warmth
The implication was that they had decided to handle the case abroad.
Su Feng couldn't help but laugh in exasperation: "Zhou Ce'an, let alone whether I can keep it from the Princess Consort, let's talk about you, Ce'an, you're injured like this and you still want to handle cases, do you have some kind of masochistic tendency?"
He loves solving cases so much, the imperial court should really award him a "Best Dedication Award"; his spirit is truly admirable.
He, Su Feng, admitted that he was no match for him.
Zhou Yanzhi looked up at the sound, his eyes calm and his thoughts unwavering.
Like a punch landing on a steel plate, Su Feng was stunned and speechless for a moment. He waved his hand and said, "Sigh, whatever, as long as you're still breathing."
He then patted Qi Minghua on the shoulder, his tone tinged with a touch of admiration: "Our renowned Dean Qi was able to save you."
"Thud—"
Qi Minghua closed the medicine box, pushed Su Feng away from him, and instructed Zhou Yanzhi, "If you really need to handle the case, rest for seven days first."
Zhou Yanzhi nodded: "I understand."
Just as I was about to say something, several footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall, followed by the Empress Dowager's voice—
"Ce'an."
The three people inside the hall exchanged glances and rose to their feet to pay their respects.
"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"Ce'an pays respects to the Empress Dowager."
The dignified and elegant Empress Dowager smiled and raised her hand, saying, "No need for formalities." Then, she turned to Qi Minghua and asked, "Head Physician Qi, what about Ce'an's injuries...?"
Qi Minghua bowed his head and replied, "Your Majesty, the young master's injuries are not serious. He only needs to rest and recuperate in the future."
Looking at the bandage wrapped around Zhou Yanzhi's head, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but worry: "Won't he be disfigured?"
Qi Minghua respectfully said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, as long as the Crown Prince applies the medicine on time, he will not be disfigured."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't be disfigured; otherwise, how would Ce'an ever find a wife with such an ugly face?
"Thank you for your hard work, Chief Physician Qi. Please go to the main hall again to check on His Majesty." The Empress Dowager nodded gently, then looked at Su Feng and said with a hint of teasing, "Young Su, I advise you to leave quickly. If you don't leave now, I'm afraid you won't be able to leave later."
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's meaning, Su Feng's heart skipped a beat, and the image of Zhou Yuyi subconsciously appeared in his mind. He bowed to the Empress Dowager and then quickly pulled Qi Minghua out of the side hall.
While it's said that even the most virtuous woman can be swayed by a persistent suitor, the same goes for a persistent woman! If he can't handle her, can't he at least avoid her?!
...
After the two had walked away, the Empress Dowager pulled Zhou Yanzhi to sit down at the table, gently touching his forehead where blood was faintly seeping, her eyes filled with undisguised heartache: "My little Ce'an..."
She used very little force, but Zhou Yanzhi still couldn't help but shudder and let out a muffled groan.
The Empress Dowager's expression changed: "Did I hurt you?"
Immediately, the Empress Dowager felt a wave of fear wash over her. The Emperor had truly gone all out; if she hadn't sensed something was wrong and arrived in time, Ce'an might have been…
Just then, Zhou Yanzhi blinked and softly comforted her, "Grandmother, Ce'an is alright."
"well……"
Seeing Zhou Yanzhi, who was injured but still trying to comfort her, the Empress Dowager's heart softened. Such a well-behaved Ce'an had been beaten up like this by the Emperor.
Thinking about what she was about to say, she found herself unable to speak. With a long sigh, the Empress Dowager raised her hand and gently stroked Zhou Yanzhi's head. "Ce'an, are you... feeling wronged?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanzhi's eyelashes trembled.
Although his grandmother didn't say it explicitly, he knew she was asking him if he resented Emperor Zhaowen.
Does he resent it?
Naturally, he resentful; he wasn't a trained assassin.
But……
Zhou Yanzhi suddenly raised his eyelids and met the Empress Dowager's flickering gaze. He replied, "Ce'an must be a loyal minister."
Therefore, he would not let his resentment control his thinking, and even though Emperor Zhaowen suspected him, he would still do his job well.
Loyalty will ultimately outweigh resentment.
The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction, swallowing back the words she had prepared earlier. Instead, she patted Zhou Yanzhi twice, her meaning clear without a word.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Suddenly, as if she had just thought of something, the Empress Dowager asked, "Ce'an, I heard that when you disappeared, there was a young lady with you? So you two were traveling together for a month?"
Zhou Yanzhi: "...Yes, she's my mother's cousin."
"Ah? So she's just my cousin." The Empress Dowager's tone revealed a barely perceptible hint of disappointment.
Since she's his cousin's daughter, it's not that Ce'an invited her out because he liked her...
That's really disappointing.
After a moment of silence, she nodded slightly, her tone tinged with a hint of regret: "That's good. You're away from home all year round, and your mother must be quite lonely in the mansion. It's good to have someone to keep her company."
However, this young lady has been implicated because of you, and this past month has been filled with danger and conflict. You should treat her well and not always have such a cold face.
As they were talking, the Empress Dowager suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhou Yanzhi with a strange expression: "Ce'an, why are you blushing?"
Zhou Yanzhi's voice suddenly became a little soft: "Grandmother, her... name is Xiangsi."
