Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 167 They're all big shots
Su Changying shook her head. "It's not that I'm thinking about the past."

He also wanted to regain his memory as soon as possible; he didn't want to forget anything he had done with Zhou Zhao in the past.

"The reason why Zhu Li's disguise skills were able to be seen through by you is twofold: firstly, he came out immediately after entering Furong Tower, which was too short a time to be meticulous; secondly, his observation and imitation of people's expressions were not subtle enough; and I happen to be good at this."

Princess Changyang reminds me of someone—the most beautiful woman, Zhang Ruoqing.

Su Changying paused, then added, "No, it should be said that Zhang Ruoqing resembles Princess Changyang."

Zhou Zhao was startled and instantly understood what Su Changying meant.

"Princess Changyang was once known as the most beautiful woman in Chang'an. She had many friends and was quite kind-hearted. At first glance, the two do not look alike, but upon closer inspection, they have a pair of very similar eyes, especially when they smile."

Zhou Zhao pondered for a moment, then his eyes flickered. "Have you seen Zhang Ruoqing alive?"

They don't look alike, but rather their expressions are very similar at certain times.

More accurately, when Zhang Ruoqing displayed the expression in this portrait, it most closely resembled that of Princess Changyang, as if she had specifically learned it...

Su Changying nodded. "I am a spy under Zhang Ran. When I left Chang'an for Tianying, I saw Zhang Ruoqing once in the mansion. At that time, she was sitting in Zhang Ran's study with this expression. After I went in, Zhang Ran asked her to leave."

Because I'd only seen it once, it left a deep impression. I hadn't found it strange before, but seeing this screen today suddenly brought it to mind.

Zhou Zhao felt a buzzing sound in his head, as if something had exploded in his mind.

Her hands clenched into fists, and her eyes burned with fierce fire as she looked at Su Changying.

“I see! In the case of the Ghost Song, I had a question that I didn’t answer. That is, why did Zhang Ran adopt Zhang Ruoqing and treat her with such outrageous favoritism on the surface, but after Zhang Ruoqing’s identity was revealed and she died, he was indifferent.”

As Zhou Zhao spoke, his voice grew clearer and clearer.

Su Changying recalled the Ghost-Eating Song case, when he impersonated Zhu Li and served as the supervisor of the Court of Justice's examination under the identity of a Northern Army soldier.

"At the time, Zhang Ran said it was to avoid his wife having to endure the pain of losing her daughter."

Zhou Zhao nodded. "At the time, I found it very strange. The Zhang couple didn't seem to be deeply in love. Moreover, Madam Zhang clearly disliked Zhang Ruoqing. Under such circumstances, if Zhang Ran had adopted Zhang Ruoqing out of love for Madam Zhang and to comfort her, why would he go against her wishes and dote on his fake daughter?"

To what extent was she spoiled?
Even Madam Zhang's biological sons had to take a backseat.

"Madam Zhang's reaction was also very strange. At the time, I couldn't understand why she was so hostile towards Zhang Ruoqing. Even if she knew that Zhang Ruoqing was not her biological daughter, it wouldn't make her so resentful towards an orphan."

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he looked at the screen and said with certainty, "If Lord Zhang Ran's beloved is Princess Changyang, then it makes sense."

He adopted Zhang Ruoqing not because she resembled his daughter, but because, from a certain angle, her demeanor was very similar to that of his beloved Princess Changyang.

Zhang Ran and His Majesty are neighbors and sworn brothers who have been through thick and thin together.

But from another perspective, Zhang Ran and Princess Changyang could be considered childhood sweethearts...

"Madam Zhang has been married to Lord Zhang for many years, so she is obviously well aware of this. She dislikes Zhang Ruoqing because she knows that Zhang Ran is using the guise of caring for her, but in reality he is doing disgusting things. No wonder she is disheartened and doesn't even care about her own sons anymore."

Zhou Zhao recalled how the Zhang family's sons used to fawn over Zhang Ruoqing, treating her like a precious treasure, and instantly understood Madam Zhang.

If it were her, she would never hide from the world. She would slap every single man in the Zhang family, including Zhang Ran, five times a day, until they were forced to start over.

What use are a few stupid sons who are not even as good as steamed buns?
As Zhou Zhao spoke, he exchanged a glance with Su Changying, and the guesses in their minds were about to come to mind.

Zhou Zhao looked at Su Changying, "Do you remember what I said before? Why did Princess Changyang suddenly come to Shanming Villa? We sneaked in that day without any attendants. Fan Lishen confirmed that Princess Changyang wouldn't be coming that day."

Su Changying nodded. "I remember every word you said."

Zhou Zhao was taken aback, cleared his throat, and asked, "Why are you saying this so formally?"
It was slowing her down the speed at which she could draw her sword.

“You said it’s very likely that someone she trusts invited her here, which is why Princess Changyang didn’t bring any guards. At the time, I guessed that person might be Consort Fan, and now it seems that Lord Zhang Ran also fits the description perfectly.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhao gave a heavy "hmm".

Su Changying truly remembered what she said.

"The neighbor and older brother whom His Majesty trusts so much is not suitable for the delicate relationship between the Imperial Son-in-Law and his son, Fan Lishen... Zhang Ran is in charge of spies for His Majesty, and the two of them may have some secrets that they don't want a third party to know..."

As Zhou Zhao spoke, his gaze fell upon the screen.

"Both Prince Consort Fan and Fan Lishen's faces were slashed, and then thinking of Zhang Ruoqing... this is probably what it means to be obsessed with unrequited love."

Zhou Zhao recalled Zhang Ran's unreliable behavior and his smug self-proclaimed talent scout, and was filled with mixed emotions.

"Chang'an is like a theater, and everyone here is a star."

If the person who arranged to meet Princess Changyang at Shanming Villa was Zhang Ran, does His Majesty know about it? Didn't her father, Zhou Buhai, find out back then?

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

“Zhang Ran may be the one who arranged the meeting with the princess, but he couldn’t possibly be the one who killed the princess, killed my brother, or kidnapped you. He has no loyalty to the previous dynasty whatsoever, and he certainly couldn’t have been hiding his martial arts skills and infiltrating His Majesty’s side for some grand cause like Gongzi Yu’s.”

If Zhang Ran had more abilities than Su Changying, he would have long ago offered his full support to His Majesty and would now be a powerful prince of a different surname.

He was just an ordinary person before, and it was only because of His Majesty that he is where he is today.

He couldn't throw out those coffin nails, and he was even less capable of defeating Su Changying.

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he looked at Su Changying. The two exchanged a glance and walked towards the door. "Whether our guess is right or wrong, we'll know once we ask at the Zhang residence."

Zhou Zhao didn't even ride a horse; he used his lightness skill to leap over the rooftops with Su Changying and headed directly towards the Zhang residence.

Upon reaching the door, a sudden tightness gripped my heart.

The steward of the Zhang family was dressed in mourning clothes and was directing the servants to raise white banners in front of the gate. This scene was exactly the same as when she first came to the Zhang family and the Zhang family held a funeral for Zhang Ruoqing.

Zhou Zhao stepped forward, her steps heavy, which startled the old butler of the Zhang family.

The old steward's eyes reddened, and he turned to look at Zhou Zhao. "Young Master Zhou, have you come to see our lord off? If our lord knew in the afterlife, he would surely be overjoyed. He was just talking about it at home a few days ago, saying that you had solved another major case and that you were the discerning judge of talent."

He added that this line would definitely be added to his eulogy: "In his entire life, he only did two commendable things: first, he became sworn brothers with His Majesty; second, he recommended you, Lord Zhou."