The auspicious day for the Imperial Commissioner’s return journey had finally been set.
The officials of Lindong could finally breathe a sigh of relief. At last, this ancestor was leaving. The officials who had accompanied An Sheng to Lindong breathed a sigh of relief as well. After all, they had received far too many gifts; if he stayed any longer, they would be even more on edge.
Besides, who could have imagined that, at the very end, Prince Anchang and Lord An, the Imperial Commissioner, would actually fall out?
This…
The officials, from top to bottom, were left with a thousand grievances they could not voice and a thousand words they could not put together. Even less did they know what to do…
Of course, there was one exception.
Zhou Yujun, the junior official from the Ministry of Rites, simply could not bear to leave. The moment he heard that they were departing, he immediately objected.
“We’re setting off in five days? No, Lord An, what’s the hurry? I think Lindong is a wonderful place. I’ve already made plans to attend several banquets with some of the local officials. Why don’t we stay a few more days?”
An Sheng let out a low chuckle, his gaze deep and unreadable. He tugged at the corner of his lips and said unhurriedly, “Junior Lord Zhou truly lives up to his reputation as a pillar of the court. You’ve already mingled so thoroughly with Lindong’s officials in the course of your duties—knowing both yourself and your opponent. Excellent, excellent. This lord is most gratified.”
Zhou Yujun flashed his teeth in a grin, looking rather pleased with himself and full of confidence. “Lord An is too kind. Rest assured, my lord—so long as it is something you command, this subordinate will do his utmost to see it done.”
“Besides, being able to handle official business alongside Lord An has broadened my horizons and taught me so much. I’ve benefited immensely, immensely!”
An Sheng’s smile grew even more meaningful.
Tan Yanzhi’s face darkened beside them.
A Mei woke in the latter half of the night with her arms and legs wrapped around An Sheng. A small lamp was burning in the room. She blinked and began to carefully climb out of bed.
She had just made it over An Sheng’s chest when, without warning, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back into his embrace.
“Does my wife need to relieve herself?” An Sheng’s narrow eyes opened slightly, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
A Mei nodded, then gave a soft hum. “Did I wake you, husband? What time did you return last night?”
“Just after midnight. You were already fast asleep when I came back.” An Sheng sat up with A Mei in his arms and pulled his outer robe over her shoulders. “Go on.”
A Mei obediently hummed in response and climbed out of bed. She went behind the screen and soon returned in small, delicate steps.
An Sheng gathered A Mei into his arms again and lay back down. A Mei wriggled into a comfortable position against him, then wrapped her arms around his lean waist. Lifting her face from his chest, she gazed at him with moist, tender eyes full of concern.
“It’s all my fault for waking you, husband. You came back so late last night—you must be exhausted. Go back to sleep.”
With his beloved wife in his arms, An Sheng felt a warmth spread through his heart. He lowered his eyes and replied gently, “I’m not tired. There were simply many arrangements to make before the procession departed, so I was delayed.”
This assignment might have appeared to proceed smoothly, but beneath the surface it was tangled and complicated. As the Imperial Commissioner, An Sheng naturally had his own calculations and considerations.
A Mei nodded. Safe in that familiar, warm embrace, she felt nothing but happiness. Unable to resist, she rubbed her little face against An Sheng’s chest, affectionate and dependent, with a soft note of pride in her voice.
“Mm. My husband is the most, most, most impressive official in all the land now.”
An Sheng held her close at his side. Seeing how obedient and adorable she looked in his arms, he could not help lowering his head to kiss her lips. His large hands gently stroked her back as he coaxed, “Good girl. Go to sleep.”
A Mei obediently closed her eyes. Almost unconsciously, An Sheng began patting her back softly.
Once, twice, three times…
Just when An Sheng thought A Mei had fallen asleep, the woman in his arms suddenly let out a quiet giggle.
Then came her soft, coquettish voice. “Husband, why are you patting me like you’re soothing a baby? A Mei isn’t a child anymore. It feels so strange. Come to think of it, husband, you’re rather like an elder.”
Hearing this, An Sheng could not help laughing as well. He lowered his head and lightly nipped the tender skin at her neck, murmuring, “Oh? This lord was merely trying to coax his wife to sleep. It would be one thing if you didn’t appreciate it, but you even dare tease this lord for being older. Believe me, I can punish you for that.”
His breath tickled the sensitive spot on her neck. A Mei instinctively drew her neck back and began giggling as she dodged him. Between laughs, she pleaded sweetly, “Oh, stop it! My husband only says things like that. You’d never actually punish A Mei.”
An Sheng’s narrow eyes lifted slightly. His large hands began roaming over her body mischievously as he gritted out, “You’re that certain?”
“Ah!” A Mei cried out with a coquettish laugh, twisting her body as she tried to hide. “Don’t, husband! That tickles. A Mei admits she was wrong. Please don’t punish me.”
“No!” An Sheng firmly restrained both of the little hands she used to push him away. With his other arm, he held her tightly against him and asked in a low voice, “Tell me… how should this lord punish his wife?”
A Mei: …
