The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Behind the screen in the inner hall, Pei Yanchuan remained wrapped in a brocade quilt, like a quail trying to avoid everything, even his breathing was slow and gentle.

It wasn't until the maid, Li Shuang, came in carrying brand-new clothes and shoes, and neatly placed them on the low table beside the couch, that he had no choice but to peek out from under the covers.

The fabric of the garment shimmered subtly in the morning light, a stark contrast to his previous, stiffened old clothes.

"Your Highness..." His voice was slightly hoarse, with a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment, "I... have clothes."

"Would you mind having an extra set of clothes to change into?"

Tang Xixue had finished dressing up, and the morning light outlined her delicate profile.

She turned around, her gaze falling on his face hidden in the shadows, calm yet undeniable:

"Ah Lin, you are mine. Once you leave the Hall of Longevity, you represent my reputation."

Pei Yanchuan lowered his eyes, concealing the complex emotions surging within them—a vortex of gratitude, shame, inferiority, and a strange sense of belonging.

After a long while, he finally responded softly:

"Okay, I understand."

He is her man.

Before, in the Hall of Eternal Life, he was like dust in the corner, ignored by everyone. Now, he is in her eyes.

Pear Frost quietly withdrew.

Pei Yanchuan silently got up and picked up the brand new clothes.

Its green is like the verdant mountains in the distance, and its white is like fresh snow after a clear day. The fabric feels warm to the touch, yet it is both supple and resilient.

The blue and white color scheme, with its elegant and refined style, is like a poem written in the clouds, tailor-made for him.

He put on each piece of clothing slowly and with great care.

The clothes were exactly his size, down to the last detail, and it seemed that they had been prepared in advance, just like his nightgown.

His Highness is so considerate.

Thick, warm winter socks wrapped around my icy ankles, and brand-new boots fit perfectly with soft lamb's wool lining. Warmth instantly rose from the soles of my feet, reaching even the coldest, hardest corners of my heart.

He walked to the mirror and quickly washed his face with the warm water left by the pear blossom frost. The stray hairs on his forehead were wet and clung to his pale skin, making his features appear even more handsome.

As the morning light grew stronger, it penetrated the warm fragrance wafting through the hall and fell on Pei Yanchuan's loose, unbound black hair, giving it a dark blue glow, like a flowing sliver of night.

Tang Xixue did not call for the maid, but went over by herself.

She held a simple silver hair ornament in her hand, its body engraved with delicate cloud and water patterns. In the morning light, it exuded a subtle elegance, understated yet possessing its own unique charm.

"Don't move."

Her voice was soft and gentle, yet possessed a calming power that commanded obedience.

Pei Yanchuan indeed stopped moving, even subconsciously softening his breathing.

He could feel the subtle air currents she created as she approached, and the faint, cool scent of begonia emanating from her.

Her fingers ran through his hair, the movements not particularly skillful, but delicate and patient enough.

Cool fingertips occasionally brushed against the skin behind his ear, stirring a slight shiver, like the first ripple when spring ice cracks.

She first straightened her long hair, gathered it up, then carefully fastened the silver hair crown, adjusted its position, and finally secured it with a plain silver hairpin of the same color.

The whole process was quiet and silent, with only the soft rustling of hair rubbing against the fabric.

After tying her hair up, she stepped back half a step to examine it for a moment, then picked up the cloak that had been prepared to the side.

It was a moon-white brocade with cloud patterns, edged with silver thread, and lined with fluffy, warm silver fox fur. As the light and color shifted, it seemed as if moonlight had been cut from the midnight sky.

She unfolded it and draped it over his shoulders, her fingers deftly tying a ribbon around his neck in a neat knot.

A fingertip accidentally brushed against his Adam's apple, and the boy froze.

"alright."

As soon as she finished speaking, Pei Yanchuan slightly raised his eyes and looked at the mirror.

The person in the mirror still had the familiar, handsome features, but his long hair, which was tied up, was neatly bound by a silver crown, revealing a smooth forehead and a clear jawline.

Her blue and white robe with subtle patterns was crisp and well-fitting, and the cloud-patterned cloak she wore over it added a touch of ethereal elegance.

