The husband transformed into a muscular hero was no longer the elegant gentleman in court dress or the suave figure in casual wear. He looked agile and sharp, with a severe expression that made me uncomfortable.
Noticing my unease, he asked, “Does it… look really bad?”
Remembering how I had criticized heroic types as brutish, I quickly comforted him: “Not that bad, you’ll get used to it after a while.”
His face stiffened.
“Only by learning martial arts can you protect your future wife.” From then on, he secretly practiced martial arts. I had been married to him for so long that I hadn’t noticed anything unusual. He only had a thin callus on his hand, unlike someone who practiced year-round. Moreover—where was his weapon hidden?
He quietly took out a pair of deerskin gloves and pulled out a smooth, slender silver thread from between his hair tie. “This is a burning thread, my weapon.”
I understood immediately. It was hard to believe that to avoid my discovery, he wore gloves while practicing martial arts and chose such a conveniently hidden weapon. An Jin silently looked at me, his eyes somewhat apprehensive. Seeing his earnestness, I had to set aside my prejudice against martial artists and comfort his fragile heart that feared being despised by his wife.
“Not bad,” I pointed at the silver thread. “Quite elegant.” He quietly put away his gloves and silver thread, slightly discouraged. I stood on tiptoe and tugged at his face. “That’s right, my sugar cake husband, identification complete. A sugar cake husband can also become a great hero, I’m gratified.” He laughed, holding my hand. “Are you cold?” I immediately sneezed several times in response. “Let’s go home,” he said, taking out a handkerchief to wipe my face.
Hand in hand, we left two sets of footprints in the snow, gradually merging into one. The house was quiet, with a warm stove and hot water in the bedroom, two steaming bowls of brown sugar ginger soup on the table, but no one around, leaving space for us. I jumped down from An Jin’s back and insisted he soak his feet in hot water with me. Afterward, we burrowed into the warm quilt, limbs intertwined, and began to talk calmly.
Relying solely on the princess’s own power, it would be impossible to disappear so thoroughly. An Jin suspected that Su Xi had hidden her, likely part of a scheme by the entire Su family.
This was why he was on good terms with Su Xi and close to Su Hui. His suppression of the case involving Su Xi was to gain their trust for further investigation and to avoid alerting Su Xi to any unexpected actions that might disrupt the clues.
I have seen Su Xi several times; he is tall, handsome, and dignified. To my knowledge, he has a wife, who is gentle, charming, skilled in embroidery, and operates a reputable shop in Yanfeng. My mother even learned embroidery techniques there.
In Yanfeng, Su Xi and his wife embody deep conjugal love, while An Jin and I are seen as a negative example.
I have complex feelings for the princess who fled her marriage, disregarding international relations for the sake of her lover. Is he truly worth such actions? In contrast, Su Xi’s wife seems even more pitiful. If she knows her husband harbors a princess for his own affair, she can only force a smile, which is tragic. If unaware, living in an illusion, it is even more pitiful.
“Remember, all men except me are despicable,” An Jin said, turning away from me and tightly holding my arm against his chest.
“Be good, A Yao, go to sleep.”
I wanted to say something, but he brought my hand to his lips and kissed it.
“Remember, I’ll take care of everything.”
I hugged him from behind, closed my eyes, and quickly fell asleep, having a beautiful dream. An Jin became a supreme god standing on auspicious clouds, holding me as we floated. He then conjured a sugar cake, generously offering it to me.
I happily took it, savoring the fragrant, somewhat hard sugar cake.
Upon waking, I noticed teeth marks on An Jin’s neck, glistening with saliva.
Not long after the New Year, the Seventh Princess married Xiliang. An Jin and I sighed with relief. However, An Jin believed her personality would lead her to imprison me for her anger rather than send me to the Eastern Palace. He felt she had someone advising her, so they should remain cautious.
My elder brother discovered Miao Yin’s true identity, and they have grown intimate. It seems good days are approaching. As for Miao Yin’s distant aunt, An Jin kept it a mystery, only saying she is a powerful lady, likely the wife of the Grand Counselor or the Cao Censor, both of whom have been adversaries of An Jin.
On the other hand, with my younger sister’s support, Song Shu Tian has launched a fierce offensive against the Tang family’s young master, Tang Wei, and is beginning to achieve success. Everything seems fine.
However, the royal family of the Great Qi Kingdom does not want us to have a peaceful life for long.
The Empress, using the blooming peach blossoms in the palace as a pretext, sent someone to invite me to appreciate the flowers. I was helpless; what was meant to come would eventually come. I couldn’t always rely on An Jin to protect me from every storm. It was time to face things. To prevent previous incidents, I had Que’er accompany me into the palace and informed An Jin.
I was not overly worried. An Jin managed to find me in the vast imperial palace and rescue me from the Eastern Palace’s territory, indicating he had special means. Additionally, this palace visit was by the Empress’s decree, which provided some assurance.
The peach blossom forest in the Imperial Garden had just sprouted new buds, with fuzzy flower buds interspersed with touches of peach red. The Empress stood among the peach trees, wearing a golden phoenix robe, proudly holding her head high. Honestly, she did not seem like a mother who would indulge her son to the point of helping him steal another’s wife.
Cao Empress, daughter of Cao Censor, had been married to the current Emperor for over twenty years and bore the Eastern Palace heir and the Seventh Princess. The Cao family was powerful and had produced loyal officials, which was rare. Despite her upbringing as a daughter of loyal officials, the Empress acted in a way that intimidated subjects for personal desires.
I followed her carefully.
“An’s Lady,” she suddenly stopped and glanced at me. “I sympathize with your situation.” Despite her words, there was no compassion in her eyes.
“Sympathize with what?” I momentarily didn’t understand.
“However, sympathy is sympathy. The greatest unfilial act is to have no descendants. An’s Lord’s parents are not young anymore; they wish to enjoy grandchildren. An’s Lord should have his own heirs. My lady, am I right?” The Empress focused on the peach flower stamens.
I nodded. “Your Majesty’s concern for my family affairs is appreciated. I will remember Your Majesty’s admonition and work hard to continue the An family lineage.”
The peach flower stamens before the Empress withered.
She turned her face and said coldly, “As the wife of the Assistant Minister of Personnel, please pay attention to your demeanor.”
I lowered my head. “Your Majesty’s instruction is correct.”
“My lady, I have a distant niece who is elegant, pure, and of good character and appearance, suitable for An’s Lord. Since you cannot bear an heir for the An family, why not jointly serve one husband to make up for this deficiency? What do you think, my lady?”
I wanted to respond with my mantra “No way,” but An Jin had urged me not to conflict with the Empress. I could only suppress my anger and say, “Everything is up to my husband.”
The Empress’s expression slightly relaxed, and she beckoned to two palace maids. “Please invite Miss Miao Yin.”
I was struck like thunder. This Miao Yin couldn’t be the one I knew, could she?
