109 An Encroaching Sense of Foreboding 2 (1/2)
”Miaolan…?”
Wei Xuan repeated, completely taken aback. Staring at the young girl with narrowed eyes, the minister couldn't help but frown at the outlandish suggestion.
”Fei'er, why do you want to tour the streets with Miaolan? Shouldn't you be asking to play with your mother?”
For a brief moment, Wei Xuan observed An Fei's complexion darken at the mention of Luo Shuyan.
Though the young girl returned her countenance to display a bored expression, the minister swore to his heart that he had seen a tinge of hatred course through the cracked irises.
…just what was going on?
”…I… don't like the Second Madam…” An Fei finally murmured under her breath, her gaze distant and fleeting.
”Father, can we just go with the First Madam, and not argue about this matter?”
Wei Xuan carefully inspected An Fei's gaze for a long moment, before releasing a heavy sigh.
Reaching over to pat the girl's head, the minister's countenance broke with a warm smile.
”Go get dressed. Father'll let Miaolan know that we're leaving to explore the city later today.”
The young girl nodded before her figure fleeted from the pavilion, her beautiful countenance beaming with happiness.
Watching An Fei's back as she raced into the study of the Flowing Wind Residence, Wei Xuan frowned for a few seconds before departing for the Slumbering Dawn Residence.
Perhaps, one day, he would know why his daughter seemed so antagonistic towards Luo Shuyan.
Shuyan was such an adorable and soft woman, what could be there to hate?
–
When An Fei finally stepped from the Wei manor's with permission to fully roam the streets, the world exploded before her eyes.
Beyond the massive double doors that formed the manor's main entrance, stretched a remarkably long street that extended past the fringes of her vision on either side.
Scents, sounds, and lights dazzled before the young girl, the stimulus quite overpowering that An Fei's body instinctively froze and slumped in place.
She… she had lived in the cacophonous and endlessly busy streets of Shanghai and Beijing before, but… Jiang'an was on a wholly different scale.
”Fresh Blue Freshwater Ridge fish for sale! One grilled fish, three coppers!”
”For the Young Masters and Young Misses seeking to improve skin health and tone, the Red Knowledge Pavilion is open with a special discount!”
”Come, come, everybody! Boss Ma will be revealing a new dish for his restaurant, it'll be worth the few silvers!”
”Martial Arts! Martial arts techniques and weaponry available at the Cold Iron Shop!”
”Prospective students, the Jiang Lin Academy is accepting new entrants until the end of next week!”
Loud roars slammed her ears from either side; regardless of where she looked, An Fei could only spot store after store, stall after stall, people and even more people advertising their warehouses of cosmetics, assortments of martial arts techniques and special weapons, food, more food, and… more food.
If Sheng Miaolan and Wei Xuan had not secured both of her arms and secured her against their bodies, the young girl would have long collapsed in shock.
”Fei'er, are you alright?”
Wei Xuan carefully asked, fluttering his fingers before An Fei's eyes. The young girl seemed especially jittery and rooted to the floor, trembling whenever someone called into the street, and unable to take a foot from the Wei manor.
An Fei nodded with a stuttering motion, her head stiff from the shock.
”Alright, Lord Minister need not worry,” Sheng Miaolan interjected from the side. Clasping the girl's hands into hers, the First Madam blew a breath of warm air, thoroughly arousing An Fei back to reality.
”Come, let us explore! Lord Minister, where should we start?”
Compared to the previously catatonic An Fei and awkward Wei Xuan, the usually reticent and timid First Madam of Wei's movements were akin to a fish wading through a river as she dragged the two through the street without any hesitation.
Before the young girl could even blink, she found a smiling, middle-aged visage looming in her vision.
”Young Madam, anything you may require from the Blooming Scarlet House?” the middle-aged man inquired in a deferential tone, performing a low bow towards Sheng Miaolan.