Hearing Liu Jinghong's answer, Chu Hongluan didn't think much of it, because she herself didn't care when he arrived or how much he saw.
"What are you chickening out for? Sit down."
Chu Hongluan smiled.
Liu Jinghong lingered before sitting down, choosing the spot next to Chu Hongluan.
Chu Hongluan glanced at him with some surprise.
She actually thought that, given the little courage he had just displayed, he should have been scared into sitting down across from her.
"Everyone in the capital knows that I, Chu Hongluan, am fond of handsome men. Since the young prince knows it is me, he should stay away. After all, in my opinion, the young prince's face is even better than that of the famously handsome Prince Mo, who is praised by everyone."
Liu Jinghong paused for a moment, then smiled nonchalantly: "If that's what you're saying, then you should understand. I, Liu Jinghong, am the number one playboy in the capital. Everyone knows I'm dissolute, spending my days idly, fighting cocks and dogs, and I'm unruly and unambitious. Anyone who gets involved with me will suffer for their reputation."
The young man's amorous eyes were filled with laughter: "I am already extremely grateful that you have not looked at me with any strange eyes."
Chu Hongluan rested her chin on her hand, looking at him with interest: "You seem to have deliberately omitted a bit. Although the young prince is known as the number one playboy in the capital, indulging in eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring, he only avoids whoring. Rather than being averse to women, he is closer to—disliking all women."
Liu Jinghong quickly denied it: "That's not true!"
"Oh? So that means the young prince also frequents brothels?"
"no!"
Liu Jinghong blushed and waved her hands repeatedly, wanting to explain but not knowing where to begin.
First of all, it's not disgust, it's annoyance.
He was annoyed by everyone who would try to associate with him, regardless of gender or age.
But Chu Hongluan, just by standing there, seemed different from "everyone," out of place in this world, standing out as a free and unrestrained individual.
It made him want to get closer.
Just as he was racking his brains for an explanation, he saw the girl's mocking smile, which was clearly intentional.
Liu Jinghong breathed a sigh of relief and smiled helplessly.
"Please, young lady, don't make fun of me."
Chu Hongluan chuckled softly and sighed, "Ah, if I could spend the rest of my life with someone as interesting as the young prince, it would be a wonderful thing. It's just a pity..."
It's a pity she was blind before, and begged and pleaded for a fiancé for herself too early.
Thinking of this, Chu Hongluan's expression immediately became indescribable.
What a terrible thing!
This time, Liu Jinghong didn't reply. She just lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, trying to ignore the sudden itch in her heart. Her eyes flickered, and it was impossible to tell what emotions she was feeling.
"It is my misfortune that I am so fortunate," he said.
Chu Hongluan remained noncommittal, looked up at the distance, and then changed the subject.
"Since you're already here, if the young prince doesn't take a stroll through the banquet, I'm afraid he won't be able to explain himself properly."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jinghong suddenly snapped back to reality, her brows furrowing unconsciously, clearly indicating her reluctance.
"Why that expression?" Chu Hongluan chuckled. "It's getting late, the banquet is almost over. If you go now, you'll probably just barely make an appearance."
Liu Jinghong's eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up. Just as she was about to leave, she stopped and asked, "Miss Chu, aren't you going back?"
Chu Hongluan thought for a moment, then stood up, straightened her sleeves, and said, "Then please go first, young prince."
"Please, Miss Chu."
The two walked side by side, both tall and slender, as upright as pine trees. From a distance, they looked like a perfect couple.
If you follow the path in the garden and pass several side halls, you will come to a lake.
From afar, one could hear people reciting poems.
"Only the peony is truly a national beauty; when it blooms, it stirs the capital."
"When the peach and plum blossoms have all faded, only the green grass remains."
Chu Hongluan listened and knew that she was composing a poem about flowers.
As you walk a little closer, a familiar, cool female voice can be heard.
"Without enduring the bitter cold, how can the plum blossom exude its fragrant aroma?"
"Miss Xu, what excellent writing skills! What admirable character!"
"What a wonderful poem! What a wonderful poem! This line encourages people to endure the trials and tribulations in order to become as fragrant and beautiful as the plum blossom. How wonderful!"
"I've long heard that Miss Xu is exceptionally talented and beautiful, and seeing her today confirms it's truly remarkable!"
As they showered Xu Qingqiu with praise, the two gradually made their way to the lakeside.
Xu Qingqiu caught a glimpse of them out of the corner of her eye, straightened her back even more, smiled proudly, and said, "All suffering is worthwhile. It occurs to make us better. Therefore, suffering itself deserves to be praised."
"What utter nonsense!"
Liu Jinghong's opening remarks were a devastating blow.
Xu Qingqiu's face darkened suddenly, and the attention of everyone present was forcefully drawn away by Liu Jinghong's words.
"In my opinion, the poem is good, but the person who wrote it is not a good person. Is suffering worth praising? Do you want to listen to what you're saying? Suffering is suffering, it won't bring success. It may indeed temper one's will, but that's because suffering is unavoidable."
The young man casually found a tree to lean against, pulled out a fan from his waist, snapped it open, and looked at it with a mocking gaze: "If Miss Xu really thinks suffering is worth praising, why not take off your fine clothes and put down your high and mighty attitude, and go and eat chaff and wild vegetables with the lowest slaves?"
"Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste, while on the streets, the bones of those frozen to death lie." How is Miss Xu's statement any different from "Why don't they eat meat porridge?"
Why do plum blossoms bloom so beautifully in the cold winter? Because other flowers would die if they bloomed in winter. Plum blossoms are fragrant because they are naturally fragrant. They can withstand the bitter cold because they are naturally resistant to the bitter cold.
"But if the winter is too cold and too long, even the plum blossom will die. In this vast world, how many people are like the plum blossom? Ninety percent of people are just ordinary people who will perish in suffering."
"If your poem were to praise plum blossoms, I would consider you to have some knowledge. But if you praise suffering, I'm just laughing."
"When did suffering itself become the subject of praise? It is the plum blossom and those who have endured suffering that should be praised."
His words belittled Xu Qingqiu to the point of being utterly worthless.
However, his statement was not unfounded; it was based on sound reasoning and evidence.
Xu Qingqiu's face turned pale and her pitiful gaze swept towards Mo Yu, only to find that Mo Yu's attention was entirely on Chu Hongluan, and he didn't even glance at her!
Xu Qingqiu was struck dumb, and looked again at the young noblemen who had been fawning over her. But all of them avoided her gaze, none of them daring to meet her eyes.
You should know that Liu Jinghong is a scoundrel; even the Heavenly King himself wouldn't get much face from him.
At this critical juncture, anyone who stands up for her will surely get into serious trouble.
Xu Qingqiu was furious, but she had no choice but to back down.
“The young prince is right; it was I who was narrow-minded.”
Chu Hongluan watched the spectacle with great interest.
But the next second, the fire spread to himself.
"Miss Chu is so calm and composed, she must have some insights into poetry. Would you be willing to exchange ideas with Qingqiu? So that the young prince can give his opinion."
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