Zhou Gu had also noticed it by this time. He suppressed his smile and let go of Su Rong.
The group of people at the inn’s entrance was none other than the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Jiang Sheng, along with his wife, his daughter Jiang Yunying, and the Crown Prince of Marquis Nanping Residence, Ning Chi.
The group watched Zhou Gu and Su Rong larking about as they returned, feeling very shocked. They hadn’t expected this modest girl, Su Rong, to have such a close relationship with Zhou Gu, the young master of the Duke Residence.
Nevertheless, Su Rong thought to herself, worthy of being the Inspector of Jiangzhou, he even found his way here, now Zhou Gu couldn’t avoid seeing him.
Standing together, Su Rong and Zhou Gu looked quite well-matched and pleasing to the eye.
Jiang Sheng was surprised and reconsidered Su Rong’s status as Zhou Gu’s fiancé in his heart. He went up to Zhou Gu and Su Rong, bowed first, and said with a pleasant expression, "Might this be Young Master Zhou?"
Zhou Gu nodded.
Jiang Sheng hurriedly said, "I am Jiang Sheng, the Inspector of Jiangzhou. My daughter was disrespectful, which has offended the young master. I especially came here to apologize. Please show understanding, Young Master Zhou."
Upon his finishing words, someone handed him an apology list.
Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow and glanced at the list, his face not revealing any humor. "Inspector Jiang, your sincerity is quite profound."
"As it should be, my daughter’s disrespectful words have offended you. It’s my fault for not educating her strictly. Thank you, Young Master Zhou, for your magnanimity," Jiang Sheng said in a sincere tone of apology. "Please accept my apology. I will make sure in the future to educate my daughter properly, so as not to allow her to speak imprudently."
Zhou Gu did not accept the apology list. "Since Inspector Jiang is so sincere in his apology, I am not a stingy person. Let’s leave it at that and take the list back! We, the Duke Residence, never accept bribes."
"This is not a bribe, it’s a gift of apology," Jiang Sheng quickly corrected him.
"There’s no difference," Zhou Gu waved his hand dismissively.
Jiang Sheng tentatively asked, "Does the young master perhaps think that the value of the gift is too low?"
Zhou Gu chuckled, "Inspector Jiang has offered a gift worth tens of thousands of gold taels. It’s certainly not a light gift. But the Duke Residence has its rules."
Jiang Sheng couldn’t give anything, even though Zhou Gu easily glossed over the situation in a few words, he felt uneasy. Turning towards Su Rong, he said, "There’s also a gift of apology for Lady Su Qi. Mrs. Su didn’t accept it, saying it was Lady Su Qi’s decision. I hope you accept it."
The Inspector’s wife immediately stepped forward, handed over another list, along with three house deeds and a land deed to Su Rong, and sincerely said, "Lady Su Qi, I’m sorry about the misunderstanding last time."
Su Rong thought to herself, the Inspector’s Residence is really shelling out this time, and shook her head, saying to the Inspector’s wife with a smile, "It’s not a big deal, Madam. Why must you go to such lengths? Just remember, if a situation like this occurs again, make sure to scold the man thoroughly. Why should women make things difficult for other women?"
The Inspector’s wife felt aggrieved. Su Rong’s words insinuated that her daughter would again encounter a worthless man who would abandon her for another woman. However, she could not afford to wear a sour face, so she forced a smile and said, "Indeed, that’s the truth. Even at my age, I can’t understand as clearly as Lady Su Qi does. You’re right."
Thinking how apologetic and humbling it must be for the usually arrogant Inspector’s wife, Su Rong chuckled and shook her head. "Madam, please take your things back! I’m just a junior, and if I undergo some grievances, it’s not a big deal. There’s no need for you to give me a special gift," She paused for a moment, and echoed Zhou Gu’s words, "We also don’t have such rules at home."
"This..." The Inspector’s wife looked towards Jiang Sheng.
