Scent Of Time

Chapter 33

When I opened my eyes again, what was in my sight were the familiar bed curtains. As I sat up, my head was sinking as a weighty scale. That bastard Zhong Xiwu only knows how to torture me. I called Qian Zhi over, and the moment I opened my mouth, I found that my throat was dry and hoarse. The hangover was hurtful.

The way Qian Zhi looked sympathetically at me made my heart hairy: “Why do you look at me like that?”

Qian Zhi sniffed, and she said: “I feel that Princess Consort is too pitiful.”

My heart became more uneasy: “What did I do yesterday when I was drunk?”

Qian Zhi looked at me lovingly before saying, “Did not do anything. But, in the carriage, Princess Consort cursed all the way. If not for Princess Consort being drunk, I wouldn’t know your heart is so resentful ……”

I– that’s why my voice is hoarse!

“Who did I curse?” I held my forehead and asked.

“The ones you curse the most are King Jin and Young Master Hua. Then, Minister Hua, Mu Consort. Oh, right, also the Emperor ……”

Looking at Qian Zhi breaking her fingers and counting, I only felt darkness in front of my eyes. No wonder one says that after drinking — one will spit out the truth.

Speaking of today, I woke up and felt more comfortable in my heart. Is it because I cursed contentedly yesterday?

“Has anyone …… heard it?” I bravely asked.

“Princess Consort, don’t worry. Yesterday, you only began to curse after Guard Hua helped you get on the carriage. So, only I and Guard Hua know.” Qian Zhi patted her chest and swore.

“Call Hua Rongzhou over.” I patted my head in an attempt to clear my head.

I couldn’t help but stare at Hua Rongzhou’s wrapped cheeks when he came in.

“What happened to your face?” I asked.

Hua Rongzhou’s gaze averted and flickered as he answered, “I accidentally got hurt when practicing martial arts.”

I frowned, “Who can hurt you in this mansion? Is King Jin looking for you?”

“No — no.”

Looking at Hua Rongzhou’s stuttering and red-faced appearance, my heart snapped, “So it was me who hit you yesterday?”

I looked at Qian Zhi. Qian Zhi answered with a confused face, “I didn’t see Princess Consort make a move on the carriage. But I didn’t know if it happened when I looked for the carriage. Yesterday, Guard Hua didn’t tie his hair……”

“It’s my carelessness.” Hua Rongzhou suddenly shouted, startling me.

This child, why are you blushing? I thought I was drunk and hitting someone. I told you I have a poor alcohol tolerance, but I wouldn’t be so bad as to hit someone.

I also stopped dwelling on this matter, “I’m going to go to the Hua Mansion later, so help me prepare the carriage.”

Hua Rongzhou responded and retreated.

Qian Zhi said worriedly, “Princess Consort, why do you suddenly want to go back? Now I’m afraid that — madam’s side ……”

I rinsed my mouth and chuckled, “After self-numbing for so long, it’s time for me to face it.”

When I arrived at the Hua Mansion, it looked deserted. Mrs. Hua perhaps still complained that I didn’t want to meet her earlier, so she didn’t see me. I didn’t care. My goal was not her.

I walked straight to Hua Xiang’s study. Without waiting to be called, I entered and signaled Qian Zhi to guard outside.

Hua Xiang watched this series of actions with cold eyes. He waited until one in the room before saying: “Didn’t you not recognize me as a father? Why did you come back?”

I calmly found a chair and sat down before speaking, “There is something I need Father’s help with.”

However, the few words I spat out afterward caused Hua Xiang to change and shoot up, “Are you still possessed? Your brother is still in prison, but you’re thinking about the Mu family? You might as well use this time to think about how to win back King Jin’s heart. He was bent on having his way. I cannot intervene in Shen’er’s affairs anymore.”

“If Father wants to get elder brother out of prison, listen to me.” Looking at the furious Hua Xiang, I did not flinch.

When I first saw him, I was scared to the point of weak legs, but now I can deal with a furious him, it seems that I have improved. In my heart, I secretly pumped up my energy. I did not show half of it on my face.

“Is this true? What solution do you have?” Hua Xiang frowned and asked me.

I chuckled and looked at him, “Over this month, Father should have already tried various methods, right? However, my elder brother is still in prison today. Now, do you have any other way out besides trusting me?”

Hua Xiang was not enraged by me but looked at me as if I were a stranger and asked, “What exactly do you mean by this act?”

