Scent Of Time

Chapter 23

Zhong Xiwu clasped his hands behind his back. He looked like a noble and romantic gentleman with his tall body and smiles.

Wu Shuomo’s face froze and returned to normal: “The Emperor is joking. I had a headache after drinking too much wine, so I came out to get some air. I’ll return now.”

Wu Shuomo glanced at me. His body paused and then arched his hand at me: “Then I will return first. Princess Consort Jin, let’s talk about it some other time.”

This shameless one, saying such words in front of the Emperor. Do you know how much trouble it will cause me? Zhong Xiwu had always been suspicious of me in the first place.

Wu Shuomo didn’t have a bit of self-consciousness that he had harmed someone, and after saluting, he turned around and left.

However, I witnessed a face-changing performance. Zhong Xiwu’s face turned a few points colder in visible speed. His usually warm face suddenly turned stony, which was so scary. I don’t know whether he heard the words between us just now. Looking at his terrible expression, I guessed he must have heard it. He won’t think I want to harm his sweetheart, won’t he?

After tangling for a moment, I broke the silence first: “Emperor, things are not what you had thought.”

After I spoke, his face seemed to improve. So easy to coax?

“Then you say how it’s not what I think.” He replied.

“I didn’t want to target Mu Yao …….”

I sneak a look at his expression, only to see him frown. I hurriedly explained again: “Wu Shuomo said he has a crush on Mu Yao. That is his business. I never said I would help him. I also did not promise to give him Mu Yao. It is all his wishful thinking.”

I nonchalantly betrayed Wu Shuomo cleanly. After all, he shot me an arrow and then pitted me, so don’t blame me for being unforgiving! I must let myself off the hook first. “So it’s right for the Emperor to punish him.”

“Why should I inquire about his sins?”

Zhong Xiwu’s earnest words choked me for a moment. This person really likes pretending to be confused. I went along with his performance, “Emperor, please rest assured. I already said I want to be free from the world. I won’t take part in these disputes.”

Zhong Xiwu’s frown grew deeper and deeper, so I bowed and left first.

When I circled around behind the rockery, I ran into another familiar face dressed in green robes–Hua Meiren. Although Hua Meiren has temporarily lost Hua Xiang’s support, based on the capital she has accumulated since she entered the palace, she wasn’t easy to fall. A hundred feet of insects that stiffen but never die, that’s what she was.

Thinking of the Emperor still behind the rockery, my eyeballs rolled. Why don’t I give him a gift to help him completely cut off Hua Xiang’s minions in the harem? At least I can win him some goodwill. He won’t suspect me of disloyalty anymore, right?

Thinking about this, I gave Qian Zhi a wink and told her to block Hua Meiren’s way.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” I deliberately made a look of arrogance. I know this kind of woman very well. She was cautious and couldn’t stand to see others being better than her. I brushed the hairpin that Hua Shen sent over to me before and touched my valuable earrings, portraying the scheming whore vividly.

Fortunately, when I went out today, I heard Qian Zhi say that one shouldn’t be dressed plainly at the royal banquet, so I wore this jewelry.

A trace of jealousy flashed in Hua Meiren’s eyes. But she was pretending to be unconcerned: “I heard the servant say that the Emperor drank too much wine, so I made hangover soup. Princess Consort Jin should not get in the way.”

Hua Meiren was about to go around me, but I blocked the way again. We said these few words and didn’t see Zhong Xiwu walk out, so it seemed he understood what I meant and hid to see what I was playing at.

“Hua Meiren can really be caring, ah. But the Emperor’s dragon body is delicate. How can he drink this kind of despicable thing?” I cover my nose and make a disgusted look.

Hua Meiren exploded at the slightest point: “Hua Qian, what do you mean?”

I snorted before speaking, “Cousin really can’t change this small family’s demeanor. You had entered the palace as a master, yet you’re still this ill-mannered.”

I suddenly realized my potential. If it was in modern times, I could enter the entertainment industry. Because of the vicious and mean image I performed — let alone Hua Meiren, when I looked at Qian Zhi’s eyes that reflected my shadow, I wanted to hit myself too.

“You ……”

Hua Meiren was about to point at my nose and curse, but the maid behind her holding the tray pulled her sleeve and whispered, “Meiren, we’d better hurry up and send the hangover soup. If we’re late, the freshly cooked soup will get cold.”

