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8.18% The Eternal Sanctum / Chapter 19: Come, come! The Wei Family's Face (3)

Chapter 19: Come, come! The Wei Family's Face (3)

For the rest of the morning after the officials had dispersed, Wei Xuan kneeled in the center of the Imperial Court, facing the golden throne with a blank stare.

The searing numbness in his legs was not the biggest problem…but rather the chatty emperor sitting directly next to him. Relaxing in a lotus chair of sandalwood, the ruler of Great Yong gently fanned himself as he admired his throne.

"Never would I have thought," the emperor stated with a wistful sigh," that the throne appeared so domineering from the viewpoint of the officials. Perhaps this emperor should change its design later."

"…"

"I always wondered, just how do you officials come up with your crazy memorials each day?" the emperor continued, completely ignoring Wei Xuan's blatant disinterest.

"Always with implementing a dam, or regulating taxes, all you officials come up with are supplementary ideas, only temporarily suppressing the problem, never treating the root of it."

"Hey, hey, tell me! Why haven't you, Left Censor Zhang, or Right Censor Luo ever implement a solution to those arbitrary problems that requires a cultivator's action? From my point of view, a single cultivator would solve those trivial issues without much effort."

"How has your cultivation been? I sensed that you improved quite a bit since the last time we sparred, did you advance to the Late Core Formation Stage recently?"

"Since we've met twenty years ago, you've never told me what your <Winding Luo River> technique's origin was. You even know about the secrets of my <Conflagration> technique and yet refuse to reveal your own, how stingy!"

"How's your First Madam, that Sheng girl? Is she doing alright? Hey…why aren't you talking?"

The emperor rambled, tilting his head to discover that Wei Xuan remained staring towards his front like a stone statue. After a few moments, the minister blinked several times .

"Your Imperial Majesty," he said with a slow voice. "Why are you here?"

"Why can't I be here?" the emperor retorted with a light smirk. "This is my Great Yong, where on this empire are my feet barred from roaming?"

"Then why hasn't Your Imperial Majesty visited Her Imperial Highness's courtyard?" Wei Xuan pointed out. "The Eastern Willow courtyard seems to require Your Imperial Majesty's presence."

"Pei! As if that little tiger would break her word so easily. If she wants to kick me out for the night, then I most likely would have to sleep on the streets. Right, little Wei, why don't you let me hitch a night in your study? We could recite poetry like we once did in the olden days."

"…Your Imperial Majesty, there has never been a precedent of an emperor seeking refuge in an official's residence," the minister refuted. "Her Imperial Highness had kindly pointed out Imperial Highness Qin's courtyard as a place to rest, why doesn't Your Imperial Majesty rest there for the night?"

"Qin Yingfei?" the emperor snorted, glaring at the minister with flared nostrils. "Little tiger was surely joking when she said that, for she hates that Qin girl. If I dare sleep in such a courtyard, who knows if I will even live to see tomorrow's sunrise?"

The emperor began to shiver at the thought of the empress' angry expression, the handsome countenance draining of blood. Fidgeting nervously, he glared at Wei Xuan, before speaking in a haughty manner.

"Anyways," the emperor cried, "You're lending me your residence tonight, this emperor is handing you an imperial decree! I won't take any denial!"

"Not possible," Wei Xuan instantly replied. "I'm sheltering my daughter in my study. There's no place for Your Imperial Majesty to sleep, or even this minister."

"You! This Young Master is commanding you, just stay quiet and listen! Since you dared to call me Young Master at that fateful time, you'll abide to my words!"

Wei Xuan raised his head to look skywards, only wishing for time to quickly pass and bring forth the Hour of the Goat. As long as he could be freed from the presence of this chatterbox emperor, the minister was more than glad of the prospect of clinging to the empress' fiery thigh.

"So…Your Imperial Majesty," Wei Xuan asked once more. "Why are you here?"

Besides, what kind of emperor would be so bored to take his own imperial examination?

-

Whilst the pitiful Minister of Defense suffered his two-fold punishment, An Fei was currently undergoing a rather painful tribulation. In the form of two young maidens, one older and the other younger, the tribulation seemed rather mighty to overcome.

