Chapter 157: Interrogation
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Su Fengzhang, the Imperial Academy Attendant, is a man of wisdom and benevolence, noble yet able to be frugal, diligent in his obedience, and a devoted supporter of the rites of the empire. I commend him greatly. I bestow upon him the courtesy name Ziqing."
"I grant you a house, a thousand taels of silver, ten pieces of silk, and two jade bi... I decree this!"
After Eunuch Li finished reading the imperial edict, he looked at Su Fengzhang with a smile and said softly, "Master Su, please accept the edict."
Even Su Fengzhang, who was usually the most composed, couldn't help but show a hint of surprise. However, he quickly concealed it and took the imperial edict from Eunuch Li: "Thank you, Lord, for your grace."
Eunuch Li smiled slightly, and looked at Su Fengzhang subtly. The more he looked at him, the more handsome he seemed to him. He thought to himself that it was no wonder that Prince Rong and the fifth prince both took a fancy to this man.
There are many officials with outstanding talents and handsome looks, but some of them are young and handsome and have never been married. Now there is only one top scholar in the court.
Thinking of this, Eunuch Li became even more friendly towards Su Fengzhang: "Sir Su, His Majesty favors you very much. I heard that you are still renting this house, so I specially selected it for you."
"Your Majesty's kindness will always be remembered in my heart," said Su Fengzhang.
Seeing that he was sensible, Eunuch Li smiled even more happily: "This house was selected by our family personally. Sir Su, why don't you go take a look at it while you are on vacation? If you are not satisfied, please let us know and we will choose another one for you."
The emperor said that last time, it was actually Eunuch Li who picked the things. After all, as the emperor, he would not do these things personally.
After hearing this, Su Fengzhang became even more nervous: "The place specially selected by Eunuch Li is naturally the most suitable."
Eunuch Li laughed heartily, then looked at the family members kneeling beside him and said with a smile, "This must be Old Madam Su, right? Lord Su is a pillar of the country. Old Madam Su is a good parent. We admire her very much."
Because of Su Fengzhang, Su Zhaoshi was now also a consort of imperial concubine. However, this was the first time she had properly put on her imperial concubine's robes. When she heard Eunuch Li's words, she was even more surprised and apprehensive: "Eunuch, you are too kind. It's all Feng'er's own achievement."
"Sir Su, the rewards have been delivered, so we will go back first." Eunuch Li said with a smile.
Su Fengzhang naturally saw him out personally and stuffed a heavy purse into his hand. Eunuch Li accepted it with a smile.
After sending the people away, Su Fengzhang was full of doubts. Not to mention the emperor's sudden reward, he also gave him a house, silver, and even many precious tributes. This was much more generous than the last time he was promoted!
Seeing that it was Eunuch Li who came in person to announce the decree this time, there was something strange about the matter.
Who is Eunuch Li? He is the first eunuch in front of the emperor. No matter in the harem or in the court, even the first-rank officials have to give him some face.
But now he personally came out of the palace to announce the decree to a small official of the sixth rank. This really didn't seem normal.
Su Fengzhang suddenly remembered the rumors during this period. Apart from the rumors about the Crown Prince punishing him and the Fifth Prince and him, he really couldn't think of a reason for the emperor's sudden reward.
So is it the former or the latter?
If it is the former, it means that the emperor feels that the prince is too violent, but does not want to punish him and lose his reputation, so he chooses this method to appease his ministers.
If it's the latter, it's even more bizarre. Rewarding him for no reason is equivalent to explicitly agreeing with the rumors, right?
Su Fengzhang frowned, thinking that the former was more likely. Perhaps the emperor didn't even know about the rumors behind it. After all, who would dare to spread rumors about his own son in front of the emperor?
Thinking of this, Su Fengzhang felt a little relieved. When he turned around, he saw the excited looks of Su Zhao and others.
Su Zhaoshi was looking through the rewards, her face showing an expression of surprise that she couldn't hide: "Feng'er, come and see, this jade pendant is of really good quality, you can't buy it outside even if you want."
Aunt Bai also said, "That's right. Feel this silk. There's no other place in the store that has such fine stuff."
Su Lanzhang and Su Huihui also had excitement on their faces.
