Chapter 163 Jealousy

In the side room of the Weiyang Palace, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, scattering golden fragments across the floor.

The once-unused corner has been transformed, now covered with thick, soft cushions, and a huge doghouse occupies the most comfortable spot, with a slightly smaller basket next to it.

"Come here," Zhou Fu called softly, and the majestic female dog immediately pricked up her ears, looked at Zhou Fu, and moved closer.

Jiang Huan was extremely pleased, as if she had encountered such a wonderful stroke of luck.

"What a smart dog! Have you named it yet?"

“Your Majesty,” Zhou Fu bowed quickly, but couldn’t help glancing at the mother dog out of the corner of his eye. “Its name is Jing Lei. I raised it myself in the Imperial Beast Management Office. Look at its fur. When it runs, it’s like a black lightning bolt, so that’s why it was named that.”

As if it understood that Zhou Fu was praising it, Jing Lei proudly raised its head, its tail sweeping the ground with a soft rustling sound.

"What a cool name, I like it."

Jiang Huan chuckled and nodded; the name sounded intimidating.

They felt that even a shout could summon a torrent of lightning to strike down those blind fools.

As they were talking, several puppies stumbled and burrowed into their mother's arms, making soft, babyish whimpering noises.

Looking at this place, which far exceeded the conditions of the Beast Taming Bureau, and then at the peaceful expressions of the mother dog and her pups, Zhou Fu's eyes welled up with tears.

He took a deep breath, turned around and bowed deeply to Jiang Huan: "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness. This servant will do his best to take good care of them."

Jiang Huan nodded in satisfaction and patted Zhou Fu on the shoulder to show her approval.

“Jing Lei and these little guys will be the gatekeepers of Weiyang Palace from now on. What you, the top-notch zookeeper, need to do is teach them to recognize who has ill intentions. If anyone dares to trespass, give them a good beating!”

Zhou Fu felt a chill and immediately straightened his back.

"This servant understands and will ensure that I do not betray Your Majesty's trust." He clenched his fist, as if accepting a military order.

Looking into his determined eyes, Jiang Huan smiled slightly: "If you lack anything or don't understand anything, Xiao Zhao and Granny Deng will teach you. If you do well, Weiyang Palace will be your secure job."

"Yes, this servant takes his leave." Zhou Fu respectfully withdrew, standing guard at the entrance of the kennel, like a small door god.

Jiang Huan watched his retreating figure, then looked at the puppies who had already started stumbling and chasing their tails, and felt incredibly happy.

Perfect! The dog-shaped security system has been officially installed.

Cute, smart, and majestic, she can also protect her owner, perfectly making up for her regret of not having a pet in modern times.

Such a wonderful day, shouldn't we celebrate?

They are all future contributors to Weiyang Palace, so rewarding them is only reasonable.

Why not give them extra food? No one is allowed to come to Weiyang Palace on an empty stomach.

The first meal for a dog must be a feast!

Without hesitation, Jiang Huan turned around and plunged into the small kitchen.

Cut the beef and chicken breast into small cubes that are easy for puppies to chew, and blanch them in water to remove any fishy smell.

The large bones are simmered over low heat to make a rich and fragrant bone marrow soup.

Finally, mix the diced meat into the cooled bone broth, then add some soft, chopped carrots and mashed egg yolks.

The aroma of food quickly filled the air, and even Jing Lei in the kennel couldn't help but look up and sniff the kitchen.

The puppies were even more agitated by the irresistible aroma they had never smelled before, whimpering and circling around their mother.

When Jiang Huan appeared at the kennel door carrying several specially made food bowls, Zhou Fu was stunned.

The food was so refined that it far exceeded the standards of the Imperial Beast Taming Bureau's meals; even he was envious just looking at it.

"Your Majesty, this...this is too..." Zhou Fu was at a loss.

"Weiyang Palace may not have much else, but we must make sure you eat and drink well." Jiang Huan smiled and put down the food bowl.

Jing Lei glanced warily at Jiang Huan, but under Zhou Fu's reassuring gestures and the lure of food, he quickly led the cubs to surround her.

Thunder ate elegantly and quickly, while the cubs, cute and fierce, snatched the food, their little tails wagging like windmills.

Jiang Huan squatted down beside them, watching them eat happily, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.

Tsk, look at how he eats, he's definitely got the makings of a mighty general.

Raising such a litter of little tyrants is far more interesting than palace intrigue.

At least these little furballs fight for food openly and honestly, unlike some people who act like sisters on the surface but are secretly plotting something.

