Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 75

Xie Lin had already spotted Zhou Gu. Beside him was a slender young woman with delicate features, fair skin, and an elegant demeanor. The two walked side by side, very close to each other, talking and laughing. 

Xie Lin was stunned. Since childhood, Zhou Gu had never been close to any woman. Even with Qin Luan, before the Qin family fell from grace, there was always a respectable distance between them. As for other women, he avoided them whenever possible, speaking only when absolutely necessary. He was well aware of his striking looks and noble status, which had drawn admiration from many girls over the years. Yet, he had always kept his distance, never bullying or approaching them needlessly. But now, he was walking shoulder to shoulder with this girl, their clothes nearly touching. 

When Zhou Gu had left the capital, he had spoken of his fiancée, but Xie Lin had doubted him. He suspected Zhou Gu was merely boasting to save face, perhaps embarrassed that his fiancée was just a concubine’s daughter from a provincial governor’s household. Knowing Zhou Gu’s pride, Xie Lin had thought it likely. Zhou Gu hated being ridiculed and would go to great lengths to avoid it. Just months ago, he had tried to win over Qin Luan, failed, and got beaten by his grandfather, the old Protector Duke. That humiliation had kept him cooped up at home for days, just like Xie Lin himself after his own losses. 

But now, seeing Zhou Gu with his own eyes, Xie Lin was no longer sure. Had he misjudged the situation? 

He stepped forward, stopping in front of Zhou Gu and Su Rong. “You said Jiangning was great, so I came to see for myself.” He then turned to Su Rong and asked, “And this young lady is…?” 

Zhou Gu stood straight and introduced her, “This is my fiancée, Su Rong. I told you about her before I left the capital.” 

Xie Lin thought to himself: So, it’s true. Su Rong, the concubine-born daughter of the Jiangning Governor’s household. She had already become famous in the capital, as word of Zhou Gu’s unlikely engagement had spread. Everyone thought it was absurd, two families worlds apart, with no previous ties. The Protector Duke’s household had never mentioned the engagement, making people suspect something shady about it. Many believed it would be broken off sooner or later. 

But looking at Zhou Gu now, Xie Lin wasn’t so sure. Could this engagement really fall apart? Even before marriage, they were already this close. 

Xie Lin studied Su Rong carefully. From afar, he hadn’t seen clearly, but now that they stood close, he was surprised. Her looks and demeanor were nothing like what he had imagined for a concubine’s daughter struggling for survival in a lord’s household. She stood calmly beside Zhou Gu, letting Xie Lin observe her. She, too, was observing him, not timid, not overly curious, just composed and indifferent. 

Even noble ladies in the capital wouldn’t outshine her in grace. 

Who would’ve thought that a mere Jiangning lord’s residence could raise such a woman? No wonder Zhou Gu had bragged about her. Xie Lin was reluctant to admit it, but compared to Su Rong, Qin Luan was slightly less attractive. And even before her family’s downfall, Qin Luan’s gaze had never been as straightforward as Su Rong’s, clear, direct, without any hidden thoughts. 

Suppressing his thoughts, Xie Lin cupped his hands and greeted, “Miss Su, I am Xie Lin from the Rui’an Prince’s household.” 

Su Rong was surprised. She hadn’t realized that Zhou Gu and Xie Lin got along so well. She had assumed they were always at each other’s throats, yet Zhou Gu’s enthusiasm upon seeing Xie Lin was undeniable. And Xie Lin, despite his initial outburst, didn’t seem hostile either. 

Su Rong didn’t quite understand how men’s relationships worked after a fight. If it were her, after brawling with Chen Zhou, she would still find him annoying and would want to punch him again. 

Smiling, she nodded and said, “Greetings, Prince Xie. I’ve heard Brother Zhou mention you before. He says you two are close friends. I didn’t expect you to come to Jiangning as well.” 

Xie Lin almost froze at hearing her call Zhou Gu “Brother Zhou.” He vividly recalled how, as children, a girl from a noble family had once called Zhou Gu that, and Zhou Gu had immediately snapped at her, telling her never to say it again because he found it unbearable. Yet now, years later, someone was calling him that again, and instead of being annoyed, Zhou Gu looked proud and pleased. 

How the tables have turned. 

Xie Lin wanted to say, “Who’s close friends with him?” but seeing Su Rong’s friendly smile, he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Instead, he just nodded. “The capital was getting dull, so I decided to take a trip. I arrived in Jiangning just an hour ago.” 

He then turned to Zhou Gu. “After settling in, I went for a stroll and happened to run into you. I’m staying at the Bafang Inn. Where have you been staying?” 

