Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2191: Chapter 2189: Penglai Pavilion

Bai Ruozhu caught a glimpse of Gao Deng beside her also laughing secretly, and she knew he was having the same thought as she did. Was it really appropriate for the three of them, these time travelers, to be mocking the ancients here?

Princess Fu’an glanced at Tang Feng, then took her leave. Her eyes were full of tenderness, as if she were facing the young wife of her husband, making those below envious.

Some people even whispered, ”Look, Princess Fu’an is truly infatuated with Champion Tang. The couple shares a deep bond and affectionate feelings!”

”Exactly, who is spreading the rumor that Princess Fu’an has detained Champion Tang? It’s completely unfounded!”

”The court is in chaos, the Emperor is young, and many have their eyes on his throne. It’s no surprise that some would attack Princess Fu’an,” someone else added.

Bai Ruozhu, with excellent hearing, caught all these whispered discussions. She inwardly despised them. These people claimed to be scholars, even opinion leaders of this era, yet how could they change their view of Princess Fu’an based on just one scene? Do they not know the word ’performance’?

However, many remained silent, seemingly skeptical of Princess Fu’an’s display. After all, time was long, and Princess Fu’an didn’t expect to change her image with just a single poetry and literature convention. It was likely that Tang Feng’s convention and his Siwen Society would continue.

Then, Tang Feng announced the start of the next activity: Qu Shui Liu Shang. Tang Feng invited everyone to rise and proceed to the winding stream by the guild hall, where each person took a seat. Though appearing casual, it was quite elegant.

The small stream at the Changning Guild Hall was special, an artificially dug channel that twisted and turned, perfect for this Qu Shui Liu Shang game.

Musicians played by the stream, and the elegant sound of strings and bamboo made people feel peaceful.

At this moment, cups of wine slowly flowed down with the stream.

As a modern person, Bai Ruozhu played this game for the first time and couldn’t help but carefully observe the cups floating down from upstream. The cups were small, with a support at the bottom, allowing them to float, and upon closer inspection, she saw they were made of wood, which explained why they didn’t sink.

In a blink, a cup stopped in front of a scholar, and he cheerfully picked it up, drank it in one go, and composed a drinking poem. Unlike Tang Feng’s, which was dashing and unrestrained, his poem meticulously described the color and taste of the wine. Although good, it lacked the uniqueness of Tang Feng’s poem.

After all, Tang Feng was a Champion, and few could match his literary prowess. Hence, the poem was considered excellent and quickly garnered applause, as more cups stopped in front of others.

The Qu Shui Liu Shang went smoothly, and the atmosphere gradually became lively. During the midpoint, a cup stopped in front of Tian An. He composed a nature poem with magnificent and lofty verses, earning much praise.

Tian An was quite pleased and subtly observed Tang Feng’s reaction, but unfortunately, Tang Feng didn’t look at him, leaving him frustrated. He thought to himself: One day, he would teach Tang Feng a lesson to show who truly deserved to be a Champion, while Tang Feng was merely a consort favored by a princess.

Soon, the best poem was selected, winning the glazed tea set gifted by the princess. Ultimately, it was Tian An’s poem that was chosen.

Someone remarked, ”Champion Tang’s previous wine poem was more outstanding by a few degrees, and the prize should go to Champion Tang.”

Tian An was displeased but quickly composed himself, bowing to Tang Feng and saying, ”Tang Consort’s poem indeed surpasses mine by a margin. This prize should go to Tang Consort.”

Many who heard this had subtle changes in their expressions. Others called him Champion Tang, while Tian An directly called him Tang Consort. Wasn’t the implication obvious?

Tang Feng smiled slightly at Tian An and said, ”Since it’s a prize from the princess, taking it would strip it of its meaning. I am merely the organizer of this convention, hoping to befriend through poetry. I will not take this prize.”

Someone laughed and jested, ”Indeed, if Princess Fu’an’s prize were to go to Tang Feng, wouldn’t it be a family gift? Tian An, just accept it. No one else’s poem can match yours.”

Bai Ruozhu quietly glanced at the speaker; they truly had a silver tongue and high emotional intelligence. With a single sentence, they flattered both men, giving Tian An an easy out.

Tian An, though reluctant to accept something because Tang Feng rejected it, comforted himself by thinking his poem wasn’t much inferior to Tang Feng’s. He felt Tang Feng’s poem was brazen, unaware of his own limits. Now, having won over Tang Feng’s prize, he felt much more at ease.

Bai Ruozhu did not compose a poem. She was, after all, an insignificant middle-aged merchant, sitting in a far-off spot. So, when the poetry and literature convention ended, she left with her people.

Once back at her residence, Bai Ruozhu wrote down all four stanzas of ”Drinking Alone under the Moon,” and began discussing them with Gao Zhou.

Gao Zhou pointed to a part and asked, ”Is it here?”

He was pointing at the line ”March Xianyang City.” Bai Ruozhu frowned, ”Where is Xianyang City? It’s unlikely he could go there recently, right?”

”Note it down first and let someone investigate later,” Gao Zhou advised.

Then Bai Ruozhu noticed another line, ”The fourth line mentions Penglai and High Platform. Could it be a name appearing in the capital?”

Gao Zhou thought for a moment and suddenly said, ”I recall there’s a scenic spot not far from the capital called Penglai Pavilion, a summer retreat spot with a hot spring. Could Princess Fu’an be planning to stay at Penglai Pavilion for a while?”

Bai Ruozhu’s eyes lit up, ”If that’s the case, we could prepare in advance at Penglai Pavilion. Without alerting anyone, the chances of rescuing Tang Feng would be much greater.”

”Are you really planning to kill Fu’an?” Gao Zhou suddenly asked. Bai Ruozhu had previously mentioned her cooperation with Zhou Shibin, and he hadn’t commented at the time but now brought it up.

”Why, is she your relative and you don’t want me to kill her?” Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

Putting everything aside, just her harming Tang Feng, colluding with Jian Dan for their nefarious affairs, and capturing many young men to harm counted as acts of villainy in eliminating Princess Fu’an.

”I’m just worried that Tang Feng wouldn’t agree. After all, a day as a couple means a hundred days of grace. Killing her is simple enough, but if chaos erupts in the capital, it would be easy to flee with Tang Feng back to Danliang, if he doesn’t let you kill her, it complicates things,” Gao Zhou sighed and shook his head.

Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment and said, ”Tang Feng is decisive. I believe he won’t hesitate. Even if he does, we can bind her as a hostage and flee.”

Gao Zhou shook his head, ”Holding her hostage won’t be effective. King Ying would pursue us relentlessly, desperate for us to be enraged enough to kill Fu’an.”