Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 30

The next morning, after finishing breakfast, Su Rong took Yue Wan to the guest courtyard to find Zhou Gu.

Yue Wan yawned as they walked, looking at Su Rong, who had eaten well, slept soundly, and seemed full of energy. She muttered in grievance, “Miss, you’re working me too hard. I’m so sleepy.”

“Why don’t you stay behind then?”

“No way! Miss, if you’re going out with Young Master Zhou, someone has to accompany you.” Yue Wan shook her head. “Besides, the madam said I’ll get a raise in my monthly allowance starting next month.”

She perked up instantly, smiling brightly. “My allowance will be the same as Wang’s now!”

“Congratulations.” Su Rong patted her head. “Study the account books diligently. If you learn well, when I marry and manage my own household, I’ll make sure you have the highest allowance in the estate.”

Yue Wan’s sleepiness vanished in a flash. “Yay! I’ll study hard!”

When the two arrived at the guest courtyard, Su Rong stopped at the entrance and gestured to a young servant inside. “Go and ask Zhou Gu if he’s ready. We’re heading to Phoenix Mountain for some fun.”

The servant nodded and left immediately.

Before long, Zhou Xi emerged from inside and greeted Su Rong with a bow. “Miss, I am Zhou Xi, steward of the Duke Protector’s household.”

“Greetings, Steward Zhou.”

Zhou Xi glanced at Su Rong. With her looks, he thought she’d be considered a high-class person even in the capital. She really complemented the young master well, except for her lower status. But she was neither shy nor overly formal, confident and poised. Upon closer inspection, there wasn’t much to find wrong with her.

With a warm smile, he said, “The Young Master just finished breakfast and is ready. Would you like to come inside and wait for a moment?”

“There’s no need; I’ll wait here.” Su Rong asked, “Will you be joining us on our outing?”

Zhou Xi shook his head. “I won’t be going. The magistrate’s family from Jiangzhou is expected today. I’ll stay behind to assist Master Su and Madam in receiving them.”

Su Rong nodded in understanding.

Zhou Gu didn’t keep her waiting long. He soon walked out, and upon seeing her, he asked casually, “You mentioned horseback riding yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“Zi Ye ate some bad fish last night and is resting in the manor today. Yue Wan doesn’t need to come either. I’ll bring a few guards instead.” Zhou Gu glanced at Yue Wan, who looked half-asleep, and kindly suggested it.

Su Rong had no objections and turned to Yue Wan. “Alright, you can go back and get some rest now.”

Yue Wan hesitated, tugging at Su Rong’s sleeve. “Miss, are you sure this is okay?”

“It’s fine. Mother won’t mind. There’ll be guards with us,” Su Rong reassured her, giving her a little push. “Go back.”

“Alright.” Yue Wan nodded and reluctantly returned.

Su Rong and Zhou Gu walked toward the manor gates together. Zhou Gu mounted the red-maned horse he had ridden here, while Su Rong had a tall, sleek black horse brought out. It was equally impressive and could rival Zhou Gu’s horse in stature.

Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow. “You ride such a strong and tall horse?”

Su Rong smiled at him. “I’m decent at riding.”

Zhou Gu gave her a once-over. Remembering her jaw-dropping fishing skills the previous day, he didn’t doubt her words. Loosening the reins, he mounted his horse with ease. Once settled, he saw Su Rong deftly pull herself up without assistance. With a light tug on the horse’s mane and a firm grip on its neck, she mounted gracefully.

He clicked his tongue inwardly, clearly, he had severely underestimated his fiancée.

Feeling intrigued, he decided to test her. “Do you know how to race?”

Su Rong paused slightly. “I know a bit.”

“Let’s race once we’re out of the city,” Zhou Gu proposed, attempting to solidify his initial impression of her.

Su Rong agreed. “Alright.”

Early mornings in Jiangning County were the quietest time of day. The streets were nearly empty, with only a few people about. The guards followed at a short distance, and the two exited the city without a hitch.

Once outside, Su Rong pointed the way for Zhou Gu. “Follow this road for ten li, and you’ll see a fork to the left marked by a stone tablet. It leads directly to the foot of Phoenix Mountain. The entire route is just over twenty li.”

“Got it!” Zhou Gu committed it to memory and glanced at her. “You’re sure you can actually race?”

Su Rong hesitated. Should she approach the race like chess, taking it easy on him, or like fishing, where she’d been quick and decisive, leaving him completely astonished? If she kept shocking him, might he get scared? That wouldn’t be ideal. Even if she didn’t try to deceive him, shouldn’t she make it easier for him to understand and accept her abilities?

“Show me the same skills you used for chess and fishing.” Zhou Gu caught onto her hesitation, chuckling in exasperation. “I grew up on horseback. I refuse to believe I’ll lose at racing after losing at chess. Don’t hold back.”

Relieved, Su Rong smiled brightly. “Alright, Zhou Gu. You said it yourself; I won’t go easy on you.”

“Good, don’t hold back,” Zhou Gu added, teasing, “But you look so light. Are you sure you won’t get thrown off when the horse starts galloping?”

“Who are you underestimating?” Su Rong retorted, echoing his words. “My lightness reduces the horse’s burden. It’ll run faster.”

“Fine, let’s start!” Zhou Gu, his competitive spirit sparked, prepared for the race.

Both spurred their horses at the same time and charged forward.

Zhou Gu had been riding horses practically since he could walk. Su Rong started later, but while other children played in the mud, she was already causing trouble in more creative ways. She excelled at everything she did, including horseback riding. At least within Jiangning County, she considered herself unbeatable.

However, Zhou Gu hailed from the Duke Protector’s household, a family renowned for its military accomplishments. Though peace had prevailed by the time Zhou Gu was born, the family’s military heritage ran deep. His grandfather, the Duke Protector, might have steered him toward a scholarly path, but Zhou Gu’s upbringing still involved mingling with the family’s guards, honing skills like horseback riding and archery. He was a natural, shaped by his lineage.

So, as Zhou Gu raced against Su Rong, he was confident of victory. After all, he’d already lost his face in chess; there was no way he’d lose again in a race.

But as the horses galloped, he noticed Su Rong trailing him by only a single horse’s length. That alone surprised him.

The two horses moved neck and neck as they neared Phoenix Mountain. Suddenly, Su Rong’s eyes sparkled with mischief. She whipped the silk ribbon wrapped around her arm and deftly looped it around the hind leg of Zhou Gu’s horse. The horse stumbled slightly, just enough for her to gain the lead. With a sharp pat to her black horse’s flank, it surged forward in a mighty leap, overtaking Zhou Gu.

Zhou Gu was stunned. He had never expected such a move.

Reaching the finish first, Su Rong turned her horse around, laughing brightly. “Zhou Gu, you lost!”

Her laughter was as melodious as silver bells.

Zhou Gu: “…”

He glared at her. “You cheated!”

Su Rong, unbothered, grinned unabashedly. “No one said I couldn’t.”

Zhou Gu ground his teeth. Was his downfall due to his own uprightness? With a resigned chuckle, he picked up the silk ribbon still tied to his horse’s hind leg. “So cunning, who would dare marry you?”

Su Rong: “…”