Scent Of Time

Chapter 26

“Princess Consort, a message came from the palace saying that the Empress Dowager has not seen you for a long time and invited you to visit her.” The mansion boy reported.

I couldn’t help but sigh. I had been hiding in King Jin Mansion for nearly twenty days, and the time Wu Shuomo could stay was getting shorter. In the end, I still had to go out. The Empress Dowager is a big backer, and I don’t dare to offend this golden thigh.

After preparing a bit, I left. The Empress Dowager’s Palace was surprisingly cold. Either I catch up with the time when there are few people, or she deliberately waits for me.

After a salute, I take a seat. The Empress Dowager smiled indifferently: “I heard you only stay in the King Jin Mansion?”

I nodded and responded. The Empress Dowager continued: “This is not good. You are now Princess Consort Jin, so you need to socialize more. As the mother of the house, you mustn’t caged in your backyard. You should interact with the other house’s madams.”

I smiled. “I noted.”

Seeing that I did not take it to heart, the Empress Dowager frowned and said, “You should be cautious. Also, you must be mindful of Lan’er’s statement at the reception banquet a few days ago. Husband and wife, whatever feelings they have, will slowly fade away. Therefore, you should hold the power that belongs to you firmly in your hands.”

I froze and saw the Empress Dowager’s solemn face. That was a genuine teaching. For a moment, she was like Mrs. Hua. After countless palace battles, the Empress Dowager could still share her thoughts blatantly and honestly with me. It seemed she had already treated me as one of her own. My nose became sour. If I had my heart set on Zhong Yelan, maybe I’d listen to her words seriously.

When I struggled with whether to gamble and speak my mind to see if Empress Dowager would be on my side, she said again: ”That maid is called Mu Yao? What are you going to do with her ……?”

After hesitating, I felt the risk was too big. I don’t dare to gamble easily, “If the King likes her, then of course, I’m going to go along with his wishes.”

The Empress Dowager sighed. Her voice intensified a few points, “You should take care of this King Jin Mansion, or any maid would dare to climb the master’s bed.”

“Mu Yao is not that kind of person.” I subconsciously replied.

I know about Mu Yao’s heroine aura, and with the Empress Dowager’s temperament, once the two of them come into contact in the future, the Empress Dowager will definitely not hate her, so I’d better say something more for her now, lest she think that I’ve ever badmouthed her in front of the Empress Dowager.

Greeting the Empress Dowager’s disapproving gaze, I answered. “Empress Dowager doesn’t know yet, but as far as I know, Mu Yao has never taken the initiative to seduce the King. When there’s a chance for you to meet with Mu Yao in the future, you won’t have the same thoughts as now.”

The Empress Dowager no longer mentioned Mu Yao but was slightly surprised. “How did your nature now become so …… soft and sheepish?”

I’m not sheepish and good to bully. But I know the ending and am unwilling to fight.

Seeing me bow my head, the Empress Dowager thought I was aggrieved and spoke: “You almost lost your life for Lan’er. He is too unbridled this time. He married you in splendor, so in reason, he should not be like this. If you are not convenient to speak, I’ll speak to him.”

“Mother.” I raised my head and hooked the corners of my mouth, “How I married the King, aren’t you also aware of that?”

Although the Empress Dowager knew the truth about Hua Qian marrying Zhong Yelan, she only saw that the previous Zhong Yelan was bent on having his way, so she never complained. But unexpectedly, I remind her straightforwardly, and awkwardness appears on her face.

“You child! Not focusing on the left and right! What I am talking to you about is that maid.”

I spoke with a gleam in my eye, “Mother, I want to ask for a decree.”

“What is it?” The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes.

“I would like to ask the Empress Mother to give a decree to appoint Mu Yao as King Jin’s …… side consort.”

The Empress Dowager stared at me and spoke, “Are you serious in this?”

I replied without flinching, “Yes.”

