The bathhouse was enveloped in swirling steam. The servants had specially prepared fire pans, making the temperature in the entire room extremely comfortable.
Stepping past the folding screen, A Mei could be seen leaning against the edge of the bathtub. Her head was tilted to the side, her eyes closed, revealing her smooth, delicate shoulders.
Behind her was Ansheng, meticulously scrubbing her back.
The hot water barely covered Ansheng's lean, muscular chest, exposing the sharp, masculine lines of his arms and shoulders.
Ansheng was of average height and didn't possess an overly imposing build compared to other men. However, since A Mei was naturally petite and delicate, Ansheng's frame easily enveloped and overshadowed hers.
Who was Ansheng? He was the current Commander of the Inner Depot. No one was ignorant of him, and no one was unafraid of him. If it were anyone else, they would surely be terrified by this dark, suffocating sense of confinement.
But for A Mei, she simply let out a comfortable sigh and spoke in a soft, languid voice,
"Husband, is A Mei's back dirty?"
"Husband, go down a little."
"Husband, use a bit more force, it's a little itchy here."
"Left. No, no, a bit more to the right."
"Mhm, that feels so good."
Once her back was washed, A Mei turned around, naturally and consciously extending her two slender arms.
A Mei's small face was flushed, whether from shyness or the hot steam. She watched Ansheng's movements in a slight daze. Ansheng's long, fair fingers grasped one of A Mei's arms, while his other hand held the washcloth. He first carefully wiped A Mei's fingers one by one, then slowly washed up her arm from the wrist. A faint smile played at the corners of Ansheng's lips. His head was slightly bowed, his expression serious, and his movements carried an indescribable elegance and languor. Seeing this, A Mei only felt her heart pounding rapidly in her chest, and her breathing grew hot.
When both arms were washed, A Mei suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around Ansheng's neck. She tilted her head up slightly, not asking for a kiss, but simply looking at him obediently with her big, watery eyes.
Such an alluring appearance made Ansheng's breath hitch. He gripped A Mei's slender waist with one hand to steady her, and with the other, he grasped her wrists to gently pull her hands away from his neck. His eyes were dark and surging with emotion, yet he said, "Be good, don't fuss. I haven't finished washing you yet."
With that, the wet cloth landed on A Mei's slender, delicate neck again, slowly wiping downwards. Before he had wiped a few times, Ansheng simply tossed the cloth aside and used his fingers instead.
However, remembering A Mei's previous complaints that the thin calluses on his hands hurt her slightly, he kept his rubbing movements exceptionally gentle.
A Mei's little face grew even redder and hotter.
By the time Ansheng finished washing A Mei from top to bottom, her face was already as red as blood, and her body was completely limp. She barely managed to stay upright by leaning against her husband, avoiding slipping entirely into the water.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was A Mei's slightly rapid panting.
Then, Ansheng suddenly spoke in a soft voice,
"After I leave, don't stay cooped up in the manor all day. Go out and walk around more. When you have time, make some friends. You can attend any invitations sent to the manor that interest you. Don't put all your thoughts on me."
A Mei replied softly, "Mhm, I understand, Husband."
Ansheng continued, "You are my wife, and now you have been granted an imperial title. No one will dare to slight you wherever you go. You don't need to be timid or overly cautious outside. Just do as you please. As long as I still have His Majesty's favor, no one will dare to court death by finding fault with you. I will leave Wu Da with you, and give you one of my official waist tags. Seeing the token is like seeing this Commander in person. Even if I am not in the capital, the entire Inner Depot will still be your honor guard."
A Mei gave a soft oh. She felt grateful for her husband's thoughtfulness and reliability. Although she lacked interest, she still answered earnestly, "Rest assured, Husband. A Mei will be careful and cautious at home. I won't cause any trouble or make you worry while you are away."
Ansheng's eye twitched. He reached out and gently poked A Mei's little head, speaking helplessly and wishing she would be more ambitious, "Wrong, wrong! I didn't risk my life to reach my current position just so my wife could cower at home, constantly looking over her shoulder. It's so you can live without any scruples and do whatever you please! I am now a powerful eunuch who strikes terror into the hearts of men. My power is overwhelming, and I am at the height of my influence. I already have no children, no clan, and no lineage. Why should we, as husband and wife, bother hiding our strengths and keeping a low profile? The more flamboyant and arrogant we are, the more at ease His Majesty will be!"
A Mei's eyes widened as she suddenly understood. "Ah, but, but I don't know how to be arrogant. A Mei can't just go out of the manor and bully people for no reason."
Ansheng stood up and lifted A Mei out of the bathtub. He fetched a towel and meticulously dried her body, his eyes filled with indulgence and tenderness. "If you really could go out and bully others, I would consider it my wife having grown more capable. It doesn't matter. I only ask one thing: be a bit more domineering when things happen. You don't have to cause trouble, but absolutely do not fear it, let alone fear blowing things out of proportion. Only then will I be at ease. Remember, as long as His Majesty still needs your husband, even if you pierce a hole in the sky over the capital, His Majesty will protect you for my sake."
A Mei hummed in agreement, secretly committing Ansheng's words to heart.
There were less than a few days before Ansheng had to depart. When night fell, upon the bed, A Mei clung to Ansheng, asking for kisses and hugs, being as intimate as possible. Even when she fell asleep, she wrapped herself tightly around him like an octopus. Ansheng knew A Mei's reluctance to part with him, yet she was becoming increasingly sensible. He was even more considerate and tender towards her, delighted to be intimate with A Mei, and naturally did his utmost to satisfy her.
...
In the dead of night, when all was silent, A Mei, drenched in fragrant sweat, embraced Ansheng, panting charmingly. At this moment, she was both tired and sleepy. Forcing her eyelids open, she sleepily murmured to Ansheng, "Husband, can A Mei write to you anytime?"
Ansheng took a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from A Mei's forehead. His voice was hoarse. "Of course. Even from the borderlands, with the Inner Depot's current methods of transmitting information, letters can be delivered in just seven days."
Hearing a satisfactory answer, A Mei finally relaxed. She slowly closed her eyes, the corners of her mouth curving into a sweet smile as she fell into a deep slumber.
...