"Third Sister, why is Fourth Sister not speaking?"

A young girl asked. She was dressed in an autumn dress of gold and green with decorative patterns of clouds and crescent moons, and her hair bundled into a small bun before draping over her right shoulder. Her large eyes blinked as she circled around An Fei, occasionally poking the girl to see her flinch.

Her delicate voice resounded in the study and was rather pleasant to the ears, yet the contents made the servants guarding the door darken their expression.

"Third Young Miss, Fifth Young Miss, the Master did not give anyone permission to enter the study."

"Yue'er, don't bully your elder sister. Have some more restraint, will you?"

A young girl gently spoke, reaching out to pull Wei Yan Yue to a halt. Similar to Wei Yan Yue, the Third Young Miss of the Wei Family was dressed in a silk dress of gold and green, black hair cascading to her waist, free of any adornments.

The hazel irises with the almond-shaped eyes, tantalizing and thin red lips, the Third Young Miss of Wei appeared like a celestial fairy, the image compounded with her elegant and submissive demeanor.

"But she's simply staring in a daze, not even responding to a single word! Moreover, it's already been an incense's time and she still won't say a word!"

"Yue'er, ah, your sister just recovered. Don't be so hard on her."

Hearing Wei Yan Yue's protest, the Third Young Miss raised her right arm to gently pinch the girl's cheek, admonishing her amongst the Fifth Young Miss' cries of pain.

Only after small tears had pooled in Wei Yan Yue's lucid orbs did the Third Miss let go, and she strode forward to face An Fei. The beautiful features and dull gaze tugged at her heartstrings just a little too fiercely, and the young maiden couldn't help but reach over to pet the doll's head.

"Third Young Miss! You mustn't!"

"Xiao Wen, the Fourth Miss!"

The maids guarding at the door cried out in panic, rushing to block the Third Young Miss' outstretched hand. One of the maids rushed to nestle An Fei in a close and protective embrace, glaring fiercely at the Third and Fifth Young Misses of the Wei Family.

"Why can't Third Sister touch Fourth Sister?" Wei Yan Yue complained. "Shouting at your masters, isn't that plain disrespect?"

"The Master was the one who commanded as such," the head maid, Xiao Ying, stepped forth and bowed to the two maidens. "He commanded that nobody was to enter the study or approach the Fourth Young Miss without his express permission."

"Did Father…prohibit us as well?" the Third Young Miss quietly inquired, a faint mist beginning to well in her eyes. The servants quickly fanned out behind Xiao Ying, and one of them courageously stepped forth.

"Master only told us to prevent anyone from entering into the study, and to protect the Fourth Young Miss," the maid said. "Master did not state any exceptions, and Xiao Wen has been taking care of the Fourth Young Miss since she woke up. Please do not make it difficult for us!"

"This…"

"Third Sister, let's go ask Second Madam! Surely then, we will be able to play with Fourth Sister!"

Wei Yan Yue anxiously tugged at the Third Young Miss' sleeve, pleading in a wheedling voice. The Third Young Miss displayed a faint smile, stroking the young maiden's head as she nodded in assent.

"Then, we shall be back."

Under the alert and prudent gaze of the servants, the Third Young Miss of Wei and Wei Yan Yue departed from the study, giggles and peals of laughter once again decorating the tranquil peace of the courtyard. Seeing that the young misses truly had left, Xiao Ying released a heavy sigh of relief, wiping a sheen of cold sweat from her forehead.

"Fourth Young Miss, everything's fine now," she said, joining the other maids in consoling the dazed girl. "When Master returns, you'll be able to rest in a more quiet place."

Her head cradled in Xiao Wen's embrace, An Fei fluttered her eyelashes in annoyance. After a few moments, however, she decided to think no more of it, sinking into a relaxed doze, using the young maid's unfortunate chest as a soft pillow.

Before those spiritless eyes closed, a faint but deeply-rooted hatred ran through them, the scarlet irises flashing a barely perceptible golden light before returning to their glassy look.

You had better not act before me.

Especially you, An Yan Yue.


