A Mei finally understood what Madam Wang meant by "movement in her belly."
The corners of her mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Suppressing a smile, she first glanced back at the maid and said gently, "What's the matter? Hurry up and get up."
Hehua immediately pulled the maid up to her feet.
Madam Wang looked suspicious and bewildered. A Mei turned back to her, her face slightly flushed, and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Madam Wang. I appreciate the gesture, but there is truly no need to trouble the divine physician."
Madam Wang gave a dry laugh, assuming this Madam An was just young and thin-skinned. She immediately exclaimed, "Oh my, look at me worrying over nothing. You are still so young, naturally you will have plenty of opportunities."
A Mei remained silent, merely pursing her lips into a smile, though the amusement didn't reach her eyes.
At that moment, the shopkeeper brought over the boxed jewelry.
A Mei bid her farewell, turned, and left with her entourage.
When An Sheng emerged from the restaurant, barely half an hour had passed. His face was gloomy as he strode out.
An Sheng had always despised those who formed cliques for selfish gains. Under the vast heavens, all land belonged to the emperor; to engage in such reckless behavior right under the emperor's nose made An Sheng grind his teeth in twisted excitement.
"The drinker's heart is not in the cup. They truly don't know the meaning of death."
An Sheng spoke slowly, seemingly muttering to himself, but his tone was eerie and somewhat twisted.
Xiao Zhengzi, who was following closely behind, heard him clearly. He shuddered violently, bowed his head even lower, and hurried to keep up.
"Zhuifeng Pavilion?" An Sheng's sharp gaze swept over Xiao Zhengzi.
In his heart, Xiao Zhengzi had already cursed all eighteen generations of Wu Da's ancestors for daring to take their madam to such a place—it was practically a death wish. Outwardly, however, he maintained a grave and serious expression. "Yes, Wu Da sent word. The madam happened to hear others say that Zhuifeng Pavilion is quite nice, so she ordered Wu Da to make arrangements to go there."
An Sheng narrowed his eyes, his face turning faintly green. He coldly snorted, "Let's go. To Zhuifeng Pavilion."
When An Sheng found her, A Mei was leisurely drinking tea in a private room at Zhuifeng Pavilion. As An Sheng pushed the door open, A Mei's eyes lit up. She stood up and threw herself into his arms, her bright eyes twinkling with dependence and shyness.
"Husband, you're here!"
An Sheng raised an eyebrow. Catching the girl in his arms with one hand, he looked around the antique-style private room. Not only was it furnished with a table, but it also had a bed and a couch. He spoke faintly, "You certainly know how to pick a place."
A Mei nodded excitedly. "Mhm! What do you think, Husband? Isn't it perfect for a rendezvous!"
A rendezvous?
An Sheng frowned. He stared at A Mei for a long moment before slowly speaking with a half-smile, "What made you think of having a rendezvous with me?"
A Mei's small face flushed red. "When A Mei was shopping, I heard people nearby say that Zhuifeng Pavilion is the best place for couples to have a rendezvous." At this, A Mei cast a bashful glance at An Sheng and shyly lowered her head. "So A Mei thought about being with Husband... with Husband..."
The two were still standing at the doorway. Without changing his expression, An Sheng held A Mei with one arm and closed the door behind him with the other.
The moment the door shut, An Sheng picked A Mei up and kissed her passionately. He carried her toward the couch as he kissed her, not letting go until A Mei was pinned against the cushions, breathless, her body soft and her lips numb.
"Husband..." With no one else around, A Mei wrapped her arms around An Sheng's waist, pressing herself tightly against his chest, calling out to him affectionately.
An Sheng took a deep breath, suppressing the dark storm in his eyes. "It seems you are growing bolder by the day."
A Mei looked at An Sheng unblinkingly, her eyes slightly misty and filled with curiosity. She asked softly, "Husband, how has A Mei grown bolder?"
Meeting her innocent, uncomprehending gaze, An Sheng felt his heart tighten, and his temper instantly vanished.
Before he could speak, A Mei squirmed beneath him and gently pushed against his chest. "Husband, Husband, get up first."
An Sheng raised an eyebrow and rolled off her.
A Mei scrambled up from the bed, grabbed a box from the table, and stared at An Sheng with an eager, fawning expression. She said sweetly, "Husband, A Mei has something to give you."
An Sheng was surprised for a moment. "For me?"
"Mhm! Husband, open it and see." A Mei looked thrilled.
An Sheng opened the box. Looking at the Sinan jade pendant inside, his expression shifted.
A Mei's sweet voice rang out, "A Mei heard before that this Sinan pendant can ward off evil and bring good fortune. Husband works so hard every day and is often away from home. A Mei worries about Husband. When I saw this jade pendant today, I thought Husband could wear it every day, so A Mei could have a little peace of mind."
An Sheng gripped the Sinan pendant tightly. His gaze was deep and focused as he stared at A Mei. After a long moment, he finally said, "You are very thoughtful, A Mei. I like it very much."
A Mei's heart filled with joy. She stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around An Sheng's neck, and nuzzled her small face into the crook of his neck. "As long as Husband likes it."
An Sheng took a deep breath. "Alright, stop teasing me."
A Mei let out an obedient "Oh."
An Sheng put on a stern face again and lectured, "In the future, unless I am with you, you are not allowed to come to Zhuifeng Pavilion by yourself."
A Mei pouted her small lips, confused. "Why? A Mei thinks this place is quite nice."
An Sheng tapped the tip of A Mei's nose and said meaningfully, "It is quite nice. If you came at night, it would be even nicer."
"At night?" A Mei looked curious.
"Never mind. If you want to know, I will stay and enjoy the sights with you here tonight."
A Mei pursed her lips. Although she didn't quite understand, she obediently agreed.
A Mei let go, took the jade pendant from her husband's hand, and personally tied it to An Sheng's waistband. Then, she took a few steps back, examined it carefully, and her eyes curved into happy crescents:
"Husband looks so handsome wearing this."
A Mei smiled radiantly. An Sheng's heart stirred, and he beckoned with his hand. "A Mei, come over here."
Seeing the deep look in An Sheng's eyes, A Mei lowered her gaze and shyly turned her head away. "Husband, don't kiss A Mei anymore. If you kiss me again, my lips will swell up."
...
