Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 4

The Jiangning Prefecture was a thousand li away from the capital, a distance that could be covered on horseback in five days. 

Li Yan, the son of Li Fu, the steward recommended by Madam Wang, proved to be reliable. As a guard for the Jiangning Prefecture Governor’s mansion, he was experienced in traveling and capable of handling himself well. Without incident, Li Yan entered the capital. Instead of heading directly to the Duke Protector’s manor, he first checked into an inn, freshened up, and then visited a few tea houses and taverns. 

This was in line with Madam Wang’s instructions: before approaching the Zhou family, he was to gather information about their young master, Zhou Gu. 

In truth, there wasn’t much need for deliberate investigation. Recently, the entire capital had been abuzz with tales of Zhou Gu, the young master of the Zhou family, and Xie Lin, the young prince from the Rui’an Prince’s estate, clashing publicly over a woman. 

The woman in question was Qin Luan, the second daughter of Qin Yuan, a disgraced imperial censor who had recently been executed. After Qin Yuan’s execution, the women of the Qin family were reduced to servitude. Known for her beauty and talent in poetry and the arts, Qin Luan had long been a celebrated figure in the capital. Both Zhou Gu and Xie Lin had taken an interest in her, and as soon as she fell into misfortune, they raced to claim her for themselves. 

Their forces collided on the street, neither side willing to yield, resulting in a brawl. 

Reportedly, Zhou Gu charged into the fray alone, taking on a large group of guards from the Rui’an Prince’s estate. He not only emerged unscathed but also thoroughly humiliated Xie Lin and his men. With an air of defiance, Zhou Gu took Qin Luan and publicly declared that anything, or anyone, he set his sights on was off-limits to Xie Lin. 

Xie Lin, infuriated but powerless, could only watch as the beauty was taken away. 

If the incident had ended there, it might have been written off as a petty squabble between two privileged young lords, adding to the capital’s collection of scandalous anecdotes. 

But the matter didn’t stop there. 

When Zhou Gu returned home with Qin Luan in tow, he was met at the gates by the old Duke Protector, who stood waiting with a military cane in hand. Without a word, the old Duke beat Zhou Gu on the spot. 

Afterward, the old Duke issued a stern warning: Zhou Gu was already betrothed, and if he dared bring another woman into the house before his wedding, he would be beaten to death. This time, he escaped with only half a beating because he hadn’t yet brought the woman through the door. 

Giving Zhou Gu no chance to argue, the old Duke ordered his son to be carried into the manor while Qin Luan, pale-faced, was sent to the palace under heavy guard. The Duke declared that it was up to the Emperor to decide her fate. After all, her involvement in this scandal was far too significant to be ignored. 

The Emperor, naturally, had heard of the incident. He intended to reprimand the two young men for their reckless behavior, but one had already been severely beaten, while the other had suffered considerable humiliation. Left with little more to say, the Emperor instead admonished the Rui’an Prince and the Duke Protector to discipline their children better. Public brawls over a woman were unbecoming of their stations and utterly disgraceful. 

The Emperor chose to resolve the matter with minimal fuss. Qin Luan was spared punishment and assigned to serve as a palace maid. The Empress, it was said, would train her before sending her to the Eastern Palace to serve the Crown Prince. 

What status could surpass that of the Crown Prince? With Qin Luan assigned to serve in the Eastern Palace, neither Zhou Gu nor Xie Lin could fight over her any longer. 

News traveled slowly between the capital and Jiangning, a thousand li apart. By the time word reached Jiangning, only the first half of the story remained, with the latter half lost in transmission. 

After piecing together the incident, Li Yan discreetly gathered more information about Zhou Gu’s character and behavior. 

One person said, “Oh, the young master of the Zhou family? He’s sixteen this year and exceptionally handsome. Whenever he walks the streets, young ladies and married women alike can’t take their eyes off him. He’s not even fully grown yet, just imagine in a couple of years. He’ll be unstoppable!” 

Another remarked, “Zhou Gu, you say? He’s the youngest son of the Duke Protector’s family, with three older brothers above him. His father died on the battlefield not long after he was born, so naturally, his mother dotes on him. Fortunately, the old Duke is strict in his teachings. Zhou Gu may be mischievous but doesn’t bully common folk. He just gets into squabbles with other officials’ sons. He’s not one to visit brothels or gambling dens, though he has a habit of racing horses late at night, galloping in and out of the city and disturbing our sleep with the sound of hooves.” 

A third chimed in, “It’s said that young master Zhou has dreamed of joining the army since childhood, but the old Duke won’t allow it. Instead, he forced Zhou Gu to study the Four Books and Five Classics and attend lessons alongside the princes at the imperial academy. But Zhou Gu was a terror in the classroom, dragging others into cricket fights or folding rice paper into kites to fly during lectures. He infuriated his teacher so much that complaints were lodged, and he was eventually expelled by the Emperor. The old Duke then arranged for him to serve as a companion to the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince’s tutors are strict, and the Crown Prince himself is upright, so without anyone to join in his antics, Zhou Gu finally shaped up a bit.” 

Someone else added, “I’ve never heard that Zhou Gu was engaged. It wasn’t until the old Duke beat him that we learned about it. I wonder what noble lady from which powerful family could possibly be his match?” 

“The Duke Protector’s household keeps their affairs tightly under wraps. Everyone’s curious, who could this girl betrothed to Zhou Gu since childhood be?” 

… 

Opinions varied, but the general consensus was that Zhou Gu, though mischievous, had no truly wicked deeds to his name. In the capital, he was a well-known figure, though not notorious for any heinous behavior. 