The Empress Dowager nodded. "'A beautiful name: 'A delicate die inlaid with red beans, a love so deep it pierces to the bone.'"
Zhou Yanzhi pursed his lips: "My grandson likes her."
The Empress Dowager dismissed it: "Oh, you like him? If you like him, go after him... Did you succeed?!"
In an instant, the Empress Dowager's mouth stretched almost to her ears.
She wasn't old enough to lose her hearing or eyesight, so she hadn't misheard! Ce'an had a girl he liked!
Under the Empress Dowager's piercing gaze, Zhou Yanzhi blushed and nodded gently, "Mm."
Although he was a little embarrassed to express his feelings for his beloved to his elders, he still said firmly in a trembling voice, "Your grandson wants to marry her."
While he was experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, going through moments of joy, disappointment, and ecstasy in a short period, the Empress Dowager was beaming with happiness.
Seeing Zhou Yanzhi, who rarely showed such shyness, the Empress Dowager almost burst out laughing.
Heaven has eyes! That little rascal Ce'an has finally blossomed, and he's even refusing to be gay. That's wonderful!
If the occasion weren't so inappropriate, she would have burned incense to comfort her ancestors.
The Empress Dowager nodded with great satisfaction at Zhou Yanzhi, her voice brimming with undisguised joy: "Marry him! Marry him with a grand wedding procession!"
After saying this, the Empress Dowager stood up, pulled Zhou Yanzhi, who was still sitting, up, and had someone put him into her carriage. She looked at the bewildered Zhou Yanzhi with a look of relief and said, "Don't worry, Ce'an, your grandmother will go and prepare the betrothal gifts for you right away. I guarantee you will become a groom this month!"
Zhou Yanzhi, who was gradually walking away, thought, "...?" How can this be?!
Of course, in the end, the Empress Dowager's idea could not be implemented because Zhou Yanzhi said, "Ce'an has an agreement with her, and Ce'an does not want to break the agreement."
In response, the Empress Dowager remarked that young people these days are really annoying, having to make agreements before even getting married.
However, even if the wedding doesn't happen this month, the betrothal gifts still need to be prepared, since the wedding is just around the corner anyway.
Although this matter should be prepared by Princess An, it doesn't mean that the grandmother can't help.
Therefore, for the next period of time, the two noble ladies from the Prince An's Mansion and Shou'an Palace were extremely busy.
...
As the deep twilight gradually spread across the night sky, the distant stars began to twinkle indistinctly, leaving them elusive and unpredictable.
Under the moonlight, the Chaoxi Pavilion was very quiet, bathed in the gentle moonlight. Water droplets on the banana leaves outside the window lingered on the broad green leaves, shimmering in the moonlight.
Night had fallen, and only one room in the Chaoxi Pavilion was still lit. Inside, candlelight flickered, casting a soft glow throughout the room.
The beautiful woman sat by the window, holding a book, quietly turning the pages, while the soft chirping of insects filled her ears.
Suddenly, the candlelight flickered, and a figure silently stepped into the room.
Looking at the flickering candlelight on the desk, Xie Xiangsi raised an eyebrow, put down her book, and said without turning her head, "Cousin, are you addicted to being a lecher?"
"Pfft—"
A soft laugh came from behind.
Zhou Yanzhi's smiling voice came: "Cousin, you're still as sharp-tongued as ever. Tell me, besides this time, when else have I done something intentionally?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Xiangsi blinked, a faint smile playing on her lips, and turned her head to say, "So, cousin, this time it's because... what happened to your head?!"
Upon noticing the bandage wrapped around Zhou Yanzhi's forehead, Jie Xiangsi's smile vanished instantly.
She hurriedly got off the bed, lifted her skirt, and ran to him. She touched the blood-stained gauze with one hand, her voice icy cold: "Who did this?"
She used considerable force, and Zhou Yanzhi gasped, but he didn't answer. He just smiled and said, "Want to avenge me?"
Jie Xiangsi also did not answer, but simply lifted her eyelids and said indifferently, "Is it Lord Su?"
"no."
"Is that Young Master Qi?"
"no."
"Is that His Majesty?"
"..."
Seeing that he was silent, Jie Xiangsi understood, but a surge of anger arose for no reason.
She had witnessed Zhou Yanzhi's loyalty to the current emperor. Even if a knife were held to his throat, he would not betray the emperor. So how could the emperor be so cruel?!
Thinking this, Xie Xiangsi's eyes suddenly welled up with heartache. She turned around to get the ointment to apply to him, but before she could take a step, she was suddenly pulled into someone's arms around the waist.
A gentle bump against a warm chest came from above, and Zhou Yanzhi's voice said, "Don't go."
Strangely, even though the force with which he held her waist wasn't strong and she could easily break free, Jie Xiangsi felt as if she were being held captive, just as he had said, "Don't go," because she really couldn't move.
After a moment of silence, she shifted uncomfortably. "I'll go get your medicine."
Upon hearing this, the pressure on his waist loosened slightly, but he still didn't let go.
“No need, Qi Minghua gave me medicine.” Zhou Yanzhi smiled slightly, looked down at the profile of the woman in his arms, and said gently, “I came to see you because I wanted to tell you some things.”
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