Scent Of Time

Chapter 59

It was like sleeping on a cloud that kept swaying around. What entered her eyes was another unfamiliar bed and room when she woke up.

Hua Qian did not make a fuss. She was already used to it; after all, she had woken up in a different place several times. Sitting up, she looked at the clothes on my body—still ancient clothes. She pinched herself. It hurt.

It turned out that she did not die. The last fragment of consciousness before passing out was to hear the voice of the Empress Dowager saying to carry her out; was she sneaking her out of the palace?

What an arrogant old lady, feeding her fake poison and still pretending to be serious. Hua Qian couldn’t help but shake her head and laugh, almost thinking she would die, happy for nothing. She had gone to the banquet with the determination of certain death, so she had no qualms about striking out at Noble Consort Qi. Thinking that she might be able to return to the modern era after death, now it seems she might have to live in this era for the rest of her life. But — where is this? How come there is no one?

Hua Qian rolled over and got out of bed. Her feet softened when they touched the ground, and she almost fell to her knees. Her eyes were pitch black. It took a long time to recover, and she didn’t know how long she had passed out, sleeping until her whole body was weak.

Forcefully looking around, she saw a classical and elegant room with complete necessities. If it was not unfamiliar, Hua Qian probably thought she had lived there for a long time. Looking at the opened window, Hua Qian walked over. When she arrived at the window, she froze because the window was full of unfamiliar sights.

This place looked like a small water town. Outside the window, there was a river with houses on both sides. The green bricks and tiles were similar to the modern tourist attractions she had visited. Turning back to look at the room again, she found something on the table. She walked over and saw that there were some pastries. Without strength, Hua Qian sat down and ate them without any hesitation.

The pastries were still warm. It seemed the person who prepared them had the heart and left after seeing her almost wake up. After eating the pastries, Hua Qian felt some energy and was about to clean up the remnants when her hand came across a thick envelope pressed under the pastries. She opened it and found a house deed, a thick stack of money, and a letter.

On the letter was:
The house’s deed and the money are yours. The Hua Family will be at peace if you never leave this place.

“This Empress Dowager is generous.” Hua Qian couldn’t help but sigh. Each bill was a considerable amount, enough for a woman to enjoy the rest of her life without worry, not to mention a house. However, she wasn’t bad either. After crossing over, the income from managing the dowry store remained in the bank.

Hua Qian suddenly thought of those overbearing CEO novels she read. The CEO’s mother never liked Cinderella and then threw out a check and said, “Take this five million and leave my son.”

Her experience was quite similar to that of Cinderella. Thinking about it, Hua Qian smiled bitterly. This result was considered the best, saving the Hua Family, and she got the life she wanted. Just stay here earnestly and do not think of other thoughts.

Hua Qian got up, stretched lazily, and walked outside. Willow trees and bamboo alley were outside the house, looking peaceful and simple. After two steps, someone rushed to greet her: “You moved over a few days ago, right? Finally, I can meet you. I live in front of that road. Play with me if you have time.”

Into the eyes was a simple smiling face without the slightest worry. Hua Qian sat down, chattering with the group of girls. After chatting happily, they dragged her to eat, establishing their friendship this way.

Hua Qian made up a lie, saying her family declined, leaving only her to escape here. She aroused the girls’ pity and quickly entered the social circle. The people here were much more straightforward than those in the capital. They had written everything on their faces. Hua Qian gradually put down her taut nerves. The Empress Dowager gave her an excellent place to stay. Finally, she didn’t need to be careful and suspicious every day.

In the first few days, she was still worried, but now, with a large amount of money, she could sleep until she woke up naturally every day. If she were bored, she would find others to play with. The past was like a year ago, and now she lived the modern dream of retirement life.

In another ancient town in Jiangnan, Wu Shuomo put much effort into taking down Hua Rongzhou. He didn’t have a chance to breathe a sigh of relief when he saw Hua Rongzhou’s eyes, and his heart could not help but be shocked. He saw Hua Rongzhou’s eyes reddened. Just one glance could make one’s heart palpitate. The hatred in his voice caused a person’s heart to numb: “How is this matter relate to you?”

Wu Shuomo subconsciously avoided his eyes, “I owe her a favor, and now I only repay the debt.”

“Let go of me.” Hua Rongzhou’s always handsome face became distorted. His eyes were red as if he were aggrieved and wanted to cry.

She had always been unable to lie, but she was skillful this time. One set after another, she coaxed him to leave and even planned the method of trapping him ahead of time. What exactly was she going to do? Without him by her side, who would protect her unconditionally? Is he not worthy of her trust at all?

Wu Shuomo looked at Hua Rongzhou, who couldn’t stop struggling and had a headache. He waved his hand and instructed his servants to knock him out.

