Chapter 267: Chapter 244: Fragments

Early the next morning, Zhang Zhaodi grabbed a basket and left the house, intending to buy some pastries, but saw someone lingering at the doorstep.

"Our shop doesn’t open this early. Are you trying to buy something?" Zhang Zhaodi said, standing in front of the person.

Seeing Zhang Zhaodi reminded Su Rende of what happened last night. This woman dared to meddle in palace affairs, saving him, and he owed her a debt of gratitude.

"I’m here to thank you," Su Rende said, waving to the people behind him.

Behind him stood a dozen servants, each holding a box.

"I know your business is doing well, and you’re not short of silver, and can buy whatever you want. But this is my token of gratitude, please accept it with a smile."

"Since it’s a token of gratitude from you, of course, I’ll accept it gladly," Zhang Zhaodi replied. "When the door opens, have them bring it inside! I still have to go shopping."

Seeing she was about to leave, Su Rende instructed his followers to take the gift inside, then turned to follow Zhang Zhaodi.

"You stabbed yourself several times yesterday, shouldn’t you be resting at home?" Zhang Zhaodi asked, looking at him curiously as he followed her. "Why are you following me?"

"A few days ago, I found an old item of mine," Su Rende said, taking out a piece of cloth from his pocket.

No, it was a scrap from a garment.

"I wanted you to take a look and see if it seems familiar to you."

Zhang Zhaodi stopped, took the rag from him, and after feeling it, said, "This is ordinary clothing. Nine out of ten poor people wear this kind of fabric. Plus, it’s been so long, you can’t even tell its original color. What do you want me to see?"

"I just want to know... is it possible that I am your husband who joined the army?" Su Rende stated his purpose directly.

Zhang Zhaodi burst out laughing, "You’re General Su. If you want a woman, all you need is to say the word, and plenty of people would bring women to you. Don’t tease me."

"No, I’m serious."

"Yes, you’re serious, I believe you’re serious, now don’t block my way," Zhang Zhaodi said, standing in front of a stall picking out pastries that Su Yaoguang liked.

Su Rende took out some silver and paid for them.

Zhang Zhaodi: "...Is this a thank you gift too?"

"Yes."

"Alright then!" Zhang Zhaodi stopped walking, looked at Su Rende, and said, "Me, I always like to take advantage. Even if you follow me every day and pay for me every day, I won’t blush or feel short of breath. If I were you, General Su, I’d stay as far away as possible right now."

"I want to clarify this matter; don’t you want to clarify it too?"

"You’ve lost your memory; haven’t you wanted to clarify it all these years?" Zhang Zhaodi asked, looking at him.

"I... I was at the border these past years. Actually being back in the Capital City hasn’t been long. While at the border, there were always foreign enemies disturbing the peace there. I was in constant battle with them and had no time to consider other matters. After returning to the Capital City, I also sought treatment for my head injury from the Imperial Physician but just couldn’t remember anything."

"Perhaps what you can’t remember isn’t important, and there’s no need to force yourself to remember. Sometimes we need to look forward in life."

"I’ve heard about your situation," Su Rende said. "You raised your daughter on your own and supported yourself by being a midwife. You were bullied by your family because you had no son, and your house and fields were taken advantage of. Later, your daughter bought herself a young husband, and only then did things improve a bit."

Zhang Zhaodi didn’t respond.

What he said was too far in the past for her. If it weren’t for seeing Zhou Wangshu achieve something a few days ago, she wouldn’t have thought of those past troubles.

"You don’t want to find out if I’m the husband who disappeared over ten years ago because you’re afraid the answer won’t be what you wish to see; you’re avoiding it."

Zhang Zhaodi smiled.

Su Rende had a bad feeling.

Zhang Zhaodi picked up a feather duster nearby and swung it at him, yelling, "Avoid, my foot! Avoid what? My daughter and I are living freely; you have no idea how comfortable we are. You come over prattling nonsense to me. Even if you’re not, so what if you are? A man who dares forget his wife and children so thoroughly clearly doesn’t care about us. Do you expect me to give you a grand welcome back?"

She said as she waved the feather duster.

"Early in the morning, chirping around like a sparrow. My head is aching from all this noise. Aren’t you a great general? Are you so idle? Nothing to do? Wandering around a woman all morning? Even when in heat, shouldn’t you choose a better place and target? Scram, scram, I’m not in the mood to serve nobility like you, don’t come bothering."

Su Rende stepped aside.

Zhang Zhaodi walked away with her basket.

Watching her back, Su Rende wanted to follow but recalled her words and suddenly felt a bit defeated.

He thought she’d be happy to hear his hypothesis. It’d mean she wasn’t a widow and her husband was a great general, making herself a General’s wife. But she was angry at his assumption and he even suspected if he managed to prove he’s the father of Su Yaoguang and her husband, she might come at him with a knife.

"Su, go to hell..." someone in the crowd rushed over, stabbing a knife at Su Rende.

Caught off guard, Su Rende was struck.

As the assailant charged, fragments of memory flooded Su Rende’s mind.

"Help, there’s an assassin, someone wants to assassinate the Great General..." Zhang Zhaodi shouted, swinging her basket at the assailant.

The assassin thrust his knife forward, intending to strike, but Su Rende shoved Zhang Zhaodi aside, standing in front of her.

Thwack! A white knife in, a red knife out.

Su Rende fell.

"Help... help..." Zhang Zhaodi shouted, "There’s an assassin here..."

In the crowd, a few men stepped forward and subdued the assassin.

Supporting Su Rende, Zhang Zhaodi shouted, "I’ll pay one tael of silver to anyone who can help me get him to Taoyao Square?"

"I’ll do it. No need for silver, I’m willing to help," a strong man said.

Taoyao Square was at this moment piled high with many precious gifts. After the servants delivered the gifts, they said the general had ordered them to be given to Zhang Zhaodi.

The people at Taoyao Square knew this was General Su’s token of gratitude, but the common folk didn’t. Seeing the scene, they all speculated whether it was a betrothal gift.

"Mr. Su is already married, so it can’t be for her. Those two young girls are too young, so it can’t be them. That leaves only two women. Doesn’t General Su prefer mature women over young maidens?" someone in the crowd said.

"Don’t talk nonsense. General Su has won so many battles and was titled a National Guardian General. What kind of woman couldn’t he have? Why would he be interested in a mature woman?"

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