Chapter 164 Playing Tricks

The cozy lunchtime was all too brief; the dishes had barely been cleared away when Wang Degui appeared at the palace gate.

"Your Majesty, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and several officials from the Ministry of Revenue are already waiting in the Imperial Study. They say that the matter concerns the transportation of grain supplies and requires Your Majesty's personal decision."

Huo Lin's smile froze instantly, his brows furrowing into a deep frown.

[This is never going to end!]

[All talk and no action, just talk about transporting supplies—where are they going? Do they even know?]

He was about to wave Wang Degui away when Jiang Huan swiftly pressed his hand down.

"Transporting supplies is a major undertaking; it involves lives and deaths. You can't say you won't go."

Then, with a nonchalant pat on Huo Lin's hand, she said, "If you don't go now, I'll confiscate your dinner."

[Fine, I'm willingly being manipulated. I'll go, I'll run there!]

Huo Lin was amused by her angry and glaring appearance, and his irritation dissipated.

"Yes, I'll be right back."

But I still have to curse those incompetent officials from the previous dynasty!!!

Huo Lin cursed inwardly, but maintained the composure of an emperor on the surface, rose and strode away.

He was gone for an entire afternoon. Memorials piled up like mountains, and the arguments between the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue were like two woodcutter sawing wood, repeatedly testing his patience in the Imperial Study.

By the time all opinions were finally suppressed and the charter was finalized, the moon was high in the sky outside the window, and the night was so deep it seemed to drip ink.

Huo Lin rubbed his aching brow, feeling a persistent tension beneath his fingertips.

Wang Degui looked at him with concern and was about to step forward to help him up when he saw the young emperor suddenly straighten his back, and the weariness in his eyes was replaced by a burning light.

Wang Degui immediately understood; this was the power of love.

Huo Lin rushed back to Weiyang Palace almost as fast as the wind.

His steps were light and quick; the palace servants only saw a shadow of a black dragon robe flash by.

Stepping into the bedchamber, a warm and sweet fragrance wafted towards him, but the person who had said he would wait for him was nowhere to be seen.

Just as Huo Lin felt a pang of disappointment, he saw the palace maid on duty standing outside the side hall, which was in the direction of the bathhouse. From inside the bathhouse, he could faintly hear the sound of running water and smell the dampness.

Huo Lin suddenly stopped in his tracks. He stared at the tightly closed door, his voice involuntarily becoming tense.

"And her?"

Xiao Zhao quickly curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty is taking a bath."

Huo Lin nodded slightly, his face expressionless, but the slight disappointment in his heart was instantly replaced by another, more agonizing emotion.

He dismissed the palace servants and strolled to the carved partition screen leading to the bathing room, where he stopped.

Inside, the water was gurgling, accompanied by the soft sloshing of tiny water droplets.

Warm, humid air, mixed with the scent of incense, seeped out from the gaps in the screen.

He could almost picture before his eyes a beautiful woman reclining languidly, her figure appearing and disappearing in the misty haze.

[Wait, wait, wait! Has my face melted? It's so hot!]

[The last time I lost my memory, I angered her so much. I can't act impulsively. I must be extremely cautious now.]

[Does she know I'm here? Does she know? Does she not know? Ugh, why am I so nervous?]

I cannot just stand here idly; it would make me look like a lecherous man.

Hiding away? That makes you look more like a thug!

Huo Lin paced anxiously outside the screen, stopping and starting repeatedly, his inner turmoil almost igniting sparks.

He clearly wanted to be a gentleman, but his mind was uncontrollably playing out explicit images.

As Jiang Huan soaked in hot water, Huo Lin's overwhelming heartfelt words poured directly into her mind.

This is too chaotic!

The emperor, a man of great stature, paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan.

What a ruthless and decisive king! Right now, he's just a timid and hesitant little wife who wants to eat but is afraid of burning her mouth.

A mischievous glint suddenly appeared in her eye; her eyes darted around, and a sly smile curved her lips.

Jiang Huan cleared her throat and deliberately raised her voice, "Xiao Zhao, is that you? I think I forgot to bring my nightgown in. It's in the outer room. Could you find it for me and bring it in?"

Huo Lin felt all the blood rush to his head.

[Handing me my nightgown and leading me to the bathhouse? Is this a task I'm entitled to?]

[Does Xiao Zhao usually do these things for her? She's so lucky.]

Thinking of this, Huo Lin suddenly gritted his teeth.

[I wish I could too!]

The sound of water pattering filled the air. Huo Lin's Adam's apple bobbed, and he unconsciously took a half-step forward before abruptly stopping.

[No, I'm not one to rush into things. What if I scare her?]

But if she doesn't respond, she'll probably notice something's wrong.

[Ugh! This damn choice is harder than handling government affairs!]

Huo Lin was conflicted. Looking at the hazy, swaying light behind the screen and listening to the faint sound of water inside, his palms were sweating.

He was torn between his inner turmoil and his desire for intimacy, but ultimately, the longing for closeness gradually prevailed.

He took a deep breath and made up his mind.

[Forget about restraint now, she needs me to hand her clothes.]

[If we don't hand it over, we can't exactly let her walk out completely naked; that would be too presumptuous.]

Just as he solemnly prepared to find his nightgown and deliver it inside.

Behind the screen, Jiang Huan's voice rang out again, her tone light and cheerful, and she even scooped up water with her hands.

"Oh dear, look at my memory! I found it! It was under the cotton towel. Xiao Zhao, you don't need to look anymore. Just wait outside patiently. I'll be out in a little while."

Huo Lin: !!!

He had already lifted one foot, leaned slightly forward, and maintained a comical posture of poised to pounce.

[You found it?]

In an instant, all of Huo Lin's fantasies deflated like a punctured balloon, leaving only an empty sense of bewilderment and the immense disappointment of being tricked.

Huo Lin stood there, feeling the night wind blowing in through the cracks in the window that hadn't been closed properly. It carried a chill, dissipating the excitement that had gathered earlier, and leaving his heart feeling utterly cold.

As he stood there, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

The sound of water came again from behind the screen, followed by the sound of someone standing up from the water.

Huo Lin's heart jumped uncontrollably again. A moment later, light footsteps echoed around the screen.

Jiang Huan appeared before him wearing a soft, moon-white nightgown.

Her long, wet hair cascaded down her shoulders, the ends still dripping with water, making the thin fabric of her clothes on her shoulders and chest half-transparent.

Her cheeks, flushed with the steam, were fair and rosy, her eyes sparkling, and her lips, moistened by the moisture, were a deep, luscious red. She looked like a freshly peeled, juicy fruit, exuding an alluring charm.

She seemed to only then "discover" Huo Lin standing outside the screen, and her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Your Majesty? It's you!"