The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

As Pei Yanchuan stepped into the snow-covered bluestone square of Lintai, his feet treading on the frost that had not yet melted in the early morning, he keenly sensed an unusual, secretive probing in the air.

Countless gazes, some bright, some dim, like fine spider silk, silently coiled around him and landed on his faded blue school uniform.

"Look, that's Pei Yanchuan..."

"Looking at him, so unassuming and unassuming, how could he possess such abilities?"

Whispers, like fallen leaves in the wind, brushed past my ear.

Pei Yanchuan remained calm on the surface, but a hint of doubt flashed through his mind.

Without lingering, he walked straight toward Mingzhang Pavilion, where the crowd was densest—the list of successful candidates in the Cloud Ascension competition should be posted soon.

Before he even got close, the crowd that had been so tightly packed seemed to part quietly by an invisible force, automatically making way for him in a narrow passage. This unexpected courtesy made him stop in his tracks.

He did not step forward to occupy the most central position, but stood at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, slightly raising his head and casting his gaze upon the high-hanging brocade scroll.

My gaze swept past the densely packed names below and landed directly on the highest point.

Top of the list: Pei Yanchuan.

This result did not stir up much emotion in him.

After years of diligent study and tireless effort, he knew the hardships and joys of life, and this recognition was exactly what he had expected.

However, when his gaze fell upon the name next to his own, the name standing side by side, outlined in equally dazzling gold powder.

The calm lake of my heart was as if a blazing firestone had been thrown into it, and suddenly an unbelievable mist rose up.

His pupils contracted slightly as he stared intently at the three characters "Tang Xixue," as if to confirm that it was not an illusion.

This time, he clearly remembered that she did not ask him for help, and there was no way he could have written it for her.

How does she do it?

Almost instinctively, his gaze quickly shifted to the blank answer sheet posted next to him.

The handwriting belonging to Tangxi Xue is elegant and graceful, with a restrained and calm strength.

He quickly scanned the textual analysis, his gaze lingering on a particularly brilliant point in the policy essay, then sweeping over the concise and accurate deduction steps of the mathematical problem…

The more he looked, the slower his breathing became, and the shock in his eyes was gradually replaced by a pure, almost burning appreciation and excitement.

It turns out... she wasn't just all show, nor was she truly a complete waste of her potential.

The keenness, logic, and accumulated knowledge demonstrated in this answer sheet are not qualities that can be acquired overnight.

Even though he was absent for five years, the brilliance and essence deeply rooted in his talent and early rigorous education never truly disappeared.

In the field I'm most proud of and have poured my heart and soul into, I suddenly discovered something so dazzling that had once been obscured by dust...

This feeling is not jealousy, but rather an exhilarating and joyful experience, like meeting a worthy opponent or a meeting of minds.

"Yanchuan, congratulations on reaching the top and winning first place."

A clear, melodious voice, soft as a breeze caressing an ice cup, came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.

Pei Yanchuan suddenly turned around.

Tang Xixue was standing a few steps away.

She wasn't wearing the brightly colored outfit she wore yesterday; instead, she wore a moon-white jacket and skirt embroidered with silver-threaded plum blossoms, and a plain silver cloak trimmed with snow fox fur.

Her black hair was loosely tied up, adorned only with a single snow-white tassel hairpin.

The sunlight and snow seemed to serve as mere backdrops for her; she stood alone against that tranquil backdrop, her features exquisite, her smile gentle yet brighter than anything around her.

"Your Highness, congratulations." Pei Yanchuan curtsied respectfully, his handsome face showing sincerity. "Your Highness's talent is truly admirable."

His voice was not loud, but carried the clear, scholarly air unique to young people.

Even dressed simply, standing among the students in their finest attire, she remained like a pine tree after a snowfall, possessing an upright and unyielding spirit.

Looking at his clean and spotless exam paper, he knew perfectly well that if it weren't for her astonishing performance yesterday, he would never have been able to complete the exam in such a perfect state, let alone reach the top.

"Tsk tsk, you two are being so polite, offering your congratulations like you're reciting vows at a wedding ceremony. Isn't that cheesy?"

A bright, flamboyant voice, tinged with a playful chuckle, suddenly broke through the slightly solemn atmosphere.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Feng Zhuo had arrived nearby at some point.

He was still not wearing the uniform of Lintai, and his bright red clothes stood out against the white snow background, making his features even more handsome and lively, and the unruly spirit of the young general was overwhelming.

He crossed his arms, glanced at the top two names, raised an eyebrow at Tang Xixue, and spoke teasingly, but his eyes held an imperceptible curiosity and surprise.

"Wow—you really came back at the top of the list? I underestimated you."

Tang Xixue didn't take his teasing to heart. She turned her gaze to him and smiled, "Ranzhi also did well on the exam."

Following her gaze, Feng Zhuo glanced at a rather inconspicuous spot towards the back of the list. His handsome face flushed instantly, a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance on his face. He stubbornly argued:

"Young master... young master was only doing this out of consideration for our friendship! I was afraid you'd lose face if you did poorly on the exam, so I deliberately set a low bar for you! Who knew you... you lacked sportsmanship and quietly got first place!"

His voice trailed off as he spoke, clearly realizing the flimsy excuse, and he hastily changed the subject. But a brilliant light instantly shone in his eyes, and his tone became light and cheerful:

"By the way! I heard! You broke off your engagement with that heartless man from the Shen family? This time... you really weren't lying to me."

Upon receiving the news yesterday, he barely slept a wink, not out of worry, but out of some indescribable excitement, which now manifested as unconcealable joy in his eyes and brows.

"Mm." Tang Xixue responded softly, her gaze turning to the open grassland in the distance, where flags were already fluttering in the cold wind. "Let's go, today is the riding and archery assessment."

Having said that, she adjusted her cloak, took the lead, and headed towards the assessment area.

With unhurried steps, the hem of her snow-white cloak brushed against the remaining snow on the ground, leaving faint traces.

"Ha! I'm good at this!"

The slight embarrassment on Feng Zhuo's face vanished instantly, replaced by absolute confidence and high spirits.

He quickly caught up and walked side by side with Tang Xixue, their red clothes as fiery and vibrant.

"I can't beat you guys with your writing skills, but archery, horsemanship, and swordsmanship are the specialties of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion! Today I'll show you!"

Pei Yanchuan, as her companion, also silently followed behind Tang Xixue, standing a step behind her.

The three of them walked across the square, attracting even more attention.

This time, however, the meaning behind those gazes has been completely transformed.

The contempt, ridicule, and schadenfreude of the past have now been largely replaced by astonishment, curiosity, and even unconscious awe.

The murmurs began again, but this time the content was completely different.

"Wasn't it said that General Feng and Princess Jing were sworn enemies, arguing every time they met? This situation... doesn't seem like it?"

"It's not just that it doesn't seem like it; the young general's demeanor makes it seem like... he went to him willingly?"

"Look at how worthless Young Master Feng is..."

"I thought that Princess Jing would become a pitiful creature with no one to care about her after breaking off the engagement, but who would have thought... that she would have two such outstanding people by her side in the blink of an eye."

"Putting aside his talent, Pei Yanchuan's appearance and demeanor alone... already surpass many young masters who live in luxury."

"Although General Feng has a bit of a temper, his martial arts skills and his appearance and demeanor are unmatched in the entire capital..."

"This prince... truly... never shortchanged himself in the slightest."

Someone watched the three figures gradually disappear into the distance and sighed softly with a complicated tone.

"She's eating so well!"

That final sentiment drifted lightly through the cold winter air, carrying a subtle, indescribable feeling.