in the palace, and the whole palace could hear you... Does that count as eavesdropping?"

"you!"

Feng Zhuo was so angry that his hair was about to stand on end.

How can this person be so good at arguing?!

Wasn't she crying and sobbing yesterday? How come she's suddenly much stronger today?

Tang Xixue listened with great interest; the two of them together were quite lively!

Just as Feng Zhuo was about to retaliate, he heard Mu Liang's voice coming from outside the hall.

"Your Highness, the celestial vessel sent by the Sea Emperor to fetch you is already waiting outside the palace."

Mu Liang, still dressed in that black outfit, stood at the palace gate to report.

Last night, after stopping the Suspended King, he disappeared into the shadows as if he didn't exist.

As dawn broke, he reappeared, like a shadow that only appears at night, sheathing its claws in the light, leaving only its loyal shell.

Tang Xixue had just finished dressing up and tilted her head slightly upon hearing this.

"Oh? My brother sent me to pick me up?"

She stood up and pushed open the palace door.

The voice carried an unexpected surprise, like a bird taking flight from a branch.

"Yes," Mu Liang replied.

The morning light poured in, illuminating the jade steps in front of the Hall of Longevity.

Tang Xixue saw the fairy boat moored in the square outside the palace.

A magnificent blue fairy boat, its hull made of deep-sea spirit wood and covered with shimmering mermaid silk gauze.

The pavilions are exquisite, with upturned eaves and corners. The curtains strung with pearls sway gently in the morning breeze, making a soft and clear sound.

The ship's hull is engraved with the emblem of the Moon-Weaving Sea Kingdom, a crescent moon sinking into the blue waves, which is the royal emblem of the moon sinking into the blue sea.

The celestial vessel was also surrounded by a layer of pale blue spiritual light, which could withstand the strong winds on the celestial route.

"This fairy boat is quite unique; it's clear that my brother put a lot of effort into preparing it."

Tang Xixue gazed at the celestial ship with tender eyes.

She knew this was Xingyu's doing; her brother truly doted on her.

Even the celestial ship that came to pick her up had to be the most magnificent one. The Moon Guard dispatched two entire teams, with their shields upgraded to the highest level.

On the celestial ship, the Moon Guards stood solemnly, their armor gleaming, their aura imposing.

The silver-blue armor shimmered in the morning light, each plate engraved with wave patterns.

The leader was Yue Zhongtian, a man of imposing stature and resolute face. Upon seeing Tang Xixue's figure in the distance, he knelt on one knee, placed his right hand on his left chest, and gave a standard Zhiyue military salute, his voice loud and clear.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome you back to the Sea Kingdom."

The dozens of Moon Guards behind him knelt down in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, the metallic clatter of their armor creating a cacophony.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

"Please rise, everyone. Does the Sea Emperor have any message for you to convey?"

Tang Xixue nodded slightly and responded.

The voice was soft yet carried an inherent authority.

"The Sea Emperor said he's waiting for you at home."

Yue Zhongtian stood up and bowed his head to report.

"Never mind, I can't bring myself to say it. In short, His Majesty misses Your Highness, and the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager also miss you very much."

He used to be hostile towards Haihuang Xingyu, thinking he was a bad person, but now he realizes he misunderstood him.

"Okay, I understand."

Tangxi Xue smiled, but she also had them on her mind.

"We're ready to set off now."

She turned her head to look at the Hall of Longevity behind her.

Feng Zhuo was already dressed in his crimson outfit and was leaning against the door frame, staring at the immortal ship with wide eyes and a slightly open mouth, his expression saying, "Ah Xue has quite the grand entrance."

He sneaked into the main hall last night, but now he came out of the main hall with his head held high and his chest puffed out, looking perfectly justified.

It was as if he were announcing to the world that he and Ah Xue were exceptionally close.

Si Xingxuan stood three steps behind him, her light blue gauze perfectly in place.

He changed into a new set of clothes to cover up his disheveled appearance from last night, although the grime under his eyes couldn't be hidden no matter what.

But he stood ramrod straight, exuding an air of noble composure, as if he were not the one who had run barefoot and cried his eyes out last night.

But Qi Zhu knew it was him.

Qi Zhu also knew that there was a small note covered with tally marks hidden in the sleeve of the Lord's new robe.

Those were the accounts he kept last night.

Feng Zhuo snored a few times, mumbled a few words in his sleep, and turned over a few times.

Densely packed, a shocking sight.

Tang Xixue took in the undercurrents between the two.

"Zheyue."

She walked up to Si Xingxuan and called his name.

"See you next time. I hope you'll have fully recovered by then."

Her tone carried a hint of earnest advice.

"I've had Qizhu keep the medicinal diet recipe. Take it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Avoid raw and cold foods, avoid staying up late, and avoid extreme joy or sorrow. If you run around barefoot again..."

She raised her eyebrows slightly, the curve of which was so subtle that it made Si Xingxuan lower her eyelashes guiltily.

Her voice also deepened slightly, carrying a warning tone.

"I can get angry."

Si Xingxuan nodded obediently.

"Don't worry, Zhizhi, I'll listen to everything you say."

"Um."

