As soon as the manager of the hot spring villa received the news that Commander An Sheng of the Neihang Depot was coming, he reacted as if facing a formidable enemy. He immediately gathered all the servants on duty, repeatedly warning them to be on high alert and ensuring they served this living Yama perfectly.
Since there were no other guests today, the manager prepared the most comfortable hot spring courtyard in the villa.
Sure enough, as soon as A Mei entered the courtyard, her eyes lit up. Had there not been quite a few people following behind her, she would have definitely run around everywhere in sheer delight.
An Sheng also nodded in satisfaction. Once all the provisions and items were properly arranged, he waved his hand to dismiss the attendants.
When only A Mei and An Sheng were left in the entire courtyard, A Mei finally voiced her crisp praise: "Husband, husband, this place is really wonderful!"
"It has both rooms and a courtyard, and it is so warm. It has everything we could need, including food and drinks. High officials and nobles really know how to enjoy themselves."
An Sheng chuckled softly, "Why do you think people in this world fight tooth and nail for money and power? It is exactly for the enjoyment you speak of."
As he spoke, An Sheng untied his cloak and draped it over a nearby folding screen. He then reached out to untie A Mei's cape, casually draping it alongside his.
He then took her soft little hand and led her toward the table and chairs next to the hot spring.
A Mei followed her husband and sat obediently on a chair. She took the hot tea he handed her and took a small sip.
At that moment, An Sheng suddenly stood up. "Wait here like a good girl, I will be right back."
A Mei reached out to tug at the hem of An Sheng's robe. She blinked, pouted her small lips, her bright, watery eyes full of dependence. "Where are you going, husband? A Mei wants to go too."
A vein throbbed slightly on An Sheng's forehead. He said helplessly, "I am going to the latrine."
A Mei let out an "oh," her eyes widening as she was about to say, "A Mei will go too."
Before she could even open her mouth, An Sheng saw through her thoughts. He helplessly massaged his forehead. "Enough, you just relieved yourself half an hour ago. It is cold outside, just wait for me here."
"Alright, then hurry back, husband." A Mei pursed her lips somewhat reluctantly.
"Good girl."
An Sheng was back in the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.
When he returned, he saw A Mei holding a pot of warm wine, bringing it to her nose to sniff it carefully. Hearing his approach, she immediately looked up, smiling playfully as she beckoned to him. "Husband, do you want a drink? This wine smells so refreshingly fragrant to A Mei."
An Sheng raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. His heart fluttered for a moment, and his tone carried a hint of uncertainty. "Why did A Mei suddenly think of drinking with me?"
A Mei let out a blank "ah" and answered honestly, "The food and wine were just sitting here on the table, and A Mei was bored. We must have spent a lot of money on these things, wouldn't it be a waste not to drink it?"
An Sheng: ...
The corner of An Sheng's eye twitched slightly. He then tugged at the corner of his mouth, offering a half-smile. "My wife certainly knows how to be frugal."
A Mei raised her brows and grinned with a touch of smugness. "Heh, A Mei has always been good at managing the household."
"Come sit down quickly, husband, let us drink. You are always so busy, and it is rare for you to get a few days off. A Mei is happy too. It is the New Year, so let us have a little drink."
An Sheng sat down next to A Mei. His long, slender fingers raised the wine cup to his lips for a sip. He then frowned slightly and said softly, "This is rice wine, not fruit wine. It is much stronger. I will order the servants to bring some fruit wine instead."
A Mei shook her head. "No need, no need. A Mei will just drink a little."
A Mei happily clinked cups with her husband and drank. Remembering his warning about the strong rice wine, she only had two cups before setting her glass down. She stood up and walked toward the folding screen used for changing clothes, speaking as she walked.
"Husband, you keep drinking. A Mei will go soak in the hot spring first."
An Sheng drained the wine in his cup in one gulp. His gaze locked onto A Mei, dark undercurrents swirling in his eyes as he parted his lips to say, "Alright."
A Mei slowly undressed. The two of them had shared intimate moments many times and often bathed together, so A Mei was no longer as shy in front of her husband as she had been in the beginning. Even though she still felt a bit bashful, she was no longer coy. She openly took off all her clothes, draped them over the screen, and stepped down the stairs, slowly wading into the hot spring water.
"Phew, husband, it feels so wonderfully comfortable."
The warm mist flushed A Mei's cheeks, giving her entire body a faint pink hue. Her wet appearance fell into An Sheng's eyes, looking both sensual and pure. The water rippled and swayed. A Mei narrowed her eyes in comfort. Her already loose hair bun suddenly fell over her shoulders, the ends soaked. Her long, jet-black hair floated with the water's ripples, making her look even more charming and alluring.
Suddenly, A Mei heard her husband say in a leisurely tone.
"My wife is truly beautiful. What a splendid sight of a beauty bathing."
A Mei naturally heard him clearly. She froze for a moment and looked up at An Sheng.
From her angle, she saw An Sheng leaning back lazily and casually in his chair. His elbow rested on the armrest, the tips of his fingers propping up his forehead, while his other hand swirled the wine cup. The corners of his lips were turned up, and the depths of his eyes flickered between dark and light. His demeanor made A Mei's heart pound wildly for no reason, and even her breathing felt hot.
Especially after what her husband had just said, A Mei suddenly felt too shy to look into his bottomless black eyes. The moment she lowered her head, a blush spread from her small face all the way down to her neck. She could not help but act coquettishly in a soft voice:
"Oh my, hearing you say that makes A Mei feel so embarrassed. How could A Mei be considered a beauty?"
An Sheng raised an eyebrow domineeringly and chuckled. "How could you not be? In my eyes, no one can compare to my wife's beauty."
These words sounded both domineering and sweet to A Mei's ears. She felt a secret joy in her heart, unable to suppress the smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
She could not help but feel happy. Realizing that her husband might see her secretly delighted expression, she felt embarrassed again. She simply turned her body around, with her back facing An Sheng, and murmured:
"Oh, just hurry up and drink your wine, husband. A Mei is not talking to you anymore."
A Mei carefully washed her body. At first, she did not notice anything, but after a while, she realized it was a bit too quiet behind her. She turned around, raising her eyes to meet An Sheng's gaze.
She saw that his eyes were pitch-black and blazing with heat. With just one look, A Mei trembled slightly as if she had been burned. It was nothing else but that burning intensity, as if it could melt everything.
A Mei's heart fluttered. It took her a long moment before she opened her mouth.
"Have you finished drinking, husband?"
An Sheng gave an "mm," his voice seemingly carrying a trace of huskiness. Falling into A Mei's ears, it made her heart tingle with a teasing numbness.
A Mei looked at An Sheng, her wet eyes carrying an honest affection and an indescribable, lingering infatuation. She blinked, and though she had not spoken, she was silently urging him.
Seeing that her husband still had not made a move, A Mei pouted her small lips. Finally, she could not hold back and said in a sweet, delicate voice, "Then why don't you quickly take off your clothes and come down, husband?"
An Sheng's long, narrow eyes curved into crescents, faint lines appearing at the corners of his eyes. A smile reached the very depths of his eyes as he replied, "Alright!"
...
