Amei was hiding completely under the covers, refusing to make a sound. Ansheng knew she was terribly shy, so he didn’t dare tease her any longer.
He gently patted her through the blanket and said softly, “Alright, it’s all my fault. I won’t tease you anymore. Staying bundled up like this for too long won’t be comfortable.”
Amei still didn’t budge.
A helpless smile shone in Ansheng’s eyes, his tone full of affection and tenderness as he continued coaxing her, “It’s getting late; we need to eat. Let me call the servants to bring hot water and a meal. I’ll wash you up myself, how about that?”
Finally, the blanket stirred, and Amei’s soft, sweet voice came from inside.
“Alright, then.”
A smile deepened at the corners of Ansheng’s mouth. He got up from the bed, casually threw on a robe, and went out the door.
Hearing the door close, Amei peeked her head out from under the covers. Her face was especially flushed—whether from shyness or the stuffiness, it was bright red.
In her heart, Amei felt joy and sweetness, but somehow she still found it embarrassing. She pouted as she sat on the bed. Soon, the door creaked open again. Amei looked up and saw Ansheng walking in from outside, carrying a basin of hot water.
Amei felt a warmth in her heart. Her eyes curved into a smile as she gazed at him, and then she called out softly, “Husband.”
Ansheng set the basin down, took a cloth, wet it, and wrung it out before moving to Amei’s bedside.
Amei instinctively closed her eyes and lifted her face. The next moment, a warm and gentle touch met her cheek. Her heart leaped with quiet joy, but she murmured, “How could you bother yourself with rough work like fetching water, husband? Isn’t that what the servants are for?”
Ansheng carefully wiped Amei’s face, his expression calm and composed, his brows lowered in a tender manner.
His thin lips parted slightly, curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. “To serve my lady, I naturally want to do it myself.”
With that, he moved the cloth aside, took Amei’s little hand, and looked at it with serious focus, wiping each finger one by one.
Feeling treated with such gentle care by her husband, Amei thought her heart might flutter right out of her chest.
She couldn’t help but call out again.
“Husband.”
Ansheng’s gaze lifted slightly, his eyes deep as the ocean, concealing endless tenderness and affection. When their eyes met, just for a moment, Amei felt herself sinking into his gaze, unable to escape.
Ansheng opened his mouth slowly. “What is it?”
Amei’s heart tightened. One moment it pounded like a startled deer, the next it rippled like a lake stirred by a breeze.
She blinked, took a deep breath, parted her lips, and spoke her feelings in the simplest words:
“Amei... really, really, likes you, husband.”
Ansheng let out a low laugh. He casually tossed the cloth aside, then leaned in slightly, bringing his face to Amei’s ear, and said slowly, “Mm, I know, my dear. I’ve always known.”
The warm breath from his nose tickled her ear, and Amei suddenly felt her whole body grow hot.
Her fingers curled involuntarily. Then, all of a sudden, she lifted both hands to cup her cheeks, turned her head away, but still couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at her husband as she said, coquettishly, “Husband, don’t get so close to me. It’s making me hot. Isn’t it warmer in here today than usual? Look—see if my face is red.”
At that moment, Amei’s face was enchanting and vibrant, her smile sweet and tinged with shyness. When it fell upon Ansheng’s eyes, his gaze froze briefly, then he slowly straightened up, hiding the emotion in his eyes. A corner of his mouth lifted. “Mm, I do feel a bit warm myself. Looks like the underfloor heating is really turned up today.”
“Then...” Amei opened her mouth, her fingers curling again. “If you’re warm, husband, just take off your clothes, why not?”
Ansheng raised an eyebrow at Amei, his gaze deep and dark. He nodded slowly. “I’ll do as my lady says.”
Amei pursed her lips, then voluntarily shifted herself toward the inside of the bed, making room for him.
Ansheng took off his outer robe, lay down in bed.
The next moment, she sweet, fragrant, soft form threw herself at him.
Amei pressed her whole body against Ansheng’s chest.
“Husband. Husband.””
“Mm?”
“Are you still sleepy?”
“I’m really not sleepy.”
“Then why are you lying down?”
“Just to rest.”
“Don’t just rest. You could do something, you know.”
“Do what?”
Amei gave a coquettish smile, saying nothing, but her moist, sparkling eyes stared straight at Ansheng, blinking and blinking.
Ansheng: ...
Finally, Ansheng turned over, pinned her beneath him, and kissed her fiercely.
...