Zhou Gu replied matter-of-factly, “At the lord’s residence, of course. Uncle and Aunt Su were so welcoming that I couldn’t refuse their hospitality.” 

Xie Lin: “…” 

He shouldn’t have asked. I don’t have in-laws who would invite me into their home like that. 

Zhou Gu invited him, “We’re heading to Jinxiu Pavilion. Want to come along?” 

“Isn’t Jinxiu Pavilion just a clothing store? What’s there to see?” Xie Lin glanced at Su Rong and suddenly understood. “Are you accompanying Miss Su to buy clothes?” 

“No, she’s accompanying me.” Zhou Gu, worried Xie Lin might refuse, added, “Come along with me. After we’re done shopping, I’ll show you around Jiangning. I’ve been here for days and know all the best spots.” 

Xie Lin, unfamiliar with Jiangning and only here out of curiosity because Zhou Gu had come, had no objections. “Alright.” 

Zhou Gu was secretly pleased. Now, everything was going according to plan. 

Su Rong had no idea what dark thoughts were swirling in Zhou Gu’s mind. She only noticed that he seemed too happy upon seeing Xie Lin. Was this some kind of post-fight syndrome? Or had their relationship always been this close? Like long-lost brothers finally reunited after years apart? 

That didn’t seem right, though. After all, back at the tavern, when Zhou Gu had spotted Xie Lin through the window, he hadn’t looked particularly thrilled. 

Xie Lin also found it odd. He suspected Zhou Gu’s brain had taken some serious damage, probably after snatching Qin Luan away and getting beaten up by his grandfather. Ever since then, Zhou Gu had been strangely friendly. Even before leaving the capital, he had gone out of his way to make peace, and now he was acting downright brotherly. 

They had known each other since childhood, but their usual interactions never involved this much enthusiasm. 

Xie Lin guessed that it had to be because Zhou Gu truly liked his fiancée. Perhaps a joyous event had put him in such high spirits that everyone now seemed like family? 

With these thoughts lingering, the three of them arrived at Jinxiu Pavilion. 

Jinxiu Pavilion was technically half-owned by Su Rong, so the moment she stepped inside, the shopkeeper greeted her with a wide smile. “Seventh Miss, it has been a while since you last visited.” 

Su Rong returned the smile. “Mother has been teaching me how to manage the household, so I haven’t had time to drop by.” 

The shopkeeper had heard rumors about Su Rong being confined at home to learn proper manners, but he played along and chuckled. “That’s understandable. But even if you’re busy, just send word, and I’ll have the fabrics brought directly to the estate. No need for you to make a trip in person.” 

Su Rong waved a hand dismissively. “I have more than enough clothes. Today, I’m here to order some for my fiancé. He didn’t bring many when he came to Jiangning.” 

As she spoke, she reached out, tugged Zhou Gu forward, and declared, “The best fabrics, let’s pick ten kinds and make ten sets.” 

Then she turned to Zhou Gu. “That should be enough for you to wear, right?” 

Zhou Gu paused for a moment. “…It’s enough.” 

Actually, he wanted to say that’s way too much, but with Xie Lin standing right there, he decided against it. 

Su Rong nodded and instructed the shopkeeper, “Ten sets, then.” 

The shopkeeper’s eyes twinkled as he sized up Zhou Gu, his smile deepening. “Young Master Zhou and Seventh Miss truly make a perfect pair, talented and beautiful, a match made in heaven.” 

Zhou Gu coughed lightly, choosing not to comment. 

Su Rong, however, nodded with a grin. “That’s what everyone says.” 

The shopkeeper’s eyes flickered with understanding before he continued, still beaming, “Young Master Zhou has such striking looks, he could make even ordinary fabrics look extraordinary. But just last night, we received a batch of top-tier materials, nearly as fine as those supplied to the imperial court. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare wear them, but Young Master Zhou certainly could. Seventh Miss, what do you think?” 

Before Su Rong could respond, Zhou Gu immediately said, “Just the regular fabrics.” 

At the same time, Su Rong said, “We’ll take the new batch.” 

Zhou Gu turned to look at her. 

Su Rong softened her voice. “Brother Zhou, listen to me.” 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Xie Lin watching him with undisguised amusement. 

“…Fine. Whatever you say.” 

Seeing that he no longer objected, Su Rong smiled and turned back to the shopkeeper. “Bring them all out to the counter. I’ll choose myself.” 

“Right away, Seventh Miss!” The shopkeeper replied enthusiastically and quickly sent an assistant to fetch the materials.