Jiang Sheng was also at a loss. He hadn’t expected that when he found these two, he couldn’t give out the gifts. It was obvious that Su Rong had previously bluntly stated about presenting a gift of apology and Zhou Gu had thusly spared his daughter.
Ning Chi was standing on the side, laughing, "If I am not mistaken, isn’t Lady Su Qi’s Coming-of-age Ceremony in a little over a month? May I ask whether it would be possible to invite Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang to the Governor Residence for a drink then?"
Su Rong thought, the Crown Prince of Marquis Nanping Residence is indeed something. He has a quicker reaction than the aging Jiang Sheng. She glanced at Ning Chi and in a casual tone said, "The matter of inviting guests falls into the hands of my parents."
At her words, Jiang Sheng suddenly had a brainwave. Since the apology gifts can’t be given out now, they can be given as congratulatory gifts for Su Rong’s Coming-of-age Ceremony. He immediately said, "I hope I’ll be fortunate enough to attend Lady Su Qi’s Coming-of-age Ceremony and enjoy a drink then."
Su Rong didn’t say anything.
Zhou Gu asked, "Does Inspector Jiang have other matters?"
"No... no." Jiang Sheng’s face stiffened.
"Since there are no further matters, Inspector Jiang, you may leave!" Zhou Gu bypassed him and walked into the inn.
Naturally, Su Rong followed him in.
The group of people left behind was thinking, Zhou Gu is really arrogant, not giving the slightest respect.
Jiang Sheng’s face showed his strain. He was accustomed to people flatter him. He’d never been treated so coldly, especially when he came to apologize, not only did Zhou Gu refuse the gift, to worse, he rudely said his goodbye. It really made him feel embarrassed and unable to save face.
Ning Chi didn’t think it was surprising that Zhou Gu treated Jiang Sheng that way. After all, Jiang Yunying had insulted him harshly in the past. Ning Chi calmly said, "Uncle, in that case, you should go back with Aunt and Jiang sister. After all, there are still piles of official businesses waiting for you."
"What about you?" Jiang Sheng took a deep breath and asked.
"I intend to stay here tonight and set out for Nanping tomorrow morning."
Jiang Sheng was surprised, "Nephew, are you not staying in Jiangzhou for a few more days?"
"I won’t be staying any longer. My business has already been taken care of, and it’s time to return," Ning Chi replied, "My father is still waiting for me to bring back good news."
Mentioning Marquis Nanping, Jiang Sheng nodded, "Alright then, be careful on your journey. Regarding the matter we discussed..."
"Uncle, rest assured, after returning, I will report the matter to my father appropriately," Ning Chi assured him.
Jiang Sheng gave a relieved smile, "Then I’m also waiting for your good news after you return."
Ning Chi nodded with a smile.
Jiang Yunying looked at Ning Chi, her face showing reluctance, finally she quietly said, "Brother Ning, can’t you stay for a few more days?"
Ning Chi smiled warmly, "We will meet again. Jiang sister, you must not be rash in the future. When you meet Lady Su Qi again, it would be wise to keep your distance."
Jiang Yunying nodded in frustration, "I know."
She wouldn’t dare to provoke Su Rong anymore. She had always been a difficult character to deal with, but she did not expect her to have such a soon-to-be-husband like Zhou Gu. She felt incredibly jealous, but she could only be jealous. Now that her father had managed to engage her to the Crown Prince of the Marquis Nanping Residence after retracting two of her previous betrothals, this was the best possible marriage she could secure at the moment, in fact, Ning Chi was even better than the previous two.
After Jiang Sheng and his party left, Ning Chi watched them leave from a distance, before turning around and walking into the inn.
After Zhou Gu had taken his bath and came out of his room, he saw Ning Chi sitting in the hall. He raised an eyebrow, "The Crown Prince of Nanping hasn’t left?"
Ning Chi smiled faintly, "I have to go back to Nanping tomorrow, so instead of returning to Jiangzhou, I decided to rest here tonight. How about having a drink with me, Brother Zhou?"
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