108 An Encroaching Sense of Foreboding 1 (1/2)

”Leaving… Jiang'an?”

Accompanied by the gentle spring breeze, the news struck An Fei's mind with the astounding force of a nuclear warhead. The young girl gaped at the solemn minister, her mind skidding to a halt.

”Father, why… do I have to leave Jiang'an?”

”This…” Wei Xuan hesitated, before reaching over to firmly pat the girl's head in an attempt to console her agitation.

The minister's lips struggled and quivered as they attempted to dislodge the heavy burden, but ultimately surrendered with a heartfelt sigh.

”Father doesn't want you to leave Jiang'an, ah. However, the Imperial Palace listed your name as one of the numerous participants for the special opportunity granted by the Taiyi Sect. Father tried to contend against the edict, but the emperor…”

”Special opportunity? What special opportunity?” the girl indignantly demurred, the cracked scarlet irises glinting with a hint of annoyance.

”What's more, a special opportunity from the Taiyi Sect? Isn't that where Eldest Brother studied at, this edict is essentially commanding me to die in an unknown wasteland, no?”

”Ahem… Father managed to convince the empress to accompany you on the trip. If you disguise yourself as one of her followers, the trip should be reasonably safe and secure…”

Wei Xuan wiped beads of sweat from his brow, ready to pounce upon the young girl at the slightest inclination that she released her frustration.

Staring at An Fei who appeared to be on the verge of exploding in a completely justified anger, the minister couldn't help but harbor a strand of guilt in his heart.

…a little strand of guilt, but the sword's sharpness couldn't be ignored, ah!

”…is the empress even secure?”

The young girl's mutter filtered into the minister's ears, jolting him awake from his momentary daze.

”From what Eldest Brother said, even the emperor has to bow to the Taiyi Sect. How would traveling with the empress serve any purpose of saf-”

”Quiet, lass!”

Wei Xuan hurriedly reached over across the table separating the two in the pavilion to block An Fei from speaking any further.

His eyes glancing furtively from side to side, the minister tapped the back of the young girl's ears, softly muttering while continuing to block her lips.

”With Father's influence in the court, you can slander the emperor any way you wish, and he'll even laugh along. Just don't mention the empress in any negative statement, otherwise the golden seal will stamp you into oblivion…”

”Oh…”

An Fei mouthed after Wei Xuan had removed his hand. Biting into a piece of juicy and tender meat that had rested atop of the rice for a little too long, the young girl paused for a moment, before her eyes gleamed with interest as she glanced upward towards the ravenously eating minister.

”Father, does the emperor have more beauties in his backyard than just the empress? After all, he should have more than Father does, right?”

The carefully prepared combination of scallions, green onions, and a tantalizing strip of roasted beef slipped from Wei Xuan's chopsticks to scatter across his bowl.

”…little lass, why are you even interested in the harems of other men, ah!?”

Alas, nobody could give witness to the minister's aggrieved cries except for an Eldest Young Master holing himself in the study of the Flowing Wind Residence.

–

”…Father, can you tell me the specifics of why I'm supposed to leave Jiang'an?”

An Fei inquired whilst moving a plate of dishes to the washing basin.

Dumping the plates into the warm soapy water, the girl proceeded to grab the scrubber covered with thick linen, scouring each plate with a fierce rub.

”This… then I'll have to speak from the beginning then…”

Wei Xuan replied in an absentminded tone, wistfully gazing at the assortment of knives and pots before him. Rolling up his sleeves, the minister settled himself onto the narrow stool, beginning the grisly task of washing cast iron pots and sharp knives.

…after all, the servants within the Wei manor were currently undergoing a harsh screening, and would not return for quite the long period of time.

Though he didn't mind spending a few silvers buying an exquisite meal for the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Miss who were confined to the study, Wei Xuan wanted to experience cooking for himself.

…other than An Fei accidently setting his robes on fire and he nearly flooding the pots with cooking oil, everything proceeded in a smooth and fine manner…?