Pearl stepped down from the carriage, holding Alaric's hand. They were in a courtyard with many carriages parked.
"Madam, it is already noon. Let's go have lunch first. The vegetarian food here is very good."
"Mm." Pearl replied softly.
They entered the dining hall. The main hall was full of noise. Alaric led her upstairs to the second floor, then the third, fourth, and fifth floors, finally entering a private room.
After sitting down, Alaric poured tea for her. She took a sip. Then someone knocked and said the food was ready. After permission, the dishes were brought in and quickly filled the table.
There was five-grain rice, stir-fried water spinach, stewed pumpkin, eggplant in sauce, stir-fried bitter melon, fried rice cakes, stir-fried cauliflower, cold mixed vermicelli, stir-fried cucumber, cold mixed bean jelly, sour vegetable and kidney bean soup, cold mixed tofu skin, and stir-fried carrot with wood ear fungus.
Alaric picked up some dishes and put them into Pearl's bowl. He smiled and said, "Madam, please try."
Pearl used her chopsticks to eat. The taste was really good. Seeing her satisfied face, Alaric put a little bit of each dish on her plate so she could taste them all.
Pearl ate, and every dish was delicious.
After finishing the meal, Pearl stood and walked to the window to look outside.
The window was large with a wide view. She could see most of Yunshan Monastery. The buildings were spread out with curved shapes. Trees were thick and green.
Standing high, Pearl saw that Yunshan Monastery was quite big. Far away she saw a small patch of light blue and on the other side a patch of bright red.
While she was watching, someone skillfully hugged her waist from behind and pressed close with a warm chest.
Pearl ignored it and kept looking outside, her mind wandering far away.
These old buildings were simple and low, surrounded by thick trees.
When would she be able to go home?
Her wandering thoughts returned. Pearl turned her eyes back and pushed Alaric's arms away. She sat down and sipped her tea.
Alaric frowned slightly, watching her back and thinking about who she was thinking of just now.
After a while, Pearl stood and said to Alaric, "Let's go see the flowers."
Hearing her, Alaric's thoughts returned. He smiled. No matter who was in her heart, the person beside her now was him. He took her delicate hand and held it in his palm.
Yunshan Monastery seemed carefully designed. Every step showed a new scene. Pearl had not reached the flower viewing place yet but was already fascinated by the scenery along the way.
They stopped often to look at many strange flowers and trees she had never seen. The plants were arranged perfectly, creating unique views that amazed her.
Walking on, the tall trees formed shade. It did not feel hot even though it was summer. Pearl thought this trip was really worth it.
Without noticing, they reached a place without tall trees. There was a vast sea of light blue and purple flowers stretching as far as the eye could see.
This was the blue spot she saw from the tower.
Seeing her standing by the road watching, Alaric smiled gently and said, "Madam, this is the blue snow flower. Let's go closer and see." Then he held her hand and walked forward.
They stepped on green grass and entered the dense flower sea. The unique smell of the blue snow flowers reached Pearl's nose and made her happy. She smiled.
"Madam, do you like these flowers?" Alaric asked softly.
"Mm, they are beautiful." Pearl smiled back.
Seeing her smile so brightly suddenly, Alaric was surprised and lost in watching her.
He had not seen her smile like this at him for a long time. His heart felt sweet like drinking honey.
Watching her happily walk among the flowers, he foolishly followed behind.
Seeing the sweat forming on her forehead, Alaric took out a handkerchief, pulled Pearl closer, and gently wiped it, speaking softly, "Madam, the sun is too strong. Let's not stay here any longer, alright?"
"Okay," Pearl agreed quickly. She had already finished looking at the flowers and saw no reason to stay.
They returned to the shade and kept walking. Along the way, they saw all kinds of beautiful strange flowers and trees, making Pearl marvel at how magical this world was.
Step by step, scene by scene, Pearl stopped and looked around. The plants were arranged perfectly, creating a unique atmosphere with strange floral scents.
Pearl noticed that just getting a little closer to these flowers made their fragrance easy to smell.
After walking for some unknown distance, a large patch of bright red appeared ahead. As they got closer, it was a sea of blood-red flowers. This was the red she had seen from the tower!
"Madam, this is the Scorching Mystery Flower," Alaric said with a gentle smile beside her.
"Madam, I am holding the umbrella for you. This way, we won't get sunburned when we go in."
Alaric had quietly opened a large umbrella, enough to shield both of them from the sun.
He took Pearl's hand, stepped onto the stone path, and walked into the sea of flowers. They strolled through the blood-red sea, admiring each flower, until they reached the center.
Surrounded by bright red everywhere, it made one's blood boil without realizing it. Alaric turned to look at Pearl, feeling his mouth dry, and gently wrapped his arm around her slim waist.
Before Pearl could react, he kissed her lips fiercely, ignoring her struggling in his arms, deeply and passionately.
After a long moment, Alaric pulled away from her lips, his voice low and hoarse as he said, "Madam..."
Seeing this shameless man finally let go, Pearl glared angrily and shouted, "What are you crazy for?"
Then she pushed him hard and walked back.
In public like this, this shameless man dared to kiss her. Could he let her enjoy herself for once?
Alaric's arms suddenly felt empty. His passion froze instantly, and he felt a dull pain in his heart, staring blankly at her leaving figure.
After a moment of shock, he quickly chased after her, grabbing her delicate hand, "Madam, are you angry?"
Seeing that she ignored him and kept walking, Alaric hurriedly said, "Please don't be angry with me, madam."
Though he didn't understand why she was angry, he decided to comfort her first.
Pearl said nothing and struggled hard, trying to pull her hand away and keep moving forward.
In panic, Alaric gave a strong pull, pulling Pearl into his arms, softly coaxing, "Madam, don't be angry with me, alright?"
"Let go," Pearl struggled fiercely in his arms.
"No…" Alaric held her tightly so she couldn't escape.
After thinking it over, Pearl lowered her voice and said calmly, "Fine, I won't be angry with you, now let me go."
She knew too well how stubborn this man was. If she didn't calm down, she'd only lose out.
"Are you really not angry with me?" Alaric said softly, full of grievance.
"Yes, I'm not angry," Pearl said quietly.
Satisfied with this, Alaric finally loosened his hold and took her hand, smiling, "It's hot here, let's leave quickly."
As they walked into the shade, a clear male voice came from ahead, "Isn't that Lord Hou?"