When Wei Yufeng saw his mother and sister arrive, his face lit up with joy. He stood up and walked forward to greet them. Wei Yuming, who was beside him, also stood up, but his gaze had been fixed on Wei Miaoshu from the moment she appeared, unable to look away. A faint blush crept onto his face, and he stared at her, completely captivated.
"Mother, Shu'er, you're finally here. Father and the guests have been waiting for a long time," Wei Yufeng said as he approached them. He naturally reached out with both hands, taking the fair, jade-like hands of Ning Xuefei and Wei Miaoshu.
Ning Xuefei allowed him to hold her hand, a gentle smile gracing her beautiful face. She said softly, "Shu'er was frightened, so I stayed with her a little longer. I hope we haven't kept you waiting."
Wei Miaoshu, on the other hand, made a face at Wei Yufeng and said with a charming smile, "It's nothing major, just a bunch of minor troubles. Brother, you'll have to compensate me well for this."
Seeing that his sister had mostly recovered her spirits, Wei Yufeng felt a surge of joy. He glanced back and saw that Hu Hong from the Hundred Flowers Island had also arrived with the mother and daughter, following closely behind them. He bowed his head to Wei Yufeng. Wei Yufeng had no fondness for this effeminate-looking man; he frowned at him and did not return the courtesy. He then led his mother and Wei Miaoshu by the hand to the banquet table.
Several seats were immediately vacated at Wei Wuyuan's left hand for the two latecomers and Wei Wuyuan's party of three. Ning Xuefei, holding her daughter's hand, gracefully bowed slightly to the guests before taking her seat. Hu Hong paid no mind to Wei Yufeng's slight, merely smiling faintly as he sat down at a secondary, attached table.
Dong Yuanhong stood up and bowed, saying in a clear voice, "Greetings to the Holy Empress and the Young Palace Mistress. I heard that the Young Palace Mistress was not feeling well. As it happens, among the gifts I brought, there are some medicines that calm the mind and replenish qi. I will have a servant bring them over shortly."
Wei Miaoshu said with a smile, "There's no need for that, Elder. I'm feeling much better now. Thank you for your kindness."
Hearing this, Wei Wuyuan's face darkened. He frowned and said, "Shu'er! Where are your manners? 'Elder'? Hurry up and pay your respects to Sect Leader Dong."
Wei Miaoshu stuck out her tongue and simply made a funny face at her father, ignoring his lecture. Even her playful expression was as lovely as a peach blossom, beautiful and charming. Wei Wuyuan had always doted on this beautiful daughter of his. Though his face showed anger, there was nothing he could do about her.
Ning Xuefei said to Dong Yuanhong, "Sect Leader Dong, it has been a long time. I wonder how my sister Feiyan has been since she became Empress? The 'Spirit-Nurturing Jade Dew' she sent me several years ago has truly improved my sleep, yet I have never had the chance to thank her."
Dong Yuanhong smiled and said, "My younger sister now lives deep within the imperial palace. Even I find it difficult to see her. We shall have to wait for another opportunity to meet. I will convey your kind regards to her on your behalf, Your Majesty."
The group exchanged pleasantries, appearing to be old acquaintances of many years.
The burly man, Dong Hao, had been staring blankly at the two women ever since Ning Xuefei and her daughter entered, as if his soul had been snatched away. His eyes were practically popping out of his head, and he didn't say a word, his gaze sweeping back and forth between them.
The two women sat with elegant grace, both possessing the beauty of the moon and flowers, true peerless beauties. One was youthful and radiant, her beauty dazzling, while the other was bright and poised, exuding a mature, sensual charm. Dong Hao, who had little experience with women, was left with a dry mouth and a dizzy head.
