Chapter 100 Will you stay by my side forever?

"I know."

Huo Lin responded softly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth.

The hall was quiet, and an indescribable atmosphere slowly flowed between the two.

Huo Lin's gaze gradually moved downwards, landing on Jiang Huan's hands.

Her hands were fair and slender, with a healthy pink tinge at the fingertips.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and gently covered the back of Jiang Huan's hand.

Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks flushed red from the heat emanating from Huo Lin's palm, but she did not pull her hand away.

"Jiang Huan".

Huo Lin spoke, his voice deep and clear, carrying an unusual seriousness.

"These days, whenever I am exhausted, thinking of you warms my heart. Would you... stay by my side forever?"

Huo Lin's words were direct and passionate, each one striking a chord in Jiang Huan's heart.

This time, even my innermost thoughts seemed to become transparent.

She looked at Huo Lin, at this man who was usually aloof and superior, but now revealed his vulnerability and dependence in front of her.

Those images of him forcing a dignified posture as he reviewed memorials, those lonely moments as he gazed at the candlelight late at night, those furrowed brows as he faced disaster reports…

And at this moment, the image of him letting down his guard and seeking a moment of peace flashed through Jiang Huan's mind like a revolving lantern.

Jiang Huan recalled that at the beginning, she only wanted to please Huo Lin and move out of Jinhua Palace.

But gradually, she saw another side of him.

He would get annoyed by incompetent ministers, be unhappy when he couldn't eat his favorite food, and be quite jealous.

This emperor, with his cold and hard exterior, harbors a somewhat childish yet incredibly genuine soul within.

He would risk his life to save her, he would bring the cook from outside back to the palace because of a single word she said, and he would make her a wheelchair because she had difficulty walking...

These subtle acts of thoughtfulness, wrapped in his imperial majesty, silently seeped into her heart like spring rain.

Actually, confirming your own feelings isn't difficult.

The moment Huo Lin leaned wearily on her shoulder, as he held her hand tightly and uttered these words that were almost a confession, Jiang Huan clearly heard the voice in her own heart.

She likes Huo Lin.

It wasn't out of pity for the characters in the book, nor was it to curry favor with the emperor's power; rather, it was because she had fallen for this man named Huo Lin, a man of flesh and blood who could feel tired and in pain.

Perhaps because Jiang Huan hadn't spoken for a long time, Huo Lin's inner thoughts carried a hint of barely perceptible tension.

Why isn't she saying anything?

Was I too abrupt and frightened her? Or was she unwilling?

The anxiety and uncertainty in his heart contrasted sharply with the composure Huo Lin maintained on the surface.

Jiang Huan saw the fleeting unease in his eyes, and the shyness in her heart was instantly replaced by a soft sweetness.

“Your Majesty,” her voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear, “this concubine is willing.”

Huo Lin's pupils suddenly contracted.

She agreed! It wasn't just wishful thinking on my part!

My heartfelt emotions exploded like fireworks, filled with pure joy.

Jiang Huan was moved by his emotions, and her eyes crinkled into a smile.

That stupid emperor.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a silvery glow over the two of them.

Huo Lin could no longer suppress the throbbing in his heart. He leaned forward slightly, his tall figure completely enveloping Jiang Huan.

A faint scent of ambergris lingered around Jiang Huan's nose. She closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, her heart pounding like a drum.

Slowly, Huo Lin's kiss landed.

It started with gentle touches, a tentative and cautious exploration. After sensing her tacit consent, the kiss gradually deepened, and Jiang Huan responded awkwardly.

The kiss was short. When Huo Lin pulled away, his forehead was still pressed against hers, their noses touched, and their breaths mingled.

“Jiang Huan…”

He called out in a low, hoarse voice, with an unprecedented intimacy.

Jiang Huan blushed and softly replied, "Mm."

I want to hold her forever...

Huo Lin's words were filled with deep reluctance and longing.

However, the emperor's rationality eventually pulled him back to reality from his immersion in the pleasures of love.

The battle reports from the south were like a bucket of cold water, shattering the momentary sense of tranquility.

"I……"

He paused, his voice regaining its usual composure, but with a hint of barely perceptible gentleness.

"I need to summon General Lin Zheng immediately to discuss military affairs in the southern border. You should go back and rest early, and don't catch a cold."

Jiang Huan knew that the military situation was urgent and that now was not the time for sentimentality, so she nodded obediently.

"I understand, Your Majesty, you must also take care of your health."

Huo Lin looked at her intently, as if trying to etch her image into his heart, before turning away.

"Wang Degui".

Wang Degui immediately pushed open the door and entered, his head bowed and eyes downcast.

"Your servant is here."

"Summon Lin Zheng to the Imperial Study immediately."

Huo Lin's voice restored the emperor's majesty and coldness, as if the tenderness and affection just now were just an illusion.

"As you command." Wang Degui accepted the order and quickly withdrew to make arrangements.

After Huo Lin returned to the imperial desk, although his brows still showed signs of fatigue, his eyes had regained their sharpness.

Seeing his renewed spirits, Jiang Huan smiled and turned her wheelchair away.

A moment later, Lin Zheng arrived as summoned.

"Your subject Lin Zheng greets Your Majesty."

"General Lin, no need for formalities." Huo Lin raised his hand, his gaze serious. "I presume you are already aware of the urgent report from the southern border. The reason I summoned you here is to..."

Before Huo Lin could finish speaking, another series of footsteps came from outside the hall.

The palace doors were pushed open, and before Wang Degui could announce his arrival, a pink figure burst in, accompanied by a fragrant breeze.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Consort Jia's makeup was exquisite, she was dressed in gorgeous clothes, and her face showed just the right amount of anxiety and apology.

"I heard that you entered the palace late at night, and I was really worried about you since we haven't seen each other for so long, so I dared to come and see you."

As she spoke of looking at her brother, her beautiful, affectionate eyes seemed to drift unnoticed towards Huo Lin behind the imperial desk.

When Lin Zheng saw his sister, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and then he bowed.

"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Highness, the Noble Consort."

How could he, as the older brother, not see through his younger sister's thoughts?

He understood immediately upon meeting her that his sister's concern for him was feigned, and that she was only using the opportunity to meet the emperor.

A barely perceptible hint of impatience flashed across Huo Lin's eyes. He was clearly displeased by Consort Jia's sudden appearance, but he refrained from acting out immediately because Lin Zheng was present.

"Your Highness is very kind, but General Lin has just arrived. I am currently discussing military affairs in the southern border with him, and the situation is urgent."

His tone was flat, but his words implied that Consort Jia should leave.

Consort Jia seemed not to understand the implied meaning, and took a few more steps closer.

"Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, so please take care of your health. When I heard the military report from the south, I was also very worried. I only regret that as a woman, I cannot share Your Majesty's worries."