Pigeon soup with codonopsis, polygonatum, ligusticum chuanxiong, and goji berries. Pigeon soup with red ginseng, donkey-hide gelatin, polygonatum, and angelica. Egg soup with deer blood, deer antler, gelatin, and red ginseng. Egg soup with codonopsis, astragalus, angelica, polygonatum, goji berries, and red dates. Red ginseng soup with gelatin, astragalus, angelica, red dates, goji berries, and quail. Red rice with red dates.
Was this meant to over-supplement her to death? Pearl Su thought that if the table were bigger, Alaric Yun would probably put even more dishes on it.
She really wanted to point at his nose and yell, "You're insane."
But she was already so speechless that she couldn't even form words. With someone like him, no matter what she said, it would be pointless.
Pearl Su quietly sat down and started eating. She picked a little bit of everything just to give him face, not daring to eat too much. That way, she could avoid being forced to eat a huge amount and getting over-supplemented.
After drinking a bowl of tonic soup, Pearl Su said, "I'm full. You go ahead and eat slowly."
Alaric Yun frowned and said, "Why did Madam eat so little? Come on, Madam, have some more."
Without another word, he quickly gave her a big bowl of food and filled another bowl of soup for her.
Pearl Su's face immediately darkened. She coldly said, "I already finished eating." Then she stood up, ready to leave.
But Alaric Yun grabbed her with one big hand. His voice was soft and pleading as he said, "Madam, have a little more, will you? I'm really worried about your health. Please?"
Hearing the sincerity in his voice, Pearl Su calmed a little. She responded flatly, "I really am full. I can't eat anymore. Please don't force me."
"And don't prepare so much in the future. One or two dishes are enough. I will eat them."
Hearing her soften, Alaric Yun smiled brightly. He seemed in a great mood and said, "Alright. It was my fault this time. I didn't plan well and made you upset."
"Madam, this is the herbal soup the doctor prescribed for regulating your cycle. Let's drink it."
Pearl Su frowned slightly and looked at the dark-colored soup.
After a pause, she lifted her hand and took the bowl. She sniffed it. It was a mild formula for promoting circulation, warming the body, and nourishing the blood.
She furrowed her brow but still drank the soup. After finishing, she handed the bowl back to Alaric Yun and went to lie down.
She hadn't rested long before Alaric Yun finished his meal and came over. He immediately pulled her into his arms and rubbed his handsome face against her.
Pearl Su couldn't stand it and tried to push him away. But he held her tightly, so she gave up and soon fell asleep.
When she woke up, Alaric Yun was no longer beside her. Pearl Su got up and poured herself a cup of water. After drinking it, she changed her menstrual cloth.
Back in bed, she was resting when a voice called from outside, "Madam, this servant Servant Xin requests to enter."
Pearl Su remembered Alaric Yun had said that Servant Xin would come take care of her during these days, so she replied, "Come in."
Servant Xin came in and bowed respectfully. "This servant greets Madam. The Lord said I should take care of you these few days."
Pearl Su said, "I know."
Servant Xin continued, "Does Madam have any tasks for me right now?"
Pearl Su noticed that Servant Xin now spoke more formally, probably having been trained in proper conduct again. She didn't think too much about it.
Listening to her, Pearl Su thought for a moment and said, "Go find me a few storybooks to pass the time."
"Yes, Madam. I'll fetch them now. Please rest."
Servant Xin soon returned with five storybooks. Pearl Su could read the writing on them, and none were very thick. She estimated that she could finish one in an afternoon.
That afternoon, Pearl Su spent her time reading the storybooks. She finished one even faster than she had expected.
Maybe it was because the characters on each page were quite large, so there actually wasn't that much text. By now, she was already halfway through the second book.
The previous book was about a talented young man going to the capital to take the imperial exam. On his journey, he met a noble lady, and they fell in love at first sight and became husband and wife.
It seemed like they would live a loving life together, but later, the noble lady's family fell into decline. She then married a wealthy and powerful man as a secondary husband.
The original husband was heartbroken and tried to hang himself. Someone discovered him just in time and, after much persuasion, he gave up on the idea of ending his life.
Later, the noble lady continued to marry several more husbands. The original husband, after being talked to by others, also came to terms with it.
He sincerely took care of the household for the noble lady, earning everyone's respect and admiration. He became a well-known virtuous husband, and the noble lady, having such a virtuous man, was the envy of everyone.
The second book she was reading now was about a noble lady who was outstanding in many ways, attracting many suitors.
To choose a good husband, she set various challenges and questions for the suitors to solve. Through these tasks, the noble lady and the excellent contestants developed feelings for each other in funny and touching ways.
She was enjoying it when she suddenly heard Alaric Yun's cheerful voice in her ear.
"Wife, your husband is back. I missed you so much."
Pearl Su looked up and saw him walking quickly toward her. He immediately pulled her into his arms and rubbed against her, then kissed her on the cheek and continued rubbing.
Pearl Su pushed him away impatiently, wanting to continue reading. Alaric Yun noticed and asked, "Wife, what are you reading?"
Pearl Su ignored him and kept reading. Alaric Yun saw a few books placed nearby and picked them up.
When he saw the title, his expression darkened immediately. Miss Qing and Her Eight Husbands.
Alaric Yun quickly flipped through the contents with a grim face. The more he read, the darker his face became, like ink spreading on paper.
He slammed the book shut and picked up the others: The Prime Minister's Daughter's Husbands, Noble Lady Meets Husbands, Legend of the Virtuous Husband.
When he looked up at Pearl Su again, she was holding a book titled Noble Lady Picks Husbands.
And she was reading it with great interest.
His face turned even darker. His knuckles turned white from gripping too tightly, and his gaze grew sharp and fierce.
Outside, a voice called out, "My lord, dinner is ready."
Pearl Su was startled. She had been reading all morning. Time really flew.
While she was still dazed, Alaric Yun swiftly snatched the book from her hands and said in a deep voice, "Wife, it's time to eat."
Then, he suddenly picked her up and held her tightly.
Pearl Su felt uncomfortable and glared at him angrily. "What are you doing? You're hurting me. Put me down. I can walk by myself."
Alaric Yun said nothing, his face stern, as he carried her all the way to the dining table and sat her down on his lap.
Pearl Su struggled to get up and shouted at him angrily, "What are you doing? Let go of me, or don't blame me for being rude."
Alaric Yun couldn't hold back his anger any longer. It surged up uncontrollably. He suddenly pressed his lips against Pearl Su's slightly open mouth, sucking and stealing her breath with intense force.
No matter how Pearl Su struggled, she couldn't break free. Eventually, she went limp in his arms, completely drained of strength.
She glared at him in fury. After regaining a bit of energy, she immediately pulled away from his arms.
Alaric Yun sat still, not stopping her from escaping. But in his deep eyes, the storm of anger was still raging.
Pearl Su sat to the side and began eating dinner quickly.