Chapter 47

The moment Madam Lu finished her words, the entire hall that was filled with women on the viewing platform suddenly quietened down.

Jealousy was a common thing in aristocratic families. The madams present had all climbed up step by step. How could they not hear the impoliteness in Lady Lu's tone?

The other side was the Empress Dowager!

The Empress Dowager also remembered that this niece-in-law had a similar experience as her. She had also been a widow for many years. She coughed awkwardly and smiled.

"It turns out that Bu Ling wrote it for Hong Luan. I was wrong … I didn't know that Bu Ling's literary talent was so outstanding …"

Lady Lu's expression was calm, but she was a little flustered. She thought for a moment and said, "Empress Dowager, this poem was not written by Bu Ling. I asked him. He copied it."

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, "Copied from who?"

"…"

Lady Lu was speechless.

Madam Lu loved this poem to the core and the Empress Dowager could empathize with her as well. Seeing that Lady Lu's words were incoherent, the Empress Dowager thought the wrong way. There was a bit of bitterness in her eyes.

"I can't snatch the poem written by the younger generation … Bu Ling has outstanding martial arts since childhood, but his literary talent is not outstanding. I didn't expect him to be so clever and understand the thoughts of the elders …"

"Haha … Yes."

Many of the madams nodded their heads. Whoever had a nephew who doted on their aunt so much would feel warmth in their hearts.

Madam Gao smiled and continued, "According to seniority, Crown Prince Xu should call the Empress Dowager Great Aunt. I heard that Crown Prince Xu also came to Qujiang Pool today. Why not call him over? If he can compose a poem for the Empress Dowager …"

The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up. It was obvious that she was tempted. She turned to look at Lady Lu.

Lady Lu was not willing. Xu Buling came to show off by composing a poem. If he couldn't compose a poem, he would lose face. No matter what, it would not be good for him. She frowned slightly and replied directly, "The poem is just a misunderstanding in the market. Besides, Bu Ling is Prince Su. Madam Gao, don't mess up the seniority."

This sentence was a bit heavy. Madam Gao's face stiffened and she quickly stopped talking.

In the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, there was no difference between the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince. In order to respect the imperial power, the Crown Prince was one rank lower than the Crown Prince. But he was much higher than the Princes and concubines, not to mention the madams present.

Seeing how serious Madam Lu's tone was, the Empress Dowager knew that it would hurt the harmony between them if she were to continue speaking. Thus, she chuckled lightly and put down her teacup.

"Madam Gao. There are all women here. How can Bu Bu Buling come to compose a poem. Even if I really have such an intention, I should prepare a family banquet another day and invite you into the palace for a chat. Let's talk about this matter later. "

Madam Lu nodded her head in acknowledgment and did not speak further.

After such an interruption, the idle chatter just now naturally couldn't continue.

The Empress Dowager didn't mention the poem again. After sitting for a while, she left the observation deck with the madams to relax.

Lady Lu didn't like to deal with these utilitarian madams. She said goodbye to the Empress Dowager, saying that she was tired and needed to rest. She left the group alone and went to the waterside pavilion. She wanted to find her own place to walk the streets.

It was just that Madam Lu had just brought Yue Nu to a place not too far away from the waterside pavilion when she raised her head to take a look. Her body froze up immediately.

She saw a girl wearing furry clothes sitting side by side with Xu Buling on the edge of the waterside pavilion. Her legs were in the air, and her embroidered shoes kicked against her skirt. She had a sweet smile on her face. She was talking with Xu Buling about something …

…

Snowflakes fell on the mirror-like Qu River Pond. Xu Buling had a fishing rod in his right hand and a wine pot in his left. He sat very leisurely as he listened to the chatter beside him.

