In the blink of an eye, the end of the year approached.
The capital city had also reached its coldest season of the year.
"It has only been a few days since you recovered from your cold. Why are you running outside in such freezing weather? A Mei, as the lady of the house, you can just order the servants to buy whatever you need. Must you go out and suffer the freezing cold yourself!"
An Gui sat in his chair, taking slow, leisurely sips of his tea. Even though the underfloor heating kept the room at a comfortable temperature, a thick blanket still draped over his knees. He glanced at A Mei, clearly disapproving of her insistence on going out to shop in person on such a bitter cold day.
A Mei smiled shyly. "Godfather, I am dressed warmly, so I won't be cold. Don't mind the weather; the streets are so lively right now. Everywhere you look, people are buying New Year goods. Our estate lacks nothing, I just want to go join in the festive atmosphere."
"Go if you wish. You are in charge of the household now, it is not like your godfather can stop you. Ah, young people just cannot sit still, even rushing out to freeze. But let me say this first: if you catch a cold like last time, I will not be so easy to talk to." An Gui waved his hand, leisurely continuing to drink his tea.
A few days ago, A Mei had gone out to attend a snow-viewing banquet and returned with a cold, lying in bed for a full eight days before recovering. Now that she was finally well, she wanted to go strolling again. With the freezing weather outside, it was no wonder An Gui was both scolding and worrying about her.
A Mei did not move. Her bright, watery eyes blinked at An Gui, her tone carrying a hint of coquettish pleading. "Godfather, Godfather."
An Gui's cloudy eyes landed on A Mei's face, and he slightly raised an eyebrow. "What is it now, you silly girl?"
A Mei's face flushed, and she spoke with great embarrassment. "Um, when my husband returns, please do not tell him about this, okay?"
An Gui spoke faintly. "Are you talking about not telling Sheng'er that you caught a cold, or not telling him that you ran outside in this freezing weather?"
A Mei bit her lip. "Naturally, do not tell him about either! Godfather, you dote on A Mei the most. Please, please."
An Gui stared at A Mei with a complicated expression for a few breaths before suddenly being amused by her innocence. He smiled, his face wrinkling up, and said calmly, "Alright, I promise you, I will not tell Sheng'er."
An Gui sighed in his heart. This child, A Mei, was smart in some ways, but completely foolish in others. Did she really think Sheng'er would not find out just because he did not say anything? She seemed to forget what her husband did for a living...
With one less thing to worry about, A Mei left the estate in a cheerful mood.
She indeed had not been out for a while. It was not that she particularly loved crowds, but with the New Year approaching, she felt she could not truly experience the festive spirit without taking a stroll.
The capital's New Year market lasted from the middle of the twelfth lunar month all the way to New Year's Eve. Whether day or night, it was incredibly bustling. Many merchants even set up stalls directly in front of their shops. For a time, the entire street was filled with countless vendors selling New Year goods, couplets, and lanterns. As far as the eye could see, the streets were packed with bustling crowds, vibrant noise, and a dazzling array of items.
People came and went on the streets, radiating joy. No matter how cold the weather was, it could not stop the commoners' beautiful wishes to bid farewell to the old, welcome the new, and pray for good fortune. Infected by this lively atmosphere, A Mei's small face also took on a bit more joy.
Wu Da and the men from the An estate wore tense and serious expressions, quietly and discreetly protecting their lady.
A Mei walked and looked around, finally stopping in front of a mask stall.
She picked up a currently popular smiling little fox mask, placed it over her face, and looked out through the eye holes.
"A Mei."
In a daze, A Mei stiffened. She thought she heard her husband's voice, very light and faint.
She then gently shook her head, thinking to herself that it was impossible. No matter how fast he traveled, her husband would not be back until after the New Year. She must have missed him so much lately that she was hearing things.
Thinking this, A Mei simply continued browsing the other mask designs.
"A Mei."
This time, the voice was so real that A Mei's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head back little by little, and a familiar figure instantly caught her eyes!
A Mei's eyes widened in disbelief. She could not help but raise her hand to rub her eyes. After confirming it was not an illusion, a surge of joy finally welled up in her eyes. Immediately after, her brows furrowed, she pursed her lips into a slight pout, and her eyes suddenly turned red as she stood frozen in place.
Suddenly, many soldiers dressed in special official uniforms surged into the street. They gradually cleared the area, creating an empty space of several dozen meters with A Mei at the center.
An Sheng's deep eyes were fixed intently on A Mei's face. He moved his feet, walking step by step until he was right in front of her. The man's figure instantly enveloped the petite A Mei, carrying a strange, heavy aura.
Finally, he reached out his arms and locked her into his embrace, holding her soft, fragrant body tightly against his chest.
Returning to that familiar and warm embrace, A Mei's lips trembled, and she could not even speak. Pea-sized tears finally fell, instantly blurring her vision. A Mei tried hard to keep her eyes wide open. She was clearly happy, yet she looked incredibly wronged and pitiful.
After a long while, A Mei slowly stopped sobbing and murmured while nestled in An Sheng's arms.
"Husband, you have finally come back."
An Sheng held A Mei firmly, his expression calm. His lowered eyes hid his emotions as he slowly opened his mouth, "Be good, I have returned."
......
An Sheng took A Mei back to the estate in a carriage.
As soon as they got into the carriage, An Sheng straightforwardly scooped her onto his lap. He pressed her small head against his chest, wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, and whispered, "You have lost weight."
Even now, A Mei still felt as if she were in an unreal dream. Suddenly, she reached out and pinched her own cheek hard. She frowned immediately, it hurt. After a moment of thought, she reached out, touched An Sheng's cheek, and pinched it too.
An Sheng watched A Mei's silly behavior, feeling both tender and amused. Then, feeling the sting of pain on his face, his breath caught, and he raised an eyebrow. His voice was overly gentle, "Why are you getting physical the moment we meet? Did I do something to upset my lady?"
A Mei shook her head and blinked, her eyes full of deep affection as she looked at him. "A Mei feels like she is dreaming. Husband, did it hurt?"
An Sheng gave a low chuckle, his chest filled with tenderness. "It hurt. Do not worry, you are not dreaming. I came back early."
A Mei beamed at An Sheng. Her sweet smile was like a sudden firework, instantly dazzling and eye-catching. It carried undisguised joy and affection, shining so brightly that An Sheng could not look away no matter what.
A Mei's eyes were red, having just cried, and still wet with glistening tears. Now, with her eyes crinkled in a smile, it was hard to say whether she evoked a tender heartache or a wicked desire.
An Sheng's breathing tightened. He simply reached out a large hand to cup the back of her neck and kissed those plump, moist lips gently.
His endlessly gentle movements conveyed his equally deep and heavy longing. A Mei tilted her head back and took the initiative to wrap her arms around An Sheng's neck. A flush gradually crept onto her small face as she eagerly slipped out her little tongue to entangle with the tip of his, passionately clinging to him, as if the love she had yearned for day and night had finally found a way to pour out.
