43 Autumns Fragrance, A Frigid Heart of Snow 5 (1/2)

”Father, you are here as well?”

Hearing the words spoken by the girl before him, Wei Xuan stood frozen, his body unwilling to move. The warm smile as she spoke in that eroded, cracked voice, calling him 'father', caused an indescribable but overwhelming warmth to sprout from the depths of his heart.

Just moments ago, he had heard shrill screams of pure agony and hatred, and the girl still found the strength to smile towards him. He had observed her cry towards the unforgiving heavens with all of her heart and soul.

That broken, agonized countenance as she wailed and lamented, each detail was forever etched into his memory.

”Fei'er,” he finally spoke, recovering from his mental haze.

Striding over to the girl and sitting onto the grass next to her, Wei Xuan gave a warm smile, quietly gazing towards her without saying a single word. Suddenly, when he realized that the blanket covering An Fei was merely concealing a shivering body attempting to hide from the cold, the minister's expression darkened.

Directing a heavy glare towards the girl next to him, Wei Xuan's hands shot out at great speed.

”Ah!”

”Be good.” Wei Xuan intoned in a stern voice, not letting the struggling girl escape.

”You're only wearing a thin gown in such cold temperatures. Do I need to punish you before you learn how to properly dress in cold weather?”

”…”

Ignoring the muffled demurs from the girl in his arms, the minister huffed before hoisting her into his embrace. Balancing An Fei's frail body against his lap, Wei Xuan willed a strand of spiritual essence to gather the blanket and wrap it around her body, before taking her deeper into his arms.

As if to seal his actions, the minister rested his chin against the top of his daughter's head.

The two sat in silence, observing the silent and unchanging night sky for several moments as neither dared to say a word.

”…Have you been well?” Wei Xuan finally asked.

”…I've been well,” An Fei replied after some hesitation.

The girl stared at the bastion of stars, before sinking into Wei Xuan's embrace. The blanket covering her body seemed to have warmed significantly, lulling An Fei into a comfortable haze.

”Father,” she mumbled in a drowsy tone. ”What is my name?”

”Name?” Wei Xuan echoed in a startled tone, and he stared deeply at the girl snuggling in his arms.

However, the minister revealed a bitter smile after a moment of pondering, and reached out with his right hand to stroke An Fei's head. The girl seemed averse to it at first, but later pressed against his warm hand, causing bursts of warm to spark in Wei Xuan's heart.

”Your name, ah,” he spoke in a gentle tone. ”You are called An Fei. A heart jade of peace, as a memento of your mother's suffering whilst delivering you on that fateful night.”

”Heart jade of peace… a peaceful jade…” the girl repeated, her eyes clouded by a faint sheen of emotions.

However, the turmoil soon vanished, replaced by an unforeseen clarity and brightness. Gazing at the scarlet irises that seemed capable of piercing through the world, Wei Xuan felt happy for the girl, yet conflicted at the same time for an unknown reason.

”Father.” The girl called out, her voice hoarse.

”Hm?” The minister replied, continuing his motion of stroking the girl's head.

”For so long... I… had a dream,” An Fei mulled, her eyes fixated onto the ground. Observing and counting each blade of grass as she deliberated how to confess to the minister, the girl refused to glance at the expectant Wei Xuan.