Ruibao Pavilion truly was a place of countless rare treasures and dazzling jewels.
A Mei kept a cool and reserved expression on her face, but inwardly, she was absolutely delighted.
Princess Anchang stood beside her, narrating with a hint of pride, but she couldn't help adding a snide remark: "Madam An, this Ruibao Pavilion is the most famous jewelry shop in Lindong, and it's also a property of our princely household. I've heard that Lord An holds you in the highest esteem, cherishing you like a treasure, sparing no effort in your food, clothing, and daily needs. Surely these jade and jeweled ornaments are beneath your notice, aren't they?"
A Mei raised an eyebrow slightly, her eyes flickering with amusement, then gave Princess Anchang a gracious smile: "To be honest with you, Princess, my husband loves to gift me jewelry and ornaments. My jewelry boxes alone can barely fit in the manor's storage rooms anymore."
Princess Anchang's lips twitched in a forced smile: "Then truly, Lord An must dote on you with exceptional favor."
A Mei's smile was radiant, but her words were nothing short of a killing blow: "What do you mean, 'dote'? Isn't it only natural for a husband and wife to treat each other this way? Surely the Prince treats you no differently, Princess?"
Princess Anchang: ...
A Mei had always been pure-hearted, but she was no fool. She could see at a glance that Princess Anchang looked down on her. But so what if she did? With her husband by her side, even a princess, however unwilling, had no choice but to accompany her with courtesy.
Princess Anchang's face flushed through shades of green and red. After a long pause, she let out a dry laugh and conceded: "Madam An speaks wisely."
With that, she tried to change the subject, her tone full of disdain, yet forcing a smile through gritted teeth: "This princess feels a kinship with you at first sight, Madam An. Might I ask what you enjoy in your spare time? To fulfill my duties as host, please do take a stroll through Ruibao Pavilion. If anything catches your eye, simply say the word and don't be shy. I'll have it delivered to Lord An's and your residence."
A Mei had been waiting for exactly those words.
Raising her chin, her smile deepened, and she tilted her eyes at Princess Anchang with a deliberately boastful air, looking as if such treatment were only her due. Then she covered her mouth with a giggle: "Oh my, how could I possibly accept such a kind offer?"
But her modesty lasted only a fleeting second. In the next, A Mei curved her lips into a sly, mischievous grin aimed straight at Princess Anchang, letting her greed shine openly on her face, showing off her unabashed voraciousness. She agreed at once: "Well, since the Princess is such a generous host, it would be rude to refuse. Looking around, the items in Ruibao Pavilion are quite decent—just barely worth a glance. I'll thank the Princess right here and now."
Princess Anchang was so irritated by A Mei's affected, theatrical manner that her face turned green with rage.
Before Princess Anchang could say another word, two maidservants suddenly appeared behind Madam An, standing respectfully on either side of her, and with practiced ease, each pulled out paper and brush...
Princess Anchang was stunned. She frowned, not understanding what was happening, and couldn't help but ask:
"What... is this? Madam An?"
A Mei kindly explained: "Oh, Princess, don't be surprised. The maids are used to this. You'll see in a moment."
Then, Princess Anchang watched in astonishment as Madam An walked through the vast Ruibao Pavilion, examining each item one by one. Whenever she nodded at something, or even just glanced at it twice, the maids behind her would simultaneously jot it down...
When the two maids' paper was filled with dense rows of writing, Madam An finally finished her browsing. She took one of the lists from the maids and handed it to Princess Anchang, flashing her very first genuine smile: "These will do, then. The Princess is so magnanimous, and I am most pleased. Do be sure to deliver the items, so I can compare them against my list and make sure nothing is missing."
Princess Anchang: ...
If earlier Princess Anchang's face had been a mix of green and red, now it was as black as the bottom of a pot.
When An Sheng returned to the room, what greeted his eyes were packages and gift boxes of all sizes, so numerous they took up half the spacious chamber!
An Sheng raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when a soft, delicate body rushed into his arms.
"Husband, husband! You're back! Why so late? It's only been half a day, but A Mei missed you so much!" A Mei wrapped her arms tightly around An Sheng's waist, rubbing her smooth cheek against his chest as she coquetted, full of intimacy and bursting with joyful excitement.
An Sheng held her securely in his arms, his expression tender: "It's not that I wanted to be late. The unit just arrived, and there was much to arrange before we could come home."
A Mei let out an "oh," lifted her face to meet An Sheng's deep, affectionate eyes, her own eyes sparkling and her smile blooming like a flower, and launched into a lively, endless tale of how she had driven Princess Anchang half-mad with anger that day.
After finishing her story, she gestured at the spoils filling the room for her husband to see.
An Sheng had listened attentively, watching A Mei's pretty, animated expressions with eyes full of indulgent laughter. When he saw the overflowing pile in the room, his smile deepened, and he praised her: "Well done, my lady. You've done excellently. A wife like you—what more could a man ask for?"
With that compliment, A Mei was besides herself with joy.
She giggled foolishly for a long moment before twisting shyly and coquettishly: "Oh, dear husband, saying such things makes A Mei feel so embarrassed. Am I being a little too greedy and high-handed?"
An Sheng's mood lifted immensely. A smile curling at the corners of his mouth, he held A Mei and lowered his head, his lips close to her ear as he murmured: "What's there to be embarrassed about? My lady, I'd be thrilled if you learned to throw your weight around and covet wealth. In short, as long as my lady is happy, I'm happy."
A Mei blinked, then blinked again: "Husband, it's a good thing I'm not a child, or you'd certainly corrupt me. Though I'm already pretty bad now. Hey—didn't you say that Prince Anchang exploits the common folk and lives in reckless extravagance? I don't like his princess either, so I'm bad without a single pang of guilt."
An Sheng raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a peculiar smile as he latched onto only the key words: "Oh? My lady thinks she's already quite bad? How are you bad, then? Show me, won't you?"
A Mei: ...
Seeing A Mei fall silent, An Sheng reached into his robes and pulled something out, handing it to her while his hot breath continued to brush her ear, his voice so low and husky it seemed made to bewitch the soul: "Indeed, my lady has become more wicked by the day. Didn't you say this evening you would tie me up, bully me, and forbid me from resisting?"
A Mei stared at the rope in her hand, frozen. No—that wasn't it at all! The "bad" she'd just meant had nothing to do with this!
A heat rose up her cheeks, a strange, shameful flush spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. True, those words had been hers, but...
Before she could dwell on it, his voice came again, laced with seductive warmth and amorous coaxing.
"My lady, I've already bathed and I'll obey you without the slightest resistance. Now, please—be gentle with me." The word "gentle" rolled off his tongue, lingering and sweet, stirring the heart and intoxicating the senses. It sounded not like rejection or refusal, but like eager anticipation disguised as submission.
A Mei: ...
