For the next two days, Xu Buling did not bother himself with the Dragon-Locking Insect anymore. He resumed his daily life of attending classes in the Guozijian during the day and staying at home at night.
When he was in the Guozijian, Xu Buling would usually strike the bell at the Bell and Drum Tower. But after Song Yufu finished her morning reading, she would run to the Bell and Drum Tower and say things like "A gentleman uses his mouth and not his fists …" and "Think twice before you act …". She was very strange.
Xu Buling did not find any clues about the Dragon-Locking Insect and was a little worried. He was not in the mood to bully Song Yufu and was annoyed by her noise so he grabbed her to copy books.
He did not know if it was because she was used to copying, but Song Yufu not only did not resist, but also worked very hard. Every time she copied a few more sheets of paper, and after she was done, she would say, "You and I are friends, no need to be polite, just remember the favor …"
Xu Buling did not mean to be polite and asked Song Yufu if she wanted to be a princess.
In the end, this silly girl shook her head firmly, as if the friendship between gentlemen was as indifferent as water.
He really did not understand what Song Yufu wanted to do, so Xu Buling put it aside. Anyway, this girl's words were very interesting and would not cause him any trouble … At least that was what Xu Buling thought …
On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, the long-awaited sun shone in the garden of the Prince's Mansion. After several guards of the Prince's Mansion repaired it, the inside and outside of the garden was much tidier. There were red lanterns hanging under the eaves, and it finally looked a little like the New Year.
Xu Buling returned from the Guozijian on horseback. As soon as he arrived at the gate, he saw two groups of people standing outside the Prince's Mansion, respectfully waiting. One was a palace maid, and the other was Lady Lu's maid, Yue Nu. The small sedan stopped next to the stone lion.
Xu Buling turned over and got off the horse. The palace maid stepped forward and bowed slightly, "Your Royal Highness, the Empress Dowager has arranged a banquet in the palace and invites you to enter the palace for a chat."
Xu Buling was already prepared for this, "I will change my clothes and go there by myself later."
The palace maid nodded with a smile and respectfully retreated.
At this time, Yue Nu came over and said with a smile, "Madam came here at noon. I wanted to go to the Guozijian to call Little King back, but Madam said it was not necessary."
Xu Buling nodded, handed the horse to the guards, and entered the Prince's Mansion.
Old Xiao had gone to the place where all sorts of people gathered to gather information and was not in the mansion. The backyard was empty and there was no one there.
He quickly went to the study, glanced, and went to the bedroom.
Xu Buring walked past the bedroom window and looked up to see Madam Lu, who was dressed in a dark blue pleated skirt, lying on the table.
Madam Lu should have fallen asleep by now, her brows slightly furrowed as a strand of hair fell onto her face. His breathing was steady, and he could see that the front of his robe that was hanging off the edge of the table had formed a very attractive curve. Looking at him from the side, he looked … even more spectacular than Zhu Man Zhi.
"Cough …"
Xu Buring rubbed his nose and quickly shifted his gaze elsewhere.
Just like in the past, Madam Lu came over with a food container which she placed on the table. Beside her was a tray with a long robe on it. The room was very quiet. Because of the lack of furnishings, it seemed a little empty and cold.
The underground of the Prince's Mansion was like the Imperial Palace. The fire in the outer house reached the back through the fire. Even if one was naked in winter, one would not feel cold.
However, the area of the Prince's Mansion was too big. The firewood used in the winter was enough for a street of people to survive. Xu Buling lived alone and did not often stay in the Prince's Mansion. Once the fire started, it could not be stopped. Therefore, it was not wasteful. The room was still cold.
Xu Buling entered the bedroom, walked to the small table, and bent down to take a look.
The faint fragrance of peony filled his nostrils. It was not too strong, but it was just right. It must be the best fragrance powder from Xianzhi House.
Xu Buling was not a woman, so he could not tell what brand it was. Anyway, it smelled good. Seeing that Lady Lu's breathing was steady and sleeping quietly, he tiptoed to the wardrobe and took a soft blanket. He put it on Lady Lu's back.
"Hmm …"
There was a faint hum.
Madam Lu's lips quivered slightly as she pulled the blanket around her shoulders tighter. Her furrowed brows relaxed as well. Clearly, she had been feeling rather cold earlier on and had not slept well.
Xu Buling waited for a while. Lady Lu had no intention of waking up. He was going to enter the Imperial Palace later. When he came back, it would be late at night. If he slept on the table, he would catch a cold.
