Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 78

Zhou Gu knew he was being shameless, but he refused to admit it in front of Xie Lin. 

Instead, he met Xie Lin’s glare with equal intensity and justified himself confidently, “Why would I feel ashamed? My fiancée wants to give me these things. She likes giving them to me. Didn’t you see how happy she was while picking out my clothes? She’s spending money to buy herself happiness, and me happiness. Why shouldn’t I accept it?” 

Xie Lin was speechless for a long moment before finally squeezing out a response. “You’re really something else.” 

Zhou Gu tilted his head. “What do you mean?” 

Xie Lin smirked. “I’m complimenting you. A role model for our generation.” 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

Since Xie Lin claimed it was a compliment, Zhou Gu happily accepted it. 

Feeling pleased with himself, he draped an arm around Xie Lin’s shoulder and scrutinized his face with an exaggerated curiosity, as if trying to uncover some deep truth. “Tell me, were you just jealous of me?” 

Xie Lin had never seen someone so brazenly self-satisfied. He shoved Zhou Gu away forcefully and scowled. “Since when were we close enough for shoulder-hugging? Stay away from me.” He rolled his eyes. “Jealous of what, exactly?” 

Zhou Gu grinned smugly. “That I have such an amazing fiancée, of course!” 

Xie Lin scoffed. “All I see is how shameless you are.” 

Seriously, where did Zhou Gu get the audacity to flaunt like this? He was ridiculously wealthy, and yet he had the nerve to accept her gifts and parade them around? 

But Zhou Gu was convinced that Xie Lin was jealous. Ignoring his friend’s dark expression, he went on bragging with an air of superiority. “Isn’t my fiancée breathtakingly beautiful? Did I lie? Isn’t she as elegant as a lotus emerging from water, naturally exquisite, as gentle as flowing water, and radiating grace and intelligence…” 

Xie Lin sighed. “She’s not that exaggeratedly stunning.” 

Zhou Gu clicked his tongue. “Then tell me, have you seen anyone more beautiful than her?” 

Xie Lin hesitated. He wanted to say Qin Luan, but even she wasn’t quite as captivating as Su Rong. After thinking for a moment, he finally muttered, “Consort Zhen.” 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

He gave Xie Lin a surprised look. “Does His Majesty know you think Consort Zhen is the most beautiful woman?” 

The implication was clear: Are you crazy? You dare to rank the Emperor’s beloved consort as the most beautiful? Do you have a death wish? 

Xie Lin glared. “Everyone in the world thinks Consort Zhen is beautiful, not just me. Zhou Gu, are you insane?” 

Seeing that Xie Lin was genuinely annoyed, Zhou Gu decided not to push too far. If he provoked Xie Lin into a full-blown argument and they ended up brawling in Jiangning, it would be far too embarrassing. 

So he quickly changed the subject. “Fine, no more talking about Consort Zhen. She’s from the palace, obviously not someone to compare. I meant, out of all the women you’ve met, excluding those from the palace, who’s the most beautiful?” 

Xie Lin struggled to answer. 

Su Rong’s beauty was like an unopened lotus bud, delicate and full of promise. Given a few more years, once she fully matured, she might truly be a devastating beauty. In all his life, besides Consort Zhen, no one else compared. 

After hesitating for a long moment, he finally conceded with a sigh. “Fine, fine. Your fiancée is the most beautiful, okay?” 

That’s what Zhou Gu wanted to hear, right? Might as well just say it and be done with it. 

Zhou Gu beamed. “Glad you admit it.” 

Hands behind his back, he strolled forward with a bounce in his step. “My fiancée isn’t just pretty. She’s also easygoing, has a great temper, and even gives me money…” 

Xie Lin: “…” 

He was officially done with this conversation. So what if you have a fiancée? 

But Zhou Gu was getting unbearable. His smug expression made Xie Lin sick to his stomach. So, in a fit of irritation, he sneered, “She’s still just a concubine-born daughter.” 

Zhou Gu’s face darkened instantly. “Heroes are not judged by their birth.” 

Xie Lin huffed. “Then what are they judged by?” 

Zhou Gu, suddenly very serious, quoted his grandfather, the old Duke. “My grandfather was once just a poor soldier, yet Grand Princess Sheng’an still married him. If you look down on my fiancée for her background, does that mean you secretly look down on the entire Duke’s manor?” 

Xie Lin was startled. “What nonsense are you talking about?” 

The Duke’s manor was one of the most powerful noble houses in the empire. Who would dare look down on them? 

Zhou Gu snorted. “So what if my fiancée is a concubine’s daughter? It’s not like she’s eating your family’s rice. Your ancestors were bandits, you know.” 

Xie Lin: “…” 

Digging up someone’s past like that was just too much! 

He glared at Zhou Gu. “Are you looking for a fight?” 

Zhou Gu smirked and raised an eyebrow. “If you want to fight, then let’s fight! You couldn’t beat me in the capital, do you really think you stand a chance here in Jiangning?” 

