Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 41

Su Rong met Lady Lan’s shocked gaze and nodded earnestly. Zhou Gu was genuinely a good person — the kind of goodness that leaves a lasting impression at first sight, and a deeper appreciation after further acquaintance. 

She took a swig of wine and sighed. “It’s just that his family’s status is too high. I don’t know if I…” 

Before she could finish her sentence, her expression turned cold. She suddenly flung the wine jar in her hand backward. 

Crash! The jar shattered on impact, filling the room with the scent of wine. In the same swift motion, she grabbed an unopened jar from the table and hurled it in the same direction. 

Smash! The jar was pierced by a gleaming sword, shards and wine spraying everywhere. In the midst of the mess stood a shadowy figure wielding a blade that glinted coldly in the dim light. The assassin lunged straight for Su Rong. 

Realizing she couldn’t dodge in time, Su Rong drew a dagger from her sleeve and met the incoming sword head-on. 

Clang! The sound of metal clashing filled the air. 

The masked assassin staggered back a step, seemingly taken aback by something. After a brief pause, the figure abruptly withdrew and disappeared into the night. 

The entire encounter lasted mere moments. Lady Lan, who had drawn the sword from her belt, found herself with no opportunity to act. She stared at the door, perplexed. “That person came to kill you, right? Why did they leave after just one exchange?” 

It was strange — far too strange. Assassins didn’t just leave like that. 

Su Rong lowered her gaze to the dagger in her hand, deep in thought. “Maybe because of this?” 

The dagger she held was no ordinary weapon. It was razor-sharp, capable of slicing through iron like butter. Intricate patterns adorned the blade, a design so unique that it had caught her attention when she first acquired it. 

Lady Lan leaned closer to examine the dagger. “Where did you get this? It looks expensive.” 

Su Rong replied nonchalantly, “I saved someone a while ago and asked for this as a reward.” 

Lady Lan turned the dagger over in her hands, scrutinizing the ornate patterns. “These carvings are special — definitely the work of a master craftsman. An ordinary blacksmith couldn’t create something like this.” 

“Exactly,” Su Rong agreed. “That’s why I asked for it. I wouldn’t bother with a regular dagger.” 

“You didn’t ask who that person was?” 

“No. It was a chance encounter. I saved him on a whim, and he gave me this dagger in return. That’s enough.” 

Lady Lan frowned thoughtfully. “But this dagger seems significant. It might be worth investigating. It could lead us to whoever sent that assassin tonight. After all, the people who’ve come after you over the years have always been elusive — trained killers with no clear trail.” 

Su Rong shook her head. “No need. Ever since my mother left, people have been trying to kill me every year. I’m used to it. Whether I know who’s behind it or not, what can I do? Compared to them, I’m as insignificant as an ant. Even if I find out, it won’t change anything.” 

Lady Lan disapproved of her attitude. “That was true before. But things are different now. We’ve established ourselves. We’re not as powerless as we once were.” 

Su Rong looked at her friend, her tone softening. “You’ve all suffered enough. Now that you’ve found some peace, I don’t want you risking your lives for me. To us, it might seem like we’ve built a solid foundation. But to the powerful families in this world, we’re still nothing. Let’s not delude ourselves.” 

Lady Lan sighed, frustrated. “Are we supposed to just endure it forever?” 

She continued earnestly, “You’ve given us a stable life — a life free from hunger, cold, and constant wandering. Everyone wants to repay you, even if it means giving their lives for you. Do you know how much we owe you? 

“I remember when I first met you. You were just a little girl, barely old enough to understand the world, yet you took on the responsibility of feeding and sheltering all of us. 

“Now, some of us have families. Some have children. Others, like me, live comfortably. None of us ever imagined we’d have such good days. Without you, we would’ve died long ago. If we die for you, it’s only right.” 

Su Rong chuckled and pinched Lady Lan’s cheek. “Alright, stop with the dramatics. I was never the kind of lady who could sit quietly in her boudoir. I couldn’t stand seeing people die of hunger and cold. Think of it as me doing good deeds to earn some karma. Otherwise, after everything I’ve been through, I’d have been dead long ago.” 

Lady Lan’s lips twitched into a smile, the tension easing from her expression. She gave Su Rong a playful glare. “Fine. But remember, you’re not alone. We’re all here for you.” 

“I know.” Su Rong withdrew her hand with a smile. 

Lady Lan sighed again. “Your mother… she didn’t leave you any message before she passed? Did she know people would come after you?” 

“Who knows?” Su Rong’s tone was indifferent. “She’s gone. There’s no way to ask her now.” 

“I think she probably knew. Why else would she arrange your engagement with the Hu Guo Duke’s family? Maybe she wanted you to have their protection.” 

Su Rong nodded slowly. “Zhou Gu asked his grandfather about it. The old duke said our family did him a favor once. That’s why he took the initiative to arrange the marriage.” 

Still puzzled, she knocked on the counter. “Give me another jar of wine.” 

Lady Lan frowned. “Drink less. You reek of alcohol. Even if you don’t care about your image in front of your fiancé, you should still take care of your health.” 

Despite her words, she handed Su Rong another jar. 

Su Rong took it, removed the seal, and took a hearty gulp. Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she smiled. “Don’t worry. I value my life more than anyone.” 

Lady Lan furrowed her brows. “But if your engagement with the Hu Guo Duke’s family has been in place for years, why haven’t they reached out to you? If they had been more involved, maybe you wouldn’t have so many assassination attempts.” 

“Maybe the old duke had his reasons.” Su Rong shrugged. “Besides, the people after me never make a scene. They’ve always been discreet. Like tonight — the assassin followed me all the way here and only struck once I was indoors. They never attack in public, probably to avoid drawing attention. It shows they have some concerns.” 

Lady Lan nodded in agreement. “That makes sense. Zhou Gu’s presence in Jiangning isn’t a secret. Everyone knows he’s here. The assassin must have known too.” 

“Exactly,” Su Rong continued. “If they dared to kill me now, wouldn’t they be afraid of Zhou Gu’s retaliation? The Hu Guo Duke’s family wouldn’t let it slide. So, whoever sent them clearly isn’t intimidated by the Hu Guo Duke’s influence.” 

“True.” Lady Lan nodded, her expression serious. “It’s definitely someone bold enough to go against the Hu Guo Duke’s family.”