Scent Of Time

Chapter 51

When I had just left the palace gate, the carriage stopped, and I picked up the curtain. I saw Zhong Yelan riding a horse in a purple robe, blocking the side of the carriage. Seeing that it was him, I directly threw down the curtain, no longer bothering to take a look. A few moments later, his voice sounded outside the carriage window: “I have something to say to you.”

I replied in the carriage, “I’ve made it all clear to you. There are many people and ears on this street. Please don’t ruin my reputation.”

After a long time, I heard his voice: “I’ll wait for you in the front restaurant. Even though many people come and go in there, it’s quiet. Even if they know, they will not say anything. If you want to solve the matter of your guard, go over there.”

The horse’s hooves beat outside the carriage, and Qian Zhi looked at me. I closed my eyes and said, “Go to the front restaurant.”

When I entered the private room, Zhong Yelan was already seated, and Nan Feng stood behind him. Feeling Qian Zhi become overcautious, I said, “You guys go to the door and guard it. There’s no need to close the door so it won’t be improper.”

Seeing that Zhong Yelan did not retort, Nan Feng saluted and retreated to the door. I sat down, and Zhong Yelan spoke first: “Nan Feng said you promised your maid to him?”

“This is the matter of the two of them. I did not intervene. I only gave Qian Zhi her freedom. Her future is up to her.” I replied.

Zhong Yelan seemed to hook his lips and smile a little. Not waiting for him to speak again, I said, “Can Your Highness describe how to resolve my guard in detail?”

I intercepted Zhong Yelan so he could only speak, “I heard about the matter of your guard. I know that you are checking on the whereabouts of a merchant couple, and I went through a lot of trouble to find out their current address.”

“Where?” I babbled.

Zhong Yelan, however, didn’t reply so quickly. His face seemed hesitant. I calmed down. He said he went through a lot of trouble, and with this hesitation, probably he won’t give me the news easily: “Say it, your terms of exchange.”

Zhong Yelan froze this time. A few moments later, he sighed, saying, “I’m not thinking about asking you for anything. I’m checking out the whereabouts of that couple, not to hold favors from you.”

I was silent, and Zhong Yelan continued, “This matter is not simple. I advise you not to meddle further if it is just because of a guard.”

“Does the King mean that I should choose to be egoistic and to turn a blind eye to the injustice?” I said mockingly.

Zhong Yelan did not get angry: “Your guard killed first. It’s not an injustice.”

“Murder also depends on what kind of victim. Do you dare to say that your hands are without a human life?”

Zhong Yelan suddenly laughed, “I didn’t know you were this eloquent.”

Ignoring his teasing, I spoke, “So, where is that couple now?”

Zhong Yelan withdrew his smile. “Fine. It’s also good for you to meet them. They’re at a deserted courtyard at the city’s south.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I will not forget this favor in the future.” I got up and saluted.

“No need. Just think of it as me returning your previous — saving favor.”

Zhong Yelan stood up, tall and handsome, smiling at me.

I hooked up the corner of my mouth, “Okay. Then we’re clear.”

When I was ready to leave, Zhong Yelan spoke again, “According to reason, I shouldn’t say these words. But — the palace — has too many waves. If you pursue a quiet life, you should not get involved in it.”

“When did I say I want to get involved?” I ask rhetorically.

Zhong Yelan didn’t reply and only looked at me: “We’re considered — to know each other. Since you insist on not wanting to be sheltered by me, I will no longer force you. If you need something, you can come to find me in the future, and I will respond.”

After my mind turned a few times, I smiled and spoke, “Then I thank you, Your Highness.”

Coming out of the restaurant, I boarded the carriage with Qian Zhi’s support, and halfway up, I heard a call, “Ah Qian.”

I stopped moving and looked up. I saw Zhong Yelan standing in the second-floor window, looking at me. I also looked at him. After a long time, I heard him say, “Farewell.”

His voice was soft, but I heard it. I lowered my head, smiled, and boarded the carriage without replying. Hua Qian loved him, and he also wavered because of the grace of saving lives, which we have settled. Most men were more rational than women when it came to feelings.

After I returned to the Hua Mansion, I went out of the house again when it was dark to go to the location Zhong Yelan had given me. When I exited the carriage, I saw an inconspicuous small courtyard without a gatekeeper. A foreign merchant without relatives in the capital usually lived in the inn or bought a courtyard. Instead, they hid in a deserted courtyard, causing Hua Family guards to be unable to trace them. I entered the house under the guards’ protection but didn’t see any shadow and felt something was wrong.

When I heard the sound of the inner room door opening, a man came out and saw us. Shocked by the number of us, he immediately closed the door.

“Break it down,” I said, and the guards immediately took action. In just a few moments, two people—the very same couple from that day — were caught and thrown before me. Since it was an investigation, it must have had an investigation stage. I lit the courtyard lamps, found a chair, and saw two people kneeling on the ground.

The woman should still remember me, so she spoke: “Noble lady, what are you doing in the middle of the night? Do you want to kill me?”

I looked at her and said, “If I wanted to kill and silence you, do you think you would still have time to kneel here and talk?”

The woman’s eyes turned around. At first glance, she was restless, so I took the first step and spoke, “That day, you slandered my guard on the street. I was not paying attention and let you run away, and now I’m here to make a good reckoning with you.”

“What I said is all true. It’s not a slander.” The woman was still stiff-lipped.

“If what you said was true, you would have gone to the public court long ago. Why would you run to this broken courtyard to hide?” I took the tea handed over by Qian Zhi, uncovered it, and gently dispelled the heat—I didn’t know where this maid found it.

Li Couple looked at each other briefly but did not say anything, so I pretended to speak to the guards carelessly, “Tie them up for me. Break their legs first, lest they escape. Dare to discredit the prime minister’s residence, I can’t swallow this anger.”

Seeing that the guards were about to move, the woman hurriedly said, “Noble lady, please investigate. I wouldn’t dare slander the prime minister’s residence.”

“You’re still saying you don’t dare. Qi Rongzhou is my guard. When you guys slander him, aren’t you hitting me in the face? What are you still waiting for? Quickly do it.” I scolded sternly, and the guards moved to tie them.

That woman saw that she was tied up and immediately began to wail, “Noble lady, spare our life. That Qi family’s little child did evil; I — we were just invited — by someone.”

“Shut up.” The man saw the woman speaking out of turn, panicked, and intercepted her.

My eyes narrowed. I waved my hand to signal the guards to retreat first and said coldly, “I know that someone invited you guys. You don’t have to stutter. I won’t ask about it. But you made a mistake and slander — Qi Rongzhou. I come for him this time.”

The woman took a few steps on both knees and was stopped by the guards before she spoke, “Noble person, what we said is true. It’s not a slander. That Qi family’s little child did harm my father-in-law.”

“You still have the face to say! What kind of person is that father-in-law of yours? Do you still need me to say it?” I heavily set aside my teacup.

The couple both shuddered. I saw this and said, “Qi Rongzhou didn’t bother to pursue you, but you came to fight back. You should be happy. If your father-in-law was still alive, I guarantee that his fate would have been even worse.”

Li Couple looked terrified. I slightly softened my tone: “I couldn’t involve you in your father-in-law’s fault, but you must go to the government office to clarify it. Admit your wrong, and I can let it slide.”

“This ……” The woman turned back to sneak a look at the man while swallowing her saliva.

I raised my eyebrows: “What? Are you still unwilling? Is it because you think I’m better to talk to than the government?”

“No, Noble Lady. It’s just that I’m afraid it’ll be useless even if we say it ……”