Chapter 123 The Little Tattletale

Inside the Imperial Study, Huo Lin had just finished reviewing a stack of memorials when Wang Degui bowed and entered, his face beaming with barely suppressed laughter.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has personally brought lunch and is waiting outside."

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin's weariness vanished instantly, and warmth filled his eyes.

[I work so hard reviewing memorials, she deserves to soothe my weary and worn-out heart.]

"Please come in quickly." Huo Lin put down his vermilion brush, his voice becoming lighter.

Soon, Jiang Huan was pushed in by Xiao Zhao, who was carrying an exquisite food box.

Jiang Huan wore a polite smile, but upon closer inspection, the smile was chilling, carrying a subtle hint of "nuclear kindness."

"emperor."

Huo Lin stood up, walked to her side, took the food box, and placed it on the round table beside her.

"Why did you decide to come in person today? Aren't you tired?"

Her expression seemed a little...uncomfortable? She looked like she was about to stab me three times and then kick me while I was down.

Are you still angry about last night?

Huo Lin's thoughts were tinged with doubt.

"I'm not tired." Jiang Huan's smile remained unchanged. She gestured for Xiao Zhao to open the food box. "Thinking that Your Majesty has worked hard, I made a few side dishes to whet your appetite."

The lid of the food box was lifted, and a pungent aroma that seemed to hit the crown of one's head filled the imperial study.

Huo Lin's gaze froze on the dishes in the food box.

The spicy chicken pieces blazed like flames, the boiled pork slices with red oil almost overflowing the rim of the bowl, and even the only green vegetable dish was garnished with a dense layer of finely chopped millet peppers...

【hiss--】

After this meal, my throat will be as hoarse as a duck's.

Is it really an appetizer? The way she looks at me, like she's about to be gutted.

[Wait a minute, I don't eat spicy food much! This is outrageous! Where did the imperial kitchen get so many chilies?!]

He subconsciously looked at Jiang Huan, who was also looking at him innocently.

But the slightly upturned corners of his lips looked rather mischievous.

Didn't you coax him back last night? What's wrong with him now?

[She was unhappy that I stepped out of the palace gate with my left foot?]

"Cough," he cleared his throat, trying to struggle.

"I have to discuss matters with several ministers after lunch, and I fear that this might be inappropriate."

[If I eat this, I'm afraid I'll breathe fire on the spot.]

What if your voice smells like chili peppers when you're discussing something?

Looking at his cowardly yet pretentious demeanor, Jiang Huan felt her anger dissipate somewhat, and she even felt a little amused.

But she kept a straight face, and her voice still carried a hint of grievance.

"So His Majesty dislikes my cooking skills. Well, my rustic skills are no match for the master chefs in the imperial kitchen. They don't meet His Majesty's standards. I'll take them back and throw them away..."

As he spoke, he made a gesture to have Xiao Zhao close the food box.

"No!" Huo Lin blurted out, pressing down on the lid of the food box.

If it collapses, the entire palace will turn into a fiery mountain tomorrow.

[Besides, if she doesn't calm down, won't I be in even worse shape?]

[Eat! I must eat! It's just spicy food, right? I, the Emperor, am not going to be scared off by a few dishes!]

He took a deep breath, as if making a brave decision, and picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks.

"How could I possibly dislike your cooking?"

Huo Lin tried to keep his voice steady, "It looks... incredibly tempting."

Under Jiang Huan's eager gaze, Huo Lin put the chicken pieces covered in chili peppers into his mouth.

Instantly, an indescribable burning sensation exploded in his mouth.

Fine beads of sweat immediately appeared on Huo Lin's forehead, and his cheeks flushed red at a visible speed.

He clenched his teeth tightly to prevent himself from spitting it out, but tears welled up uncontrollably in his eyes.

【So spicy!!!】

[Water! I want water!]

[Has my tongue disappeared?]

He forced himself to endure the burning pain, mechanically chewed twice, and swallowed with difficulty.

The spiciness burned down my esophagus, making me feel like my stomach was going to get a hole in it.

Looking at his flushed face and listening to his inner accusations, Jiang Huan's remaining anger completely vanished.

This idiot clearly can't eat spicy food, why is he forcing himself to?

Seeing that Jiang Huan didn't speak, Huo Lin thought she was still not satisfied. He gritted his teeth and reached for the slice of boiled pork floating in the red oil with his chopsticks.

[I'll risk it all. As long as she calms down, I... I can eat another piece.]

"Alright," Jiang Huan couldn't stand it anymore and stopped her impatiently, "If you can't eat it, don't force yourself."

She turned to Xiao Zhao and instructed, "Go pour me a cup of tea, or just cool water will do."

Xiao Zhao felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly ran to pour water.

Huo Lin was stunned when his hand was held down. He looked up at Jiang Huan.

Although she had a stern face, the coldness in her eyes had dissipated, leaving only helplessness and a trace of heartache.

She's not angry anymore?

[She feels sorry for me. I knew it; she has the softest heart.]

This realization brought Huo Lin a sense of relief, but then a surge of immense resentment welled up within him.

He put down his chopsticks, disregarding any imperial dignity.

"It hurts, it's spicy..."

His pitiful look, coupled with his handsome yet somewhat disheveled face, created a striking contrast.

Serves him right. Who told him to make him angry? Now he's trying to play the victim.

That's what she thought, but Jiang Huan accepted the warm tea that Xiao Zhao handed her.

"Open your mouth." Jiang Huan said irritably, holding the teacup to his lips.

Huo Lin immediately opened his mouth obediently and took small sips of tea from her hand.

The cool liquid slightly relieved the burning sensation in his mouth, and he sighed comfortably, but his eyes remained fixed on Jiang Huan's face.

[We're so close. She smells so good. I wonder what she's wearing.]

How can she be so beautiful? I think...

As Jiang Huan listened, her mind began to wander in an inappropriate direction again, and the anger that had just subsided was about to resurface.

She abruptly pulled back the teacup, deftly placing it on the small table beside her with a soft thud, successfully interrupting Huo Linyi's thoughts.

"Sit down after you finish drinking."

Jiang Huan glared at him, pushed her wheelchair back a step, and created some distance between them.

Huo Lin was a little confused by her actions and subconsciously sat up straight.

[What's wrong? What have I done to upset her again?]

Jiang Huan took a deep breath and decided to stop holding her anger in.

She looked up, staring directly at Huo Lin, her voice clear and crisp.

"I met Consort Jia in the Imperial Garden today, and two other concubines came to my palace."

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin's expression immediately turned serious. "Did they make things difficult for you?"

"It wouldn't be considered difficult."

Jiang Huan pursed her lips and recounted what had happened in the Imperial Garden and Weiyang Palace.

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin's expression went beyond just being unpleasant.

He exuded a low-pressure aura, making the entire imperial study seem several degrees colder.

One was arrogant and domineering because of his family background, while the other two tried to curry favor with him at every opportunity.

Do they all think I'm dead? Do they think I wouldn't dare touch them?

Huo Lin stood up and paced back and forth in front of the imperial desk.

Seeing his expression as if he was about to issue an immediate decree to punish him, Jiang Huan waved her hand, interrupting him.

"That's not the point. I turned down all those difficult questions and flattery."

He then abruptly changed the subject and asked the crucial question.

"The key question is, does the Emperor really intend to hold a talent selection?"