“Atone for Father’s sins ah.”

“You ……”

“Father hasn’t killed anyone with his own hands, right?” I interrupted Hua Xiang’s roaring voice, “But does Father know how many sins you have in your hands …… No, I should say — the Hua Family’s sins?”

“Which official is completely clean? I didn’t even know you had become so naive. Did you think you could rise the ranks based on your political achievements and benevolence alone? I’m the one who climbed to the position of Prime Minister step by step, so you can stand here and contradict me now. Don’t forget your last name when you spout justice.” Hua Xiang clenched his fists, his eyes like arrows shooting at me.

“Of course, I won’t forget. Because I’m Hua Qian, and you are my father, I didn’t ignore the Hua Family. It doesn’t matter if Father doesn’t listen or believe me. Because I will use my way to let Father know that the power you desire won’t last long.” I got up and spoke.

Hua Xiang took a few steps forward and raised his hand but froze at my icy gaze.

“Does Father still want to hit me?” I smirked. “But I won’t be obedient and let you beat me again like before. We’ll talk again after I successfully resolve my elder brother’s matter.”

Ignoring Hua Xiang’s cold face, I turned around and said one more sentence before I left the door, “Don’t forget what I said. How much longer elder brother needs to stay in jail depends on how fast your actions are.”

Stepping out of the study, I left without bothering to see Mrs. Hua. From now on, I won’t waste any more time on useless things.

Returning to the King Jin Mansion, I quickly inventoried and gathered the liquidable money from the stores and then waited. Within two days, Hua Xiang sent a letter over. Although this old man was stubborn and angry with me, he didn’t act slow when it concerned his only son. I opened the letter and saw the list inside, about twenty people.

After finding a box, I put the list and the money in it, and after thinking for a while, I called Hua Rongzhou.

“I have an errand here. It’s rather troublesome, and I don’t have trusted people around me. Are you willing to run this errand for me?” I placed my hand on the box and gently tapped it.

Hua Rongzhou’s eyes lit up, heavily kneeling with one knee and a straight spine. He spoke: “I won’t hesitate to die.”

Looking at his usual wooden appearance and brightness, I knew I would start to rely on him.

“It’s not that scary.” After reaching out my empty hand to help him stand up, I handed him the box, “Inside here is a list and enough money. Within three days, I want the deed of sale of these people.”

“Yes, I obey.” Hua Rongzhou answered without asking, the sharpness flowing in his eyes like a sheathed sword.

“Alos, the injury on your face. Remember to find a doctor to get some good medicine, and don’t always cover it. It’s a pity for such a beautiful face to have scars.” I said, wanting to divert the heavy atmosphere.

Hua Rongzhou suddenly hung his head and dared not to look at me. He resumed his honest and wooden appearance, but the tip of his ears turned red.

The next evening, Hua Rongzhou gave the box back.

I opened it and saw half of the money and a thick stack of paper. My hand paused, appreciatively looking at Hua Rongzhou. This child is talented, ah. He did it in such a short time and cost-effectively. What a good employee! I didn’t realize it before, and I let him guard the yard for so long.

“Good job.” I didn’t mince words in my praise.

Hua Rongzhou pursed his lips, but his eyes couldn’t hide his joy.

Now, it’s time for me to strike back. Walking to the inner room, I raised my brush and began to write.

Qian Zhi silently gave me the lamp. When she saw me writing, she asked: “Isn’t Miss always writing with her left hand?”

My writing hand paused before continuing to write and answered, “I injured my meridian in my left hand, and I can no longer lift the brush.”

I have to thank Zhong Yelan for hurting my hand. Otherwise, how could I write the handwriting that Hua Qian had before?

Qian Zhi instantly reddened her eyes and indignantly spoke: “How valuable is the woman’s hand? Even if the King is angry, the King cannot be like that to the Princess Consort. Before, regardless of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Princess Consort was a top master. Now, the King destroyed half of it.”

Even if there was no Zhong Yelan, your lady’s zither, chess, and painting were destroyed without anything left. After all, the one you met was me — this modern person.

That was what I thought in my heart, but I stopped the brush and said, “That’s why, help me to send this to the Zhong Yelan.”

Qian Zhi had followed Hua Qian, so she knew a few characters. When she took a look, her face became pale. “Princess Consort, this is ……”

“A letter of divorce.”