Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 32

The two continued their climb up the mountain. 

Before long, they arrived at a natural spring. Su Rong plucked a large leaf, shook it clean, rinsed it in the spring, and handed it to Zhou Gu. “Roll this into a cone and use it to drink. You know how, right?” 

After speaking, she prepared her own and demonstrated the technique. 

Zhou Gu watched her natural movements, noting her complete lack of hesitation in drinking from the wild spring. Water dripped from the corner of her mouth, and instead of taking out a handkerchief, she casually wiped it away with her sleeve. He averted his gaze, imitating her method. After taking a sip, he remarked, “This water is sweet.” 

“Of course. It’s mountain spring water, sweet and refreshing. If you drink it regularly, it’s said to prolong your life.” 

“Really?” 

“Absolutely,” Su Rong replied confidently. “Didn’t you notice, after wandering the night markets for a few days, that most people in Jiangning seem to live quite long lives?” 

Zhou Gu considered her words. “That’s true.” 

Taking several more gulps, he discarded the leaf and sat down on a nearby rock. “Let’s rest for a bit.” 

Su Rong had no objections and casually sat down beside him. 

They hadn’t rested for long when a group descended from higher up the mountain. Leading them was a young man, who, upon spotting Su Rong, immediately shouted angrily, “Su Rong! How dare you show your face out here?” 

Turning her head, Su Rong recognized the man as Chen Zhou. Who’s having the worst luck lately? Surely not me? Yesterday it was Jiang Yunying, and today it’s Chen Zhou? 

For the first time, Su Rong felt fortunate to have Zhou Gu, this figurative “Great Buddha,” by her side, her sense of safety was unparalleled. 

She remained seated, motionless, and reached out to tug on Zhou Gu’s sleeve. 

Zhou Gu turned his head to her, puzzled. “What now? Why are you pulling on my sleeve again? If you’ve got something to say, just say it.” 

“Well…” Su Rong released her grip, a little embarrassed. “This guy… I have some unresolved issues with him too.” 

Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Why do both men and women seem to hold grudges against you?” 

Su Rong was a bit sheepish. “This one’s a more recent dispute, just from a few days ago.” 

“Explain.” 

Lowering her voice, Su Rong said, “About half a month ago, I went out for a trip and happened to run into him. He made some inappropriate comments about me, saying that if no one wanted to marry me, I might as well marry him. Naturally, I got angry and slapped him. He was furious after that and pushed me, which caused me to hit my forehead on something. That made me lose my temper, so I gave him a good beating, left him looking like a swollen pig.” 

Zhou Gu was momentarily speechless. 

That sounded like a serious fight. He glanced at her forehead but didn’t notice any lasting scars. 

Su Rong quickly explained, gesturing at her forehead, “Back then, it was quite a bruise, about this big. But I used a very expensive scar removal cream, you know, Jade Balm. It costs a fortune.” 

Zhou Gu nodded. That balm was known for its miraculous healing properties, so it made sense she had no visible marks. 

Before they could continue the conversation, Chen Zhou stormed up to them, glaring furiously at Su Rong. “Su Rong, I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?” 

Rolling her eyes, Su Rong replied coldly, “Just because you’re talking to me, doesn’t mean I have to respond. What’s your problem? Haven’t you had enough of a beating yet?” 

Chen Zhou’s anger flared. “That day, I went easy on you! Do you really think you could’ve beaten me otherwise?” 

It was only then that he seemed to notice Zhou Gu sitting beside Su Rong. Spotting his refined appearance, Chen Zhou’s face darkened. He pointed a finger at Zhou Gu and demanded, “Who is he? Why are you alone with him here?” 

Su Rong gave him a disdainful glance and replied, “My fiancé.” 

“You have a fiancé?” Chen Zhou exclaimed, both shocked and enraged. “Don’t lie to me!” 

“Why would I lie to you?” Su Rong sneered. “What makes you worth the effort?” 

Chen Zhou was momentarily speechless, his fury barely contained. “If you have a fiancé, then why were you seducing me? You shameless, fickle woman!” 

Su Rong had anticipated the nonsense that would spew from Chen Zhou’s mouth. When they were younger, he hadn’t been this insufferable, at worst, he was arrogant, with his nose perpetually in the air, feeling superior as the legitimate son of his family compared to the daughters of the Lord’s household. However, after studying for a few years in the county governed by his maternal grandparents, he had returned utterly spoiled, with no parental discipline to rein him in. Now, he was a self-righteous fool, seemingly filled with water for brains. 

Her expression darkened. “Chen Zhou, are you insane? When did I ever seduce you? Speak clearly.” 

“That day when I complimented your beauty, you didn’t say you had a fiancé,” Chen Zhou said self-righteously. “If that’s not seduction, then what is it?” 

Su Rong was speechless. “Do I need to announce my engagement to every random person I meet?” 

Tired of the argument, she pointed at Zhou Gu. “Let me officially introduce you. My fiancé, Zhou Gu, the youngest son of the Duke.” She sneered, “Take a good look in the mirror. With such an outstanding fiancé, do you think I’d waste my time on you? Am I insane?” 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

Chen Zhou: “…” 

Chen Zhou’s eyes widened in disbelief, his expression crumbling. He stammered as he turned to Zhou Gu, “The… the Duke’s family? Zhou… Zhou Gu?” 

Zhou Gu lifted his foot and gave him a light kick. It wasn’t hard, likely because he noticed Chen Zhou’s face was still recovering from previous injuries, but it was enough to make Chen Zhou stagger. Zhou Gu then said coldly, “Chen Zhou, is it? You dared to provoke my fiancée? You’ve got some nerve.” 

Chen Zhou’s knees nearly buckled. He clung to a nearby tree, his recovering face alternating between pale and flushed. “I… I didn’t know… She didn’t say…” 

Still in disbelief, he sputtered, “You… You’re really Zhou Gu from the Duke’s family? Her fiancé?” 

“Genuine, not counterfeit.” 

Chen Zhou seemed to need a moment to process this revelation. His expression shifted multiple times before he finally mustered the courage to straighten his neck and speak again. “You… A few days ago, weren’t you fighting with the Prince of Rui’an over a woman? Are you… Are you looking down on this engagement, and that’s why you’re behaving this way?” 

In one breath, he finished, “Are you here to break off the engagement?” 

Su Rong: “…” This idiot! 

Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow. “What I do is none of your business.” 

“N-no, of course not,” Chen Zhou stammered, visibly trembling. Then, as if drained of his earlier bravado, he turned to Su Rong. The arrogance and rage from moments ago had vanished. Instead, he apologized, “Su Rong, it was my fault that day. I didn’t know you… had such a temper. I was only teasing you. I… You already beat me up, and when I got home, my mother wanted to confront you, but I stopped her. Please… forgive me. Let’s forget the whole thing. And if… if he breaks off the engagement, I… I…” 

Su Rong stared at Chen Zhou as if he were an idiot. Was he seriously still holding out hope for her, even in front of Zhou Gu? Was he implying he wanted to marry her if Zhou Gu rejected the engagement? 

If she hadn’t misunderstood his words, that’s exactly what he meant.