Because they had been delayed for two days, the convoy traveled through the night.
The wind picked up at night, bringing a bit of a chill. Nestled in Ansheng's arms, Amei felt both warm and comfortable.
Ansheng's hand remained resting on Amei's lower abdomen, gently massaging it. Amei felt incredibly comfortable. It was the first time in her life she had been cared for so tenderly. She felt as though her heart had been burning with a trembling warmth these past few days.
"Husband."
Amei called out softly.
"Hmm?" Ansheng, who was resting with his eyes closed, lifted his eyelids at her voice, meeting Amei's sparkling gaze.
Amei pondered for a moment before finally asking, "I wanted to ask you, Husband, have the tax issues and the war matters that Godfather mentioned before been resolved?"
Deep down, she still remembered her godfather's words about this being the most dangerous path. Along the journey, she listened attentively whenever her husband spoke about his official duties, but she never asked if he didn't bring it up. Amei knew she didn't understand anything and couldn't help him much. She only wished for her husband to be safe and sound. Yet, despite everything, she couldn't help but worry.
Her husband had once said that this was an errand given by the Emperor himself; if it wasn't handled well, heads would roll.
Ansheng had once asked Amei if she was afraid of death. Naturally, she was. But now, more than death, Amei feared that something might happen to her husband. She truly, truly did not want to be separated from him.
Hearing Amei's question, a flash of surprise crossed Ansheng's eyes, quickly replaced by tenderness. However, not wanting to say too much, he said calmly, "These are my official duties. You wouldn't understand even if I told you, so you don't need to know."
Amei let out a low "Oh."
Seeing Amei's worry written all over her face and her hesitant expression, Ansheng raised an eyebrow high. "What, are you worried about me?"
Amei nodded, then shook her head. Looking up into Ansheng's deep eyes, she answered honestly and earnestly:
"You are so capable, Husband, so naturally I believe in you. But... but I just can't help worrying. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I want to be with you forever."
These words fell into Ansheng's ears, causing him to freeze. He took a deep breath. Meeting Amei's innocent, obedient, and reliant gaze, his deep eyes surged with emotion. An almost twisted possessiveness poured out, concealing a fiery passion and delight that Amei couldn't comprehend.
Finally, he slowly let out the breath, calming the emotions that were on the verge of overflowing. He lowered his head and gently kissed her hairline, sounding as if he were sighing with tender affection. "Oh, you. Don't worry, I am confident in handling this assignment."
Amei naturally believed her husband. Hearing this, her heart slowly settled back into place. She murmured in agreement and asked again, "Husband, then when can we go home?"
"Are you homesick, Amei?"
Amei shook her head and spoke softly, "Not exactly. Sometimes I miss Douzi, Godfather, and my dad. But then I think about how, if we go back, you'll have to return to the palace for duty. If you get busy, we might only see each other once a fortnight or even once a month. When I think of that, I don't want to go back anymore."
These words pleased Ansheng. The corners of his lips curled up as he spoke slowly, "It will be soon. There are no issues on my end, but Lord Cui will need a few more days. Once his matters are settled, we'll have to head back. After returning to the palace, I'll figure something out. The nights are long, and I certainly won't let my wife sleep in an empty bed. I'll do my best to come home and keep you company at night."
Hearing this, Amei's eyes instantly lit up.
"Really?"
Ansheng scoffed softly and asked in return, "What do you think?"
Amei rejoiced inwardly, wiggling happily, and then wiggling again. She couldn't help but whisper, "That's wonderful. I want to sleep together with you, Husband."
Ansheng fell into a bizarre silence for a moment. The look he gave Amei was filled with doting affection mixed with a trace of oddity. He reached out and pinched her smooth, tender cheek, holding back a laugh as he spoke, "You really aren't shy about this at all, are you? I'd love to see what goes on in that little head of yours all day. How is it that you get so impossibly flustered at times when there's no need to be shy?"
What was he talking about? Amei blinked, looking completely innocent. "I don't understand what you mean, Husband."
The corners of Ansheng's eyes crinkled in amusement. "Alright, pretend I didn't say anything. It's better that you didn't understand."
Amei let out a puzzled "Oh," but her thoughts quickly drifted back to her husband's promise to keep her company at night after they returned home. She grew happy again, smiling foolishly with delight. However, a moment later, as if struck by a sudden thought, her small face fell. "That won't work, Husband. Last time you came home, I remember you said you had to return to the palace at the hour of Yin. That's so early. Running back and forth between the palace and home like that, you won't get enough rest."
Nestled against Ansheng's chest, Amei pouted and said reluctantly, "I don't want you to exhaust yourself. Maybe... maybe..."
Amei hesitated on her "maybe" for quite a while. Ansheng raised an eyebrow, watching her insincere little display. Hiding the amusement in his eyes, he purposely finished her sentence, "Alright, since you are so understanding, I'll just stay at the palace and not come home."
"Ah, no." Amei grew anxious. Meeting Ansheng's half-smiling eyes, she quickly shook her head and counted on her fingers. "Not exactly. You don't have to come home every day, but at least once every five days... well, it shouldn't be more than ten days. You should come home at least once every ten days."
Ansheng let out a drawn-out "Oh," leaning in close to breathe against Amei's ear, his tone intimate and lingering. "Ten days? Last time I was gone for six or seven days, you missed me. Won't you miss me if it's ten days?"
Last time? Amei's mind suddenly flashed back to the memory of that night when her husband had asked her if she missed him and where she missed him. Her small face instantly flushed crimson.
Ansheng's eyes crinkled at the corners, still refusing to let her off the hook. His warm breath brushed against her flushed cheeks as he said meaningfully, "Didn't I just say you get impossibly flustered when there's no need to be shy? Look at you. Who knows what you're thinking about now to make your face turn so red."
Amei: ...
