The next afternoon, Zhao Feng brought Su Qingwan back to the mansion in Dongping Ward. Sunlight broke through the edges of the clouds, scattering flecks of light among the branches and leaves of the old Chinese scholar tree in the courtyard.
Having received word in advance, Zhao Youlin and Yang Shi paced anxiously around the courtyard, unable to sit still.
When they heard the courtyard gate move, Yang Shi hurried over to open it. At the sight of the breathtaking woman in moon-white palace attire beside Zhao Feng, she froze.
Zhao Youlin leaned halfway out from behind her. His gaze lingered on Su Qingwan, then shifted to Zhao Feng before he withdrew again, as though he needed a moment to digest the scene before him.
"Greetings, Uncle, Auntie. I'm Su Qingwan." Su Qingwan greeted them with easy grace, her voice like music from heaven.
Yang Shi stared at Su Qingwan in a daze, cautious wonder in her eyes. Since moving to Upper Capital, she had met many daughters of noble families and broadened her horizons considerably. But this was her first time seeing someone like Su Qingwan, whose whole being carried a pristine air untouched by worldly dust, as though she had stepped out of a painting.
For a moment, she did not know what to say. She merely tugged at Zhao Feng's sleeve and asked in a hushed voice, "Son, is this the fairy from the World's Number One Daoist Sect you mentioned... she really is a fairy."
"Mom, you haven't even invited her inside yet." Zhao Feng did not know whether to laugh or cry.
"Oh, right, right! Come in, dear."
She hurriedly invited Su Qingwan to sit beneath the veranda, then turned to the kitchen to brew tea, walking considerably faster than usual.
Zhao Youlin also hurried