Chapter 195 Worry Worry

Su Zhaoshi was originally sitting with Aunt Bai drinking tea and eating snacks. She was relaxing and leisurely. When she saw her son coming over with a handsome and noble man, Su Zhaoshi quickly stood up.

Before Su Fengzhang could say anything, Prince Cheng stepped forward and said with a smile, "This must be Old Madam Su, right? I've always wanted to meet you, but unfortunately, I've never had the right opportunity. I didn't expect this to be a coincidence today."

"Greetings, His Royal Highness Prince Cheng." Su Zhao hurriedly bowed, feeling a little uncomfortable with Prince Cheng's kindness.

"Old Madam, there's no need for such formalities. Back in Yunzhou, if it weren't for Lord Su's selfless rescue, I would have perished long ago," Prince Cheng said, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Old Madam."

Su Zhaoshi hurriedly said, "Your Highness, there is no need to do this. Erlang is an official appointed by the court, and this is what he should do."

"That being said, I cannot repay your life-saving grace," Prince Cheng said. "Madam, just treat me as a descendant of your family. No need to be so polite."

The more polite he was, the more helpless Su Zhaoshi became. After all, the Su family had a weak foundation. Su Zhaoshi was just the wife of a minor official before, and when she came to the capital, she rarely went out to socialize.

Even though Su Fengzhang is now the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he has actually only been in this position for a short time. Su Zhaoshi is far from accustomed to her imperial edict and is inevitably restrained in front of Prince Cheng.

She was like this, not to mention Aunt Bai behind her, who now wished she could hide behind Su Zhaoshi and be a maid.

Seeing his mother so uncomfortable, Su Fengzhang coughed and said, "Mother, Prince Cheng and I are good friends. He is usually very approachable. You can just treat him as a classmate and friend of mine."

Even so, how could Su Zhaoshi treat a prince as one of Su Fengzhang's friends? She just reluctantly entertained him, "Prince, why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea and some snacks? They are all homemade and very clean."

Prince Cheng sat on the ground, not caring about his lack of elegance. He smiled and praised, "It tastes good. I heard Feng Zhang mention the old lady's cooking skills earlier, and I tasted it today and it's true."

Seeing this, Su Zhaoshi relaxed a little and said with a smile, "If your Highness likes it, please eat more. They are all homemade."

Prince Cheng tasted the cakes and particularly liked one of the flower cakes, praising it: "It's sweet but not greasy, and the floral fragrance is refreshing."

After sitting for a while, Su Fengzhang said, "Your Highness, it's boring to sit all the time. It's rare for you to go out, so why don't I accompany you to go somewhere else?"

Prince Cheng turned around and looked at him, smiling, "Then I'll trouble you, Lord Su. Old Madam, I'll take my leave now."

As soon as Su Fengzhang and Prince Cheng left, Su Zhaoshi couldn't help but let out a long sigh and said, "Is this Prince Cheng? He looks so handsome and speaks so kindly."

Aunt Bai deeply agreed with this and added, "He is indeed a prince. He looks majestic and noble. Although he is kind, I dare not say a word in front of him."

Su Zhaoshi also said: "Isn't it true? He is the prince after all."

"I never thought I could talk to the prince. This was something I never dared to think about before."

Aunt Bai smiled and said, "The prince seems to think highly of our Erlang, otherwise why would he come all the way here to pay his respects to the lady?"

Su Zhaoshi also thought so, but when she saw Su Fengzhang and Prince Cheng walking side by side and getting farther and farther away, she couldn't help but frown.

Apart from the accident with Prince Cheng, the Su family's outing went smoothly. The whole family had a great time, especially the three children who almost went crazy. Su Huihui, who usually looked like a steady young lady, also let herself go on this day.

He sent Liu Neng home first, and then Su Fengzhang returned to the Su family.

At this time, everyone else had already packed up. After a tiring day, several of them couldn't hold on any longer and went to bed.

Su Zhaoshi was a little distracted, so she just sat in the hall waiting for Su Fengzhang to come back.

Su Fengzhang was surprised to see that she was still awake, and asked, "Mom, you must be tired today, why don't you rest earlier?"

"I've gotten older, but I've actually been sleeping less." Mrs. Su Zhao smiled and patted the seat next to her. "Erlang, come and sit down. Mother has something to tell you."

Su Fengzhang went over and sat down. Seeing that she seemed to be hesitant to speak, he asked, "Mom, just say whatever you want to say. We are biological mother and son. There is nothing we can't say to each other."

Su Zhao sighed and looked at her son under the light. The more she looked, the more she felt that he was outstanding in appearance and handsome. If there was anything that Su Zhao could be proud of in her life, it must be giving birth to this son.

Back then, the child had a lively and playful personality and loved to play. Zong Zhang was still alive at that time, and they had never thought of letting Feng Zhang inherit the family business, so they were somewhat indulgent. Who could have predicted what would happen later?

Su Zhao looked at him and asked softly, "Erlang, you've been supporting the family alone all these years. Do you think it's hard?"

Su Fengzhang laughed and said, "Mom, studying is much easier than farming. It's not hard at all. Besides, Lan Zhang has grown up now. He will be able to help in a few years."

Su Zhaoshi said, "Farming takes physical effort, studying takes mental effort, the hardships are different."

