Scent Of Time

Chapter 56

She struggled to get up, but her palace dress was too bulky, so I crouched down and grabbed her hair. Then, I pushed her head down hard. She was about to scream, so I moved my hand so hard that she shut her mouth. The stones on the ground were sharp and harsh, and I slightly used some force to grind her cheek. Although only a layer of skin, it would be horrifying for her, such an honorable people who love and cherish their appearance.

“Bitch, how dare ……” Noble Consort Qi’s body shook, unknown whether due to anger or fear. Fortunately, I have been exercising my body since I crossed over. Previously, it was because I had to block arrows for Zhong Yelan; after that, it was for self-care. Noble Consort Qi was originally half a head lower than me, so it was easy to subdue her. Blame her to be conceited, asking the servants to leave early.

“Listen to me! I don’t want that position, not because I am afraid of you. What you regard as a treasure, I don’t like it at all.”

Noble Consort Qi’s eyes seemed to want to kill me: “Are you crazy? Dare to treat me like this! Aren’t you afraid that I will take the lives of all of your Hua Family?”

“I’m afraid you won’t have a chance in this life.”

What a joke! I’m about to turn myself in; how can she snatch the chance to topple the Hua Family?

“Don’t think that your asshole elder brother blocked a sword for you, and you can be safe and sound. Sooner or later, I will let you ……” Noble Consort Qi’s mouth was still cursing.

I retracted my hand, and the suppressed feeling in my heart spilled out. This person deserves to die! Initially, I only wanted to scare her to get out of anger, but she mentioned — Hua Shen, Hua Shen who died to protect me. It was my immense guilt and scar. I slowly loosened my grip on her hair. She propped her hands on the ground, seemingly wanting to stand up. I raised my hand. She subconsciously protected her face; however, her movements were still a step too slow. A drop of blood fell and slowly dripped more. She touched her face tremblingly, and when she saw the blood on her hand, her eyes rolled over, and she fainted. I destroyed her most precious thing. I bet she never suffered this kind of shock. Looking at a scratch on her face, I couldn’t help but tsked. She was too timid. One wound exchange with Hua Shen’s life; it was too good for her.

I slowly turn the knife in my hand into a bracelet. I raise my steps and walk in the other direction; let’s see when this noble Consort’s palace maid could find her. I was bold because there were more important things to do tonight, so no matter what happened, Zhong Xiwu would press it down so that I could carry out my confession smoothly. I promised him not to pursue the matter of Hua Shen, but in the end, I was unwilling, and Noble Consort Qi didn’t look repentant. I only promised Zhong Xiwu to spare Noble Consort Qi’s life, so I didn’t renege on my promise. I was still willing to spare Noble Consort Qi’s life because although Zhong Xiwu knew Noble Consort Qi was the mastermind, he prevented me from probing, proving that he must have fear. Thus, sparing Noble Consort Qi’s life was his bottom line, so I dared not to touch it. Unsurprisingly, after I returned to the banquet, an eunuch walked in with a panicked look and whispered in Gao Yu’s ear.

Gao Yu was shocked and swept a glance at me, then walked over to Zhong Xiwu and whispered. In an instant, Zhong Xiwu turned his head in my direction. I glared back without any trepidation and eventually saw the corners of his mouth hooked, seemingly somewhat helpless, and raised his hand to let Gao Yu go out, supposedly to suppress the news. I withdrew my gaze and stared at the wine in front of me, and Hua Xiang’s voice rang in my ears, “Are the dishes at this banquet not to your liking? Then I’ll take you to eat something else later.”

Greeting Hua Xiang’s loving gaze, I took a deep breath and let the floating heart fall to the ground, “I’m afraid I won’t have this opportunity.”

Hua Xiang showed a rare puzzled expression. I barely smiled and spoke softly, “Father, whatever I do next, it’s to protect the Hua Family.”

When the song and dance ended, Hua Xiang tried to speak, but I got up, walked to the center of the empty hall, and knelt.

“What is Qian girl doing?” The Empress Dowager’s voice came from a distance.

