A Mei said she wanted to go boating on the lake, so An Sheng ordered Wu Da to make the arrangements.
Upon hearing that the madam wanted to both tour the lake and listen to opera, Wu Da immediately booked the largest pleasure boat in the West Quarter, along with the most famous opera singers.
It was late autumn, the season for admiring chrysanthemums. Gatherings and drinking parties hosted by the children of officials were in full swing, making the West Quarter exceptionally bustling day and night.
It was A Mei's first time on a pleasure boat. She saw that the boat was exquisitely decorated; every ornament and piece of furniture inside was superbly crafted and luxurious. There were also handsome young servants and beautiful maids attending to them closely.
A Mei clicked her tongue in astonishment and couldn't help muttering softly to An Sheng, With this level of extravagance, it's indeed a fine place for you government officials to indulge in wine and women, live a life of luxury, and run amok.
An Sheng raised his eyebrows slightly, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger. I didn't expect my wife to become increasingly knowledgeable and articulate.
A Mei blinked, looking innocent. Is A Mei wrong?
An Sheng said helplessly, Right, right, right. But my dear wife, I am the one accompanying you on this lake tour. It's true that I am an official, but when it comes to indulging in wine and women, living in luxury, and running amok, you must not wrong me.
Hearing her husband tease her like this, A Mei's small face flushed red with embarrassment. Oh, Husband, A Mei wasn't talking about you.
With a wave of his hand, An Sheng dismissed the servants on the boat. He stretched out a long arm, pulling A Mei into his embrace. Leaning down into her hair with a teasing smile, he said, No, if my wife wants me to run amok here, it's not impossible. It just depends on whether my wife will let me.
An Sheng's uniquely hot and ambiguous breath brushed against A Mei's neck and cheek. As he spoke, the large hand holding A Mei deliberately stroked up and down her soft curves, his intentions clear.
A Mei stiffened all over. The next moment, she felt her face burning as red as fire, the heat spreading all the way from her cheeks to her neck.
Feeling both shy and indignant, A Mei shot An Sheng a sideways glance and complained coquettishly, Husband, how, how can you be like this outside...
An Sheng teased her on purpose, his tone taking on a hint of frivolity. Go on, tell me. Like what?
A Mei glared at An Sheng with her bright, watery eyes and said shyly, Husband is an official now, you can't be this improper.
A smile played at the corners of An Sheng's mouth. He held A Mei firmly in his arms, his large hands lighting fires everywhere. Didn't my wife say herself that these officials run amok? I suddenly feel that I can't let my wife down.
A Mei's body went soft under An Sheng's touch, and she began to tremble slightly. She begged for mercy in a sweet voice, Husband, Husband, A Mei was wrong. A Mei wants to watch the opera.
Only then did An Sheng let go of A Mei and carefully straightened her slightly messy clothes.
Then he held A Mei's hand. Alright, let's watch the opera.
An Sheng led A Mei to her seat.
A Mei sat quietly and obediently on the chair, while An Sheng sat casually beside her. His chin was slightly raised, and his eyes lazily swept over their surroundings, the depths of his gaze filled with nonchalance, until he lightly snapped his fingers.
Outside the door, Wu Da immediately understood. The opera troupe that had been waiting quietly filed in at once.
As the drums and music began to play, the show started.
They performed the most popular repertoire of the moment.
A Mei watched the opera with rapt attention, gradually becoming immersed in the performance.
When the song ended and the curtain fell, A Mei was still longing for more and couldn't help but praise, That was performed so well.
An Sheng said casually, If you like listening to operas, we can keep a troupe in the manor. When you want to go out, you can go out, and when you don't, you can listen to them at home.
A Mei shook her head. No way, keeping an opera troupe costs silver, and it's not like A Mei has nothing else to do.
Just as they were speaking, a middle-aged man led a woman with a graceful figure over to give thanks for the reward.
A Mei recognized at a glance that the woman behind him was the lead actress who had just been on stage.
A Mei marveled inwardly. This star was indeed a star. Not only were her steps on stage light and her singing voice melodious, but looking closely, her features were also charming. Let alone men, even she, a woman, found her beautiful.
This middle-aged man was the head of the opera troupe, and the woman following him went by the stage name Little Peony. She was currently the pillar of their troupe.
Their troupe was highly sought after at the moment. Hiring them for a performance was expensive, and they were fully booked far in advance. Originally, they were supposed to perform at the residence of a young marquis of a Duke's estate today. They were already halfway there when they were suddenly intercepted and brought to this pleasure boat.
The troupe leader was a smooth and quick-witted man. From afar, he had seen the steward sent by the Duke's estate to fetch them acting like he dared not speak out in anger in front of Wu Da. He thought to himself that this master who had made a last-minute decision to listen to an opera was someone even the Duke's estate dared not offend, which showed he must be a master of transcendent status.
Especially after receiving a generous reward of silver, he had an idea.
He led Little Peony over to give thanks. Little Peony swayed her body with a charming expression, deliberately turning sideways to reveal her slender neck and exquisite figure. She looked at An Sheng with silky, alluring eyes. This humble servant, Little Peony, thanks the master for the reward.
An Sheng gave a cold snort, looking impatient. However, when he turned his head, he saw A Mei staring straight at this Little Peony, unable to tear her eyes away.
It was a gaze of pure appreciation and admiration, but in An Sheng's eyes, it was exceptionally glaring.
An Sheng's expression changed instantly. His slender eyes narrowed as they swept over the two of them. In an instant, his gaze bred a twisted, dark malice, unreservedly exposing his bloodthirsty ruthlessness to outsiders.
A Mei, who was beside him, was completely unaware. But when the troupe leader and Little Peony met his sinister gaze, they instantly felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave. Fear sprang from the depths of their hearts, and they couldn't help but shudder.
An Sheng ground his teeth and slowly spat out a single word: Scram.
Master, forgive us, Master, forgive us, we'll scram right now! We'll scram right now! Little Peony instantly lost the color in her face. Seeing that the situation was bad and terrified that the noble would punish them, the troupe leader immediately grabbed Little Peony and ran away without looking back.
A Mei was taken aback and turned to look at An Sheng.
Suppressing the bloodthirsty violence in his heart and maintaining the icy expression on his face, An Sheng looked at A Mei with a faint smile. For my wife to stare at someone else so intently, is there something extraordinary about her?
Huh, why did Husband suddenly become unhappy? A Mei muttered in her heart. However, A Mei wasn't afraid. She had always been used to her husband's unpredictable moods. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she answered honestly:
Husband, that woman just now is truly beautiful.
Is that so? An Sheng gave a fake smile.
A Mei nodded heavily, looking innocently appreciative. A Mei suddenly feels like she understands those men. They all say everyone has a love for beauty. When encountering a beauty, let alone those men and officials liking her, even A Mei thinks she is beautiful.
Crack!
A strange noise came over!
A Mei looked startled and suspicious, staring at the armrest of the chair An Sheng was gripping, and the wood cracking like a spiderweb under his palm.
An Sheng had crushed the armrest, his deep eyes gathering a cruel murderous intent,
So, my wife likes beautiful things?
A Mei: ...
