Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 50

Su Xingze was firm in his disapproval. 

He looked at Su Rong, his face serious. “Right now, there’s only a paper agreement, nothing binding. When the Protector Duke’s estate formally sends someone to propose, exchanges betrothal tokens, and completes the six rites, you can focus on building your relationship with Zhou Gu.” 

Su Rong objected. “Big Brother, that’s far too traditional! If we don’t build a relationship beforehand, how is it any different from a blind marriage?” 

“He’s staying at the Lord’s Manor, so you’ll still see each other daily and have time to talk. That’s enough. Spending every day together isn’t proper. As the saying goes, a bride’s family raises their daughter to marry up, while the groom’s family marries down. Our Lord’s Manor is already of lower status compared to the Protector Duke’s estate. If you show no restraint, what will the Sheng’an Princess or the Duchess think of you when word reaches the capital? They’re known to be very particular about decorum,” Su Xingze said decisively. “If you truly think Zhou Gu is a good match, then handle this engagement with dignity. Remember, you’re not just marrying him, you’re marrying into the Protector Duke’s estate.” 

Su Rong resisted one last time. “But wasn’t it the Old Duke who suggested we build a relationship?” 

“Whatever the Old Duke says, does that mean we must comply without question? The Protector Duke’s estate has always been aloof. It was only after Mother wrote to them that they responded with this sudden engagement. Why should we overly accommodate them?” Su Xingze raised an eyebrow. “Besides, my teacher couldn’t come back immediately and told me before I left Yunshan Academy that your marriage should be decided only after he returns. Until then, it’s only appropriate that I accompany Zhou Gu instead of you.” 

“Fine,” Su Rong sighed, deflating as soon as he mentioned their teacher. 

Seeing her compliance, Su Xingze’s expression softened. “I’ll arrange for mother to teach you proper decorum. While you’re learning household management, you’ll also work on etiquette.” 

Su Rong pulled a face. “Can’t that wait? There’s no rush.” 

She figured her marriage wouldn’t happen anytime soon. After all, she and Zhou Gu were both young, and her elder sisters would need to marry before her. Surely, there was a queue. 

“You’ve been neglecting etiquette for too long. With your coming-of-age ceremony approaching, now is the time to learn. When else would you do it?” Su Xingze left no room for argument. He reached out and patted her on the head. “Go wash off the smell of alcohol and get some rest. Leave Zhou Gu to me.” 

Reluctantly, Su Rong stood, casting an aggrieved look at her brother. “Big Brother, you should sleep early too.” 

With that, she trudged off, dejected. 

Su Xingze watched her go, feeling a mix of exasperation and amusement. Once she was out of sight, he stood by the open window, gazing at the cool night sky for a while before closing it and leaving the study himself. 

Meanwhile, Zhou Gu, on his way back to the guest courtyard, gave his attendant Ziye a meaningful glance. However, Ziye, failing to grasp the cue, blinked at him in confusion. Zhou Gu shot him an exasperated look but said nothing. 

Once they were back in their room, Zhou Gu closed the door and whispered, “I wanted you to go see how Su Xingze was scolding Su Rong. How could you miss my meaning?” 

“Huh?” Ziye hesitated. “But, Young Master, eavesdropping isn’t very honorable. Especially when it’s Miss Su getting a scolding…” 

“If I tell you to do it, just do it! Be discreet and don’t get caught.” Zhou Gu trusted Ziye’s skills. After all, if Ziye had been following Su Rong the night she snuck out to buy wine, she wouldn’t have escaped his notice. 

Ziye had no choice but to comply. 

When Ziye reached Su Xingze’s study, he was surprised to find it heavily guarded. Not daring to act rashly, he was still figuring out what to do when he saw Su Rong leave the study. With that, he decided there was no need to linger. 

Back at the guest courtyard, Ziye entered the room, and Zhou Gu looked up, surprised. “Back so soon?” 

Ziye scratched his head. “There were a lot of guards at Su Xingze’s study. I didn’t dare to sneak in. While I was thinking of a plan, Miss Su came out, so I returned.” 

Zhou Gu was even more surprised. “How many guards are we talking about?” 

“About twenty or thirty,” Ziye replied. 

Zhou Gu found it curious. “Even Grandfather’s study only has a hundred guards at most. How does the study of a mere Lord’s Mansion young master have so many people watching over it?” 

Ziye shook his head. “I have no idea.” 

Zhou Gu mused, “Not much time has passed. Could it be that Su Rong didn’t get scolded?” 

“Miss Su didn’t look too happy when she came out of the study. Even in the dark, I could tell she wasn’t in a good mood,” Ziye replied, hazarding a guess. “She was probably reprimanded.” 

As for what was said, he hadn’t heard, so he couldn’t say. 

Zhou Gu nodded. Since there wasn’t anything substantial to learn, he dismissed Ziye with a wave. “Alright, you can go now.” 

Ziye bowed and left. 

Pouring himself a cup of tea, Zhou Gu contemplated the look on Su Xingze’s face when they met earlier. It seemed that Su Xingze didn’t particularly like him. His attitude was starkly different from that of the Lord’s and his wife, as well as Su Rong. Clearly, Su Xingze wasn’t entirely in favor of this engagement. 

He clicked his tongue. How ironic that he, who initially disliked Su Rong’s lower status and was reluctant about the match, now found himself on the receiving end of disdain. 

Su Rong returned to her courtyard to find the Lord’s and Madam Su waiting in her room. She raised her eyebrows. “It’s so late. Why aren’t Father and Mother resting yet?” 

The Lord sighed. “It’s because your elder brother is back. You know how he is. He gave us quite an earful, scolding both your mother and me. He made some valid points, though. Regarding your and Zhou Gu’s relationship, we may have been a bit hasty.” 

The matriarch nodded in agreement. “Exactly. At first, we didn’t think too deeply about it. We thought that getting the Protector Duke’s estate to acknowledge the engagement was a good thing, so we kept Zhou Gu here to foster your relationship. But now that your elder brother has pointed it out, we also feel that we might have come across as too eager.” 

Su Rong pressed her fingers against her temple. She had expected this. As long as Su Xingze was around, he had a way of convincing the entire family with his reasoning. She nodded. “Big Brother already lectured me. I have to admit, he made some valid points.” 

The Lord and Madam Su had been bracing themselves for Su Rong’s resistance. That was why they were waiting together in her room, to persuade her through emotional appeals. They didn’t expect her to agree so readily. 

The couple exchanged glances and then stood up together. “Since you agree, there’s nothing more to discuss. Rest early, and we’ll leave now.” 

Without asking how her interactions with Zhou Gu had been over the past few days, they bypassed Su Rong and left her room. 

Su Rong was speechless. 

At the doorway, Madam Su paused and turned back. “You’ll continue learning household management with me tomorrow, right? And Zhou Gu will be accompanied by your elder brother?” 

Su Rong nodded. 

Madam Su smiled warmly. “Good. Rest well so you’ll have energy for tomorrow.” 

Su Rong nodded again. 

With light steps, Madam Su left, visibly relieved.