Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 25

Su Rong coughed lightly and vented her grievances to Zhou Gu. Three years ago, without provoking anyone, she was targeted by a lecherous man, which brought endless trouble. The incident left her disgusted, and the magistrate’s wife used her status to bully her family. Su Rong recounted the entire ordeal, her tone full of indignation. 

When she finished, she looked at Zhou Gu with innocent eyes. “I’ve been holding this in for three years. You’re the one who told me to pull out the tiger’s skin and wave the flag whenever I needed to.” 

Zhou Gu responded with a calm “Hmm.” He wasn’t going to argue about what he had said, as words, once spoken, are like water poured out. Instead, he asked, “So now the tables have turned, and you want Magistrate Jiang and his wife to apologize to your parents?” 

“No, to you.” 

“Isn’t that the same thing?” Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow. 

Su Rong smiled brightly. “It’s sort of the same. Once they find out my fiancé is you, they’ll realize they’ve offended you. Even if they come to apologize to me, you’ll still be cold-faced. So, won’t they turn around and sweet-talk my parents, begging them to mediate and earn your forgiveness?” 

She made no effort to hide her satisfaction. “It’s cathartic!” 

Zhou Gu’s lips curved faintly as he glanced at her, offering a blunt critique. “Petty.” 

Su Rong: “…” 

She nodded and admitted frankly, “You’re right. But what can I do? I’m of low birth and happened to be born stunningly beautiful. Sigh, it’s not my fault. Blame it on the misfortune of my birth.” 

Turning her head, she instructed Yue Wan, “Hurry and get a boat. If we delay any longer, it’ll be dark.” 

Yue Wan snapped out of her daze and quickly went to arrange it. 

Although Su Rong didn’t often take Yue Wan out, there were one or two times a month when Yue Wan managed to coax her into going. As a result, Yue Wan was familiar with the area and soon found a boat, not too big, not too small, with a canopy for shade and comfort. 

The four of them boarded, and the boatman pushed off from the shore. 

The boatman, an elderly man who knew Su Rong, smiled warmly and asked, “Seventh Miss, I’ve never seen you out with a young gentleman before. Who is this gentleman to you?” 

“My fiancé,” Su Rong replied. 

The boatman praised, “Oh my, this young gentleman is clearly a dragon among men. Seventh Miss, you are truly blessed.” 

Su Rong smiled. “I am, indeed.” 

The boatman continued, “Where is the young gentleman from? I’ve never heard of Seventh Miss having a fiancé before.” 

“The capital.” 

The boatman exclaimed again, “Oh my, the capital, the very foot of the Emperor. Seventh Miss, if you marry, does that mean you’ll leave Jiangning?” 

“Perhaps, if I manage to marry him smoothly.” Su Rong glanced at Zhou Gu with a teasing smile. “Uncle, later, can you catch us a bucket of fish? I’ll make a full fish feast for him when we get back.” 

“Of course!” 

Zhou Gu’s expression shifted, and after a moment, he muttered quietly, “You’re shameless, speaking so boldly.” 

Her casual use of “fiancé” carried a hint of flaunting, no matter how he heard it. Yet, if he were to reprimand her, he couldn’t, because she wasn’t wrong. They did have a betrothal. He had no grounds to say she was incorrect. 

Sensing his discontent, Su Rong whispered back, “I can’t help it. This face of mine draws too much attention. Over the years, stray cats and dogs have kept throwing themselves at me. Lechers are everywhere. And since I’m just a concubine-born daughter, every time I go out, it’s like attracting flies. Now that you’re here and you’re my fiancé, can’t I flaunt it openly?” 

She sighed in exasperation. “I’ve been holding it in for too long. Can’t you cut me some slack?” 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

His gaze fell on Su Rong’s face, delicate and peach-like, stunningly beautiful. She certainly had an allure that drew attention. He quickly averted his eyes, suppressing the discomfort in his heart. What she said wasn’t wrong, after all. Thankfully, while she was merely a concubine-born daughter, she was the daughter of the Su family under the jurisdiction of Lord Su in Jiangning. In this region, Lord Su carried some weight, otherwise, who knows, she might have been snatched away to be someone’s concubine. 

Seeing Zhou Gu remain silent, Su Rong leaned in curiously and whispered, “Do you know how our engagement was arranged?” 

Zhou Gu shook his head. “Do you?” 

Su Rong didn’t expect his response and was shocked. “Your grandfather didn’t tell you?” 

“He only said your family had done a favor for my grandfather, nothing more,” Zhou Gu replied, noticing Su Rong’s surprised expression. “Why are you looking at me like that?” 

“I thought you knew,” Su Rong said helplessly. “I asked my father and mother, but they don’t know either. They said it was my mother who arranged it. And my mother…” Su Rong’s voice softened, “She passed away when I was seven. She only told me about this on her deathbed. I didn’t get the chance to ask her why before she passed.” 

Zhou Gu was stunned. “Your mother?” 

“Yes. That’s what my father said. As for the rest, he’s tight-lipped and claims he doesn’t know,” Su Rong sighed. She had hoped Zhou Gu might be a breakthrough, but it seemed he wasn’t. 

Zhou Gu hadn’t expected such a backstory. It was a pity he had resisted the engagement so much before and hadn’t pressed his grandfather for details. Now, the truth seemed out of reach. 

“Honestly,” Su Rong said with little concern, “whether it was a favor or not, my mother is long gone. There’s no need to hold onto it so tightly.” She looked earnestly at Zhou Gu. “Do you want to annul the engagement?” 

Zhou Gu was startled. “What do you mean?” 

“I’m just asking,” Su Rong said lightly. 

Naturally, Zhou Gu had wanted to annul the engagement, both before and after meeting Su Rong. But looking at her radiant, delicate face, he suddenly found himself unable to utter the word. He remained silent. 

Su Rong understood and asked, “Is it my background that displeases you?” 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

How could she be so blunt? 

Su Rong pressed further. “Aside from my background, what else about me don’t you like?” 

Zhou Gu wanted to say she seemed frail and delicate, but the words didn’t come out. He remembered how her chess strategies were razor-sharp, cutting through her opponents’ defenses with precision, nothing frail about that. And when facing Jiangzhou Magistrate Jiang’s legitimate daughter, she had held her own, her sharp retorts landing directly on their mark. That subtle moment when she pressed her hand against the hilt of his sword had been smooth and unflinching. Where was the frailty in that? 

He found Su Rong to be full of contradictions. Outwardly soft and gentle, but inwardly strong and unyielding. 

“Are you dissatisfied with everything about me?” Su Rong asked, surprised. Had all her efforts today been for nothing? 

Her mother had told her that a woman should be like water, gentle and tender, inspiring love and care in a man. Given her beauty, it should have been an unbeatable combination. But deep down, she wasn’t truly weak. She couldn’t keep up the pretense forever. That’s why, during chess and her dealings with Jiang Yunying, she had deliberately revealed glimpses of her true self. She had no intention of deceiving Zhou Gu into marriage. 

But she hadn’t expected Zhou Gu to be dissatisfied with her in every way. 

Zhou Gu coughed lightly and looked away. “We’ve only spent a single day together. Aren’t you overthinking things?” 

Su Rong suddenly realized. “You’re right. It has only been one day.” She touched her nose sheepishly. “Fine. I hope before you leave Jiangning, the two of us can reach a conclusion. We’re in the prime of our youth, let’s not waste each other’s time.” 

Zhou Gu’s face darkened. 

Su Rong noticed his temper seemed a bit poor. Then again, her temper wasn’t great either. It was better to say no more. She didn’t want to offend her fiancé on the first day. 

So, she fell silent.