Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 8

Zhou Gu lingered in the Eastern Palace for half an hour. 

 

Before leaving, he couldn’t resist his curiosity and asked, “Your Highness, may I ask something? If you find that girl, do you plan to repay her?” 

 

“Yes,” Yan Huisheng nodded. 

 

“How will you repay her?” Zhou Gu pressed. 

 

Yan Huisheng glanced at him but said nothing. 

 

Zhou Gu raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, I get it. I won’t ask anymore. I’m leaving.” 

 

He turned and left decisively. After walking a few steps outside, he suddenly remembered something, turned back, leaned his head through the door, and said to Yan Huisheng, “Uh, Your Highness, may I make one more request?” 

 

“Speak.” 

 

“Well…” Zhou Gu scratched his head. “Could you treat Qin Luan a little better?” 

 

“Hmm?” Yan Huisheng raised an eyebrow. 

 

Zhou Gu carefully chose his words. “By ‘better,’ I mean ensure she isn’t bullied, that she has enough food and clothing, and lives a stable life every day.” 

 

“Alright,” Yan Huisheng agreed. 

 

“Thank you, Your Highness. I’ll be off now.” This time, Zhou Gu left decisively and didn’t look back. 

 

After he left, the study grew quiet. Yan Huisheng stood by the window for a moment and then ordered, “Summon the steward.” 

 

Xiao Chengzi answered promptly and went to fetch the steward. 

 

Shortly after, the steward arrived and saluted. “Your Highness, do you have instructions?” 

 

“Evaluate Qin Luan to see if she’s suitable to serve as a female official in the Eastern Palace,” Yan Huisheng said without turning around. “I’ve heard she’s clever. Give her a little warning, let her know what she shouldn’t think about. If she wants a stable and prosperous life, she needs to behave. For Zhou Gu’s sake, I won’t mistreat her. But if she doesn’t know her place and harbors inappropriate thoughts, even Zhou Gu’s favor won’t help her.” 

 

The steward acknowledged the order. 

 

Zhou Gu left the Eastern Palace and sighed in relief. Outside the gates, he spotted a servant from his household and raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?” 

 

The servant quickly replied, “Madam sent me to make sure you don’t stir up trouble in the Eastern Palace.” 

 

Zhou Gu understood and rolled his eyes. “I must thank my mother for having absolutely no faith in me.” Annoyed, he mounted his horse. “Let’s go. Back to the manor.” 

 

The servant hurriedly followed him. 

 

Back at the Duke’s manor, Zhou Gu headed straight to the Duchess’s quarters. 

 

The Duchess noticed her son’s calm demeanor, free from gloom or frustration. She felt reassured that Qin Luan hadn’t captured her son’s heart. She said nothing about Qin Luan or sending a servant to watch him, instead advising, “Tomorrow, you’ll head to Jiangning. Be careful on the road. Have the guards fly the Duke’s banner to avoid trouble from any ignorant bandits.” 

 

Zhou Gu thought to himself that he’d definitely avoid flying the Duke’s banner. If any bandits dared to provoke him, he’d take the opportunity to eliminate them. 

 

“The gifts prepared for the Su family and Su Seventh daughter are valuable. Make sure there are no mistakes. If you dare to ruin them, don’t blame me for having your grandfather beat you until you can’t get out of bed,” the Duchess warned sharply, knowing her son’s thoughts. 

 

“Alright, I get it.” Zhou Gu didn’t fear a beating but hated being bedridden afterward, so he reluctantly agreed. 

 

“And when you meet the Su family and Su Seventh daughter, mind your manners. Don’t act too out of line,” the Duchess instructed. “Even if you don’t like her, don’t show it too openly. She’s still a young lady, and as a man, you should consider her dignity. This is basic etiquette and upbringing. Don’t give anyone reason to say that the Duke’s family lacks manners.” 

 

Zhou Gu sighed. “Mother, are you saying that even if I don’t like her, I have to pretend I do?” 

 

“I’m not asking you to pretend to like her. I’m saying that even if you don’t, you should maintain decorum. Don’t be cold or rude. That’s not how we conduct ourselves. The marriage was arranged by your grandfather. Even if her status is low, it’s not her fault. You must not look down on her because of it. Regardless of how others behave, our Duke’s household does not have such rules.” 