I raised my head and saw that although the Empress Dowager was frowning, her gaze was not displeased. The beaded curtain from the crown on Zhong Xiwu’s head on the side blocked his eyes, and I couldn’t see his complexion. The banquet gradually quieted down, and all looked at me. I took the papers from my bosom, raised my hands above my head, and spoke, “Report to the Emperor and Empress dowager; I have something to report.”

“What is it?” Zhong Xiwu’s voice came from afar, seemingly out of reach.

I took a deep breath and shouted, “I am grateful to the Emperor and Empress Dowager for their grace, but the Hua Clan is guilty, and I ask for forgiveness.”

The hall fell quiet, and Zhong Yelan’s voice rang: “Ah Qian……”

His tone carried some hints. He should have guessed what I wanted to say, but I ignored him: “Brother Hua Shen was stubborn since he was young. My father failed to discipline him. His first crime: not teaching children strictly.”

“Hua Family occupied people’s fields, driving away the farmers so that many farmers’ wives and families were separated. Second crime: uses violence to bully and kill people.”

“When Huainan floods, the Hua clan escorts the relief funds but only delivers 10% of the money to Huainan. The third crime is corruption.”

“The former government officials of the past dynasty, the Mu clan, were all loyal and good, but my father framed and set them up due to selfish desires. Fourth crime: disrupting the court.”

……

I said all the pleadings word by word. After I finished, the banquet was full of the sound of sucking cold air, and I guess they never saw a cruel white-eyed wolf like me. I dared not look at Hua Xiang’s expression or hear his voice.

Zhong Xiwu’s voice was the first to ring out, “Gave it to me.”

An eunuch ran over, and probably because he was too panicked, he stumbled. After receiving the papers, he handed them to Zhong Xiwu limply. Everyone waited quietly for Zhong Xiwu to speak, and finally, he said, “Does Consort Jin know about this?”

He directed the question toward Mu Yao, who had been promoted from side consort to Consort some time ago. Mu Yao got up and looked at me, her eyes filled with shock. I guessed she didn’t understand why I was still acting like this when she had clearly said to spare the Hua Family.

Eventually, she looked at Zhong Xiwu and saluted, “Your Majesty, I am a woman. I don’t understand the affairs of the court. But by the Emperor’s grace, my father has long left the capital, leaving no trace over the past matters.”

It was rare she didn’t throw stones and say righteous things.

Zhong Xiwu pondered for a moment before speaking, “Then, capture Minister Hua and verify this evidence one by one later.”

I raised my head to look at Hua Xiang, but I saw he was looking at me with no hint of blame. Instead, he was calm. Before, I doubted whether he wanted to resign, but now I believe him. I underestimated the emotions of parents toward their children. I did not tell him about today because this was the only way to preserve the Hua Clan. As Zhong Xiwu said, I have no choice. But I never expected that Hua Xiang would never blame me.

Zhong Xiwu walked down from the high platform step by step to my side. He spoke with a relieved sigh of joy: “I know you have always been sensible. This time, you are righteous and have made a good example for women. I will not be angry and treat you harshly. My palace …….”

“Emperor.” I interrupted him, “I still have something to say.”

Zhong Xiwu frowned. He was close enough for me to see his worried eyes. He wasn’t prepared for this either and would still be concerned about me breaking my promise.

The guards had not escorted Hua Xiang to leave, and I shouted, “The children pay the father’s debt. My father’s sins are grave, and I can not be innocent. Today, what I did violated human morality. Please, Emperor, let me suffer on behalf of my father to fulfill my filial piety.”

“Qian’er, don’t ……” Hua Xiang’s voice came. He finally didn’t have the previous calm appearance.

“You’re sensible, and not letting Hua Xiang keep doing wrong is already filial piety.” Zhong Xiwu’s voice brought a few points of warning.

I ignored it and said, “Your Majesty is merciful, but I can’t accept it with peace of mind. Please give a decree, Your Majesty. I want to suffer on behalf of my father.”

The hall was eerily quiet, and the guests looked at Zhong Xiwu and me. One was standing while the other was kneeling.

“Are you angry with me?” Zhong Xiwu squatted down, looked at me, and asked.

“Royal son…” The Empress Dowager reprimanded. With so many people present, Zhong Xiwu’s words were out of line.

“Go out.” People in the hall were silent and did not understand Zhong Xiwu’s words, so no one took action.