The day of departure arrived.
Following eleven strikes of the gong, soldiers holding long spears cleared the way. The grand procession of An Sheng, the Commander of the Inner Depot, acting as the Emperor's touring envoy, set off majestically along the central avenue of the capital.
The scene was grand and imposing, winding for miles. Such official prestige and extravagance shocked not only the commoners of the capital, but also deeply touched A Mei, who stood on the city wall to see him off.
The man surrounded by the crowd in the center did not have a burly figure. He rode lazily on horseback, wearing a custom-made purplish-black official robe that made his frame appear even thinner. Aside from his slightly pale complexion, he looked no different from an ordinary person.
Yet, this man with a rather unremarkable appearance possessed an irresistible majesty and aura. The allure and subjugation of such power made it impossible for anyone to look away.
A Mei stared intently at that familiar back, watching him walk away from her step by step. The reluctance and concern in her heart almost reached their peak.
A Mei suddenly felt it difficult to breathe, wishing she could cast everything aside and rush forward to go with her husband. However, she could not. She knew her husband did not want to be separated from her either. Since he had made such arrangements, he must have his reasons, and she had to understand him.
An Sheng, who was riding on his horse, seemed to sense something and glanced back. Their eyes met from afar in that moment. A Mei immediately revealed a big smile, raised her arm, and waved her hand.
A Mei had specially worn a vibrant red dress today, symbolizing joy, peace, and smoothness.
An Sheng spotted that touch of bright red on the city wall at a glance. The tenderness in his eyes broke through his icy facade; he curled his lips and took a deep look at A Mei.
When he turned back around, he once again became that gloomy, harsh, ruthless, and bloodthirsty Commander of the Inner Depot who made everyone else shudder.
As soon as A Mei returned to the manor, she locked herself in her room.
For a full two hours, until An Gui personally went to call her, A Mei finally stepped out of her room with red and swollen eyes from crying, and followed An Gui to the main hall.
An Gui poured a cup of water for A Mei.
Good child, you behaved very well during the send-off. You didn't cry and make a fuss, showing the demeanor of a noble family's leading lady. Sheng'er must have been very gratified to see that.
It would have been better left unsaid. As soon as An Gui mentioned An Sheng, tears welled up in A Mei's eyes again. Wu wu, Godfather, A Mei misses her husband.
An Gui had a bit of a headache. He knew the young couple was deeply in love, but he really couldn't understand it. However, seeing A Mei crying so heartbrokenly, he couldn't bear it and said helplessly, A Mei, Sheng'er has only just left. You are missing him way too fast.
But whenever A Mei thinks about how husband has to be away for such a long time, A Mei can't stop feeling miserable. I don't want to cry either, but I just can't control it.
Saying so, A Mei cried and started complaining to An Gui, Godfather, tell me, why couldn't he bring female family members? I clearly saw women in the procession. Weren't there people bringing their wives?
An Gui scoffed, Impossible. Not to mention that no one would dare to bring them, even if they did bring women, it would never be their official wives.
A Mei asked with a quiet sob, Why?
An Gui glared, Do you think every official loves and respects his wife as much as Sheng'er does? Sheng'er didn't bring you for your own sake, but others don't bring them simply because they don't want to.
A Mei blinked in confusion.
An Gui simply spoke bluntly, Men all love the new and tire of the old. If you don't believe me, go look at those officials; which one of them doesn't have three wives and four concubines?
A Mei nodded in agreement, but she still felt miserable, wondering what this had to do with her missing her husband.
Then she heard An Gui continue, When they go out on official business, even if they bring women, they bring concubines or bedmaids. They can warm the bed and serve them personally on a daily basis.
A Mei sobbed and asked, Are those official wives actually happy that their husbands don't bring them along?
An Gui looked at A Mei with an expression that was hard to put into words. He said in a hoarse voice, You are too naive. These official wives not only cannot be unhappy about it, but they also have to take the initiative to take in concubines and bedmaids for their husbands.
Listening to this, A Mei stopped crying. She took a handkerchief from her bosom, haphazardly wiped away her tears, and her red, swollen eyes were full of curiosity: Why?
