Pearl Su was very surprised after hearing Alaric Yun's words. No wonder some things here were familiar to her while others were not. It turned out her knowledge was different from theirs.
In her world, hibiscus flowers and dried rose buds were common items, but here they were extremely precious.
So besides Dongling Kingdom, there were other countries too. Where were these Nanyue and Xiyi countries? How many countries were there in total?
Pearl Su wanted to know very much, but she was afraid of revealing too much, so she controlled her strong curiosity.
Her expression was calm. "Since we cannot drink it, forget it."
At that moment, the door of the private room was knocked on. A middle-aged man with a round, cheerful face entered, smiling widely.
"Two honored guests, here is your fruit plate." He politely placed the fruit on the table.
Stepping aside, he added, "I am the manager of this restaurant, my surname is Wang. I just heard from the waiter that you two wanted to drink sour plum juice."
"I have never heard of this drink before. May I ask what sour plum juice is?" he said respectfully.
Pearl Su explained casually, "Sour plum juice is a drink that cools you down, helps digestion, and beautifies the skin. It is usually drunk after a meal."
Manager Wang was surprised and suspicious. "How is it made? Does it really have such effects?"
The word "effects" made Pearl Su laugh silently.
She told him again the ingredients and how to make it, the same as she had explained to Alaric Yun earlier, and also told the story about hibiscus and dried rose buds.
Manager Wang was amazed. No wonder it could beautify the skin. Things that had that effect were very rare and valuable.
Pearl Su comforted him, "It's not your restaurant's fault that you can't make it."
"No, no," Manager Wang hurriedly waved his hands and said politely, "We have been neglectful to you. Then today's meal is on me. I hope you won't mind."
Pearl Su was surprised that the conversation ended up with a free meal.
But since it was free, she was happy and said to him, "Thank you, Manager Wang."
He quickly declined politely, "You are welcome. Please enjoy your meal. I won't disturb you anymore." Then he left quickly.
After he left, Pearl Su thought this man was interesting. Looking at the fruit plate, she saw it was flat peaches already cut into sections. She took a piece and ate it.
It was sweet and delicious, so she gave some to Alaric Yun.
They rested quietly in the private room for almost an hour. After leaving the restaurant, Pearl Su pulled him to start shopping a lot.
They bought oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, rice, flour, food, eggs, sugar, spices, bowls, water pots, soap nuts, oil lamps, brushes, ink, paper, and ink stones. Since they had many things to carry, they bought a basket for each of them to carry.
Then they continued buying other needed items. By the time they finished, the sun was already setting.
At the town gate, several ox carts were parked, with some people sitting on them.
Pearl Su did not want to ride but kept walking ahead.
Alaric Yun then said, "Miss Su, why don't we take an ox cart back?"
Pearl Su thought for a moment and agreed. She asked about the carts and got on one.
These ox carts went to different nearby villages. The one they chose was going to their village. The owner said they needed to wait for two more people before leaving.
After a short wait, two people arrived, a man and a woman who looked like a married couple.
Once they got on, the woman kept glancing warmly and eagerly at Alaric Yun.
Alaric Yun seemed experienced and calm, showing no reaction.
The ox cart started moving. After traveling some distance, the woman finally could not keep silent and spoke.
"Hey young man, where do you live in the village? I've never seen you before."
Alaric Yun stayed calm like a meditating monk, not even blinking, let alone answering.
After waiting a long time with no reaction, the woman said again, "Young man, how old are you? Are you married yet?"
Alaric Yun...
The woman didn't give up and kept asking, "How many people are in your family?"
Alaric Yun...
Seeing Alaric Yun still ignored her, the woman got clever and realized he and Pearl Su were together. She then turned to Pearl Su.
"Girl, who are you to this young man? You should talk some sense into him. It's very rude not to answer people. If he keeps like this, he won't find a wife!"
"The wife boss won't like someone like that. You have to persuade him to behave better so he can have a good life!"
Pearl Su...
No one replied, and the woman's face grew darker. She kept talking to Pearl Su.
"I'm asking, why are you so quiet? Are you that rude? Be careful or you'll never get married, ending up lonely and never knowing how to enjoy life as a woman."
Pearl Su...
Still no response from Pearl Su, the woman's face turned even darker.
Soon, her expression changed to a smile as she looked at Alaric Yun.
"You're really handsome. Why don't you marry me? My family has almost ten acres of land. You won't starve."
"There's meat every day. You don't have to work in the fields or do any housework."
"You just stay home eating and drinking, and take care of me."
"You don't need a dowry either. If you marry me, I'll even give you pocket money every month."
While talking, she glanced with contempt at the basket full of things beside Alaric Yun.
Then she showed off to Pearl Su and kept talking.
"I'll even have a chubby boy for you, and he'll study hard."
"He'll pass the exams, become a top scholar, a top official. Then you'll be an official's wife, and your whole family will benefit."
Pearl Su was shocked when the woman started saying Alaric Yun should marry her. As she listened, she felt even more shocked.
The woman looked rough and dark-skinned, with wrinkles at her eyes. She must be over forty.
She probably had several husbands and was still trying to marry a much younger man. It was like forcing a rare flower into cow dung.
Still wanting children in her forties, Pearl Su admired her courage.
The woman kept talking without stopping.
"They are all officials enjoying life at home with servants waiting on them. When our son becomes prime minister, we'll move to the capital city."
"The capital is full of nobles. When they see our son, they'll bow and greet him."
"And when they see you, you'll be even more respected. You'll live in a big mansion with many servants, commanding them like a general commands soldiers."
"When our son marries a princess and has a royal son, we'll be part of the royal family."
"You see, what a great blessing this is. Marry me… hey, hey, you old woman, why are you holding me?"