Chapter 112 The Road is Long and Difficult

Although Jiang Huan wasn't prepared, Huo Lin's determined look and heartfelt words were no joke.

Since that morning, Huo Lin has been making the most of every spare moment to visit Weiyang Palace, attending lunch and dinner regularly, always looking for opportunities.

That evening, Huo Lin had finished dealing with important government affairs and entered Weiyang Palace.

The candles inside the hall were lit, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Jiang Huan was leaning against the soft couch by the window reading a storybook, her profile appearing soft and serene in the twilight.

Huo Lin waved to dismiss the palace servants, then walked over quietly and sat down by the couch.

He didn't speak immediately, but just looked at her quietly.

The candlelight flickered, casting a small, trembling shadow beneath Jiang Huan's thick eyelashes.

Huo Lin's heart was filled with a barely perceptible sense of joy.

The memorials have all been reviewed and approved; there are no more trivial matters to bother me.

Favorable timing, advantageous location, and harmonious relationships.

[If not now, when?]

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat, and her fingers tightened their grip on the storybook.

Why bring this up again out of the blue?

Huo Lin cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound calm and normal, but a hint of tension still showed.

"Jiang Huan".

"Hmm?" Jiang Huan looked up, feeling a little nervous.

Her gaze shifted from the book, and the warm yellow candlelight fell into her eyes, making them shimmer.

Huo Lin's Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly as he carefully considered his words.

Should we simply say it's getting late and we should get settled soon?

Or should we be more tactful and start by complimenting her on her dress today?

To say it directly would be too abrupt.

But beating around the bush would make me seem less than forthright.

The inner voice of his mind was engaged in a fierce debate.

After hesitating for a moment, Huo Lin finally made up his mind and was about to speak when...

"emperor!"

Wang Degui's voice rang out, like a bucket of cold water being poured over him.

Huo Lin's brow twitched suddenly, and an ominous premonition rose in his heart.

He maintained his gaze towards Jiang Huan, without turning around, and only squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth.

"speak."

Wang Degui bent over and moved a few steps away from the bed.

"Your Majesty, a military report sent by express courier has arrived. There is unusual activity in the northern border, and there are signs of a large-scale gathering. Several officials are already waiting outside the Imperial Study. Please come to the Imperial Study immediately to discuss this matter."

Huo Lin: ...

An eerie silence fell over the bedchamber. A candle flame crackled and popped, the sound clearly audible.

Huo Lin's expression darkened almost imperceptibly.

His hands, which were resting on his knees, slowly clenched into fists, and the veins on the back of his hands became visible.

[An urgent dispatch from 800 li away? Things have only been stable for a few days!]

Why did they have to report it now, right when I was about to ask to have someone sleep with me?

Is the northern border incompatible with my birth chart?

A surge of pent-up frustration welled up in Huo Lin's chest, making his breathing heavier.

He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

When Huo Lin looked up at Jiang Huan again, his face had regained its usual calmness, but there was still a trace of resentment that he tried his best to hide in his deep eyes.

Matters of national importance are of paramount importance, heavier than Mount Tai.

He gritted his teeth and recited the mantra to himself in his heart, each word feeling like it was dripping blood.

[I...will endure!]

"Understood." Huo Lin's voice was deep and steady, without the slightest hint of emotion.

He stood up, the gold-embroidered dragon pattern on his clothes gleaming with a cold, hard luster in the candlelight.

"You should rest early; there's no need to wait for me."

Jiang Huan tried hard to keep a straight face and secretly pinched herself to stop herself from laughing.

"The military situation is urgent, Your Majesty, please go immediately."

She even thoughtfully added, "It's chilly at night, Your Majesty, please remember to wear more clothes."

These words sounded like a gentle but deadly blow to Huo Lin's ears.

He gave Jiang Huan a deep look before turning and leaving, his aura so oppressive it could freeze you to death.

Only after the bright yellow figure completely disappeared into the night outside the palace gates did Jiang Huan suddenly collapse onto the soft couch, burying her face in the soft brocade cushions, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

"Pfft, hahaha..."

A muffled laugh escaped, tinged with relief and schadenfreude.

An urgent message from eight hundred li away... Pfft, Your Majesty, isn't this grand plan of having someone serve you in bed being collectively targeted by the northern border?

However, the failure of his first attempt to serve the emperor did not extinguish the small flame in Huo Lin's heart. Instead, it gave rise to a strange obsession that good things often come with difficulties.

He handled government affairs even more diligently, as if trying to nip any potentially disruptive national affairs in the bud.

Opportunity always seems to come after the storm.

After a few more peaceful days, Huo Lin specially chose a rest afternoon.

The sun was shining brightly, the breeze was gentle, and the flowers in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom.

He invited Jiang Huan to admire the flowers together, ostensibly to appreciate the flowers, but in reality, he wanted to create a romantic atmosphere under the moon and flowers.

The two strolled along the winding corridors, with palace servants following at a distance.

Huo Lin seemed unusually relaxed today; his brows were less stern than usual, and more leisurely.

His heartfelt feelings were like the gentle breeze that brushed against the flower branches, carrying a warm and pleasant feeling.

[A gentle breeze and bright sunshine, accompanied by a beautiful woman.]

[This is the perfect moment...]

He turned his head and his gaze fell on Jiang Huan's profile. Her delicate skin, illuminated by the sunlight, resembled the finest mutton fat jade, making his fingertips itch slightly.

Huo Lin cleared his throat, about to speak, preparing an opening remark about "not wasting a good time and beautiful scenery".

At this perfectly timed moment...

Jiang Huan gently furrowed her delicate eyebrows, and her hand, which had been resting on the armrest of her wheelchair, unconsciously pressed against her lower abdomen. Her face seemed to turn pale for a moment, and even her breathing became lighter.

The tiny, beautiful flame in Huo Lin's heart was extinguished in an instant, and his voice was anxious.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Jiang Huan raised her eyes, met his anxious gaze, and sighed softly.

She bit her lip slightly, her voice sounding weak.

"It's nothing, it's just that I've started my period and my lower abdomen is a little sore."

a bolt from the blue!

Huo Lin felt that the string in his mind called "the great cause of serving the emperor" was once again groaning under unbearable pressure!

Is this fate?

[Is my path to serving the emperor destined to be fraught with difficulties and obstacles?]

Huo Lin's expression stiffened slightly. He suppressed the urge to rub his forehead and tried his best to keep his voice gentle.

"It's alright, your health is more important. I'll escort you back to the palace to rest."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Huan's hand, which was still pressing on her lower abdomen, with a complex mix of emotions.

"Summon the imperial physician to take a look; do not be careless."

He pushed Jiang Huan's wheelchair, his movements much stiffer than when he arrived.

Sunlight shone on his tall, dark figure, yet it inexplicably exuded a desolate and tragic feeling.

Hearing Huo Lin's thoughts, Jiang Huan's lips subtly curled up.

hey-hey.

The moon's light protects the body, possessing boundless magical power.