Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 81

Hundred Brews was fine wine. Xie Lin didn’t have a high alcohol tolerance, and after finishing a jar, he was already somewhat drunk. 

Zhou Gu’s plan all along was to get Xie Lin drunk and extract some information from him. He seized the opportunity, asking, “You traveled this far, was your mother okay with it? She actually allowed you to come all this way?” 

Xie Lin leaned lazily against the soft couch, his eyes hazy. He shook his head, “Of course, she wasn’t okay with it. I had to pester her for a long time before she reluctantly agreed.” 

“Why did you come here?” Zhou Gu studied him. “Did you come because I’m here? Brother Xie, you are following me around like this, it’s not like you at all.” 

Xie Lin shot him a glare. “You keep going on about how great Jiangning County is. Naturally, I wanted to see it for myself. The capital is boring, so I came.” 

“Wrong. What I keep going on about is how great my fiancée is,” Zhou Gu corrected him. 

“Same thing, isn’t it? I came to meet your fiancée, to see what kind of woman could make you so devoted. One moment you were fighting with me over Qin Luan, the next moment you couldn’t wait to rush to Jiangning to see your fiancée.” Xie Lin rubbed his forehead. “Besides, didn’t Duan Hua also chase after you to Jiangning? I figured I might as well come too…” 

Zhou Gu understood now. He was here for the spectacle. Annoyed, he said, “Duan Hua didn’t come.” 

Xie Lin nodded. “I know. I saw her on the way here. She was stopped halfway by your people and was so furious she cried. The guards of the Qingping Princess’s residence tried to persuade her to return to the capital, but she refused, saying that if you wouldn’t let her come to Jiangning, she would just wait for you there. Sooner or later, you have to return to the capital, and she’ll be waiting for you on the road.” 

Zhou Gu had a headache. “And the Qingping Princess isn’t stopping her?” 

Xie Lin shook his head. “She can’t. She’s been spoiled rotten.” 

Zhou Gu let out a frustrated breath. “This is so annoying.” 

Xie Lin found this highly amusing and swayed slightly as he said, “Can’t hit her, can’t scold her, can’t kill her, and she won’t leave even if you try to chase her away. You got yourself involved with Duan Hua, and from the looks of it, she won’t just let this go. Even though you have a fiancée now, your fiancée comes from a humble background, how could she possibly stand against Duan Hua? What if one day Duan Hua meets her and bullies her to death?” 

“Who got involved with her?” Zhou Gu’s expression darkened. 

“Yes, yes, you didn’t actively provoke her. But just having this face of yours is already a crime,” Xie Lin said with a resigned look. “Hey, have you ever wondered why, in the past two years, no girls have thrown handkerchiefs or sachets at you when you walked through the streets? You used to be pestered all the time. But for the past two years, none of that has happened. The girls keep their distance, only sneaking glances from afar. Ever thought about why?” 

“Why?” 

Zhou Gu thought about it and realized it was true. If Xie Lin hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have even noticed. 

Xie Lin told him outright, “Since you treated me to such fine wine today, I’ll tell you the truth. It’s because Duan Hua has been warning all the girls who liked you, both openly and secretly. Some of them, she dealt with harshly, either forcing their families to move out of the capital or making them marry in a hurry. Those from better backgrounds kept their heads down and didn’t dare to show any affection toward you in front of her.” 

Zhou Gu had never heard of this before. No one had ever told him. He was instantly filled with disgust. 

“So, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Even if you stop her from coming to Jiangning now, it won’t help. Unless you keep a tight guard on your fiancée and don’t let Duan Hua get a chance. Otherwise, she will eventually take out her frustration on your fiancée for you preventing her from coming here,” Xie Lin said. He shuddered at the thought. “Ah, what a nightmare of a woman to be entangled with. Lucky for me, I don’t have to deal with her.” 

He looked at Zhou Gu with sympathy. “Your fiancée is such a delicate and gentle girl. Do you think she can withstand Duan Hua’s torment? If you really want to protect her, you should marry her as soon as possible. But even then, she still won’t be safe. Duan Hua has been using her status to bully others for years, who’s going to stop her when the Emperor himself is her uncle?” 

Sitting up straight, he reached for the wine jug again, shaking his head. “Zhou Gu, to be entangled with a woman like that, you’re truly pitiful.” 

Zhou Gu was furious. He slapped Xie Lin’s hand away and snapped, “You’re the pitiful one! Stop drinking. Aren’t you supposed to be visiting the lord’s mansion? If you drink too much and embarrass yourself, I won’t take responsibility.” 

Xie Lin pulled his hand back. “True. I won’t drink anymore. I need a nap.” 

With that, he tilted his head and fell asleep. 

Zhou Gu: “…” 

He had half a mind to throw a woman in Xie Lin’s bed so that when he woke up, he’d be the one entangled and see who was truly pitiful. 

Xie Lin slept for an hour. When he woke up, the setting sun was streaming through the window. He murmured, “It’s this late already?” before sitting up and glancing at Zhou Gu, who was nestled in a chair reading. 

