Alaric and Pearl heard the voices and looked over. A group of people in fine clothes were walking toward them. The leader looked about eighteen or nineteen, handsome.
He came up, cupped his hands, and smiled, "Yun Zhi greets Marquis. I did not expect to come to Yun Mountain for a visit on a whim and meet the Marquis. This is truly Yun Zhi's honor."
After he finished, the people behind him also cupped their hands and said, "Greetings, Marquis."
Yun Zhi turned to look at Pearl and smiled politely, "I suppose this is the Marquis's wife. Yun Zhi greets the lady."
Pearl nodded politely but sighed inside. She really did not want to meet these people as the Marquis's wife. If she left the Marquis's house later, it would be easy for these people to recognize her, and then all her efforts would be wasted.
Yun Zhi smiled at her, "The lady really looks just as the rumors said. It's a pity to match the Marquis."
The same as the rumors? Pity to match the Marquis? Pearl thought about his words. She looked plain now.
The same as the rumors, a pity to match the Marquis! It meant her looks did not match this lousy man.
Ha, is this how the rumors outside talk about her?
Looking closely at the man, he looked gentle and polite. She had thought he was a well-educated young master of a good family. She did not expect him to be sharp underneath.
Saying such words openly, was he looking down on her or mocking the lousy man for marrying her?
A mocking look flashed in her eyes. She turned to look at Alaric.
He had a cold and indifferent face, looked high above them all, and calmly said, "If you have energy to worry about others, better think about how to serve the princess well."
Serve the princess? There were many wives here, and he was the princess's husband!
Pearl raised an eyebrow at his identity.
The princess's husband openly challenged the lousy man. From the lousy man's attitude, there was some story here!
Pearl started gossiping.
Yun Zhi's face stiffened at the words. Pearl smiled. Maybe he was not favored!
Yun Zhi quickly recovered and smiled sincerely, "Thank you for your advice, Marquis."
His eyes purposely glanced at Alaric holding Pearl's hand, then turned into a sly smile, "The Marquis and his wife are very loving. Yun Zhi wishes them harmony and love for a hundred years." Hmph, you live your whole life with this ugly woman. How could you compare to the princess?
Pearl was surprised at how fast his face changed. After hearing his words, she raised her eyebrows. Saying it was a blessing but actually a mockery? The people in the capital were really not simple.
Alaric still looked calm and indifferent. His tone softened a bit. He said to Yun Zhi, "Thank you for your kind words."
Yun Zhi's face stiffened again. Then he sneered and cupped his hands, "Yun Zhi will continue to enjoy the view, not disturbing the Marquis and the lady's love. Farewell."
He turned and left. His eyes could not hide his anger. The people behind him quickly bowed and said goodbye too.
In a flash, the group disappeared.
Alaric held Pearl's hand and walked back, looking relaxed. His big palm sometimes gently rubbed her fingers.
After this incident, Pearl understood the outside world better. Rumors, ha, she was very curious how people talked about her and the lousy man outside!
Alaric held Pearl's hand walking back, his face showing no displeasure because of the earlier scene.
Holding her hand, his fingers gently rubbed the back of her hand, and he seemed to be in a good mood.
Pearl couldn't understand what this man was thinking.
Once they got into the carriage, Pearl carefully looked at his expression several times. He really didn't look unhappy. How strange, such a proud man, and yet he wasn't angry.
Her actions caught Alaric's eye easily, and his rubbing grew firmer. Smiling lightly, he said, "What's wrong, my lady? Do you think your husband looks especially handsome today?"
Pearl just wanted to roll her eyes at his obvious vanity. Disgusted, she looked away and closed her eyes to rest.
The carriage stopped in front of a delicately decorated restaurant with the words Huide written on the sign. Pearl realized only after getting off that they hadn't gone home. Following Alaric, who held her hand, she entered a private room on the third floor.
Soon, the dishes were all served. Pearl was puzzled. They didn't order anything, so did this dog of a man plan this ahead?
Looking at the table full of dishes—steamed grouper, braised abalone in sauce, boiled squid, salt and pepper eel, pan-fried sole fish, red-cooked red snapper, steamed scallops with vermicelli, fish balls in sauce, stir-fried conch slices, baked garlic lobster, stir-fried octopus, clam and loofah meatball soup.
This was the first time since she came to this world she had seen so many seafood dishes.
Seeing Pearl staring at the table in surprise, Alaric laughed and said, "My lady, this is the only restaurant in the capital that serves seafood. Once seafood leaves the sea water, it dies. This place uses a lot of ice stones to keep the seafood frozen and transports them nonstop over three days and nights from thousands of miles away to the capital."
"Now, our household can't afford such huge resources to transport seafood regularly. So, my lady, we can only come here occasionally to taste it."
Pearl understood. It meant seafood was especially rare and expensive, and their household couldn't supply it often.
She asked, "Can't we buy a small amount from them?"
Alaric cleared his throat and smiled, "I booked this three days ago."
Hearing this, Pearl understood. No buying on the spot. It must be pre-ordered. This dog man had planned this long ago.
Alaric picked up a piece of fish and put it near Pearl's lips. "Try this, my lady. See if it suits your taste."
Pearl opened her mouth and tasted it. The flavor was different from what she had before but still quite good.
After trying the whole table, she liked a few dishes and found the others okay though not favorites.
When they finished eating, Alaric poured her a glass of iced drink placed on ice cubes. "Try this iced Yuyan soup. It's a new drink from this restaurant, said to be very good."
Pearl tasted it. The flavor felt familiar.
It was like the sour plum drink she had before, only the name was different. Looking carefully, the color was the same.
She was almost sure this was the sour plum drink, just under a different name.
Since rose and hibiscus were precious, only top restaurants could supply them like this.
It was good she got to try it. Soon, she finished the whole glass.
When they left, it was already dark outside. Back at the mansion, Pearl bathed and lay down to rest.
After bathing, Alaric got into bed and smiled at her, saying, "My lady, did you have fun today?"