Especially Ning Xuefei. She said nothing, her expression cool and aloof. She sat elegantly beside her husband, Wei Wuyuan, with her beautiful legs crossed. Her long, fair legs, sheathed in flesh-colored stockings, were exposed through the slit of her long dress, revealing her full, fleshy thighs. Above the seductive lace pattern on her thighs, a stretch of smooth, snowy-white skin extended into the alluring depths of her skirt. A pair of 10cm silver-white, carved high-heels dangled lazily from her crossed, shapely legs, accentuating the delicate slenderness of her round ankles and fair foot. The sight made Dong Hao and the other men's hearts race and their mouths go dry, as they all secretly fantasized about what an utterly soul-consuming pleasure it would be to have those round, long, fair, stockinged legs wrapped around their waists.
Seeing his son's rudeness, Dong Yuanhong knew this was too much. He coughed awkwardly and said with a smile, "This is my son, Dong Hao. He has just turned eighteen this year. I brought him out this time to gain some experience and see the world."
With that, he gave Dong Hao's shoulder a hard push, using a bit of internal strength, and said in a low voice, "Hurry up and pay your respects to the Holy Empress and the Young Palace Mistress!"
Startled by the pain, Dong Hao snapped out of it and quickly stood up to bow to the two women. Ning Xuefei gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Wei Miaoshu saw the foolish look on the burly man's face as he stared at her with a dazed expression and let out a "pfft" of laughter, thinking to herself that this big oaf was really something else.
Dong Yuanhong said with a laugh, "My son has always been cultivating in our residence and lacks experience. He is rather ignorant. I hope you will forgive his behavior, Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Majesty the Holy Empress."
Wei Wuyuan said, "A young hero should not be bound by trivial formalities. Shu'er, look at how valiant Young Master Dong is. Your father and Sect Leader Dong had an agreement long ago to betroth you to the Dong family's young master. Are you pleased with this arrangement?"
Hearing her father's words, Wei Miaoshu froze for a moment, then her pretty face flushed. She pouted, "Father, what are you talking about! Shu'er won't agree! No, no!"
Seeing her cute, girlish display of coyness, everyone assumed she was just being a shy maiden and burst into laughter. Only Ning Xuefei frowned slightly, a cold smile in her heart. No one knew her daughter better than she did. She knew for certain that her daughter would never look twice at this crude, burly man who seemed like nothing but an empty-headed brute.
The guests exchanged pleasantries, drinking and making merry. Cups and goblets were passed around as their subordinates drank freely. Dong Hao had a heroic capacity for alcohol, accepting every toast offered. However, his eyes would linger on Wei Miaoshu one moment, then stare intently at Ning Xuefei the next. The two women were equally beautiful, with fair, rosy cheeks and slightly parted, luscious red lips. Their full, ample chests heaved with every breath, leaving him utterly enchanted and mesmerized. His gaze was direct and fiery, completely unrestrained.
Ning Xuefei was accustomed to men being captivated by her. She scorned this crude, burly man in her heart and naturally paid him no mind. Wei Miaoshu, seeing the man's rude gaze and his foolish expression, found him disgustingly stupid and simply pouted her lips, ignoring him outright.
Wei Wuyuan was chatting with his sister nearby. The more he looked at Dong Hao, the more displeased he became, but considering he was his father's honored guest, there was nothing he could do.
He took his sister Wei Miaoshu's small hand and asked affectionately, "Sister, I heard you ran into great danger outside, and that Jiaojiao and Meimei lost their lives. You had your brother so worried! Are you alright now?"
Wei Miaoshu's heart ached at the memory of her two maids' deaths. With tears in her eyes, she recounted the story to Wei Yufeng. As she spoke, she was about to break down crying again, prompting Wei Yufeng and Wei Yuming to quickly coax and cajole her until she was smiling happily once more.
The two brothers had grown up with Wei Miaoshu; they were childhood playmates and shared a deep bond. They both knew their sister was willful and sensitive, so they had always doted on her, and everyone in the Immortal Palace shared this attitude. It could be said that Wei Miaoshu was the center of everyone's affection.
It was only then that Wei Miaoshu remembered. Her pretty eyes darted around as she asked in a sweet voice, "Where is Brother Duan Xing? Didn't I tell him to come to the banquet too?"
