The An Residence.
"Father, when will Sister and Brother-in-law come home?"
Douzi was picking at the rice in his bowl, not bringing any to his mouth.
A'mei's father glanced at the child and said impatiently, "Talking about other things is useless. Eat your food quickly. Even if your sister and brother-in-law were back, you'd still have to go study at the Imperial College!"
Douzi had reached the age for schooling, and An Gui had specially arranged for him to enter the Imperial College. To be able to study! And at the Imperial College no less! For A'mei's father, this was nothing short of a heavenly blessing!
Douzi looked listless and pained. He didn't want to go study at all. He really, really missed his sister.
Meanwhile, A'mei had arrived with An Sheng at a place called Wenzhou.
This time, An Sheng did not choose a courier station but entered the city openly and with some fanfare.
That afternoon, An Sheng, breaking from his usual routine, took A'mei out for an excursion.
"There's a tavern here called Plum Garden. The peach blossom wine they brew is famous far and wide. I've even heard of it back in the palace. I have some free time today, so I'll take you to try it."
A'mei and An Sheng walked side-by-side on the street, dressed like an ordinary young couple. Although guards and agents were arranged discreetly in the shadows, this still counted as their first time going out shopping together. A'mei's heart was filled with sweetness and joy. Moreover, A'mei was young, naturally playful at her age. She appeared charming and lively, curiously touching and looking at everything she saw.
An Sheng's expression was one of helplessness, yet a hint of a smile lingered in his eyes.
On this bustling street, An Sheng held various packages in one hand and clasped A'mei's hand with the other. He turned his head to look at A'mei, who was smiling like a young girl, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
Suddenly, an abrupt, hesitant male voice reached their ears.
"A'mei?"
A'mei and An Sheng stopped, looking in the direction of the voice.
"It really is you, A'mei!" The speaker was a young man dressed in a blue gown, looking a few years older than A'mei. His expression shifted from uncertainty to surprise and delight, mixed with a touch of disbelief.
"Oh, Shuanzi Gege!" A'mei was momentarily stunned, looked closely, then her eyes brightened, her tone also carrying a note of pleasant surprise.
The man strode up to A'mei, his gaze intense. "I caught a glimpse and thought you looked familiar. The more I looked, the more it seemed like you. It really is you."
A'mei said warmly, "What a coincidence! By the way, how are Uncle Fang and Auntie Fang?"
"They're well, very well. My mother still often mentions your mother and you."
Mention of her mother caused A'mei's eyes to dim slightly.
"A'mei, who is this? Aren't you going to introduce us?" An Sheng's emotionless voice came through. A'mei snapped back to attention and saw her husband looking at Shuanzi Gege with a seemingly amused smile. But having spent so much time with An Sheng, A'mei always felt that this particular smile of her husband's was rather unsettling.
When An Sheng's cool gaze swept over A'mei, she gave a slight start and hurriedly introduced, "Shuanzi Gege, this is A'mei's husband."
Then, A'mei turned to An Sheng and spoke softly, "Husband, this is Shuanzi Gege. He used to live in the same village as A'mei. His mother, Auntie Fang, was very close with Mother. When I was little, Mother often took me to visit Auntie Fang's house."
An Sheng naturally did not miss the fleeting look of desolation that flashed in the man's eyes upon hearing A'mei introduce him as her husband.
This young man named Shuanzi was first taken aback upon hearing An Sheng's unusually sharp and thin voice, finding it odd. Before he could ponder it further, he heard A'mei say this was her husband. He said incredulously, "A'mei, you're already married!" Perhaps realizing his words were somewhat impolite, he quickly changed the subject: "My home is just ahead. If you don't mind, please come over for a simple meal. My mother would be overjoyed to see you."
An Sheng raised an eyebrow, his face immediately darkening.
Noticing her husband's expression, A'mei thought for a moment and directly declined: "Shuanzi Gege, my husband and I have other matters to attend to. We'll visit Uncle and Auntie Fang another time."
