82 A Little Dance, Entering the World of Cultivation 6 (1/2)

”Miaolan…”

Wei Xuan stuttered in a faltering voice, his countenance displaying an unhealthy sheen. Without waiting for a single moment, the minister extended his arm to latch onto the girl besides him, dragging the wheelchair to rest behind his figure.

”Why are you here today?” Wei Xuan finally spoke in a concerned tone.

”Isn't Chang Feng coming back today?”

”Hehe, Lord Minister is surprisingly uninformed!” Sheng Miaolan released a giggling laugh as she entered the pavilion. As the woman stepped past the shimmering symbols of the protective array surrounding the pavilion, her figure was exposed to view.

”Lord Minister, Chang Feng is waiting outside. Should Miaolan call for him?”

Seeing the mature woman startled An Fei, and the girl slowly began to glance towards Wei Xuan with a different light.

The woman was clearly well over the age of thirty, yet her beauty had not diminished in the slightest. Remaining untarnished by the passing of time, the woman in the begonia winter dress portrayed the epitome of a mature lady's charm and gravitation.

The First Madam of Wei had chosen a plain appearance as usual, without the slightest tinge of makeup on her countenance, and her hair was adorned in a soft bun of a married woman, a few loose strands coiled around her shoulder.

However, the beautiful figure was unbellied by her plump and well-rounded bosom, as well as the plump and tantalizing lips that entranced any male. Combined with the timid, subdued gaze restrained within her gaze, the mature woman standing before Wei Xuan was indeed a fatal attraction regardless of how much time had passed.

Looks like Father had obtained himself a great beauty…

An Fei mused as her vision remained completely covered by Wei Xuan's back. Unfortunately, the curious gaze of the young girl hidden behind his back seemed to give the minister the greatest terror of his life.

Wei Xuan's countenance continued to fluctuate between unhealthy shades of apprehension, panic, and uncertainty, causing the First Madam to involuntarily mirror the same emotional turmoil in her heart. After noticing the unnatural trembling of the minister's fingers, the woman strode forth, bolstering her courage.

”Lord Minister, are you alright?” Sheng Miaolan intoned with a concerned and caring gaze.

”Does Miaolan need to call a servant to deliver some refreshing Setting Sun tea?”

”Ah? No need, no need,” Wei Xuan quickly refuted. His gaze stabilized into a neutral expression as he stepped forward, clasping Sheng Miaolan's right shoulder.

”Rather than worrying about this old me who can't withstand a slight chill, why don't you go grab Shuyan? The two of you must not have eaten yet, this minister must take the both of you to the Golden Phoenix Restaurant immediately!”

”N-no need for that,” the First Madam shook her head, attempting to worm out of the minister's soft yet vice-like grip.

”Sister Shuyan and I have already had our lunch with the children. Lord Minister does not need to be concerned with a trivial matter as this one!”

”Oh…”

”By the way, are you hiding someone behind your back, Lord Minister? Usually, you would embrace me in such an aggressive manner...”

Sheng Miaolan suddenly inquired in a suppressed tone, greatly shocking Wei Xuan. Taking advantage of the minister's momentary stiffness and worming her body out of his embrace, the First Madam craned her neck to gaze at the young girl seated in a wheelchair.

”This…” the woman hesitated before realization quickly settled in, followed by astonishment.

”This must be Shuyan's second daughter! Good girl, tell me your name!”

”Miaolan… don't be so abrupt, the lass is too shy…”

As An Fei tilted her head to the right in response to the woman's words, the minister gave a light, awkward cough. Alternating between forceful and gentle pats to her body, Wei Xuan finally ushered the First Madam out of the pavilion, returning with a heavy expression on his countenance.

”Fei'er…”

”…who was that beautiful lady?” An Fei finally asked after noticing the unsightly expression darken a shade further.

”Erk… this…” Wei Xuan sweated, his hands nervously wiping against his robes. Finally, he sighed, kneeling on a knee as he gently grasped the arms of the wheelchair.

”Fei'er… the matter is that your father married two women as equal wives, both granted by the emperor's blessing. The woman you just saw… is called Sheng Miaolan, and she is… the First Madam…”

”…”

The minister's voice trailed off with each word that escaped his throat, eventually lapsing into a momentary and awkward silence. The young daughter and father pair stared at the other for several long moments, until An Fei finally opened her mouth.

”She seemed nicer and more considerate than Chen Shuyan…”