Having gathered all he needed, Li Yan decided it was time to visit the Duke Protector’s manor. 

Upon introducing himself and explaining his purpose, the gatekeeper eyed him curiously before hurrying inside to report. Before long, the manor’s steward came out personally to greet him and escort him into the estate. 

Li Yan couldn’t help but be impressed as he entered. The grandeur of the Duke Protector’s household far surpassed that of the Jiangning Prefecture Lord’s residence, by at least tenfold. Truly worthy of its rank as a first-class noble estate. 

In the study, the old Duke received him. After Li Yan presented the letter, the old Duke read it, a smile spreading across his face. “Time flies. So, the little girl is nearly of age.” 

He added, “Stay here at the manor for now. Allow this old man some time to make arrangements before I send a reply to your madam.” 

Li Yan bowed and agreed. 

The Old Duke Protector ordered the steward to arrange for Li Yan to settle in and instructed him to summon Zhou Gu to the study. 

Zhou Gu had been severely beaten by the Old Duke Protector and had to lie in bed for seven days. Fortunately, he was always in good health, and after seven days, he could move around. Now, half a month had passed, and his injuries were almost healed. 

After being cooped up in the mansion for half a month, Zhou Gu couldn’t hold back any longer. On this day, he decided to go out for some fun. As he reached the stables and led out his beloved horse, someone came to inform him that the Old Duke Protector was summoning him to the study. 

Zhou Gu put down the reins and grumbled, “I haven’t caused any trouble for half a month. What does Grandfather want with me again?” As he walked, he muttered, “He’s already so old, his hair has turned white, yet he still loves meddling in my affairs.” 

The servant wanted to reply: Who told you to be the least dependable among the young masters? The other three aren’t as troublesome as you. Normally, children from military families are indeed rowdier than those from civil servant families, but your antics are truly over the top. From childhood to adulthood, you’ve caused far more trouble than others. 

Zhou Gu arrived at the Old Duke Protector’s study and greeted him lazily, “Grandfather!” 

The Old Duke Protector got angry just at the sight of him, pointing a finger and scolding, “Look at you! You don’t stand properly, you don’t sit properly, you slouch as if you have no bones. You’re completely undisciplined. Your three brothers are all upright and disciplined, but you? The older you get, the more crooked you become. A disgrace to the Protector Duke’s household!” 

Zhou Gu retorted, “Grandfather, my three brothers grew up in the army, where discipline is strict, so of course they are well-taught. But me? You didn’t let me grow up in the army, and now you’re blaming me for it? How is that fair?” 

The Old Duke Protector was momentarily speechless, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “Do you know what kind of place the Imperial Academy is? You refused to study properly there. And what kind of place is the Eastern Palace? Even the strict teachers around the Crown Prince couldn’t control you. If I had known you’d turn out like this, I should’ve strangled you the moment you were born.” 

Zhou Gu sneered, “You say that now, but if you’d done that, what would Grandmother and my mother have done?” 

The Old Duke Protector felt his heart ache with regret. “Ah, it’s all their fault for spoiling you.” 

Learning to steal women? Back when he disrupted classes at the Imperial Academy, the Old Duke Protector wasn’t even this angry. 

He glared at Zhou Gu with disdain. “The Emperor has already bestowed Qin Luan upon the Crown Prince. Stop thinking about her.” 

Zhou Gu snorted but said nothing. 

The Old Duke Protector’s eyes widened. “What’s with that expression? Qin Luan has only read a few poetry collections and written a handful of mediocre verses, yet she’s been praised to the skies by the young men of the capital. In my opinion, she’s nothing special. Don’t be dissatisfied, her father, Qin Yuan, was arrogant and stupid, easily manipulated by others, and ultimately ruined his entire family. What kind of good daughter could he possibly raise?” 

“Grandfather, didn’t you once tell me not to speak ill of others behind their backs? Have you forgotten?” Zhou Gu rolled his eyes. 

The Old Duke Protector coughed, glaring at him. “I’m just stating facts. You remember this lesson well, but why don’t you remember any of the others I taught you?” 

Annoyed, he continued, “I’ve told you before: you have a marriage engagement arranged from childhood. You must not act recklessly. In the Protector Duke’s household, no concubine may enter the door before the proper wife, and there shall be no courtesans or mistresses. This rule applies to every descendant, including you. Understood?” 

“I understand. So what?” Zhou Gu snapped. He had no intention of taking a concubine, let alone a mistress. 

“Therefore, you must not act recklessly. Do not get involved with other women, and absolutely do not snatch women from others. Otherwise, I’ll break your legs!” The Old Duke Protector declared firmly. 

Zhou Gu was fuming. “It’s bad enough that you arranged a marriage for me when I was a child, but couldn’t you at least pick someone decent? Why am I so unlucky? I couldn’t grow up in the army like my brothers, and now I don’t even get a say in my marriage?” 

He darkened his face and asked, “Am I some cabbage you picked up from the field, to be trampled on as you please?” 

The Old Duke Protector’s face also darkened. “What nonsense are you spouting? You haven’t even met the girl. How can you say she’s not decent?” 

Zhou Gu scoffed. “A minor concubine’s daughter from Jiangning. Just listen to that, what kind of lowly status is that? A concubine’s daughter, how well-educated and presentable could she possibly be?” 

The Old Duke Protector choked, wanting to refute him but finding himself at a loss. 

Zhou Gu seized the opportunity to make his stance clear. “I’m not marrying her!”