Chen Hu cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, sir. I’m Chen Hu.”
Qi Cheng agreed. Whether the Yan family had any power or not, he could punish them without worry and give them a satisfactory result.
Only then did Su Sanlang’s family leave the government office and go home.
On the way, Chen Hu said to Su Sanlang, “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I’ll watch over this place. As soon as there’s news, I’ll get Brother Shi to write to you.”
Su Sanlang nodded. “Okay.”
Chen Hu looked at Zhou Heng and could not help but ask, “About Heng and Xiaoling…”
What was going on? Would it work?
Su Sanlang was also confused.
Zhou Heng said seriously, “Third Uncle, I’m serious. Everything I said today was true. It came from my heart.”
Chen Hu was a little happy. He actually thought very highly of Zhou Heng and Su Xiaoling. No matter how good the men outside were, they were not as good as the ones they had raised. He had seen his temperament and character. He would never know more than this.
Su Sanlang looked at Zhou Heng and said, “Let’s talk when we get home.”
It had happened so suddenly today that his heart was still in a mess.
After arriving home, Chen Hu did not ask further and went home.
And Su Sanlang’s family entered the house.
Everyone sat down in the main room. Madam Zhao held Su Xiaoling’s hand as if she had something to say. In the end, she only sighed.
Zhou Heng stood up and knelt down in front of Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao. He said firmly, “Third Uncle, Third Aunt, I was presumptuous before, but now, please listen to me.”
“I like Xiaoling. I don’t know when it started, but I like her and want to marry her. I beg you to let me be with Xiaoling. I will be good to her for the rest of my life. I promise.”
After Zhou Heng finished speaking, he kowtowed three times.
Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang quickly reached out to help him, but Zhou Heng refused to get up.
He knew that if he couldn’t make it clear now, he would never have another chance.
If he went to the capital, he might be trapped. He would not have the chance and courage to do so.
“Kid, get up quickly.”
Madam Zhao had mixed feelings as she reached out to help Zhou Heng up.
Madam Zhao said helplessly, “Heng, you came to our house in the autumn when you were seven years old. You’re 16 this year. You’ve been with us for eight years. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we watched you grow up. We all know your temper and character, but…”
Zhou Heng swallowed and could not hide his nervousness. He took over Madam Zhao’s words and said, “Auntie, I know what you’re worried about. I’ve lived here for eight years. You treat me like your own son, but you never asked me where I came from or if my parents are still around. You respect me. If I didn’t take the initiative to mention it, you never asked.”
“Initially, I didn’t plan to say it out loud. I even planned to keep the fact that I like Xiaoling to myself for the rest of my life. However, I can’t just sit back and do nothing about today’s matter. I can’t bear to see someone tarnish her reputation.”
Zhou Heng said all the words he had hidden in his heart.
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao listened, as did Su Chong, Su Xiaolu, and the others.
Zhou Heng’s expression was honest. He looked at Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang and continued, “Third Uncle, Third Aunt, I’m from the capital. My mother is the empress of the current dynasty. My father is the emperor of the current dynasty. My legs became ill because I was framed by someone in the palace. In order to save me, my mother asked her friend to bring me out of the palace.”
“There are dangers everywhere in the capital. Even after I recovered, I couldn’t go back smoothly. However, I know that my mother must be looking forward to my return, so I have to go back to the capital. I have to go back. I’m the Crown Prince of the current dynasty. This is my identity.”
Zhou Heng told the truth about his identity.
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao were shocked. They had thought that Zhou Heng’s identity might not be ordinary, but they never expected him to be a prince.
Furthermore, he was born to the Empress. The eldest prince of the current dynasty, with his noble status and extraordinary birth, had announced to others that he should inherit the orthodox crown prince.
Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang looked at Zhou Heng, not knowing what to say.
Zhou Heng continued, “I really like Xiaoling. If I return to the capital smoothly this time, I’ll be able to marry Xiaoling. If I’m unlucky and meet with misfortune, it’ll be even easier. Xiaoling’s marriage can be found again. With Ah Chong and Ah Hua around, Xiaoling’s marriage won’t be difficult. No matter what, I won’t delay Xiaoling. This Spring Quarter Examinations will definitely end in three months at most. Third Uncle and Third Aunt, please fulfill my wish and give me a chance.”
Zhou Heng asked seriously. He had thought of all the possibilities.
Regardless of success or failure, he would not delay Su Xiaoling’s life.
He could no longer remember when he started to like Su Xiaoling. He only knew that when he realized, he had already fallen too deeply.
He knew that Su Xiaoling was very sensible, gentle, and kind, so he wanted to treat her better and favor her more.
However, as he grew up, he slowly realized that his preference was no longer pure. He wanted to be her husband and give her all the good things openly.
“Sigh… What can we say?”
Madam Zhao sighed. She did not know what to say.
Su Sanlang said, “Heng, this matter is too important to us. We can’t give you an answer now.”
Madam Zhao looked at the silent Su Xiaoling and asked gently, “Xiaoling, what do you think?”
Su Xiaoling looked up at Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng’s gaze met hers. The young man’s eyes were burning with sincerity. He looked at her and said word by word, “Su Xiaoling, I like you.”
Su Xiaoling lowered her eyes and said softly, “Father, mother, I’m willing to wait for Little Brother Heng for three months.”
She liked him too.
Just as Zhou Heng had said, if not for what happened today, she would have hidden her thoughts for the rest of her life.
But now, Zhou Heng had already taken that step. It was far more difficult for him than for her. She did not want him to bear it alone. Therefore, she also took a step forward to let him know her feelings.
Since Su Xiaoling had said so, Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao looked at each other. Madam Zhao nodded slightly at Su Sanlang.
Su Sanlang looked at Zhou Heng and said solemnly, “Heng, we’re relieved to hand Xiaoling over to you. It’s just that your identity is special. It’s still too early to talk about this. Let’s do as you say. We’ll talk about you and Xiaoling after the Spring Quarter Examinations are over. How about that?”
It was a great blessing to be with someone she liked.
However, with Zhou Heng’s identity, this was no small matter. It could not be decided for the time being.
According to Zhou Heng, this was the best solution.
Zhou Heng nodded and thanked her gratefully. “Okay, thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
He was already satisfied with this opportunity.
“Alright, everyone must be tired after such a long day. Go back to your rooms and rest.”
Su Sanlang said. Today’s matter was sudden and he was exhausted. He and Madam Zhao also needed a space to talk.