The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Shock, ecstasy, reminiscence...

A complex and intense array of emotions swept across his eyes like a blizzard.

His breath paused almost imperceptibly for a moment.

On the painting is a peerless beauty standing among flowers.

Her pink hair was loosely tied up like clouds, her light green skirt trailed gracefully on the ground, and she was surrounded by lush green leaves and newly blooming pink lotus flowers.

The beauty's features were gentle and serene, with a faint smile playing on her lips. Her eyes shimmered, as if they held the misty spring waters of the entire Jiangnan region.

She is so lifelike and radiant, it seems as if she might step out of the painting and into the mortal world at any moment.

Bei Chenji's Adam's apple bobbed, and when he spoke again, his voice was hoarse with nervousness, a stark contrast to his previous tone:

"So...a masterpiece of divine artistry, and someone actually intends to destroy it..."

He slowly turned his gaze to the stunned Xiao Yao, his eyes as cold as ancient ice, carrying an undisguised, chilling killing intent:

"He deserves to die a thousand deaths."

"They must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."

"Guards, drag him away and give him thirty strokes of the cane. Expel him from school and never employ him again."

His voice carried an undeniable authority.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, spare my life—!"

Xiao Yao collapsed to the ground, utterly disheveled.

"The student knows they were wrong! The student will never do it again!"

Two armored guards entered silently, expressionlessly lifted Xiao Yao up, and dragged him out.

Inside Ranxia Studio, you could hear a pin drop.

"Prince Beichen, are you sure you're referring to Tangxi Xue's painting?"

"Hahaha, what 'spiritual charm'? That's such a ridiculous compliment! Can she even paint?"

Hua Rongshi's gaze casually swept over the painting, and then she froze.

"This—this is a divine treasure!"

He murmured incredulously, his peach blossom eyes filled with undisguised amazement and admiration.

He is recognized throughout the Nine Provinces as the "Number One Painter in the World," and his vision is exceptionally high.

But the painting before him, with its spiritual essence and artistic realm, deeply moved him.

He even felt a lingering fear—if he had reacted even a fraction slower, the splashed ink would have tarnished the painting…

That would be an enormous loss.

"only--"

Hua Rongshi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in her heart.

He looked at Tang Xixue with a complicated expression, his tone carrying a hint of awkwardness that even he himself didn't realize.

"Princess Mirror need not be so infatuated with me."

He raised his hand and pointed to the stunningly beautiful woman in the painting:

"I specially drew someone who looks so much like me."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xixue merely curved her lips into a smile without saying a word.

Only Bei Chenji's gaze never left the painting, as if he wanted to imprint it into the depths of his soul.

His gaze was focused, yet carried a sense of wistful disbelief at something lost and then found.

The beauty in the painting is his deceased mother, Princess Hua Qingwan of the Dreamy Flower Capital.

The only portrait left by the mother had been burned by Tang Xixue.

Therefore, his disgust and hatred for her were almost etched into his bones.

But now... she has brought that portrait, which had long since turned to ashes, back to life in perfect detail.

No, it's not just a recurrence.

While the masterpieces left by the painting master are exquisite, they lack a certain vibrancy.

The emotions infused in this painting are even deeper and fuller; the beauty's eyes seem to have truly gained warmth, and the smile on her lips is even more gentle and genuine...

It even adds a touch of liveliness and charm compared to the original painting.

"Little Imperial Uncle, will my painting pass the evaluation?" Tang Xixue looked up at him.

"This painting will naturally be rated as—Top Grade."

Bei Chenji finally shifted his gaze from the painting to Tang Xixue.

He originally planned that no matter what she drew, he would find a reason to give her the lowest score, in order to dampen her arrogance.

Who would have thought that she would play by her own rules and unleash such a powerful move that directly hit his weak spot?

"Kyoko, could you part with this painting?"

Bei Chenji paused, his tone unusually conciliatory.

"How can that be?"

Tang Xixue refused outright, decisively and cleanly.

"This is my absolute favorite."

As Bei Chenji's gaze darkened slightly, she changed the subject, adding slowly and deliberately:

"Since it is a cherished possession, it should naturally have a corresponding value. I plan to send it to the Seven Generations Pavilion Auction House. If the young prince truly likes it, he may also go to bid on it."

"You're actually going to auction it off?!"

Hua Rong gasped in shock, as if her beloved possession was about to be taken away, her face filled with heartache.

