The sky was a deep blue that day, clear and cloudless as far as the eye could see.
A few days earlier, An Sheng had acquired a mountain retreat for escaping the summer heat. The scenery there was beautiful, with forests all around and a pleasantly mild climate—quite to his liking. After A Mei had nearly succumbed to the heat a few days before, he had immediately ordered the place cleaned and prepared. As soon as everything was in order, he went to ask Emperor Chengde for leave, explaining that the summer heat was especially fierce and that his wife was delicate and unable to withstand it. He wished to take her to the retreat to recuperate.
Emperor Chengde had readily granted An Sheng ten days of leave.
When A Mei heard the commotion and opened her sleepy eyes, An Sheng had already finished packing. He was personally folding her clothes and long skirts one by one, arranging them neatly inside a trunk.
A Mei blinked and propped herself up in bed. In a soft voice, she called, “Husband~”
An Sheng immediately looked up and smiled tenderly at her. “You’re awake, my dear.”
“Mmm. Are you packing our things? Are we leaving this morning?”
An Sheng skillfully selected a set of A Mei’s usual underclothes, inner layers, and outer skirt. As he efficiently helped her dress, he said, “There’s no rush. We’ll leave after breakfast. Come now, let me get you dressed and ready.”
A Mei was reluctant to leave her bed, so she simply lay back down and began to wheedle sweetly. “It’s still so early. We’re not in a hurry anyway. Why don’t I sleep a little longer?”
An Sheng gave her an exasperated smile and came over to sit beside the bed. He reached out and lightly tapped the tip of her nose with his finger.
“My dear, it’s not that I won’t let you sleep. It’s just that we really should set out early. If we leave too late, it’ll be noon by the time we arrive. The sun will be blazing then, and it’ll be hot and stuffy. You won’t be able to bear it.”
A Mei understood that her husband was only concerned for her, and warmth immediately filled her heart. She smiled sweetly.
“All right, Husband. I’ll get up now.”
Once An Sheng had personally helped A Mei dress, she went over to sit before the dressing table and smiled brightly at the reflection of An Sheng in the mirror.
Standing behind her, An Sheng lowered his eyes. With his long, well-defined fingers wrapped around a wooden comb, he gently and skillfully combed her hair, strand by strand.
Whenever An Sheng did not have to rise early to attend court, he always personally dressed and groomed A Mei.
Every time A Mei felt her husband’s tender and thoughtful affection, endless joy and contentment would overflow in her heart.
She truly was so happy—so very blessed.
An Sheng carefully applied her face powder, lightly shaped her brows, and finally brushed a little red rouge across her lips. Her complexion looked even rosier and more radiant, her beauty delicate and captivating.
An Sheng gazed at A Mei for quite some time before sighing.
“My wife is truly beautiful.”
A Mei glanced up at her husband. Her bright eyes sparkled, and she smiled shyly. “Really? You’re always so good at sweet-talking me.”
The corners of An Sheng’s lips curved into a tender smile. “Of course. I’m telling the truth, not merely trying to flatter you.”
A Mei’s heart blossomed with delight.
That joyful expression of hers made her look even more enchanting in An Sheng’s eyes, her beauty tugging at his heartstrings.
“Husband, Husband,” A Mei called again.
“Hmm?”
“If we’re going to the summer retreat, can I learn to ride a horse?”
A Mei had recently read a storybook whose heroine was a chivalrous horsewoman, and she had become completely fascinated. For the past few days, she had been pestering An Sheng to teach her how to ride.
An Sheng, however, had flatly refused—not because he would never let her learn, but because he had suggested waiting until spring or autumn, when the weather was more suitable.
Sure enough, An Sheng once again explained patiently, “It’s too hot this time of year. Animals become restless in such heat and are difficult to control. Once the weather is more pleasant, I’ll personally teach you how to ride.”
A Mei still refused to give up. She coaxed and pleaded, “But it’s called a summer retreat, isn’t it? It surely won’t be as hot there. Husband, Husband~ I want to learn. You’re the best, Husband. Please, Husband~”
An Sheng pressed a hand to his forehead. Her persistent coaxing had reduced him to helplessness, yet his attitude remained firm. He reached out and brushed his thumb beneath the corner of her eye as he placated her.
“No flirting. If I say no, then it’s no…”
“But…”
A Mei’s eyes widened. She looked at An Sheng expectantly. “But what?”
An Sheng suddenly gave her a light, suggestive squeeze. Then he lowered his head and kissed her lips before pulling her into his arms. Bending down, he nipped her small earlobe and murmured, “But if my wife truly wants to ride, then I suppose she’ll have to…”
The rest was spoken so softly that only A Mei could hear it.
An Sheng whispered to her with great seriousness for a while, and A Mei’s little face visibly changed from white to pink, then from pink to bright red.
At last, both embarrassed and indignant, A Mei glared at him and let out an annoyed little huff.
“Husband, you! How can you be so shameless? I—I don’t want to ride anymore!”
An Sheng stared at her flushed, angry face, the corners of his mouth lifted high. Deliberately adopting a solemn expression, he said, “What do you mean, shameless? I’m only thinking of your safety, my dear. I’m doing everything I can to satisfy your wishes. Don’t worry—I’ll have the grounds cleared when the time comes. Then you can ride however you like, and I absolutely guarantee no outsiders will see.”
A Mei: “…”
After a long moment, A Mei finally reached out, grabbed An Sheng by the waist, and pinched him.
An Sheng did not even try to dodge. Instead, he caught her little hand in his and smiled, lowering his head to kiss her ear again and again as he teased her softly.
“Ow, sweetheart, easy. I know you’re embarrassed. I won’t say anything more, I won’t.”
“Hmph! I’m not hungry at all, so I don’t need breakfast. Are we leaving or not?”
“We’re leaving, we’re leaving right now. Be good, my dear. I’ll have the servants prepare some food. Whenever you get hungry, you can eat.”
…
