An Sheng felt a headache coming on, mixed with a sense of helplessness. He prided himself on being a good judge of character. He had even admitted before that he initially favored A Mei because she seemed simple-minded, timid, and easy to manage—he wanted a wife who was worry-free and obedient.
He acknowledged that A Mei's heart was too pure, a kind of purity he and his godfather, having survived the brutal, devouring environment of the imperial palace, had never encountered before. That's why, in such a short time, he had been drawn to this girl, his attitude towards her shifting again and again.
An Sheng was not a real man in the conventional sense; he couldn't fully comprehend the emotions between a normal man and woman. Yet, seeing A Mei grow increasingly dependent on him, seeing this girl who was utterly devoted to him, An Sheng felt satisfaction. More than just satisfaction, there was an indescribable delight. Now, it had even progressed to feelings of heartache, tenderness, and anxiety.
These emotions were too unfamiliar to An Sheng. Their unfamiliarity made them feel novel. He couldn't help but think, no wonder his godfather insisted he must take a wife. Having someone in your chambers truly was different.
An Sheng held A Mei, comforting her for a good while before her tears finally stopped. Belatedly feeling embarrassed, A Mei buried her face in An Sheng's chest, not daring to look up, her voice trembling lightly.
"Husband, was A Mei being this willful... did it make you dislike me?"
An Sheng sighed. "You're young and inexperienced. I am older than you, of course I won't hold it against you."
A Mei cautiously peeked up at An Sheng. "Really?"
An Sheng raised an eyebrow and gave a light hum. "When have I ever lied to you?"
Finally reassured, A Mei felt as if she had eaten honey, her heart sweet. She nestled her cheek affectionately against An Sheng's chest. "Husband is the best. Husband is as good to A Mei as Mother was. A Mei likes husband so much."
An almost eerie silence fell. An Sheng didn't speak for a long time.
It took A Mei a moment to realize the atmosphere had turned strange. She lifted her head to look at her husband.
Only then did she notice An Sheng's expression was somewhat odd and unsettling. The corners of his mouth were drawn into a tight line, like the precursor to rage, yet also as if he was restraining himself.
"A Mei, you compare me... to your mother?"
A Mei was taken aback, not fully understanding, but she shook her head instinctively. "N-no, of course not."
"Then what do you take me for?"
"My... my husband," A Mei replied, instinctively shrinking back a little.
An Sheng's expression was not good. He suddenly remembered that on their wedding night, this girl had clung to him calling for her mother. The thought, like a forbidden taboo, instantly turned his face as dark as a pot bottom.
Seeing this, A Mei grew frightened. She swallowed timidly and shifted uneasily.
An Sheng abruptly tightened his arms, a twisted possessiveness flickering in the depths of his eyes. "What? Thinking of leaving my embrace?"
A Mei felt some pain from An Sheng's tight hold, but she obediently didn't dare struggle, murmuring softly, "No, husband. You're hurting A Mei. Husband, don't be angry. A Mei won't leave."
"Since you've married into my household, you are my person in life and my ghost in death. If you ever dare entertain thoughts of leaving me, I'll skin you alive." An Sheng spoke harsh words, but the strength in his arms loosened.
A Mei meekly agreed with an "Mm." She had heard this before and didn't think much of it. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she tugged on An Sheng's collar. "Husband, you promised we'd stay at the relay station."
"Hmph, have I ever spoken falsely?"
A Mei, overjoyed, hugged her jewelry box and was about to get off the carriage when An Sheng stopped her.
"If you want to stay at the relay station, leave the box in the carriage."
A Mei clutched the box tightly, looking at her husband with pitiful eyes, like a mother holding her child, as if An Sheng were a villain trying to separate the poor mother and child.
The corner of An Sheng's mouth twitched slightly. He forcefully suppressed the impulse to smash this box of jewels and said through gritted teeth,
"Look at your pathetic appearance! In the future, I'll give you as many jewels and trinkets as you want. Now, I'll only say this once: do you still want to go to the relay station or not?"
