Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 52

Su Xingze took Zhou Gu out to “exchange ideas through literature,” and one of their meeting companions was Jiang Xing. 

When Jiang Xing saw Zhou Gu, he was reminded of the previous day at Peach Creek, where Zhou Gu had accompanied Su Rong. Now, Zhou Gu was here with Su Xingze. Bitterness filled Jiang Xing’s heart. Zhou Gu’s background was leagues ahead of his own. Were it not for Su Rong and her brother’s introduction, he wouldn’t have had the chance to exchange a single word with Zhou Gu, let alone in the capital. 

Su Xingze, while claiming it was an opportunity to discuss literature, also had a secondary motive: to assess Zhou Gu. 

Talented scholars often bore a sense of pride. Su Xingze’s close associates were naturally no ordinary individuals. Thus, during this day-long gathering, they explored a wide range of topics, from poetry and prose to classics and histories, from astronomy and geography to biographies of ancient and modern times. Zhou Gu not only marveled at their brilliance but also demonstrated his own depth of knowledge. Not wanting to tarnish the reputation of the Duke Protector’s household or his years as an Eastern Palace companion, he showcased genuine talent. 

Everyone was astonished. Zhou Gu, the son of a military family, possessed such literary prowess. His eloquence, grasp of history, and even knowledge in peripheral fields revealed the breadth and depth of his studies. It was clear he had read extensively. Likely, his time in the Eastern Palace had imbued him with the demeanor of a true scholar. 

Initially, they might have held Zhou Gu in high regard due to his status. By the end of the day, they were genuinely impressed by his abilities. 

Who would have thought that a pampered young master from a noble family, rumored to be a troublemaker who drove his tutors in the study hall to complain to the emperor, could possess such admirable qualities? 

Even Su Xingze was surprised. He hadn’t expected Zhou Gu to have such substantial knowledge. However, thinking about it further, if Zhou Gu were truly a useless troublemaker, how could he have lasted years as a companion to the crown prince without being expelled by the Eastern Palace’s rigorous tutors? Clearly, the rumors weren’t entirely accurate. 

These preconceptions, including Su Xingze’s, stemmed partly from Zhou Gu’s recent scandal involving a rivalry with the young prince of Rui’an for a woman, which had caused quite a stir. As Su Rong had said, that incident had indeed harmed Zhou Gu’s reputation. 

As the saying goes, bad news travels fast, while good deeds remain unsung. 

At noon, Su Xingze and Zhou Gu had lunch outside. They didn’t return home until evening when the sky was already darkening. 

Zhou Gu thought to himself that Su Xingze truly lived up to his reputation as someone who could manage Su Rong. Over the course of the day, Su Xingze had probed into nearly every aspect of Zhou Gu’s knowledge. There was no hiding anything. 

When they returned to the residence, it was almost dinnertime. After bathing and changing clothes, the two made their way to the front hall. 

Su Rong, having been held captive by the matriarch all day to work, was utterly exhausted. She had run to the front hall early, hoping to escape the relentless account books. Sitting by the window, she tried to clear her head. 

When Zhou Gu and Su Xingze entered the front hall, they saw Su Rong slouched against the window, looking thoroughly drained. She resembled a withered eggplant, radiating an aura of utter fatigue, as if silently crying out, I’m so tired, someone save me! 

Su Xingze paused and asked, “Why are you sitting here?” 

Su Rong replied weakly, “Tired. Just getting some air.” 

Su Xingze said nothing. Had he not known Su Rong’s nature, he might have been fooled by her act. As a young girl, she had followed the Zhenwei Escort Agency to the northern grasslands of Jibei, staying there for months and returning full of energy. Back then, she hadn’t uttered a single complaint about exhaustion. Now, after merely a day of looking at account books, how tired could she possibly be? 

However, Zhou Gu didn’t know this. He was taken in by her appearance. Seeing her drooping demeanor, resembling a sun-dried cabbage, he felt a pang of pity. 

“Is Aunt Su particularly strict? Is it very difficult for you?” Zhou Gu asked sympathetically. 

Su Rong nodded. “Mother is very strict.” 