After stalemate for a long time, the Empress Dowager softened: “Then I shall grant your mind. Later, I will give the Emperor a word. Tomorrow, I’ll send an eunuch to declare the decree.”

“Thank you, mother.” I got up and kneeled to salute sincerely.

Although the Empress Dowager did not know what I played, she was still willing to do as I wished. It seemed that my efforts had not been in vain. The Empress Dowager was finally less suspicious of me.

Leaving the palace only for a quarter of an hour, I heard a familiar voice stopping the carriage: “Is this Princess Consort Jin?”

Sure enough, I still can’t hide. This Wu Shuomo is too persistent.

When Hua Rongzhou was about to drive him away, I raised the curtain to speak to Wu Shuomo on the horse outside the carriage: “I wonder what the Great Prince’s business is?”

Wu Shuomo rode a few steps closer and said, “Princess Consort Jin is very busy. I handed out several invitations, but I don’t see the Princess Consort answering the appointment.”

“The Great Prince is joking. I am just a woman in the backyard, and the Great Prince’s appointment is unreasonable. If the Great Prince has something, you can find the King.” I replied without being humble. After saying that, I put down the curtain, not wanting to talk to him more.

But he reached out and pulled the carriage’s curtain, attaching himself closer, “You and I naturally have something to talk about, such as talking about that …… maid from King Jin Mansion.”

This Wu Shuomo is too stubborn. What makes him think I will cooperate with him? Just because Hua Qian once had a beef with Mu Yao?

“I don’t understand what the Grand Prince means, which maid?” I deliberately pretended to be confused.

Wu Shuomo tilted his head, not caring about my indifference, raised his eyebrows, and spoke, “Mu Yao.”

“So the Prince is talking about her.” I made a look of dawning realization, “The Great Prince doesn’t know it yet. Next month, she will become the …… side consort of the Jin royal family.”

Looking at Wu Shuomo’s steeply darkened face made me smile.

“Princess Consort is generous.” Wu Shuomo replied with a thick mockery.

I was furious as well. Turn his face when I did not cooperate? What kind of person is this?

“Instead of wasting time and mind on me, why don’t you focus on others? After all, the right to choose is in her hands. If she has you in her heart, how would she let you go through all the trouble alone?”

Wu Shuomo’s pupils shrank: “What do you know?”

He and Mu Yao had always been private and sneaky, so he assumed no one else knew about their relationship.

“Didn’t the Grand Prince request for Mu Yao at the banquet? If one is truly attracted to her, one should ask her what she wants, or else all one’s efforts will be in vain.” I spoke half-truthfully.

While Wu Shuomo was still in a daze, I spoke again, “The Grand Prince might as well seriously think about my words. If you’re still in the capital next month, you’re welcome to come to the wedding banquet at the King Jin Mansion. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Reaching out and pulling down the curtain in Wu Shuomo’s hand, I whispered to Hua Rongzhou, “Let’s go.”

Hua Rongzhou nodded and raised his horsewhip. Wu Shuomo did not stop him this time.

I really hope that he can understand this truth early. These efforts of a person in love are just useless. He’s just a third male lead. It’s better to wake up early so he can get out of his misery early.

On the second day, the palace did come to declare the decree. After the eunuch left, Zhong Yelan stared at me.

I entered the palace yesterday, and the decree came today, so obviously, it had something to do with me. But I didn’t even think of hiding it from him.

“What do you mean by this?” Zhong Yelan looked at me suspiciously.

I raised my head to meet him without fear: “Just following the King’s wishes, why isn’t the King satisfied?”

I think I was smiling like a villain at this time. That’s why Zhong Yelan’s eyes were on fire in an instant. “Do you know what you are doing?” He squeezed my wrist tightly, pulling me to his side and glaring at me as he spoke.

“Does the King feel the side consort’s status is unsuitable for Mu Yao?” I still acted generously, “Then how …… about letting her have my position?”