Scent Of Time

Chapter 25

Back on the banquet table, I honestly sat back down. Zhong Yelan froze when he saw my forehead, opened his mouth, but then turned his head to stop looking at me. The last time he asked me about the slap mark on my face, I set him up, and now I guess he doesn’t dare to provoke me again.

After waiting for a while, Zhong Xiwu came. He was well-paced, without slanting his eyes, and the people at the table continued to talk and laugh without the slightest change.

I can’t help but suck in my breath. I can tell you what it feels like. I know what it’s like to have a burn injury. When I was in school, someone hit me from behind when I was fetching hot water, and the water poured directly onto the back of my hand, blistering two of my fingers on the spot. Since it was winter, I could dip my hands in cold water every half hour to ease the pain. I scalded my hand at that time, and I could still hang it. It was better because I could avoid touching it. But Zhong Xiwu burned his back, walking with the clothes rubbing the scalded blisters. That —

I must have underestimated him. Although he was a delicate dragon son, he had perseverance.

Seeing that the banquet was close to the end, Wu Shuomo suddenly said: “They say that this capital city is a place of great talent. I wonder if I can be cheeky to ask the Emperor for a person?”

Zhong Xiwu smiled lightly, “The Great Prince is too polite. I wonder who has caught your eye?”

Wu Shuomo stood and bowed, “The Emperor is generous, and I’m not ungrateful. If I can get this person, I’d give the five cities on the border.”

The banquet suddenly quieted down. The officials exchanged glances with each other. How generous, they wondered what kind of person is so valuable.

I picked up the tea before me, pecked a mouthful, and then looked at Mu Yao’s pale face. I sighed in my heart – a pretty face is more like a curse.

Zhong Xiwu didn’t show emotions and still asked leisurely, “Can the Grand Prince tell me who is so important?”

Keep pretending. I’ve told you it’s Mu Yao, yet you’re still acting.

“This person may be as light as a feather in other people’s eyes, but in my heart, she’s priceless.” Wu Shuomo said with extreme sincerity. He turned his head and raised his finger, “It is …… the maid of the King Jin Mansion.”

After knowing that it was only a maid, other officials were obviously relieved. They previously thought Wu Shuomo wanted a noblewoman. A maid exchange for five cities is too cost-effective. The only person whose face was getting darker was Zhong Yelan. I couldn’t help but stare at him. It’s going to be a daylight robbery scene soon. I’m so excited.

The remaining light skimmed over to Zhong Xiwu in the upper seat. He was also expressionless, without a smile. But why he was looking at me? I didn’t do anything to arouse suspicion, did I?

Zhong Yelan slammed the teacup in his hand. His face was stiff: “The people of the King Jin Mansion are not something that others can take just because they want to.”

Wu Shuomo did not appear to flinch. He hooked up the corner of his mouth and spoke, “A maid only, isn’t King Jin too petty?”

Zhong Yelan slightly raised his chin. His eyes swept over different faces at the banquet tables and shot his gazes at Wu Shuomo. He opened his thin lips and said, “Who said she is a maid? She is my woman.”

Hearing this sentence, I shook a little, forced to resist the urge to reach out and slap the table. It’s too mushy and awkward!!!! I don’t have this kind of feeling when I read the novel. Why can’t I wait to slap the person after I hear it myself? Can you speak properly?

However, when I saw Mu Yao’s touched gaze, I took a deep breath and calmed down. The people involved were willing to fight, but the poor bystander like me got goosebumps.

“Your woman? Heh ……” Wu Shuomo stared back. “Then who is sitting next to you?”

Noticing everyone brushed to look at me, I reacted. Isn’t Wu Shuomo’s provocation too blatant?

When I was undecided about whether to take this opportunity to pop out and say that I’m jealous and can’t tolerate Mu Yao and ask for a divorce, someone else popped out before me, and it was — Hua Xiang.

“What does King Jin mean by this? This old minister doesn’t understand.” Hua Xiang looked like he was standing up for me, and I was the only one who knew that he was afraid of shaking his position.

Zhong Yelan glanced at me and then at Minister Hua. “Minister Hua is too agitated. What’s wrong with a man having three wives and four concubines? Ah Qian has always been generous as a princess consort. Why does Minister Hua talk so much?”

