Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 31

Zhou Gu had never lost a horse race before. Even when races turned into sparring matches mid-way, he always emerged victorious by the finish line.

Racing against Su Rong, a mere girl, he hadn’t even considered using tricks or that she would dare to do so.

He realized that he had underestimated her. For the first time in his life, he had lost a horse race.

Looping the silk ribbon securely around his wrist, he sneered at her speechlessness. “I’m keeping this as evidence. If my grandfather ever asks, I’ll tell him, such a cunning little woman, I wouldn’t dare marry her.”

Su Rong: “…”

She regretted it! She shouldn’t have been mischievous, shouldn’t have used tricks, and certainly shouldn’t have schemed just to see his reaction to losing.

Putting on her best pitiful expression, she looked at him pleadingly. “Zhou Gu… Zhou-gege, I was wrong.”

Zhou Gu paused, nearly falling off his horse at the unexpected address. Quickly dismounting, he dropped the reins and raised a hand to stop her. “I’m telling you, no amount of talking will fix this.”

Su Rong also dismounted, letting her horse go as she approached him. “You’re serious?”

Turning away, Zhou Gu snorted. “Of course. Do you think I’m so easily bullied?”

Su Rong knew well that he wasn’t easy to push around. If he were, he wouldn’t have drawn his sword against Jiang Yunying yesterday over a single remark. She scratched her nose. “Even if you keep that as evidence and tell your grandfather, don’t you think he’d side with me? After all, Sun Tzu’s Art of War teaches that victory comes from strategy, surprise, exploiting weaknesses, and seizing opportunities. I merely caught you off guard. You underestimated me because I’m a girl and assumed I wouldn’t dare act against you. That’s your mistake. Blaming me for taking advantage isn’t very reasonable.”

Zhou Gu laughed in exasperation, raising an eyebrow as he looked back at her. “Well, aren’t you something? Justifying yourself with military strategy, no less.”

“I’m reasoning with you,” Su Rong corrected.

Zhou Gu scoffed. “And what of it? I say you’re in the wrong, do you dare say otherwise?”

“Ah, so unreasonable.” Su Rong sighed dramatically. “Who would’ve thought the young master of the Duke Protector’s household could be so petty? Even if you wanted to marry me, I’d have to think twice about accepting.”

Zhou Gu shot her a sideways glance. “What did you just say?”

Grinning, Su Rong leaned in and grabbed his wrist, tugging at the ribbon wrapped around it. “Zhou-gege, I said I was wrong.”

Zhou Gu immediately countered, seizing her wrist and deftly tapping two pressure points. Her wrist went numb, and she was forced to let go. Pulling the ribbon back, he stuffed it into his sleeve and raised an eyebrow. “Trying to snatch it back? Dream on!”

Su Rong, undeterred, tilted her head and smiled. “Zhou Gu, do you know what it means for a boy to keep something that belongs to a girl? We’re not at that stage yet, are we?”

Zhou Gu’s hand twitched, almost flinging the ribbon back at her. He held firm, though, his expression taut as he retorted, “Don’t bother trying to provoke me, it won’t work.”

Su Rong scratched her nose again, pausing before deliberately adding, “Didn’t someone say earlier that if I really showed my skills, he wouldn’t be scared off? And now, going back on your word, it’s truly disappointing.”

Zhou Gu sighed, exasperated. “I’m not scared of you, I’m angry at you.”

Su Rong laughed. “Well, I already apologized, didn’t I?”

“I don’t accept it.”

Su Rong: “…”

With a helpless shrug, she asked, “Then what will it take for you to stop being angry?”

Zhou Gu shot her a look that said, “You can’t possibly placate me,” and turned to head up the mountain.

Su Rong had no choice but to follow, silently regretting her earlier antics. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have pulled that trick. She wasn’t exactly skilled at appeasing others; her joy had always come from teasing people rather than coaxing them.

Trailing behind Zhou Gu, she decided to break the silence with a cheerful tone. “Phoenix Mountain has five key features: uniqueness, steepness, danger, tranquility, and beauty. The uniqueness lies in the ancient thousand-year-old Phoenix tree at the summit, which attracts countless birds to roost. The steepness is seen in the jagged peaks and bizarre rock formations. Danger comes from the treacherous cliffs and gorges, some of which are nearly impassable on foot. Tranquility is self-explanatory, the mountain is serene. And beauty… oh, we must focus on beauty! All year round, this place is stunning.

“In spring, the mountain is covered with blooming azaleas, painting the entire landscape red, complemented by blossoming peach and apricot trees, it’s breathtaking. In summer, the verdant pine and cypress trees, emerald peaks, and lush valleys, draped in morning mist, create an otherworldly scene. In autumn, the air is fragrant with ripe fruits, which you can pick as you stroll, and the hills are ablaze with red leaves. Winter blankets the mountain in pristine snow, with green pines adding a touch of vibrancy, it’s indescribably beautiful.”

Zhou Gu didn’t respond or turn around, but she knew he was listening.

Su Rong continued, smiling. “The mountain also has three notable temples: Guanyin Temple, Yue Lao Temple, and Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery, each perched on a separate peak. We’re currently on the path to Yue Lao Temple…”

Zhou Gu abruptly stopped and turned to her. “Why would I go to Yue Lao Temple?”

“Even if you don’t marry me, you should still visit Yue Lao Temple,” she replied, meeting his gaze with a smile. “You could ask Yue Lao to arrange a perfect match for you. Besides, there’s a centuries-old Silk Tree outside the temple, adorned with countless prayer ribbons. It’s said to be very effective.”

“Have you prayed there?” Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow.

She shook her head. “No need. I already have a marriage agreement, don’t I?”

Zhou Gu laughed in exasperation. “I have a marriage agreement too. Why should I pray there?”

“Well, you’re not satisfied with me, are you?”

He was momentarily speechless.

At last, Zhou Gu realized something: Su Rong had quite the knack for getting under his skin. He was used to infuriating others, but today, he had truly experienced being on the receiving end. Resuming his ascent with a sour expression, he grumbled, “You’d better keep quiet. Stop talking.”

That sharp tongue of hers was worlds apart from anything remotely gentle or demure. He should’ve known this since yesterday.

Su Rong obediently fell silent.

The mountain grew still, the silence broken only by the occasional clear bird call. Zhou Gu climbed over a hundred stone steps before glancing back. Su Rong was following quietly, her demeanor unexpectedly docile. Seeing him look back, she raised her face and blinked at him with an innocent expression.

Zhou Gu suddenly felt a pang of guilt, wondering if he had been too petty by holding a grudge against a girl. Clearing his throat, he asked, “When I said not to talk, did you really take me at my word?”

Su Rong replied, “If you tell me not to talk, why should I insist on talking?”

Zhou Gu considered this and found it reasonable. “Are you tired?”

“Not at all.”

“Impressive stamina.”

Su Rong wanted to say, This is nothing, I could climb Phoenix Mountain twice in a day. Instead, she asked, “Are you thirsty?”

“A little.” Zhou Gu glanced back at the guards, who had hung far behind to give them space.

“Not far ahead, there’s a spring where you can drink fresh mountain water.” Su Rong noted that he no longer seemed upset and thought to herself, So he cools off on his own without needing coaxing. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have worried so much earlier.

Zhou Gu nodded.