Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 54

Su Rong replied confidently, pointing at her forehead, “I keep getting into fights and getting injured, so I spend a lot on medicine.” 

Seeing Zhou Gu’s skeptical look, she added, “Before you came to Jiangning, I got a wound on my forehead during a fight with Chen Zhou. I didn’t want it to scar, so I used a golden-priced healing balm. The cost came out of my dowry savings.” 

Zhou Gu recalled her mentioning it before and was speechless. “You’ve really made things difficult for Aunt Su.” 

If his own mother had a daughter as extravagant as Su Rong, she wouldn’t have the patience of Madam Su. She probably would’ve beaten her long ago. 

Su Rong sighed but didn’t explain the real reason for her medical expenses. It wasn’t just about fighting, it was because she often faced assassination attempts. To avoid worrying her family, she blamed her injuries on fights. It was easier to tell Madam Su that she had brawled with someone than to say she had narrowly escaped death again. At least this way, her mother wouldn’t be so terrified that she’d lock Su Rong inside the estate forever. 

“Is your dowry enough now?” Zhou Gu asked. 

“I think it’s enough?” Su Rong wasn’t entirely sure. She didn’t dare admit she was considering going to her wedding with just herself and no dowry. 

“Then maybe fight less in the future?” Zhou Gu initially wanted to say, Even if your dowry isn’t enough, it’s fine, but felt it inappropriate. Instead, he changed it to, “At least let Madam Su worry less about you.” 

Su Rong nodded. “Alright, fine.” 

After years of rigorous training in both summer heat and winter cold, her skills had improved to the point that ordinary assassins couldn’t harm her. As long as she stayed in Jiangning, her enemies wouldn’t dare openly send a large group to kill her. She could avoid injury most of the time now. 

She asked, “Shall we go back and rest?” 

Zhou Gu nodded. 

Su Rong headed toward her courtyard, and Zhou Gu walked in the opposite direction. After a few steps, he turned back to glance at her. In the moonlight, her slender figure seemed gentle and tranquil, completely at odds with her lively and headstrong nature. He smiled and turned away. 

After Zhou Gu turned back, Su Rong also glanced back and saw his tall, graceful figure in the distance. The moonlight cascaded over him, lending him an ethereal charm that made it hard to look away. She thought to herself, Zhou Gu is so good. I wonder if I’ll be fortunate enough to marry him. 

Meanwhile, Zhou Gu’s urgent letter reached Crown Prince Yan Huisheng two days later, along with a letter and token from Ning Chi, the heir of the Southern Marquis. 

At this point, it had only been a day since Yan Huisheng sent people to investigate the Southern Marquis’ estate and the Jiangzhou governor. Surprised by Zhou Gu’s letter and the items from Ning Chi, Yan Huisheng quickly opened them. 

“Your Highness, quickly read what the boy wrote in his letter!” said Grand Tutor Qin eagerly. 

Yan Huisheng nodded, first reading Zhou Gu’s letter before passing it to the Grand Tutor. He then opened Ning Chi’s letter and handed it over after reading. 

After finishing both, Grand Tutor Qin looked pleased. “I thought that boy Zhou Gu was unreliable, but it seems leaving the capital and going to Jiangning has done him some good. He’s even started recruiting talent for you.” 

Yan Huisheng smiled. “You’ve always been too hard on Zhou Gu. He often complains that you never praise him.” 

Grand Tutor Qin’s beard twitched. “I’m just afraid if I praise him once, he’ll get too cocky.” 

Yan Huisheng chuckled and examined the jade token sent by Ning Chi. After a moment, he asked the Grand Tutor, “What do you think we should do about this?” 

“Ning Chi is sincere in his allegiance. Naturally, Your Highness should accept him. But first, we must help him break free from the Southern Marquis’ control. Only then can he fully support you,” Grand Tutor Qin said thoughtfully, stroking his beard. “Previously, when you were ambushed in Jiangning, the evidence pointed to the Jiangzhou governor, Jiang Sheng. You didn’t act against him because you wanted to find the mastermind. Now, with Zhou Gu’s letter, it’s clear the culprit is the First Prince. In that case, you might as well remove Jiang Sheng. Doing so would solve Ning Chi’s marriage predicament and allow you to bring Jiangzhou under your control.” 

Yan Huisheng nodded. “Removing Jiang Sheng is simple enough. The evidence of his involvement in my assassination attempt is sufficient. But who should take over as Jiangzhou governor afterward?” 

“Jiangning’s Lord, Su Xu, has been stationed there for over a decade. Isn’t it time for him to be promoted? He can’t stay as a Lord until retirement.” 

“Su Xu doesn’t seem particularly ambitious. He’s probably planning to live out his days in Jiangning,” Yan Huisheng mused. “But I am curious why the old duke arranged for Zhou Gu to marry his family’s illegitimate daughter. There might be more to this.” 

“The old duke is tight-lipped, not even telling Zhou Gu the reason. It’s likely not simple. News of the engagement between the old Duke’s estate and Su Xu’s family has spread, even reaching the Emperor,” Grand Tutor Qin remarked. “I’ve had people investigating, but nothing has come up yet.” 

Yan Huisheng nodded. “Father may be suppressing me, but he hasn’t forbidden contact between the old Duke’s estate and me.” 

Grand Tutor Qin sighed. He wanted to say more but stopped himself, knowing it wasn’t necessary. “Regardless of the reason, the engagement is a fact. Promoting Su Xu might not meet resistance from the Emperor. Besides, while Su Xu would oversee Jiangzhou, Jiangning would still be under his jurisdiction. He likely wouldn’t object. Also, although Su Xu’s illegitimate daughter’s status is low, as the daughter of the Jiangzhou Lord, her position would be slightly elevated.” 

Yan Huisheng nodded. “Zhou Gu didn’t mention how he’s getting along with Miss Su, but since he’s working to recruit Ning Chi for me, they’re likely getting along just fine.” 

Grand Tutor Qin added, “If the marriage goes through, it’ll stabilize him. Starting a family will ground him, making him more dependable in assisting you.” 

Recalling Zhou Gu’s earlier statement about not wanting to take the imperial exam this year, Yan Huisheng wondered if his time in Jiangning had changed his mind. He decided to keep his thoughts to himself for now. 

After some contemplation, he said, “Send someone to the Southern Marquis’ estate with my token for Ning Chi.” 

“This is a critical task. We must send someone trustworthy,” Grand Tutor Qin noted. “We can’t let the Southern Marquis suspect Ning Chi’s allegiance.” 

Yan Huisheng nodded in agreement.