Hidden Shadow – CH 256

Chapter Two-Hundred-Fifty-Six: Chop Up These Brats

Chu Dingjiang had planned this outing for two or three days, not even entrusting a single wild vegetable to anyone else. He’d never planned anything like this, doing everything himself! He sighed. He’d somewhat anticipated this situation; it was not too bad. At least An Jiu trusted and relied on him, and for now, that was enough.

“It’s inconvenient to cover my face with a beard,” he said calmly.

An Jiu nodded, accepting his explanation.

Not getting the expected reaction, Chu Dingjiang could only find an excuse for her in his mind: not caring about appearance was a fine virtue.

He did not want to continue discussing the beard, so he cut two pieces of meat and put them in her bowl.

The perfectly marbled suckling pig was roasted until sizzling, its skin golden brown, emitting an enticing aroma. An Jiu’s attention was indeed diverted.

She quickly picked up a piece and put it in her mouth. The crispy, fragrant crust, seasoned with salt and pepper and a hint of honey, was delicious, while the tender, juicy meat underneath melted in her mouth. The lean parts still had a bit of chewiness, and each bite left a lingering aftertaste that whetted her appetite even more. An Jiu ate several pieces in a row without finding it greasy at all.

Seeing her eyes light up, Chu Dingjiang sighed, thinking that deep down she was still a child, like a boy he had once met who possessed a photographic memory, was incredibly knowledgeable, and was a sensation. Yet this prodigy was completely ignorant of basic agricultural knowledge, and after the family he relied on fell into ruin, only two or three months later, when people remembered him again, they discovered that this boy had starved to death.

An Jiu was not quite like that, but her interpersonal skills were truly unbearable to watch.

Chu Dingjiang placed the earthenware pot on the table.

An Jiu chewed on the meat while staring at the chicken soup. In the earthenware pot was only a single, naked white chicken, its broth seemingly bland. But Chu Dingjiang used long chopsticks to turn the chicken over, and with a dagger, he cut open the line on its belly, releasing a rich aroma.

An Jiu swallowed the meat in her mouth and eagerly picked up a chestnut.

Chu Dingjiang handed her a bowl of soup.

“Your cooking is quite good,” An Jiu praised, taking a moment from her busy routine.

Chu Dingjiang immediately perked up. “So many years focusing on one thing. If I had not figured it out, I might as well have died sooner.” During his years on the run, the thing he pondered most every day was how to make delicious dishes with limited ingredients.

Those memories were too painful to recall!

While Chu Dingjiang was lost in somber recollections, An Jiu remained unaffected, devouring a pot of mushrooms and two large chicken legs in a flash.

Shortly after lunch, the sunlight had turned golden-red.

The two lay on the grass, watching the clouds glow red in the evening light, the grass rustling softly in the breeze.

As dusk fell, Chu Dingjiang escorted An Jiu back to the palace gate.

Two rows of palace lanterns hung on the battlements, illuminating the area before the city as bright as day.

An Jiu had taken six or seven steps when she heard Chu Dingjiang say behind her, “Ah Jiu, Mei Yanran lives in the courtyard next to yours. Find her, and I will arrange for you to leave.”

She stopped and turned back, seeing him in the dim light, wearing a black cloak, the large hood obscuring most of his face. He had reverted to his most common appearance.

“Will you come with us?” An Jiu remembered him saying they would live in seclusion together, and after today, a glimmer of hope stirred within her.

“Yes. I need to arrange everything. Perhaps I will be two or three months later than you,” Chu Dingjiang’s voice came from under the hood. “Go back.”

An Jiu nodded and also put on her black cloak. Concealing her face, she darted swiftly towards the city wall, passing through a hidden side gate.

Back in her quarters, An Jiu saw Sui Yuntong and Li Qingzhi sitting on the courtyard steps. Upon seeing her return, they both rose to greet her.

“Did you buy fried noodles?” Li Qingzhi asked hurriedly.

An Jiu hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

Li Qingzhi and Sui Yuntong exchanged glances.

“We did not buy any…” Sui Yuntong sighed. “One of you said you’d bring him something delicious, and the other said you’d buy two bowls. I thought someone would buy some.”

“I was having so much fun shopping that I only remembered it when I came back. I thought you were always so thoughtful, you’d definitely buy some, so I did not go out again,” Li Qingzhi had explained this many times already. He asked An Jiu, “Were you not the one who first suggested bringing him something delicious? Even if Yuntong did not buy it, you should have!”

“That…” She’d forgotten about it as soon as she left the city gates!

“I bought some fine tea; take it to the Lord,” Sui Yuntong said, then asked the two, “What did you buy? Take it all as a gift.”

Li Qingzhi immediately drew a short knife from his waist. “Take this precious sword too.”

The two looked at An Jiu.

“I…” An Jiu felt in her pocket and pulled out a Yue-kiln white porcelain cup. She thought it was very beautiful, so she took one with her, before returning, to use for tea.

Sui Yuntong did not say anything else, taking the cup. “Fine tea deserves a fine cup; it is perfect. Come with me.” The two reluctantly followed Sui Yuntong to the eunuchs’ quarters in Gushe Palace.

It was rest time. The eunuchs quickly washed up and climbed onto their communal beds. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the courtyard quieted down.

One eunuch remained in the courtyard, carrying water. Another emerged from the outhouse, yawning and grumbling, “Do not make any noise; we are all trying to sleep!”

The water-carrying eunuch did not reply, but he moved even more quietly.

The three crouching in the shadows watched Gao Dazhuang carry water, sighing inwardly. They could guess he’d been punished for “slacking off” that morning.

Actually, he’d only been gone for a moment; this treatment was just an old man disciplining a newcomer.

Gao Dazhuang had already spotted them. After filling two vats of water, he listened intently, confirming everyone inside was asleep, and then quietly slipped to the base of the wall.

As soon as the three appeared, Gao Dazhuang impatiently shouted, “Where’s the noodles? I have not eaten all day! Hurry!”

The three: “…”

They stared at each other, Gao Dazhuang’s expression gradually darkening.

Sui Yuntong hurriedly pulled out tea leaves, a teacup, and a waist knife. “My Lord, would you like to make yourself a cup of tea first?”

“I…” Gao Dazhuang grabbed the waist knife and drew it, growling, “I will chop you bunch of blind bastards! Can you not see what kind of life your grandfather leads?!” Having such unreliable subordinates was a recipe for disaster!

Sui Yuntong and Li Qingzhi dodged, but An Jiu did not dodge, instead holding out an object to him.

Gao Dazhuang’s blade paused. Seeing the large oil-paper package in her hand, his expression softened. He tossed the waist knife aside, caught the package, and snorted, “I knew you would not dare…”

An Jiu turned and ran. Seeing this, Sui Yuntong and Li Qingzhi immediately gave chase.

When Gao Dazhuang received the oil paper package, he felt its weight was off. Seeing their reaction, he realized he’d been tricked!