"Oh... alright then." The young man's eyes were full of disappointment. He looked again at the man beside A'mei, referred to as her husband. This person was slender, with a pale, clean-shaven face and a gloomy demeanor. He seemed like someone not easy to get along with. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but realizing he had no standing, he finally sighed, bid them farewell, and hurried away.
A'mei didn't dwell on this small interlude. She raised a smiling face again and happily browsed a few more shops with her husband before finally arriving at Plum Garden.
Plum Garden was famous for enjoying music and sampling wine. An Sheng and A'mei sat in an inconspicuous spot. It was A'mei's first time drinking peach blossom wine. She rarely drank alcohol and couldn't appreciate descriptions like 'rich and mellow aroma'. She only found the wine's sweet aftertaste as delightful as honey, making it quite delicious.
A'mei finished one cup quickly and reached out to An Sheng for more.
"Husband, A'mei has finished. I'd like some more."
A smile playing on his lips, a look in his eyes that A'mei couldn't decipher, An Sheng poured her another cup.
Why is husband so accommodating today? A'mei wondered inwardly but didn't think much of it. Happily listening to the music, she drank three more cups in succession.
Before she knew it, a faint blush colored A'mei's cheeks, and a hint of haze entered her eyes.
In a daze, A'mei felt light-headed. She was conscious, but her reactions seemed somewhat sluggish. A'mei struggled to think, is this what being drunk feels like?
Even after being brought back to their lodgings by An Sheng, A'mei remained woozy.
In her muddled state, A'mei was undressed, bathed, and dressed again by An Sheng's ministrations. Only when lying on the bed did her consciousness clear a little. A'mei opened her mouth to speak, but upon opening her eyes, she met An Sheng's deep, unfathomable gaze. He was staring intently at her, the desire within utterly unconcealed.
It was like a dark swamp, swirling with danger, so intense it seemed to want to suck A'mei in and devour her whole.
A'mei lay there dumbly, her small mouth slightly agape, which conveniently allowed An Sheng to proceed with his devouring.
An Sheng was aggressive. He thrust his tongue forth, effortlessly parting A'mei's slightly closed teeth, plundering recklessly within her mouth. A'mei struggled to accommodate his tongue. She felt somewhat afraid and wanted to open her mouth to plead, but could only emit fragmented moans, lost between their connected lips.
It was unclear when this kiss would end. Only when A'mei's breath grew increasingly unsteady under An Sheng's kiss, when she could scarcely breathe and her lips began to ache slightly, did An Sheng finally release them.
A'mei lay beneath An Sheng, who half-propped himself up on his elbows, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her—blatant and unabashed. A'mei suddenly felt unable to continue meeting his eyes.
A'mei shyly turned her head to the side, her soft arms wrapping around An Sheng's neck. She called out in a coquettish, tender voice, "Husband."
An Sheng's eyes were deep and dim. He parted his lips to gently nibble A'mei's small ear, his tone betraying neither pleasure nor anger: "Shuanzi Gege? What a fine 'Gege' you call him. It really leaves a sour taste in my mouth."
A'mei: ...
Before A'mei's sluggish mind could react, she felt An Sheng's breath continue whispering in her ear.
"Ah Mei, be good. I'm quite a bit older than you. Call me 'gege' (big brother) once, let me hear it."
Ah Mei closed her eyes, her lips trembling slightly as if hesitating.
Ansheng was in no hurry. He kissed Ah Mei's lips, then her neck, patiently coaxing, "Be good, I want to hear it. My sweetheart, call me that once, alright?"
Ah Mei pressed her lips together, seeming to make up her mind, and called out softly and quickly, "Ge... Sheng Gege..."
Ansheng felt something snap in his head with a roar.
He kissed Ah Mei's lips fiercely, his voice growing hoarse and trembling, "Good girl, say it again."
Ah Mei obediently opened her mouth, "Sheng Gege... Mm..."
Then, Ah Mei only felt a coolness on her chest as the inner garment she had put on after bathing was ruthlessly torn apart by Ansheng.
Ah Mei felt a pang of heartache for the ruined clothes and wanted to push her husband away, but her body felt weak and dizzy, without any strength.
And then...
...the lights went out...
