Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 85

As they spoke, Yue Wan had already finished setting the table. Su Rong and Zhou Gu naturally dropped the topic of Xie Lin.

The Su family didn’t strictly follow the rule of “no talking during meals or sleep.” Even when the entire household gathered at the table, no one enforced such formality, much less when it was just Su Rong and Zhou Gu.

So, the two continued chatting idly as they ate. Zhou Gu was used to her talkativeness by now, and before they realized it, both had eaten more than they should.

Su Rong had been on her feet all day. Now she didn’t want to move at all. She leaned back in her chair with a yawn. “I don’t feel like taking a walk tonight.”

Zhou Gu looked at her. “Isn’t your coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow? Even if relatives came by the Su residence today, you wouldn’t need to entertain them yourself. Why are you so tired?”

“I wasn’t supposed to, but Mother insisted I stay by her side and accompany her while she hosted guests,” Su Rong sighed. “She said I should start learning these things.”

She looked at Zhou Gu’s handsome face, cast in elegant shadows by the lamplight, and sighed again. “Mother said, now that I’m of age, I need to start learning how to manage the household. Once I marry you, I can’t have no idea how to handle these things, greeting guests, seeing them off. I can’t expect you to do that.”

Zhou Gu felt the madam had a point and nodded instinctively.

Su Rong stared at him. She wanted to say, If you weren’t so annoyingly good-looking, I’d be reconsidering this marriage altogether, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud. She just sighed again. “Why are you nodding? Aren’t you the youngest in your family? With so many sisters-in-law above me, even if I marry you, there’s no need for me to deal with these things, right?”

Zhou Gu thought it over and found her reasoning sound. He nodded again. “That’s true.”

“But Mother says you’ll have your own household one day,” Su Rong added.

“My grandparents are still alive. There won’t be a division of the family anytime soon,” Zhou Gu paused. “But someday, yes, we’ll have to split and establish our own branch.”

After all, no brothers remain tied together for a lifetime.

Thinking of all the hypothetical scenarios her mother had already dismissed, Su Rong asked, “Then… is there a way I can avoid managing all those trivial household affairs?”

“Leave it to the steward?” Zhou Gu suggested.

“And what about dealing with the other ladies of the various households?”

Zhou Gu thought carefully. Even his mother, with all her status and experience, had to maintain social ties and manage appearances. Nobles and gentry needed to interact; banquets were held for birthdays and holidays; there was no end to it. Since his eldest sister-in-law had joined the family, she helped shoulder some of the burden, but certain things his mother had to handle personally. No one could truly take her place.

He shook his head. “There’s no real way around it.”

Unless they closed their doors and refused all guests forever, but that was impossible.

Where there are people, there is etiquette and social obligation.

Su Rong propped her chin up with both hands. “So, if I don’t get married, I won’t have to deal with any of this?”

Zhou Gu: “……”

He was silent for a moment, then nodded. “I suppose so?”

But he truly didn’t know. It wasn’t a question he could easily answer.

Su Rong yawned again, her eyes watering now. She said softly, “I really can’t stay up any longer.”

Seeing how sleepy she looked, Zhou Gu figured their evening stroll definitely wasn’t happening. He stood up and gently reminded her, “Have Yue Wan bring you some hawthorn to help with digestion before bed. You don’t want an upset stomach.”

Su Rong thought Zhou Gu could be surprisingly attentive at times. He wasn’t like the typical pampered young master who only cared for himself. She nodded and stood as well. “Brother Zhou, take care on your way. I won’t see you out.”

Zhou Gu gave a slight nod and turned to leave.

After he left, Yue Wan slipped into the room. Seeing Su Rong entering her bedchamber, she followed with a grin. “Miss, Young Master Zhou really doesn’t put on airs. He’s got a good temper and kind disposition, not only are the master and madam always praising him, but even the other young ladies and concubines in the house envy you. And outside the residence, plenty of people have nothing but praise for him. Once your ceremony is over and Young Master Zhou returns to the capital, do you think your engagement will be officially settled?”

“I don’t know.” Su Rong had no complaints about Zhou Gu himself. If anything, the only concern was his powerful family. She still didn’t know if the people who wanted her dead would ever let her marry safely into the Duke Protector’s household.

While spreading the bedding, Yue Wan went on, “The madam mentioned today that it’s time to start selecting your bridal attendants, matrons and maids for your dowry. You’ve only had me by your side all these years, but once you marry, surely, you’ll need more than just me, right?”

“Isn’t it a bit early for that?” Su Rong frowned. “The engagement isn’t even officially confirmed yet. Mother’s already making plans, don’t you think it’s too soon?”

