These were the norms of the older generation, and as a junior, I could only criticize internally without much influence. If An Jin could learn from my father-in-law’s example of caring for my mother-in-law, I would be content.
An Jin looked surprised when I brought him the soup.
“You made this?” he asked.
I smiled and handed him a spoon. “Try it.”
He took a deep breath over the bowl. “Chicken soup?”
I nodded vigorously.
“Ah Yao rarely cooks, so I must taste it carefully.” He lifted the spoon and took a mouthful. “Not bad.”
I watched nervously. Given An Jin’s temperament, if he realized this was a special medicinal diet, I would be in trouble. It was better for him to believe it was just ordinary chicken soup, making it easier to supplement under the guise of winter nourishment.
Suddenly, An Jin frowned and stirred the soup, pulling out a curved object. “What’s this?”
I was shocked. Perhaps due to the dim candlelight, I had accidentally scooped out the seahorse. I hoped he wouldn’t recognize it…
He held the seahorse, seemingly half-smiling, waiting for my answer.
I tried to sound casual: “It’s cordyceps.”
“Black cordyceps?” He examined the seahorse under the lamp, gradually smiling with a wicked expression. “It seems Ah Yao is quite dissatisfied with me.”
I felt my scalp tingling and unconsciously took a step back. “No, absolutely not.”
“Why are you backing away?” He placed the seahorse on a plate and wiped his hands with a napkin. “Come here.”
I shook my head, feeling a sense of despair. When I was six, I was known as the neighborhood bully, and An Jin was just a little follower. Now, I had fallen to such a state! How had this timid boy become a big bad wolf, while I had become the timid one?
Mingde Empress, Mother, Mother-in-law, and all the heroic women who have tamed their husbands, I apologize for bringing shame upon you!
An Jin studied me for a moment and said: “Come here, let your husband hold you.”
Did he think I was foolish enough to walk into a trap? I looked at him with disdain.
“Aren’t you coming?” He smiled even more gently.
I trembled, and soon found myself obediently nestled in his arms. Habit, a terrifying habit!
He said nothing more, his fingers playing with my waistband. I decided to strike first, saying earnestly: “Uncle Liu said that men nowadays have it tough, having to work and earn money to support their families while resolving conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. They suffer physically and mentally and easily become overwhelmed.”
When I mentioned “overwhelmed,” I glanced at him but saw no reaction. I continued, “Of course, Zhuo Yi, you’re still healthy, but we should prepare in advance, right? This seahorse young chicken soup is a recipe Uncle Liu mentioned, most suitable for someone like you who works hard every day…”
“So it’s seahorse,” he nodded knowingly. “Seahorse young chicken soup, A Yao has gone to such trouble.”
Did he not recognize the seahorse at all? I despaired, holding my head in regret. I had walked into a trap and explained everything clearly.
He lifted my chin, speaking elegantly: “With my busy official duties, I have neglected A Yao. It is my fault.”
I looked at him warily. Based on my experience with this gray wolf An over the past year, the gentler his expression and softer his tone, the more dangerous he was.
He said seriously: “I must make it up to you. How about three times?”
“Uh?”
“Not enough? Then four times?” He raised the corner of his lips, smiling wickedly.
I felt a chill, suddenly realizing I was truly cold…
Once, there was an Elder Dongguo who saved a wolf but almost got eaten by it. There was also a wolf who dressed in sheep’s skin and infiltrated a flock, eating them all. A woman made her husband a pot of seahorse soup, resulting in her own demise.
This wolf charged in without removing my clothes. Pressed against the wall, I felt dizzy and weak, yet could hear his breathless voice.
“Seahorse young chicken?” He thrust forcefully, and I whimpered. “Working hard?” Another thrust, another whimper. “Overwhelmed?” His fingers roughly groped inside my clothes. I finally said: “…Husband… I was wrong… Spare—mmph—me…”
He kissed my lips, biting the corner before relaxing his grip and increasing his speed.
A chorus of ghostly wails and wolf howls accompanied the sound from the door. Don’t misunderstand; it wasn’t me, but Yuan Xiao outside. Probably hearing my plea, thinking I was being bullied.
Que’er’s voice rang out: “Don’t go in! Madam is dealing with emotional issues with the master, no interruptions allowed…”
I was on the verge of tears. This was not dealing with emotional issues; it was clearly me being dealt with!
It was an impressive evening, handled twice in the study and then dragged to the bedroom for two more times.
Finally, I fell asleep, and before losing consciousness, I heard a cheerful rooster’s crow.
When I awoke, my whole body ached from resentment, shame, and anger. An Jin hadn’t gone to the morning court, smiling and propping his head to look at me.
I glared at him fiercely and turned away, deciding to express my indignation through silence.
“A Yao is so heartless, draining me and then turning away?”
I covered my ears, resolutely refusing to be bewitched…
He gripped my fingers tightly, but I only felt a sourness in my heart. “That’s right, you are selfish,” I turned over, pinching his face, which had become stiff from trying to suppress his sorrow, and smiled: “But my family has abundant good fortune. My great-grandparents had six children and lived to be eighty; my grandparents had four children and are doing well; my parents had three of us, and they’re healthy. I’m sure I’ll be fine too, so I’ll share some of my good fortune with you. On average, we should be able to live together until we’re sixty-five and have two children. How’s that?”
He was stunned for a moment, then began to laugh. “Okay, I’ll go along with your arrangement.”
Chapter Twenty-Two: A Scandalous Impersonation
After cuddling for a while, they finally got up reluctantly.
An Jin claimed illness and missed the early morning court session. He was initially not required to visit the Personnel Department, but someone urgently requested his presence.
“I cannot be certain if it was done by An,” Duan Chang sighed. “This is why I came to find him.” I understood the significance of the matter, and given our past friendship, he wouldn’t have mentioned it otherwise. I was also puzzled about An Jin’s potential involvement and his motives.
Duan Chang believed this matter was connected to Su Xi, as an official had nearly admitted it but provided no concrete evidence or witnesses. Now that the official denied it, the truth was at risk of being buried, prompting Duan Chang to seek answers.
Duan Chang was not impulsive; his visit indicated he was at least 70-80% certain that An Jin was involved. Given An Jin’s cautious nature, if this were indeed his doing, it would be nearly impossible for Duan Chang to find clues. Nevertheless, he was determined to confront An Jin.
I asked him to wait while I went to awaken An Jin. Duan Chang called me back, saying softly, “Please do not worry, madam. I will investigate thoroughly before reporting and will not wrongly accuse an innocent person.”
“Thank you, Brother Duan,” I expressed my gratitude for his sincerity and could not help but ask, “You suspect An Jin not just because he met the official before changing his testimony, right? Are there other pieces of evidence?”
He shook his head, hesitating to respond. “No evidence, but he has a motive.”
“What motive?”
