In the two years that An Fei had left Jiang’an, the floating city of Great Yong did not experience much change. The capital of the northern Empire of the Shattered Star Continent enjoyed a perpetual life endowed with passion, joy, and prosperity regardless of the toils constrained within the earth.
The shopkeepers and store owners desperately fought to siphon as much wealth from the seemingly everlasting pockets and reserves of the Young Masters and Young Misses each passing day, to the extent that their spine had permanently bent from the toils of manning their business. The streets were populated with aspiring cultivators chancing a divine opportunity to transform into the next dragon or phoenix, young official’s daughters and sons seeking felicity and romance, and a chaotic arrangement of soldiers keeping chaos at bay.
The young overindulged in the pleasures of growing up and experiencing new things, the naturally endowed complained that they couldn’t spend all of their daily allowance quickly enough, the businessmen fought to keep their spine at bay, and the elderly clapped their hands over their withered ears at the perpetual screech and seduction of economic and social prosperity.
Jiang’an seemed unaffected by the surprising event that was the Taiyi Sect’s declaration of a new cultivation and martial arts technique surpassing the Nascent Soul Realm two years ago. The Young Misses of prospective families and officials’ daughters had long since departed from the capital city of Great Yong, and the city had quickly returned to its relaxing lull. Hawkers cried for new customers, officials struggled to climb the hundreds of steps leading to the Imperial Court, and the Emperor continued to remain stir-crazy.
However, the fulfilling life that was bestowed to all civilians of Jiang’an was bound to change.
It was uncertain who had triggered the change, but all erupted when Wei Xuan’s feet landed onto the final step leading to the Imperial Court early in the morning. His quiet stomp and barely noticeable presence amongst the unfettered glory of the rising sun startled the eunuchs dozing off besides the gates, prompting their hats to flee in desperation.
“M-minister Wei!” A eunuch dared to greet with hasty movements and a trembling voice.
“The Imperial Court will not open today. Since His Imperial Majesty’s decree, the Imperial Court will no longer open on the third day –“
“Eunuch Hong, enough. I need to see His Imperial Majesty, immediately.”
A steely voice instantly petrified all of the young palace eunuch’s thoughts, and his exposed, bald crown squirted bold rivulets of cold sweat. While his eyes quickly ravaged the surroundings for his cap and dignity, the eunuch pressed his body into a low bow. His voice that had once trembled in fear, now dreaded poking its miserable head beyond his lips.
“Minister Wei, it is not that this one dares not block your entry of spite, but it truly is His Imperial Majesty’s order! If… if this slave were to defy…”
“It is urgent.”
The palace eunuch recoiled in fright at the cold and icy tone, and couldn’t restrain the urge to raise his gaze towards the usually placid and easy-going third-ranked Minister Wei. When his eyes locked onto a countenance ironed with great anger and the desire to murder, Eunuch Hong dared not offer any other plea.
He quickly scraped his head low into numerous repeated bows in an effort to erase from his memory the eyes that had been infected by the devil’s wrath, and motioned for his partner to open the gates as swiftly as possible.
“Mini-Minister Wei! Please follow this slave – His Imperial Majesty is currently resting at the Star-Gazing Courtyard…”
The eunuch’s cap was forgotten as he quickly ushered Wei Xuan through the elongated courtyards decorated with lavish artefacts and paintings of enormous wealth. The solitary black cap danced on the silver-plated stairs for a brief while, before being shredded by an abrupt gale.
Wei Xuan followed Eunuch Hong in silence, and his countenance had hardened into an indiscernible, indifferent statue. His eyes were the only indicator of his turbulent emotions, and a frothing sea of rage and disappointment swirled within.
As they neared the entrance leading to the Star-Gazing Courtyard, the whirlpools stilled their motion, but the silvery air gathering around the minister promptly scared Eunuch Hong into fleeing without uttering the necessary introductions as per the Imperial Family’s regulations.
The third-ranked minister stood alone as he gazed into the courtyard – towards the single figure seated on a platform circling the center of the platform. Wei Xuan gently exhaled, and took a resolute step forwards with curled hands.
