Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 47

Zhou Gu carefully scrutinized Ning Chi for a moment, remaining noncommittal. He then turned to Su Rong and asked, “Where can I find Drunken Blaze wine?” 

Su Rong replied, “At the end of this street, there’s a tavern called Laughing Welcome “ 

Zhou Gu nodded and turned to Ning Chi. “How many jars can you drink?” 

Ning Chi smiled. “Not much, but if I’m drinking with Brother Zhou, naturally, it’s no retreat until we’re drunk.” 

Zhou Gu looked at Su Rong. “Are you drinking?” 

Su Rong didn’t answer. 

Zhou Gu smirked and added, “If it’s just the two of us drinking while you watch, what will you do?” 

“I’d rather go back to my room and sleep.” 

Zhou Gu burst into laughter. “Then drink just a little.” He then ordered Zi Ye, “Did you hear? Go to Xiao Ying Ke and buy five jars of Drunken Blaze wine.” 

Zi Ye timidly asked, “Young Master, may I buy six jars instead?” 

Zhou Gu glanced at him and gave a nonchalant “Hmm.” 

Zi Ye was elated. 

“How can I let Brother Zhou treat me to wine? Let me treat Brother Zhou and Miss Su instead.” Ning Chi pulled out a thousand-tael banknote and handed it to Zi Ye. “Use this.” 

Before Zhou Gu could respond, Zi Ye eagerly accepted it. “Thank you, Ning Chi. May I buy only wine with it?” 

“Of course.” Ning Chi chuckled. 

Zi Ye happily rushed off. 

Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow but said nothing. 

He then beckoned to Ning Chi. “It’s inconvenient to talk down here. Brother Ning, how about drinking in my room?” 

Ning Chi stood up with a graceful nod. “Very well.” 

He followed Zhou Gu upstairs, entering Zhou Gu’s room with Su Rong. 

Once inside, the three sat down. Zhou Gu and Ning Chi faced each other while Su Rong sat beside Zhou Gu. 

Without preamble, Zhou Gu bluntly asked Ning Chi, “You plan to marry that Jiang woman? To help the Crown Prince win over Jiangzhou’s Magistrate?” 

Ning Chi’s expression froze briefly before he smiled. “Brother Zhou, you’re remarkably direct, aren’t you?” 

Zhou Gu looked at him with exaggerated admiration. “If I’m right, then you’re really bold. That Jiang woman…,” he added with venom, “is an idiot.” 

Su Rong was left speechless. For the first time, she witnessed Zhou Gu’s sharp tongue. She realized that the occasional hums of dissatisfaction he directed at her were, in hindsight, quite courteous. 

Ning Chi coughed lightly. “It’s true. My father does have such intentions.” 

“And what about you?” Zhou Gu squinted. “You’re not entirely on the same page as the Marquis of Nanping, are you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have stayed behind today to drink with me.” 

Ning Chi sighed softly and admitted, “Brother Zhou, your perception is sharp. Indeed, you’re right. My mother passed away early, and though I am the heir, I neither hold the senior position in the household nor the advantage of age. Above me are my elder half-brothers, and below me are my stepmother’s sons. My title as heir exists solely by my father’s decree. If he commands me east, I dare not go west.” 

Zhou Gu’s expression didn’t change. He already knew the situation within the Marquis of Nanping’s household. It was precisely because of this knowledge that he hadn’t given Ning Chi any face when the latter revealed his identity as the Marquis’s heir that day. Ning Chi’s position was precarious, and his influence within the Marquis’s household was minimal. 

“So, Ning Chi, what’s your brilliant plan?” Zhou Gu asked directly. “Are you seeking my help to align yourself with the Crown Prince? I could introduce you.” 

Ning Chi chuckled. “It seems Brother Zhou has already pledged himself to the Crown Prince?” 

Zhou Gu tapped his fingers on the table. “It’s not that I pledged allegiance; it’s that His Majesty kicked me into the Eastern Palace. I served as a companion to the Crown Prince for several years and received his care. I can’t be ungrateful, so I’m half an Eastern Palace man.” 

He spoke with self-awareness. “Whatever His Majesty’s intentions were back then, I spent years with the Crown Prince. Naturally, we’ve built a bond. I’m not the eldest son, so I won’t inherit a title, nor do I have any burdens on my shoulders. The Crown Prince is virtuous, talented, and of noble character. He’s the legitimate heir, rightful in every way. I have no reason to refuse helping him.” 