 

“I understand,” Zhou Gu nodded. 

 

“Also, mutual affection between people depends on fate, shared interests, or other factors. Sometimes it’s love at first sight, other times, it’s affection that grows over time. If you don’t like her, it might be due to differences in temperament or interests, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with her. In any case, if she doesn’t mistreat you or act rudely, you’re not to embarrass her publicly.” 

 

“I understand,” Zhou Gu replied, resigned. 

 

Satisfied, the Duchess handed him a silk box. “This is a personal gift for Su Seventh daughter. Give it to her when you see her.” 

 

“What is it?” Zhou Gu took the box. 

 

“It’s a pair of bracelets your grandmother gave me when I married. One was for your sister-in-law, the other is meant for your wife.” 

 

Zhou Gu immediately pushed it back. “You’d better hold onto it for now. It’s so valuable, aren’t you afraid I’ll lose it on such a long journey? You can give it to her yourself when she comes to the capital!” 

 

The Duchess thought for a moment and relented. “Alright then.” 

 

After leaving his mother’s quarters, Zhou Gu visited the Grand Princess Sheng’an for dinner. 

 

Unlike the Duchess, the Grand Princess didn’t lecture him. Seeing Zhou Gu, she smiled warmly and beckoned him over. “Come here, my good grandson. You’re leaving on a long journey tomorrow. Knowing you’d visit today, I had all your favorite dishes prepared.” 

 

“Grandmother, you’re the best!” Zhou Gu sat beside her, leaning against her arm like a spoiled child. 

 

The Grand Princess chuckled and served him some food. “Eat more. I hear Jiangning cuisine is quite sweet. Since you’ve never liked sweet dishes, I wonder if you’ll get used to it. Shall we send a cook from the manor with you?” 

 

“No need,” Zhou Gu shook his head. “It’s just food. It won’t be that bad. Besides, I’ve been eating the manor’s dishes for over ten years. I’m tired of them. A change might be refreshing.” 

 

“That’s true,” the Grand Princess laughed. 

 

The night passed uneventfully. 

 

The Next Day: 

 

The old Duke penned a letter, handed it to Li Yan, and gave Zhou Gu a couple of instructions before waving them away. 

 

Li Yan was astonished to see Zhou Gu accompanying him back to Jiangning. He had assumed the Duke would reluctantly honor the engagement at most but hadn’t expected such a serious display. Sending the young master Zhou, along with lavish gifts, to attend lady Su’s coming-of-age ceremony was an extraordinary gesture. 

 

The Duke’s household prepared two full carts of gifts, and the old Duke assigned a hundred guards to escort Zhou Gu. 

 

As the entourage left the Duke’s manor and proceeded down the main street, they encountered a convoy bearing the emblem of Prince Rui’an’s estate. Xie Lin, mounted on horseback, rode alongside the carriages. 

 

Seeing Xie Lin, Zhou Gu immediately thought of the mischief he had in mind. Perhaps because he intended to cause trouble, he didn’t show a sour face. Instead, he greeted Xie Lin with a smile. “Xie Lin, what a coincidence! Where are you off to?” 

 

Xie Lin’s face darkened at the sight of Zhou Gu. He harbored no small grudge against him, Zhou Gu had beaten up over a dozen of his guards, humiliated them thoroughly, and even landed a punch on him. The incident was widely known, and he hadn’t left the estate for days out of shame. 

 

Today, he was only out because his mother insisted he accompany her to a temple a hundred li away. Otherwise, he would’ve stayed home to avoid public humiliation. 

 

Now, seeing Zhou Gu smiling as though nothing had happened, Xie Lin felt his temper flare. “Zhou Gu, are you out of your mind?” 

 

Zhou Gu smiled even more brightly. “Not at all! I’m perfectly fine. I’m just happy to see you and wanted to say hello.” 

 

Xie Lin was fuming. “We’re mortal enemies! Why are you acting friendly? Do we look like people who greet each other with smiles?” 

 

Zhou Gu maintained his cheerful demeanor. “Don’t be like that. True mortal enemies arise from things like killing one’s parents, spouse, or children. At best, we just had a fight. That doesn’t count as mortal enmity.” 