A statement with a warning. Hua Xiang must have understood it, so he flung his hand and sat. He stared at me deathly, seemingly blaming me for not doing anything.

This trouble-making old man! Don’t forget what Hua Qian had done.

Wu Shuomo no longer dwelled on this and raised a cup of wine to apologize. Zhong Yelan drank it all in one go.

Then I saw Wu Shuomo look into my eyes with a ‘we’re the same kind of people’ feeling. He probably wanted to cooperate with me. I pretended not to see him.

The banquet was over, and the people had dispersed. Different eyes passed me, some with sympathy and some gloating. I thought for a moment, and I made a sad expression. If I take it slow and portray a broken-hearted wife, when I divorce in the future, people will not blame me.

Zhong Yelan saw my performance. He furrowed his brows and left. Mu Yao followed him. I guess both of them wanted to share their hearts again. Seeing no one around me, I swaggered onto the carriage. With one less person, this carriage felt less crowded.

Since Zhong Yelan let out those shocking words at the banquet, Wu Shuomo sent me invitations every now and then. It seemed he wanted to discuss with me how to kidnap people. His mission time was only about a month. No wonder he was so anxious. I repeatedly refused and ignored him. Worst of all, I need to avoid him for a month. He couldn’t break into the King Jin Mansion. So, every day, I basked in the sun, talked to the maids, and learned a lot of stories from the subordinates in the house.

“Princess Consort, during yesterday’s martial arts competition at the practice ground, Guard Hua was in the limelight. He defeats all those old government soldiers.” Cuizhu couldn’t get away from Hua Rongzhou in three sentences. Looking at her proud demeanor, she was like discussing her boyfriend.

I cooperated with her performance, surprisedly speaking: “So powerful? Hasn’t he only been in the Mansion for half a year?”

“Princess Consort doesn’t know. Even the King has complimented him. After learning a few moves from Guard Nan, he was able to have a draw with him. When I first saw him, I felt he must be extraordinary.” Cuizhu replied with a face of adoration, living up to the appearance of a fan girl.

Qian Zhi hummed disdainfully, “That’s because Guard Nan is yielding to him. You’re an unmarried maid who isn’t ashamed to say these words.”

Although I’ve never noticed Nan Feng, as the number one guard beside Zhong Yelan, his kung fu should be good. This Hua Rongzhou was a little surprising. His nature was also good. Perhaps I can take him if I leave the Mansion. After all, in this era, one needs a strong and loyal martial artist for safety.

Seeing Qian Zhi and Cuizhu going to strangle again, I glimpsed Hua Rongzhou’s figure at the courtyard’s gate. I raised my voice and shouted: “Hua Rongzhou, come over here.”

When Cuizhu saw her sweetheart coming, she instantly quieted down. Hua Rongzhou should have just returned from the martial arts training ground, dressed in short clothes, with sweat stains on his forehead. He stepped into the courtyard happily. I got close and asked: “Did you meet something good? Look how good your mood is.”

Hua Rongzhou bowed before speaking, “Princess Consort has finally memorized this subordinate’s name.”

I’m a person with a pretty good memory. It seemed I hadn’t forgotten his name, right? Looking at unhappy Cuizhu with her beaming mouth, I don’t explore this topic.

“I heard Cuizhu say that you fought Nan Feng to a tie in the martial arts competition?” I asked.

Hua Rongzhou hung his head without pridefulness, “It was Guard Nan Feng who did not use his full strength. Otherwise, I would not have been able to pass ten moves under him.”

Not bad, knowing how to advance and retreat, not getting carried away because of a momentary outburst. I secretly nodded. This person can be of great use. Thinking of this, I looked at Cuizhu and spoke playfully, “Cuizhu’s vision is good.”

“Princess Consort ……” Cuizhu stomped her foot and ran inside with a red face.

The maids snickered. I looked at Cuizhu’s fleeing back and could not help but laugh. If she likes him, she has to let him know, ah. Otherwise, how can he return the feeling?

I turned back to meet Hua Rongzhou’s brown eyes, which seemed to have a layer of mist. Suddenly, the sound of laughter in this courtyard became isolated. I paused my smile, and something broke through in my heart.