Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 74

Su Rong sat up straight, preparing to have an open and honest conversation with Jiang Xing. 

Lowering her voice under Jiang Xing’s puzzled gaze, she asked directly, “If you are implicated because of Jiang Sheng and your entire clan is sentenced to extermination, do you want to live or die?” 

Jiang Xing was stunned. “W-What do you mean?” 

“Exactly what I said.” Su Rong stared into his eyes. She wanted to save Jiang Xing and arranging this meeting today had put Zhou Gu at some risk. If word leaked back to Jiang Sheng, Zhou Gu would have a hard time explaining himself to the Crown Prince. 

Jiang Xing’s face gradually paled, his expression filled with panic. “Implicated… extermination of the entire clan… T-Then what about my parents?” 

He was an only child. 

“If the entire clan is to be executed, your parents will naturally be included,” Su Rong said, watching him patiently. Anyone who heard such news would need time to process it. 

Jiang Xing opened his mouth but hesitated. “D-Did you receive some kind of news?” 

He was intelligent enough to know that Su Rong wouldn’t have called him here to say such things without reason, especially with Zhou Gu present. 

Su Rong nodded. “Yes.” 

Jiang Xing’s face changed. 

Su Rong continued decisively, “We’ve known each other for years, and you are also a close friend of my elder brother. You are talented and have good character. I know you’re preparing to take the imperial exam this autumn. If you get caught up in this, forget about taking the exam, you won’t even survive. So, when I got this news, I thought, if you want to live, I should help you find a way out for you and your family. Of course, if you choose to die alongside the Jiang clan, just pretend I never sought you out.” 

After finishing, she added bluntly, “This is a serious matter. Bringing Zhou Gu here was already putting him at some risk. From the moment I told you this until now, you must not let Jiang Sheng find out. And frankly, I wouldn’t allow you to inform him anyway. No one can save Jiang Sheng, he is doomed.” 

Jiang Xing’s face turned even paler. He looked toward Zhou Gu, who remained lazily seated, seemingly just an observer, with no intention of giving his opinion. However, from Su Rong’s words, Jiang Xing could tell that this information had come from Zhou Gu. 

Forcing himself to stay calm, Jiang Xing said, “I am only a collateral branch of the Jiang family, as you know. I am not particularly close to my uncle, Jiang Sheng. But… the Jiang clan has hundreds of members. Did my uncle commit such a grave crime?” 

Su Rong could tell from his words that he didn’t care much about Jiang Sheng’s immediate family but was concerned about the entire Jiang clan. It made sense, large families provided support and protection. Even as a collateral member, he benefited from the clan’s influence. If the family was destroyed, he would be left vulnerable. 

She did not hesitate to tell him, “He attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince. Tell me, is that a grave crime or not?” 

Jiang Xing trembled internally. Assassinating the Crown Prince, that was unquestionably a crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan. 

Su Rong made it clear, “So, do you think just executing Jiang Sheng’s family alone would be enough? If that were the case, wouldn’t anyone dare to assassinate the Crown Prince? I cannot save the entire Jiang clan, and neither can you. The only people you can save are yourself and, at most, your parents.” 

Jiang Xing nodded slowly. The weight of the information was overwhelming, and it took him a long time to process it. Finally, he spoke with difficulty, “I began my studies at the age of two and started reading at three. My parents have sacrificed so much, living frugally just to support my education, so that I might achieve scholarly success and bring honor to our family. I do not want to die, and I do not want my parents to die.” 

He lifted his head, looked at Su Rong, and made his decision. “Seventh Miss, thank you.” 

“Don’t thank me just yet.” Su Rong shook her head. “I sought you out because I genuinely want to save you, and because I believe it would be a great pity if you were implicated.” 

She then turned to Zhou Gu. “I can only give you this information so that you can make a choice. If you want to save yourself and your family, you must take action yourself.” 

“How do I do that?” Jiang Xing asked. 

Su Rong had said all she needed to. Seeing that Zhou Gu remained silent, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve. “Brother Zhou, tell Jiang Xing what he needs to do.” 

Zhou Gu would never admit that he had deliberately kept quiet just to hear her call him Brother Zhou again. When they first met, he had firmly rejected the idea of her addressing him that way. Yet, in just a little over twenty days, he found that he actually liked hearing it from her. 

What kind of sorcery was this? 

Zhou Gu straightened his previously slouched posture and met Jiang Xing’s gaze. “The one who ties the bell must untie it. Jiang Sheng attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince and was exposed. If you want to protect your family, you must align yourself with the Crown Prince. His Highness will show leniency to those who stand by him.” 

