Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 48

Su Rong glanced at Zhou Gu with a smile. She thought to herself that it was a good sign Zhou Gu deemed her suitable for his use but wouldn’t allow others to rely on her. Turning away, she washed her hands. 

Ning Chi finished writing his letter, sealed it with wax, and handed it to Zhou Gu along with his jade pendant. 

Zhou Gu summoned someone and instructed, “Deliver this secretly to the capital and hand it over to His Highness the Crown Prince.” 

The person acknowledged the order and departed. 

At this moment, Zi Ye returned with the wine. With the thousand-tael silver note, he managed to buy eleven jars of wine. 

Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow. “Weren’t they a hundred taels per jar?” 

Zi Ye scratched his head sheepishly. “The shopkeeper asked if I was sent by Young Master Zhou. I said yes, and she replied that since it was for you, she would add an extra jar for free in honor of Miss Su’s reputation.” 

“Oh?” Zhou Gu turned to Su Rong. “How do you have such sway?” 

Su Rong mused inwardly that being part of his circle naturally boosted her standing. But instead of explaining the true reason, she casually replied, “I have some acquaintance with Lady Lan.” 

“So, you’ve visited her place for wine often,” Zhou Gu remarked. 

Su Rong touched her nose, a bit embarrassed. “You could say that.” 

After all, buying wine wasn’t a free endeavor for her either. 

Zhou Gu frowned in thought. “How did the shopkeeper know you were with me?” 

“I asked her if Miss Su bought wine here yesterday,” Zi Ye said proudly, his face practically begging for praise. 

Zhou Gu was speechless. “You might as well hang a sign around your neck.” 

Turning back to Su Rong, he asked curiously, “If I had the words ‘Miss Su Rong’s fiancé’ written on my face, would the entire Jiangning County yield to you?” 

Su Rong chuckled. “I wouldn’t know. Why don’t you give it a try?” 

Zhou Gu pondered. Su Rong seemed to know everyone, from fishermen to shopkeepers, and likely many more. After all, she had mentioned spending much of her time outside the household. 

“Leave six jars for us. No, make that seven. The rest, you can share among yourselves,” Zhou Gu waved dismissively. 

Zi Ye readily complied, placing seven jars on the table and carrying the remainder downstairs. The guards from the Duke Protector’s estate and Ning Chi’s men divided the surplus among themselves, occupying the ground floor’s main hall. 

A young waiter delivered food to Zhou Gu’s room. Zhou Gu opened one of the jars and poured wine into their bowls. He raised his bowl and clinked it against Ning Chi’s. “When you return to Nanping, wait for further news. Once the Crown Prince receives the letter, he’ll likely send someone to meet you in Nanping.” 

Ning Chi nodded. “Understood. I’ll await the Crown Prince’s envoy.” 

The two men downed their drinks in unison, their camaraderie apparent. 

Su Rong, seeing how heartily they drank, picked up her own bowl and emptied it in one go. 

Zhou Gu, unsurprised, merely glanced at her and said nothing. Ning Chi, however, was taken aback. “Miss Su, you have quite the capacity for drink?” 

Su Rong set down her empty bowl and replied matter-of-factly, “Not bad.” 

Ning Chi was impressed. “It’s rare to see a woman drink like a man, with such gusto.” 

“When I was young, I was a bit of a rascal and tried everything. Lady Lan, the shopkeeper at Laughing Welcome, started experimenting with brewing wine. She spent days cooped up in the distillery, and since I had nothing better to do, I squatted there to keep her company. This Drunken Blaze is one of her creations, and I was the first to try it. She loves wine, and every time I visited her, instead of offering tea, she’d toss me a jar of wine. I’d drink it whenever I was thirsty. Over time, I guess I just built up tolerance,” Su Rong explained casually. 

Ning Chi was astonished. “That’s… unconventional.” He smiled. “Miss Su is truly unique, different from any woman I’ve met.” 

“You mean I’m too carefree and lack propriety?” Su Rong poured herself another drink. “No need to sugarcoat it. You two can talk as you like; don’t mind me.” 