After the excitement subsided, Su Lanzhang looked up and asked, "Second brother, why did the Emperor suddenly reward you?"
Su Fengzhang's eyes flickered slightly, and he just smiled and said, "Perhaps it's because your second brother works diligently, and His Majesty has noticed it. Since it's a reward from His Majesty, you can use it if you can."
Su Zhaoshi immediately said, "We won't be going out, so let's keep these silks to make clothes for you."
Su Fengzhang smiled helplessly and said, "Mom, how can I wear this color? You can tell at a glance that it was specially prepared for you."
Su Zhaoshi said in surprise: "His Majesty the Emperor still cares about us?"
Su Fengzhang briefly explained and then said, "Since His Majesty has awarded us a house, we should pack up and move in as soon as possible, so as to avoid being accused of disrespect."
"Yes, yes, I'll go and clean it up right away." Su Zhaoshi led her men there in a hurry.
Moving is not something that can be done in a short time. After all, it takes a long time just to pack up the gifts.
Su Fengzhang hardly had to worry about this matter. What made him feel embarrassed was that once the emperor's reward came, no one dared to say anything openly, but the rumors became more and more rampant in secret.
Su Fengzhang was helpless about this, and he didn't know whether the emperor's move helped him or harmed him.
Eunuch Li's words were true. The house was indeed carefully selected. Although it only had two entrances, it was in a good location. The area inside was also large, with carved railings and painted buildings. One could tell at a glance that the previous owner had put a lot of thought into it.
This house is big enough for their family of five to live in now, and it is also big enough for them to get married and have children in the future.
The only downside is probably that the house is not far from the Fifth Prince's palace. Although this prince still lives in the palace, the two houses are so close that it really makes people have some unnecessary thoughts.
Fortunately, after moving in, Su Fengzhang realized that the prince's mansion was just a formality and the fifth prince had never lived there. This saved them from embarrassment when they met.
What made him frustrated was that instead of meeting the Fifth Prince, he encountered another trouble.
When Su Fengzhang was blocked on the side road by a luxurious carriage, his face was numb.
Princess Hejing opened the curtain, her face somewhat gloomy, with a trace of anger between her brows, staring at him fiercely: "Su Fengzhang, come here."
Su Fengzhang simply walked to the carriage and saluted: "This humble official greets the princess."
He was so polite that Princess Hejing was a little angry. She frowned and glared at him: "Su Fengzhang, do you know why I am here?"
"I don't know, please tell me clearly, Princess." Su Fengzhang just lowered his eyes slightly and didn't even look up at the princess.
Princess Hejing became more and more angry, and suddenly gave a look to the person next to her. The person reached out and grabbed Su Fengzhang and was about to send him to the carriage.
Unfortunately, he didn't expect that Su Fengzhang was quite skilled. He turned over and pinned him down, and said calmly, "Princess, there are differences between men and women. This is probably inappropriate."
Princess Hejing was surprised for a moment, but after thinking about the scene that day, she was not surprised at all. She sneered and said, "Why, as a grown man, are you afraid that I, the princess, will force myself on you?"
Su Fengzhang had not expected the princess to be so bold in her words and actions, so he could only say, "I am indeed not afraid, but I am worried about affecting your reputation."
Princess Hejing raised her eyebrows slightly and sneered, "You haven't just arrived in the capital, how can this princess have a good reputation?"
This is a bit of an exaggeration. Princess Hejing does have a bad reputation, but it is basically associated with being cunning, barbaric, arrogant and unreasonable, and has nothing to do with love affairs between men and women.
Seeing that Su Fengzhang was still unwilling to get in the car, Princess Hejing asked, "Why, are you afraid that if you get in my car, your reputation will be damaged and you won't be able to marry a good wife?"
In terms of bold words and deeds, Princess Hejing was definitely the first person Su Fengzhang had ever met: "I have no reputation to speak of, I just follow etiquette."
He Jing suddenly laughed and said, "Since you don't want to come up, then you can just say it this way."
Su Fengzhang thought to himself that this was not good, and sure enough, the next moment, he heard Princess Hejing ask bluntly, "Su Fengzhang, let me ask you, what is wrong with me? What do you dislike about me?"
"There is nothing wrong with the princess."