The poor little thing who was dressed so thinly and looked so disheveled last night now has the air of a refined young gentleman.

That is the composure and radiance that comes from within after being carefully nurtured and meticulously groomed.

He was already refined and elegant, and as the saying goes, clothes make the man. He was as handsome as a jade tree, and at this moment he was no less than any noble young master from a prestigious family.

"Sit down and have your meal."

Tang Xixue had already turned and walked towards the dining table in the outer room, her voice coming from there.

Several exquisite breakfast dishes were already laid out on the table: crystal shrimp dumplings as clear as glass, plum blossom pastries with pink petals, bird's nest porridge steaming with heat, and two cups of clear tea, the tea smoke curling up and blending with the morning light.

Pei Yanchuan sat down opposite her as instructed, his posture somewhat reserved, but his back straight as a bamboo.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

He whispered, then picked up his silver chopsticks and began to eat.

He has excellent table manners.

As expected of the eldest son of the Pei family of Beichuan, the most renowned scholarly family in the former Nine Provinces.

The movements were slow and gentle, the chewing was silent, and even the touch of the bowl and chopsticks was so light that it was almost inaudible.

When she lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes cast a small, quiet shadow beneath them, and her chin moved slightly with each chew.

His new clothes and meticulously groomed appearance made him look exactly like a well-mannered, handsome, and refined nobleman, quiet and pleasing to the eye.

Tang Xixue picked up the porcelain spoon and slowly stirred the bird's nest porridge in the cup. Her gaze fell on him, and she was very satisfied with how well she had dressed him up.

The little white flower that was about to wither in the wind and snow last night has now been moved into the warm room and carefully watered, and it has come back to shine brightly.

"Shuang'er," she suddenly spoke, "the New Year is approaching. Go to Zanxue Residence in Plum Garden and deliver some new clothes to A-Lin's mother and younger sister. Choose soft and warm fabrics, and make sure you know the sizes so there are no mistakes."

"Yes, Your Highness." Li Shuang immediately replied, a hint of understanding and pity flashing in her eyes.

Pei Yanchuan paused slightly in his chopsticks.

He didn't speak, but his eyes suddenly reddened, and a soreness welled up in his nose. He quickly lowered his head, using the act of drinking porridge to hide it.

The steam from the hot porridge stung my eyes, making them even more moist.

How could His Highness be so kind?

She made him feel warm and respected.

Not only did it preserve his precarious dignity, but it also thoughtfully extended benefits to his family whom he cared about most.

This thoughtfulness was heavier than any reward of gold or silver, so heavy that he could hardly bear it.

"There's always a breeze or two in the world that fills my 108,000 dreams."

The morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft bridge of light between the two of them.

Light dust floats slowly in the air, like fragments of time.

Peaceful times, plum petals gently falling.

"Ah Lin," Tang Xixue put down the porcelain spoon, looked up at him, and asked, "Is your mother feeling any better?"

Pei Yanchuan took a deep breath, suppressing the lump in his throat, before replying in a low voice:

"My mother suffers from a heart ailment that has been chronic for many years. She cannot withstand any stimulation, and there is no cure. We can only carefully nurture her with herbal medicine."

Almost all the money he earned by toiling in the wind and snow and bowing his head in front of others turned into the bitter smoke rising from his mother's medicine pot.

Even when he was bullied and humiliated outside, and had injuries, he never dared to let his mother notice in the slightest.

She was like a plum blossom on a branch, easily blown away by the north wind, her fragrance fading and her life ending.

"I'll go with you to take a look later," Tang Xixue said calmly and gently. "Speaking of which, I know a little about medicine, so perhaps I can be of some help."

Pei Yanchuan suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment and a glimmer of disbelief.

"Thank you..." His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice so soft it was as if he were afraid of shattering a dream, "Thank you, sister."

The last "sister" was uttered softly and gently, carrying a tentative shyness and complete trust.

Tang Xixue's lips couldn't help but curve upwards slightly.

The morning light fell into her eyes, spreading a gentle warmth.

He's so well-behaved.

He was so well-behaved that one wanted to hide him away, to keep him from the wind and snow of the world.