The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"The medicine is ready, my little A-Lin."

"Your Highness, I... I'm not a child..."

"Yes, Ah Lin is not young."

Tang Xixue glanced at him with a half-smile, and he immediately blushed.

She had somehow picked up a plain white silk handkerchief with snowflake patterns embroidered along its edges.

She leaned forward and, with remarkable ease, gently wiped away the remaining dampness from the corner of his eye with the corner of her handkerchief.

The movements were gentle, with an almost indulgent tenderness.

The handkerchief was still covered with her unique, cool fragrance, like the morning dew on a crabapple tree, which drifted into my nostrils.

"Your Highness... I can do it myself."

Pei Yanchuan hurriedly turned her head, one hand still tightly gripping the edge of the snow blanket wrapped around her, while the other hand was raised slightly hastily to take the silk handkerchief that still had the slight warmth of her fingertips.

The moment their fingertips touched, a faint electric current seemed to surge through them, causing the blush that had just faded from his ears to rekindle.

Tang Xixue let him take it, withdrew her hand, and sat leisurely on the edge of the couch, her gaze falling on his downcast profile, which was still stained with tears but trying to maintain his composure.

Its appearance was just like a white magnolia with its petals wet after the rain, yet still stubbornly holding up its slender stems. It was wet, fragile, and pure, making people feel sorry for it.

A tender feeling of affection welled up in her heart.

"Shuang'er, prepare a set of sleeping clothes for Young Master Pei." She didn't turn around, but only raised her voice slightly.

"Yes, Your Highness."

A respectful reply came from outside the curtain.

A moment later, light footsteps approached and receded, and Li Shuang's voice rang out through the ice-blue tasseled gauze curtain, carrying a considerate reluctance:

"Your Highness, your sleeping robes have been prepared and placed on the table in the outer room."

Young Master Pei Yanchuan is His Highness's man, and these personal maids naturally know their place and must avoid suspicion.

Tang Xixue got up, walked gracefully to the outer room, and returned a moment later with a set of neatly folded clothes in her hand.

She unfolded it and handed it to Pei Yanchuan.

It was a nightgown of excellent quality made of brocade, the color of fresh snow, soft and lustrous.

The collar, cuffs, and hem are embroidered with sparse and elegant six-petaled snowflake patterns in extremely fine silver thread, which are elegant and unique, and shimmer with subtle brilliance under the candlelight.

"This was specially prepared for Ah Lin."

Pei Yanchuan's gaze fell on the nightgown, then he quickly glanced at the plain white nightgown that Tang Xixue was wearing, which was similar in style and also embroidered with silver snow patterns. His heart skipped a beat.

This...this is almost...

He dared not think too deeply; his cheeks burned instantly, and even his neck turned crimson.

He almost held his breath as he took the incredibly soft and warm garment.

"Your Highness..." His voice was barely audible, filled with pleading, "Could...could you please...leave me for a moment? I...I need to change my clothes."

Just now, when she was applying medicine to the wounds on his front and back, he was so embarrassed that he wanted to hide himself.

If he were to change his underwear under her unwavering gaze at this moment, he feared he might actually faint from a rapid heartbeat.

"I……"

"I should change back into my school uniform and go home..."

"Go back? Go back where? Didn't Ah Lin just say... to serve you in bed?"

Tang Xixue tilted her head slightly, a faint yet meaningful smile curving her lips, her eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, shining with a sly glint.

"Since we're already here..."

Seeing him freeze instantly, a blush spreading to the tips of his ears, her smile deepened, but her tone remained gentle and unwavering:

"Change into your nightgown and come with me to bed."

After saying that, she turned around first and walked towards the sandalwood canopy bed with heavy silk curtains hanging deep inside the inner hall.

With a leisurely gait, the fluttering of her clothes carried a wisp of the fragrance of cold plum blossoms.

Pei Yanchuan's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his nightgown, his knuckles turning slightly white.

As he watched her figure recede into the distance, he felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He quickly threw off the snow-white velvet blanket covering him and hurriedly put on the snow-white brocade nightgown.

The fabric was soft and gentle on the skin, and the size was surprisingly perfect, as if it had been made for him.

only……

He lowered his eyes, his gaze awkwardly sweeping over a certain area of ​​turbulent emotion, his forehead almost beaded with cold sweat.

What should we do?

Can it be suppressed?

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself, but found it was all in vain.

In the end, he could only grab the large snow blanket, haphazardly cover himself with it, purse his lips, and silently follow behind her.

She tried her best to keep her steps steady, but the uncontrollable trembling of her fingertips at the cuffs betrayed the turbulent tension and helplessness beneath her calm exterior.

Inside the canopy bed, the brocade curtains hung low, and the warm fragrance was even stronger.

The bed was large and covered with thick, brocade mattresses that felt as soft as clouds.

Tangxi Xue had already taken her place on the bed.

She wore only a light and thin brocade nightgown, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders, making her skin appear even whiter than snow.

She lifted a corner of the quilt and found a comfortable spot to settle in.

