The Yin hour had arrived.
A Mei was the first to wake up.
She stirred in An Sheng's embrace, dead tired yet forcing her eyes open. She had been fretting over what His Majesty had said the day before—that today all officials would go to the Ministry of Justice to press charges against her husband—so there was no way she could have slept soundly.
She reached out and gave An Sheng's warm chest a gentle nudge, her voice soft and tender as she called to him quietly, "Husband."
"Husband, husband~"
An Sheng soon stirred. He slowly opened his drowsy, sleepy eyes, his gaze heavy with lingering grogginess, then instinctively tightened his arms to pull the soft, delicate woman in his hold even closer. His voice was low and hoarse as he asked, "Mm, what is it?"
A Mei rubbed her fair, smooth cheek against his chest. "It's almost time for the morning court. Are you still going to attend today, husband?"
"No," An Sheng let out a snort of laughter right after. He first leaned down to kiss the top of A Mei's hair, his gaze gradually clearing, then his long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly, the corners lifting as a cold smirk tugged at his lips. He spoke in a sardonic tone, "Yesterday after the court adjourned, I sent word to the palace to ask for leave. I said that I have failed His Majesty's grace, have reflected deeply on my wrongdoings, and am too ashamed to face His Majesty and my fellow court officials. First thing this morning, I will head to the Ministry of Justice early to await all the other lords there."
Suddenly, A Mei in his arms burst out laughing, her whole body shaking with mirth. "Husband, you really are something else, hahaha. Hearing you say that makes it so funny—if those officials heard you, they'd be furious, wouldn't they?"
An Sheng raised an eyebrow, a ruthless glint flashing in his dark eyes. He spoke coldly, "Furious? Hmph, that would be far too easy on them. Since they're determined to wipe me out completely, if I don't return the favor and repay them with the same 'kindness', I'd be letting down the fierce, evil reputation I've built all these years."
A Mei nodded obediently, letting out a sound of full agreement. "You're right, husband."
As she spoke, she yawned widely, the drowsiness washing over her again, and mumbled sleepily, "Mm, husband, I'm so sleepy."
An Sheng's gloomy expression melted away instantly, his entire face softening. He brought his large palm up to stroke her smooth back gently back and forth, soothing her as he said, "Be good. It's still early. Let's sleep a little longer."
A Mei hummed in response, the corners of her lips curving up. Wrapped in her husband's arms, she felt nothing but utter happiness and contentment. For a moment, she worried about nothing at all—so long as she was with him, she was afraid of nothing.
She closed her eyes comfortably. "Alright, you promised you'd take me with you wherever you go. I'm coming with you to the Ministry of Justice too, don't you forget that, husband."
"Alright, my love. Sleep now."
Soon, the soft, even sound of her steady breathing could be heard quietly.
An Sheng looked down at his little wife who had fallen asleep the second she closed her eyes.
The candlelight was dim, but it could not hide the warm, tender light in his eyes—like tiny starlight points drifting with the flicker of the flame, gathering to form a soft, rolling sea of warmth.
Clearly, the smile on his lips spread from the curve of his eyes all the way to his mouth. The icy, ruthless, bloodthirsty edge that was inherent to An Sheng's very being peeled away completely, leaving behind nothing but the softness and affection that no one in the world but A Mei had ever seen.
That day, the Ministry of Justice was eerily quiet.
The moment the Ministry of Justice opened its gates for the morning roll call, An Sheng arrived with his wife.
Minister Cui had not yet returned from the morning court, and without their leader, none of the officials there dared to get involved in this matter. Every single official in the Ministry of Justice was trembling with fear, and they all quickly put as much distance between themselves and the couple as they could.
Everyone knew perfectly well that Lord An had come to the Ministry of Justice today to wait for other officials to file charges against him—but the imposing air he carried made it look more like he had come to conduct an inspection.
Worse still, since Lord Cui was not there, no one dared to utter a single word of objection. They could only hurry to prepare tea and snacks, waiting on the couple nervously and fearfully.
The crowd could only sneak glances at the couple in secret while silently praying that Lord Cui would return soon.
At first, everyone thought the couple wore calm, indifferent expressions, looking very aloof—until Madam An picked up a pastry, took a bite, and the next second her brows furrowed, her little mouth pouted, and she whined softly, acting coquettish to Lord An beside her, "Husband, this pastry tastes terrible."
The crowd watched as Lord An, who had just moments ago been completely expressionless, softened the second he turned to his wife. He lifted his hand to rest it gently under her chin, saying softly, "If it's not good, spit it out right now."
The next instant, Madam An opened her mouth and spat the pastry right into Lord An's outstretched palm...
The onlookers were completely stunned.
Right after that, Lord An picked up a cup of water and held it personally to his wife's lips. "Have a sip of tea to rinse your mouth, my dear."
Madam An took a sip from the cup, her cheeks puffing out as she swished the water around. Then Lord An held his own cup out to her. "Spit the water out here."
Madam An did not even lift her eyes, and spat the water out right into his cup.
Next, Lord An set the cup down, pulled a silk handkerchief from his sleeve, and gently, carefully wiped the corners of his wife's mouth. His movements were so practiced and natural, so attentive, that everyone watching was left completely gaping in disbelief.
The crowd was utterly shocked.
Was this really the ferocious, all-powerful, arrogant Commander of the Inner Depot that rumors spoke of?
Before anyone could even process their shock, those dark, heavy eyes swept coldly over all of them, his voice carrying a chilling edge. "Are all of you deaf? Did you not hear my wife say these pastries are unpalatable? Cui Gudao really lives up to his reputation as the famously frugal, 'two sleeves clear' iron rooster—he won't even pluck a single feather. A grand Ministry of Justice, and this is how shabbily you treat your guests? Go to Dezhi Zhai in the south of the city immediately, and bring one portion each of snowflake crisp, jade steamed crisp, amber sugar, and golden thread crisp for my wife."
The crowd was speechless.
Those words... every official there was seething with quiet, unspoken anger. Some of them were even muttering to themselves in their heads—Lord An didn't exactly come here as a guest, after all.
Luckily, one of the quicker-witted officials immediately bowed in agreement. "Yes! Yes yes yes! It is our poor hospitality, we have been far too remiss. Forgive us, Lord An. We will go prepare those treats at once!"
"Then what are you waiting for? Get going! Scram!"
