Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 392 The dust has settled
Ah Huang blinked. "I can carry three by myself."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhao immediately jumped onto Su Changying's back.

She believed that Ah Huang could easily carry three people on his own, but she couldn't even imagine how earth-shattering it would be if she, Su Changying, and Grand Commandant Huo were to pile up like a human pyramid and return to Chang'an.

They could fabricate a whole biography of Zhao Zhao even though she was missing a front tooth.

Su Changying had a broad back, and even through his thick winter coat, she could feel the vibrant energy emanating from him.

"You've noticed, I'm already exhausted."

She was still recovering from her injuries, and having fought against multiple opponents, she was not only wounded but had also exhausted almost all of her internal energy. At this moment, she simply couldn't continue using her lightness skill. Su Changying noticed this, so he offered to carry her on his back in the passageway.

"The wound in your abdomen..."

As Zhou Zhao spoke, she felt a gust of wind rise, and Su Changying lightly stepped forward, carrying her on her back as they flew towards Chang'an City.

"It's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore. It's just some superficial wounds, nothing serious. Zhao Zhao, don't worry."

As Zhou Zhao listened, he wrapped his arms around Su Changying's neck and pressed his head against hers.

Su Changying froze, nearly losing her breath.

Zhou Zhao's hair fell onto his neck, and not only his heart, but even his wounds inexplicably began to itch.

During this period, he was overjoyed every day, and every blade of grass and every tree in Chang'an City could trigger his memories.

He recalled many things from the past, things that happened with Zhao Zhao.

He used to carry Zhou Zhao on his back like this. Back then, she was still a playful little girl who hadn't grown up yet. When she got tired of playing around, she would start to feel sleepy. He would carry her like this, from one end of Chang'an City to the other.

Her hair was still fluffy then, and it pricked his ears, making them turn bright red.

Sometimes she would drool, and her drool stains were left on the back collar of his favorite robe.

Some ignorant people laughed at him, saying that he was working like a slave for Zhou Zhao.

He thought to himself, "What do these people know?"

He could carry Zhou Zhao to the ends of the earth; she was his destiny.

Recalling his past, Su Changying blushed again and quickened his pace, heading towards Chang'an City.

……

When Zhou Zhao woke up again, it was already dawn.

She sat up groggily and found that her clothes had been changed and her wounds had been treated and bandaged.

The bitter smell of medicine wafted from outside. Chu Yi squatted in front of the medicine pot, fanning the fire, while the little black cat sat obediently beside her, eating its meal.

There were several fragrant little fish in the cat's bowl, which made Zhou Zhao feel a little hungry.

As she was thinking, the half-closed courtyard gate was pushed open.

Su Changying, unusually dressed in a blue robe, concealed his murderous aura. He carried a food box in his hand and smiled at Zhou Zhao when he saw her get up. "Why aren't you dressed properly? Although the sun is shining brightly today, it's still chilly."

I bought you some minced meat soup and scorpion cakes from Cao's. Eat your fill before taking your medicine.

Upon hearing about taking medicine, Zhou Zhao's face immediately fell.

Hearing this, Chu Yi, who was busy decocting medicine, stood up and took the food box from Su Changying's hand. "The young master has come at the right time. He needs to keep an eye on the young lady to make sure she takes her medicine. His Highness the Prince of Chu said that her condition has worsened. Wu Wenshu also advised me to offer incense for the young lady, saying that there are so many officials in the Court of Justice, but my young lady is always injured while investigating cases."

Zhou Zhao looked at Chu Yi in disbelief, "You already know Wu Qingshan?"

Chu Yi smiled and said, "Within a radius of ten miles, who doesn't know Wu Wenshu? All the aunties and grandmas around here have their eyes on Wu Wenshu as their ideal husband." Zhou Zhao's lips twitched. Coming to the Court of Justice to hear stories wasn't exciting enough, did they also want to snatch Wu Qingshan and take him home to hear them?

Your Majesty is truly a wise and virtuous ruler; otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to raise so many busybodies!

Zhou Zhao listened to her, washed up, and sat down at the table. Su Changying sat down next to her and took out a wooden box, placing it on the table.

"What is this?" Zhou Zhao asked curiously.

Su Changying pushed the wooden box towards Zhou Zhao, saying, "This is a congratulatory gift for your second sister."

Tonight, Sunday night, I'm marrying the Prince of Dai.

Zhou Zhao put down his spoon, picked up the wooden box, and opened it. Inside were several contracts. "A shop on the land?"

Su Changying nodded, "It was purchased when we were in Tianying City. It's perfect to give it to Second Sister now."

Zhou Zhao was secretly pleased, but muttered to himself, "She got off easy."

Su Changying saw through her little scheme and, amused, picked up a scorpion cake and handed it to Zhou Zhao.

“Last night we returned to Chang’an. When we arrived at the city gate, Han Ze and Han Xincheng were ordered to meet us and brought Grand Commandant Huo into the palace. You had already fallen into a deep sleep at that time, so I did not wake you and sent you back directly. It was Chu Yi who gave you the medicine.”

As Zhou Zhao listened, her cheeks flushed slightly.

Of course it's the first day of the lunar month. Does Su Changying intend to apply medicine to her?
"After His Majesty met with Grand Commandant Huo, Han Xincheng escorted him out of the palace and sent him to the Tingwei Temple prison. In order to avoid any unforeseen complications, I had Han Xincheng record his statement overnight. All the things he had admitted to in the tomb have been signed and sealed."

"Zhao Zhao, don't worry too much. Today is your second sister's wedding, and Zhao Tingwei has given you a day off. There's no need to rush to the Tingwei Temple."

Zhou Zhao felt reassured and didn't hesitate to drink the medicine, gulping it down in one go. Then he opened his mouth to take the candied fruit that Su Changying handed him.

"Where is your injury?"

Su Changying rolled up her sleeves. "The medicine has been applied, it's nothing serious. Ah Huang is fine too."

Seeing that he looked refreshed and didn't seem to be faking it, Zhou Zhao felt relieved.

She wiped her mouth, then quickly walked to the bedside and reached out to touch the bamboo slip with concern. The bamboo slip was ice-cold and had no temperature at all, but Zhou Zhao felt completely relaxed.

It seems that my second sister's wedding will go smoothly and without any unexpected troubles.

Thinking about it, she rummaged through her trunk and pulled out a wooden box, took it in her hand, and then went out with Su Changying.

Last night the sky was full of stars, and today the sky is clear and cloudless, making it a wonderful day.

In just one day, Chang'an City returned to its bustling state, with the streets filled with the sounds of people.

The Zhou family mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. The old steward was all smiles. As Zhou Zhao walked to the door, she felt a tightness around her neck. A hand reached out from the side of the door and hooked her like a hook. Then, a fragrant hand began to rub her face, distorting her features.

"Ugh... Sister, please let me go, I'm from the Court of Justice..."

Doesn't Lord Zhou of the Court of Judicial Review have any dignity?

Others are just making things up and changing them; it's not like when we were kids.

Zhou Xuan's laughter came from above, "Good A-Zhao, I knew you could do it. A-Yan's spirit in heaven can rest in peace now. You truly deserve to be called Lord Zhou of the Court of Justice!"

Zhou Zhao struggled, but Zhou Xuan pulled her into her arms and patted her hard on the back.

Zhou Zhao was overjoyed to be embraced so tightly, and he raised his eyebrows triumphantly at Zhou Wan, who was standing not far away.

Zhou Wan rolled her eyes at Zhou Zhao, her eyes slightly red, and silently said, "You win this time."

(End of this chapter)