Pearl Su saw that she could not refuse anymore, so she picked up her wine cup and clinked it with his.
After drinking the wine, Pearl Su felt a strong, sour, and bitter taste swirling in her mouth, with a sharp smell hitting her nose.
This wine did not taste good, she concluded, but she did not expect that she would not get drunk after just one cup. It seemed her body could handle some alcohol.
After finishing the wine, Rafael Mu laughed heartily and said to Pearl Su, "Brother August, do you know? Meeting you is like finding a kindred spirit. Drinking a thousand cups is still too few for friends like us. It is my luck to have a friend like you."
"Although you speak little, every time you say something, it is exactly what I think. We are simply connected in heart and mind."
"Meeting you is truly my great fortune and joy. Haha, come, Brother August, let's drink another cup to celebrate our meeting."
There was no way I am connected to you in mind. I am not a mind reader. How would I know what you are thinking? I just said what I think.
Hearing Rafael Mu offering more wine, Pearl Su did not want to drink that awful stuff again and was annoyed inside.
But seeing him raise his cup looking at her, she had no choice but to pick up her cup again and clink it before frowning and drinking.
After finishing the wine, Rafael Mu spoke again, "Brother August, I wonder if you will miss me after I leave. As for me, I will definitely miss you."
"If you ever face trouble, come find me. I promise I will do my best to help you."
Rafael Mu smiled as he said this. Pearl Su thought, if you can really help, I would come find you. Otherwise, why would I be here suffering with you now?
On her face, Pearl Su glanced at him but said nothing.
Rafael Mu still smiled happily and kept going, not caring, "Haha, of course Brother August, if you miss me and have nothing to do, remember to come to the First Academy to find me. Haha, come, Brother August, let's drink one more cup."
Pearl Su had no words left. She guessed tonight she would have to drink with him endlessly. She raised her cup, clinked once, and then drank it all down. She was sacrificing herself for a gentleman, only she would do this.
But she truly did not want to suffer from this bad wine. She tried to speak kindly, "Brother Rafael, they say meeting a true friend is worth more than countless people."
"Let's not drink anymore. We still have to travel tomorrow. If fate allows, we will meet again. It is already late; better to rest early."
"That is true, meeting a true friend is worth more than countless people."
Rafael Mu laughed loudly and said, "Brother August, meeting you is my great fortune. We will definitely meet again."
"Haha, let's stop drinking and go rest early. Come, let's go."
Seeing he finally agreed, Pearl Su relaxed and went back to her room to rest.
She did not know that Bonu Yan was watching everything from afar.
The next day, Pearl Su went downstairs to have breakfast but did not see Rafael Mu. She thought he must have left.
Feeling calm inside, she ate her breakfast freely and then got into the carriage to continue the journey.
Two days later, a group of people arrived at the city gate around noon.
The capital was undoubtedly bustling. After entering the gate, Pearl Su kept lifting the carriage curtain to look outside.
The roads were wide and smooth. The houses had blue tiles and red walls, looking beautiful. Many people were walking, dressed neatly, with lively calls of merchants all around. The city was full of life.
The carriage moved slowly, gradually entering a road with fewer people until no one was around. Finally, it stopped in a courtyard. Several carriages, some fancy and some ordinary, were parked there.
The carriage stopped, and Bonu Yan came to the carriage and said to Pearl Su, "Master Su, we have arrived. You can get down now."
Pearl Su got out of the carriage. After she got down, Bonu Yan said, "Master Su, I will lead you to rest and have lunch." He led the way.
They walked past many pavilions and corridors before finally reaching a place, a delicate courtyard.
There were trees, flowers, and grass in the courtyard, all planted neatly. The fresh flowers were blooming, and the air was filled with their fragrance.
Outside it was hot, but inside the house it was cool. The hall was decorated elegantly, showing the tastes of a lady.
There were pale yellow gauze curtains with pastel tassels and a few pots of delicate, lightly colored flowers placed in just the right spots.
Bonu Yan politely asked Pearl Su to sit down. Soon a dark-skinned young girl came in. She respectfully bowed and said, "Your servant, Servant Xin, greets the respected lady."
Bonu Yan said beside her, "Servant Xin, get up. This is Miss Su, whom you will serve from now on. You must treat her well and not make any mistakes."
"Miss?" Servant Xin was confused. She clearly saw a man just now. She raised her head and looked at Pearl Su with wide eyes. This is clearly a man.
"What are you staring at?" Bonu Yan shouted.
Startled by the harsh voice, Servant Xin quickly came back to her senses and said respectfully, "Yes, sir. Your servant will obey."
Bonu Yan relaxed and politely said to Pearl Su, "Miss Su, please rest well here. If you need anything, just tell Servant Xin to get it for you, or you can find me."
"Okay," Pearl Su replied calmly.
"Then I will take my leave first. Miss Su, rest well."
After Bonu Yan left, Servant Xin bowed respectfully to Pearl Su and said, "Your servant Servant Xin greets Miss Su. May I ask if Miss Su has any orders?"
"Help me pour a cup of water," Pearl Su said quietly. She was very thirsty after walking so far under the sun.
Servant Xin quickly brought a small cup of water, just enough for a few sips.
It was not enough to satisfy her thirst. After finishing the water, she was about to ask for the water jug when Servant Xin politely asked, "Miss Su, would you like to eat now?"
Pearl Su thought for a moment and said, "Alright."
After drinking another cup of water Servant Xin poured for her, not long after, Servant Xin returned carrying a food box. Lunch was served, three dishes and one soup: mushroom stewed chicken, steamed fish, ginger duck, and cabbage tofu soup.
Pearl Su tasted each dish. They all tasted good.
After lunch, she asked Servant Xin if there were any special instructions in the house. When Servant Xin said no, Pearl Su asked her to take her to the bedroom to rest.
After an hour, Pearl Su woke up from her nap. With nothing to do, she walked around the small courtyard. She found the courtyard decorated nicely, quite to her liking.
After returning, she sat on the couch near the window to rest. Her mind drifted, thinking about Alaric Yun's illness.
But no one had come to call her yet. Maybe something delayed them or something happened, so they didn't come to get her.
She sat quietly until evening. Servant Xin came over respectfully and asked, "Miss Su, I don't know what kind of food you like. You can order the kitchen to make something."
Pearl Su was not picky. As long as it was not too bad, she could eat it. She said to Servant Xin, "Ask the kitchen to prepare some specialties from Kyoto. Not too many, two or three dishes will do."