Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 46

At that moment, Zhou Gu also noticed the group at the inn’s entrance. His smile faded, and he released Su Rong. 

Standing at the entrance were Jiangzhou Magistrate Jiang Sheng, his wife, their daughter Jiang Yunying, and Ning Chi, heir to the Marquis of Nanping. 

The group was stunned, witnessing Zhou Gu and Su Rong playfully bickering as they returned. None of them had expected Su Rong, a mere concubine-born daughter, to get along so well with Zhou Gu, the young master of the Duke Protector’s household. 

Su Rong thought to herself, As expected of the Jiangzhou Magistrate, they actually managed to track us down. Now Zhou Gu has no choice but to face them. 

Standing side by side, Su Rong and Zhou Gu looked like a perfectly matched couple. 

Jiang Sheng’s heart skipped a beat. He mentally reevaluated Su Rong’s position as Zhou Gu’s fiancée. Stepping forward, he cupped his hands in greeting with a warm expression. “Might you be the young master Zhou Gu?” 

Zhou Gu nodded. 

Jiang Sheng immediately began, “I am Jiang Sheng, Magistrate of Jiangzhou. It was my failure in raising my daughter that caused offense to you. I’ve come to offer my sincerest apologies. I hope you can forgive us.” 

As he finished, someone stepped forward and presented a gift list. 

Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow, glanced at the list, and replied without much warmth, “Jiang Magistrate certainly shows sincerity.” 

“It’s the least I could do. My daughter’s youthful ignorance led to her indiscretion, and it was my failure to guide her properly. I am grateful for your magnanimity in not holding a grudge against her,” Jiang Sheng said earnestly. “Please accept my apologies, young master Zhou. I will ensure she is properly disciplined to prevent such incidents in the future.” 

Zhou Gu did not take the gift list. “Your sincerity is noted, Jiang Magistrate. I am not one to hold petty grudges. Consider this matter closed but take the gift list back. The Duke Protector’s household does not accept bribes.” 

“This is no bribe, but an apology gift,” Jiang Sheng hastily clarified. 

“There’s no difference,” Zhou Gu said dismissively. 

Jiang Sheng hesitated and asked tentatively, “Does the young master feel the gift is too modest?” 

Zhou Gu chuckled. “Jiang Magistrate has offered over ten thousand gold in compensation. The gesture is certainly generous. But the Duke Protector’s household has its rules.” 

Unable to push the gift onto Zhou Gu, Jiang Sheng grew uneasy. Though Zhou Gu had brushed off the matter with a few light words, Jiang Sheng still felt unsettled. He turned to Su Rong and said, “There is also an apology gift for Miss Su. Madam Su declined it, saying it should be up to Miss Su to decide. I hope you can kindly accept it.” 

The Magistrate’s wife stepped forward, presenting a list of gifts, three property deeds, and a land deed. She said earnestly, “Miss Su, I must apologize for the previous misunderstanding.” 

Su Rong thought, Well, well, the Jiangzhou Magistrate’s household is really bleeding money this time. She shook her head and smiled at the Magistrate’s wife. “It wasn’t that big of a deal. Was it necessary to go to such lengths, Madam? Just remember, if such things happen again, you should scold the man involved and not make things hard for another woman.” 

The Magistrate’s wife’s face stiffened at the jab, understanding Su Rong’s veiled insinuation that her daughter might again encounter men who would break off an engagement for another woman. However, she forced a smile and replied, “You are absolutely right. I’m clearly not as wise as you, Miss Su.” 

Su Rong thought, It must be humiliating for someone as proud as the Magistrate’s wife to admit her fault so humbly. Smiling, she added, “Please take back the gifts, Madam. I’m just a junior. A little grievance isn’t worth such a grand apology. There’s no need to go to so much trouble.” After a pause, she echoed Zhou Gu, “My family doesn’t have such customs either.” 

“This…” The Magistrate’s wife turned to Jiang Sheng for guidance. 

