A Mei had something on her mind. When she returned to her residence, she left a message saying that she needed to take care of her husband and then went into the room.
Habit is really a terrible thing. Without her husband around, it was so cold and quiet.
Cheng Wu handled things very steadily and really kept the news well - hidden. Everyone knew that except when the lady was around, Eunuch An was always terribly gloomy. So no one dared to get close to him or ask more questions.
Except for one person, that was Cui Gudao, who was also in Wenzhou.
An Sheng and Cui Gudao didn't get along well with each other, and the places where they lived were far apart. One day, when A Mei was pouring the decoction into the jar, she heard Cheng Wu come to report.
"Lord Cui has come to visit Eunuch An."
Cui Gudao was an imperial envoy and of high status. Naturally, it was not up to Cheng Wu to decline his visit. Since Eunuch An was lying in bed "unable to receive guests" at this time, as Eunuch An's wife, A Mei naturally had to come out to receive him.
Hearing this, A Mei felt a tightness in her heart. She frowned, thought for a while, and said to Cheng Wu, "You first lead Lord Cui to the outer hall and treat him well. I'll go there after I tidy up."
A Mei was always timid, but at this moment, her eyes were firm.
After Cui Gudao had a cup of tea, he saw a haggard - looking woman walking in from outside the door. Cui Gudao had seen this woman before. She was An Sheng's wife.
Originally, Cui Gudao disdained to visit An Sheng. However, what An Sheng said last time really made him toss and turn in bed for two days. Hearing that Eunuch An was ill, he came.
"Lord Cui," A Mei bowed.
Cui Gudao stood up, slightly raised his hand, and raised his eyebrows. "Madam An."
"I heard that Eunuch An is ill. This time, the official and Eunuch An are both working for His Majesty. We are colleagues. So I've come to visit him."
Cui Gudao had been an official for decades, and his every word and deed carried an air of dignity.
A Mei had never dealt with such a person before. She endured her timidity and clenched her fists in her sleeves. Her face naturally showed a hint of weariness.
She said softly, "I've neglected you, Lord Cui. My husband caught a cold this time. The doctor said it was because of excessive worry and the invasion of evil cold. He needs to rest in bed more. He took the medicine after breakfast and then fell asleep. He hasn't woken up yet."
A Mei then raised her hand to cover her mouth and nose and coughed gently twice. She continued, "My husband really can't get up. The doctor also said that this cold may be contagious. I'm afraid the illness might be passed on to you, so I won't lead you to the inner room to visit my husband. Please forgive me for my neglect, Lord Cui."
Cui Gudao stared at A Mei. Seeing her haggard appearance, which didn't seem to be fake, he thought that unexpectedly, Eunuch An was really seriously ill this time.
He waved his hand, and a subordinate beside him came over with a tray. "It doesn't matter. Since Eunuch An is asleep, I won't disturb him. This is my token of goodwill. I hope Eunuch An will recover soon. I'll take my leave now."
A Mei heaved a sigh of relief and showed a faint smile on her face. "See you off, Lord Cui."
After Cheng Wu saw Lord Cui off and came back, he saw the lady sitting pale - faced on the chair, looking worried. She stared at Cheng Wu as he came in and asked,
"Cheng Wu, Lord Cui is an imperial envoy appointed by His Majesty. Why doesn't His Majesty turn to him but my husband? Tell me, is my husband in danger?"
Seeing that Cheng Wu didn't say a word, A Mei felt her heart pounding in her throat. She closed her eyes painfully.
"I won't ask more. I don't understand and don't want to know what my husband and you are doing. I just want to know if my husband is in danger."
Cheng Wu lowered his head and spoke in his usual tone. "Don't worry, madam. Our brothers are highly skilled in martial arts and will surely protect Eunuch An."
A Mei couldn't listen at all, but if she asked more, this man wouldn't say anything.
So she endured each day in fear.
On the sixth day, in the middle of the night, A Mei, who was huddled in bed, heard faint noises outside the door. A Mei got up and lit the lamp. Looking up, she saw a figure in a black robe standing at the door.
There was a look of expectation in A Mei's eyes. She called out uncertainly in a trembling voice, "Husband?"
"Yes."
The familiar and long - awaited voice came.
The anxiety that A Mei had been holding in for these days instantly dissipated, and tears fell. She threw herself into An Sheng's arms, crying, and pounded his chest with her fists. There were a thousand words in her heart, but she didn't know what to say. Finally, she said with a mixture of joy, grievance, and complaint, "How could you be so heartless? You left A Mei here all alone without even saying a word. A Mei was so scared!"
An Sheng lovingly hugged A Mei into his arms. Looking at A Mei, who was haggard and clearly thinner, he comforted her, "It's our fault. The matter was urgent. It was so late, and you were sound asleep. We left in a hurry and scared you."
Hearing this, A Mei felt even more aggrieved. An Sheng just held her like this until her emotions stabilized. Then he said slowly,
"A Mei, you did a good job."
What had happened these days seemed like a dream and was completely beyond A Mei's understanding.
She was actually extremely scared, but she still had to hold on. After all, she was his wife. Hearing An Sheng say "You did a good job", all the panic and grievances of these days melted away like spring rain.
She wiped her tears and said, "A Mei didn't do much. Cheng Wu arranged everything well. A Mei was just worried about you. Don't scare me like this again in the future."
An Sheng gave a soft "um".
A Mei looked up at An Sheng and couldn't help but continue to complain, "Didn't you even have a moment to say a word that night? Couldn't you wake A Mei up?"
Looking at A Mei's increasingly aggrieved and persistent cute look.
An Sheng was silent for a moment.
Finally, he decided to tell the truth.
He said,
"For such a big matter, of course, we had to tell you. But we called you."
"But we couldn't wake you up."
Thinking of A Mei's stupid look of not waking up no matter how they called her at that time, An Sheng still found it both funny and helpless. He suppressed the twitching of his lips.
"You were clinging to us and snoring softly.
"We pushed you several times but couldn't wake you up. We had no choice but to leave you a note."
A Mei: ……
The originally sad atmosphere froze for a moment.
An Sheng looked at A Mei's silly look at this moment and couldn't help laughing. He stroked A Mei's back and coaxed her softly, "Anyway, it's our fault."
A Mei was both embarrassed and shy. She buried her head in An Sheng's arms like a quail. An Sheng stroked her head and stared at her. "Be good. We've been on the road all night and are dirty. Let's go and wash first."
A Mei still hugged An Sheng tightly and didn't want to let go, for fear that her husband would disappear again as soon as she let go. She said softly, "No, husband isn't dirty."
An Sheng's long and narrow eyes curved slightly, and he said okay.
Then he bent down, picked A Mei up horizontally, and strode towards the bed. He casually pulled off his cloak, lay down on the bed with his clothes on, holding A Mei in his arms. A look of great tiredness welled up in his eyes.
"We're a bit tired. A Mei, accompany us to sleep for a while."
Then he closed his eyes.
A Mei couldn't fall asleep. Her loving eyes fell on his face, as if carefully tracing every contour. Her eyes were filled with endless joy and affection. A Mei thought in her heart, Husband, really, I just can't get enough of looking at you.
……
