An Sheng fell silent for a moment.
The look he gave A Mei carried a hint of strangeness.
A Mei's already weak momentum completely deflated under An Sheng's gaze.
She stared timidly at her husband, her heart suddenly skipping a beat. She thought, Could it be that my husband really wants a flock of wives and concubines? As soon as this thought emerged, a wave of unprovoked grievance welled up in A Mei's heart.
Feeling wronged led to overthinking, and the more she thought about it, the more aggrieved and miserable she felt.
Tears were on the verge of falling.
An Sheng watched A Mei's little expressions shift from initial joy to disappointment and finally to anger. His eyebrows shot high up. Before he could even open his mouth, he saw A Mei's eyes turn red. She sniffled, and moisture gathered in her bright, watery eyes.
This wronged little appearance made An Sheng's heart skip a beat. He pulled A Mei into his arms, feeling both heartbroken and helpless as he coaxed her, Oh my, I haven't even said anything yet, why are you feeling so wronged again?
Originally, A Mei felt extremely shy about being so intimate with her husband in the courtyard where outsiders could see them, but right now, she didn't care at all.
She buried her face in An Sheng's chest, voicing her grievance and accusation at the same time: Husband, besides A Mei, you cannot have any other women.
Hearing this, An Sheng felt truly unjustly accused.
An Sheng raised an eyebrow: When did I ever say I wanted other women?
A Mei, immersed in her own sorrowful imagination, spoke faintly: You are a powerful official now, husband. Naturally, it is different from before. You can have as many women as you want.
An Sheng was so angered by A Mei's wild imagination that he laughed. Grinding his teeth, he said: I really want to crack open that little head of yours to see what you are thinking about all day long. What is this about kicking you out or having as many women as I want? I am a eunuch! What would I do with so many women!
To force An Sheng to say such words, A Mei was truly the only one.
An Sheng really didn't know whether to laugh or cry at A Mei. Having lived for over twenty years, he was a rootless man who had never had the slightest interest in women; he had only ever been passionate about power and status. If his godfather hadn't insisted on finding him a wife back then, he figured he never would have wanted to start a family in his entire life.
Ever since A Mei married into the An family, by some strange coincidence, An Sheng slowly began to care for her. The dusty desires and affections twisted, intertwined, and poured out, born because of her, rising because of her. He slowly began to experience the pleasures of being a man, something An Sheng had never imagined before.
An Sheng understood A Mei's little thoughts, but understanding aside, he still felt she was truly overthinking things.
Then again, A Mei's worry about her husband's affections shifting elsewhere actually pleased An Sheng immensely. Having such a soft, delicate, cute, and obedient woman care about him so much would melt anyone's heart.
People carrying things walked back and forth in the courtyard.
Some of the people An Sheng brought to the An residence today to help with the move were his subordinates. Seeing him and A Mei embracing in the courtyard like this, everyone kept their eyes downcast, not daring to look, though they certainly kept their ears perked up.
An Sheng gave a low cough. Ultimately mindful of his dignity, he deliberately put on a stern face and said: Alright, stop overthinking. I still have official business to attend to. In a while, Wu Da will come to pick you and Godfather up to go to the new mansion.
A Mei wrapped her arms around her husband's waist and refused to let go. She still looked pitiful, but her words were earnest and firm: So what if my husband is a eunuch? You are so wonderful, A Mei is just afraid that other women will try to steal my husband away from A Mei!
A Mei said this with such righteous conviction, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her words made warmth surge in An Sheng's heart, leaving him completely helpless against the little wife in his arms.
In the end, An Sheng could only surrender. He said in a serious and deep voice: I promise you, in this life, I will absolutely never take a concubine, nor will I want any other women. Is that alright?
Then my husband must keep his word! A Mei's bright eyes blinked.
An Sheng's eyebrows shot up. He took a deep breath and said helplessly: My dear lady, when have I ever not kept my word!
A Mei instantly broke into a smile through her tears. Burying herself entirely in An Sheng's embrace, she murmured shyly and intimately: Husband, husband, A Mei knew you were the best. A Mei likes you the most.
An Sheng fell silent for a moment. He felt a mix of love, pity, and helplessness toward A Mei in his arms. Finally, he let out a long sigh: You... I really don't know what to do with you.
A Mei's bright eyes brimmed with unconcealed joy and secret delight. If they weren't outside, she would have loved nothing more than to hug her husband and give him a kiss.
An Sheng saw right through A Mei's little thoughts with a single glance. He raised an eyebrow: Alright, stop teasing me. I am incredibly busy right now, and there are still matters waiting for me to handle outside.
A Mei had no choice but to reluctantly see her husband off.
Turning around, she saw her godfather staring in her direction with a gratified expression.
A Mei's face flushed bright red again, and she called out in embarrassment: Godfather.
She heard An Gui chuckle twice with his hoarse voice, saying meaningfully: Not bad. This is how a young couple should live their lives.
A Mei wished she could find a hole in the ground to hide in.
...
