The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Ce Zheng was going to send General Feng back first, but with His Highness escorting him, it will save us the trouble."

Yan Ci twirled his folding fan in his palm.

"However, I still have some trivial matters to take care of, so I will not accompany Your Highness."

"The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion still has a few old scores to settle in Xuanxing City, which I need to verify with Military Advisor Chu in person. I will return to Beichen to report back in three days."

Tang Xixue glanced at him.

His calm eyes were always unfathomable, revealing no hidden emotions.

"Okay. Be careful, A-Ce."

She didn't ask any more questions, she just nodded.

It shows concern without being overly worried.

She had absolute confidence in his abilities.

"The Chu strategist is not someone to be trifled with. When you're checking the old accounts, go easy on him, or you'll make him cry."

Upon hearing this, a faint smile flashed in Yan Ci's eyes.

"Your Highness, rest assured. Ce always persuades people with reason."

"What kind of logic can Brother Yan Ce spout? It's probably some kind of twisted and heretical logic."

Feng Zhuo muttered something under his breath.

Yan Ci turned her head and glanced at him, her gaze calm.

Feng Zhuo immediately straightened his back and changed his words in a flash.

"No! I mean, Brother Yan Ce, you're the most reasonable person! The most reasonable person in the entire Nine Provinces! I'll argue with anyone who says you're unreasonable!"

Yan Ci was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this. Was he really that scary?

"Oh."

Tang Xixue chuckled softly and waved to Feng Zhuo.

"Light it, get on board. Stop joking."

"Okay!"

Feng Zhuo immediately rushed to her side, his movements as fast as lightning, and even glanced back at Si Xingxuan triumphantly.

"See? Ah Xue let me on the boat. Me, and her, are in the same boat."

"childish."

Si Xingxuan did not respond to his provocation.

He silently opened the little black book in his mind and added another stroke under the name "Feng Zhuo": "Overconfident, fifty strokes."

Just then, a series of orderly footsteps suddenly came from the end of the square.

The footsteps were deep and steady, and the metallic sound of armor rubbing together created a distinct rhythm.

This is the marching of the Imperial Guard, well-trained and imposing.

The Imperial Guards dispersed, revealing a figure shrouded in darkness.

Si Xingzhou, dressed in a star-patterned imperial robe, was followed by Chu Yi and two squads of golden-armored guards, their steps perfectly synchronized and their aura as imposing as a mountain.

The pomp and circumstance were so grand that anyone who didn't know better would think they were going to receive an envoy from another country.

However, to be fair, Her Majesty the Empress of the Moon-Weaving Sea Kingdom is indeed far more important than the envoy.

He shouldn't have come today.

For a dignified emperor to personally come and see someone off is really too much of a fuss.

The old ministers in the court would submit memorials again, saying, "Your Majesty's actions are against etiquette," "The imperial dignity should not be taken lightly," and "We beg Your Majesty to prioritize the affairs of the state."

But he still came.

What do etiquette and decorum matter? She's leaving anyway.

He rushed over as soon as he received the news.

"His Majesty has arrived..."

Before the guards' greetings had even faded, Si Xingzhou had already reached the celestial boat.

He raised his hand to signal the guards to stop, and then walked forward with only Chu Yi.

"Mirror Weaving".

He stopped in front of Tang Xixue and called her name.

His voice was deep and regal, carrying the majesty of an emperor, yet it was extremely soft at this moment.

He glanced at Si Xingxuan standing at the palace gate. His younger brother's eyes were as red as a rabbit's, clearly indicating that he hadn't slept all night.

"Did you rest well last night? Was the hospitality of Xuanxing City satisfactory?"

"Thank you for your care, I rested very well."

Tang Xixue smiled slightly.

Si Xingzhou noticed a slight upward inflection at the end of her voice, a subtle hint of pleasure that only the most observant could detect.

She was happy in Starry City.

"That's good."