“The Madam said it’s not too early,” Yue Wan continued chattering as she laid out the bedding. “You need to choose your attendants in advance. They must serve at your side for a while to get used to your habits. If we wait too long, they might not be up to the task once you enter the Duke Protector’s household.”

Su Rong sighed. “Mother’s been hovering over everything lately. With the way she’s rushing things, I almost feel like I’m getting married tomorrow.”

Yue Wan giggled. “Isn’t it because Young Master Zhou is just that good? Of course, the Madam wants to be proactive. This marriage can’t afford any mistakes.”

Su Rong reached out and pinched her cheek. “What are you so happy about?”

Eyes bright and face full of expectation, Yue Wan beamed. “I’m hoping that once you marry into the Duke Protector’s household and strike it rich, you’ll buy every delicious treat in the capital for me.” Then she added cheekily, “And for A-de too.”

Su Rong rolled her eyes. “Is that really the height of your ambition?”

“What else could I dream of?”

Su Rong slipped off her outer robe and settled into bed. “Why not buy up every pastry shop in the capital and make them your personal property? Then you could eat anything, anytime you want.”

Yue Wan: “…”

Was that even something a little maid like her could dare dream of?

The next morning, the day of Su Rong’s coming-of-age ceremony, she was awakened while it was still dark outside. Madam Wang arrived early with her attendants, calling Su Rong out of bed.

Fortunately, Su Rong had gone to bed early the night before and felt well-rested, even at that hour. After bathing and changing into fresh clothes, she was seated while Madam Wang and her team began the intricate process of dressing and styling her. Granny Zhao arrived early as well, to oversee her makeup.

Granny Zhao was both skilled and meticulous. As she worked on Su Rong’s face, she praised her, “Seventh Miss, your skin is soft and porcelain-smooth—flawless.

Your face is a natural masterpiece. Any look would suit you. Today, I’ll give you something radiant and eye-catching.”

Su Rong had no objections.

Standing to the side, Madam Wang whispered, “Our Seventh Miss is already so stunning, if her makeup is too bold, will it be too overwhelming?”

“We want it to be overwhelming,” Teacher Zhao said with confidence. “When a family has a daughter, the whole city comes courting. Today is the key moment. Even though Seventh Miss is already betrothed to Young Master Zhou, that’s all the more reason she must look her absolute best. Let all the guests see that there is nothing about her that isn’t worthy of the Duke Protector’s household.”

Madam Wang thought that made sense and nodded with a smile. “We’ll go with whatever Granny Zhao suggests.”

Rumors had been swirling in the capital for some time. Many said the Su family must have done the Duke Protector’s household a great favor, how else could they get the old Duke to agree to such a match, marrying off his grandson to a concubine-born daughter of the Su family? Even if no one dared say it outright, the gossip was everywhere. The Duke’s family couldn’t fully suppress it. The Su family might know the rumors were technically true, but that didn’t mean they didn’t feel offended. After all, their Seventh Miss was exceptional. With her looks, she could have been an empress. How was she not good enough for Young Master Zhou?

Teacher Zhao’s hands moved deftly, and an hour later, the makeup was complete.

When Su Rong looked at her reflection, she barely recognized herself. She blinked. The beauty in the mirror blinked back. She pursed her lips; the mirror image mirrored the motion. She pinched her earlobe; the reflection did the same. After a few checks, she finally accepted that it was her.

She had always known she was beautiful, but she hadn’t known just how stunning she could be with the right touch. Teacher Zhao’s handiwork had transformed her into something almost unreal.

Madam Wang gasped in admiration. “Oh my, Teacher Zhao—your skill is unmatched! Our Seventh Miss looks absolutely breathtaking today!”

Yue Wan crowded in for a look, her face full of wonder. “Miss, are you still my Miss?”

Su Rong turned to her and playfully pinched her face. “Take a closer look. Am I me or not?”

Yue Wan yelped and clutched her cheek, eyes shining. “Miss, you’re too beautiful!”

Su Rong had to agree. She reached back and touched the tips of her styled hair, then turned to Teacher Zhao. “Thank you, Teacher. You’ve worked so hard.”

Teacher Zhao shook her head with a smile. “It was no trouble at all.”

In her heart, she too was marveling, this girl’s beauty was capital-toppling. Even in the grand capital itself, she would be unmatched.

Madam Wang checked the sandglass and clapped her hands cheerfully. “Come now, it’s almost time.”

Su Rong nodded, and surrounded by the maids and matrons, she made her way to the front hall.