In the backyard, a table was already laden with dishes.
"Master, here is a towel to wipe your hands. It's time to eat."
Seeing Fang Er return, Xiao Qing approached with a damp towel.
Though they were practically an old married couple, Fang Er still felt a jolt of electricity when she held his hand.
With a mischievous grin, he lifted Xiao Qing's chin and whispered in her ear, "Miss me, didn't you~"
Xiao Qing's cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and she nodded with a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, "Mm~"
"Hahahaha! Let's eat!"
After a hearty laugh, Fang Er flung his arms open and walked towards the feast.
The dinner was lavish, with an array of fish, turtles, shrimp, and crabs. Finally, Hua Niang even brought out a pot of San Bao Tang.
"Master has been away for so long, you must not have eaten as comfortably as you do at home."
"This soup contains the essence of tiger cub, bear cub, and wolf cub, simmered with a hundred-year-old ginseng for a full hour."
"Master, you must drink plenty to replenish yourself."
With that, she ladled a full bowl and presented it before Fang Er.
Good heavens!
Whose idea was this?
This bowl was simply amazing!
He picked up the bowl and took a sip. The soup was fresh and delicious.
He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of a cylindrical object, which was firm and chewy.
Fang Er couldn't help but exclaim, "Mmm, Bao Ju's cooking is getting better and better!"
Hua Niang, serving rice and dishes to everyone, explained, "Your Lordship, you may not know, but Bao Ju has been learning many medicinal cooking methods from Elder Sun. These ingredients have all been prepared using medical techniques."
Impressive!
Fang Er could think of no other words to express his feelings.
This single pot of San Bao Tang was likely something only he could prepare in the Great Tang!
After finishing one bowl, before Hua Niang could act, he stood up and served himself another.
Chai Yue, Xiao Qing, and Xing'er watched Fang Er only drink the soup and ignore the other dishes, understanding his intentions.
Their faces flushed like ripe peaches. They lowered their heads and ate, not a single word spoken.
After several bowls of soup, Fang Er couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. The San Bao Tang indeed lived up to its reputation!
He pushed the bowl aside and looked at the women with a smile.
His wolf-like gaze made Chai Yue and Xiao Qing uneasy. They quickly finished their meal and had the maids clear the dishes.
Hua Niang cheerfully took Fang Xin and Fang Xia away, saying she was taking them to Elder Sun for a medicinal bath.
"My dear, smile for your master?"
Seeing her leave the backyard with the children, Fang Er playfully beckoned to Chai Yue with a roguish smile.
Chai Yue, who was drinking water, choked on it from his teasing.
"Husband, where did you learn to speak like that? You're so naughty!"
"Hahahaha, it doesn't matter where I learned it, as long as it's effective!"
Fang Er laughed, stood up, and walked over, embracing her.
"No~ You've been away for so long, you haven't even bathed yet," Chai Yue murmured softly in his arms.
Fang Er kissed her earlobe and ambiguously said, "Then let's bathe together!"
After speaking, he called towards the kitchen.
"You girls, is the water ready! Hurry up and serve your master's bath!"
"Alright! Alright!"
Yu'er's voice came from over there.
Soon, several maids carried buckets of water into the bedroom, where a bathing tub had already been placed.
Hot water poured in with a gushing sound, and the bedroom quickly became misty, like a fairyland.
Fang Er picked up Chai Yue and tossed her into the tub.
With a "splash," the water sprayed out, wetting the floor tiles outside.
"Ah~"
Chai Yue shrieked in fright and quickly shrank her body beneath the water, leaving only her head above.
The four maids, Bingxue and Yulu, who were serving, were also startled. Turning to see Fang Er stripped down to only his shorts, their cheeks immediately turned red.
"Alright, you can go back and rest~"
Fang Er waved them away, then leaped into the bathtub himself.
The water temperature was just right, with flower petals scattered on top. None of that was as important as the fact that his wife was already in the tub with him.
This was truly wonderful!
As the bath continued, things took a more intimate turn.
Half an hour later, Chai Yue, her eyes hazy, looked back at Fang Er.
"Husband, are you trying to kill me!"
—A long absent dividing line—
Fang Er put on his clothes and walked out of the room. Bathing was so comfortable!
Whoever dared to utter a single word of objection would be beaten to a pulp!
With his hands behind his back and a swagger in his step, he pushed open Xiao Qing's door.
Entering the inner room, he saw Xiao Qing tucked in bed, her eyes tightly shut, but her eyelids still twitched occasionally.
"Oh, already asleep?"
Fang Er feigned disappointment, shook his head, then stood still, deliberately making his footsteps lighter and lighter.
After a short while, Xiao Qing opened her eyes and found him looking at her with a mischievous grin, immediately saying coquettishly, "Master is so naughty!"
"Hahahaha, if the man isn't naughty, the beauty won't love him~"
Fang Er laughed heartily, lifted the bed curtains, and climbed in. Amidst the tossing and turning, a corner of the covers suddenly opened, and a large hand reached out, tossing out a few pieces of clothing.
—Another separation—
The next morning, Fang Er emerged from the small boudoir, clothes on, and stretched in the courtyard.
"Ugh, so sore~~"
But thinking of his record of four victories yesterday, a satisfied smile still curved his lips.
Seeing Hua Niang sweeping, he called out to her, "Hua Niang, do you still have any of yesterday's soup!"
Hua Niang covered her mouth and chuckled, "Yes, yes, it's all chilled in the ice!"
Fang Er's heart leaped with joy, and he urged, "What are you waiting for, get me another pot!"
"Yes, Your Lordship."
Hua Niang nodded in agreement, then turned her voluptuous waist and walked towards the kitchen.
After washing up, he drank a whole pot of San Bao Tang, a full three to four jin.
Wiping the oil from the corner of his mouth, he said to Hua Niang, "Tell Madam that I'm going to Chang'an for some business~"
After giving his instructions, he walked towards the front courtyard, still smacking his lips, unsure if he was relishing the taste of San Bao Tang or the events of the previous night.
However, speaking of which, although San Bao Tang was excellent, he had to issue a decree to prevent such extravagance. Otherwise, by the time of his grandchildren, there would be none left to drink.
Hmm, he could have Sha Seng research it and see if they could be farmed!
Or~~
Alas?
That's right. When he eventually gathered enough spatial devices, he could go to the Jurassic period and bring back some dinosaur treasures. He wondered what their medicinal properties would be.
Hehehehe~
As he thought, he took out a small notebook from his pocket and solemnly recorded this small goal.
"Mei'er greets Father!"
As Fang Er was writing, Wu Mei's voice came from the side, startling him into quickly putting the notebook away. If this girl became curious and asked what he was writing, it would be difficult for him to answer.
"Cough, cough, why are you up so early?" he asked casually, using a dry cough to mask his embarrassment.
"Is it still early?" Wu Mei looked at the wristwatch Chai Yue had given her with some confusion. It showed the time as already ten-thirty in the morning.
Seeing her reaction, Fang Er quickly glanced at the sun and realized it was already noon.
He quickly sent her away and, as he walked towards the front courtyard, notified Wang Xuance via the walkie-talkie to prepare for flight to Chang'an.