Chu Dingjiang shook his head helplessly and secured the suckling pig on the spit.

With everything prepared, Chu Dingjiang saw An Jiu idle and instructed, “Go wash those vegetables and mushrooms.”

An Jiu shook her head, showing him her palm with the stamp. “If it washes off, I can’t get back in.”

Chu Dingjiang glanced at it and smiled. “Gao Dazhuang certainly knows how to make things difficult.”

Gao Dazhuang only had a small, easily concealed seal for himself, but he’d made it tough for those going out. The ink could smudge with just a bit of sweat, making it a real hassle to protect.

Chu Dingjiang brushed a thin layer of oil on the pig, lit the fire, and went to wash a basket of mushrooms. When he returned, he found An Jiu lying in the grass, cradling her hands like a lounging lord.

An Jiu grinned when she saw water on his clothes.

As Chu Dingjiang approached, she said regretfully, “I enjoy playing in the water too.”

As if he’d been playing all along!

Chu Dingjiang’s hands were wet, and he deliberately flicked water at her. To his surprise, she didn’t dodge, robbing him of any desire to tease further.

He took out a prepared pheasant from the basket, mixed chestnuts and mushrooms with seasoning, stuffed it all inside, sewed up the belly, and put it in a clay pot to cook.

While waiting for both dishes to cook, he washed some wild vegetables, briefly blanched them in boiling water, drained them, and mixed them with seasoning and a few drops of sesame oil.

As the aroma wafted over, An Jiu, who had been sunbathing with closed eyes, twitched her nose. Following the scent, she came over and immediately grabbed a few strands to eat.

Chu Dingjiang didn’t stop her and went to turn the roasting pig. But when he turned back, An Jiu had nearly finished the entire plate of vegetables.

Seeing her cheeks puffed out with food, he pointed at the small pile left on the plate. “I worked all this time, and you leave me just this?”

Comparing it to Chu Dingjiang’s size, An Jiu realized it was indeed too small. “I’ll pick some more for you.”

She had seen similar vegetables in the grass nearby.

“Go ahead, and protect that precious stamp of yours!” Chu Dingjiang teased.

So An Jiu went off, one hand raised, to pluck wild vegetables from the grass.

Watching her crouched figure, Chu Dingjiang felt a sense of pride, as if watching a daughter grow up, and a surge of affection welled up in him.

In his previous life, he could never have imagined indulging a woman like this, even in his wildest dreams.

The Hua clan of the Warring States period was a large family, with dozens of cousins and brothers. Everyone wanted to succeed and bear the family responsibilities. It was hard to develop true familial affection in such an environment. He had grown into a schemer, his mind always full of calculations, never taking time to enjoy family bonds. Even his marriage had been an exchange of interests. It wasn’t until he was forced into solitude for many years that he felt the need for warmth in his life.

In this world, to care for someone and be cared for in return was a form of happiness and peace.

Chu Dingjiang came back to himself and turned the roasting pig with a smile.

Soon, An Jiu brought over a handful of wild vegetables.

Chu Dingjiang washed and quickly blanched them, mixing them in seasonings. The fresh vegetables gave off a refreshing aroma. An Jiu stared at them intently for a moment before turning to look at the roasting pig.

Chu Dingjiang loved watching her try to act profoundly while doing silly things. He grinned mischievously, took a large bite of vegetables, and sighed exaggeratedly, “Wild vegetables are so refreshing in this weather.”

An Jiu pouted and reached out to poke the roasting pig.

Chu Dingjiang gently tapped her finger with his chopsticks. “Your hands are covered in dirt. Do you still want to eat later?”

An Jiu silently turned to abuse the nearby wildflowers. Preferring solitude to socialize, An Jiu retreated into herself, and Chu Dingjiang didn’t disturb her. He enjoyed company but didn’t necessarily need constant conversation.

By the time she had wreaked havoc on a large patch of wildflowers, the pig was half-cooked.

Chu Dingjiang brushed honey onto the pig. He had learned this method while traveling abroad. Others used it for chicken and lamb, which he didn’t like, finding the sweet and salty taste strange. But after trying it a few times, he discovered it worked well with suckling pig, even if he couldn’t accept the flavor on lamb.

Though Chu Dingjiang usually seemed casual and unparticular, when he did pay attention to details, he was no less meticulous than a scholarly gentlemen. For this outdoor meal, he had set up a low couch on the ground, covered it with wool felt, placed a small table on top, and even brought exquisite white porcelain tableware. The dishes were as fine and translucent as jade, seeming to glow in the sunlight, some decorated with elegant orchid designs.

He had also brought two jars of wine.

Noticing An Jiu staring at the porcelain, Chu Dingjiang explained, “This is Yue kiln white porcelain from the Tang Dynasty. I once stumbled upon an ancient kiln site with two sealed chambers. When opened, they contained perfectly preserved porcelain of superior quality. I sold most to porcelain merchants but kept this set for myself.”

Though not focused on financial management, he knew money was necessary for both grand ambitions and daily life, so he wouldn’t pass up easy opportunities to make money.

As the meat was nearly done, Chu Dingjiang took An Jiu to the riverside to wash their hands.

An Jiu turned, staring unblinkingly at his handsome face reflected in the shimmering water, appearing entranced.

Wild ducks took flight, the sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze rippled across the water and grass, stirring up light and flower petals. The stream mirrored the image of the handsome couple.

The atmosphere couldn’t have been more romantic. Chu Dingjiang smiled gently at her as he scooped water, his back to the sun, his gaze deep and alluring. Chu Dingjiang’s charm lay not in his handsome appearance, but in his cultured demeanor, like aged fine wine, and the depth that comes from worldly experience.

His gentle smile was enough to intoxicate any woman.

An Jiu’s typically stern and cold gaze gradually softened, as if warmed by the sunlight, and a hint of a gentle smile appeared on her face.

Chu Dingjiang held her hand, slowly leaning in.

“Chu Dingjiang,” An Jiu said softly.

“Mm?” Chu Dingjiang’s voice was low and slightly husky, carrying an indescribable allure.

He tilted his head, lowering his eyelids, his lips about to touch hers when he heard her uncharacteristically emotional sigh, “You’re just like my mom… except for… that flirtatious smile.”

Even the usually unflappable Chu Dingjiang nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. He took a deep breath, bit her lightly, and pulled her hand irritably. “Let’s go eat!”

An Jiu was still moved by his attentive hand-washing, reminiscent of what her mother often did when she was young.

They returned to the couch.

An Jiu sat cross-legged, watching Chu Dingjiang carve the meat.

Hmm… lips slightly pursed, jaw tense, he seemed angry.

Chu Dingjiang had noticed her observing him and thought she might offer some consolation, given all his efforts. So he deliberately maintained a stern expression.

After a while, An Jiu indeed spoke up, but what she said was, “Now that you’ve shaved your beard, your expressions are much easier to read. Isn’t that bad for a politician? Maybe you should grow the beard back.”

Having said this, An Jiu felt quite pleased with her astute advice.