Chapter 114 Careful Preparations

Huo Lin's light kiss on her forehead was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples in Jiang Huan's heart.

For several days in a row, whenever she thought of the scene, the temperature on her cheeks would rise uncontrollably.

That afternoon, Jiang Huan rested her chin on her hand, her mind uncontrollably replaying the scene of Huo Lin's approach, and the familiar warmth rose to her cheeks once more.

No, no, that won't do.

Jiang Huan shook her head violently and patted her face, trying to calm herself down.

Jiang Huan, you can't go on like this anymore.

Anyway, she likes Huo Lin, and Huo Lin likes her too.

That thing about serving the emperor in bed—it was bound to happen sooner or later!

This is only natural, there's nothing to be ashamed of or avoid.

Instead of waiting passively, it's better to take the initiative.

She also needed to prepare herself so that her first time would be a perfect experience.

Once you've figured it out, just do it.

Thus, Weiyang Palace quietly entered a state of secretive and tense "preparation for war," with the kitchen becoming a key research and development base.

Jiang Huan directed Xiao Zhao and several trusted palace maids to begin a grand manufacturing project.

"Xiao Zhao, throw all those dried flower petals into that big pot and boil them. Make sure the water boils and brings out all the fragrance."

Jiang Huan sat in her wheelchair, circling the stove.

Soon, the rich, lingering floral fragrance filled the entire small kitchen, and even the palace servants guarding outside couldn't help but peek inside.

"My lady, it's cooked. What's next?"

Xiao Zhao looked at the thick, strangely colored liquid in the pot and hesitated.

"And then?" Jiang Huan's eyes sparkled. "Of course, you filter it out, let it cool, bottle it, and then pour it into your bath. It'll smell much better than sprinkling flower petals. This is called concentrated essence."

Besides this, there are all sorts of strange and unusual skin creams.

Fresh milk specially supplied by the imperial kitchen, top-quality wild honey, and precious pearl powder were constantly being experimented with, stirred, and applied in the small kitchen...

"My lady, what is this white, sticky stuff on your face?"

Xiao Zhao looked at Jiang Huan's homemade face mask, which covered half of her face, and her expression was indescribable.

Shh, don't talk.

Jiang Huan, speaking indistinctly, instructed, "This is called a skin-renewing mask. Quickly check the time, oh dear, it's time to wash it off."

"Speaking of which, did they put too much honey in this? It's so hard to wash it..."

The frequency of use of bathhouses has also increased dramatically, and they are no longer just for simple cleaning.

Jiang Huan would soak in the water for almost half an hour every day, making sure that every inch of her skin was soaked in the rich floral fragrance, and she would only come out when her fingertips were slightly wrinkled.

After coming out, you have to carefully apply a moisturizing cream that smells of milk and flowers, not even missing the spaces between your toes.

"Um……"

Jiang Huan looked at herself in the bronze mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, not bad, it's marinated... oh no, it's well-preserved and flavorful."

However, this intensive preparation inevitably took up a lot of time, making her extremely wary of Huo Lin's sudden attack.

That evening, as usual, Huo Lin arrived at Weiyang Palace in the afterglow of the setting sun.

After not seeing each other for a few days, the thoughts that had been temporarily suppressed by the cooling tea resurfaced as he stepped into the familiar palace.

As soon as he entered the inner hall, he saw Jiang Huan. She was looking down at something, her profile serene, and a small patch of skin on her neck was as delicate as fine white porcelain in the light.

He waved away the palace servants, walked over quietly, and naturally placed his hand on the back of Jiang Huan's hand.

Jiang Huan was engrossed in studying a folk manual that supposedly contained beauty secrets when she was startled by the sudden warm touch, nearly dropping the book from her hands.

"Your Majesty?"

She looked up, her eyes still showing a hint of bewilderment at being interrupted from her research.

[Today's official business was handled early, and there were no urgent matters in the Imperial Study...]

Huo Lin's heartfelt words carried a hint of barely perceptible joy and anticipation.

【perhaps……】

Upon hearing this, alarm bells rang in Jiang Huan's mind instantly.

No, she didn't have enough time to take a bath today, she hasn't tried the new pearl brightening cream yet, and she hasn't soaked her hair in freshly boiled jasmine water.

"Ahem," Huo Lin cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound calm and casual, "What are you looking at?"

"N-nothing!"

As if burned, Jiang Huan quickly pulled her hand back, clutching the manual and the book tightly to her chest as if it were some kind of protective magic weapon.

She forced a slightly stiff smile. "They're just some leisurely books to pass the time. What brings Your Majesty here today?"

Huo Lin's hand missed its target, but the cool, delicate touch of her skin remained on his palm.

Seeing Jiang Huan's alarmed expression, the little flame that had just risen in his heart felt as if it had been doused with cold water.

What are you hiding from?

[Am I being too hasty? Or... is she still resisting?]

This thought made his heart sink slightly, and an indescribable sense of irritability and frustration quietly arose.

He tried his best to suppress his emotions and maintain his imperial demeanor, his voice remaining completely calm.

"Hmm, I came to see you. You look quite well, it's been a few days."

His gaze swept seemingly unintentionally over her healthy-looking cheeks and lips that appeared even more moist than usual.

Hearing Huo Lin's clearly depressed state of mind, Jiang Huan's heart pounded with anxiety.

She wasn't resisting; she was actively preparing.

It's just... it's just that I'm not ready yet.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," Jiang Huan replied dryly, her eyes darting around, avoiding his gaze. "It's all thanks to Your Majesty..."

The atmosphere became subtly tense for a moment.

Huo Lin remained silent for a moment, looking at her lowered eyelashes, the resentment and longing in his heart growing and entwining like vines.

That's enough...

It seems I acted too hastily.

Let's wait a little longer.

These heartfelt words clearly reached Jiang Huan's ears, causing her heart to clench suddenly, and she anxiously wanted to explain.

"Your Majesty, I..."

But when the words were on the tip of her tongue, she suddenly didn't know where to begin.

You can't exactly say you're adding to the family's happiness, can you?

That would make her seem too... you know, like she's desperate.

Jiang Huan opened her mouth, but ultimately bit her lower lip in frustration, missing the best opportunity to clarify.

Huo Lin had withdrawn all his probing gaze; the burning desire that had almost burst forth when he entered the room had now been forcibly frozen.

He nodded slightly, his tone calm.

"Since you have books to read, then I will not disturb you any longer."

His gaze swept almost imperceptibly over the booklet that was being used as a talisman, and the corners of his lips pursed almost completely.

"Get some rest."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I respectfully see you off." Jiang Huan stood up and gave a somewhat stiff bow.

Huo Lin turned and left. Jiang Huan watched his departing figure and thought she would wait a little longer.

It's almost time; we need to get ready.