Chapter Twenty-Two Gazing at the Stars Together

She quietly felt the surroundings, autumn winds sweeping in from all directions, unable to be blocked. The area seemed unusually empty, as if suspended in midair.
"Your Majesty, is this the Moon-Gazing Tower in the palace?" she asked aloud.
The Moon-Gazing Tower was the tallest pavilion in the royal palace, but it was neither used for storing books nor for council. It was said to have been built by the former king, once serving as a golden chamber to hide favored concubines. A much-pampered consort once lived within its walls. Now, however, it was rarely visited, and thus unusually quiet.
"Xue’er, you truly are clever. The more I see you, the more I like you,"
Xuexue faced the sky and closed her eyes. Though darkness veiled her sight, her heart was bright. Starlight might not illuminate her eyes, but it could illuminate her heart.
"Your Majesty, do you know the legend of the stars?" she asked, gazing at the sky, her heart so calm it seemed she could see the clear outline of the stars. "The legend says their light can shine upon everyone, reaching deep into the soul through one's eyes. If one's heart is clouded with dust, then starlight can no longer penetrate. Some say the eyes are windows to the soul, so the stars are the windows in my heart."
"The stars are the windows in your heart? What an interesting notion, Xue’er."
Ji Wuqing came closer, gazing at the young woman's face just inches away. She wore a phoenix robe, her expression serene, so pure she seemed not of this world. Though they stood so close, she felt distant.
Thinking this, he gently wrapped his arms around her from behind, his large hand covering her small one.
Xuexue felt the warmth of his hand, warming her own, and her heart as well...
"Xue’er, let me like you, would you?" Ji Wuqing's voice was soft at her ear, tinged with a gentle, faintly amused smile.
What did he mean by this?
She stayed silent; the surroundings were as quiet as her expression. Yet her heartbeat was already in turmoil, ripples spreading across her heart's lake—there was no way she could deceive herself. Perhaps she was moved, but was there anything abnormal about it?
"What you wish, who could ever stop you?" He was king; he hardly needed her permission.
"So you agree, don't you?" He seemed triumphant, a hint of childish delight appearing on his handsome face. "I've been so gentle with you—surely your heart has been touched."
"Your Majesty, the night grows late."
Xuexue quietly sighed, breaking the silence. She tilted her head, reminding the young emperor.
"The night is beautiful tonight, there's no hurry," Ji Wuqing murmured, his chin resting lightly atop her head, his arms gently holding her, a lazy note in his voice.
She had nothing to say, and the feeling was indeed pleasant. The evening breeze was quiet, the two of them enjoying a moment of peace.
Above, stars scattered across the sky, night winds gentle, time flowing tranquilly.
Morning.
Xuexue woke in Ji Wuqing's arms. It was still early; Ji Wuqing was still asleep, holding her close to his chest, her face against his warm, solid body. As she realized this, a brief flush of embarrassment rose within her, but there was nothing she could do.
Fortunately, she heard the soft footsteps of a palace attendant—likely Taoxin—coming to rouse her to help Ji Wuqing dress for morning court.
"Your Highness..." Through the thin curtain, Taoxin could just make out the pair sleeping in each other's arms.