Tang Xixue raised her hand and gently patted his shoulder.

She chuckled, like a silver bell ringing in the morning breeze, carrying a hint of indulgent helplessness.

Looking at her smile, Si Xingxuan felt his heart skip a beat.

It's not an illness, it's just a flutter of the heart.

"You just need to live well."

"Okay. I'll live well. For Zhizhi."

Si Xingxuan repeated it carefully, as if it were a vow.

He looked at her intently.

The morning light fell on his long eyelashes, making his eyes appear even brighter.

The clear light held none of last night's madness and chill, only the purest anticipation.

He carefully concealed all his obsession and yandere tendencies, showing her only his best side.

"Do you still remember our promise?"

"I remember."

Tang Xixue nodded, her voice firm.

"On the third day of the third month, in the Weaving Moon Sea Kingdom, I will be waiting for you."

Si Xingxuan felt a surge of heat in her chest, and her eyes almost welled up with tears again.

He quickly lowered his eyelashes, forcefully suppressing the glistening tears.

Can't cry.

If you cry, the little dog in the wind will laugh at you.

He is now Zhizhi's future husband, and he should act like one.

He didn't know what the prince consort looked like, but he was sure he wouldn't be a crybaby.

"it is good."

He curved his lips into a smile, gentle and warm.

But hidden beneath that smile was a subtle undercurrent that only he himself knew.

Qi Zhu saw that smile from behind and shivered.

He knows his master all too well.

That guy is a complete lunatic.

March 3rd.

He will go.

He would go with a generous dowry and a heart full of joy.

At that time, he would proudly declare in front of all his suitors in the Moonlit Sea Kingdom:

He was the prince consort that Zhizhi herself acknowledged.

With an imperial edict as proof, this is honest and trustworthy, genuine and authentic.

"Qizhu, bring the things up."

Si Xingxuan turned around and waved to Qi Zhu.

"Yes, my lord."

Qi Zhu immediately presented a delicate sandalwood food box containing four neatly arranged layers of pastries, each separated by a silk brocade, arranged like exhibits from the imperial kitchen.

Inside the food box, there was a sheet of Xuan paper with the name of each snack written in neat small regular script.

The handwriting is clearly Si Xingxuan's.

"Zhizhi, these are some local specialties from Xuanxing City. Take them with you on the road."

He pointed everything out to her, just like a loving wife seeing her sweetheart off on a long journey.

"You tried the crabapple blossom pastry last night. This one is freshly baked this morning and still warm."

"I asked the imperial chef to add an extra bit of osmanthus honey, making it even sweeter than last night. These are star-shaped cakes..."

"Pear preserves, mooncake dumplings... made of glutinous rice and filled with red bean paste, are gentle on the spleen and stomach."

He then picked up a small celadon jar, its surface decorated with silver-blue star patterns.

"And this jar... is a medicinal tea brewed with Star Vein Spring water from Xuanxing City. It contains Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, and wolfberry, all of which are warming and nourishing herbs that dispel cold and warm the body. It's milder than regular tea."

"Zhizhi has a cold constitution, and drinking too much regular tea can upset her stomach, but this won't. I specially prepared this formula to suit your constitution."

He finished speaking in one breath, giving no one a chance to interrupt.

Tang Xixue took the food box and glanced at it.

The crabapple blossoms are layered, the star-shaped cake is crystal clear, the snow pear preserves are coated with a thin layer of icing sugar, and the moon-shaped dumplings are white and plump, still steaming hot from the oven, exuding a sweet fragrance of glutinous rice and osmanthus.

"Thank you, Zheyue. You're so thoughtful. It's perfect for satisfying my craving on the way."

She handed the food box to Mu Liang, gesturing for him to keep it safe.

Mu Liangmian accepted it expressionlessly, without even glancing at Si Xingxuan.

"Ranzhi and Ace, are you going back to Beichen?"

Tangxi Xue turned to Feng Zhuo and Yan Ci, who had just come from the side hall.

"I'll give you a ride along the way. The celestial ship travels along the Heavenly Route, passing through the border of Beichen, which is much faster than riding back on horseback."

She said it casually, but what she meant was that she was thinking of them.

After all, they were Chen Yao's men, one a strategist and the other a general. Every moment they stayed in Xingze's territory increased their risk.

Even though Yan Ci is known for his prudence, Tianji Pavilion must have had a backup plan, and Feng Zhuo, with his high level of martial arts, is not afraid of ordinary ambushes.

But nothing could be simpler or safer than her personally leading them away.

Emperor Xingze Si Xingzhou and strategist Chu Yi are not easy opponents.

Not to mention Si Xingxuan, that little yandere, whose jealousy is unpredictable. If he gets jealous one day, he might actually lock someone up in the dungeon.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Yan Ci walked slowly from the direction of the side hall. His white robe with black patterns fluttered gently in the morning breeze. His long silver-gray hair was neatly tied up, with a silver hair ribbon hanging down his shoulder.

With a gentle wave of a folding fan in hand, the ink-wash orchids on the fan surface appear and disappear in the morning light.

He seemed to have slept well last night; at least he showed no signs of fatigue and remained as calm and composed as ever, as if everything was under control.