The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Are you even still my brother?"

As Feng Zhuo led Tang Xixue past Feng Yi, she glared at him angrily.

Her voice was low, but it couldn't hide the shame and annoyance of having her secret exposed.

"Tsk, you've already clung to them?"

Feng Yi raised an eyebrow and chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the two clasped hands.

"Who was it that said, with tears in their eyes, that she was the person they hated most in their life?"

"you--"

"I hate that she doesn't like you, doesn't I?"

Feng Yi slowly interrupted him, her smile deepening.

Feng Zhuo froze, instinctively tightening his grip on Tang Xixue's hand.

His face turned bright red from his ears to his neck, burning and numb, with beads of sweat almost sliding down his forehead.

What to do if your own brother betrays you to your face?

He wished the snow beneath his feet would crack open so he could bury himself in it.

"It's so good, how could anyone not like it?"

Tang Xixue suddenly spoke, her voice as soft and clear as a stream of melting snow.

She turned her head to look at Feng Zhuo, her eyes filled with reassurance.

The wind suddenly quieted down.

He stared at her blankly, his restless heart suddenly being gently pressed down by a soft hand.

All the panic and shame subsided miraculously with her casual remark.

He lowered his head, his ear tips still red, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but secretly curl up a little, then he quickly pursed his lips, only peeking at her through the gaps in his eyelashes.

Those eyes were moist, hiding tiny, star-like moments of joy.

"You have good taste."

He muttered softly, his voice sweet as honey.

He could no longer suppress his smile, which spread from his lips and into his eyes, brightening his entire being.

That look was just like a puppy whose tail wagged like a windmill after finally getting a pet from its owner.

Feng Yi stood to the side, facepalming, utterly unable to bear watching.

Last night, he held his younger brother's shoulders and reminded him, word by word:

"She's only being nice to you because she wants to use you. Ranzhi, don't let yourself get carried away."

The boy's eyes were red, but he stubbornly retorted:

"Then let her use me! At least I'm still useful to her, aren't I? Why does she only use me and not others?"

"Ha." Feng Yiqi laughed, released his grip, shook his head and sighed, "Feng Ranzhi, you really... deserve it."

Serves them right for repeatedly hitting a wall, serves them right for offering their burning heart even though they've been hurt before.

He deserves to never learn what it means to hold back or what it means to have a way out in front of her.

"We really should have the legendary physician Zheyue examine him; has he lost his mind?"

At this moment, Feng Yi looked at the two figures standing side by side in the snow.

The boy's crimson robes shone brightly, while the girl's snow-white dress gleamed. Their hands clasped together, as if even the morning light falling on their shoulders lingered on them.

"well--"

Those unspoken words of dissuasion ultimately turned into a barely audible sigh.

All he could do was pray.

I pray that Tang Xixue will show mercy this time and not be too cruel.

Don't let the flame in his heart go out again.

His younger brother couldn't withstand another round of her antics.

"What a tragic fate!"

They were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were little.

Back then, everyone in the capital said that Feng Zhuo and Princess Jing were a match made in heaven.

Feng Zhuo was born with a fiery temper and acted impulsively. He was a troublemaker in the army and in school, showing no respect to anyone and daring to talk back to anyone.

But as soon as Tang Xixue glances at him, even if she only slightly furrows her brow, he immediately stops all his claws and becomes quiet and well-behaved.

Who could have imagined that they would turn out like that?

"Ah Xue, I..."

Feng Zhuo's words lingered in his throat, but he ultimately couldn't finish them.

Tang Xixue gently interrupted him.

"I'm so happy that Ran cares about me."

"At least in this world... there are still people who genuinely care about me."

She lowered her eyelashes.

"If you really hate me, then I will consciously keep my distance from you."

"No!"

Feng Zhuo almost blurted it out, and hurriedly grabbed her wrist.

"I don't hate you! Ah Xue is great... really great!"

He took a breath, as if he were about to pour out all the words that had been bottled up for years:

"Besides, even if... even if Ah Xue isn't good..."

"I don't care."