The seated figure’s ears twitched at the faint movement, and raised his gaze towards the intruder who broke the still peace of the courtyard. Lu Jing Yi’s brows furrowed at the absence of any mentioned by a palace servant, but relaxed when he noticed the other’s identity to be Wei Xuan.
“Little Xuan, you can’t even get a servant to give you an introduction?” the Emperor sighed, then gestured with his hand.
“Sit, sit! Let us observe the fading moments of the stars whilst we can, since you’ve already come.”
Lu Jing Yi leaned back until his back rested against the raised platform, and released an appreciative breath towards the flickering movements of the stars gradually concealed by the glorious daylight and the rising sun. He waited for Wei Xuan to make his customary remarks towards his lazy behavior as the Emperor of Great Yong, but could not hear the faint rustle of cloth regardless of how long waited. His heart flickering with unease, Lu Jing Yi abruptly rose into a seated position, and his eyes locked onto the still standing Wei Xuan displaying a steely expression.
“…you have other things to say?” the Emperor raised an eyebrow.
“You can’t even accompany me in watching the beautiful moment of the stars fading into the background of the tempestuous sun? The final struggle of night changing into day?”
“Your Imperial Majesty indeed has a good Empress,” Wei Xuan intoned after a long pause.
“Benevolent, virtuous, and ever-filled with grace. Truly Great Yong’s eternal pride as an Empress, an Empress of indomitable spirit.”
The Emperor’s lips quirked at the bizarre combination of praise and exultation uttered under a solemn and indifferent tone. He carefully stared at Wei Xuan with narrowed eyes, and the uneasy flicker in his thought grew wild and inflamed.
“If you are here to praise Hong Yu for her deeds, perhaps you could do such during the regular Court meetings. Why come here so early, and with such great fanfare?”
“Her Imperial Highness has indeed accomplished many deeds,” Wei Xuan’s lips drew into a cold, sardonic smile.
“She has been the pride of our empire – for Great Yong’s culture and social relations has flourished greatly under her rule. Why doesn’t Your Imperial Majesty… take a look at some of her recent, breathtaking and virtuous deeds?”
As he spoke, the minister drew into his robes with his right hand, retrieving a set of missives covered in a plain cloth. The letters were thrown at Lu Jing Yi’s feet without any respect for Imperial authority, and Wei Xuan turned around and raised his head towards the brightening sky.
“Her Imperial Highness is virtuous and kind, as is her family…”
The Emperor’s anger flickered as he coldly stared towards Wei Xuan’s defenseless and exposed back. Nonetheless, Lu Jing Yi reached down to pick up the set of missives with his left hand, and gently undid the string closing the makeshift bag closed. Five letters were exposed to the flickering night sky, written in an ill-boding crimson ink.
Lu Jing Yi blinked as he opened the first letter and began to read, and his blood abruptly froze.
“Soul-Binding Contract… Agreement of Marriage… Heavenly Sword Sect’s Young Master Ming Xia and Great Yong’s Wei An Fei…”
The Emperor’s eyes shot open and he stared towards the silent and straight back of Wei Xuan, feeling speechless in his heart. Greeted by the minister’s unyielding spirit as he continued to observe the dwindling moment of the stars, Lu Jing Yi reached for the other letters.
“Soul-Binding Contract… Agreement of Marriage… Violet Jade Palace’s Young Master Jang Mu and Great Yong’s Wei An Fei…”
“Soul-Binding Contract… Agreement of Marriage… Taiyi Sect’s Disciplinary Head Elder Guo Mingcheng and Great Yong’s Wei An Fei…”
“Soul-Binding Contract… Agreement of Marriage… Long Family’s Long Yunfan and Great Yong’s Wei An Fei…”
Just the titles of the missives frightened Lu Jing Yi, and the contents within caused streams of cold sweat to pour from his pores. Under the silent guidance of Wei Xuan, the Emperor reached for the final letter with shaking hands and crazed pupils. Just as his fingertip touched the surface of the paper letter, the minister’s calm and seemingly lazy voice echoed in his ears.
“Your Imperial Majesty, given our relationship in the past… I shall raise this question. Your fantastic and holy Empress has taken my daughter two years ago as part of those sent to the Taiyi Sect… but why is my An Fei stranded in Bei Tang? Can Your Imperial Majesty explain my doubts?”