Chapter 20: Come, come! The Wei Family's Face (4)

The residence of the Second Madam of the Wei Manor was tenderly remarked as the Plum Fragrance Residence. That was simply a representation of the Second Madam's love for plum blossoms, but also a slight towards her obsession towards them.

Once stepping beyond the courtyard gates, what greeted the Third and Fifth Young Misses of Wei was a sea of plum trees, with plum blossoms scattering and floating amongst the wind, decorating the freshly paved ground and giving the servants an endless hassle. For fear of angering the Second Madam by ruthlessly sweeping the cobbled pathway clear of the blossoms with a broom, the servants had to lower themselves to pick each individual blossom up with their fingers before stowing them in an earthenware jar.

Unable to be ruthless to the blossoms, they had to be ruthless to themselves.

Fortunately, the Second Madam had no short supply of healing salve, and would even join them in picking up the scattered plum blossoms from time to time.

Waving back to the servants who stopped by to greet her, Wei Yan Yue blazed through the pathway, her loose sleeves occasionally capturing the falling blossoms as she raced towards the residence at the heart of the courtyard. Shaking her head, the Third Young Miss strolled along at a slow pace, a small smile displayed on her face as she cheerfully appraised the decorations of the courtyard.

If one were to disregard the overabundance of plum trees, the Plum Blossom Residence was not bad in terms of aesthetics. A line of azaleas guarded each side of the cobbled pathway, and the grass was neatly trimmed, not a single weed poking out. There was even a small pond at the western side of the courtyard, and a reading pavilion by its edge.

"…Sister! Third Sister! Hurry up, stop dawdling!"

Wei Yan Yue's cheery shout rang, and the Third Young Miss raised her head to discover the young girl waving towards her at the door of the residence. With a joyful smile, the young maiden similarly shouted towards the Fifth Young Miss of Wei, greatly accelerating her pace to reach the residence's gates in a flash.

"Alright, alright! This sister will stop dawdling and come now!"

Coming to a stop next to Wei Yan Yue, the Third Young Miss saw a woman tinkering with a ball of fabric with her hands, an embroidery needle locked between her lips. Just as the Third Young Miss began to call out towards the woman, Wei Yan Yue quickly covered the former's mouth with her hand, making a quieting motion.

"Don't disturb Mother," she whispered to the confused Third Young Miss. "You know Mother doesn't wish to be disturbed while she's embroidering."

"Alright," The Third Young Miss replied. Grasping Wei Yan Yue's sleeves, she guided the young girl to sit at a bench in the outer chambers. As she admired the various jade accessories and luxurious decorations, the Third Young Miss released a sigh of appreciation.

"Father truly dotes on Mother," she said, pointing towards a jade accessory of a rabbit, then towards a golden vine with a coiled dragon. "The Heart-Cleansing Jade Rabbit that was obtained from contending against the Yan Empire's young heroes and the Dragon Vine of Kunlun Temple, Mother truly has a vast assortment of luxuries. Most of the objects here, you can't find even in the black markets!"

"However, doesn't First Madam have much more?" Wei Yan Yue retorted. "Just take a look at her 'Sheng' authority tablets, they're made of Snow Jade! The Snow Jade that is usually given exclusively to the Imperial Family as part of an annual tribute, and whatever the markets can obtain, they're priced at astronomical prices. But the jade authority tablets are at least ten liang, and First Madam must have at least a few dozen of them!"

"Alright, alright," the Third Young Miss reached out to calm the girl. "But our Mother is favored as well. We don't have the family troubles that many officials experience, and Mother and the First Madam have never fought ever since they entered the Wei Manor. Be good, alright?"

"Family troubles?" Wei Yan Yue repeated, a curious glint emerging in her teal irises. The young maiden reached out to pull on the Third Young Miss' right sleeve, adopting a flattering tone as she persistently wheedled her elder sister.

"Third Sister, tell me!" she pleaded. "You are the only one given permission among the two of us to explore the streets of Jiang'an, surely you wouldn't leave your younger sister to hang and dry in shame later in the future, right?"

"This…"

"Third! Sister!"