For dozens of days, Hua Rongzhou did not eat or drink. Fearing he would die in their hands, Wu Shuomo had to give him some tonic medicine and then put anesthetic in the medicine to let him fall asleep. It’s a losing trade, a loss of so many expensive herbs.

Looking at the clenched fists and frowning Hua Rongzhou, even in his unconscious state, Wu Shuomo touched his chin and sighed. This person looked young but stubborn. He would be an excellent secret agent. Even if he were captured, he would undoubtedly withstand the severe torture.

After a few days, Wu Shuomo’s men whispered something to his ear. Wu Shuomo looked incredulous and asked about that news a few times. He was silent for a long time, and when his men repeated it, they heard him say, “It is a pity. If she used this favor for her life, I might not refuse it, but she used such a valuable favor for a wolf cub, and in the end, she still has too many concerns.”

Wu Shuomo got up and headed out, saying as he walked to the door, “Let’s pack up and leave, and that one in the house… doesn’t have to be cared for. I promised her, and now she died, so that’s the end of it.”

Hua Rongzhou woke up with a start, but no one was around him. He moved his inner energy, and the effect of the medicine had already passed. He rushed out of the house, but no one stopped him. Strongly suppressing the uneasiness in his heart, he could not care about anything. After finding a horse, he turned toward the capital direction and galloped.

Traveling should have taken eight days, yet Hua Rongzhou shortened the journey to six days. When he entered the capital, it was dusk. He rushed to the Hua Mansion and saw mourning decorations filling the house. He never rested on this journey, so he did not have time to stay for any other news, nor did he ever hear any news. It should be Minister Hua who had passed away, right? It must have been him. After all, with so many charges, he definitely wouldn’t have survived.

Hua Rongzhou kept saying to himself. His hands kept trembling; he had never been so scared before. Even when he was sold to the wolf cave at ten years old and killed someone to escape, he was not this scared. No one accompanied Hua Qian; she had always kept her sadness to herself. No, he must hurry to find her. He couldn’t bear to watch her sad look. His heart ached even when he thought about it.

The palace guards stopped him in the doorway of the Hua Mansion, and they spoke: “The Empress Dowager has ordered that Hua Family is under restriction. Without order, no one can enter or leave.”

“Where is Hua Qian?” Hua Rongzhou finally spoke.

That guard looked at him before replying, “Miss Hua …… to atone for her father’s sins, has committed self-immolation in the palace ten days ago.” The speaking tone was less forceful than just now, carrying some respect.

However, Hua Rongzhou felt his ears ringing, and his mind was full of those two words – self-immolation. He didn’t believe it. Hua Qian said she wanted to wait for him. How could she just set herself on fire?

The fear that welled up in his heart curbed his throat. He had never regretted like this before. Why did he scare her by trying to destroy his right hand in the first place? Why couldn’t he pretend to leave when she drove him away? Then, he could silently guard her. That might have saved her, and then maybe she wouldn’t have to face many things alone. Why do you want to be so greedy that you don’t want to leave her side for a moment, so greedy that you have to stand on her left and right, forcing her to find someone to trap him?

Hua Rongzhou stood stiffly for a long time and turned around without a word under the guards’ increasingly wary gaze toward the palace.

After living for a month in the water town, Hua Qian has wholly integrated into the atmosphere and also learned some crafts. For example, right now, she was sitting in the middle of women with a needle and thread to learn embroidery and listening to their idle chatter.

“A few days ago, my man returned from trading and brought me big news from the capital.” A round-faced woman spoke, her face full of mystery.

“What is it?” Immediately, someone cupped their hands and opened their mouth.

The round-faced woman replied, “I heard that the daughter of the prime minister in the capital has set herself on fire in the palace.”

“Ah? The prime minister’s daughter? It’s that Miss Hua who exposed her father?” Someone’s mouth opened wide in surprise.

“It’s her. My man is still full of admiration when he talks about her. First, she confessed without leaving any personal feelings, and then she sensationally set herself on fire to suffer on behalf of her father. Even the Empress Dowager was touched by her benevolence and filial piety. She spared the Hua Clan from the death penalty, stripped their family’s achievements, and imprisoned them in the capital.”

“I’ve also heard about it. Rumor has it that when the Emperor heard about her self-immolation, he ran out without even putting on his shoes.” Another woman interjected, her eyes full of gossip.

“Look at what you’re saying! You haven’t seen it with your own eyes. How dare you listen to that messy news? Don’t forget that Ms. Hua is the Emperor’s former royal sister-in-law,” the round-faced woman who spoke at the very beginning said in disgust.

The refuted woman looked unconvinced, “Haven’t you seen it either? How do you know what I said isn’t true? If I look at it, between that Miss Hua and the Emperor — there must be an affair ……”