Jiang Xing murmured, “Align with the Crown Prince?” 

“Yes.” Zhou Gu nodded. “You are talented, and with my recommendation, you can join the Crown Prince’s side. Before the imperial decree for the clan’s execution reaches Jiangning, I will write a letter for you. You will need to gather evidence of Jiang Sheng’s crimes and expose his wrongdoings. By doing so, you will demonstrate righteousness over kinship, severing ties with him and his faction. This will make you and your family ‘pure’ in the eyes of the court. His Highness can then use this as justification to spare your family, allowing you to proceed with your exams as planned.” 

After finishing, Zhou Gu added a final remark, “This is your only path.” 

Jiang Xing knew that under a decree of total extermination, there were no other options. He nodded, and the fear in his eyes slowly faded. 

“I have heard that the Crown Prince is a man of self-discipline and integrity, who upholds propriety, carries himself with dignity, and possesses both virtue and talent. Is that true?” 

Jiang Xing took a deep breath and said, “Following such a crown prince is also my wish.” 

Leaving the tavern, Jiang Xing parted ways with Su Rong and Zhou Gu, returning home to prepare. 

Watching him walk away, Su Rong turned to Zhou Gu and said, “Send someone to keep an eye on him in secret.” 

Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow. “So cautious?” 

“Of course. I’m afraid I misjudged him and would let you down.” Su Rong was familiar with Jiang Xing, but they hadn’t interacted much. Even though he had made his decision and spoken sincerely, she couldn’t fully trust him yet. 

Zhou Gu smirked, feeling amused. “I thought he admired you, so you should have some faith in him.” 

Su Rong was speechless. “That’s not how it works.” 

Zhou Gu lifted an eyebrow. “Then how does it work? I didn’t realize you were this wary.” 

Su Rong thought to herself that if she weren’t cautious, she would’ve died hundreds of times already. She deliberately said something nice, “Isn’t this about you? If anything goes wrong with Jiang Xing, it would be hard for you and the crown prince to explain.” 

Zhou Gu made no comment. He waved his hand to summon someone and ordered, “Follow Jiang Xing in secret. If he does anything unusual, kill him.” 

The person nodded and silently followed the departing Jiang Xing. 

Su Rong had no objections. If Jiang Xing said one thing but did another, he was bound to die sooner or later. If Zhou Gu’s people killed him, he would deserve it. 

Zhou Gu glanced at the sky and asked, “Heading back?” 

“Are you tired?” Su Rong asked 

. 

“Not at all.” Zhou Gu shook his head. 

Su Rong smiled. “Since you’re not tired, let’s go shopping. Yesterday, I ran into Zhou Xi, and he was asking me about which embroidery house in Jiangning had the best artisans. He said you didn’t bring many clothes when you left the capital and needed a few new ones. I told him not to worry because I’d take care of it.” 

Zhou Gu froze for a moment. “You’re getting me clothes?” 

“Don’t want them?” Su Rong looked at him. 

Zhou Gu wanted to say he did, but… he stared at Su Rong. “Do you even have money?” 

“I have enough to buy you a few outfits, just like I do for wine. Jinxiu Pavilion allows credit.” Su Rong blinked playfully. 

Seeing her say this, Zhou Gu suppressed the joy in his heart. “Alright, let’s go!” 

At worst, he could always pay her back later. 

If he hadn’t seen Xie Lin arrive in Jiangning, he wouldn’t have shamelessly accepted a gift from his fiancée. But since Xie Lin was here, he had to show off a little. Just saying it wouldn’t be convincing enough; he needed Xie Lin to see it for himself. If he was wearing clothes gifted by Su Rong, that would be proof enough. 

Feeling lighthearted, Zhou Gu followed Su Rong to Jinxiu Pavilion. 

They hadn’t walked far when a familiar voice called out from behind. 

“Zhou Gu!” 

The voice was so familiar, he had heard it since childhood. 

Zhou Gu turned around and, sure enough, saw Xie Lin calling out to him, emerging from somewhere behind. Raising an eyebrow, he thought to himself how uncanny this was, he had just been thinking about showing off his new clothes to Xie Lin later, and now here he was. But this was perfect, he could invite Xie Lin along to Jinxiu Pavilion. 

After all, Xie Lin didn’t have a fiancée buying him clothes, let him be envious! 

Zhou Gu grinned, feeling as if he was greeting a family member. Overjoyed, he saw Xie Lin standing still after calling his name. Enthusiastically, Zhou Gu waved at him. 

“Xie Lin? What are you doing here? Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and come over!”