Scent Of Time

Chapter 24

At this moment, I suddenly understood Zhong Yelan’s mood. That feeling of being saved by someone he didn’t like — it’s so hard to describe.

Zhong Xiwu loosened his hand before I raised my head. He was still gentle and calm, but his lips seemed paler. At the same time, I realized that his right shoulder was — smoking.

Why this hangover soup is so hot?

Eunuch Gao hurriedly walked over and said with trembling lips, “Emperor — Princess Consort ……”

Zhong Xiwu’s face did not change. He looked at Hua Meiren, who lost her soul at the side. She seemed to have even forgotten to beg for mercy. But the maid at her side was resourceful and could not stop kowtow.

As I said, she still could turn around before. But now I’m afraid she has completely fallen into a dead end. She wanted to harm me but mistakenly hurt the dragon’s body.

“Emperor, you actually… actually ……” Hua Meiren, as if waking up from a dream, was skeptical. But her tone carried sarcasm.

Zhong Xiwu frowned and said to Eunuch Gao, “Gao Yu, take them down to be locked up with their mouths gagged tightly.”

Hence, a group of eunuchs rushed over in a swarm, pulling and dragging Hua Meiren and her maid away. Hua Meiren seemed to have something to say, but they gagged her mouth tightly. She could only look at me with eyes full of resentment.

This scene made me feel sad. It was not easy to live in the harem. Life and death are all in the Emperor’s thoughts. A few moments later, only me, Zhong Xiwu, Eunuch Gao, and Qian Zhi remained at the rockery.

Half of Zhong Xiwu’s body was wet. Eunuch Gao found a reason to speak: “Emperor, why not find a nearby palace and let this old slave search for new clothes.”

Zhong Xiwu nodded and replied. Eunuch Gao left in a hurry. He knew that the fewer people knew about this matter, the better, so he went in person.

Zhong Xiwu turned around and left. But after a few steps, he turned to me and said, “Still not following?”

Although reluctant, I couldn’t retorted and obediently followed. At least did it to protect me.

After finding an unoccupied palace, Zhong Xiwu pushed the door to enter. I stepped over a foot and heard Zhong Xiwu speak, “Let your maid stand guard outside and wait for Eunuch Gao. Let her lead the way.”

My other foot hangs in mid-air. The more I thought about it, the more inappropriate it was for a man and a woman to be in the same room. I retracted my other foot and spoke, “Then I won’t go in either. It’s not in line with etiquette.”

Zhong Xiwu did not have any reaction, only smiled and said, “If you and I keep silent, who will know? Or do you want others to know I fell into my current state because of you?”

This person is overboard. The two of us have sensitive identities. If the onlookers were to learn of this, it would not be favorable for both of us. While weighing the situation, suddenly Zhong Xiwu threw a small object toward me. I subconsciously took it. It was a small porcelain bottle.

“What is this?”

“Ointment.” Zhong Xiwu replied, “Because of the injuries you caused, come and help me apply for medicine. I can’t reach my back.”

This reason made me have no way to refuse. Dawdling to step in, I was startled when I looked up, “What are you doing.”

Zhong Xiwu, who had just unbuckled his belt, looked at me innocently: “Taking off my clothes.”

“You you…you…” stuttered for a long time, yet I couldn’t say such words as ‘you should wear clothes to apply the medicine.’

I lowered my head and said, “Why don’t I let Qian Zhi come in and help you to apply the medicine?”

The sound of undressing made me stumble, and then Zhong Xiwu said, “Do you think that the dragon body is something anyone can look at?”

I — Do you think anyone cares to look at you?

“Then wait for Eunuch Gao to help you?” I was still struggling with my dying breath.

Zhong Xiwu’s voice seemed careless, “Are you trying to make me pass out from the pain?”

“So exaggerated …… ” I raised my head to retort but froze instead, unable to say anything. He had shed his robe to the waist with his back facing me. Two palm-sized red marks were conspicuous on the whole back.

I stepped forward, only to realize that the red skin was an obvious sign of burn because I saw seven or eight blisters the size of a fingernail cap rising. Surprisingly, it was so severe.

“What kind of porcelain did Hua Meiren use?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Zhong Xiwu turned his head sideways and eyed me with disbelief, “Why did you think of asking this?”

“How come the insulation is so good?” I subconsciously muttered.