This girl is cleverer than the master, but I am determined to pull down Hua Meiren. First, to do a favor for Zhong Xiwu so he does not have the opportunity to use Hua Meiren as a raft to attack the Hua Family. Second, to avoid Hua Xiang picking up this chess piece due to his anger in the future. It would waste all my previous efforts. Hence, I waited for Hua Meiren to pass me, and I stretched my leg to trip her —

When I looked at her woeful fall to the ground, my heart birthed some guilt, thinking whether it was a bit too much bullying.

“Hua Qian, are you crazy?” Hua Meiren climbed up and patted her clothes, glaring at me.

Qian Zhi subconsciously blocked in front of me. I flicked her behind me with a lift of my hand. Of course, I’m responsible for the people I messed with.

“Cousin, that’s too hurtful. Did you blame me for your failure to step firmly?” I purposely made a sad look.

“Hua Qian, I have no grudge against you. Why do you keep targeting me?” Hua Meiren couldn’t stand it anymore. She ignored the maid beside her and said, “I had delivered messages for Hua Xiang many times, but you repay me with enmity!”

Bingo.

“Cousin, what are you saying? How come I can’t understand it?” I cover my mouth and pretend to be surprised.

Hua Meiren got irritated and became talkative, “Drop your facade here. If not for me, how could Prime Minister Hua have risen in the court?”

I sighed and spoke, “Cousin’s speech is getting ridiculous. My father doesn’t participate in political disputes and involves himself in the harem, so why would he need your help? Besides, you have only been in the palace for a year or two. Where did you get so much power?”

To get rid of this Hua Meiren, I can only speak nonsense with a clear conscience.

“Hua Qian, do you think you are smart? Do you think Minister Hua is content to be a minister only?” Hua Meiren sneered back.

I disdainfully turned my head away and replied. “I may not know all of Father’s thoughts, but at least I am still much clearer than Hua Meiren. If Father is greedy for power, how could he have turned a blind eye to people you had sent over in the past few months?”

Hua Meiren’s face turned pale. She didn’t understand why Minister Hua suddenly ignored her. But she was extremely good at saving face and still said stiffly, “Do you think I can’t live without Minister Hua? Without him, I can still make a name for myself in this harem. Wait and see, I’ll sit on the phoenix throne and make you beg me on your knees.”

Oh my, isn’t her ambition quite big? Isn’t the consort who doesn’t want to be the empress considered a good consort? Sometimes, it’s not good to have no self-knowledge.

“Oh? When did Hua Meiren influence my decision? Will you take this Phoenix seat if you say so?” Zhong Xiwu finally walked out from behind the rockery, and Hua Meiren’s face instantly became as pale as a piece of paper.

“Hua Qian, you set me up!” Hua Mei Ren gritted her teeth and looked at me angrily.

Zhong Xiwu, however, stepped in front of me and spoke, “You haven’t answered my question yet. A mere Meiren has quite an appetite.”

At least he was still the Emperor. Even though he was usually gentle, he was fierce during his duty. Wasn’t I once scared until my legs were weak?

Hey — speaking of which, when did I start not being afraid of him?

Hua Meiren’s retreat was blocked when she spoke to me. She said she didn’t need Hua Xiang. Now, she couldn’t climb back to bite. Thinking that I had accomplished my mission, I took a handkerchief to wipe the non-existent tears from the corner of my eyes while saying, “I hope that the Emperor will not overly chastise Meiren for the merits of the Hua Family. I’m weak and can’t withstand the wind. I will take my leave first.”

Zhong Xiwu looked at how I sympathized, and his eyes were full of laughter. He lightly coughed to cover it up and then looked at Hua Meiren’s green face.

I sighed in my heart. Actually, Hua Meiren didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Zhong Xiwu should only put her in the cold palace. I will arrange for some people to take care of her and send her some money. It would be good to have money inside the harem. No matter what, it was me who tricked her.

When I turned around, I heard an angry shout and two cries of alarm.

“Hua Qian, you bitch!!!”

“Princess Consort!!!”

“Emperor!!!”

Someone held my wrist tightly. With a turn, I fell into a solid embrace. A palm pressed down on my nape, making it impossible for me to raise my head, and the scent of ink filled my nose. At the same time, the sound of ceramics shattering after hitting the person rang. It was the freshly cooked hangover soup.