Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 409 Let’s get married

"I have only visited Your Majesty twice and have not yet discovered any other merits. I will tell Your Majesty when I do."

His Majesty burst into laughter. As he laughed, he suddenly felt the fishing line sag, and he exclaimed excitedly, "A fish is on the hook!"

As he spoke, he stood up, staring wide-eyed at the fish. He carefully pulled on the fishing rod, letting the fish swim closer, and then suddenly lifted the rod, dragging a large red carp to the side of the boat.

At this moment, His Majesty had no idea about Zhou Zhao. He leaned over the side of the boat, reached out and scooped up the fish that was more than half an arm's length long, and almost burst out laughing with his hands on his hips.

"If I had known, I would have asked the Prime Minister to come along. Last time he caught a fish the size of a palm and showed it off to me."

As His Majesty spoke, his eyes flickered, "In a little while, take this fish out of the palace; it's a reward I caught for you."

When he spoke, he emphasized the words "I caught it" with particular emphasis, and Zhou Zhao instantly understood.

This old man probably doesn't want to show off, so he wants her to go around the city and tell everyone she meets, "Hey, did you see that? His Majesty caught a big fish!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will take it back and keep it in the lake at the Court of Justice, so that I may share in Your Majesty's joy."

His Majesty was instantly satisfied. He waved his hand and said, "It's just a fish. You can catch it easily. There's nothing to be happy about."

Why don't you take a look in the mirror at your crooked smile?
His Majesty served the fish, clearly in a very good mood. He looked at Zhou Zhao and said, "As the saying goes, everyone has their own expertise. The Court of Justice is ultimately different from other places."

Zhou Zhao's heart pounded as he listened to this nonsensical statement.

She stopped secretly peeking at His Majesty, because if she looked in the mirror now, she'd probably be grinning from ear to ear too!

She understood what His Majesty meant by those seemingly nonsensical words. Zhao Tingwei was not a legal scholar, but His Majesty intended for her to become Tingwei in the future. He was just waiting for her to grow a few more years and accumulate some merits before she would be the only candidate for the next Tingwei.

And His Majesty has granted her request regarding the matter she submitted today.

His Majesty did not wait for Zhou Zhao's reply; his thoughts jumped around a bit, "When will you and Su Changying get married?"

Zhou Zhao was taken aback, and the roots of her ears turned slightly red.

Seeing Zhou Zhao display a rare girlish demeanor, as if she had won a victory, His Majesty smiled with pleasure. "He is a good boy. I had high hopes for him when he accompanied me on my campaigns. He asked me for the instructions on how to use the Six Paths Heavenly Book. I suppose your recent perils were too dangerous and frightened him."

The redness on Zhou Zhao's ears faded instantly, and her fingers trembled slightly.

I can't help but think that Su Changying must have asked His Majesty for the instructions on how to use the Six Paths Heavenly Book every time. Even though she was winning every battle this time, he was always ready to risk his life to save her.

His Majesty ignored Zhou Zhao's thoughts and said, "Ah Huang treats you like his own sister. He even dared to defy me, his father, for your sake. You must protect him in the future."

Zhou Zhao regained his senses and earnestly promised, "I will protect him with my life."

His Majesty laughed again. He looked very kind and approachable today, like an old neighbor.

"To be honest, I don't even remember when Ah Huang first spoke! I only remember that his mother didn't talk much either, and was always quiet and reserved. She was naturally strong, and when she was still unmarried, she once killed a tiger with a single punch."

Unfortunately, I wasn't emperor yet at that time, and that tiger skin was given away. Later, due to war, I don't know where it went.

He probably resembles his mother more.

His Majesty chatted casually with Zhou Zhao about the past until Han Shaofu came to discuss matters with him. Only then did he reluctantly go ashore and order the eunuchs to escort Zhou Zhao out of the palace.

This time, leaving the palace was peaceful and uneventful.

Han Xincheng was on leave today and not in the palace; the princess, who shared the same mother as the Third Prince, probably wasn't in the mood to stop her either. As Zhou Zhao approached the palace gates, she turned and looked towards the West Palace.

She could sense that His Majesty's days were numbered and that preparations had already begun for the Crown Prince to succeed him.

As she thought about it, she turned around and immediately saw Su Changying waiting in front of the palace gate.

A big smile instantly bloomed on Zhou Zhao's face. She quickly stepped forward and pounced on Su Changying. Su Changying's eyes widened suddenly, and she grabbed Zhou Zhao's waist and pulled her into her arms.

"Zhao Zhao."

"I'm hungry," Zhou Zhao said.

Su Changying rubbed Zhou Zhao's head, took out a wrapped sugar cake from her bosom, and handed it to Zhou Zhao. "It's still warm. I knew you would be hungry when you came out. Civil officials are more cunning than sieves."

Zhou Zhao took a bite of the sugar cake, and the sweetness warmed her heart.

"Are you insulting me? I'm a civil servant too."

Su Changying rubbed Zhou Zhao's head and took the large carp from her hand. "Zhao Zhao is skilled in both literature and martial arts, but she is not among them."

He would rather scold himself than scold Zhou Zhao.

"Changying, let's get married!"

Su Changying froze, nearly dropping the large carp in his hand. He turned his stiff neck and looked at Zhou Zhao.

Looking at the smiling young girl before him, he felt that the winter in Chang'an was even warmer than spring. "Alright! Let's get married, let's get married tomorrow!"

Zhou Zhao looked at him like a fool, took another bite of the sugar cake, and said, "When a good man proposes a marriage, one of them is eating a sugar cake while the other is holding a fish! Besides, isn't it usually the man who makes the first move? The wedding is tomorrow, how can the wedding be tomorrow?"

Su Changying smiled, "Zhao Zhao, you can't go back on your word. I heard you all. I want to marry Zhao Zhao. I've wanted to for a very long time. I want a home of our own, and I want to be with Zhao Zhao every day."

I want to secretly buy you roast lamb leg when you're old and gray.

After his mother died, Zhou Zhao became his home.

Zhou Zhao couldn't help but laugh as he listened.

She didn't care who spoke first or who spoke later; she liked Su Changying, and Su Changying liked her too, and that was enough for her.

Zhou Wan is getting married, and Zhou Xuan will do the same in the future. The Zhou family's home will no longer be a home.

From now on, Su Changying will be her home.

"I'll be so old by then, I won't be able to eat a leg of lamb anymore, it might even get stuck in my teeth. You might be walking with a cane, how could you carry me on your back?"

"Of course, I can carry you all over the world. We can lie on the roof of Min Zangzhi's house and watch that old geezer wearing flowers in his hair. When you're investigating a case, I'll be by your side and help you catch the murderer."

As Zhou Zhao listened, he stuffed the last bite of the sugar cake into Su Changying's mouth.

She patted the crumbs off her hands and looked at Su Changying, who immediately squatted down and carried Zhou Zhao on her back.

"What should you have called me back then?"

Su Changying carried Zhou Zhao slowly, and when he heard the excitement in Zhou Zhao's voice, he curled up the corners of his mouth, "Of course it's Zhou Tingwei."