I watched Hua Meiren’s maid carry it for a long time, yet it was still hot. It must be Zhong Xiwu too delicate to withstand the heat.

Seeing Zhong Xiwu’s helpless face, I reacted to what I said. Without waiting for me to cover it up, he added: “Do you think I’m too delicate?”

Do people in this royal family know how to read minds?

Zhong Xiwu moved as if he wanted to turn around to face me and talk. I hurriedly took a few steps forward and pressed his shoulder, “Emperor, don’t move. I’m giving you medicine now.”

Big brother, you are not wearing a shirt, ah. I am already embarrassed to watch your back. Do you still want to turn around? But I have lived in modern society, so I could barely accept this ambiguous scene. But he, Zhong Xiwu, is from ancient times, so what did he think, naked in front of his royal sister-in-law during this feudal system?

Is it possible that this is the legendary – sister-in-law is like a mother? My mind was full of nonsense, but my hand didn’t dare to slack off. I pulled out the stopper of the small porcelain bottle and dabbed some ointment to the fingertips. Feeling that the atmosphere seemed to be a bit awkward, I looked for words to say, “How could the Emperor carry a scalding ointment around?”

“This is not a scalding ointment. It’s an analgesic. Make do with it first.” Zhong Xiwu’s body did not move.

I frowned. Is carrying a pain-relieving ointment around sound reasonable?

“The affairs of the palace change rapidly, so sometimes it’s necessary to take precautions before it’s too late.”

Zhong Xiwu seemed to grow eyes on the back of his head. He took the initiative to answer the questions in my heart, but why did he give me this kind of sincere look? Does he really see me as his own?

My hands neatly applied ointment to his back burns. I stepped back a few steps and spoke, “Emperor, please change your clothes.”

There was no response. I couldn’t help but look up just in time to see Zhong Xiwu looking at me with amusement as he said, “Gao Yu hasn’t given me my clothes yet.”

“Then I’ll go wait outside for Eunuch Gao.” I couldn’t wait to go out.

“Hua Qian.” Zhong Xiwu’s voice rang out, and I stopped in my tracks, knowing he wouldn’t let me go that easy.

“Behind the rockery just now, what did you mean when you kept saying…Mu Yao?”

“Mu Yao is too outstanding, so Wu Shuomo also has bad intentions. I’m only reminding the Emperor.” I started planting seeds again.

Zhong Xiwu’s gaze jumped, and he spoke after silence, “Why …… how do you know?”

I ignored his speech disorder, met his gaze, and spoke, “Because one couldn’t hide one’s eyes when looking at his loved one. The Emperor’s gaze toward me and Muyao are very different. I’m a woman, so I know.”

After saying that, I secretly examined myself. Am I now provoking these men to go to war for Mu Yao at an early date?

I looked at Zhong Xiwu. His head turned back, and I couldn’t see his expression. A few moments later, he turned around. I also hurriedly turned around. I’m not peeking, ah.

His voice was full of laughter, “The way I look at her, of course, is different.”

I thank you for telling me this fact again. I cursed him mentally. Then, I heard Eunuch Gao’s voice come over, “Is the Emperor inside?”

“In here, in here.” I hurriedly replied and tried to get away. I thought and stopped with my back facing Zhong Xiwu. I said, “I thank you for the Emperor’s rescue. The matter of Hua Meiren is my return gift to the Emperor. So, the Emperor does not have to be suspicious of the Hua Family’s insubordination in the future. Someone with a bad intention is always reluctant to block his path.”

After saying that, I walked straight towards the door. After opening a crack, a well-defined arm slanted in to press the door back. I was so scared that I couldn’t help but tremble. Why did this person walk without a sound?

A voice came behind my ear, “How many times do I have to say it before you will believe it? I won’t speculate on you anymore.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe ……,” I helplessly turned my head to answer. However, what met my eyes was a piece of finely concealed and well-proportioned chest.

Naked!!!

Is the Emperor an exhibitionist? I quickly turned my head back in panic, but I couldn’t control my speed. Hence, I hit the door with a thud.

He lowered his arm that pressed on the door, and then I heard undisguised laughter, which caused my face to go hot. I closed my eyes and hardened my heart. I opened the door and quickly walked out. Qian Zhi trotted behind me while Eunuch Gao stood at the door with a confused face while holding a tray.