Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 11

Seeing that Su Rong stopped pressing him with questions, Su Taishou heaved a guilty sigh of relief. 

Su Rong caught the subtle expression and couldn’t help thinking sarcastically. What is he hiding? What’s so important that it can’t be shared? She wasn’t a three-year-old child, she was grown and capable of understanding. 

Her mind drifted to the Huguo Duke’s residence when a servant came rushing in to report, “Master, Seventh Lady, the Huguo Duke’s residence has sent gifts!” 

Su Taishou turned abruptly, startled. “What did you say?” 

The servant replied, panting but speaking clearly, “Master, it’s from Guard Li, who went to deliver the letter to the Huguo Duke’s residence in the capital. He’s returned, and he says that Young Master Zhou has also come to Jiangning, bringing two carts of gifts for the Seventh Lady’s coming-of-age ceremony. 

Su Taishou shot up from his seat, astonishment written all over his face. “Young Master Zhou is in Jiangning?” 

“Yes, he arrived with Guard Li.” 

“Where is he now? Did he come to our residence?” 

“No, no, Young Master Zhou said he would send the gifts first and visit the residence another day.” 

Su Taishou exhaled audibly, a mix of relief and tension. “Another day is better.” 

Turning to Su Rong, he started, “Your father looks like a mess right now. I should go freshen up, and you can—” He paused mid-sentence, catching sight of the faint scar on her forehead. His tone shifted. “No, you’d better not either. Let your mother handle receiving the gifts!” 

In that moment, he felt neither he nor his daughter were presentable enough, even if it was just the Duke’s steward delivering the gifts, let alone Zhou Gu himself. 

Su Rong, equally stunned, was lost in thought. She knew her stepmother had sent someone to the capital, but she hadn’t expected the Huguo Duke’s family to respond by sending Zhou Gu himself. Did this mean the marriage proposal might actually go through? 

Confusion and disbelief settled over her. “Father, you’d better hurry!” 

Su Taishou nodded, promptly abandoning their conversation and rushing off like a whirlwind. 

Su Rong turned to Wang Ma and Yue Wan. 

The two maids immediately understood the unspoken instruction, abandoning their embroidery as they chimed in, “We’ll go take a look for Miss!” 

The room quieted down. Left alone, Su Rong mulled over her mother’s foresight. Despite her passing years ago, she had somehow ensured that the Huguo Duke’s family hadn’t annulled the engagement. 

After all, it would’ve been trivial for such a prestigious family to cancel the engagement of a mere concubine’s daughter. The fact that they didn’t, and instead sent Zhou Gu in person, indicated not only an acknowledgement of the betrothal, but also an intention to move forward with it. 

She had assumed the whole scandal involving Zhou Gu fighting over a woman had derailed everything. Yet here they were. 

In the front hall, even though Zhou Gu didn’t show up personally, the matriarch received Zhou Xi, the Huguo Duke’s steward, in person. 

Zhou Xi, a man in his thirties, carried himself with an air of sophistication. Seeing the madam herself, he performed a formal bow and followed with a smooth preamble. 

“My young master has just arrived in Jiangning. After such a long journey, he is understandably tired. As it’s already late, he thought it inappropriate to visit in person today and sent me ahead to deliver these gifts on behalf of the old Duke. I hope Madam will excuse him. Young Master Zhou will come to pay his respects another day.” 

The matriarch had no intention of expressing discontent. After all, this prestigious son-in-law had come to Jiangning, and if he had shown up unannounced today, the household would’ve been caught off guard. She herself would’ve been scrambling. A delayed visit gave her the much-needed time to prepare. 

Smiling with an air of grace and warmth, she offered the kind of polished pleasantries that cost nothing but earned much: 

“Steward Zhou, what are you saying? The young master has just arrived in Jiangning, naturally, he must rest. May I ask where he’s staying? Our estate has ample space. How could we possibly allow the young master to be inconvenienced by lodging elsewhere?” 

