Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 332 I'm More Suitable for Her Than You

"What if I said I had no ill intentions towards Zhou Zhao, and that I simply loved her?"

Zhao Yizhou was not angered by Su Changying's words. He turned his head and met those deep black eyes directly.

"You're just luckier than me, you had the advantage of being there first. Didn't I make myself clear before? Your father lost face because Zhou Zhao captured Aunt Liu, didn't he? Do you think he won't dislike Zhou Zhao because of this?"
You are a military general, wielding military power. If Zhou Zhao wants to advance further, you will not be an ally, but an obstacle.

The current emperor is a wise and benevolent ruler who, mindful of the Duke of Lu's service in supporting the new dynasty, naturally trusts you greatly out of consideration for past relationships. But what if a new emperor were to take your place in the future? You were once abducted by remnants of the previous dynasty and forced to recognize a traitor as your father—this is a fatal stain that can be used against you at any time.

Zhou Zhao is innocent. If she marries you, she will constantly worry about being implicated by you. Can you really bear to watch her future be ruined?

Zhao Yizhou raised an eyebrow and brushed off a bamboo leaf that had fallen onto his lapel.

"You understand that civil officials and military generals are very different. Military generals can serve as loyal ministers, but civil officials cannot. My master is the prime minister, and my father is about to become the Minister of Justice. If Zhou Zhao marries me, I dare not say that she will rise to the top, but at least she can get the promotion she deserves."

These are things you can't give her.

She is no longer the young Zhou Zhao; a civil official's reputation is of utmost importance now. If she's with you, anyone who sees her will only remember how unruly she was, how she turned Chang'an upside down—all negative impressions for her.

Su Changying remained silent, leaning back as before. Zhao Yizhou's gaze fell on the long sword at his waist.

“She is an official of the Court of Justice, and all that is needed is justice. The fact that you gave her all the taboos is already inappropriate, little Marquis Lu.”

Zhao Yizhou spoke softly, but by the last three words, they seemed to have been blown away by the wind, becoming somewhat ethereal.

"Knowing the whole of Chang'an, why was I the only one who went to propose marriage?"
Because I tripped up everyone else, they couldn't even come to my door. I figured Zhou Zhao was still young, and given more time, she would forget about you eventually.

When you left, she was just a little girl. What did she know about love and affection? To her, you were no different from her brother, Zhou Yan.

I wanted to become even more capable so I could marry Zhou Zhao with a grand wedding procession. For this, I've always been very patient and restrained.

As Zhao Yizhou spoke, he gave Su Changying a somewhat complicated smile.

"I never imagined you would come back alive."

Seeing that Su Changying still did not react, Zhao Yizhou continued, "I was wrapping things up in Tianying City, hoping to get a good political record so I could return to Chang'an. From childhood to now, I have always been clear and methodical in everything I do, and I have never been impulsive or hasty."

I thought I felt the same way about Zhou Zhao. I also thought that since you came back alive, then let it go.

It is not the act of a gentleman to steal what another loves. My upbringing from childhood does not allow me to do such a thing.

But I was wrong.

As Zhao Yizhou spoke, he looked toward Zhou Zhao's window. They were actually standing quite far from Zhou Zhao, so far that he could only see a blurry shadow.

He saw her holding a pen, writing furiously.

Zhao Yizhou turned his head to look at Su Changying, "Am I more suitable for her than you?"

With the word "me" still in his mouth, Zhao Yizhou suddenly felt a gust of wind rush towards him, and he crashed heavily into the wall behind him. Su Changying's powerful hands covered his face, as if she wanted to crush his head.

Zhao Yizhou felt as if his soul was being shaken, and his internal organs were about to shift.

He was about to reprimand her when he saw Su Changying release his grip.

"Hmm, the only thing that civil officials are good at is their mouths, except for Zhaozhao."

Su Changying lowered her hand, gently stroking her sword hilt, then looked up, bent down, and leaned closer to Zhao Yizhou. "Zhaozhao said it can only be me."

Zhao Yizhou stared blankly at the person in front of him, who had a smile on his face and eyes full of joy, which seemed to be overflowing.

He's showing off! This shameless scoundrel came to him to boast!

Zhao Yizhou simply couldn't believe that the legendary Marquis of Lu was actually this kind of person...

"Anyone can make vows and prayers. But what about the things you say? How can you possibly do them? Look at you, even when it comes to Xin Yue, all you talk about is whether it's suitable or not."

I don't think Zhao Zhao was naughty when she was young. Although she was wild, she never did anything bad. On the contrary, I think that Zhao Zhao was very cute and good, and there was nothing to hide.

My Zhaozhao doesn't need to be the composed and self-possessed civil official you've molded.

She can act with both righteous indignation and complete impunity. Just because you don't have that ability or can't do it doesn't mean she can't.

As Su Changying spoke, he recalled the four words Zhou Zhao had said to him earlier, and felt every pore of his body tingling with excitement.

He glanced at Zhao Yizhou embedded in the wall, "Zhaozhao doesn't need to waste time pretending to be friendly with those good-for-nothings."

When a strong person stands there, everyone bows down. If anyone objects…

After Su Changying finished speaking, she lowered her voice, "I can secretly kill them, you know. Didn't Prince Zhao say that I'm a lawless outlaw..."

Zhao Yizhou's pupils suddenly contracted, and he looked at Su Changying in disbelief.

The person in front of you is saying terrifying things, but there is no hostility in his eyes, making it impossible to tell whether he is telling the truth or not.

Seeing that Zhao Yizhou was stunned, Su Changying chuckled softly.

Zhou Zhao doesn't need it, so he won't do it.

As Su Changying spoke, she straightened up. As for the new emperor and all that…

He is the most suitable person for Zhou Zhao. If the new emperor makes him unsuitable, wouldn't that be easy to solve? Just replace him with a new emperor.

"Zhao Yizhou, I'll say it again: don't use your cunning on Zhou Zhao. You wouldn't last a single move against me."

As Su Changying spoke, she lightly tapped the hilt of her sword with her fingers. Without looking at Zhao Yizhou any longer, she walked briskly outside. After a few steps, she saw a cat lying by the bamboo grove. It must be the one that He Tingshi kept.

He crouched down and reached out to stroke the kitten's chin.

"Hey, Zhao Zhao said it can only be me, did you hear that?"

As Su Changying spoke, she poked the kitten's head. "Zhao Yizhou doesn't like Zhao Zhao. He likes the smartest young lady in Chang'an. I'm different. I've liked Zhao Zhao since she was born."

As a child, Zhou Zhao wasn't the smartest; she was a mischievous little girl.

The one he likes is Zhao Zhao.

Zhao Zhao doesn't live within a framework; she grows wildly and freely.

The kitten got annoyed by being petted, bared its teeth, and ran away, but Su Changying wasn't bothered.

He stood up, walked forward a few steps, then turned back and touched the most rugged bamboo stalk. "You heard that too, it can only be me."

Zhao Yizhou, who was embedded in the wall, heard the words coming from not far away and broke free with a complicated expression. He turned around and looked at the wall in front of him. The wall had been shattered by Su Changying, revealing a complete human-shaped hole.

Zhao Yizhou looked at Chang Zuoping, who was standing on the other side of the pit with a fierce look on his face, and forced an awkward smile.

Chang Zuoping glanced at the broken wall and said expressionlessly, "Pay up."