“Mm, it’s like you’ve become a different person,” An Jiu said, stuffing a bun into her mouth. “How did you know I’d be out today?”
Chu Dingjiang smiled mysteriously.
An Jiu suddenly understood. “It was Sui Yunzhu.”
She didn’t know when Chu Dingjiang had won Sui Yunzhu over, but his methods were certainly discreet and efficient.
“Mm,” Chu Dingjiang nodded. “Eat up.”
His actions were the same as before, but with new clothes and without the scar and beard, his entire aura had changed dramatically. Sitting across from him, An Jiu felt a sense of unreality.
After breakfast, they went out together.
An Jiu was still dressed as a young man in drab, short clothes, looking like Chu Dingjiang’s servant as she walked beside him.
“Ah Jiu, let’s get you changed. We’re going to the outskirts,” Chu Dingjiang said.
With his handsome face, tall and muscular build, and unique aura, Chu Dingjiang already drew attention on the street. Add to that An Jiu in servant’s attire walking beside him as an equal, and heads turned wherever they went.
Uncomfortable with the attention, An Jiu agreed. “Alright.”
However, she didn’t understand why she needed to change to the outskirts. She leaned in and whispered, “Are we being followed?”
Seeing her serious expression, Chu Dingjiang found it amusing and nodded solemnly.
They quickened their pace and entered a clothing shop. Chu Dingjiang scanned the hall with a grave air before selecting a moon-white woman’s outfit for her to change into.
The shopkeeper gave them an odd look, which Chu Dingjiang ignored. He tossed some silver on the counter. “Have someone do her hair in a woman’s style. This is payment.”
The shopkeeper pocketed the silver, his mind full of speculations about unsavory affairs. He gave Chu Dingjiang a knowing look and called his wife to do the hair of the “young man” now dressed as a woman.
An Jiu’s boyish disguise already had soft features, so in women’s clothes with a feminine hairstyle, she passed as passable, if not entirely convincing.
Once ready, the two snuck out through the shop’s back door and rented a carriage to leave the city.
“Why didn’t you change?” An Jiu asked, her suspicions growing. She had been carefully scanning with her mental energy but detected no one following them or any threats.
Chu Dingjiang took out a small vial of oil, gently wiped the side of his face, and peeled off a mask.
“You lied to me,” An Jiu said coldly.
Chu Dingjiang had meant it as a joke, but seeing her genuine anger, he could only say, “Don’t be mad. I found you amusing and wanted to tease you. It was my mistake. I’ll accept any punishment.”
His quick admission of fault left An Jiu conflicted. Continuing to be cold seemed petty, but letting it go completely stuck in her craw.
“I’ll keep a tally and think about it,” An Jiu said sternly.
The carriage traveled out of the city, stopping at a pear orchard. At this time of year, the pear blossoms were long gone, and most of the pears were still green, offering little entertainment.
Past the orchard lay vast fields of wildflowers—white, yellow, and purple. By a shimmering stream stood a thatched hut, its path overgrown from disuse.
An Jiu’s mood lifted unconsciously.
The world stretched wide, with no one else around.
Chu Dingjiang wrapped an arm around her waist and, using qinggong, leaped over the flower field. An Jiu’s ribbons fluttered as they flew like immortals, landing gently before the thatched hut.
“I prepared some things last night,” Chu Dingjiang said, entering the hut and bringing out two baskets. He removed his belt and rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular arms. Smiling at An Jiu, he said, “I slaughtered a suckling pig at dawn. It’ll make a good roast for lunch.”
An Jiu looked at him, feeling a bit dazed. The day felt so perfect it seemed like a fragile dream.
She had dreamed of beauty before—blue skies and white clouds, fields of wildflowers, fruits and peaches, horses and sheep—but never imagined a man in the picture. Yet now, she thought having a man around wasn’t so bad, especially since Chu Dingjiang was entirely different from her father.
“Why are you in a daze? Come here!” Chu Dingjiang called, holding a dressed piglet, his robes tied up casually.
An Jiu felt a sense of familiarity return. She ran over a slight smile on her face. “You’re better like this—messy. That proper gentleman look doesn’t suit you.”
“…”