A Mei had no choice but to leave the box behind with immense reluctance.
The superior room at the relay station was quite elegant and proper, as befits a chamber prepared specifically for officials of the third rank and above. It was almost fully equipped. A Mei got her wish: she bathed, changed into clean clothes, then sat at the desk to grind ink and spread out paper.
An Sheng had been summoned by Minister Cui, saying there was official business to handle. Before leaving, he had assigned A Mei the task of practicing her calligraphy.
A Mei wrote diligently, and before she knew it, an hour had passed. When her stomach growled for the second time, she finally put down her brush.
Just then, Hehua's voice came from outside.
"Madam, shall I have the meal served?"
A Mei naturally wanted to wait for her husband to return before eating. She was just about to speak when she heard someone else approach outside the door. It was a young eunuch who served An Sheng.
The young eunuch's pinched, high-pitched voice spoke softly, "Master An instructed this servant to inform Madam that he is still discussing important matters with Minister Cui. He advises Madam not to wait for him to dine."
A Mei nodded. "Alright. Then go back and tell my husband to come back and rest early."
Hehua deftly set out the bowls and chopsticks.
As A Mei ate, she kept thinking about what her husband was doing, why he wasn't back yet. Without her husband, the food didn't taste as good.
As the Emperor's close attendant, with a team of the Emperor's personal guards under his command and the ability to convey the Emperor's will directly, even though Cui Gudao looked down on An Sheng, he had no choice but to discuss certain matters with him.
Outsiders couldn't hear the content of their conversation, but the door remained closed for a long time. In the end, after An Sheng left, Minister Cui was so angry he smashed a teacup.
A Mei waited and waited, but her husband didn't return. She was terribly sleepy but thought she must wait for him, so she rested her head on the table for a short nap.
When An Sheng returned, he saw A Mei sleeping soundly with her head on the table. The young girl seemed very tired, her thick, long hair cascading down her back, reaching past her waist. Because her cheek was pressed against her arm, her face was slightly squished, but her pink lips were pouted, making her look even more childlike.
Having such a soft, delicate person waiting for him filled An Sheng's heart with warmth. Unconsciously, he moved closer, gazing at A Mei carefully.
After who knows how long, An Sheng bent down, gently picked A Mei up, and strode towards the bed.
A Mei hadn't been sleeping soundly to begin with, and the movement woke her.
The familiar scent unique to her husband filled her nose. Startled to find herself held tightly in his arms, A Mei quickly squirmed and said, "Husband, you're back. Put me down quickly."
"It's me," An Sheng said, placing A Mei on the bed, his tone gentle. "If you were sleepy, why didn't you go to bed?"
"A Mei wanted to wait for husband." As soon as A Mei touched the bed, she tried to get up, but a hand gently pressed her back down.
An Sheng quickly took off his outer robe, casually draping it over the clothes rack, then got into bed. He pulled A Mei, who was lying on her side, towards him with one arm. "If you're sleepy, go back to sleep."
A Mei was naturally wide awake now. She nestled obediently in the crook of An Sheng's arm and said softly, "A Mei isn't sleepy anymore. Husband, why did you come back so late? Have you eaten, husband? Would you like some tea?"
An Sheng looked at A Mei's soft and adorable appearance, her eyes full of him, and felt immensely pleased. His previously gloomy mood vanished completely. He let out a scoffing laugh and, not caring whether A Mei could understand or not, leisurely began to speak: "That fellow Cui is obstinate and self-willed, thinking he's the righteous judge of our times. But in this world, things are never simply black and white. I don't know why His Majesty took a fancy to him."
Naturally, A Mei couldn't understand these words, but she listened attentively and was very supportive.
"Husband is naturally right. In A Mei's heart, husband is the most capable."
An Sheng felt thoroughly soothed. He reached out and stroked A Mei's cheek, which had grown slightly fuller than before, giving it a gentle pinch. Hmm, the feel was good. Then, his hand unconsciously slid down from the smooth, tender skin.