Jiang Sheng was equally at a loss. He hadn’t anticipated that finding the two would result in his gifts being declined. Especially since Su Rong had bluntly stated before that an apology was required for Zhou Gu to let the matter go. 

At that moment, Ning Chi, who had been watching with a smile, interjected, “I hear that Miss Su’s coming-of-age ceremony is in just over a month. May I ask if Jiang Magistrate and Madam have been invited to the celebration at the Governor’s residence?” 

Su Rong thought to herself, The Marquis of Nanping’s heir really knows how to read the room. Much quicker on the uptake than Jiang Sheng. 

She glanced at Ning Chi and responded calmly, “The guest list is decided by my father and mother.” 

Hearing this, Jiang Sheng had a sudden realization. Since the apology gifts were refused now, he could present them as congratulatory gifts during Su Rong’s coming-of-age ceremony. He immediately said, “I hope to have the honor of attending Miss Su’s ceremony and sharing a toast on that day.” 

Su Rong remained silent. 

Zhou Gu asked, “Does Jiang Magistrate have any other business?” 

“N-No, nothing else.” Jiang Sheng’s face stiffened. 

“In that case, Jiang Magistrate, please leave,” Zhou Gu said, brushing past him and heading into the inn. 

Su Rong naturally followed him inside. 

Left behind, Jiang Sheng and his entourage were left fuming, thinking how arrogant Zhou Gu was, not giving them even the slightest face. 

Jiang Sheng’s expression became strained. Accustomed to flattery and respect, he had never been treated so coldly, especially when he was here to apologize. Refusing the gifts was one thing, but to outright dismiss them with a wave of his hand left Jiang Sheng feeling utterly humiliated. 

Ning Chi, however, wasn’t surprised by Zhou Gu’s attitude toward Jiang Sheng. After all, Jiang Yunying’s insults last time had crossed too many lines. With a calm tone, Ning Chi said, “Uncle Jiang, since that’s the case, perhaps you should take Aunt back. After all, there must still be official matters awaiting your attention.” 

“And you?” Jiang Sheng asked, taking a deep breath to calm himself. 

“I’ll stay here tonight and depart for Nanping early tomorrow morning.” 

Jiang Sheng was surprised. “You’re not staying in Jiangzhou for a few more days?” 

“No need,” Ning Chi replied. “Everything has been settled, and it’s time to head back. My father is waiting for me to return with good news.” 

Hearing the mention of the Marquis of Nanping, Jiang Sheng nodded. “Very well, then. Travel safely. As for our discussed matter…” 

“Rest assured, Uncle Jiang. I will report everything truthfully to my father upon my return,” Ning Chi said. 

Jiang Sheng smiled. “I’ll await good news from you upon your return.” 

Ning Chi nodded with a polite smile. 

Meanwhile, Jiang Yunying looked at Ning Chi with reluctance. Finally, she softly asked, “Brother Ning, can’t you stay for a couple more days?” 

Ning Chi smiled warmly. “We’ll meet again. And Jiang Yunying, you mustn’t be so reckless in the future. If you happen to encounter Miss Su again, it would be best to avoid her.” 

Feeling aggrieved, Jiang Yunying nodded. “I understand.” 

She dared not provoke Su Rong anymore. The girl was already formidable enough, and to make matters worse, her fiancé was Zhou Gu. Jiang Yunying was seething with jealousy, but there was nothing she could do about it. After being rejected twice, her father had finally secured her an engagement with the heir of the Marquis of Nanping. This match was already far better than her previous two prospects, Ning Chi was leagues above them. 

After Jiang Sheng and his group departed, Ning Chi watched them leave before turning and entering the inn. 

Later, Zhou Gu emerged from his room after bathing, only to see Ning Chi sitting in the common area below. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “The Marquis’s heir hasn’t left yet?” 

Ning Chi smiled. “I’m heading back to Nanping tomorrow and decided not to make a detour to Jiangzhou. Staying here for the night also gives me a chance to share a drink with you, Brother Zhou.”