Xuexue was about to move when the person holding her shifted, gently laying her back in the bedding. He spoke softly to Taoxin, "Her Highness is exhausted, don't wake her."
Exhausted...
At those words, Taoxin blushed and quickly withdrew, marveling at the king's tender care—care reserved only for their mistress.
Soon after, Ji Wuqing prepared to attend morning court.
Xuexue lay beneath the covers, unable to sleep.
That morning, a distinguished guest arrived at Anxue Palace—the regent princess from Chengguo, the strikingly beautiful young princess.
She was exceptionally easygoing; in no time, she had befriended everyone in Anxue Palace. Her manner was frank, unconstrained, and her words refreshingly amusing.
At this moment, she opened her blue eyes, studying Xuexue's bedchamber. With only the two of them in the empty palace, the atmosphere was much quieter.
Xuexue sat at the bedside, sensing the princess's anxiety. She seemed troubled, restless.
"Your Highness..." After a while, she began tentatively, as if conflicted. "Alright, what I'm about to say might sound odd, please don't take offense." She seemed resigned to whatever might come.
"Of course, please speak."
"Are you also from the twenty-first century? Last night, when you quoted 'Like willow catkins rising with the wind,' I started to wonder." Yinyue Ying sat beside her, speaking quietly, a hint of mystery in her manner.
Her demeanor made Xuexue laugh—what an endearing child.
"Why are you laughing, did I guess wrong? How rude of me; please pretend you never heard it..."
"'Like willow catkins rising with the wind,' a verse by Xie Daoyun. 'Sprinkling salt in the air is a fair comparison,' a verse by Xie An. Isn't it?" This answer made Yinyue Ying feel as if thunder crashed overhead; her eyes widened in astonished delight as she looked at Xuexue.
"Oh! You really are from the twenty-first century like me! Good heavens, that's wonderful!" She flung herself into Xuexue's arms, overwhelmed and tearful with joy.
Compared to Yinyue Ying's excitement, Xuexue remained calm; after all, it was as expected.
"Yue Ying? Is that your name?" Xuexue gently stroked her back, sensing her tears. "Why? Is life here difficult?" she asked softly, her voice soothing.
"No... I'm just so happy, so excited... Words can't express how I feel," Yinyue Ying said, childishly sniffing as she gazed at the girl two years her senior, a little embarrassed.
"I never expected to meet someone from my past life here, it's fate," Xuexue said sincerely, a hint of emotion in her words.
"Past life?" Yinyue Ying repeated, confused, staring at Xuexue as if wondering whether she had come here as a wandering soul.
She was at a loss for words, though her elder sister hardly seemed in need of comfort; she looked so strong.
"Yes, it feels like it happened ages ago," Xuexue replied quietly, truly indifferent now.
"As they say, since we're here we should accept it. I've been in this time for quite a while now. Sigh, I've fully adapted to life here—I wonder if that's a good thing," Yinyue Ying leaned against Xuexue, her bright eyes observing Xuexue's tranquil expression.

Sensing Yinyue Ying's confusion, she reached out and patted her head.
"And you don't know, sister, Chengguo is a mess internally—a muddy stream. Even beside Cheng Feng, the regent, danger lurks everywhere; it's left me constantly on edge," Yinyue Ying naturally sprawled across Xuexue's lap, a little lazy.
"The emperor of Chengguo is only fourteen. If not for the regent, the kingdom would be in peril," Xuexue had heard rumors—how the regent held the reins of power, while the young emperor scarcely had a chance to intervene.
But if not for the regent, how could Chengguo flourish as it does?
"That's true," Yinyue Ying nodded, a little indignant. "Honestly, I think it would be easier if Cheng Feng just became emperor. But he's frail and sickly, so the boy was made emperor instead. It's bad enough he's emperor, but the young emperor is suspicious of Cheng Feng; after all, they're brothers."
Speaking of Chengguo's young emperor, Yinyue Ying felt quite annoyed.
No doubt, the dangers around Cheng Feng were closely tied to the young emperor!
"Suspicion is probably a common ailment among rulers."
"Yes, they're all sick!" Yinyue Ying nodded vigorously in agreement.
Hearing this, Xuexue couldn't help but smile; this little girl was rather amusing.
"Forget it, let's not talk about those troublesome matters—they're not for us to worry about anyway," Yinyue Ying said. "But what about you, sister? Is your life here well? I can tell your king treats you kindly."
Her head rested on Xuexue's lap, gazing up at her calm face.
"Surviving is enough." Those who have died once treasure life more.
"Sister, the air around you is always so peaceful, you're so proper. Makes me not want to leave you. What if I slept with you tonight?"
"Well..."
"That might not be wise. Never mind Cheng Feng, your king would surely object first—afraid I'd steal you away," she shook her head, dismissing her own suggestion.
"...," Xuexue felt a strange sensation; this girl's thoughts jumped far too quickly.
"Haha, sister, you look adorable like this," Yue Ying laughed at Xuexue's puzzled expression, unable to contain her mirth. Afterward, she turned serious. "Sister, I wonder when we'll meet again."
"With fate, we'll meet again," Xuexue replied. Parting was inevitable, nothing to be surprised by.
"I feel like you won't miss me," Yinyue Ying said sadly.
"...,"
In the days that followed, Yinyue Ying would often visit the palace to chat and play with her. She also became close with Xiaoxi'er; the pair, one older and one younger, played together as if they were both children.