Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 331 Changying's Promotion
Zhou Zhao's words were not unfounded.

She hadn't forgotten that Zhou Yan's house had been broken into, and that someone was still watching that unspeakable secret.

And that secret is now in her hands.

Now that the Six Paths Heavenly Book has fallen into her hands, could it be like when Princess Changyang handed the bamboo slips to Zhou Yan back then—someone deliberately using "the smartest person in Chang'an"? If so, then someone has been secretly watching her all along.

If someone has been watching Zhou Yan's residence, her sudden entry and taking some items from his room would definitely attract attention.

She thought that many people must be waiting for her to unravel Princess Changyang's secret.

Then they swarmed in...

The Shanming Changyang case is still unsolved, and there is always the possibility that another "Shanming Changyang case" could happen to her and Su Changying at any time.

Therefore, everyone who suddenly approached her became a suspect in the same way.

……

"Zhao Yizhou did indeed come to propose marriage. At that time, you had been missing for a long time. Your father listened to your aunt's pillow talk and said that for my own good, we should cancel the marriage between our two families so as not to delay my marriage to someone else. Everyone in Chang'an knew about it at the time."

Just then, the Marquis of Huaiyang's household was arranging a marriage for Zhao Yizhou.

By then, she had long lost the mischievousness of her childhood and had grown into a composed adult like her brother.

She wasn't bragging; there were indeed quite a few people in Chang'an who wanted to marry her. Especially those纨绔公子弟 (spoiled young masters), whose families wished they could have her as a powerful figure to keep them in check.

But the only one who actually came to visit was Zhao Yizhou.

Su Changying listened attentively. Back in Tianying City, Zhou Zhao had briefly mentioned to him that Zhao Yizhou had come to propose marriage, but he hadn't gone into much detail.

"Zhao Yizhou is quite talented and was an old friend of my brother's. He came to pay his respects after my brother's death, and that's how we became acquainted. He is of upright character and is quite well-regarded among the literati of this generation. Unlike us, who are infamous, Zhao Yizhou has only a good reputation."

I was quite surprised when he came to propose marriage. After I refused, he left Chang'an for Dai, and we later met again in Tianying City.

As Zhou Zhao spoke, he looked at Su Changying.

She said earnestly, "It can only be you."

Su Changying was taken aback. He felt as if someone had poured a lot of honey on the sour orange in his heart, and the sourness had turned into a sweet taste in an instant.

He couldn't help but smile, and even his eyes couldn't help but crinkle.

"Hmm." Su Changying's tone rose.

Zhou Zhao looked at his slightly silly face, speechless, and turned her head away. She simply couldn't bear to look at him.

"I haven't had a chance to ask yet, what brings you to the Court of Justice so early in the morning?"

Su Changying seemed to only then remember her purpose, and took out a token from her sleeve and handed it to Zhou Zhao.

The token was heavy, bearing the marks of time. Many of its edges were worn smooth and shiny. In the center of the token was a neatly engraved character: "北" (North).

"You got a promotion?"

Su Changying nodded, looking at Zhou Zhao with a deep gaze: "Yes, he's no longer a captain, but a lieutenant in charge of the entire Northern Army. A military officer is Zhao Zhao's best backer."

Zhou Zhao chuckled. She rolled her eyes at Su Changying, who was clearly still bothered by Zhao Yizhou's earlier comment about "civilian colleagues."

"You deserve this. I may be a step behind you, but I'll catch up soon."

Su Changying hummed in agreement. "It will be soon. I am also benefiting from my ancestors' blessings."

Zhou Zhao listened and shook her head. "His Majesty is simply returning all the military merits you have accumulated to you in the past." Although Su Changying had never mentioned it to her, she had seen it all. During the day, he had to deal with various challenges in the Northern Army camp and feign compliance with his adoptive father. At night, he was responsible for patrolling and went through fire and water with her to investigate various cases.

Like her, Su Changying had no days off and was always on duty.

The Northern Army has won two battles in recent days, and no one is more prominent than Su Changying.

If it weren't for Li Huaishan, that troublemaker, Su Changying, who had been staying in the army, would probably be the God of War of the Great Qi Kingdom by now, expanding the territory for His Majesty.

Zhou Zhao thought for a moment, then winked at Su Changying, "Lieutenant Su, you'll have to treat me to a drink."

Su Changying nodded. "I'll buy some wine tonight, and Zhao Zhao and I will cook something. My cooking skills are pretty good."

Zhou Zhao looked at Su Changying in surprise, "Then I'll wait."

Su Changying responded.

Zhou Zhao carefully tied the token around his waist.

Su Changying watched Zhou Zhao's fingers flying across his waist and abdomen, and his breathing became heavy.

He pursed his lips. "Zhaozhao, I'm going back to the barracks now."

Zhou Zhao waved his hand, "I also have important things to do."

She had not forgotten her agreement with He Tingshi. Now that Bai Li's case had come about, they could use it as a pretext to begin working on abolishing corporal punishment.

She watched Su Changying leave before entering the left courtyard.

Bamboo slips were piled up everywhere in the left courtyard. Zhou Zhao looked around and saw that only Li Youdao's desk was bare. It was clear that he was reviewing the files at an exceptionally fast pace, and his subordinates could not keep up with him at all.

He had nothing to do at the moment, so he was lying behind the desk, snoring loudly.

He still had that wine gourd hanging from his waist, but he had written a large "tea" character on the gourd's belly in a flamboyant style.

Xu Yun stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at the people in front of him. His apprentices shrank back, looking like a few trembling quails.

Zhou Zhao sat down in her seat. Several bamboo scrolls were piled on her desk. Zhou Zhao opened them and saw that they were the files of the Bai Li case from last night that Min Cangzhi had sent over earlier. She looked at them carefully, not missing a single detail.

Then he found a blank bamboo slip and began to write a memorial seriously.

This was the first memorial she wrote after entering the Court of Justice, and its purpose was to request His Majesty to abolish corporal punishment.

The sunlight streaming in through the window fell on Zhou Zhao's face, making it appear almost translucent with its whiteness.

Zhou Zhao was writing intently when she suddenly sensed a gaze outside the window. She looked up but saw nothing, only the wind swaying the bamboo leaves. She frowned, lowered her head, and continued writing.

……

“Peeping at people is not the behavior of a gentleman. If Prince Zhao doesn’t know where to put his eyes, I can gouge them out for you.”

Zhao Yizhou turned his head and saw Su Changying holding her sword with both hands, leaning against the wall.

"Does Zhou Zhao know that you behave well and obey the law in front of her, but are a lawless madman behind her back?"

Su Changying scoffed, "If I were a lawless outlaw, Prince Zhao wouldn't be standing here all by himself."

Don't put your scheming into Zhou Zhao. We're all smart people; playing petty tricks is really unsightly.

I would be happy to let you know the difference between the actions of military officers and civil officials.