Most importantly, the portrait looked so much like him that he felt like he was being auctioned off.

The vein on Bei Chenji's forehead twitched almost imperceptibly.

How come his little niece always manages to hit his sore spots so precisely?

She was the one who burned his mother's portrait, and now she's painting a new one to hang him up and even auction off to torment him... It's still her!

"Make an offer." Bei Chenji suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and said succinctly, "I, the King, will take this painting. There's no need for an auction house."

"Since the young imperial uncle is so sincere..."

Tang Xixue's eyes flickered, as if she had been thinking for a moment, before she spoke slowly.

"I heard that my youngest uncle has built a new residence called Yanxue Residence by Mirror Moon Lake. The scenery is quite beautiful, which suits my taste perfectly. I've been looking for a quiet place to live outside the palace lately..."

She stopped there, glancing lightly at Bei Chenji.

Yanxue Residence.

That was a gift he had painstakingly chosen, selected the best location in the capital, and personally supervised its construction, originally intended to be given to Shen Yan at the end of the year.

Bei Chenji remained silent for a moment.

"it is good."

He looked up at Qian Su, who was standing to the side, without any hesitation.

"Go and fetch the deed for Yanxue Residence."

"Your Highness?"

Qian Su was taken aback and subconsciously confirmed it.

That house... wasn't it supposed to be given to Miss Shen?

"Go." Bei Chenji's voice was slightly deep.

"Yes, sir."

Qian Su dared not say more and quickly left.

"Then... thank you very much for your generosity, Little Imperial Uncle."

Tang Xixue's lips curled up slightly.

Looking at her smug expression, which suggested she had gotten a good deal but was still acting innocent, Bei Chenji couldn't help but sneer:

"Is Xuan Yin short of your food, clothing, and daily necessities, or is he unable to afford you a princess's residence? Why does he have to come here to extort money from me?"

Who doesn't know how much Emperor Shengchen dotes on Tang Xiye?

Living in the Changsheng Hall of the palace, one's expenses are comparable to those of an emperor, and one would not lack a residence in the capital.

"It's different," Tang Xixue said matter-of-factly. "What's free is naturally better."

"..."

Bei Chenji was speechless, choked by her words. After a long while, he said irritably, "So, I'm just a sucker?"

"Young Imperial Uncle, you flatter me. This is simply a matter of mutual benefit and good value for money."

Before long, Qian Su hurriedly returned and respectfully presented a stack of documents.

Tang Xixue carefully checked the land deed and house deed, and only after confirming that they were correct did she put them away with satisfaction.

"This painting will now belong to the young imperial uncle."

She raised her hand in a gesture of greeting, her posture relaxed and natural.

Bei Chenji almost couldn't wait and personally stepped forward, carefully taking the drawing paper off the table as if it were a fragile treasure.

His movements were so gentle, a stark contrast to his usual cold and hard demeanor.

"cousin!"

Hua Rongshi watched helplessly as the painting was taken away, her heart aching, and she couldn't help but step forward.

"This painting...this painting is truly a masterpiece, I absolutely adore it! You..."

Before he could finish speaking, he met Bei Chenji's cold glance.

"This is a portrait of my mother."

"What are you going to do?"

"..."

Hua Rongshi's words caught in her throat, and her outstretched hand froze in mid-air.

Portrait of mother or imperial concubine?

The aunt who died young, whom he never had the chance to meet?

All the reluctance I felt was instantly extinguished, leaving only embarrassment and awkwardness.

"It...it was a portrait of my aunt..."

He chuckled twice, silently withdrew his hand, and muttered under his breath.

"It was I who...was just being presumptuous."

Watching Bei Chenji carefully roll up the scroll, as if protecting a priceless treasure.

Hua Rong felt a slight emptiness and melancholy in her heart.

Like a sudden spring rain, after which all the flowers on the trees are knocked off the branches, leaving only a ground covered with wet, fallen petals and a lingering fragrance in the air.

When he looked up again, he only caught a glimpse of a snow-white garment fluttering away into the distance.

Tangxi Xue had already turned and walked out of Ranxia Studio, her clothes fluttering, looking carefree and unrestrained.

"Looking at it this way, she—is also a celestial being."

Her beautiful face seemed to be talking to herself or sighing.

Before he could finish speaking, a cold sneer came from the side.

"Cousin, you're really... indiscriminate in your choices."

Hua Rong Shi: "..."