"Be good, be good! Third Sister will tell you a story…one that happened just a few days earlier."

"Hehe!"

"Listen well, this is about the Liang Family, the family of the Minister of Rites, Liang Gong Ming…"

The outer chambers of the Plum Fragrance Residence soon became engulfed in a young girl's peals of laughter and a young maiden's attempts of restoring peace and quiet.

-

"Third Sister, do you have anything else? The ending of the Liang family's Second Miss, was it truly that bad?"

"Hehe, if you saw her face, you wouldn't be so curious, Silly girl, she was angered to the point of vomiting blood!"

The Third Young Miss teased, her right arm reaching out to playfully pinch Wei Yan Yue's small nose. Just as Wei Yan Yue was about to retaliate in mock anger, the rustling of clothes could be heard. The sound caused both young maidens to pause their actions to gaze at the inner chamber, watching a woman emerge.

Presented before them was a beautiful and shapely figure, dressed in a red and white fox fur coat. Accompanying her long eyelashes and waist-length hair were a pair of multicolored irises, one a deep teal, the other a light gold. Blinking her eyes, the woman tilted her head towards her right as she spoke in a confused tone.

"Yue'er, Rou'er, what's going on?" she asked. "Making such a ruckus, did either of you find spring?"

"Mother!" Wei Yan Yue was the first to react, and the girl ran directly into her mother's bosom. Looking up to face Luo Shuyan, the girl pouted and began to whimper like a hurt child.

"Mother, you have to seek justice for us, ah!" Wei Yan Yue complained as she tugged on Luo Shuyan's coat. "The servants are bullying us, not a single shred of respect can be found anywhere!"

"Oh?" The Second Madam raised an eyebrow. Clasping Wei Yan Yue's hand, Luo Shuyan guided the sniffling girl to sit at the bench, before extending both arms to encompass both the Third Young Miss and Wei Yan Yue in a warm embrace.

"Alright. Let's hear which servant dared to bully my cute little daughter," The Second Madam said as she cuddled with the two maidens. "This Second Madam still has a good face and can't be bullied in this manor!"

"Mother," The Third Miss tentatively spoke, resting her head against Luo Shuyan's shoulder. "Father had conveyed orders that nobody was permitted to enter the study and view Fourth Sister. From how the servants were acting, I doubt that they would give even Mother any face!"

"Then let's go to the Flowing Winds Residence," Luo Shuyan stated with confidence. "If Lord Minister was the one who passed down the order, then we can't do much about it. But if it were merely the excuse of the servants, then this Madam shall see, hmph!"

"Mother is so domineering!"

Wei Yan Yue praised, her face beaming with joy and excitement. Grabbing her mother's hand in a hurried manner, the young girl practically dragged her Third Sister and mother all the way to the Flowing Winds Residence.

-

Back in the study, An Fei had just dozed off to sleep when muted protests could be heard from outside, making the maidservants guarding inside gather around her once again. Some holding trays, others dusting feathers, and Xiao Ying even holding a precious scroll of calligraphy in her hand, they vigilantly observed the door.

The protesting sounds gradually increased in volume, until the study's occupants could adequately hear and comprehend the servant's shouts.

"Second Madam, you can't simply accuse this servant so! The Master himself was the one who passed the order, none of us dare to disobey!"

"Who knows if Father truly said such a statement?" Wei Yan Yue's voice was sharp and piercing as she berated the male servant. "Who knows if you're just making it up to suppress us, since we're not Eldest Brother or from the First Madam's courtyard?"

"This…"

"Yue'er, take a deep breath and relax."

Facing Wei Yan Yue's domineering accusation, the servant stilled, knowing not what to say. Luo Shuyan reached out to grasp the young girl's shoulders, calming her with a soft voice. Just as the Third Young Miss seemed to wish to say something, the study doors opened to reveal a young maid. The maidservant angrily strode out in a brisk pace, halting before Luo Shuyan to open the scroll held within her hand.

"Here are the Master's orders," Xiao Ying spoke without a hint of respect towards Wei Yan Yue. "Now can the Fourth Miss sleep in peace?"


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
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A past...maybe new acquaintance?

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