The frontier climate was exceptionally harsh. With heavy snow blocking the roads, the letters that were originally scheduled to arrive in seven days took a full dozen or so days to reach Chan City.
As soon as Xiao Zhengzi received the news, his face lit up with joy. Treating the letters like precious treasures, he took off running toward where An Sheng was!
An Sheng was currently in the room discussing matters with Lu Zhengfeng and Wu Hai, specifically touching upon the appointment of several key positions.
Lu Zhengfeng kept his mouth shut, his face livid.
Commander Wu looked even more troubled: "This..."
An Sheng sneered, "What, does Commander Wu have an objection?"
Wu Hai gave a dry laugh and said, "Lord An, according to regulations, the appointment of officials must be granted by imperial decree. This... might not be appropriate, right? How about we send a letter to Kyoto to report the situation to His Majesty, and wait for the imperial court to..."
Wu Hai kept a close eye on An Sheng's expression. Seeing An Sheng's face grow increasingly gloomy, his eyes turning cold and sinister, and a thick murderous aura swirling around him, Wu Hai's voice grew quieter and quieter until he fell completely silent.
An Sheng twitched the corners of his mouth, his dark eyes as deep as an abyss. "I naturally know what you are saying. What we are discussing now is only a temporary acting position, and I have already sent a letter to His Majesty. What, do you need to teach me how to do my job?"
That half-smiling expression sent a chill down Wu Hai's spine and made his heart tremble.
"No, I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Lord An has considered everything thoroughly!"
Wu Hai wore a smile on his face, but a monstrous rage boiled in his heart. To think that he, a dignified high-ranking imperial official who had governed Chan City for years, would one day be pushed to this extent by a eunuch! Such stifling humiliation was truly unbearable. At the thought of his years of painstaking effort and foundation being destroyed in a single day, he wished he could grind An Sheng's bones to dust to relieve the hatred in his heart.
An Sheng's pitch-black gaze swept across Wu Hai's face. He slowly curled his lips; he appeared to be smiling, but it carried an icy chill.
The matter was settled with finality.
"The matter is settled as such."
When Xiao Zhengzi arrived, An Sheng was furrowing his brows, flipping through a booklet that his subordinates had just handed him.
From Xiao Zhengzi's perspective, Lord An's expression at this moment was terrifyingly cold. His lips were pressed tightly together, and his gloomy demeanor was truly frightening even to insiders like them. It gave off an unapproachable vibe, making no one dare to get close to him.
But today, Xiao Zhengzi had something to rely on!
Xiao Zhengzi smiled so widely that his eyes turned into crescents. Looking exceptionally festive, he couldn't help but raise his voice, "My Lord, My Lord! The letters from the estate have arrived!"
The moment these words were spoken, in just a single breath, the hostile aura surrounding An Sheng dissipated like breaking ice. His entire being visibly softened.
He took the letters handed to him and waved the others away. His long, slender hands couldn't wait to carefully tear open the thick envelope. He pulled out the first page, slowly unfolded it, and lowered his narrow eyes. As his gaze fell upon the contents of the letter, a curve slowly formed on his lips.
Husband, it snowed in Kyoto today. The sky full of snowflakes was so beautiful!
I heard from others that heavy snow has already been falling heavily at the border and that it is freezing cold. You must pay attention to staying warm and make absolutely sure not to catch a chill.
Everything is fine at home. Now that it's cold, Godfather generally doesn't go out and stays indoors all day. Douzi finished classes early today and dragged me out to buy candied hawthorns. The candied hawthorns were delicious, but just too sweet. I ate a few and couldn't eat any more, so they all ended up in Douzi's stomach. The funny thing is, the child complained of a toothache right after eating them. I took a look, and it seems to be a cavity. This child must not eat sweet things anymore in the future.
There is one more thing, Husband. In a little over a month, it will be the New Year. Is there anything A Mei needs to pay attention to regarding receiving New Year's gifts? Godfather's idea is that we can just receive them without sending any in return. A Mei is a bit unsure, so I thought I'd ask you again to hear your thoughts.
A Mei misses you so much, Husband. I miss you when I eat, when I sleep, and when I go out to attend banquets. It's the kind of missing you that I just can't help. But don't worry, Husband. You once said not to let A Mei focus all her attention solely on you. A Mei has listened to your words and has been properly being herself. The current A Mei has a very fulfilling and busy day every day. Anyway, please rest assured, Husband.
Husband, you are not only the Commander of the Inner Depot, but also the pillar of our An family, and even more so, the husband A Mei worries about every waking moment. Therefore, you must eat well, rest well, take good care of your health, and you are not allowed to get sick.
Alright, Husband, A Mei will stop writing here for today. A Mei is going to take a bath and sleep. It would be best if I could dream of you tonight; that would make A Mei so happy.
An Sheng read it word by word, the curve of his mouth growing wider and wider. He only felt his chest swell, his heart so full of tender affection that he couldn't suppress it.
In her letters, A Mei mostly wrote in everyday colloquial language, writing daily as if keeping a journal, and then regularly gathering them up to send to An Sheng all at once.
As the Commander of the Inner Depot, it was inconvenient for his handwriting to circulate outside. Out of cautious consideration, the reply letters he wrote to A Mei were extremely concise and infrequent. He had explained this matter to A Mei, and A Mei naturally understood.
An Sheng earnestly read through all the letters delivered this time, page by page. Then, he carefully folded them, took down a wooden box with a hidden lock from the bookshelf, and securely placed them inside.
Sometimes, An Sheng also found it strange. He knew himself better than anyone else. Ever since he came to Chan City, the brutal, man-eating monster in his bones had long since broken out of its cage.
Yet, just a few letters miraculously smoothed out his bloodthirsty impulses and twisted tyranny at this moment. Tonight, Chan City was at peace.
