Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 142 He has met Young Master Yu
It really is Young Master Yu.

Zhou Zhao recalled what he had heard at the Court of Justice about the remnants of the previous dynasty having seen the portrait of Prince Yu, and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Seeing that she remained silent, Su Changying asked Master Huang, "Master, have you seen that young master Yu?"

Master Huang shook his head with a wry smile, "We are just lowly craftsmen, how could we possibly meet the young master? This thing was originally a birthday gift prepared for the young master by his mother, Chu Ji. It was originally inlaid with beautiful stones of different colors, but they have all fallen off."

Later, when Chang'an fell, everything from the previous dynasty crumbled like those heavenly horses and dragon steeds.

Master Huang said, then thought for a moment and added, "If you two gentlemen want to know about Young Master Yu, why don't you go and find those former officials of the previous dynasty?"

After saying that, Master Huang looked at Zhou Zhao with a hint of hesitation, "Please forgive my bluntness, but the Zhou family held high positions in the previous dynasty. Your father, Lord Zhou Li, should know more about the secrets of the palace than an insignificant person like myself."

Zhou Zhao was taken aback. Thinking about it this way, she realized that she had been blind to her own shortcomings.

Since Zhou Yan's death, she had been at odds with Zhou Buhai and never thought of seeking help from her family again.

After thinking it over, Zhou Zhao thanked Master Huang, bid farewell to Su Changying, and left.

Han Ze felt a chill run down his spine and dared not follow. By the time he hesitated and came out again, Zhou Zhao and Su Changying had already disappeared.

Recently, Chang'an City has been enjoying the crisp autumn air, with the warm sunshine making people feel comfortable. Zhou Zhao led Su Changying through a maze of twists and turns, and soon they arrived at the front of a small tavern. The old woman who was selling wine at the counter saw Zhou Zhao and exclaimed in surprise, "Young lady!"

As she spoke, she looked at Su Changying, examined her closely, and exclaimed in surprise, "It's Little Marquis Lu! Little Marquis Lu is back!"

Su Changying nodded slightly and followed Zhou Zhao to find a seat in the corner.

This small tavern only has four tables, and there are no customers at the moment. Even those who come to buy wine bring wine jugs or bamboo tubes, buy their wine, and leave.

The landlady didn't ask any questions, but simply brought some snacks to go with the wine and a jar of wine.

Zhou Zhao removed the red clay seal from the top, poured a large bowl for Su Changying, and then filled his own bowl as well.

"Try it, their wine is very sweet, with the aroma of green plums. The best thing is the pickled vegetables made by the landlady, as well as the dried small fish. In the past, when I was craving wine, you would secretly bring it over."

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he raised his wine cup and clinked it against Su Changying's.

"After you came to Chang'an, you became much more silent than when you were in Tianying City."

Su Changying was taken aback, clearly not expecting Zhou Zhao to ask him this question. He smiled and said, "Yes, I'm still learning how to be Su Changying."

“You are Su Changying, so you don’t need to learn how to be the Su Changying that others talk about.”

Zhou Zhao took a sip of wine and looked at Su Changying. "When you left Chang'an, I was still lawless. Who would have thought that Zhou Yan of the Zhou family would leave so early, and that I would be the one to enter the Court of Justice?"

As she spoke, before Su Changying could reply, she continued, "The Court of Justice is also investigating Young Master Yu. I saw his childhood portrait. The child had his eyes closed and was reaching out his hand. When I saw it, I found it very strange, but I didn't understand it at the time."

But just now, when Master Huang mentioned that the Heavenly Horse and Dragon Steed were inlaid with various pearls and jade, I suddenly understood. Young Master Yu is blind. "Zhou Zhao said, picking up another small fish, stuffing it into his mouth, and crunching it down.

She didn't look up when she spoke, but she was watching Su Changying's hand holding the chopsticks.

Seeing his hand pause slightly, Zhou Zhao continued, "That young master Yu is still just a child, but he is quite capable. Li Tingwei said that he has four spies planted around him in Chang'an, and they are very likely to hold high positions of power."

"How many people can that small estate support? If they want to restore the kingdom, they must have military power. If it were me, planting spies in the Northern and Southern armies would be my first choice. Like Han Xincheng."

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he looked up at Su Changying opposite him. Their eyes met, but neither of them said anything.

Yet, I understood everything.

That person went to great lengths to erase Su Changying's memory and then, through Zhang Ran, gave him the identity of a spy to gain merit in Tianying City, presumably wanting him to return to Chang'an City and become the Marquis of Lu again. Why go around in circles and return to the starting point?
Because what they needed was an obedient Su Changying who also held military power.

Zhou Zhao raised his wine cup and clinked it against Su Changying's again.

She thought that Gongzi Yu had already met Su Changying; it was the day he carried candy in his sleeve.

Young Master Yu is just a child, but those four people who have already infiltrated the court are the real threat. Moreover, behind him stands the true culprit of the Shanming Changyang case, a highly skilled martial artist. Who knows if Su Changying, now allied with her, along with Ah Huang, could possibly fight him?
She thought that Su Changying must have her own plans.

That's why he told her from the beginning not to trust him.

On that day, he would take out candy for her.

Zhou Zhao thought for a moment, then picked up a small fish and handed it to Su Changying, saying, "We'll go to Shanming Academy in a bit."

Su Changying looked at Zhou Zhao with a complicated expression, her eyes filled with many complex emotions, a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind.

"We'll catch the culprit soon," Su Changying said confidently.

Zhou Zhao nodded. "There's something I don't understand. Why did Princess Changyang suddenly go to Shanming Academy back then? And why did she go alone, without any attendants? And the reason we went there to secretly read books that day was because of Fan Lishen..."

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he added, "Fan Lishen is Princess Changyang's son. He was very certain that Princess Changyang would not come to Shanming Academy that day, which is why we went there."

Therefore, I guess... Princess Changyang's visit to the academy that day was probably a private meeting, and with someone she trusted well.

When the case was mentioned, Zhou Zhao's expression became increasingly clear.

“At first I thought, what if someone threatened the princess and forced her to go to the meeting alone? But then I dismissed the idea. Princess Changyang is not a girl raised in the inner chambers. She is brave and resourceful and has the deep trust of His Majesty.”

If she had known there was danger at Shanming Academy that day, she certainly wouldn't have allowed Fan Lishen to sneak in, and she would have certainly planted archers and axemen there. She didn't even carry a sword that day.

Su Changying pondered for a moment. He had no memory now, so Princess Changyang, Fan Lishen, and the others were all strangers to him.

"Have you considered Prince Consort Fan?" Su Changying asked. "After the Changyang case, Prince Consort Fan left Chang'an. If we're talking about people the princess trusts, he's the first one that comes to mind."