She thought about how the matriarch had not only forced her to read through all the prepared account books but had also brought out the entire household’s ledgers. Even if she worked nonstop for three days, she wouldn’t finish. It was like living under a wicked landlord’s oppressive rule! 

Zhou Gu was also a little tired. Spending the entire day with Su Xingze, engaging in intellectual discussions, was far more exhausting than the three days he had spent leisurely exploring scenic spots with Su Rong. It was mentally draining, though undeniably rewarding. The people Su Xingze associated with were genuinely talented, possessing not only substantial knowledge but also commendable character, making them worthy of deeper acquaintance. Among them, Jiang Xing stood out as the most talented in literary pursuits. 

Zhou Gu tentatively asked Su Xingze, “Does Aunt Su really need to be so strict? What do you think, Brother Su?” 

Su Xingze smiled faintly. “A bit of strictness will benefit her in the future. It’ll prevent her from managing household affairs in a chaotic manner later on.” 

Zhou Gu glanced at Su Rong, who looked pitiful, and almost blurted out, “I can help her in the future.” Fortunately, he stopped himself just in time, inwardly marveling at his narrow escape. With that realization, his fleeting pity for Su Rong vanished. He told her instead, “You’ll just have to endure it. It can’t be helped.” 

Su Rong: “…” 

The main reason she had positioned herself here was to win Zhou Gu’s sympathy. And now, he was telling her to endure it? What kind of response was that? 

With a look of grievance, Su Rong turned to Zhou Gu and asked, “Did you have a good time today?” 

Zhou Gu, aware that Su Xingze was watching, could hardly admit otherwise. He nodded, “Yes, it was enjoyable.” 

Su Rong sighed, slowly rising to her feet. “As long as you’re happy.” 

The implication was clear: You’re happy, but I’m not, and that doesn’t seem to matter, does it? 

Zhou Gu caught the subtext and rubbed his nose awkwardly. He considered raising the matter delicately during dinner, suggesting to Aunt Su that she ease up on Su Rong. After all, as the fourth son in his family, Zhou Gu was familiar with the dynamics of household management. With a grandmother, mother, elder sisters-in-law, and a future third sister-in-law, Su Rong would only need to handle her own small courtyard. There was no need to burden her with so much responsibility. 

At this moment, Zhou Gu hadn’t realized how far his thoughts had shifted. From outright rejecting the idea of marrying Su Rong when speaking to the old Duke Protector, he had moved, in just a few days, to accepting it without resistance. 

In the main hall, the rest of the family had already taken their seats and were waiting for Zhou Gu and Su Xingze. 

Su Rong sat beside Zhou Gu, looking as though she lacked even the strength to eat. Zhou Gu, after taking a couple of bites, turned to her and asked, “Why aren’t you eating?” 

“Too tired,” Su Rong replied. She was indeed a bit exhausted, though not to the point where she couldn’t lift her chopsticks. 

Zhou Gu paused before turning to Aunt Su and gently suggesting, “Aunt Su, learning to manage a household isn’t something that can be mastered in a day. Perhaps a slightly more relaxed pace would be better?” 

Madam Su thought to herself that Su Rong wasn’t really learning household management. She had spent the day uncovering discrepancies in the ledgers, identifying mismanagement in four or five areas, ranging from the shops and estates to the household staff. As a result, Madam Su had spent the day disciplining several stewards. Those who hadn’t yet been caught were now walking on eggshells. Su Rong seemed to have a natural talent for bookkeeping, as though she were born with an extra sense for it. There was nothing left for Madam Su to teach her; she was merely keeping Su Rong occupied. 

Of course, Madam Su wouldn’t openly admit this. Other than herself, Yue Wan, and Wang Ma, no one in the household knew what Su Rong had been doing all day. Even the stewards who had been disciplined believed Madam Su had been biding her time, saving up evidence to make an example of them when teaching her youngest daughter. 

Clearing her throat, Madam Su said, “Nephew Zhou has a point. I also believe that too much can be counterproductive. From tomorrow onward, we’ll limit the lessons to half a day.” 

And with that, the day concluded, leaving Su Rong both relieved and exasperated.