Chapter 63 There's No Way You Can Escape My Grasp

How should a person live their life?

If it were a Confucian scholar like Li Qiushui, they would undoubtedly say: When in humble circumstances, improve oneself; when successful, improve the whole world.

However, in Jiang Han's view, this question had only one answer: When in humble circumstances, improve oneself; when wealthy, surround oneself with wives and concubines.

He lacked the grand ambition to save the world. Having spent his past life as a mere beast of burden, in this life he only wanted to live the simple, dull, and wealthy life of a rich man.

Therefore, after arriving in this world, he had only one goal: to do business, make money, marry a few wives and concubines, visit the pleasure houses every day to listen to music, and live a life of absolute leisure.

Yet, upon learning of the Yin family's influence, a strong sense of crisis gripped him, forcing him to change his mind—he not only needed money, but he also needed power.

First, martial arts must be mastered. With martial prowess to rely upon, he would no longer fear underhanded plots.

Second, he had to firmly cling to the coattails of Zhongli You and Ruan Ziqian. Zhongli You went without saying, while Ruan Ziqian was the soon-to-be-appointed Prefect of Jingzhao.

Finally, he had to try his best to seduce Miss Qin and get her into bed. With her background supporting him, he could save twenty years of hard work. The only drawback was that he might have to bid farewell to a life full of wives and concubines.

Still, every gain requires a sacrifice, and you cannot have both fish and bear's paw.

Having finalized his upcoming plan, Jiang Han set his primary task as romancing Qin Yunmian. Furthermore, if his distilled liquor was to sell well, he would inevitably need Qin Yunmian's connections—once launched, this liquor was bound to stir up bloody storms in the spirits market, and without Qin Yunmian's backing, the venture might not survive for long.

Naturally, he also needed to maintain his relationship with Zhou Yun of the Nanyan House, as she could gather important intelligence for him.

Though Zhongli You and Ruan Ziqian had both left Yunyang County, Qin Yunmian still remained at Cuiyun Pavilion.

Early in the morning, Jiang Han headed toward Cuiyun Pavilion carrying a bottle of primitive chicken essence. After announcing his visit to the doorkeeper, he walked past long corridors and ornate pavilions until he reached a secluded courtyard.

The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he caught sight of Qin Yunmian.

Qin Yunmian was sitting serenely in a pavilion while a maidservant added water to a tea stove beside her.

She held a book in her hands, apparently a collection of poetry, but her gaze was not on the pages. Instead, she stared blankly at the swimming fish in the pond outside the pavilion, lost in thought.

"Miss Yunmian," Jiang Han greeted.

Coming back to her senses, Qin Yunmian watched as Jiang Han walked into the pavilion and seated himself opposite her.

Having walked all the way there, Jiang Han happened to be thirsty. Catching sight of a cup of tea on the table, he reached out and picked it up.

"Wait..." Qin Yunmian blurted out.

Jiang Han had already drained the tea in one gulp and asked, "What is it?"

"That teacup is the one I drank from," Qin Yunmian said with her usual icy composure.

Jiang Han: "..."

Tsk, no wonder the tea tasted so sweet.

"Too late, it's already empty," Jiang Han replied.

Qin Yunmian: "..."

"What have you been busy with lately?" Qin Yunmian asked.

"Practicing martial arts with my senior martial sister and urging the craftsmen to build the workshop. It's been working me to death," Jiang Han said.

"Oh!" Qin Yunmian suddenly asked, "Is your senior sister pretty?"

Why would she ask that out of the blue... Jiang Han pondered, lifting his gaze to look at Qin Yunmian. At that moment, refracted sunlight fell upon her, making her exquisitely beautiful melon-seeded face radiate a charming luster.

Her autumn-water eyes were clear and bright, large and round, her delicate nose carved like jade, and her lips tender, moist, and thin, making one want to take a bite.

Perhaps Qin Yunmian's figure couldn't quite rival that of his martial aunt, but her facial beauty was the highest Jiang Han had ever laid eyes on.

"She falls short of you by three parts," Jiang Han answered.

