"Never, never has anyone been so good to A Mei. Since marrying my husband, every day feels like a dream to A Mei, so unreal."
A Mei nestled into Ansheng's embrace, immediately encircled by a pair of arms. She couldn't help but nuzzle against his chest, her heart bubbling with happiness.
Ansheng was amused by A Mei's words. He reached out to gently stroke her back, coaxing her, "I don't know what goes on in this little head of yours all day. Alright now, your studies aren't finished yet. Since you wish to learn characters, you must apply yourself diligently. It will benefit you in the future."
"In the future, if you wish to learn anything else, just tell me. If I know it, I will teach you myself. If I don't, I will hire a tutor for you."
A Mei responded sweetly and was guided by Ansheng back to the desk. Picking up her brush, she seemed to sense her husband's gaze, a faint blush rising to the tips of her ears. She steadied her mind and focused on tracing each stroke with care.
A few birdsongs drifted in from outside the window, and golden light filtered through, spilling into the room. Before the desk sat a lovely, charming young woman in a ruqun dress, and behind her stood a slender man with a faint smile in his eyes.
Just then, a gentle breeze swept through, causing the practice sheets on the desk to rustle softly. The scent of ink grew stronger, intertwining with the aromas of tea and incense, weaving an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility throughout the room.
...
Boom!
A clap of thunder struck, jolting A Mei awake.
In her daze, A Mei felt as if she had returned to that night in the An residence when she had made the decision to follow Ansheng on his journey away from home.
Outside, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled amidst a stormy downpour.
The night was dark. A Mei reached to one side, only to find it empty. Ansheng, who had clearly fallen asleep holding her, was nowhere to be found. A Mei's heart raced with a sudden, unsettling panic.
She got up and lit a candle. Perhaps seeing the light from the bedroom, Hehua called out from outside the door.
"Madam, is something the matter?"
A Mei opened her mouth, about to ask her husband's whereabouts, when her eyes suddenly caught sight of a piece of paper pressed by his pillow at the head of the bed, though she didn't know when it had appeared.
A Mei hurriedly picked it up, set the candle aside, and examined it carefully in the candlelight.
On the paper were two lines of text:
Urgent matter. Don't be afraid. I have claimed illness. Proceed as normal. For any issues, seek Cheng Wu.
Ansheng
Tears immediately fell from A Mei's eyes. Though the handwriting was hurried and scribbled, A Mei recognized it instantly as her husband's. What kind of urgent matter could make him leave so hastily in the middle of the night? A Mei felt her heart seize with worry, so intense it was hard to breathe.
Hehua's voice came from outside the door again.
"Madam? Madam?"
A Mei forced herself to sound calm. "It's nothing. Go back to rest."
"Yes, Madam."
After the sounds outside ceased, A Mei read the words over and over many times. Finally, she held the paper to the candle flame, watching it turn to ashes.
Having done this, A Mei blew out the candle, got into bed, and curled up beneath the covers. In the darkness, her body trembled. The bed without her husband was so cold.
Having lain awake all night, A Mei got up and washed as usual.
Meanwhile, under Cheng Wu's arrangements, a physician was summoned to the residence. Word was also spread that Lord An had caught a chill and was recuperating in his room, unable to receive visitors.
Upon receiving this news, A Mei, when she emerged, specifically instructed Hehua to tell the kitchen to prepare some light, bland meals.
After finishing her meal, A Mei left her room. She instructed Hehua, "My husband took his medicine and has fallen asleep. Before sleeping, he mentioned craving almond crisps. Since there's nothing pressing today, accompany me for a stroll on the street later. Have Cheng Wu arrange the carriage."
A Mei knew of Cheng Wu, as Ansheng often entrusted him with official duties. She had seen him many times in the study. Ansheng had told her that this man belonged to the Emperor's personal guard and currently took orders from Ansheng. However, being an unrelated man, and since A Mei was married to Ansheng, it was only proper to maintain distance from other men. Thus, she usually had no interaction with Cheng Wu.
A Mei boarded the carriage with Hehua and glanced around. Sure enough, Cheng Wu was the driver.
Almond crisps weren't easy to find this season. After visiting several pastry shops in a row without success, A Mei browsed some clothing stores, deliberately selecting a few garments for her husband. Once Hehua had loaded the bundles into the carriage, A Mei got in and pointed to a seemingly popular pastry shop not far away.
"Hehua, go check that pastry shop over there for almond crisps. If they have any, buy some. Also, get some lotus flower pastries and golden thread cakes to bring back."
"Yes, Madam."
Hehua got off the carriage, letting the curtain fall back into place, and walked over.
Cheng Wu suddenly spoke in a low voice, "Madam, His Majesty issued an urgent summons. Lord An departed overnight on official business. This is confidential, arising from an emergency of great importance. Lord An has ridden forth with the men under cover of night. He specifically left me behind to ensure your safety."
"To the outside world, Lord An is now said to be ill. I have arranged everything accordingly. I have also discovered there is a spy within our ranks. The identity is still unknown. Therefore, Madam, your efforts to maintain this cover are crucial."
Hearing Cheng Wu mention a spy, A Mei frowned deeply. Finally, she nodded gravely. At the same time, the heart she had been holding up finally sank, sinking heavily into an abyss whose depth she couldn't comprehend.
She spoke with difficulty, "Then... then is my husband in danger?"
"Please rest assured, Madam. The men will definitely ensure Lord An's safety."
"Then... when will my husband return?"
Cheng Wu was silent for a moment. "Seven days at most. We can only maintain the deception for seven days."
A Mei's heart remained filled with worry, feeling that things were perhaps not so simple.
It had rained all through the night. A Mei lifted the carriage curtain and looked up at the sky. It was still gloomy and overcast with dark clouds, oppressive and suffocating. The air was thick with dampness, as if a heavy downpour could begin at any moment.
A Mei whispered softly:
"Husband, where are you?"
"Husband, A Mei misses you."
"Husband, A Mei is angry. How could you leave A Mei all alone?"
"Husband, come back quickly, or A Mei will truly be angry."
………………