 

Xie Lin’s anger surged. “You knew I liked Qin Luan, yet you fought me for her! I lost the love of my life, how is that not mortal enmity?” 

 

“I genuinely didn’t know you liked Qin Luan. If I had known, I wouldn’t have competed with you,” Zhou Gu said, raising his hand earnestly. “Honestly, I regret it deeply.” 

 

Xie Lin was incensed. “Don’t give me that! You’re probably laughing on the inside.” 

 

“What’s there to laugh about? I may have won her, but I didn’t keep her. I was even beaten by my grandfather and couldn’t get out of bed for eight days. I’m just as aggrieved as you,” Zhou Gu said, attempting to reason with him. “Neither of us gained anything. Let’s call it even and reconcile.” 

 

Once reconciled, Zhou Gu planned to introduce Xie Lin to a woman from a lesser background to distract him. 

 

Xie Lin glared at him furiously. “No reconciliation.” 

 

“Oh, come on! Don’t be so petty. It’s just a woman. Look on the bright side. How about I find someone else for you as compensation?” Zhou Gu seized the chance to bait him. 

 

Xie Lin exploded. “It’s not that simple! No one else can replace Qin Luan. How would you compensate me?” 

 

Zhou Gu cleared his throat. “The world is vast, and there are always better options. Broaden your perspective. You’re a man, after all, what’s there to worry about when it comes to finding a wife?” 

 

Xie Lin grew even angrier. “From the way you’re talking, you clearly don’t even like Qin Luan. Why did you fight me for her?” 

 

Zhou Gu scratched his nose. “I already told you, I regret it.” 

 

He considered patting Xie Lin on the shoulder but decided against it, given Xie Lin’s furious expression. “Just let it go, alright?” 

 

“Get lost!” Xie Lin barked, unwilling to continue the conversation. 

 

“Fine, fine. I’ll be off. You probably won’t see me for a month, use the time to cool down and maybe gain some perspective,” Zhou Gu said, turning to leave. 

 

It was only then that Xie Lin noticed Zhou Gu’s fully prepared entourage. Though he didn’t want to speak, his curiosity got the better of him. “Where are you going?” 

 

“To Jiangning County,” Zhou Gu replied. 

 

“What for?” 

 

Zhou Gu blinked. “For fun.” 

 

Of course, he wasn’t going to admit he was heading there to attend his fiancée’s coming-of-age ceremony. The fun was merely a side activity. 

 

Xie Lin didn’t believe him. “You’re going to play, and you’ve mobilized such a big entourage? Shouldn’t you travel lightly?” 

 

Zhou Gu’s expression didn’t falter. “I’m precious, so I have to bring extra provisions. I can’t risk eating or sleeping poorly. This is a leisure trip, not a hardship.” 

 

Xie Lin found the reasoning hard to refute but still spat, “There are rumors of many bandits outside the city. Don’t get yourself killed.” 

 

Zhou Gu chuckled. “Thanks for the good wishes.” 

 

Xie Lin: “…” 

 

He couldn’t fathom how Zhou Gu managed to turn an insult into a blessing. 

 

Their prolonged conversation attracted attention. The curtains of a carriage were drawn back to reveal the dignified face of Princess Rui’an. She smiled at Zhou Gu. “I hear the old Duke has arranged a marriage for you. Is it in Jiangning County?” 

 

Xie Lin’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at Zhou Gu. 

 

Zhou Gu thought to himself that Princess Rui’an was as sharp as his mother, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. He bowed respectfully. “Yes, Your Highness.” 

 

Princess Rui’an smiled warmly. “Jiangning is a lovely place, blessed with beautiful scenery and gentle people. The girls raised there are sure to be elegant and graceful. However, it’s a long journey, so take care.” 

 

“I will. Thank you, Your Highness,” Zhou Gu replied politely. 

 

“If you’re heading to Jiangning and we’re going to the temple, the first hundred li of the journey are the same. Instead of standing here chatting, let’s travel together while the day is still young,” the Princess suggested. 

 

Xie Lin wanted to object but was too stunned by what he had just heard. 

 

Zhou Gu had no objections either, given his slow-moving carts. “Alright, let’s go together.” 

 

And so, the two groups merged and left the city together.