Ning Chi nodded. “But over the past two years, His Majesty seems to have been supporting the First and Second Princes, creating a three-way balance against the Crown Prince?” 

Zhou Gu nodded as well. “As His Majesty grows older, he clings more tightly to power. He dislikes the Crown Prince’s rising influence. But he doesn’t consider that he’s the one who established the Crown Prince as heir. Without prestige, how could the Crown Prince shoulder the weight of ruling the kingdom? Now, with his constant suppression of the Crown Prince’s faction, it’s clear he hasn’t had enough of being emperor and fears being overshadowed. He’s just unwilling to abdicate.” 

Ning Chi lowered his voice. “Brother Zhou, your words could be considered treasonous. Be cautious.” 

Zhou Gu laughed. “Are you going to report me to the Emperor?” 

“Of course not.” 

“Then there’s no issue. There’s no one else here, is there? And since you’re considering joining the Eastern Palace, why should I watch my words with you?” Zhou Gu leaned back lazily in his chair. “But, Brother Ning, you’d better think it through. The Crown Prince’s current situation isn’t very optimistic.” 

Ning Chi was surprised by Zhou Gu’s candid and straightforward manner. 

Though two years older than Zhou Gu and confident in his own political acumen, Ning Chi had been deeply impressed when Zhou Gu drew his sword on Jiang Yunying without hesitation that day. Despite revealing his identity as the Marquis of Nanping’s heir, Zhou Gu had paid him no heed. This revealed to Ning Chi that Zhou Gu, bolstered by the Duke Protectorate’s standing, did not hold the Marquis of Nanping’s household in high regard. Yet, Ning Chi hadn’t felt insulted by this. Instead, it sparked a different train of thought. 

Seeking to escape his father’s control, evade the threat posed by his half-brothers, and diminish the pressure from his stepmother’s sons, Ning Chi had carefully weighed his options. While maintaining a façade of cooperation with Jiang Sheng, he considered an alternative path, distinct from his father’s alignment with the First Prince. 

The First Prince’s consort was Ning Chi’s stepmother’s sister. Even if the First Prince succeeded someday, Ning Chi doubted he would benefit. Any gains would likely go to his stepmother’s son. Why should he serve as a steppingstone for others? 

Zhou Gu, as it happened, could serve as his bridge to the Eastern Palace. 

Ning Chi needed little deliberation. He told Zhou Gu, “The legitimate heir, virtuous and capable, benevolent and upright, concerned for the people. Even if His Majesty is momentarily misguided, the Crown Prince remains worthy of allegiance, don’t you think?” 

“Naturally,” Zhou Gu nodded. 

Ning Chi smiled and clasped his hands together. “Then, Brother Zhou, I’ll trouble you to make an introduction.” 

“All right. Since you’ve decided, I’m willing to act as the bridge.” Zhou Gu glanced toward the door, noting that Zi Ye hadn’t returned with the wine yet. He turned to Su Rong. “Do you know how to grind ink?” 

Su Rong nodded. “Of course.” 

Zhou Gu called out, “Someone, fetch ink, brushes, paper, and an inkstone.” 

A voice from outside promptly responded, “Yes, sir.” 

Ning Chi was taken aback by Zhou Gu’s decisiveness and speed. “Brother Zhou, are you planning to write a letter to the Crown Prince immediately?” 

“Yes,” Zhou Gu nodded. “Since you’ve made your decision, why delay? I’ll write to him on your behalf. Do you have any token of proof?” 

Ning Chi took a jade pendant from himself and placed it in front of Zhou Gu. “Will this suffice?” 

“It will.” Zhou Gu nodded. “Write a letter in your own hand as well. I’ll have both letters sent to the Crown Prince in the capital together.” 

“Very well,” Ning Chi agreed. 

Before long, someone delivered the writing materials. Su Rong rolled up her sleeves to grind ink for Zhou Gu. Zhou Gu quickly penned a concise letter, sealed it with wax, and handed the brush to Ning Chi. Seeing Su Rong about to grind ink for Ning Chi, Zhou Gu raised a hand to stop her. “You only grind ink for me. Don’t trouble yourself for just anyone.” 

Su Rong: “…” 

Ning Chi: “…” 

Ning Chi smiled and rolled up his sleeves to grind the ink himself. He chimed in agreement, “Indeed, I’m unworthy of troubling Miss Su. I’ll handle it myself.”