Just as I was thinking about it, I suddenly heard a deep voice coming from behind me.

It seems to have a slightly vinegary smell?

"Is there no food for me at this meal?"

Huo Lin had appeared at the doorway at some point, his hands behind his back, his handsome face slightly sullen, his eyes filled with accusation.

[Even dogs receive such treatment, yet I don't. Waaah, I'm just superfluous.]

She wasn't even this focused when she watched me eat.

A barrage of bittersweet thoughts bombarded Jiang Huan's mind, leaving her speechless and amused.

The emperor must be really hungry to have such thoughts evoked by a dog meal.

She dusted off the hem of her skirt and said deliberately, "There's still some left, does Your Majesty want some?"

[As I said before, I like any food she makes.]

Is this a test she's giving me?

[I'm going all out! I accept the challenge!]

Huo Lin choked on his own saliva, coughed for a moment, then immediately pretended to be fine, gave a faint hum, glanced at the puppies who were happily eating, and spoke with a slightly awkward and aggrieved tone.

"This... isn't enough to eat."

The blow from those words was too much for Jiang Huan to bear. She barely managed to stop laughing and pretended to put on a serious face and ponder.

"The small kitchen has enough ingredients; I can make you another bowl."

Huo Lin's eye twitched slightly.

This little trick naturally didn't escape Jiang Huan's notice. She winked slyly and continued to coax him, "I was originally planning to make some steamed perch and crab roe tofu for the Emperor, but alas, the Emperor prefers dog food, so I had to reluctantly help him finish it off."

Hearing the shameless words of the person in front of him, Huo Lin took the opportunity to pull her hand into his palm: "Then I want you to eat with me."

"We won't be talking about husband and wife following each other now, will we?" Jiang Huan said with a mischievous smile. "We need to cater to their preferences."

It's quite amusing to tease Huo Lin occasionally.

Having achieved her goal, Jiang Huan switched to serious mode and shook the hand she was holding.

"Let's go eat!"

Feeling the warmth of his palm, Huo Lin's sour feelings subsided considerably.

[Yes, I'm favored! I knew she wouldn't want to part with me!]

"That's more like it."

As Zhou Fu watched the Emperor and Empress walk away hand in hand, and then looked at the puppies with their bellies full of food, he felt a surge of energy.

Lunch was naturally prepared by Jiang Huan herself, and several dishes that Huo Lin liked were quickly placed on the table, which looked and smelled delicious.

Huo Lin was satisfied, but as he ate, he became somewhat absent-minded.

"Ahem." Huo Lin put down his chopsticks and casually asked, "Did you pick out those puppies? They look quite lively."

Jiang Huan's eyes lit up, and she slammed her chopsticks down as well.

Speaking of this, she's no longer sleepy!

"Right, especially Gale, that yellow-eared cub that's the fiercest at snatching food, he's incredibly lively. Thunder is also very steady. With him around, the cubs will definitely learn things quickly. And Zhou Fu is even more amazing, he's my trump card..."

[Swift Wind? Thunderclap? Even more imposing than the name of my Dark Guard Camp.]

[They seem to have endless things to say about puppies, completely ignoring me, a living, breathing human being.]

[No, I have to do something. How about I send the puppy to the training ground for a few days of special training, and I'll cover for him during those days?]

Jiang Huan almost spat out her soup.

The emperor, once the supreme ruler, has instantly transformed into a fierce guard dog; his profession is completely mismatched, Your Majesty.

She quickly put down her bowl, composed herself, and solemnly changed the subject.

We can no longer let Huo Lin compete for the position!

"Once they're properly trained, they'll all be my armed forces, and they'll definitely be incredibly powerful."

Huo Lin nodded expressionlessly, his tone dry and monotone, like pickled cabbage that had been soaked and then dried out.

"Hmm, acceptable, not bad, pretty good..."

[It's over, in her heart I'm not even as good as a dog anymore.]

[I am also very majestic and composed; I could even change my name to something like Thunder and Lightning.]

[Fortunately, dogs can't talk; this might be the key to my victory!]

Jiang Huan sighed and rubbed her forehead. This is way off track!

Huo Lin felt a little embarrassed by her laughter, and the tips of his ears turned even redder, but he tried to remain calm.

"What are you laughing at?"

Jiang Huan quickly waved her hand, her eyes curving into crescents, "I just think the Emperor's praise... well, it's very fair and spot on!"

Huo Lin was so amused by her laughter that he lost his temper and simply reached out to pinch her cheek.