"That's a lie," Princess Hejing shouted coldly, "If I'm good in every way, why do you still look down on me and don't want to marry me?"
Su Fengzhang had cold sweat on his forehead. In such a feudal environment of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he really didn't expect that Princess Hejing would ask him such an outrageous question in the street, and she was not worried about being seen at all.
"What? You can't speak?" Princess Hejing snorted coldly and asked.
Su Fengzhang hesitated for a moment, but seeing that Princess Hejing was determined not to leave without a reason, he whispered, "Princess, there is indeed nothing wrong with you. It's just that we are as different as heaven and earth. We are not a match for each other. I'm sure you understand this."
Princess Hejing sneered, "Why, is my noble birth a bad thing? Or is Lord Su afraid that if he marries me, people will accuse him of clinging to the powerful and relying on nepotism to rise to the top?"
Su Fengzhang shook his head and said, "Neither. It's just that the princess and I are not in love with each other. The princess has no feelings for me, and I have no feelings for her either. If that's the case, why bother to make this happen?"
Princess Hejing looked a little strange after hearing this. She asked curiously, "How do you know that I have no feelings for you? If I didn't, why would I agree to this?"
Su Fengzhang said, "If she had any intention, why would the princess be so angry and nothing else?"
Princess Hejing narrowed her eyes and suddenly smiled, "Su Fengzhang, you've really thought it through. You're handsome, and I like you. The whole capital knows that marrying me is like marrying Prince Rong's mansion. If you miss this opportunity, you won't be able to get it back even if you beg."
"Besides, marriage is always arranged by a matchmaker. If you don't like me, do you think you will like your future wife?" Princess Hejing said with a smile. "Who knows, maybe after we get married and spend more time together, we'll start to like each other."
"I appreciate your kindness, Princess." Su Fengzhang said.
Speaking of this, Princess Hejing actually became somewhat interested and said with a smile, "It's just as Fifth Brother said. You are quite interesting. If you really don't think about it again, I am willing to marry you. That is a blessing you will never get in your entire life."
Su Fengzhang said politely, "It's a pity that I am unlucky."
Princess Hejing laughed heartily, her anger fading. Instead, she said, "Don't rush to answer. Go back and think about it carefully. When you've made up your mind, come find me at Prince Rong's mansion. After all, my father likes you very much."
After Princess Hejing left, Su Fengzhang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He almost thought that this matter would not be resolved. Who knew that Princess Hejing would come with a large army to question him, but he let him go so easily.
On the other side, before Princess He Jing left the street, a figure suddenly jumped onto the carriage. He Jing reached out and grabbed something and threw it at the figure, angrily scolding, "I told you to hide aside and watch the show."
He Jun grabbed the thing and cursed with a smile on his face: "I'll see what you can do to me. Hey, let me see which girl is so shameless as to come to my house and force me to marry her."
"He Jun, I'm not done with you!" Princess Hejing didn't feel anything just now, but now her cheeks turned red with shame and she rushed towards him. The two had been fighting since they were young. He Jun was such a good fighter, but now he was being beaten.
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Click on the author's column - Dear Boyfriend
The sunny and handsome Gu Chenyang has always been popular with the opposite sex, but he never thought that his popularity with the same sex is even better!
On his first day at university, he was targeted by a big-tailed wolf!
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Song Beichen, have you bought the Yunnan Baiyao?
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Gu Chenyang: How can I beat him? When that guy takes off his clothes, he's all muscular and has eight pack abs!
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Gu Chenyang: How did you know? Of course I took it off, looked at it, and touched it!
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Gu·athletic talent·football master·Chen Yang runs on the green ground,
My legs went weak and I almost fell flat on my face.
Teammate: Ayang, you can’t run anymore. What were you doing last night?
Gu Chenyang: ...t
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When he was carried by the princess, he rejected it in his heart.
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Gu Chenyang: Four people came out, and three of them wanted to sleep with me!
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Gu Chenyang: Stop combing your hair, save your brother.
Shaohui: I advise you to do it! You won’t lose anything anyway!
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The first time Gu Chenyang saw Song Beichen, he thought: Is this guy going to compete with me to see who runs faster? I will definitely not lose!
Song Beichen: What should I do, he is so cute!
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