"It's so late, and you're still not on duty. Aren't you afraid of causing trouble?" Pearl changed the subject, speaking calmly.
"Today's my rest day," Alaric replied with a meaningful smile.
…
Just those few words made Pearl feel like she might really be done for.
Sure enough, that afternoon and evening, she was completely exhausted again. She could hardly even catch her breath.
By the next afternoon, Pearl had recovered her strength. After Alaric left for work, she called Servant Xin and asked her to prepare for their trip to the estate tomorrow. She also had the residence get everything ready.
Everything was finally prepared. She was about to leave this dreadful place for a while. The thought alone made Pearl happy. Even the frustration from being tormented by that infuriating man the night before didn't feel as strong.
The next morning, after Alaric left for duty, Pearl dressed in a plain, ordinary outfit she used for going out in the past and got ready to leave.
The carriage was ordered to depart quietly from the back courtyard. But just as Pearl climbed in and lifted the curtain, her hand froze.
She saw that infuriating man waiting with a bright smile on his face.
"What's wrong? Isn't my lady going to the estate? Why aren't you getting in? We might miss the departure time."
Pearl forced her expression back to calm and stepped inside, sitting across from him.
As the carriage began moving, Alaric said, "Why is my lady sitting so far away from her husband?"
Pearl didn't answer. Instead, she asked, "Aren't you supposed to be on duty today?" Why are you here?
"I took the day off. Thought I'd accompany my lady to the estate," Alaric said casually.
…
Pearl nearly blurted out, "I don't need your company."
"My lady sits so far from her husband. Are you not happy I'm here?" Alaric moved closer.
"Or is it that my lady is planning to run away… hmm?"
"I'm not," Pearl snapped back.
Alaric gently tilted her chin up with his fingers. "This disguise of yours… so plain that it doesn't look anything like your usual face."
"If I hadn't seen you like this before, I probably wouldn't have recognized you. And you still say you weren't trying to run away?"
…
"Hmm. But looking at you like this just makes me feel so drawn to you."
His hand on her chin tightened slightly, holding her steady as he leaned in and kissed her. It was deep and lingering.
Feeling her go soft in his arms, Alaric smiled and finally released her.
"My lady, are you happy your husband is going with you to the estate?"
"So happy," Pearl said through clenched teeth, still leaning against him.
Alaric laughed and hugged her tighter. "My lady, I just can't bear to be away from you. Not even for a moment."
…
After nearly an hour of travel, the carriage finally arrived. Alaric lifted the curtain and got out first. Seeing this, Pearl followed.
Alaric turned and reached out to help her down. Pearl hesitated, then slowly placed her hand in his large palm.
But just as she did, Alaric suddenly smiled and pulled her forcefully.
"Ah…" Pearl cried out in surprise.
She landed straight into Alaric's broad chest, her waist encircled by his arm.
Pearl steadied herself and happened to meet Alaric's teasing smile.
Annoyance surged in her instantly. She stomped hard on his foot. When he winced in pain and frowned, she pulled herself out of his arms and started laughing.
Pearl smiled, catching sight of several people standing nearby out of the corner of her eye. They didn't look like the usual guards from the estate, which made her glance over in surprise.
At that moment, Alaric came over and wrapped his arm around her waist. He looked toward the group. A middle-aged man who seemed to be the leader stepped forward and knelt down with the others.
"Servant Wang Zhuanggui and the rest of the servants greet the Marquis and Madam."
Alaric responded calmly, "You may rise."
"Thank you, Marquis," they all said together before standing.
Servant Wang quickly stepped forward, speaking respectfully. "Marquis, Madam, the resting quarters have already been prepared. Please follow me."
Alaric gave a light nod. "Mm."
With a cheerful smile, Servant Wang led the way.
Pearl walked forward with Alaric's arm still around her.
The resting place was a large hall. The furniture was a bit old, and the room felt bare. It seemed to be a gathering place for the workers most of the time.
Alaric sat at the main seat. Pearl sat beside him. Servant Xin came forward to pour tea, then stood by Pearl's side, waiting.
Servant Wang stood in front of them and eagerly began talking about the harvest on the estate and the current situation.
What he said was mostly the same as what Pearl already knew. But when she heard there were three adult cows and one calf, her eyes sparkled. She was craving beef again.
She immediately asked about the cows — how they were raised, what kind of diseases they might get, and what could cause their death.
Though surprised by her questions, Servant Wang answered each one respectfully.
Her detailed questions made Alaric glance sideways at her.
Through the back-and-forth, Pearl got a basic understanding of their cattle-raising methods. It was all very primitive and outdated.
At this rate, her craving for beef might never be fulfilled.
Seeing that she had no more questions, Servant Wang continued his report. Overall, the harvest was good, and the people on the estate were obedient and hardworking.
Once he finished reporting, someone outside called out that lunch was ready.
Servant Wang immediately invited Alaric and Pearl to the dining hall.
When they arrived, the table was full of more than ten dishes. Servant Wang bowed and said, "Marquis, Madam, we don't have much to offer, but these dishes are edible. Please enjoy your meal." He then quietly stepped back.
Pearl looked at the full table. There was stir-fried rabbit, roasted chicken, white-cut duck, braised goose, soy-sauce pork knuckle, pork belly stewed with pickled cabbage, garlic-seasoned crown daisy, stuffed eggplant, stuffed bitter melon, cold garlic string beans, tomato scrambled eggs, and mushroom chicken soup.
She picked up her chopsticks and started tasting the dishes. As she sampled each one, she realized the flavors were very different from what she was used to at the Marquis's estate. She glanced at Alaric, who was eating slowly beside her.
Afraid he'd notice her staring, Pearl quickly looked away and continued eating.
"Madam, do the dishes suit your taste?" Alaric's gentle voice came from beside her.
"They're good," Pearl replied.
"Which one do you like best? I'll get it for you," Alaric offered softly, as if coaxing a child.
"No need. I can get it myself," Pearl said calmly.
She quickly picked up another dish, but before she could finish it, she noticed the same dish had already been placed in her bowl.
Pearl choked slightly. Should she eat it or not?
In the end, she chose to eat it. But then another dish appeared in her bowl. She ate that too, and yet another dish showed up.
The cycle repeated. Pearl realized she had ended up tasting every single dish again.
At this point, she was speechless. Was that really necessary?
After lunch, Pearl didn't plan to take a nap. She asked someone to bring paper and a brush. She decided to write down everything she knew about raising cattle — the methods, the problems, and the solutions.
Alaric watched her quietly. When she finished one page, he picked it up and read it. As he looked over the contents, a strange gleam flashed in his eyes.
When Pearl finished the last page, Alaric took it and read it as well. His reaction went from surprise, to excitement, and finally to calm.