An Sheng had indeed seen and even selected several styles of women’s undergarments before.
But that had only been out of necessity. In his early years at the palace, it had been one of the ways he fawned over the nobles and sought their favor.
Nothing more.
Yet faced with A Mei’s angry, persistent questioning, determined to get to the bottom of things, An Sheng felt a faint headache coming on. For no apparent reason, he also grew somewhat nervous. He suddenly felt that this mouth of his was truly—
A flicker passed through An Sheng’s eyes, but his expression remained calm and composed.
He first let out a sigh, as though recalling the past. Then his rough, warm hand settled on A Mei’s smooth, delicate shoulder and gently stroked it a few times. Turning the tables, he said, “You should think about what I used to do in the palace.”
A Mei was startled. She blinked, and her aggressive demeanor immediately weakened. “Huh?”
The corners of An Sheng’s lips curved slightly. Lowering his eyes, he looked into A Mei’s eyes while helping her get dressed, speaking unhurriedly. “I used to be nothing more than a low-ranking servant in the imperial palace, someone who waited on others. I wasn’t even a real man. Never mind the consorts and noble ladies—even many of the palace maids looked down on me. They didn’t avoid discussing things like undergarments or menstrual belts in front of me, so…”
At this, An Sheng paused. His deep eyes shone as he caught sight of the remorse and heartache spreading across A Mei’s face. He continued, “I told you before that all these years, I’ve never been interested in women. That is, until I married you. A Mei, you know how I feel about you. Don’t be angry with me.”
A Mei threw herself into An Sheng’s arms, burying her little face against his chest. Only after a long while did she mumble, “Husband, I’m sorry. I was being unreasonable and letting my imagination run wild. I only said those things in the heat of the moment. In my heart, I’ve always believed you. I didn’t mean anything else.”
“I’m not angry with you, husband. You’re so wonderful—what woman wouldn’t want to marry you? I was just jealous. I only want you to belong to me, to A Mei, alone.”
An Sheng was amused by her words. Even he felt immensely satisfied by the fierce possessiveness of her love for him.
Still, he did not laugh aloud. He raised his brows slightly and said in a low, gentle voice, “Good girl. Lift your face and look at me.”
A Mei raised her head and met his deep, fathomless eyes.
An Sheng suddenly reached out with his long fingers, caught a strand of hair from A Mei’s forehead, and wound it around his finger. Then he drew the strand to his lips.
He kissed the lock of hair, his lowered brows and eyes gentle, his movements incredibly tender. Slowly, the corners of his lips lifted into a indulgent, triumphant smile.
“I was born lowly and incomplete. I clawed my way through the world for years, and the inside of me has long since become filthy and sullied. Even though I now hold a high position and wield overwhelming power, I know that those people still gossip about me behind my back. Only you… You are the one who truly makes me feel what it means to be treasured, the one bound to me by love.”
“A Mei, with a wife like you, what more could I ask for?”
A Mei blinked, somewhat dazed by An Sheng’s sudden confession of his feelings.
Then the words he had just spoken echoed through her mind again and again:
With a wife like you, what more could I ask for?
With a wife like you, what more could I ask for?
An indescribable surge of joy instantly overwhelmed A Mei. She was so delighted and blissful that tears nearly spilled from her eyes.
A Mei drew a deep breath and replied shyly, her voice slightly choked with emotion, “When you say that, husband, I truly feel so happy. Being able to marry you is my blessing. You really are the very, very, very best man in the world.”
“So… it’s true that I’ve seen the undergarments of some women before. I once served noble ladies and consorts in the palace. Other than eunuchs, there were only palace maids there, so it was impossible to avoid coming into contact with many women. And your maid Hehua was once sent to serve me by the Empress Dowager. Whether in the past or in the future, there will be countless people trying, openly or secretly, to send women to me. These are all facts. I’ve told you everything now, my lady. Are you still angry?”
An Sheng spoke rather slowly, as though his words carried some unusual probing intent.
A Mei blinked, then immediately shook her head like a rattle drum.
After giving it a little thought, she gazed at An Sheng with her bright, limpid eyes, pursed her little lips, and said matter-of-factly, “Why would I be angry? What’s there to be angry about? If other people rack their brains trying to send women to you, that only proves my husband is capable. I’m happy about it.”
An Sheng’s eyelid twitched. Unable to resist teasing her, he asked, “Then aren’t you afraid that I might actually accept one?”
A Mei raised a brow and shot him a sidelong glance, baring her teeth slightly as she retorted, “Would you dare?”
An Sheng: “…”
In the end, An Sheng pressed a hand to his forehead. His voice was full of indulgence and helplessness. “How could I dare? If I really accepted one, wouldn’t my lady eat me alive?”
A Mei glared at An Sheng coquettishly, lifted her chin, and gave a soft snort. “Good. At least you know that.”
Suddenly, An Sheng’s expression turned solemn. He said with utmost seriousness, “Rest assured, my lady. I promised you that you would be the only woman in my life. I will never take another wife or concubine. I always keep my word.”
“I know that.” A Mei’s lips immediately curved into a sweet smile. Even her eyes seemed to ripple with clear spring water, shimmering brightly. For a moment, An Sheng could not tear his gaze away.
Prince Anchang’s residence.
Prince Anchang’s face was as gloomy as storm clouds pressing down from the sky, his expression awful beyond words.
At that moment, he sat panting heavily before the desk. Several officials sat below him, not daring to utter a sound. The entire study was already in disarray. Fine brush washers and inkstones had been smashed into pieces, and sheets of paper lay scattered across the floor. It was obvious how furious Prince Anchang had just been.
Old Qiu was the first to speak.
“My prince, please do not let your anger damage your health.”
A vicious glint flashed through Prince Anchang’s eyes. He glowered and snarled, “That An Sheng has gone too far! He actually killed so many officials I painstakingly cultivated, and he dares to show such contempt for me. If I do not avenge this grudge, how will I command respect in Lindong from now on?”
Everyone fell silent, trembling with fear. The study became deathly quiet.
Prince Anchang glared at their cowardly, terrified faces. His anger only grew, and he ground his teeth as he shouted, “Aren’t you all so capable normally? What’s wrong now? Have you all suddenly lost your tongues?”
The officials exchanged glances, then lowered their heads even further.
Prince Anchang laughed coldly in his fury and pointed at one of them. It was the official who had previously begged him to go to Dragonbone Mountain to save them—the same official whose subordinates made up most of the dead.
“You. Most of the ones who died were your men. Tell me, what should I do?”
The official instantly broke into a cold sweat. He looked up at the sharp murderous intent in Prince Anchang’s eyes, his heart shaking with terror. Trembling, he cupped his hands and stammered, “Th-this… But, my prince, Lord An is an imperial envoy. We—we cannot lay a hand on him!”
Prince Anchang sneered. A frenzied viciousness filled his eyes, as though he had lost all reason. He asked coldly, “Cannot lay a hand on him?”
At that moment, Old Qiu stepped forward. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his face was dark and solemn. After a long pause, as though he had finally made some momentous decision, he slowly said, “My prince, this matter requires careful deliberation.”
