Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 80

During the day, Zuilou was indeed much quieter. It was nothing like the bustling night when Su Rong had brought Zhou Gu here last time, noisy, chaotic, filled with all kinds of sounds. 

Xie Lin widened his eyes and questioned Zhou Gu, “Your fiancée is way too open-minded. Does she not like you?” 

In his opinion, only a woman who didn’t care about a man would be this indifferent. From what he knew, there was no such thing as a truly broad-minded woman. Many women said one thing but thought another, wishing they could tie their man’s heart to their waistbelt so he wouldn’t even look at another woman. 

Zhou Gu didn’t like what he was hearing. “If she didn’t like me, would she have bought me so many clothes?” 

Xie Lin thought about it and had to admit that made sense. But still, he was puzzled. “Your fiancée is really hard to understand.” 

“You don’t need to understand her,” Zhou Gu replied, raising his cup. “Come on, drink. Stop overthinking. Since we’re here, enjoy the wine. And the performances, they’re even better than the palace dancers.” 

They were both raised in noble families, accustomed to luxury. Ordinary music and performances rarely impressed them. 

Xie Lin nodded. Seeing Zhou Gu so relaxed, he took a sip of his wine and tried to let go of his unease. So this is what a brothel is like? It wasn’t as debauched as he had imagined. 

Since Zhou Gu had brought Xie Lin to Zuilou, Yu Niang naturally had to inform Su Rong. After all, Zhou Gu was merely following her past example, visiting Zuilou the way she had. 

Su Rong, accompanied by Zhou Gu’s guards, found it inconvenient to go elsewhere, so she simply bought some street food and returned home. 

When Su Xingze saw her, he was surprised. “Su Rong, why are you back alone? Where’s Zhou Gu?” 

Su Rong handed him a portion of roasted chestnuts she had bought especially for him and explained, “Xie Lin from the Rui’an Royal Mansion is in Jiangning. We happened to run into him, and Zhou Gu took him out to have fun. I didn’t feel like going, so I came back.” 

Su Xingze was puzzled. “Xie Lin? From the Rui’an Royal Mansion? What’s he doing in Jiangning?” 

Su Rong shook her head. “He said he was bored in the capital and, knowing Zhou Gu was here, decided to visit and have some fun.” 

Su Xingze found it odd. “Weren’t they on bad terms?” 

Su Rong was also confused. “Exactly. They fought over Qin Luan before, fought so hard that it was known all over the capital. By logic, they shouldn’t get along. But when I saw them together, they seemed rather friendly…” 

Su Xingze remained skeptical. “Where did they go?” 

Su Rong shrugged. “No idea. I didn’t ask.” 

She figured they were just strolling through the street markets. After all, when Zhou Gu first arrived in Jiangning, he had spent days exploring them. 

Su Xingze seemed to have the same thought. Most out-of-towners started their trip to Jiangning by indulging in the local food scene. 

Su Rong then added, “By the way, Brother, I invited Xie Lin over for dinner tonight. Have the kitchen prepare fish.” 

Su Xingze nodded. “Since we know Xie Lin is in Jiangning, it’s only proper to invite him over. I’ll inform Mother and have the kitchen prepare accordingly.” Then he asked, “Where is Xie Lin staying?” 

“Probably an inn,” Su Rong said, yawning. “I’m not sure, but it’s easy to find out. If you’re curious, send someone to ask.” 

Su Xingze hummed in agreement. He was going to send someone to investigate why Xie Lin had come to Jiangning, to see if his reasons were as simple as he claimed. Seeing Su Rong yawn again, he urged, “The sun is scorching. If you’re tired, go rest. Leave everything to me.” 

Su Rong had no objections. She waved her hand dismissively, took her food, and returned to her courtyard. 

After she left, Su Xingze looked at the roasted chestnuts in his hand and smiled. Then, after giving some orders, he went to inform the Lord and the Madam of the house. 

When Madam Su heard that Xie Lin from the Rui’an Royal Mansion had arrived in Jiangning and was invited to their home for dinner, she immediately began preparing for the evening meal. 

At the same time, she asked Su Xingze curiously, “Isn’t this the same Xie Lin who fought with Zhou Gu?” 

Their infamous brawl over a woman had been a huge scandal, everyone knew about it. 

Su Xingze nodded. 

Lady Su found it strange. “They fought so badly, yet now they’re hanging out together?” 

Su Xingze hadn’t met Xie Lin yet, so he shook his head. “I don’t know. All I know is that Su Rong said they seemed quite friendly. So she invited him over.” 

Madam Su, who had lived a long life, suddenly felt that she didn’t understand young people at all. She sighed and said, “Alright. A guest is a guest.” 