The boy's reddened eyes welled up with tears, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall.

He gazed at her, each word seeming to be ripped from the deepest part of his heart, burning with sincerity:

"Just look at me."

"Even just one glance at me would be enough."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly pulled hard.

Caught off guard, Tang Xixue was pulled into his arms and led into the snow-covered bamboo forest beside them.

The snow on the bamboo branches was shaken off with a soft rustling sound, blooming into tiny, delicate snowflakes all around them.

The boy held her tightly in his arms, his arms wrapped so tightly that he could feel each other's rapid heartbeats, so tightly that his whole body trembled slightly.

"Ah Xue..."

His voice was muffled in the snow-white cloak draped over her shoulders, tinged with a sob.

"The you from before was so unfamiliar. I... I really thought I didn't like you at all."

"I thought my heart was dead, shattered, and turned to ashes."

He raised his head, his bloodshot eyes staring straight into hers, like a trapped beast's last struggle.

"But looking at you now... my heart simply won't listen to me. I want to pretend to hate you, to stay far away from you, but I can't—there's no way!"

His voice choked with emotion:

"What can I do? Hearing your aggrieved voice, I wish I could... I wish I could beat myself up to vent your anger."

The bamboo shadows shattered the sunlight, and snowflakes fell silently.

Tang Xixue raised her head in his arms, her eyes reflecting the boy's flushed face and his eyes filled with love and pain.

She asked softly, "Ranzhi, do you still dare to come near me?"

She reached out and lightly touched his wet eyelashes with her fingertips:

"Aren't you afraid I... might hurt you again?"

Feng Zhuo abruptly closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing violently.

When I opened my eyes again, all that remained was a tenderness that was almost tragic:

"As long as it's you—"

He said in a hoarse voice, each word like a vow:

"I dare!"

He accepted his fate.

From the moment she called him "Ranzhi" again, he knew that he could never escape her in this lifetime.

Even if she were ice, snow, or deadly poison, he would still brave the elements to rush towards her.

He didn't know if he could melt the snow.

But he was willing to burn himself out until the very last spark.

"Ah Xue".

He cupped her face in his hands, his forehead gently touching hers, his voice so low it was almost a whisper.

"If you want my life... I'll hand you a knife."

"if only--"

"Stop ignoring me."

"OK?"

After a long while, Tang Xixue sighed softly.

"it is good."

She reached out and gently ruffled his soft hair.

The boy trembled and almost instinctively leaned closer, burying his face in her palm.

Like a lost young animal that has finally found its home, it longs to merge into her very being and never be separated again.

But he dared not make any rash moves, nor dared to push his luck.

He maintained this almost pious posture, letting her warmth gradually smooth out all the wrinkles in his heart.

"Ranzhi," Tang Xixue gently reminded him, "shouldn't we go out now?"

Feng Zhuo suddenly woke up with a start, hurriedly let go of her, and his cheeks instantly turned bright red.

"Ah Xue, wait a little longer—"

He turned away helplessly, his voice so embarrassed it was almost inaudible.

"You go out first... I... I need to calm down a bit..."

The surging blood and energy he felt while holding her just now were now a stark and awkward reminder that a young man's most honest reaction when he is moved is impossible to hide.

Tang Xixue's gaze swept lightly over his tense back and slightly disheveled cloak, and she suddenly understood something.

She chuckled softly, a sound so gentle it was like a feather brushing against the soul.

"Ah Xue! Don't look at me..."

The wind scorched my ears so much they turned red and almost evaporated on the spot.

"Don't stay here... I... I can't calm down..."

"it is good."

Tang Xixue patted his head and turned to walk out of the bamboo forest.

"Then I'll go first."

Her footsteps faded into the distance.

Feng Zhuo leaned against the cool bamboo pole, tilted his head back, and took several deep breaths of the crisp air.

The sunlight shone through the gaps in the bamboo leaves onto his face, but it couldn't cool the burning fire in his chest.

He closed his eyes and gave a bitter smile.

"I'm completely doomed in your hands for the rest of my life."