Hu Hong, who was sitting nearby, said, "Young Palace Mistress, after you gave your order, he didn't seem to follow. I don't know where he went. The servants have already gone to look for him."
Wei Miaoshu said unhappily, "Why didn't he come? I was so kindly inviting him."
Hu Hong said with a smile, "He's covered in dirt and mud, and his appearance is frightful. I suppose he felt ashamed of his own appearance and was unwilling to come here and make a fool of himself. But thinking about it that way, he does have some self-awareness and isn't a complete fool."
Wei Miaoshu said angrily, "What's this about being a fool or not! He is a kind-hearted good person, and his martial arts are so strong, much more powerful than any of you!"
Having been snapped at by the Young Palace Mistress, Hu Hong feared he had angered her and quickly bowed his head in apology.
Wei Yufeng asked curiously, "Duan Xing? Who is that? Some mountain savage? How do you know him, Shu'er?"
Wei Miaoshu said with a sweet smile, "That Duan Xing is no ordinary person. His martial arts are incredible! I escaped danger this time all thanks to him. I'll go find him later and introduce him to you brothers."
Wei Yufeng figured that his willful sister had probably befriended some kind of wandering hero. He was likely either lusting after her beauty or hoping for a reward. He would just send the man on his way when he arrived.
At that very moment, the "Duan Xing," Mo Xingyun, was hiding outside the window of the banquet hall, secretly spying on everyone. He was using the [Hidden Dragon Demonic Art] taught to him by his master, the Evil Ancestor Xie Mo, to conceal his form and aura. His internal energy had surged recently, and his power was worlds apart from when he had left the Demonic Cult. The effectiveness of the [Hidden Dragon Demonic Art] in hiding one's form was directly linked to the user's internal strength. Furthermore, everyone in the Immortal Palace had let their guard down, so not a single person noticed that someone was hiding outside the window.
Mo Xingyun watched the Wei family enjoying their harmonious time together. He was shocked and furious to discover that the beautiful girl he had saved was actually the daughter of Wei Wuyuan and his own mother, Ning Xuefei. His half-sister.
He had always assumed that his mother, Ning Xuefei, must have been coerced into marrying Wei Wuyuan and was living a miserable, imprisoned life, waiting for him to rescue her once his martial arts were perfected. He never imagined that upon seeing her, she had completely thrown herself into Wei Wuyuan's embrace, becoming his "Immortal Palace Holy Empress" and living such a blissful and harmonious married life with the Wei family of the Heavenly Star Palace, as if the deep, bloody feud with his biological father, Mo Xiupo, had never existed.
He looked at the young man named Wei Yufeng, whom he now knew was Wei Wuyuan's son. The son of his enemy. Yet Ning Xuefei was speaking and laughing with him so intimately. Although his mother usually had a cold, stern demeanor, she was remarkably gentle and charming when talking to this stepson, Wei Yufeng. They sat close together, Ning Xuefei's body slightly tilted, her fragrant shoulder nearly touching his. She listened to him with a smile, not knowing what he was saying. A few sips of wine had flushed her fair face, and her beautiful eyes sparkled with life. That mature, charming demeanor, sitting there so elegantly and bewitchingly, her beautiful eyes holding a faint smile as she looked at Wei Yufeng, made Mo Xingyun angrier the more he watched, the flames of jealous rage burning in his heart.
Mo Xingyun stared intently at his mother, Ning Xuefei, at her cold, stunning beauty, her fair and delicate skin, her full, sexy figure, and her well-defined curves. His eyes held a complex expression. He had been deeply attached to his mother since childhood. Now, Ning Xuefei was even more captivating and enchanting than in her youth, yet she was so intimate with the son of her enemy. She left him, her own flesh and blood, to wander the world alone and destitute. The happier and more prosperous his mother's life was, the more jealous and angry Mo Xingyun felt.
The "black silken hair" in his bosom stirred slightly. A faint, almost imperceptible cool energy seeped into Mo Xingyun's sea of consciousness, trying to calm his surging negative emotions.
*****
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