Chapter 206: Settling the Score

"Wang Shu said he had a great time drinking yesterday, feeling like meeting some fellow scholars was a long-awaited pleasure. He plans to have a few more drinks with them later. Which scholars specifically took care of Wang Shu yesterday?"

After everyone was seated, Su Yaoguang cheerfully chatted with them.

One of the scholars said proudly, "Oh, it was nothing. Brother Wang Shu is a straightforward guy, but his alcohol tolerance is somewhat lacking. But that’s alright; I’ll teach him to build it up over time, and he’ll become a drinking hero sooner or later."

"Is your wife also someone who enjoys such activities?" another scholar asked, "Then we should all drink a few more cups later."

Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu exchanged a glance.

Zhang Fengyi was worried Zhang Linglong might say something inappropriate again and kept holding her wrist under the table.

Su Yaoguang looked at Zhang Linglong, "Miss Zhang, your alcohol tolerance shouldn’t be bad, right?"

At this point, jealousy had clouded Zhang Linglong’s judgment, and she replied without hesitation, "Of course, I’ll drink with you to your heart’s content later."

"That sounds great. They are all men, I can’t compete with them. Since we are both women, let’s be companions, so it won’t be lonely."

Zhong Chushan muttered, "I reckon there will be quite a show later."

Chen Buyu leaned over to Zhou Wangshu’s ear and asked, "How is Yaoguang’s alcohol tolerance?"

Zhou Wangshu responded with a face full of resignation, "Better than mine."

Though not by much.

Where did this girl get her courage to issue a challenge?

When the food and drinks were served, Su Yaoguang invited everyone to start drinking. As she downed one cup after another, she seemed unaffected, causing Zhou Wangshu’s initial concern to fade away. He was curious about how she appeared to be divinely assisted, drinking so much without changing her expression.

Zhou Wangshu wanted to drink a few cups on her behalf, but she refused.

"You drank too much yesterday, don’t think of touching a drop today," Su Yaoguang said, "You’re soon to take the examinations, don’t you care about your health anymore?"

"Some people just have a caring wife," a scholar beside them slurred, "Although I’m five years older than Wang Shu, no one cares about me even now. My parents push me to study every day, as if not earning a title would waste their years of effort."

"This time, I must earn a scholar’s title. Once I do, I can at least find a clerk’s job at the local county government, which is still eating government resources. If I’m really lucky and earn an advanced scholar’s title, I could join the court as an official."

"Scholar Wang, some people study their whole lives without ever attaining a scholar’s title. You’re so young and already a scholar, soon to be a scholar, you’re truly remarkable. Today, consider this alcohol as a pre-celebratory drink. Trust me, it’s called Zhuangyuan Hong, the best-selling wine here."

"So this is Zhuangyuan Hong? Sister-in-law, thanks to you, we’ve not only come to Mingyue Building to dine but also drink a wine that must be reserved two or three months in advance. We’re definitely going to succeed. Come, sister-in-law, let’s drink this cup."

Su Yaoguang turned to look at Zhang Linglong, seeing her clutching Zhang Fengyi and crying bitterly, speaking without restraint, whatever came to mind.

"How did he become someone else’s child bride? It’s the first time I liked someone, how could he marry someone else? When we first met, he even smiled at me, clearly showing interest. He must have been forced to be someone’s child bride because of a poor family background."

Su Yaoguang looked at Zhou Wangshu and leaned closer, "She seems to be speaking the truth."

Zhou Wangshu: "..."

Zhang Linglong saw the two were so close, thinking they were intimate again, rushed over to push Su Yaoguang, "Get away, don’t touch him."

Su Yaoguang did not expect she would give a sudden shove, causing her body and chair to fall backwards.

Zhou Wangshu caught her, lifting her into his arms, while the chair fell to the ground with a loud thud.

He lowered Su Yaoguang and gave Zhang Linglong a cold stare, "Apologize."

Zhang Linglong was startled, sobered up a bit from the fright.

Zhang Fengyi hurriedly apologized, "Sorry, my sister drank too much and isn’t thinking clearly. I apologize on her behalf."

"I didn’t drink too much, I’m just..." Zhang Linglong was embarrassed with everyone watching her, stubbornly saying, "She only has some filthy money, without money, how could Brother Zhou possibly care for such a vulgar woman?"

"Miss Zhang, I need to clarify, I’ve never smiled at you," Zhou Wangshu said coolly, "If you thought I was smiling at you, that was your misconception. In fact, my interactions with women are always measured. I am Yaoguang’s child bride; all I have today is thanks to Yaoguang’s efforts. Moreover, Yaoguang indeed has money, which she earned herself. She is not vulgar; even if she couldn’t read a single word, she’d still be an elegant and graceful lady. Plus, our Yaoguang paints excellently and writes beautifully, her talent equals any man. As a fellow woman, even if you’re envious of her, you shouldn’t lie blatantly. I’ve gone to great lengths to marry such an outstanding wife, and if you drive her away, I won’t let it go."

"Brother Zhou, your words are a bit..." Zhang Fengyi felt sorry his sister had been hurt by such remarks, showing displeasure.

"Brother Zhang, though our ideals used to match and we became friends, your sister is really quite thoughtless. From now on, we can only be acquaintances."

"Brother Zhou, I apologize. I will properly discipline my sister. Everyone, I’ll take my sister home first; please continue your drinks." Zhang Fengyi took Zhang Linglong away.

Su Yaoguang seemed worried, "You’re not usually foolish; why are you speaking so bluntly today?"

"If I don’t speak plainly, they won’t understand," Zhou Wangshu said, "It’s fine if they talk about me, but it’s unacceptable to talk about you."

The other scholars looked at each other.

Apparently, this couple truly has a good relationship.

But, if they had such a capable and beautiful wife, they’d also be unwilling to let her suffer any grievances.

"Let’s continue drinking, don’t let this little matter spoil the mood," Zhong Chushan tried to lighten the atmosphere.

Before long, one scholar after another was dead drunk. Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu were not forced to drink more, keeping their spirits up and minds clear.

"Fortunately, we didn’t provoke Wang Shu, otherwise the one embarrassed today would have been us. But Sister Yaoguang, how do you have such good alcohol tolerance?"

Su Yaoguang took a bottle from her pocket, opened it, and poured out some pills.

"I bought this from the shopkeeper," Su Yaoguang said, "Mingyue Building’s most famous product is its Zhuangyuan Hong wine, with a constant flow of drunkards. Naturally, they have their tricks. These pills can make you invincible to alcohol. If it weren’t for knowing Cui Rong, they wouldn’t have sold me such a good thing."

"Yaoguang sis, no wonder your business is thriving; nothing seems to be a problem for you. Did you intentionally take revenge for Wang Shu?"

"Did someone go back to you whining, knowing he was intentionally plied with drinks by these scholars, so you brewed up a plan to get back at them?"

"Some things are better left unsaid; revealing them would be impolite. Alright, you handle these people, Wang Shu and I will leave now."