The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The dazzling, decadent nights of the capital city always carry a languid, luxurious feel to them.

Tangxi Snow, carrying a light drizzle and the cool of dusk, meanders through the crisscrossing streets and markets of Baiyujing.

The bluestone slabs underfoot have been polished smooth by time, with velvety moss growing in the cracks. Every step feels like walking on the soft back of time.

They had already looked at three houses.

The first location is adjacent to the West Market, where people are constantly bustling about, and the noise is like boiling water.

The second place is in a secluded alley in the south of the city. It is quiet, but the road is difficult to walk on, and the courtyard wall is mottled and about to collapse.

The third place... let's not even mention it. It was priced at 500,000 gold coins, but the courtyard was so small that you could bump into your own shadow if you turned around.

The twilight, like ink gradually thickening in an inkstone, slowly seeps into the crisscrossing streets and alleys of the capital.

Tangxi Xue's carriage turned into the bustling city street where smoke was beginning to rise.

The crystal bells hanging from the eaves swayed in the evening breeze, their clear, melodious sounds mingling with the warm aromas wafting from the street food stalls and the fading cries of peddlers.

It evokes a sense of warmth and humanity.

As the carriage reached the edge of the western market, the noise of people gradually subsided.

Just as they were about to turn the corner, their gaze was drawn to a slender figure at the entrance of a secluded alley.

It was an extremely old bookstore with a narrow storefront and the characters on the plaque were so faded that they were difficult to read.

A dim, yellow oil-paper lantern hung under the eaves, its light flickering in the rising evening breeze, casting a soft, shimmering glow on the yellowed scrolls piled up in front of the door.

At the edge where light and shadow intertwine, a young man in white is bending down to pick up the books scattered all over the ground.

He stood tall and straight like a bamboo, and even when he was bent over, he exuded an air of integrity.

This white robe was his best-looking garment, with subtle patterns and cuffs that had been washed until they were a warm, white tinge, yet remained spotless.

The evening breeze ruffled a few loose strands of dark hair across his forehead, revealing his smooth forehead and a small section of his fair nape.

Her profile looked exceptionally clean under the dim light, with a straight nose and pale lips that were slightly pursed, revealing a hint of barely perceptible annoyance.

It's Pei Yanchuan.

Tang Xixue's eyes flickered slightly, signaling the driver to slow down.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs, startling the boy who was engrossed in the book on the ground.

He suddenly looked up and followed the sound.

Eyes facing each other.

Those were exceptionally beautiful eyes, with slightly lighter-colored pupils, like glass immersed in a clear spring. At this moment, they widened slightly in fright, revealing a wet, flustered look, like a lost deer in the forest suddenly encountering a light.

"Yanchuan."

Tang Xixue leaned forward slightly and lifted a corner of the car curtain with her delicate hand.

The warm yellow light from the palace lanterns spilled out from inside the carriage, just enough to cover half of her face, making her features appear soft and elegant in the light and shadow.

A faint smile played on her lips, and her soft voice pierced the twilight:

"Buying books?"

"Clatter—"

With a soft thud, the books that Pei Yanchuan had just picked up slipped from his grasp and fell back into the dust.

He felt as if an invisible thread had suddenly tugged at his heartstrings, and his whole body visibly stiffened for a moment.

Immediately, his handsome, fair face flushed crimson at an astonishing speed, burning from his ears all the way down to his neck, even the knuckles holding the remaining scroll turned a faint pink.

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

He almost frantically squatted down again, disregarding his manners, and quickly gathered the scattered books back into his arms with an almost disheveled speed.

His movements were swift and agile, reminiscent of a martial artist, yet clumsy due to his flustered state of mind.

The dim light eventually illuminated the covers of those books.

"Notes on the Initial Rituals of Yin and Yang", "Introduction to the Way of the Husband", "Half-Pillow Fragrance", "The Flower Classic for Understanding Words", "Records of the Bedchamber"...

There are even a few books with more ornate and straightforward titles, such as "Spring Mountains Locked in Mist, Autumn Waters Rippling Across the Waves" and "Sharing Clouds and Rain in Wushan".

The paper was yellowed and the edges were slightly curled, clearly indicating that it was an old book that had been read repeatedly.

Whether the font is elegant or archaic, without exception, they are all inextricably linked to bedroom arts and romantic pleasures.

Pei Yanchuan lowered his head so low it was almost buried in his chest, revealing only his bright red ear tips and a taut jawline.

He was holding that stack of hot potatoes, unsure whether to get up or stay squatting. He felt as if he were being slowly roasted over a low flame, holding his breath, his long eyelashes trembling rapidly, casting a panicked shadow on his eyes.

"Greetings... Your Highness."

Her voice was as low as a mosquito's buzz, with an obvious sob in it, as if she were about to evaporate on the spot from embarrassment.

Tang Xixue's tone was calm and even considerate:

"It's getting late, would you like a ride back with me?"

"No, no need!" Pei Yanchuan shook his head abruptly, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Thank you so much for your kindness, Your Highness. I... I need to select some more... academic texts."

He spoke the word "classical texts" with extreme difficulty, as if each word carried a scorching heat.

"Mm." Tang Xixue nodded gently, her gaze lingering on his white robes for a moment before she said softly, "Then I won't disturb you any longer. Take care on your journey."

The curtains fell, blocking out the warm light inside the car and the embarrassed figure of the boy outside.

The carriage started moving again, the crystal bells tinkling, as it rolled over the bluestone road and gradually drove into the deepening twilight.

Only when the ringing was so faint that it was almost inaudible did Pei Yanchuan feel as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and he let out a long, silent sigh.

The stack of books in his arms felt incredibly heavy. He glanced down at the cover of the top book, "Rules of Respect for One's Wife," and his face immediately burned with embarrassment. He wished he could disappear into the ground.

Just then, a figure in black swept past him like the wind.

Mu Liang appeared in the shadows at the alley entrance like a ghost, seemingly out of nowhere.

He wore a half-silver mask, and the corner of his lips seemed to be pulled up very slightly. His gaze swept over the academic books that Pei Yanchuan had just picked up and had not yet had time to cover up in his arms: "Introduction to Romance", "A Guide to Male Virtue", and "A Life Free Without Vinegar".

"Tsk."

A very soft click of the tongue, devoid of any discernible emotion.

Pei Yanchuan's body stiffened again, and his cheeks, which had just cooled down, turned bright red once more.

Mu Liang had already looked away, as if it were just a casual remark. Her voice remained indifferent and steady, yet strangely, it carried an almost mocking undertone.

"Young Master Pei, you are quite diligent."

Pei Yanchuan: "..."

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, although his face was still flushed, his gaze had calmed down.

He held the stack of books, straightened his thin back, and tried to restore his voice to its usual gentle and refined tone, like a clear spring striking a stone, although it still carried a slight, almost imperceptible tremor:

"The sea of ​​knowledge is boundless."

"Yanchuan, you should...learn without end."

Behind Mu Liangmian, her eyebrows seemed to twitch slightly. Without saying another word, she vanished like ink stains blending into the night.

All that remains is the solitary lamp in front of the bookstore at the alley entrance, and the handsome young man standing alone under the lamp, clutching his book, his face etched with the image of someone on the verge of tears.

The evening breeze swept through the narrow alley, turning the pages of old books hanging under the eaves of the bookstore with a soft rustling sound.

"Boss, I'll take all of these."

"Young master, are you buying goods?"

"Uh... You're buying so much at once, boss, please... give me a discount."