Zhou Xi replied with an easy laugh, “Madam need not worry. The young master is settled comfortably on East Street. He’s rented a courtyard, so there’s no need to trouble you.” 

The matriarch nodded at this and added generously, “Should the accommodations prove unsuitable, do have the young master move here. The front courtyard has vacant rooms.” 

Zhou Xi expressed his thanks and produced two gift inventories, handing them to the First Madam. 

“One is for the Taishou, Madam, and the household. The other is specifically for the Seventh Lady.” 

Accepting the lists, the matriarch’s gaze flickered toward the two carriages laden with gifts she had glimpsed earlier. Though already astonished by the volume, she hadn’t had the chance to inspect the specifics. Now, scanning the lists, her heart skipped a beat. 

“This… the Old Duke has been exceedingly generous.” 

Zhou Xi smiled amicably. “The Old Duke mentioned that, having had little interaction with the Taishou estate over the years, he feared causing unnecessary disturbance. With the Seventh Lady approaching her coming-of-age ceremony and her engagement to our young master drawing closer, the Old Duke wished to show his sincerity. These gifts are a token of his goodwill and a way to make up for lost time. Madam must not refuse.” 

The matriarch had no intention of refusing; doing so would be tantamount to slapping the Old Duke in the face. However, thinking of Su Rong, she couldn’t help but feel that the girl hardly deserved such treatment from the illustrious Huguo Duke’s family. Fortunately, Zhou Gu’s recent scandal had somewhat balanced the scales, making the situation less overwhelming for her. 

Smiling, she thanked Zhou Xi, “Please convey my gratitude to the Old Duke for his thoughtful consideration. In that case, I shan’t decline.” 

Having accomplished his mission, Zhou Xi bid his farewells, leaving under the escort of the estate steward, Li Fu. 

Once alone, the First Madam scrutinized the two lists again, her heart pounding. The string of lavish items detailed within left her in awe. 

No wonder they say a good marriage can elevate a family for generations. How true those words ring. 

The Huguo Duke’s household had been meticulous, ensuring gifts were prepared for every family member in the Taishou residence. Each gift was annotated with the recipient’s name, even including Su Xingze, who was away studying at Yunshan Academy. 

As for Su Rong’s list, it was nothing short of opulent, more valuable than the dowries she had painstakingly prepared for the estate’s other daughters. And yet, this was merely described as her coming-of-age gift. 

After reading the Old Duke’s earnest letter, the matriarch called for Li Yan, who had returned from the capital, and inquired directly, “Is the Huguo Duke’s household as grand as the rumors claim?” 

Li Yan nodded. “Madam, it is indeed as grand as the rumors suggest, truly magnificent.” 

“And what about Zhou Gu?” 

“I investigated the matter of the young master’s alleged scandal,” Li Yan began, recounting what he had learned upon arriving in the capital. He then added, “During the journey back to Jiangning, I observed the young master. He doesn’t exhibit the arrogance of a typical noble son. He’s easygoing, treats his subordinates well, and seems to have a good temperament.” 

Pausing, he offered a final note. “Oh, and we encountered Prince Xie of Rui’an along the way. The two seemed to reconcile. They traveled together for about a hundred li. I couldn’t catch every word since I kept my distance, but they conversed peacefully without further conflict.” 

The matriarch hadn’t expected the two young men, who had quarreled so publicly, to mend fences so quickly. Ah, the resilience of youth. Relieved, she nodded. “You’ve worked hard on this trip. Go and rest.” 

Li Yan acknowledged her words and retreated. 

Soon after, Su Taishou entered, freshly bathed. Seeing the matriarch clutching the lists in a daze, he asked, “What’s the matter? Have they left?” 

“They’ve gone,” she replied, handing him the Old Duke’s letter and the two inventories while recounting Zhou Xi’s words. At the end, she sighed, “It feels like a dream. Just ten days ago, I was still worried that little troublemaker might never find a husband.” 

Su Taishou was left speechless: “…”