Scent Of Time

Chapter 9

“Sister… sister, are you referring to the wrong person?” Hua Shen’s greasy face squeezed out an awkward smile and asked me.

“It’s you that I’m referring to. Since Elder Brother’s illness recurred, you could spent a few days in jail at the government office. And you ……” I turned my head to look at the gray-clothed man and continued, “I am not the capital magistrate, so I can’t judge right and wrong, but you repeatedly spoke out against me, and I’m not a good-tempered person, so you guys will go together to the government office to explain.”

After I said that, I raised my hand to signal the King Jin Mansion guards to move and walked over to the beaten restaurant runner from earlier.

It was impossible to see his face because he had been beaten severely. Judging from his thin figure, he should still be a teenager. Regardless of whether he knows how to ride the wind or to earn merit, in the end, it is to defend me. Even if I don’t like these types of people, I won’t fail to miss his favor.

“What is your name?” I asked.

His mouth seemed broken, speaking with bloody foam, slurring something.

I heard the words ‘Yong’ and ‘Zhou,’ so I spoke, “Zhou Yong, right? Thanks for your kindness. But next time you want to stand up for others, remember to check if you can save yourself first.”

He froze, and his eyes fixedly looking at me.

I straightened out his clothes’s lapel and continued. “King Jin Mansion will pay your medical expenses. But do not act so impulsively in the future. Not anyone is willing to accept this favor.”

His mouth moved, seemingly wanting to say something.

Suddenly, my brother, Hua Shen, jumped over to hold my legs, crying: “Sister, I know my wrongs. I would never dare again. Don’t send me to that capital magistrate.”

Although Hua Shen was a playboy, at least he knew fear. But I am determined to take advantage of the Hua couple who are not around to properly cure him, lest he cause trouble for my plans again.

Shaking off his hand, I ignored it and headed out. Suddenly, a blue figure blocked my front. It was the other person who stood silently beside the gray man. Adorned in a blue robe, he stopped me and said, “Princess Consort Jin, wait.”

I raised my eyes to look at him, only to see him make a bow at me and speak, “Princess Consort Jin, my brother spoke out of line just now. I apologize to you. He has always been straightforward but simple-minded and easily believes what he hears, so I hope that Princess Consort Jin will not lower your level as him.”

Of these two brothers, one had a handsome face while the other had a smooth tongue, which matched well. I do not eat this trick: “No need to apologize. I do not intervene in this matter. You should go to the capital magistrate’s office to explain it.”

“How about this? We two brothers apologize to the Princess Consort again, nor to pursue Young Master Hua’s fault. It is just a verbal dispute. It would be better not to go to the government office.” The man in blue came up with another suggestion.

Hua Shen immediately echoed from the side. All three of them were waiting to see my reaction. I hooked the corner of my mouth and said, “I can let the matter aside, but how things are supposed to be between all of you depends on the parties involved.”

They froze and started to look at the ignored pipa girl. The man in blue gave me a meaningful look.

The pipa girl said coyly, “If… if Mr. Hua does not pester me again in the future, I will not pursue the matter.”

“No more, no more.” Hua Shen hurriedly said, looking greasy and lewd.

The victim has opened her mouth, so I can’t force them to the court anymore. It’s a pity. It is a great chance to teach Hua Shen a lesson.

Looking at Hua Shen’s relieved appearance, I mocked him in my heart and turned my head to speak to the King Jin Mansion guards, “You few send my elder brother back. Before my parents return, guard the Hua Mansion, and don’t let him leave the door.”

“Sister ……”

Hua Shen still wanted to speak, but he was scared back by my ‘I’ll send you to the court if you keep talking’ look, and fearfully followed the guards to leave.

Seeing this, those men also bowed to me and left one after another. Looking at their backs, I couldn’t rest my heart. These people were so weird. I was about to order the guards to secretly follow them when I suddenly heard a familiar voice coming over.

“Princess Consort Jin is truly impressive.”

With a jump in my heart, I turned to see a white silhouette – Emperor Zhong Xiwu.

“Emperor ……”

“Hush-” Before I could call him, he put a finger to his lips, signaling me to be silent, “I’m on a secret visit. Princess Consort Jin mustn’t expose my identity.”

The people in the restaurant slowly began to disperse, and I barely managed to maintain my smile.

How could this Emperor appear in this restaurant?

I saw Zhong Xiwu, with his clear and bright face, smiling with innocence and clarity, without the slightest Emperor’s demeanor. It was much gentler than when he first met me in the palace.

But for someone like me who grew up afraid of teachers and leaders, I didn’t dare to relax in front of such a top national leader.

“Just now, I saw Princess Consort Jin handling things cleanly and decisively. It’s quite different from before.” Zhong Xiwu had a smile on his brow, and his eyes were clean without any impurities as if he was speaking casually.

I opened my mouth but didn’t know how to call him.

He immediately said understandingly, “Princess Consort Jin is my sister-in-law, so just call me by my name.”

Is this a joke? I don’t have the guts to do that. On the contrary, I said, “Mr. Zhong is joking. There must be a difference between being a wife and being a daughter.”

Zhong Xiwu didn’t dwell on this topic too much. Instead, he asked, “Why didn’t I see my royal brother come?”

“This is ultimately our Hua Family’s matter, so the King should stay out of it.” I pondered for a moment before answering cautiously.

Zhong Xiwu’s smile was unchanged. His face was really like a spring breeze. These two brothers differed. One was like ice, while the other was like the warm sun. It also corresponds to their names – Yelan and Xiwu.
T/N: Ye (night), Wu (noon)

However, in romance novels, a warm and courteous nature like Zhong Xiwu’s is not pleasing to the eye, and most of them are the second male lead. People seemed to prefer to see the iceberg melt rather than the warm sun remaining.

Corny. I don’t want to get involved. When I was about to say goodbye, I heard him beat me to it by saying: ”After coming out for so long, I should go back as well. This time, I was traveling leisurely. I wonder if Princess Consort Jin can give me a ride?”

Can I say no?

“If Mr. Zhong doesn’t mind the simplicity of the carriage, then this way, please.”

I was calm on my face, but in my heart, I was thumping. What is this Emperor up to? Riding with me seems to be a bit out of order, did —

He has a crush on me?

This idea scared me a lot. He was the Emperor, ah. The owner of three thousand beauties! I would rather fight with Mu Yao over Zhong Yelan rather than enter the harem.

However, after getting on the carriage, I realized that I was the one who made a fool of myself. Because Zhong Xiwu stopped speaking when he got on the carriage, and only after getting off did he open his mouth to thank me before leaving, it seemed that he really came to hobble the carriage.

I couldn’t help but blush at my rambling thoughts. That’s the infatuated second male lead that belongs to the female lead. Although they haven’t met yet, I’m only the second female lead. What am I thinking here?