"My father loves me very much. If someone dares to bully me, my father will definitely stand up for me. And my father's student, the one who 'moved Chang' an with one sword 'a few years ago. His kung fu is better than Crown Prince Xu's. Now he's traveling the world. If he knows that I'm being bullied, he will definitely stand up for me … "

Song Yufu rubbed her hands. The weather was too cold and she couldn't stand it. She quietly moved behind Xu Buling and used Xu Buling's body to block the wind. She kept saying that she had a powerful background and shouldn't be trifled with.

Xu Buling listened for a long time and tilted his head in amusement. "Miss Song, you brought out so many people. Who are you afraid of bullying you?"

Song Yufu pursed her lips. Naturally, she couldn't say it out loud. She just whispered.

"No one is bullying me."

"You're not threatening me, are you?"

"No … Crown Prince Xu is educated, reasonable, and has a good character. Why would he bully a woman? Even if I made a mistake unintentionally, you will reason with me. You won't make things difficult for me like those vulgar people …"

"…"

Xu Buling furrowed his eyebrows slightly. He pondered for a while and wanted to extend his hand to Song Yufu's forehead to see if she had a fever. But he gave up on the idea because he knew that men and women should keep a distance from each other.

It was winter. The cold air seeped up from the soles of their feet as they sat by the lake. Even Xu Buling had to drink wine to keep warm. Even though Song Yufu was wearing a coat, skirt, and a shawl, it was obvious that she was very cold. She felt that she had not built a good relationship with Xu Buling, and she did not want to leave either. So, she forced herself to endure the cold.

When Xu Buling saw that Song Yufu was so cold that she could not speak properly, he handed over the wine gourd in his hand.

"Do you want a sip?"

Song Yu Fu looked at the exquisite vermilion wine gourd, thought for a moment, and very seriously said:

"If we drink wine, do we become friends? That's how it is in the world of martial artists. "

Xu Buling found it a little funny. "There is indeed such a saying, but it's usually between men. Once they drink a bowl of wine, they will become bosom friends in the future."

"Who said that? There are many chivalrous women in the world of martial artists. They are still benevolent and willing to sacrifice themselves for their brothers. They are not any worse than men."

Song Yufu took the wine gourd with both hands. Once she opened the stopper, she raised her head and took a sip from the air. She looked very chivalrous.

Unfortunately, Song Yufu had a very strict upbringing since she was young. Even when she drank, she only drank normal rice wine and sake, which were similar to other beverages. The Broken Jade Wine brewed by the Sun family's shop using a secret method was considered a low-alcohol liquor. Those who did not know how to drink would not be able to handle it.

Song Yufu choked when the strong liquor entered her throat. Her face turned red and she almost spat it out. Her upbringing prevented her from making such an embarrassing action. She forced herself to swallow it. Tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't speak, and she patted her chest and coughed again and again.

"Cough, cough, cough —"

"Haha …"

Xu Buling laughed heartlessly and took the wine gourd back.

Song Yufu's eyes were red. She felt sad and wronged when she was teased by Xu Buling, but she was not angry. She looked at Xu Buling a few times and laughed. Then she lowered her head and said nothing.

Xu Buling laughed twice. He also felt that it was meaningless to bully this silly girl. He stopped laughing and sat up straight with the fishing rod.

After a moment of silence.

Song Yufu's cheeks were red. She managed to suppress the alcohol with difficulty. She raised her eyes and peeked at him. Then she said,

"It doesn't matter. I don't blame Crown Prince Xu."

"Who apologized to you?"

Xu Buling glanced at Song Yufu, slightly puzzled.

"Crown Prince Xu must have felt embarrassed just now. He felt that the joke was too much. It doesn't matter …"

"…"

Xu Buling nodded. "It seems that you are not silly …"

The two of them talked back and forth. In fact, no one knew what they were talking about. However, their relationship had become much closer under Song Yufu's tireless persuasion.

Xu Buling slowly said some jokes. From listening to them, it became a conversation. Just as they were getting excited, a voice suddenly came from behind the waterside pavilion.

"Xu Buling!"