The quilt cover was made of smooth, shimmering brocade, which swayed with a soft pearly light under the palace lamp at the corner of the bed, reflecting half of her jade-like profile, creating a serene and beautiful scene.

She patted the empty space beside her, the movement so natural it seemed she was merely inviting him to admire the snow scene outside the window, her tone casual:

"Come on up."

Pei Yanchuan stood frozen by the bed.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, but he found his mouth too dry to make any more sounds.

In the end, he simply did as instructed, his movements stiff as a puppet, slowly lifting another corner of the brocade quilt and carefully lying down inside.

"Ah Lin, why do you look like a pitiful little thing, forced into prostitution?"

"If you are unwilling—it's not too late to go now."

Her gaze fell on him, questioning him.

"I don't force anyone to have any preferences."

"Your Highness, no... I have absolutely no reluctance! I, I'm just—a tiny bit nervous."

The moment Pei Yanchuan's body touched the soft, fragrant brocade quilt, still warm from her body, he instantly tensed up.

"To be able to serve Your Highness in bed is Ying Lin's greatest fortune..."

He lay there properly, his hands folded in front of his abdomen, like a sharp blade that had strayed into a cloud of flowers, out of place with the soft, fragrant surroundings, exuding a strong sense of unease and restraint.

Tang Xixue looked at his tense expression and the corners of her lips slightly turned up.

"Your Highness...Your Highness..."

"What should I do?"

His voice was hoarse, filled with trepidation and bewilderment.

For the first time in his life, he slept in the same bed with a woman.

Even with his strong will and having been well-versed in Confucian teachings since childhood, his body's natural reactions and uncontrollable agitation betrayed his will and could not be concealed.

"Go to sleep."

Tang Xixue naturally turned to the side and moved closer to him, like a weary bird returning to its nest. She found the most comfortable position and gently nestled half of her body into his slightly stiff embrace.

Her forehead naturally touched his slightly cool collarbone.

A warm, soft body pressed against me, sending shivers down my spine.

"Tomorrow... I still need to get up early to leave the palace."

Her tone was indistinct, languid with a deep sleepiness, as if she had simply grabbed a warm pillow that looked nice to her.

Before long, her breathing became even and slow, as if she had instantly fallen asleep.

"..."

Pei Yanchuan froze completely, as if he had been frozen in place.

After a long while, he very slowly, tentatively, raised one arm and, barely daring to put any real force, wrapped it around her delicate shoulders and back.

So this is what it means to serve someone in bed?

It seems he's learned it.

His eyes instantly lit up, filled with joy.

It seems he can learn how to serve the emperor without reading those classic texts.

The body in his arms was petite and soft, incredibly light, carrying a cool fragrance like the refreshing dew of begonia blossoms, yet subtly sweet and warm, completely different from the solitary and lonely aura that had permeated him for many years.

She simply nestled quietly against him, her breathing steady, as docile and obedient as a precious snow cat that had sheathed all its claws and was sleeping soundly, completely unguarded.

The candlelight flickered red, and the curtains hung low.

He lowered his eyes and gazed at the peaceful sleeping face of the person in his arms.

Her long eyelashes, like folded black butterflies, cast soft arcs on her eyelids; her skin, so close yet so delicate, was like the finest white jade, gleaming with a soft, porcelain-like luster under the warm yellow light, almost sacred.

A strange yet tender emotion, mixed with an indescribable bittersweet feeling, quietly filled my heart, heavy yet carrying an incredible warmth.

The side hall where he usually stayed was like an ice cellar in winter. Even when he slept wrapped in a quilt, the bedding always carried a chill that could not be dispelled. He had to curl up for a long time to absorb a little warmth.

And at this moment, under this brocade quilt, in this embrace, the warmth feels so real.

The fine, wispy fabric, seeping through his close-fitting nightgown, soothed his slightly cool skin, spreading to every part of his body, almost melting his entire being.

However, this excessive warmth and the incredible softness and fragrance in his arms also gave rise to another kind of astonishing and uncontrollable burning sensation, which surged and raged deep within his body, fiercely clashing with the calm and rationality he was trying to maintain.

"Well……"

A very soft, slightly annoyed murmur came from her arms, carrying a hint of displeasure at being disturbed from her peaceful sleep.

She seemed to unconsciously snuggle against him, her warm breath brushing against the skin of his neck.

"……asshole."

That indistinct, dreamlike voice rose low, carrying a hint of coquettish complaint.

"You...you should keep it to yourself..."

Pei Yanchuan trembled violently, as if struck by lightning. His handsome face instantly turned bright red in the dim tent, like flawless white jade bathed in the most intense sunset.

Shame and helplessness overwhelmed me like a tidal wave.

He abruptly closed his eyes, and a very faint, helpless sigh escaped his throat, clearly audible in the quiet, warm tent.

"Your Highness...I'm sorry..."

His voice was terribly hoarse, filled with helplessness and embarrassment.

This spark that ignites a prairie fire, this unbridled surge of emotion…

How could he possibly restrain himself just because he wanted to?