Chapter 139 Gift

Huo Lin's expression remained cold and stern. He nodded slightly, signaling everyone to stand up.

He looked at Wang Degui, who was standing beside him, and ordered, "Take the Liu family father and son's mistress away and keep them under strict guard. Investigate them according to the imperial decree. Also, appease the frightened people and stall owners here."

"Yes," Wang Degui replied and immediately instructed someone to make the arrangements.

The noisy and chaotic scene was quickly brought under control, and Huo Lin then looked at Jiang Huan again, reaching out to straighten her veil.

His movements appeared calm and composed, but his inner thoughts betrayed his unease.

[It's all my fault. Why did I go to that study?]

If I were to stay by her side the whole time, how could those vile creatures dare to approach her?

She was surrounded just now. If the guards hadn't been able to hold her off, or if I had arrived any later...

Huo Lin felt a wave of fear wash over him, completely unable to bear the imagined consequences.

As Jiang Huan listened to his worried words, the lingering anger and fear that had been stirred up by the Liu family father and son strangely subsided.

She quietly reached out, her fingertips conveying a sense of reassurance, and touched the back of Huo Lin's hand, which was hanging by his side.

Huo Lin's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, then he reached out and grabbed Jiang Huan's hand.

He pulled Jiang Huan along, weaving through the crowd and walking forward.

Her hands were so cold; she must have been frightened.

[Damn it, I must never let her out of my sight again.]

Jiang Huan felt the strength in her hand, and her heart melted. Hearing Huo Lin's thoughts, she felt both amused and exasperated.

"Don't be nervous, I'm fine. Those two bodyguards are very capable..."

She paused, then added playfully, "Besides, I'm clever enough to stall for time and wait for you to come and rescue me."

Huo Lin paused for a moment, then continued forward.

She was still comforting me, saying things like "hero saves the beauty," when it was clearly my fault.

However, she said she was waiting for me...

Listening to the subtle emotions in his heart, Jiang Huan couldn't help but smile. What an awkward man.

The streets gradually returned to their previous bustle. Huo Lin's aura remained cold and aloof, but he stubbornly refused to let go of Jiang Huan's hand.

"Want to continue shopping?" He turned his head and asked in a low voice, afraid that Jiang Huan would lose interest because of what had just happened.

Jiang Huan nodded immediately, her voice light and cheerful: "Of course we have to go shopping. It's not easy to get out here."

She shook their clasped hands and winked at Huo Lin.

"Husband, let's go take a look over there."

[Oh my god, she just winked at me! She's so beautiful!]

[She can shop as long as she wants; this time, I won't leave her side for a moment, I'll make sure she has her fill.]

"Hmm." Huo Lin responded, his aura of keeping strangers at bay softening slightly.

Jiang Huan seemed completely unaffected by the earlier incident, and enthusiastically pulled Huo Lin back into the crowd.

Wang Degui followed closely behind the two, while the bodyguards had already dispersed into the crowd, forming an invisible protective circle that was both inconspicuous and ensured the safety of the two.

The time that followed was noticeably more relaxed and enjoyable.

As if to make up for the fright she had just experienced, Jiang Huan dragged Huo Lin around to various stalls.

Everything she saw was new and exciting, and she would pick up a little trinket every now and then and ask Huo Lin for his opinion.

The two walked around, stopping frequently, and finally stopped in front of a stall selling antiques and accessories.

Jiang Huan's gaze was drawn to a small, delicate jade pendant. The jade was warm and smooth, and the carving was simple yet elegant, which matched Huo Lin's outfit quite well.

She picked up the safety buckle and turned to look at Huo Lin: "It suits you so well."

Huo Lin's gaze fell on the safety buckle in her hand, and then he looked up at her expectant eyes.

"not bad."

[Oh my god, is she picking out things for me?]

I like everything she chooses.

Calm down, breathe in and out—so many people are watching.

As Jiang Huan heard his joyful inner voice, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

Even though they're already outside, this person is still so concerned about maintaining his imperial image.

But as long as he's happy.

Jiang Huan paid the money and handed the safety buckle to Huo Lin.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation. I thank Your Majesty for saving me in time today, and I wish Your Majesty peace and good health."

Her voice was gentle and clear, and even through the veil, Huo Lin could sense Jiang Huan's good mood.

Huo Lin reached out and took it, clutching the small safety buckle tightly in his palm as if it were some rare treasure.

This is the first gift she gave me; from this day forward, it will be our token of love.

[I want to enshrine it, no, no, no, it must be kept close to my body.]

[Upon returning to the palace, find the strongest rope to tie them together; that way, they won't fall.]

"That's thoughtful of you."

His face remained calm, but the slight exertion in his hand betrayed the turmoil within him.

Just then, a commotion and faint cheers of excitement came from afar.

"Look, it's starting to light up in the east."

"Hurry up, hurry up, let's go to the riverbank, the fireworks are about to start."

"Let's go, hurry up and grab a spot!"

The crowds on the street jostled each other as they made their way to the riverbank.

Huo Lin keenly sensed the surge of people. His tall figure stood in front of Jiang Huan, using his body to separate her from the crowd.

Fireworks? She'd probably like them, right?

[And watching fireworks side by side, as described in storybooks, is very...]

[Ahem, hold on, the important thing is that she likes it.]

"They said there are fireworks, do you want to go see them?"

Jiang Huan immediately raised her head, her voice filled with joy.

"Of course, fireworks over the water, it sounds beautiful!"

Sensing Jiang Huan's expectation, Huo Lin's voice softened slightly.

"Okay, let's go then."

The two followed the flow of people toward the river.

However, the closer one gets to the river, the more crowded it becomes, making it almost impossible to move.

People pushed and shoved each other, all trying to squeeze to the front and get a good position.

The cries of children, the calls of adults, and all sorts of sounds mingled together, creating a deafening cacophony.

Huo Lin's tall figure stood like a solid wall, tightly protecting Jiang Huan against his chest.

He tensed his arms, leaned forward slightly, and forcefully used his body to block the flow of people trying to squeeze in.

Why are there so many people? Are they all here to see the fireworks?

Hey! Her veil is all askew.

With so many people around, won't she feel uncomfortable?

While protecting Jiang Huan, Huo Lin scanned his surroundings, looking for any possible turning point.

Jiang Huan was initially immersed in excitement, but the pressure from all sides was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

Well, the ideal is often far from reality; the scene of people packed together has indeed exceeded my expectations.

However, they arrived late, which couldn't be helped.

Just bear with it. The fireworks are in the sky anyway; it's just that the viewing spot isn't great.