The implication was clear: Back in the capital, where we were on neutral ground, you were already no match for me. But here in Jiangning? This is my fiancée’s territory. If you dare pick a fight, I’ll make sure you regret it. 

Xie Lin glanced around. His personal guards were following at a reasonable distance, he had about ten of them. Meanwhile, Zhou Gu only had one or two by his side. He had known this since he arrived, as most of his men had been sent ahead to intercept Princess Dunhua. But even with the numbers advantage, Xie Lin wasn’t sure he could win. 

Frustrated, he gritted his teeth. “Fine! You think you’re so great at fighting? Let’s see who’s better in the autumn examinations!” 

Zhou Gu scoffed. “Even in the exam hall, you’ll still lose.” 

His tone was filled with absolute confidence. “And let’s not forget, your teacher isn’t as good as mine.” 

Xie Lin’s teacher was a scholar from the Imperial Academy, personally assigned by Prince Rui’an. He was considered a well-respected Confucian scholar, but he was nowhere near as famous as Grand Tutor Qin. Zhou Gu, on the other hand, had studied under the legendary Qin Taifu, the same man who had single-handedly overshadowed every tutor in the Imperial Academy and earned the honor of teaching the Crown Prince himself. 

Xie Lin felt utterly drained. No matter how he compared their situations, he couldn’t beat Zhou Gu, either physically or academically. He sighed in frustration. “Didn’t you say you were going to show me around?” 

Zhou Gu remained standing still, looking at him lazily. “You made me unhappy. I don’t feel like taking you around anymore.” 

Xie Lin: “…” 

Was this guy serious? Who was the one bragging and flaunting earlier? If Zhou Gu hadn’t been so smug, Xie Lin wouldn’t have teased him about his fiancée’s background! 

Seeing Zhou Gu turn around and start walking away, Xie Lin hesitated. 

At first, he thought, Fine, leave if you want. But then he remembered why he had come to Jiangning in the first place, it was because of Zhou Gu. He was unfamiliar with the city and only knew one person here. If he fell out with Zhou Gu now, it wouldn’t benefit him at all. 

Thinking quickly, Xie Lin swallowed his pride and caught up to him, blocking his path. With a forced smile, he offered a truce. “Alright, alright. Zhou, my friend, I was wrong. You’re right, heroes aren’t defined by their birth. Even if Miss Su is of lower birth, now that she’s your fiancée, her status has risen. No one would dare look down on her.” 

Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow. “And you?” 

Xie Lin immediately assured him, “Of course, I wouldn’t dare! I was just talking nonsense.” 

Seeing that Zhou Gu still wasn’t responding, Xie Lin quickly added, “Actually, I think Miss Su is quite nice. If it weren’t for… well…” 

He almost blurted out If it weren’t for the fact that I still think about Qin Luan… but caught himself just in time. Now that Qin Luan had entered the Eastern Palace, it was inappropriate to mention her in this way. He quickly swallowed his words. 

But Zhou Gu had already guessed what he meant. Smirking, he deliberately twisted the knife. “You’re still thinking about Qin Luan?” 

Xie Lin’s expression darkened. 

Zhou Gu chuckled. His earlier irritation disappeared, and he patted Xie Lin’s shoulder. “Alright, alright. It’s my fault. I’ll help you find someone even better than Qin Luan.” 

Someone with a noble background, just like his own fiancée. 

Xie Lin’s frustration flared again. Just the mention of Qin Luan made his bl00d boil. If not for this bastard, he would have already taken Qin Luan into his household! Even if his family opposed the match, he could have made enough trouble to force their hand. At the very least, she wouldn’t have ended up in the Eastern palace. But Zhou Gu had interfered. And now, here he was, gloating about his perfect fiancée, while Xie Lin was left with nothing. 

Irritated, he huffed, “You better keep your word. If you don’t help me find someone better, I swear you’ll never marry Miss Su.” 

She may be your fiancée now, but you haven’t actually married her yet! 

Zhou Gu’s face immediately darkened. “Xie Lin!” 

Xie Lin suddenly felt much better. “It’s settled then. You promised to help me.” 

Zhou Gu’s forehead throbbed. He had been planning to mess with Xie Lin, but now he was the one being cursed. Seething, he shoved Xie Lin and gritted his teeth. “Fine! Let’s go find you someone.” 

Hadn’t Zi Ye said that Jiangning’s Sanlou was full of women who resembled Qin Luan? 

Zhou Gu hadn’t originally planned to be this cruel, but Xie Lin had it coming. If he wanted to curse him, then he’d make sure he regretted it. 

With that thought, Zhou Gu led Xie Lin straight toward Sanlou. 

Xie Lin, of course, had no idea what Zhou Gu was scheming. 

As they twisted and turned through the streets of Jiangning, Xie Lin grew suspicious. When they finally entered a dimly lit alley, he frowned. “Where exactly are you taking me?” 

Zhou Gu remained calm. “To Jiangning’s famous Sanlou.” 

Xie Lin raised an eyebrow. 

Zhou Gu continued, expression unreadable. “It’s the one place everyone must visit when they come to Jiangning. If you leave without seeing it, you might as well not have come at all.”