Scent Of Time

Chapter 60

A stinging pain came from her fingertips, and a bean-sized bead of blood seeped out, ruining the embroidery that had just reached halfway. Hua Qian tried to wipe it away, but the blood stain was haloing broader.

“Embroidery requires unhurriedness. You can’t be in a hurry. Is your finger alright?” The girl sitting next to Hua Qian saw it first and comforted her. 

The chatting women stopped their conversation, but the round-faced woman suddenly seemed to remember something and said, “Speaking of which, your name is the same as the prime minister’s daughter, Qianqian.” 

Hua Qian pursed her lips and laughed without discomfort: “Many people have the same name in this world. I dare not compare myself with those noblemen in the imperial city.” 

A few sentences made them stray from the topic. Indeed, the people here were simple and honest. Sitting inside the group, Hua Qian smiled, but her thoughts flew unnoticeably. Listening to others tell her story, she felt like dreaming. She didn’t know where this place was, but the news had been late for half a month. However, the Empress Dowager was true to her word and saved the Hua Family’s lives. Even though she pretended to forget some things, there would still be someone to remind her. The simple word ‘affair’ couldn’t describe her relationship with Zhong Xiwu.

Zhong Xiwu once asked why she never liked him. Hua Qian did not answer because she couldn’t say — how could she not like him? But she had decided and didn’t want to leave room for each other.

When Zhong Xiwu blocked the hangover soup for her, she could no longer be a sober bystander. How could she have been indifferent to this pile of events? When they stared at each other at the Star Picking Terrace, and when he came at the graveyard — 

The irony was that, as a modern person, Hua Qian had considered whether to enter the palace. However, she’s always been sensible, constantly weighing the pros and cons before making a choice. That’s why she’s been wavering in her feelings and reality, hiding her heart and not daring to speak out for fear of losing everything in one careless move. She felt the Hua Family wouldn’t fall if she entered the palace. Countless times, she wanted to burn that evidence, but she could not defeat the word ‘fair’ in her heart and allowed Zhong Xiwu to threaten her instead.

She could accept Zhong Xiwu concealing Noble Consort Qi’s matter. After all, everyone had their interests and different positions, and she could not be selfish. However, even the evidence of Hua Xiang’s guilt could become the handle that Zhong Xiwu used to force her, which was no less than a slap in the face, letting her completely understand what was between her and him. She understood Zhong Xiwu’s dominant heart as the Emperor. Still, at the same time, she also sadly knew that even if she stayed single forever, she couldn’t oppose an emperor because she couldn’t win, and Zhong Xiwu would never leave that position for her. So, she quickly and coldly organized her feelings, no longer giving herself a little room for thoughts. 

Outside the palace, Hua Rongzhou still had some sense and didn’t barge in, instead sneaking in at night. He followed Hua Qian to the palace a few times so he knew its layout. He never believed that Hua Qian was dead; she must hide somewhere in the palace. He was willing to leave if he could see her safe and sound. He wouldn’t have anything to ask for as long as she was alive. Hiding in the darkness, he caught an eunuch, put a knife on his neck, and asked: “Where is Hua Qian’s palace?” 

The little eunuch with a face of snot and tears pointed in a direction. Hua Rongzhou’s heart was relieved. He raised his hand, knocked him out, threw him back into the bushes, and explored himself. However, after walking to the southwest palace, he only saw a burned-out palace filled with blackened, broken wooden beams. His body drained of strength in an instant. He trembled and walked toward the pile of wood, listening to a clear and cold voice ringing out. 

“Who is it?” 

Hua Rongzhou turned around and saw a person standing in the shadows. His figure was so thin that it was unnoticeable. He looked like he had been standing for a long time. 

Having long been tortured by this series of things made Hua Rongzhou lose his mind; Hua Qian’s death had torn his whole person. The words ‘the place where we’ll live’ that Hua Qian said filled his mind, and he couldn’t recall what she said about not hurting anyone, so he immediately flipped his sword and stabbed Zhong Xiwu in the shadows. Before he could get close, a shadow flashed out to dislodge him, and when Hua Rongzhou took a look, it was the man who had beaten him in the restaurant before. So, he was the Emperor’s people. With new and old hatred coming together, Hua Rongzhou again drew the sword.

However, the two were different in strength, plus these days, Hua Rongzhou didn’t eat much. Within twenty moves, Hua Rongzhou was slapped to the ground by the man, and just as the man was about to lay down his deadly hand, Zhong Xiwu spoke, “Chen Yuan, leave him alive and throw him out of the palace.” 