"My family can't help you at all. Everything depends on you. Mother knows how hard it is."

Su Fengzhang smiled and held her hand, comforting her: "Mom, I'm really not tired. You're taking care of the family, so I don't have to worry about anything. My second uncle and several brothers are here in my hometown, so I don't have to worry about them either. You've already been a great help."

This was what Su Fengzhang was thinking. He had to admit that with Su Zhaoshi around, he didn't have to worry about any family affairs. The presence of his second uncle's family also helped him solve many problems. Otherwise, just the ancestor worship and the lonely grave would have been enough to worry him.

Su Zhaoshi laughed, thinking her son was a grateful person, and said, "Yes, it's all thanks to your second uncle."

Finally, she hesitated for a moment, then said, "Erlang, has His Majesty confirmed the marriage?"

Su Fengzhang felt a bit troubled when he mentioned this matter. He said helplessly, "Your Majesty has been busy with matters at the palace these days, so I'm sure he has no time to pay attention."

Su Zhaoshi became anxious when she heard this and said, "But you're already twenty-two, you can't keep putting it off."

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was not uncommon for men to get married at the age of 22, but most families at this age had already married and had children, just like Su Fengzhang's good friends, Meng Ting and Tang, who all had several children.

Su Fengzhang fell silent for a rare moment. To be honest, he was relieved that the emperor did not approve the marriage.

Su Zhao looked at his expression and couldn't help but say, "Erlang, even if it's not for you, you have to think about Huihui. She's a girl, and we can't afford to delay this."

"If you, as her brother, don't get married, Huihui and Lanzhang's marriage will also be delayed."

Su Fengzhang frowned and said, "Huihui is still young. Besides, it's okay for her to look over me."

"How can this be possible when there is order of seniority?" Su Zhao said hurriedly.

"Why not? There are many such things in the capital." The Great Zhou Dynasty did not need to attach as much importance to rules as the previous dynasty. Rich families had many children, especially those with many branches and leaves, so they naturally could not take them into consideration.

Su Zhaoshi heard a hint of evasion in his words, so she suddenly grabbed her son's hand and asked, "Erlang, are you and Prince Cheng really in love?"

"What?" Su Fengzhang was shocked by this and laughed back, "Mom, what's the connection? Where did you hear this rumor?"

Su Zhaoshi couldn't laugh, and said seriously, "Don't interrupt me, just answer yes or no."

Su Fengzhang quickly explained, "Of course not, mother, Prince Cheng and I are innocent, and the rumors are not to be believed."

Su Zhao looked at him suspiciously, somewhat unconvinced. "Really? If you two weren't in love, why would Prince Cheng, a prince, come all the way to see me? I'm just an ordinary woman. How could he be so kind to me?"

Unexpectedly, Prince Cheng's behavior today made Su Zhao overthink things. Su Fengzhang had no choice but to explain, "Mother, you really misunderstood. The prince came to see you, firstly to express his gratitude for Yunzhou's life-saving grace, and secondly, because he has a liking for his son and wants to show some favor. This is just a common tactic used by the royal family."

Su Zhao was skeptical and still felt that Prince Cheng was too kind to her. She always felt that his words were flattering, especially when she thought of the rumors that had been circulating in the community.

When Su Zhaoshi first heard those rumors, she didn't believe them at all, but after hearing them more and more, she became a little shaken.

Now she said again: "Is it really so?"

"Erlang, please don't lie to me. A few days ago, I went to the Minister of Revenue's house for a banquet. I heard several ladies talking in the garden. They all said that you and Prince Cheng were close, so His Majesty stopped you from getting married and wanted you to accompany Prince Cheng for the rest of your life."

Su Fengzhang's head hurt even more. Didn't the emperor help him to connect with Princess Hejing at that time? What does it have to do with Prince Cheng?

Seeing Su Zhaoshi's worry, Su Fengzhang explained carefully: "Mother, don't you still trust me? When has I ever lied to you? I am indeed on good terms with Prince Cheng, but we are not in love."

"There are many rumors circulating, they are just an attempt to discredit my son and Prince Cheng."

Su Zhaoshi finally believed it a little, and then cursed: "It's all the fault of those gossipy old women. What will happen if this gets out? No girl from a good family will marry you."

"His Majesty is really something. He said he would grant you a marriage, but now he keeps dragging it out. I wonder if he has forgotten. Erlang, how about we think of a way to remind His Majesty?"

Su Fengzhang, however, had no such thoughts and simply said, "Mom, don't worry. I have a plan for my marriage. You are right. Huihui is not young anymore and a girl cannot wait any longer. It is better for you to meet each other sooner so that I can find out more about her when the time comes."

Su Zhaoshi wanted to persuade her a little more, but Su Fengzhang had already helped her up: "Mother, it's getting late, you should go to bed early."

Su Zhaoshi was helpless and could only say: "Forget it, you have always been righteous since you were a child, and I can't control you anymore."

After sending Su Zhaoshi back to her room, Su Fengzhang began to feel confused as they walked under the moonlight. Should he get married and have children? He had never had such an intention in his previous life, and gradually he no longer had such an intention in this life.

He was terrified at the thought of marrying a strange woman and living a life of respect and courtesy with her.

He can be good to his wife, but he is afraid that the person he marries will never understand him. If that happens, life will be too tiring.