Ning Chi shook his head. “Most women in the world are bound by decorum and propriety. Except for a few free-spirited women from the martial world, they usually can’t let go of societal expectations. Your nature is truly rare, Miss Su.” 

Just as Su Rong was about to respond, Zhou Gu shot Ning Chi a glare. “Hey, enough of that. She doesn’t need you thinking she’s special.” 

Ning Chi chuckled, quickly apologizing. “My apologies, Brother Zhou. I got carried away. Forgive me.” He lifted his bowl and added, “I’ll punish myself with a drink.” 

Zhou Gu nodded approvingly, then lightly knocked Su Rong on the head. “You’re a delicate young lady. Don’t be so bold that you scare people. Got it? Drink in small sips, don’t imitate us.” 

Su Rong tilted her head and smiled. “Alright.” 

Obediently, she took a small sip from her bowl and stayed silent. 

Zhou Gu and Ning Chi resumed their conversation over drinks. Su Rong listened as they exchanged thoughts, pondering her fiancé. Though young, Zhou Gu’s maturity and intellect were impressive. Born into the Duke Protector’s household and educated alongside the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace, he had acquired noble bearing and sharp wit. Even though Ning Chi was older, Zhou Gu subtly led the conversation. With more years, Zhou Gu would undoubtedly become a formidable figure. 

As for Ning Chi, his astonishment grew as he conversed with Zhou Gu. The tales of Zhou Gu angering his tutors in the imperial study were infamous, yet no one had mentioned how much he had learned during his years in the Eastern Palace. Now Ning Chi could see for himself. Was it possible that by engaging with Zhou Gu, one could glimpse the greatness of the Crown Prince himself? 

The Crown Prince, renowned for his noble demeanor, was clearly no ordinary figure. That the Emperor felt threatened by him seemed justified. 

After several rounds of drinks, night had fallen. Zhou Gu remained clear-headed, but Ning Chi, with a weaker tolerance, was visibly tipsy. 

Ning Chi, always a man of restraint, shook his head at Zhou Gu. “Brother Zhou, I can’t drink any more. Anymore, and I’ll embarrass myself.” 

Zhou Gu nodded. “Then don’t drink.” 

Turning to Su Rong, he remarked, “You’ve downed almost an entire jar and don’t seem the least bit drunk. Shall we split the last jar?” 

Just as Su Rong was about to agree, a flurry of footsteps sounded outside. The door opened abruptly, and Zi Ye entered. “Young Master, Young Master Su has arrived. He said he’s here to pick you and Miss Su up.” 

Zhou Gu froze for a moment. 

Su Rong withdrew her hand, which had been reaching for the jar, and turned to ask, “My elder brother is here? Where is he?” 

“At the entrance,” Zi Ye replied. 

Scratching her head, Su Rong turned to Zhou Gu. “Looks like no one will be drinking that last jar. My elder brother must think it’s improper for me to be staying at an inn with you. He’s probably come to drag me back home.” 

She stood up. “Shall we head back? No need to avoid Jiang Sheng anymore, and it’s much more comfortable at home.” 

Zhou Gu nodded. Though reluctant to move, he couldn’t ignore Su Xingze’s effort to personally fetch them late at night. He stood, clapped Ning Chi on the shoulder, and said, “Brother Ning, we’re heading back to the lord’s residence. Since you’re leaving tomorrow, I won’t see you off.” 

“No need for formalities, Brother Zhou,” Ning Chi replied with a smile. “I’ve heard much about Su Xingze, renowned across Jiangnan for his unmatched intellect and poetic mastery. Some even say he’s destined for greatness in court. Please, go ahead. I’ll join you to greet him.” 

Su Rong thought to herself that the praise wasn’t exaggerated. There had been times when she was short on money and would sneak into her elder brother’s study, steal a poem, and sell it. The proceeds always fetched a handsome sum. After getting caught, though, she had to stop. 

“Tomorrow then,” Su Rong said with a grin, leading the way out.