When Chen Yuan heard this, he withdrew his palm and raised his hand to grab at Hua Rongzhou. Even though his entire body was in pain, Hua Rongzhou still spoke, “Where is she? Where did you hide her?” 

Zhong Xiwu sat there in the shadows, not moving a muscle, “She’s dead.” 

“Impossible.” Hua Rongzhou’s voice shook. He propped his hand on the ground, trying to stand. He couldn’t see Zhong Xiwu’s expression, only his voice: “Why is it impossible?” 

Hua Rongzhou was silent but still tried his best to stand up. 

“Although I am the Emperor, there are still some things I can’t do and people I can’t protect.” 

“Why do you still force her to stay at the palace when you can’t protect her–” A mournful cry rang out, and Hua Rongzhou drilled toward Zhong Xiwu like a stringed arrow. 

Chen Yuan lost his guard when he saw him dying, and this time, he was too late to stop it. However, Hua Rongzhou still couldn’t reach Zhong Xiwu’s side. This time, it was Lin Jiang who made the move. Spitting out blood, Hua Rongzhou lay on his back, and in his heart, he felt a sense of relief. He was wrong, very wrong. How helpless would she be when she was alone in this palace, surrounded by strangers? His stubbornness made Hua Qian no longer believe in him, and she chose to trick him to make him leave instead and fight alone. 

There was a sound of footsteps in his ears, shaking the earth. Then Zhong Xiwu’s face came into view, and Hua Rongzhou’s pupils could not help but shrink. He saw Zhong Xiwu’s thin face and cold eyes: “I do not know what she …… sees in you. If you want to kill me, then I’ll give you a chance. I will let you stay in this palace on the fifth day of the month. We can talk about her if you defeat the people around me.” 

After saying that, Zhong Xiwu lifted his steps and left. Hua Rongzhou’s eyes lit up. He struggled hard for a long time but was never able to move, and he could only let Chen Yuan throw him to a random medical center outside the palace. 

In the third month of living in the water town, suddenly, someone knocked on Hua Qian’s door. She saw an unfamiliar round-faced woman, who should be about thirty years old, looking exceptionally friendly. The woman carried some food and spoke: “I am your new neighbor next door. I am new to many things. I will have to trouble you to care for me more in the future. This food is for you. You can call me Yun Niang.” 

No wonder she was unfamiliar; it turned out she was a new neighbor. 

Hua Qian smiled and refused for half a day, but in the end, she accepted it, and Yun Niang returned with a smile. After returning to the house, Hua Qian opened the basket. It was full of her favorite food. 

Yun Niang was very kind and often sent food over, and each of them had roused Hua Qian’s appetite. They were similar in character and even had the same preference. Later, when they got acquainted, she realized that Yun Niang married into her husband’s family for more than ten years without giving birth to a son, so she was repudiated. The in-laws didn’t want her, and she couldn’t return to her mother’s family, so she could only come out to make a living. 

Hua Qian couldn’t stop admiring her when she listened to her story. Here, the repudiated woman was a great shame, and everyone was desperate, so it was rare to meet a transparent person. Yun Niang’s character was bright and understanding, so she also quickly entered the social circle of this town. 

This water town was small, so everyone was familiar with each other. After a year, that group of women gradually birthed some thoughts because Hua Qian was always alone. They began to busy themselves to matchmake Hua Qian. Looking at the increasing number of unmarried men in this circle of girls, Hua Qian felt funny. 

The original Hua Qian was born beautifully. At this time, thanks to the blessing of this skin, several men surrounded her. Among them, the most unabashed was the town salt merchant’s young son – Xu Ming. 

Salt was a valuable commodity in ancient times, so the Xu family was one of the town’s most prominent. The Xu family’s youngest son was also considered very good-looking. Since childhood, he has been admired by many. He was charming and willful, like the young masters of the affluent families. The Xu family’s master and his wife were kindhearted and didn’t dislike Hua Qian due to her unknown origin. Seeing Hua Qian’s beauty and modesty, they were particularly fond of her and occasionally invited her for tea.

Thus, Hua Qian unsurprisingly received cold shoulders from some young girls. However, people here were simple, so Hua Qian didn’t take some little girl’s thoughts to heart. Among these girls, Bai Luo was the most hostile to Hua Qian because she was Xu Ming’s number one fan. It’s just that she’s always been loud and bold, and that’s why Xu Ming dislikes her so much. Sure enough, a love story like this, the famous F4, no matter where you go, you’ll meet Dao Mingsi.