Chapter 125 Selecting Manpower

The next morning, Huo Lin stepped out of Weiyang Palace feeling refreshed.

Although I didn't get to have a full meal last night, having a warm and soft woman in my arms was still quite nice.

His brows relaxed, and a barely perceptible smile played at the corners of his lips.

She's sleeping so soundly. I wish I could hold her while she sleeps every day.

I want to be with her forever.

I have a day off today, so I need to finish up my business quickly and come back to be with her as soon as possible.

Huo Lin pondered this in his mind as he walked towards the Imperial Study.

However, just as they reached the only passage leading to the Imperial Study, a figure suddenly blocked their way.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Consort Jia bowed gracefully, her voice deliberately soft and melodious.

Huo Lin's good mood was instantly ruined. He stopped in his tracks, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

What's she doing here? Did she come all this way just to ambush me?

Ugh, what a hassle.

"Rise." Huo Lin's voice was flat and emotionless, revealing no emotion whatsoever, a stark contrast to his demeanor when facing Jiang Huan in Weiyang Palace.

Consort Jia rose gracefully, her eyes sparkling with just the right amount of concern, and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty works tirelessly for the country every day, and rose early again this morning. I was truly worried, so I specially prepared a bowl of ginseng soup, which is very refreshing."

As she spoke, she gestured for the palace maid behind her, who was carrying a food box, to come forward.

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin merely glanced at him indifferently.

"Your Highness is very kind. I have already had breakfast, so there's no need for the ginseng soup. Give it to the palace servants instead."

Consort Jia's smile froze for a moment, a hint of resentment flashing across her eyes, but she quickly replaced it with an even gentler smile.

"It was my oversight," she said, glancing at Huo Lin's face, and tentatively inquired, "Your Majesty looks to be in excellent health today. Perhaps you've had a good rest?"

Huo Lin had no interest in listening to her talk. "If the Imperial Concubine has nothing else to say, I still need to go to the Imperial Study."

He interrupted Consort Jia directly and took a step to leave.

Consort Jia grew anxious and quickly stepped aside to block his path again, her voice tinged with grievance and urgency.

"Your Majesty, I am only concerned about Your Majesty's health. I heard that Consort Zhuang is in poor health and even had to trouble the massage nurse yesterday. I suppose it is hard for Your Majesty to take care of her."

Her words implied that Jiang Huan was unfit for service, while also trying to show how considerate she was.

Huo Lin's face instantly darkened.

Whether his Jiang Huan is good or not is none of Consort Jia's business.

"Trouble?" He was too busy feeling sorry for him.

Huo Lin stopped in his tracks, his icy gaze landing squarely on Consort Jia's face, causing her to involuntarily shiver.

"Consort Zhuang is well, no need for you to worry."

Huo Lin's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, carrying an undeniable sense of protection.

“As for me,” he paused, his tone growing colder, “I know what I’m doing.”

Consort Jia felt a chill run down her spine from that gaze. She opened her mouth, as if to say something more.

Huo Lin no longer looked at her, his gaze sweeping over the group of palace maids and eunuchs standing with their heads bowed behind her.

That was quite a sight; there were at least seven or eight people serving them.

A concubine, when she went out, was surrounded by a large entourage, quite a grand affair.

In contrast, Jiang Huan only had Xiao Zhao as a truly capable person by her side.

The other palace servants seemed to be fairly dutiful, but ultimately they lacked experience and thoroughness.

If she had had a capable and experienced nanny to guide and assist her when the Empress Dowager and Consort Jia stormed the palace last time, she wouldn't have been so passive.

An idea quickly took shape in Huo Lin's mind.

He ignored Consort Jia, who was frozen to the side, and directly instructed Wang Degui behind him: "Wang Degui."

“Your servant is here.” Wang Degui immediately bowed.

"Issue my decree," Huo Lin's voice regained its imperial composure, carrying an undeniable decisiveness.

"As Consort Zhuang is promoted, according to custom, more palace maids should be assigned to serve her. The Imperial Household Department is to immediately select a group of clever and dutiful palace maids and eunuchs and send them to Weiyang Palace for her to choose personally."

"Yes," Wang Degui replied.

Huo Lin pondered for a moment, then continued, "In addition, she is still lacking a head nanny, and I think Granny Deng would be very suitable."

Granny Deng was an old servant in the palace. She had served the late emperor in her early years and was skilled and experienced in interpersonal relationships.

What's even more remarkable is his upright and unyielding character, his intolerance of injustice, and his unwavering loyalty to the emperor.

With her by Jiang Huan's side, it was like having a stabilizing force.

"This servant understands, this servant will go and convey the decree immediately," Wang Degui replied.

Huo Lin nodded slightly, having arranged the most important person, and felt somewhat at ease.

Granny Deng was highly experienced, and any evil spirits or monsters who wanted to get close to Jiang Huan would have to think twice.

As for the remaining palace maids, let her choose whichever she likes.

Thinking of the lively expressions Jiang Huan might have when choosing people, a hint of warmth finally melted from the icy coldness in Huo Lin's eyes.

He didn't linger, nor did he even glance at Consort Jia again. He walked straight past her and headed towards the Imperial Study.

Completely ignored, Consort Jia stood there, her face turning from red to white, and then from white to green.

The emperor neither drank her soup nor listened to her concern.

Instead, right in front of her, they made such a grand show of arranging manpower for Jiang Huan.

They even specifically ordered that stubborn old woman, Granny Deng, which was practically humiliating her.

She watched Huo Lin's departing figure, her eyes filled with jealousy and hatred.

Weiyang Palace.

Jiang Huan had just finished breakfast and was lazily leaning against the soft couch by the window reading a storybook.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the hall.

Wang Degui walked in with a ruddy complexion, accompanied by a middle-aged woman in her fifties with her hair neatly combed.

Behind them stood a long line of young palace maids and eunuchs with their heads bowed.

"This servant greets Consort Zhuang." Wang Degui's voice was loud and cheerful.

Jiang Huan put down her book, somewhat surprised: "Eunuch Wang? This is..."

Wang Degui smiled and raised his hand to introduce her to Jiang Huan.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty is thinking of you and has specially ordered that more people be assigned to serve you. This is Granny Deng, personally appointed by His Majesty to be the head nanny in your palace."

Granny Deng stepped forward and performed a deep bow respectfully, her voice steady and powerful: "This old servant, Deng, pays her respects to Consort Zhuang."

"Please rise, Granny Deng."

She sized up the old woman. Although her face was serious, her eyes were clear and her demeanor was composed. She was clearly an old palace woman who had experienced many trials and tribulations.

Since Huo Lin personally selected him, he must have some ability.

Wang Degui then pointed to the large group of people behind him: "Your Majesty, these are palace maids and eunuchs carefully selected by the Imperial Household Department. His Majesty said that you should personally inspect them and choose some that suit your taste to serve you."

Looking at the vast crowd of palace servants before her, Jiang Huan blinked.

With so many people, she was allowed to choose for herself.

The Emperor is holding a talent show for her.

Jiang Huan felt a surge of satisfaction. She cleared her throat, sat up straight, and glanced at the young faces.

Granny Deng stood solemnly beside her, her eyes piercing.