The news that the Imperial Envoy had made a full recovery spread within a few days. Prince Anchang once again brought a number of officials to pay him a visit.
An Sheng welcomed them cheerfully. For a while, cups clinked and drinks were exchanged as conversation and laughter filled the room. Host and guests alike enjoyed themselves immensely, creating a lively scene.
A Mei became even more active, inviting Princess Anchang out for tea and opera every few days, and taking her along to Rui Bao Pavilion to admire its latest treasures. The Princess Anchang’s expression grew more unpleasant with every visit.
That night, An Sheng returned late from entertaining his guests, carrying the strong scent of wine with him. The moment he entered, he swept A Mei into his arms and carried her toward the bed.
A Mei cried out in surprise. Wrinkling her nose, she pushed against him and pleaded sweetly, “Oh, my husband, what are you doing? You—you should take a bath first.”
An Sheng tightened the arm around her waist, urgency showing in his expression. He lowered his head and caught her earlobe between his teeth, his hesitant voice carrying a distinct note of drunkenness. “Be good, sweetheart. I didn’t work up a sweat, and I’m not dirty. There’s no need to wash.”
As he spoke, he settled A Mei onto the bed and began caressing her with eager, unrestrained hands.
A Mei was unwilling. She twisted and struggled in his arms, avoiding his touch as she gave him an aggrieved look. “But you smell so strongly of wine, my husband. It’s making me uncomfortable.”
At the words “uncomfortable,” the haziness in An Sheng’s eyes cleared somewhat. He fell silent for a moment, then rose from above her.
“All right. I’ll go wash now. My wife, wait obediently for me.”
A Mei immediately rolled off the bed. “You’ve had a little too much to drink. Let me help you bathe.”
An Sheng waved her off. “It’s already so late. How could I bear to tire my wife? Be good. I’ll be back soon.”
With that, he clasped the back of A Mei’s head, pulled her toward him, and planted a firm kiss on her forehead.
“I’ll be back very soon. Tonight, I’ll make sure to treat my wife well.”
His words instantly brought a flush to A Mei’s cheeks. She shot him an embarrassed, playful look, pressed her lips together, and shyly said, “Then why aren’t you going?”
“I’m going, I’m going! I’ll be right back!”
Watching her husband hurry away like an eager monkey, A Mei felt both shy and delighted. She sat on the edge of the bed and giggled to herself for a while. Then, as though she had thought of something, she went to the table and poured a cup of warm tea.
When An Sheng returned to the room, A Mei held the tea to his lips. “My husband, have some water.”
An Sheng really was parched. He drained the cup in one go, then pulled A Mei into his arms. Lowering his eyes, he curved his lips into a smile. “My wife is so thoughtful.”
“I’ve been busy all day and neglected you. Were you angry with me?” An Sheng’s warm breath brushed against her ear, intimate and lingering.
A Mei smiled and cast him a sidelong glance. “Of course not. You had important matters to attend to, and I’ve been quite busy too.”
“Come, my husband.” A Mei squirmed free of his embrace, took his large hand in hers, and led him toward the bed.
Once they reached it, she began undoing his sash while excitedly telling him about the treasures she had brought back from Rui Bao Pavilion, as well as the expression on Princess Anchang’s face when she had nearly been angered into fainting. A Mei laughed so hard that tears nearly sprang to her eyes.
“My husband, you should have seen her. If those two matrons hadn’t been holding her up, I’m sure her face would have twisted with rage. Lately, whenever I invite her out, she keeps finding excuses to refuse. Luckily, I’m clever enough to go straight to her residence and invite her in person. Watching her suffer in silence was priceless—no matter how unwilling she was, she still had to accompany me. Hahaha!”
A Mei laughed until she trembled, then simply buried her face against An Sheng’s chest. “Oh, my husband, I’m becoming more wicked by the day.”
She was too caught up in her story to notice that a storm of passion had already begun to churn in An Sheng’s eyes.
After A Mei had laughed her fill, she continued helping him undress until his strong, well-built chest was revealed.
An Sheng suddenly fell back onto the bed. Looking up at A Mei, who stood there in a daze, he gave her a meaningful wink. His gaze held a trace of drunkenness and something darker, while his voice coaxed her seductively.
“A Mei, be good. Take off your clothes yourself, then come over here to me.”
The words left A Mei frozen in place, her face turning crimson.
“You! My husband…” she protested, glaring at him with a mixture of embarrassment and reproach.
An Sheng smiled tenderly and continued coaxing her. “What’s there to be shy about? We’ve been married for so long. Come now, does my wife not want me to take care of her? The night is still long. Don’t you want to relax and enjoy yourself?”
Did she want to? Of course she did.
A Mei blinked, then gave him an indignant little look. Almost unconsciously, her hands rose to the ties at her waist, and she slowly removed her clothes.
When she had finished, she climbed onto the bed and moved toward him of her own accord, only to be gathered into that familiar embrace.
Holding the soft, fragrant warmth of her body, An Sheng tightened his arms around her. His lips brushed lightly against her ear as he sighed, “A Mei… you really are my precious treasure.”
“How much did you drink, my husband? Are you a little drunk?” A Mei’s heart pounded, and one side of her face grew hot.
“Be good. Don’t move.” Though An Sheng had already washed, the faint scent of wine still lingered on his breath. His large hands held her slender waist firmly. Then he turned over and pressed her beneath him, his breathing gradually growing heavier.
“Let me take a good look at you.”
Though he said he only wanted to look, his hands wandered over her with slow, lingering tenderness.
A Mei shivered at his touch, overcome by a mixture of ticklishness and warmth. “My husband… kiss me.”
An Sheng did not hurry. His fingers slowly came to rest against her lips.
A Mei held her breath, thinking he was about to kiss her.
But after waiting for some time, she felt only the gentle, delicate movement of his fingertips at the corners of her mouth. Somehow, that teasing touch made her even more flustered than a real kiss.
Her heart fluttered. She swallowed, turned her eyes away, and pleaded again, “My husband, kiss me. I want you to kiss me.”
At last, An Sheng lowered his head. The two of them kissed passionately, unwilling to part.
After a long while, A Mei weakly pushed at his shoulder. An Sheng released her and looked down. Beneath him was a flushed face, her breathing hurried and uneven. She lifted her head, her eyes moist and alluring, and murmured with innocent enticement, “My husband, I—I can’t catch my breath. You—you…”
“What is it, sweetheart?” An Sheng asked gently, with endless patience.
A Mei shifted restlessly. Her lips were red, the corners of her eyes touched with a delicate pink, and mist clouded her hazy gaze. Even her voice had grown breathless.
“Don’t—don’t only kiss my lips. I want you to show me affection elsewhere too…”
“All right.”
“Ah… be gentle. Don’t bite me.”
“Here… ah… not so hard…”
“My husband…”
“My husband, I want more…”
An Sheng had always known himself well. He harbored an almost pathological possessiveness and need for control over A Mei. Beneath him, watching her lose herself and struggle helplessly in the throes of desire only intensified his pleasure.
At that moment, An Sheng was completely absorbed in his task—how could he possibly have time to respond?