An Gui sighed, pointing out meaningfully, In this world, apart from those in power, who doesn't rely on others to live? You see those noble wives looking glamorous on the surface, but most of them are merely relying on the men in their families to scrape by.
But I also rely on my husband, and I don't find it difficult, A Mei was still puzzled.
An Gui rolled his eyes and said grumpily, You girl, just when I say you are smart, you start acting foolish again. Do you really think there are many men out there who treat their wives as well as our godson does?
A Mei thought of her husband's doting and tenderness toward her, and blushed a little shyly. She affirmed, Husband is the best husband in the world, naturally he is one of a kind.
An Gui: ...
A Mei had stopped crying, but instead, An Gui directly kicked her out.
A Mei still felt miserable in her heart, so she simply went to the study, prepared the brush and ink, and decided to start writing a letter to An Sheng.
A Mei did not need the servants to wait on her. She ground the ink herself, spread out the paper, and slowly began to write:
Husband, you looked truly majestic and impressive today. Seeing it with my own eyes, whenever A Mei thinks that such a powerful official is A Mei's husband, my heart is filled with joy and pride.
Watching my husband go far away, A Mei's heart feels empty. You just left, but A Mei already can't help missing you. Whenever A Mei thinks about eating without my husband, sleeping without my husband, and not being able to wait for my husband to return to the manor in the evening, A Mei's heart aches so much I can't breathe.
However, A Mei also knows that my husband is a man who does great things. My husband shoulders heavy responsibilities and it is very difficult. My husband cherishes A Mei, and A Mei equally aches for and understands my husband. While away from home, my husband does not need to worry about A Mei. No matter how busy or tired you are, you must remember to eat your meals on time.
Wishing my husband a safe and smooth journey.
Missing my husband!
Finally, A Mei signed the date and her name at the end of the letter. She picked it up and read it over twice. No matter how she looked at it, she felt it was childish and wordy, but she still treasured it and placed the letter in a box.
Before his departure, A Mei and An Sheng had agreed to send a letter every seven days through the Inner Depot. This way, whether on the road or arriving at the border, it would be convenient to receive A Mei's letters. A Mei had already made up her mind at the time: she would write a letter to her husband every day, and then save them up to send all at once.
With the master gone, the lady was in low spirits. The servants in the manor saw this and served her even more carefully, causing the atmosphere of the entire An Manor to become suppressed again.
When it was time for dinner, Douzi sat at the dining table. He waited and waited but did not see his older sister come over. He could not help but ask, Uncle, why hasn't sister come to eat yet?
An Gui picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of braised pork into Douzi's bowl. Since she said she's not coming over, we don't need to wait. Let's eat. Your sister can't eat right now.
Douzi let out an oh, frowned, and with a serious look on his small face, said in a crisp voice, That won't do. Brother-in-law just left; no matter how sad sister is, she can't skip meals. I'm going to call sister over right now.
With that, Douzi stood up from his stool and ran toward the backyard.
At the table, An Gui looked on with a gratified expression and nodded slowly.
"Sister, Sister!"
A Mei was in her room eating milk pudding. Hearing the commotion outside, the next moment Douzi came pattering in.
"Sister, no matter how sad you are, you still have to eat..." Douzi ran in from outside, but before he could finish his sentence, he saw A Mei sitting at a small table eating her meal. He immediately froze in his tracks.
A Mei frowned. "Douzi, why aren't you eating with Dad and Godfather at this hour? What are you doing running over here?"
Douzi blinked, then blinked again, and answered honestly, "Uncle said you couldn't eat. I thought you were heartbroken because Brother-in-law left, so I came to get you to eat with us. Huh? Sister, you were crying. Why are your eyes so red?"
A Mei was eating in her room precisely because her eyes were red and swollen, and she was too embarrassed to let everyone see her. Since her little brother had run over, she explained, "Be a good boy, Douzi. It's nothing. Your brother-in-law left, so of course I feel sad and don't have much of an appetite, but I would never starve myself. Otherwise, your brother-in-law would definitely be heartbroken if he found out. Go back and tell your uncle and dad that I am eating in my room, and tell them not to worry about me."
"Got it, Sister." Relieved, Douzi darted off in a flash.
