Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 36

How could an entire family be so adept at scheming? It was truly mind-boggling how Lord Su had managed to remain in Jiangning County, a small and inconsequential place, for over a decade. 

Su Rong could only sigh in exasperation. “It’s because I’ve been causing trouble since I was little. I used to think she should just kick me out of the house to avoid implicating the family, but she refused. And now, half of the reason my sisters are in this mess is because of me, so I’m partially responsible for their futures. It’s not like I have a choice.” 

Zhou Gu looked at her, his expression complicated. 

Noticing this, Su Rong tried to negotiate with him. “So, if you’re really planning to break off the engagement, could you hold off for a while? Considering how much effort I’ve put into keeping you entertained, could you at least help me see this through? Wait until my sisters are married…” 

Before she could finish, Zhou Gu dashed her hopes mercilessly. “Even if your sisters get married, without the backing of the Duke Protector’s household, they wouldn’t have good lives in their new homes if our engagement falls through.” 

Su Rong thought about it and had to agree. “Then it’ll have to be up to my elder brother.” 

She let out a wistful sigh and said, “Come on, let’s go see the phoenix tree.” 

This time, she led the way without hesitation, walking briskly ahead. Zhou Gu glanced back at the wish tree, then at Su Rong, before following her with steady steps. 

From the Matchmaker’s Temple to the phoenix tree, they had to cross another hill. As expected, a towering phoenix tree stood in a secluded valley. The area was tranquil, with no visitors that day. Birds, undisturbed by humans, flitted around the tree, their clear and melodious calls echoing through the mountains. 

“Let’s stop here. “Don’t scare them away,” Zhou Gu said, admiring the tree. It was enormous, so large that it would take several people linking hands to encircle it. Its blossoms were in full bloom, a striking sight. Birds of various kinds perched among its branches, their feathers vibrant and varied: some sported striking crests, others boasted long, elegant tail feathers, and all were resplendent in their myriad hues. It was indeed a remarkable spectacle. 

Su Rong nodded in agreement. 

They stood silently for a while before a particularly beautiful bird with vivid emerald-green feathers suddenly flew over. Su Rong extended her palm, and the bird landed on it, chirping softly as if greeting her. 

Su Rong smiled. “You always find me when I come here.” 

The bird tilted its head and then turned to Zhou Gu, chirping at him twice. 

Su Rong introduced the bird. “This is Zhou Gu, my…” She hesitated for a moment before finishing, “fiancé.” 

Technically, until the engagement was broken off, he was still her fiancé. 

Zhou Gu asked, “Does this bird know you? Can it understand human speech?” 

“Mm. About a year ago, its wing was broken. I don’t know how it happened, but I nursed it back to health. Since then, it recognizes me and tries to follow me every time I come here.” 

Zhou Gu found this curious. “Then why haven’t you taken it with you?” 

“I don’t have the patience to take care of small creatures,” Su Rong admitted candidly. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t do a good job.” 

The little bird seemed to understand her words and chirped insistently at her, as if protesting. 

Su Rong sighed, “If you came with me, what about your friends? There’s nothing fun around me. Wouldn’t you be better off enjoying your freedom in the forest?” 

The bird chirped even more persistently. 

“Take it with you. I’ll help you take care of it,” Zhou Gu suddenly offered. 

Su Rong turned her head to look at him. 

Zhou Gu quickly added, “While I’m in Jiangning, I’ll look after it for you. If I leave and you still don’t want to keep it, you can always bring it back here. It’s not far.” 

The little bird hopped from Su Rong’s hand onto Zhou Gu’s shoulder. Seeing this, Zhou Gu extended his hand, and the bird hopped onto his palm, chirping happily and even pecking his hand lightly, as if to ingratiate itself. 

Zhou Gu asked, “Does it have a name?” 

Su Rong shook her head. 

Looking at its flawless emerald-green feathers, Zhou Gu suggested, “How about calling it ‘Emerald Feather’?” 

Su Rong nodded. “Alright.” 

“Then shall we take it with us?” Zhou Gu asked. 

Seeing Zhou Gu’s evident fondness for the little bird, Su Rong agreed. “Sure.” 

The little bird chirped twice in Zhou Gu’s hand, softening its heart. Well, if it didn’t end up with her, who else could deserve it in the future? 

Zhou Gu played with the bird, a smile lighting up his features. His handsome face looked even more radiant. 

Su Rong watched Zhou Gu, a faint flicker of affection sparking in her heart. She tried to suppress it, but the feeling kept resurfacing. She thought to herself, What should I do? Should I just insist on keeping him? 

Zhou Gu didn’t notice the change in her gaze. Instead, he smiled at the bird and said, “Little one, you have a name now. It’s ‘Emerald Feather.’ Got it?” 

Emerald Feather chirped cheerfully, hopping in circles in his hand before fluttering its wings and flying back to Su Rong. It chirped excitedly, flitting around her. 

Su Rong laughed. “Alright, I know you’re happy. Keep it dignified, will you?” 

Emerald Feather then flew back to Zhou Gu’s hand, tilted its head, and flopped onto his palm as if demonstrating the meaning of dignity by lying perfectly still. 

Su Rong was speechless. Who taught it that being dignified means acting like this? 

Zhou Gu burst out laughing, his amusement lighting up his eyes. He praised the bird, “Well, this pose is indeed dignified.” 

Su Rong was at a loss for words. 

“Shall we go?” Zhou Gu asked, holding Emerald Feather in his hand and turning to smile at Su Rong. 

“It’s almost noon. Why don’t you sit over there and rest for a bit while I find us something to eat? You’ve only seen half of Phoenix Mountain. If we head back now, we’ll miss lunch, so we might as well eat here,” Su Rong suggested. “Besides, if we return now, we’ll likely run into the Prefect of Jiangzhou. Don’t you think it’s better to make him wait a little? If he wants to apologize, it shouldn’t come too easily, right?” 

Zhou Gu nodded in agreement. “You make a good point.” He glanced around. “But we’re on a mountain. Where are you going to find food?” 

“Don’t worry about it. Just wait here,” Su Rong said, waving her hand dismissively before walking off. 

Zhou Gu could only find a rock to sit on. Watching Su Rong disappear into the forest, he murmured to Emerald Feather, “Do you think she’s going to pick some fruit for us? At this time of year, any fruit she finds would be unripe and sour. How could that be edible?” 

Emerald Feather ruffled its wings and tilted its head, also staring in the direction Su Rong had gone, as if puzzled. 

But Su Rong wasn’t out to pick unripe fruit. She was hunting wild game. Circling the forest, she didn’t manage to catch any rabbits but did snag two wild pheasants. She moved quickly, throwing golden needles that struck the birds’ heads cleanly. They both dropped to the ground instantly. Su Rong walked over, picked them up, and decided they would suffice for her and Zhou Gu. As for Zhou Gu’s guards, they could fend for themselves. 

Carrying the two colorful pheasants back, Su Rong’s arrival left Zhou Gu stunned. “You went to catch pheasants?” 

Su Rong corrected him matter-of-factly, “They’re wild pheasants.” 

Zhou Gu stood up. “I can see they’re wild pheasants. These things run fast. How did you catch two of them?” 

Rolling up her sleeves, Su Rong crouched down and began plucking feathers. “I got lucky.” 

Zhou Gu wasn’t convinced. “Who are you trying to fool?” 

Su Rong glanced up. “Do you know how to pluck feathers?” 

Zhou Gu shook his head. “Never done it before.” 

He had never engaged in such tasks.