Chapter 198 Cry for Help

Huo Lin's gaze instantly turned cold, piercing Huo Ting fiercely.

[That bastard, how dare he look at her like that!]

[I want him to be torn to pieces and fed to the dogs!]

No, feeding him to the dog is too lenient.

[I want to skin him alive, tear out his tendons, smash his bones one by one, and chop him up to feed Thunder and Gale!]

Huo Ting was immersed in the excitement of admiring his "prey" when he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

He froze, instinctively looking up, only to meet Huo Lin's murderous gaze.

Huo Ting's smile froze instantly, and the fingers holding the wine glass tightened abruptly, the glass even making a creaking sound as if it couldn't bear the weight.

His heart pounded, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, but only for a moment.

Huo Tingqiang suppressed his fear, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

Ha, Huo Lin is angry. It seems I've touched a nerve with Huo Lin.

However, he'll get what he sets his sights on sooner or later; he's determined to have this little beauty.

Huo Ting looked away, as if his disgusting behavior had never happened.

However, in the instant he lowered his eyes, Jiang Huan clearly saw the curve of his lips.

The smile was faint, yet chilling.

That pervert is still laughing?

Jiang Huan felt a chill and barely suppressed the urge to smash the wine glass.

Huo Lin was equally displeased, his fists clenched so tightly in his sleeves that they cracked, and his knuckles turned white.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

[No, this is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. All the imperial family members and high-ranking officials are present. I cannot lose my composure, nor can I give this beast an excuse to act out.]

[Suppress this anger for now; I will remember this debt for today.]

[Once the birthday banquet is over, I will make him repay all debts, old and new, with interest!]

Jiang Huan sensed Huo Lin's anger and quietly touched his hand under the table.

Huo Lin immediately grabbed her hand, so tightly it almost hurt her, but he quickly relaxed and began to gently stroke the back of her hand.

With me here, no one can touch a single hair on her head.

Jiang Huan listened to his murderous thoughts, feeling both touched and amused.

She gently squeezed back, indicating that she was alright.

The two held hands tightly under the table, silently conveying their feelings for each other.

At the banquet, however, the singing and dancing continued as usual.

To add to the festivities, some of the concubines began to perform in turn.

Consort Li was the first to rise and present a carefully choreographed dance. Her graceful figure and light steps won her a standing ovation.

However, when she danced, her eyes would always unconsciously drift towards Huo Lin's direction, with a hint of deliberate intent.

Wen Yilin played a guzheng piece, the music was melodious and her skills were quite proficient.

Liu Shuyao was unwell, so she presented only a longevity pattern she had embroidered herself. The stitches were fine and the pattern symbolized good fortune, which won the Empress Dowager's praise.

The other concubines also displayed their talents, singing, dancing, or composing poems, all with the same goal: to win Huo Lin's favor.

He Ling remained completely still, staying in her seat the whole time, and was also very busy.

Mmm, this hibiscus cake is delicious, soft, chewy, and sweet.

This melon is so sweet and juicy!

The fruits and vegetables of this era are truly excellent, all-natural and pollution-free.

The system's cold, electronic voice sounded.

"Beep! Too much sugar intake detected in the host. Moderation is recommended."

Ugh, what a disappointment! It's rare to have a good meal.

She muttered to herself about the system while enjoying her meal, occasionally glancing up at the concubines performing.

[Why bother dancing so beautifully? The Emperor won't even look at it.]

[His eyes are only on Consort Zhuang; he might as well take this opportunity to eat more.]

Hmm... these crystal dumplings are pretty good too.

She picked up a crystal dumpling, which was translucent and clear, and was about to put it in her mouth.

Then she saw a palace maid carrying a wine pot walk past her with her head down and her steps hurried.

For some reason, the palace maid stumbled, and the wine pot in her hand tilted, spilling most of the wine all over He Ling's skirt.

The icy liquor instantly soaked through He Ling's clothes, sticking stickily to her skin and making her shiver.

"Ah!" she cried out in surprise.

"This servant deserves to die! This servant deserves to die!" The palace maid who caused the trouble quickly apologized, "This servant slipped and bumped into Your Highness, please spare my life."

He Ling looked at the palace maids, then at her own clothes, still feeling a little dazed.

The palace maid had already raised her head and tried to salvage the situation: "Your Highness's clothes are soaked through, and you may catch a cold. This servant will take you to the back hall to change your clothes."

"The...the back hall for changing clothes?" He Ling was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously repeated.

[Splashing wine, changing clothes—this is absolutely standard procedure for framing someone.]

[That's how it's portrayed in palace dramas! Oh my god, system, help!]

The system's cold, electronic voice immediately exploded in He Ling's mind.

"Warning: A plot trigger point has been detected. The host is currently experiencing a situation with 87% similarity to the 'adultery case' framing plot in the original book. Please immediately avoid the risk!"

[An affair case?]

He Ling's vision went black, and she almost fainted on the spot.

[I don't want this! System, please think of something!]

"It is recommended that the host immediately refuse the request to change clothes, wait for rescue in place, or find a reliable place of shelter."

[A reliable safe haven?]

He Ling, as if grasping at a straw, suddenly looked up, her gaze sweeping frantically across the room before finally settling precisely on Jiang Huan.

【Your Highness Consort Zhuang!】

She saw him as a savior, her eyes filled with cries for help.

Just then, the palace maid kneeling on the ground spoke again.

"My lady, the smell of alcohol is strong, and it's uncomfortable to wear wet clothes. You should change quickly."

"No, no need, I'll just let it air out here..."

The palace maid ignored her warnings and, instead of giving up, took a step forward.

"Oh dear, Your Highness, this won't do. You're covered in the smell of alcohol and your appearance is disheveled. If the Empress Dowager and the Emperor see you, they'll probably blame you."

She was so insistent on me going; she practically had "bad guy" written all over her face.

But what if the Emperor and Empress Dowager see this and really blame me?

"Host's judgment is correct. This palace maid's behavior is abnormal. It is strongly recommended to refuse her."

He Ling was so anxious she was almost crying, her eyes glued to Jiang Huan, silently screaming.

[Your Majesty, please look at me! Someone is trying to harm me!]

[Waaaaah, Your Majesty, I can only rely on you now.]

Jiang Huan was secretly having her hand squeezed by Huo Lin under the table, inwardly complaining about the man's childish possessiveness, when she suddenly heard He Ling's heart-wrenching cries.

She subconsciously looked up and met He Ling's tearful eyes, which were filled with the word "help".

Is someone trying to frame her?

What's the point?

Jiang Huan frowned, her gaze sweeping over the seemingly terrified but actually composed palace maid kneeling at He Ling's feet, and she instantly understood.

Tsk, an old trick, but it's certainly vicious.

Although he didn't understand the purpose yet, he and He Ling were now on the same side.

You must not lend a helping hand to a teammate in trouble.

Jiang Huan was brainstorming, trying to figure out how to help He Ling out of this predicament without making a scene.

Suddenly, a summons was heard from the high position:

"Consort Zhuang, come to me."