A Mei was momentarily stunned, but she quickly pulled herself together. She threw herself into An Sheng’s arms, lifted her head, and gazed up at him with her big, watery eyes, pouting sweetly as she cooed, “Oh, A Mei just meant it that way! My husband knows perfectly well that A Mei isn’t a child anymore, so why do you still tease me on purpose?”
With that, A Mei rose on her tiptoes, pressed her slightly warm little lips gently against his thin ones, then grabbed An Sheng’s hand and tugged him toward the door.
“Let’s go, husband! There’s still someone waiting outside. You said it was a secret letter, so it must be very important. Hurry and go see it.”
As An Sheng matched her pace and stepped forward, he couldn’t help but suppress a smile and said smoothly, “How could I be teasing you? Although my wife is no child, in my eyes, your feelings for me are as pure as a child’s. Every time I think of it, my heart feels so free and joyful.”
He took a few quick steps ahead, reversing their positions. Where A Mei had been pulling him, An Sheng now led her by the hand toward the door.
Hearing her husband confess his feelings so openly, A Mei’s heart was filled with sweetness. She stopped walking altogether, pursed her lips, and threw him a sidelong glance full of affectionate coyness. The sticky, clingy look in her eyes struck An Sheng as inexplicably charming and lovable.
An Sheng’s mood soared, but he still forced a straight face and said solemnly, “Alright now, there’s someone waiting outside.”
A Mei let out an unhappy “oh,” pouting her lips before tugging at his sleeve, looking perfectly obedient. She puckered her lips at him, her moist eyes fixed on his.
An Sheng’s heart burned at her pose of begging for a kiss. He let out a helpless sigh, then hooked one arm around her waist, lifting her halfway so she stood on his boots, while his other hand steadied the nape of her neck. He lowered his head and gave her a deep, heavy kiss.
Just one kiss—lips against lips, without deepening—and then they parted.
Just beyond the door, an underling waited to deliver the letter. The mere thought of it was thrilling, and A Mei’s eyes widened with excitement and delight.
By now, An Sheng’s gaze had darkened, a wild fervor surging in the depths of his eyes. But since the news outside was indeed urgent, he could only grit his teeth and whisper in A Mei’s ear, “My wife… you really are…”
He trailed off without finishing, but A Mei understood. She turned her head slightly, stuck out her tongue at him, and asked with an innocent, guileless look, echoing the words he had once said to her: “What’s the matter? A Mei didn’t say anything, did she? Besides, you’re my husband, mine to keep. Naturally, I get to kiss you whenever I want. We’re a real, lawful couple—why should we be afraid of anyone overhearing?”
An Sheng: …
Seeing that her husband said nothing more and instead fixed her with a look so deep and inscrutable it was almost frightening, A Mei silently swallowed. She nudged him toward the door, urging him in a low voice, “Alright, husband, open the door. Let’s go out.”
The silence stretched on, almost eerie.
Then An Sheng finally spoke, his voice low but clear: “You little vixen. Just you wait—I’ll deal with you tonight.”
A Mei’s eyes flew wide, and her body trembled slightly. She abruptly clapped her hand over his mouth, her cheeks flushed with a mix of shyness and a tingling thrill stirred by his words.
That fine, secret itch, laced with an indescribable shame and embarrassment, set her face blazing red.
At last, An Sheng reached out and opened the door. The corners of his lips lifted slightly into a faint smile, with A Mei trailing behind him, her head nearly bowed to her chest.
Wu Da and Xiao Zhengzi were both hunched over, their heads almost touching the ground, projecting a perfect air of “I’m deaf, I’m blind, I heard nothing.” An Sheng’s cold, sharp gaze swept over them, and Wu Da, catching on belatedly, handed him the secret letter.
An Sheng took the letter and scanned it quickly, a playful grin slowly spreading across his face as a glint of venom and malice seeped into his eyes. He let out a sneer and said coldly, “Pass the order: send word back that His Majesty is about to move against Prince Anchang and retake control of Lindong. We’ll counter by staying still and letting things take their course.”
“Yes, sir!”
