Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 58

That evening, after finishing their dinner, Su Rong and Zhou Gu, as usual, took a few laps around the estate and then sat in a waterside pavilion for a chat. 

Leaning on the stone table, Su Rong suggested to Zhou Gu, “I get a day off tomorrow. How about I spend it with you?” 

Zhou Gu turned to look at her. “Will your elder brother agree to that?” 

“Ah, my brother, the family’s strict manager,” Su Rong sighed. “I’ll plead with him a bit. Maybe he’ll agree.” 

Zhou Gu nodded. “Alright, go ask him yourself.” 

Over the past few days that Su Xingze had accompanied Zhou Gu, Zhou Gu had gained a lot of insights but also found it exhausting. Su Xingze was indeed remarkable. Calm as the moon yet adept in dealing with matters. He never made those interacting with him feel neglected and handled everything with precise balance. It was no wonder people praised him as a future prime minister in the making. 

The two chatted for a while longer until Zi Ye, Zhou Gu’s attendant, called from outside the pavilion. “Master, letters have arrived from the capital.” 

Zhou Gu turned toward Zi Ye. “Bring them over.” 

Zi Ye entered the pavilion and handed the letters to Zhou Gu. “One from the Eastern Palace and another from the Duke Protector’s household.” 

Zhou Gu nodded, first opening the letter from the Eastern Palace. After reading it, he closed it and then opened the one from the Duke Protector’s household. As he finished the second letter, his expression darkened. 

Zi Ye cautiously asked, “Master, has something happened?” 

“Duanhua is on her way to Jiangning,” Zhou Gu replied, not hiding the news from Su Rong since he had mentioned Duanhua to her before. 

Zi Ye was startled. “What? What should we do? She’s definitely here to cause trouble.” 

Zhou Gu understood Duanhua’s intentions perfectly. When she learned about his engagement, she might not have known at first who his fiancée was, but now that she did, it was no surprise she was chasing him to Jiangning. 

Feeling irritated, he ordered, “Take some men, intercept her along the way, and forcibly send her back to the capital.” 

Zi Ye was shocked. “Master, can we really do that?” 

“Yes,” Zhou Gu affirmed decisively. He didn’t want Duanhua ruining Su Rong’s coming-of-age ceremony. After all, it was only a few days away, and it was a significant life event. If Duanhua disrupted it, it would leave an unpleasant mark. 

Zi Ye hesitated. “But with the Princess’s temperament, can we even manage that? She’s bound to be traveling with guards from the Princess’s mansion.” 

“If you can’t send her back, then stop her in her tracks and keep her from moving forward,” Zhou Gu instructed. 

Zi Ye found this doable and confirmed again, “Are you sure, Master?” 

“Positive,” Zhou Gu replied, exasperated by Duanhua. 

Zi Ye accepted the order. “Then I’ll take the men and go now.” 

“Go,” Zhou Gu waved him off. 

After Zi Ye left, Zhou Gu turned back to Su Rong. She was propping her chin on her hand, tilting her head as she watched him. Seeing this, he took the initiative to explain, “It’s the Duanhua Princess I mentioned to you before.” 

“Isn’t it a bit harsh to intercept her? After all, if you can come to Jiangning, so can she,” Su Rong questioned. 

“She can come, but not at this time. I’m worried she’ll disrupt your coming-of-age ceremony. It’s better to stop her now. Besides, she’s coming here to cause trouble anyway, so my actions are justified,” Zhou Gu said openly, showing no intention to hide the matter from Su Rong. 

Su Rong smiled at him. “So this is for my sake? Thank you.” 

Though she didn’t think her coming-of-age ceremony was all that important, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Since everyone seemed to take it seriously, she figured she should too. It would indeed be better if things went smoothly without unnecessary chaos. 

“What are you thanking me for?” Zhou Gu looked a bit awkward. “It’s my problem to begin with.” 

“It is your problem, true, but I’m still happy that you’re trying not to drag me into it,” Su Rong said with a grin. Then, as if she suddenly thought of something, she added, “By the way, have you been to the third floor yet? My brother definitely didn’t take you there. How about, as a thank-you, I take you myself?” 

“What third floor?” Zhou Gu asked, intrigued. 

“The Three Lounges: Drunken Lounge, Moonlit Lounge, and Rouge Lounge. They’re quite famous here in Jiangning. They’re establishments where people go to drink and listen to music, each with its own unique charm,” Su Rong explained to Zhou Gu. “So, what do you think? Want to check them out?” 

Zhou Gu’s expression turned complicated. “These Three Lounges… are brothels, right?” 

“Yes,” Su Rong replied without hesitation. 

“You’re telling me, a young lady, you’re going to take your fiancé to a brothel… to listen to music?” Zhou Gu’s emotions were all over the place. “Do you think that’s appropriate?” 

In all his life, he had never heard of a fiancée dragging her fiancé to a brothel for a drink and some entertainment. 

Su Rong thought it over and admitted that, yes, if word got out, it would indeed sound quite improper. 

But if no one found out, what was the harm? 

She leaned closer to Zhou Gu and whispered conspiratorially, “What if we go tonight? Don’t worry. I’m on good terms with the madam there. She can let us in through the back door. It’s totally safe, bno one will know, and no one will see us.” 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

He stared at her, aghast. “You’re on good terms with a brothel madam?” 

Su Rong thought to herself, Not only am I on good terms, but I also have shares in the place. However, seeing Zhou Gu’s utterly stunned expression, she decided it was better not to disclose that part. Still, as she considered sneaking him in, she hesitated. Was it really a good idea? What if he got hooked? 

With a bit of unease, she asked, “Do you have a weakness for women?” 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

His face stiffened. “Su Rong, how can you be this audacious?” 

The things this girl dared to ask! 

Su Rong scratched her nose awkwardly. “Oh, don’t take it the wrong way. I wasn’t accusing you of anything. I just wanted to take you to listen to some music. I wasn’t planning on anything else. I’m not stupid. I’m just thinking, if I take you there, will it corrupt you? If you don’t have a weakness for women, then it’s fine. But if you do, we definitely can’t go. It’d be too easy for you to lose yourself in a place like that.” 

Zhou Gu was at a loss for words. 

Su Rong studied his expression and probed further, “So, do you really not want to go? If you don’t, then forget it.” 

Zhou Gu shook his head firmly. “I’m not going.” 

Su Rong didn’t expect him to refuse so decisively. Curious, she asked, “Haven’t you ever gone to places like this in the capital?” 

A faint blush crept up Zhou Gu’s face. “No.” 

“Not even dragged by anyone to listen to music?” 

“Who would dare drag me to such places?” Zhou Gu glared at Su Rong. “And you, as a girl, how can you be so bold? Going to places like that without a care? Aren’t you worried about getting into trouble?” 

Su Rong laughed. “Who would dare trouble me?” 

Zhou Gu paused. Fair point. In Jiangning, under the governance of Lord Su, no one would dare cross her. 

Still smiling, Su Rong continued, “It’s precisely because you’ve never been that you should go! Come on, you’re sixteen already. No one’s dragged you along before probably because you were too young, and they didn’t want to lead you astray.” 

She stood up suddenly. “I’ll go change into something more fitting. Wait here for me. I’ll be right back, and I’ll take you out for some fun.” 

Before Zhou Gu could protest, she turned and left the pavilion. “No,” he called after her, but Su Rong just waved a hand dismissively without looking back. 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

Watching her leave, he was left speechless. The thought of being dragged to a brothel by his fiancée made him feel like he was about to set a bizarre, unprecedented record.