A hint of sudden delight surfaced in Qin Yunmian's cool, aloof eyes. "How is it that you have time to come over today?"

"My master left Yunyang County and had my senior martial sister move into my courtyard. I no longer need to climb Mount Cuiyun, so I have a lot more free time," Jiang Han explained.

Qin Yunmian's expression instantly turned frosty. That female disciple named Changchang is living with Jiang Han? Why didn't Changchang tell me?

However, Liu Miao possessed formidable martial arts skills; having her stay by his side would serve to protect him.

Suddenly thinking of something, Qin Yunmian lifted her eyes to look at Jiang Han. "Some of my friends really like your Dim Fragrance Dew and your poetry, and they want to meet you. Do you have time?"

Qin Yunmian's friends surely held high social standing; if he could establish good relations with them, it would be immensely beneficial to him... Jiang Han happily replied, "Certainly. When?"

Not expecting him to agree so readily, joy flickered in Qin Yunmian's eyes. "In three days, at the Phoenix Terrace in the outer city of Luoyang... I'll come to pick you up then."

"Alright," Jiang Han nodded.

After chatting for a little while longer, Jiang Han said, "Didn't I mention earlier that I wanted to cook a meal for you? This is a secret seasoning I just made. Would you like to try it?"

He pulled a porcelain bottle from his chest pocket and placed it on the table.

Qin Yunmian's clear eyes lit up. She picked up the porcelain bottle, pulled out the wooden cork, and sniffed it, her brow furrowing slightly as she caught a faintly pungent, savory aroma.

"What is this?"

"I call it chicken essence."

"Chicken essence?"

"It's the essence of chicken... something brewed from hens," Jiang Han explained.

"Oh!"

Qin Yunmian looked up. "What are you going to make for me to eat?"

"What would you like?"

"I haven't decided."

"Then I'll cook you a bowl of noodles. Where is the kitchen?"

Qin Yunmian looked at the maidservant behind her. "Take him to the kitchen."

Jiang Han immediately followed the maidservant to the kitchen. The kitchen was fully stocked with all kinds of ingredients, but lacking any other culinary skills, he only knew how to boil noodles.

Without hesitation, he started a fire and prepared a bowl of shredded pork noodles with vegetables.

When the steaming hot bowl of noodles was placed before Qin Yunmian, her eyes instantly lit up.

She caught an intensely savory scent, seemingly carrying the aromas of mushrooms and chicken.

"Have a try," Jiang Han prompted.

Qin Yunmian picked up her chopsticks, lowered her head to pick up a strand of noodles, and slowly chewed.

The noodles had a wonderful chewiness, but what was even more astonishing was the savory sweetness—a burst of umami blossomed on the tip of her tongue, assaulting her taste buds.

When she took a sip of the broth, her eyes brightened further, flashing with delighted radiance.

Though she had tasted countless rare delicacies in the imperial palace, at this moment, they paled in comparison to the bowl of simple vegetable and shredded pork noodles before her.

Seeing the delighted expression on the little wealthy heiress's face, Jiang Han smiled knowingly and asked, "Is it good?"

"Delicious! It's even better than what the chefs in the palace... what many master chefs make!" Qin Yunmian nodded slightly, offering unreserved praise.

Did she just mention the imperial palace? Jiang Han wore a satisfied smile. To conquer a girl, one must first conquer her stomach; he refused to believe that after eating the noodles he cooked, this young lady could escape the palm of his hand!

"Jiang Han..." Qin Yunmian suddenly looked up.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't finish the rest." Qin Yunmian gazed at the half-bowl of noodles remaining in the bowl.

"Then I'll throw it away."

"What a waste... You eat it."

"Ah... Very well then!"

Jiang Han was slightly stunned, but without any coy hesitation, he took the bowl and chopsticks Qin Yunmian pushed toward him and lowered his head to finish the noodles.

He didn't like wasting food either.

Qin Yunmian watched him eat, a gleam of delight shining within her cool, aloof gaze.

Sharing a bowl of noodles with her—she refused to believe Jiang Han could slip through her fingers now!