Once is a fluke, twice is a habit. In less than a year, An Sheng embarked on his third imperial tour as a close minister of the Son of Heaven. Emperor Chengde led the court officials in seeing him off—such favor, such honor, unmatched in the world!
Emperor Chengde delivered an inspiring speech. An Sheng first knelt to thank the gracious imperial favor, then accepted the ceremonial wine and drank it in one go.
After drinking, An Sheng stood up.
Today, An Sheng was dressed in the crimson robe of an Imperial Envoy. He rose from before Emperor Chengde, slowly turned, and walked forward two steps. Though his stature was not imposing and his features unremarkable, the moment he stepped forward, his aura alone overwhelmed the thousands gathered.
Everyone unconsciously held their breath as he lifted his chin slightly, his narrow eyes narrowing with ruthless intensity, the corners of his mouth curling into a wild and unbridled smirk. His arrogance, bold and defiant, seemed to pierce the heavens.
His audacity sent a chill through their hearts, but it also stirred awe, admiration, and fear in all who witnessed it.
His lips parted, and his sharp voice, neither loud nor soft, rang clearly in everyone’s ears.
“Move out!”
Then, An Sheng mounted his horse, and the crowd followed closely behind, surging forward as the grand procession set off.
…
At that moment, A Mei sat inside her carriage. She lifted the curtain, gazing at An Sheng with eyes full of sparkling radiance, like a galaxy twinkling with admiration and pride.
A Mei suddenly recalled a line of poetry:
“Lift the brush to pacify the realm, mount the horse to settle heaven and earth.”
Everywhere now, who didn’t know that An Sheng, Commissioner of the Inner Factory, was the most powerful eunuch of the age—holding sway over the court and overshadowing all? A Mei had also heard the gossip about her husband bullying others with his influence, how arrogant and domineering he was said to be. But so what? In A Mei’s heart, her husband could draft policies to stabilize the nation and wield weapons to quell chaos—he was truly capable!
At this moment, seeing such a scene, A Mei felt an uncontrollable surge of excitement welling up inside her. This was her husband!
Hmph, so what if her husband was a eunuch? Among all the men in the world, who could compare to her man?
…
As soon as the procession left the capital, An Sheng dismounted and returned to the most luxurious carriage.
An Sheng’s face lit up when he saw the beaming smile of his wife. His grim expression melted away instantly. A smile tugged at his lips as he rubbed his hands together and exclaimed, “Damn cold! Freezing to death! Riding a horse in this weather is sheer torture!”
A Mei quickly handed him the hand warmer from her lap. Then, for no apparent reason, she burst out laughing at An Sheng.
An Sheng took the hand warmer, warming his palms, his eyes full of tenderness as he asked softly, “What’s so funny, Wife?”
A Mei shook her head but still smiled with pursed lips. “Nothing, I’m just happy!”
An Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly. When his hands were warm enough, he took A Mei’s small hands in his and lifted her up, settling her onto his lap. With a curved smile, he said, “Oh? Then why don’t you tell me what you’re so happy about?”
A Mei sat obediently on her husband’s thigh, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her eyes crinkled with delight, adorable and affectionate, as she said earnestly, “A Mei just finds it amusing, Husband. One moment you’re the mighty Imperial Envoy, wielding power over life and death, so imposing and terrifying, and the next moment, you’re just my husband, all mine.”
An Sheng’s smile widened. He suddenly reached out and pinched A Mei’s little nose, his eyes brimming with tenderness. “What’s so funny about that? I’ve always been A Mei’s husband alone.”
A Mei shook her head with pursed lips, speaking honestly, “It’s not just that. A Mei just thought your demeanor just now was such a contrast to the official airs you put on outside. It seemed a little funny.”
An Sheng raised his brow nonchalantly. “What’s there to laugh about? I naturally wouldn’t bring that outside authority into our home. Husband and wife are one—we can just be casual and genuine.”
A Mei hummed sweetly in agreement, her sparkling eyes blinking at him.
“Besides finding it funny, A Mei mostly feels such joy and happiness. Husband, husband!”
“Hmm, what is it?” An Sheng replied, his mood cheerful, delighted by the power he held and the gentle wife in his arms.
“Husband, you were so imposing just now, so amazing! Truly, truly capable! A Mei loves it so much!”
An Sheng’s lips curled up, and he raised an eyebrow, his smugness unconcealed. “Is that so?”
A Mei nodded emphatically, her gaze shining. “Yes, yes, yes!”
An Sheng suddenly leaned over and placed a kiss on A Mei’s cheek. When she blushed shyly, he whispered near her ear, his voice low and coaxing, “Then tell me, Wife, just how much do you like it?”
The warm, sticky moisture filled A Mei’s ear with an intimate, teasing implication, sending a shiver through her body.
She turned her head and shot him a coquettish glare, yet revealed her feelings with utter sincerity, murmuring softly, “A Mei’s love for you is immense, immeasurable—so, so much that nothing in the world could contain it. Husband, you…”
Before A Mei could finish, An Sheng gripped her chin and kissed her.
His kiss was wild and fierce, stealing A Mei’s breath away in an instant, as if he wanted to devour her entirely.
A Mei surrendered passively to An Sheng’s assault until she felt weak all over and let out a soft moan. Only then did An Sheng allow her to breathe again.
A Mei gasped for breath. When she recovered, she reached up to wrap her arms around An Sheng’s neck again. He looked down to see her dark, moist eyes, shining brightly, and her soft, dewy lips opening and closing: “Husband, this kind of possessiveness—A Mei loves it just as much too.”
…
