Chapter 129 Eavesdropping

Huo Lin hadn't gone far from Weiyang Palace when he suddenly remembered there was something he'd forgotten to tell Jiang Huan.

He turned and walked back, and as soon as he reached the outside of the hall, he heard the familiar voice of Granny Deng coming from inside.

"...Excessive imperial favor may not necessarily be a blessing..."

Huo Lin stopped abruptly, his brows furrowing instantly.

here we go again? !

He finally proved his innocence, so why is Granny Deng still trying to sow discord?

Huo Lin stood outside the palace gate, eavesdropping intently, his face growing darker with each listen.

"...I advise His Majesty to tone it down a bit and show his favor more evenly..."

Does this old woman have a problem with the idea of ​​"equal distribution of favors"? Is his innocence so worthless?

Huo Lin was so angry that he wanted to rush in and defend himself.

But then he thought that barging in so abruptly would be beneath the dignity of an emperor, so he had no choice but to suppress his anger and pace back and forth outside the door.

Hearing Jiang Huan choke on her tea, his heart tightened and he almost rushed in. Fortunately, he was relieved to hear Jiang Huan's smiling response.

She laughed? She probably didn't believe the old woman's words, right?

Huo Lin hesitated outside the door for a while before finally adjusting his expression, pretending to have just returned, and pushed the door open to enter.

Inside the hall, Jiang Huan was wiping away tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief when she looked up and saw Huo Lin walking in with a stern face, as if a dark cloud was floating behind him.

"Why is the Emperor back again?" Jiang Huan blinked.

Huo Lin's gaze swept coldly over Deng Mama, who immediately lowered her head and stepped aside, wondering why the Emperor seemed to dislike her all day.

"I just remembered I have a memorial to show you."

Huo Lin made up an excuse and sat down next to Jiang Huan.

[I want to see if Granny Deng dares to say those things in front of me again.]

Seeing Huo Lin's feigned composure, Jiang Huan quickly picked up her teacup to hide the smile on her lips.

"What urgent memorial is this?"

Huo Lin was taken aback, then remembered the reason he had made up on the spot, and felt a little embarrassed.

He coughed lightly, "I suddenly remembered that the memorial is still in the Imperial Study."

Oops, I forgot to include that part.

Why do I become so stupid whenever I'm around her?

Seeing Huo Lin's ears turn slightly red, Jiang Huan deliberately teased him.

"Then should we wait until His Majesty goes back and gets it before coming back?"

Huo Lin immediately shook his head: "No need, let's talk about it another day."

"I'm not leaving."

[Now that I'm gone, will I give Granny Deng room to speak ill of me?]

Jiang Huan struggled to suppress her laughter, so she had to change the subject.

"Has His Majesty finished reviewing all the memorials for today?"

"Hmm." Huo Lin nodded, then added, "I thought it would be quiet here, so I thought I'd approve it here."

[Actually, I just want to spend more time with her.]

But I cannot be too direct, lest I appear too clingy.

Hearing this heartfelt sentiment, Jiang Huan's heart softened.

She turned to Granny Deng and said, "Granny, you can go now. I can manage here."

Granny Deng glanced at Huo Lin, seemingly wanting to say something but ultimately bowing and leaving.

The hall fell silent. The subtle atmosphere brought by Granny Deng had not completely dissipated, but the two tacitly avoided the topic from before.

Huo Lin's gaze fell on the desk placed by the window, which he had specially ordered to be added.

"Wang Degui," Huo Linchao called out from outside the palace.

Wang Degui, who had been waiting outside the door, immediately bowed and entered, saying, "This servant is here."

"Go and fetch the few memorials I haven't finished reviewing today," Huo Lin ordered.

"Yes." Wang Degui replied readily and turned to leave.

Jiang Huan looked at Huo Lin with some surprise: "Does Your Majesty really intend to approve this here?"

Huo Lin got up and went straight to the large desk to sit down.

"Yes, it's quiet here, which is perfect."

Soon, Wang Degui, accompanied by several eunuchs, respectfully placed a stack of memorials, along with writing brushes, ink, and seals, on the desk.

The palace maids serving inside the hall quietly served hot tea and several plates of delicate pastries before quietly retreating to the outer hall.

Huo Lin picked up the vermilion brush, his expression quickly becoming serious as he entered a state of handling government affairs.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on his sharply defined profile, his focused expression exuding a breathtaking majesty.

Jiang Huan didn't disturb him and found a place to read a storybook.

The hall was unusually quiet, but Huo Lin's mind was not entirely on political affairs.

His eyes would always unconsciously drift towards Jiang Huan, watching her quietly reading, and the pent-up frustration he felt because of Granny Deng would quietly dissipate.

He casually looked up, wanting to get a closer look at her.

Just then, Jiang Huan also looked up to stretch her neck, and their eyes met unexpectedly.

Huo Lin quickly lowered his eyelids and stared at the memorial in front of him, as if he were studying some important military and national affairs.

Jiang Huan smiled, pursed her lips, and didn't say anything, then lowered her head to continue reading.

After a moment, Huo Lin couldn't help but look up again.

However, before he could take a second look, Jiang Huan seemed to sense something and looked up at him again.

"Ahem..." Huo Lin coughed softly to cover his embarrassment, "Aren't you tired?"

He suddenly asked, his gaze drifting towards the direction of the sleeping quarters.

With her around, how can I possibly read these memorials?

If she's tired, she can go to bed and rest. I can lie down with her and talk to her.

[I'll just lie there, I promise I won't lay a hand on you...]

Jiang Huan raised an eyebrow and deliberately said, "I'm not tired at all, I'm full of energy."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Huo Lin's eyes, but he quickly came up with a new excuse.

"Does your leg hurt? The imperial physician said you need to rest in bed more."

Tell me quickly that you want to lie down.

"I can massage your legs."

Jiang Huan shook her head: "It doesn't hurt anymore, I feel much better today."

Huo Lin pursed his lips, his brows furrowed slightly, looking worried.

"But you don't look well. Have you not rested enough?"

"Shouldn't we just admit it now?"

[I've made it so obvious...]

Jiang Huan finally couldn't help but smile and say, "Your Majesty, you just want to lure me to bed, don't you?"

Huo Lin's thoughts were exposed, and his ears turned bright red instantly, but he still tried to remain calm.

"I'm just concerned about your health," he said sternly, though his voice sounded weak.

How can she be so smart...?

Seeing Huo Lin's awkward expression, Jiang Huan decided to stop teasing him.

She yawned softly: "Actually, I'm a little sleepy."

Huo Lin's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up: "Then I'll accompany you."

He suddenly realized he was being too hasty and quickly changed his words: "I will escort you inside to rest."

Jiang Huan nodded, suppressing a laugh: "Alright, then I'll trouble Your Majesty."

Huo Lin carefully pushed the wheelchair towards the bedroom, feeling quite pleased with himself.

[Success! I was so clever!]

[You can hold her and let her take a nap later.]

Hearing this heartfelt sentiment, Jiang Huan looked up at Huo Lin's deliberately serious profile, and her heart melted.

This emperor, who appears cold and ruthless to outsiders, is always like a young man experiencing his first love in front of her.

Clumsy, sincere, and very cute.