Thinking of this, Xu Buling hesitated. He bent down and put his hand under Lady Lu's skirt. He wanted to carry Lady Lu to bed.
The skirt slid over the back of his hand. The material was excellent and very delicate. The flesh was in the right places. It was still a little heavy.
Xu Buling tried to be careful. Unfortunately, Lady Lu woke up as soon as he exerted force.
Madam Lu abruptly raised her head, her hair ornament trembling slightly. Her eyes carried a hint of confusion as she tilted her head to look at Xu Buring, who was just inches away from her.
Xu Buring blinked his eyes and said helplessly, "Er … I …"
Lady Lu's eyes quickly became clear. After she reacted, she did not yell like last time. Instead, she raised her hand and hit Xu Buling's hand.
Smack!
Her eyes were serious and a little annoyed. "I'm your aunt!" was on the verge of saying.
Xu Buling retracted his hand and opened it again. "Aunt Lu, don't misunderstand. I saw that you were asleep, so I sent you to rest."
Lady Lu looked around. After she remembered the purpose of coming at noon, her expression returned to normal. She raised her hand and tucked the hair by her ear. Then, she slightly tidied up her dress, which was a little wrinkled from sleeping. She said softly,
"Buling, when did you come back? … I was a little sleepy just now, so I fell asleep … "
Xu Buling sat down beside the small table. He raised his hand and opened the lunch box.
"I just came back. Aunt Lu came over to wait for me. What's the matter?"
"Can't I come over if I have nothing to do?"
"…"
Xu Buling's hand that was taking out the longan froze. He chuckled. "I didn't mean that … I heard from Yue Nu that you came over at noon."
Lady Lu took the lunch box and took out the longan. She lifted her slender hand and pushed it aside. She said softly,
"I was bored staying at home, so I came over to take a look … It's almost the end of the year, so I took the time to make a new robe. Try it on."
Xu Buling's clothes were basically handmade by Lady Lu. When he heard this, he naturally showed a little surprise. He raised his hand and picked up the robe on the tray. He unfolded it and took a few glances at it. Then, his handsome smile froze.
The brand new robe was made of Jiangnan's Water Cloud Brocade. The style was the common childe robe with gold trimmings. The texture was exquisite, but the color was khaki, which made it look a little old-fashioned … Probably no nobleman would be willing to wear this out … He looked like a local tycoon in a county …
Lady Lu was not angry. She lowered her head and pushed the longan.
"What? Is it not nice? "
"… It's nice. It's a gift from Aunt Lu. How can it not be nice?"
Xu Buling nodded with admiration in his eyes. He got up and walked behind the screen. He took off the snow-colored brocade robe and changed into the unique childe robe.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh —
After a while, Xu Buling walked out from behind the screen and sized himself up a few times in the bronze mirror.
He had been practicing martial arts since he was young, and he was very talented. His figure was definitely not bad. When he put on this robe, he looked like a handsome local tycoon!
Xu Buling did not care about his appearance. He tidied up his clothes in a composed manner.
Lady Lu sat in front of the table and sized him up. She had always dressed Xu Buling in a way that made him look like a peerless beauty. She was not used to suddenly wearing this. She hesitated for a moment before she raised her hand and said,
"Forget it … The material you chose is not good. Take it off. I'll go back and make a new one."
"It's good. There's no need to go through so much trouble …"
"Take it off!"
Lady Lu slapped the table with her small hand, and her almond-like eyes widened slightly.
Xu Buling had nothing to say. He took a brand-new white robe from the wardrobe and put it on again behind the screen. He turned around in front of Lady Lu.
Lady Lu sized him up carefully. She got up and tidied up Xu Buling's robe. She said softly,
"Etiquette begins with proper clothes. A man should pay attention to his appearance when he goes out …"
Xu Buling took a breath and looked down at Lady Lu, who had a dignified and serious expression. He wanted to say, "You're the one who gave me this rustic robe. I pay attention to my appearance." But if he said that, Lady Lu would definitely feel wronged. He could only say with a smile,
"I know."
Lady Lu was satisfied and nodded. "Go. Don't stay in the palace for too long. Beware of eavesdroppers."
Xu Buling hesitated a little. He took a few steps toward the door and turned back.
"Is there anything else?"
"No. Go and come back soon."
"…"
Xu Buling nodded. After making sure that Lady Lu would not be angry, he left the mansion with a stomach full of doubts and went to meet the Empress Dowager that night …