Si Xingzhou nodded slightly.

He raised his hand, and Chu Yi behind him immediately stepped forward carrying a long, narrow sandalwood box.

The wooden box is entirely dark and heavy, with silver star patterns carved on its surface. Each star trail shimmers with a faint light, making this box alone priceless.

Chu Yi had transferred the money from the national treasury overnight, and he held it in his arms the whole way, even more carefully than he would his own son, for fear of bumping or hurting it.

After all, the contents inside are very precious.

"Kyoko, I have prepared a small gift for you."

Chu Yi opened the wooden box.

The box was lined with snow-white cloud-silk brocade, and on the brocade lay a black iron folding fan.

The fan ribs are made of ancient warm jade, which feels warm to the touch and stays cool in summer and warm in winter.

A star map was drawn on the fan surface using stardust ink.

"This is a star map hand-drawn by a lonely parent, using stardust as ink, and it will never fade over the millennia."

His voice was deep and resonant, like the distant tolling of a mountain bell sinking into the twilight.

"This fan represents the friendship between Xingze and your country; it is a state gift."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xixue took the folding fan, her fingertips brushing against the warm, smooth jade ribs, unfolding the fan surface to examine it closely.

The star map on the fan shimmered with a silvery-blue glow in the morning light, making each star exceptionally bright.

"Thank you, Changxi."

She spoke, her voice gentle and soft.

Si Xingzhou's fingertips trembled slightly inside his sleeve.

He remained expressionless and dignified, his imperial majesty undiminished.

But only he knew that the moment "Changxi" entered his ears, his heart tightened, followed by an overwhelming and uncontrollable throbbing.

He had to use all his self-control to stop himself from taking a step forward and wanting to hold her in his arms.

"I accept this gift."

"Since it is a state gift, I will also present something to Xingze to represent the friendly relations between our two countries."

Tang Xixue took out a pair of peace buckles and personally handed them to him.

Si Xingzhou paused slightly as she took the safety buckle; she called him Changxi.

It's not Your Majesty, it's Changxi.

They even prepared a return gift for him, a pair of peace buckles.

Does she like him too?

He knew that someone as outstanding as him couldn't possibly not be attracted to him!

This is their token of love.

Si Xingzhou's smile deepened even further.

He held the safety buckle in his palm, gently stroking the patterns on it with his fingertips, reluctant to put it down, as if it were a priceless treasure.

"Kyoko is so thoughtful."

Si Xingxuan's gaze was so intense it almost bore holes through his hand, but he pretended not to notice.

He turned around and looked at Feng Zhuo, who was standing behind Tang Xixue.

With a scrutinizing and evaluative eye.

"The wind and snow of the northern frontier forged a great general."

Si Xingzhou's tone was flat, making it impossible to tell whether it was praise or criticism.

"However, if one day General Feng were to face me on the battlefield... I would not show any mercy."

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"General, don't come crying to Jingzhi to complain when the time comes."

"Your Majesty, rest assured! When that day truly comes, it's uncertain who will be the one crying!"

Feng Zhuo stood tall and proud, ready to act decisively and resolutely, never losing face or composure.

Si Xingzhou nodded slightly.

"Hmm. That's ambitious."

He turned and walked away, decisively and cleanly, without any unnecessary small talk or insincere pleasantries.

Emperors never need many words to bid farewell.

Chu Yi followed behind the emperor, and paused almost imperceptibly as he passed Feng Zhuo.

He spoke a sentence very quickly, in a voice that only two people could hear.

"General Feng, you spent the night with Princess Jing in the main hall of the Longevity Palace... If this news reaches Chenyao, I'd very much like to see His Majesty's expression."

Feng Zhuo's hair stood on end instantly, and he almost drew his sword on the spot.

"Mind your own business!"

Chu Yi smiled slightly, a smile that was polite, distant, and meaningful.

"I, Chu, cannot control General Feng, but there are people in Beichen who can."