The room was quiet. Zhou Gu held a book in his hands, reading leisurely. 

Xie Lin asked, “What are you reading?” 

“Records of the Grand Historian.” 

Xie Lin didn’t believe him. “There’s a copy of Records of the Grand Historian in a place like this?” 

He leaned over to look and, to his shock, saw that it really was Records of the Grand Historian. 

He was stunned. “Where did you get this?” 

“I borrowed it from the proprietor.” 

Xie Lin sighed, “This brothel has quite a high standard.” 

Zhou Gu put down the book in his hands and stood up. “Since you’re awake, let’s go!” 

Xie Lin nodded, patted the creases on his robe, and lifted his arm to sniff his sleeve. He reeked of alcohol. Following Zhou Gu, he said, “You have to accompany me back to the inn to change. I can’t visit someone looking this disheveled.” 

Zhou Gu glanced at him. “No one is looking at you.” 

“Impossible!” Xie Lin refused to believe it. “It’s still early. Come with me. I can’t just show up empty-handed and freeload. I need to bring a gift.” 

Hearing this, Zhou Gu had no objections. “Alright.” 

He certainly couldn’t let this guy eat for free. Since he was willing to spend money, so be it! 

The two of them left the room, retracing their steps until they reached Jade Madam’s window. Zhou Gu stopped and knocked three times. There was no response from inside, but someone from the adjacent room stepped out and saluted Zhou Gu. “Young Master Zhou, the mistress has instructed that you may leave as you wish.” 

Zhou Gu nodded. “In that case, please convey my thanks to your mistress.” 

The person nodded in acknowledgment. 

Zhou Gu led Xie Lin out of Zuilou. 

Once they had climbed over the wall and landed outside, Xie Lin belatedly grabbed Zhou Gu and whispered, “Zhou Gu, you’ve got skills. How long have you been in Jiangning? You’ve already figured out the brothels.” 

Zhou Gu didn’t explain. “Hurry up and go. Stop talking nonsense!” 

Xie Lin pouted. 

They arrived at the inn where Xie Lin was staying. He quickly changed into fresh clothes and took a ginseng root as a gift. Led by Zhou Gu, they headed to the lord’s residence. 

By this time, the sun had set, and the lord’s kitchen had already prepared the evening meal. 

The madam of the house, seeing that they had not yet arrived, asked Su Xingze, “Should we send someone to look for them? Why aren’t they back yet?” 

Su Xingze glanced at the sky and shook his head. “Let’s wait a little longer. Since Seventh Sister invited him, and Young Prince Xie agreed, he will surely come.” 

The madam nodded. “Then we’ll wait a bit more.” 

After about another half an hour, a servant came to report that Young Master Zhou had returned, bringing Young Prince Xie with him. The madam adjusted her clothing and instructed Su Xingze to go and greet them. 

The young prince of Rui’an Palace held a status equivalent to Zhou Gu, the son of the old Protector Duke. Both were distinguished guests. As a senior, the madam did not need to personally greet them, but it was proper etiquette for Su Xingze to do so. 

Before coming to Jiangning, Xie Lin had made an effort to learn about the region, especially the members of the lord’s household. Su Xingze, in particular, was renowned for his intellect. Many had placed bets on him achieving high honors in the upcoming autumn imperial exams. Now that Xie Lin had met him in person, just a few exchanges convinced him that Su Xingze’s reputation was well-deserved and that he was someone not to be underestimated. 

He discreetly patted Zhou Gu’s shoulder and whispered, “Zhou Gu, your brother-in-law is quite formidable.” 

Zhou Gu snorted. He had known this long ago; did he need Xie Lin to tell him? 

Lord Su and the madam were both very hospitable. As soon as Xie Lin entered the residence, he was led to the dining area. 

Throughout the meal, he was repeatedly encouraged to eat. Looking at the harmonious, full household gathered around the table, Xie Lin found it quite different from other noble residences. In most places, when distinguished guests visited, concubines and illegitimate daughters would not be allowed at the same table. Moreover, men and women typically dined separately. Here, however, everyone sat together in a lively atmosphere, creating the impression that all family members were of equal standing. 

Zhou Gu, on the other hand, seemed completely accustomed to it. 

Xie Lin, however, felt out of place. With so many women at the table and so few men, he found himself a bit uncomfortable. 

Lord Su patted Xie Lin’s shoulder with a smile. “Nephew Xie, relax. You are Zhou’s sworn brother, which makes you family. No need for formality.” 

The madam used serving chopsticks to place a piece of fish in Xie Lin’s bowl and said warmly, “Nephew Xie, try the fish. Our Jiangning waters produce especially fresh and delicious fish.” 

Xie Lin nodded repeatedly. Back in the capital, he had dined at many homes, but none had treated him with the level of warmth and hospitality he was experiencing here. The enthusiasm felt genuine rather than sycophantic, making it all the more comfortable. 

And so, amid such heartfelt hospitality, the meal concluded. Xie Lin realized he had eaten too much.