Upon receiving the orders, the Su family’s kitchen quickly got busy preparing for the evening meal. 

Back in her courtyard, Su Rong handed her bag of snacks to Yue Wan. Yue Wan happily split some with A’le before following Su Rong inside. Curious, she asked, “Miss, it’s still early. Why did you come back so soon?” 

Su Rong poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, and repeated her usual response, “Xie Lin showed up. Zhou Gu took him out. I didn’t want to go, so I came back.” 

“Xie Lin?” Yue Wan frowned. “That name sounds so familiar…” 

“The Prince of Rui’an household.” 

Yue Wan gasped, “Ah! You mean the one who fought with Young Master Zhou over a woman?” 

“Mm.” 

Yue Wan was indignant. “Why is he here? Didn’t Young Master Zhou beat him up again when they met?” 

Su Rong: “…” 

She was speechless. “Why would he beat him up again?” 

Yue Wan huffed. “He dared to compete with Young Master Zhou over a woman! That’s a huge grudge. Shouldn’t they be at each other’s throats the moment they meet?” 

Su Rong chuckled. “You really side with Zhou Gu.” 

She reminded Yue Wan, “He was fighting over another woman.” 

In other words, it wasn’t me. Why are you getting so worked up? 

Yue Wan smacked her forehead. “Oh, right! Miss, you’re the real fiancée of Young Master Zhou. Competing with another man for a woman, that’s not right!” 

She popped a roasted chestnut into her mouth and chewed, mumbling, “But they’re not fighting anymore? How come they’re hanging out now? I don’t get it.” 

She had thought these two would be at each other’s throats the moment they met. 

Su Rong had thought the same. Yet, when Zhou Gu saw Xie Lin, he had greeted him warmly. She shook her head. “Not only are they not fighting, but they seem to be getting along quite well.” 

She sighed in realization. “I suppose men are generally more forgiving than women.” 

Yue Wan nodded rapidly in agreement. “Exactly! If you had fought with someone, you’d fight them again the next time you met. Like Jiang Yunyin, she insulted you once, and even though it’s been three years, you still got your revenge.” 

She concluded, “Maybe women just hold grudges longer.” 

Su Rong wholeheartedly agreed, nodding. She was definitely the type to bear a grudge. 

As the two of them discussed the great magnanimity of men, a messenger arrived with a report for Su Rong. “Seventh Miss, Miss Yu sent me to inform you that Young Master Zhou has taken Prince Xie Lin to Zuilou.” 

Su Rong was stunned. “What did you say?” 

She thought she had misheard. 

The messenger repeated himself and added, “Young Master Zhou took the little prince to Zuilou, but they didn’t enter through the main entrance. Instead, they took the same route you usually use. When they met Jade Madam, he asked if he could receive the same treatment as you. Naturally, Jade Madam agreed, and they were given the same arrangements and hospitality as you always receive.” 

Su Rong: “…” 

She had heard clearly this time. After a long silence, she finally said, “Alright. Tell Jade Madam I got the message.” 

After a pause, she added, “Make sure to treat them well.” 

The messenger acknowledged the instruction and left. 

Yue Wan scooted closer to Su Rong in confusion. “Miss, is Young Master Zhou really taking Little Prince Xie to a brothel? In broad daylight? What’s there to see? If anything, shouldn’t they go at night?” 

Su Rong shot her a glare. “Is this really about day or night?” 

“Why not? Don’t people usually visit brothels at night? With lanterns glowing, music playing, dancers performing, it’s all about the atmosphere. A night of debauchery—” 

“Enough!” Su Rong cut her off before she could ramble any further. 

Yue Wan blinked her big eyes innocently. “I don’t get it.” 

Su Rong patted her head. “Your little brain isn’t suited for deep thoughts. Just go eat. Let me have some peace.” 

“Oh,” Yue Wan mumbled, hugging her food as she walked off. 

Su Rong pondered over Zhou Gu taking Xie Lin to Zui Lou. She had thought he would take him around Jiangning County, maybe to the snack streets, like when he had first arrived. But instead, he had gone there. Did Xie Lin have a particular fondness for such places? Since he couldn’t enter through the front, had Zhou Gu simply followed her example and snuck in? 

She had never heard of the prince of Rui’an being especially interested in brothels. 

After a while, she realized that, regardless of Xie Lin’s preferences, Zhou Gu had gone there a second time. This meant he must have understood by now just how deep her connections to Zuilou ran. Otherwise, without her, he wouldn’t have received the same treatment. This proved that her ties were far from ordinary. 

Su Rong sighed. Well, so be it. She hadn’t intended to hide it from him anyway. If she had, she wouldn’t have bought him those clothes today.