Chapter 215 Getting Along

The oil paper package wasn't big; it was still warm from Jiang Wenyuan's body as he held it in his arms.

He carefully opened a corner, and the aroma of roasted sesame seeds instantly filled the hall.

Jiang Wenyuan fumbled around and took out a small porcelain jar containing plums that Madam Jiang had pickled herself.

Jiang Huan looked at the simple yet heartfelt oil paper package and porcelain jar in Jiang Wenyuan's hand, and her nose suddenly tingled with emotion.

This taste of home, this connection that transcends time and identity, stirred up an indescribable warmth and bittersweetness in her heart.

She took it carefully and hugged it tightly to her chest.

"Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom. This is the only thing I've been craving."

Seeing her husband's proud expression, Madam Jiang felt a little less gloomy.

Then I saw my daughter holding that bag of candy, looking at it with obvious delight.

She wiped away her tears, and a relieved smile finally appeared on her face.

"If you like it, that's all that matters..." she murmured.

Just as the atmosphere was easing, the palace door was gently pushed open, and Huo Lin appeared in the doorway.

After finishing his official duties, he estimated that it was about time, so he rushed back eagerly, wanting to see how Jiang Huan was getting along with her parents.

However, as soon as he stepped into the hall, his keen senses immediately detected the fragrance permeating the air.

Hmm? The sesame smells so good!

Is that sesame candy she's holding?

Huo Lin's radar for food instantly went off, and his eyes lit up.

But his status as an emperor immediately made him tense up.

Take a deep breath. Don't act like a clueless, starving kid in front of your in-laws.

His face remained calm and composed, but his deep phoenix eyes would occasionally sweep over the oil paper package in Jiang Huan's arms.

When Jiang Wenyuan and his wife saw Huo Lin, they quickly stood up to pay their respects, but Huo Lin stopped them by raising his hand.

"No need for formalities, please sit down."

Huo Lin walked over to Jiang Huan and naturally sat down on the chair next to her.

His gaze, however, drifted intentionally or unintentionally towards the oil paper package that had come from afar.

[It must be a local specialty brought by her parents; it smells delicious, and it must taste amazing...]

Stop, stop, that's just their kind gesture.

[But this gesture is so delicious! Is her whole family hidden chefs?!]

As Jiang Huan listened to Huo Lin's rich inner monologue and looked at his nonchalant demeanor, the gloom in her heart vanished without a trace.

This guy knows how to behave in front of his in-laws.

She acts all serious, but inside she's a glutton.

On the other hand, the parents dared not utter a sound, nor did they dare to glance at Huo Lin.

Her father, in particular, looked like he was about to kneel down at any moment, unsure of what to do with his hands.

Jiang Huan's mind raced, and she decided to take the initiative to ease the tension.

She flashed a bright smile, presented the oil paper package in her arms to Huo Lin, and spoke in a clear, melodious voice.

"Your Majesty, look, these are sesame brittle that my parents specially brought for me, and also some plums that my mother pickled herself. They're delicious, would you like to try some?"

Huo Lin looked at the oil paper package handed to him, and the tempting aroma became even stronger.

[Yes, yes, yes! She really understands me!]

[Hehe, thanks to her, I'm in for a treat!]

He was inwardly overjoyed, trying hard to suppress his smile, but on the surface, he only nodded slightly and remained reserved.

"Since it was made by my mother-in-law, I will try it."

He reached out and picked up a small piece of golden-yellow sesame-coated candy with his fingers, his movements unhurried.

Crack—

The crispy outer shell cracks between your teeth, and the rich aroma of sesame mixed with the sweetness of caramel explodes in your mouth.

Mmm, it smells so good, it's so crispy, and it's sweet but not cloying.

If this skill were brought into the imperial kitchen, it would be like a god descending to earth to save the world.

[I knew it; culinary skills are a talent, passed down through generations.]

[It seems our child will be a great chef in the future. Once he's old enough to cook, he can cook for us!]

Huo Lin's eyes lit up almost imperceptibly as he imagined the little chefs who would be at their beck and call in the future.

The more he thought about it, the better he felt. He noticeably slowed down his chewing, as if he were savoring the moment, and even naturally reached for another piece.

Hearing his self-righteous words, Jiang Huan suppressed a laugh and opened the small porcelain jar again.

He used a skewer to pick up a plump, round plum and held it to Huo Lin's lips.

"Your Majesty, please try this plum. My mother's pickled plums are absolutely amazing. They're sweet and sour, and they're perfect for whetting your appetite and cutting through any greasiness."

Huo Lin looked at the plum offered to his lips, and without the slightest hesitation, naturally opened his mouth and took it in.

[Sour! Ouch, so sour!]

But after the initial sourness comes a sweet aftertaste...

[Hmm, I feel like my stomach is about to burst!]

He nodded with satisfaction and said to Madam Jiang, "Mother-in-law, you have excellent skills. These plums are pickled very well, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour."

Lady Jiang was flattered and quickly said, "Your Majesty is too kind. These are just some humble things. I'm glad Your Majesty doesn't mind them."

Jiang Wenyuan watched from the side, his palms sweating with nervousness.

How could my daughter dare to feed the Emperor such vulgar things? What difference is there between that and making him eat dirt?

But to Huo Lin's surprise, he not only ate the brittle but also the plums, and even praised them, his expression seemingly genuine.

He and Madam Jiang exchanged a quick glance, and both saw a sense of relief in each other's eyes.

It seems the Emperor truly favors Huan'er; he's even willing to eat this rustic snack and seems to enjoy it quite a bit.

Huan'er was so at ease in front of him, and the two of them bickered and teased each other like an ordinary couple.

The originally heavy atmosphere in the hall dissipated considerably as Huo Lin tasted the sesame brittle.

The sunlight warmed up again, and the air was filled with the aroma of food, creating a cozy and peaceful atmosphere.

The hearts that had been hanging in suspense ever since their daughter entered the palace finally settled down with a thud.

Huo Lin took in the subtle changes in Jiang Wenyuan and Madam Jiang's expressions and smugly hummed to himself.

[Hmph, see? How good I am to her.]

Now you can finally entrust your daughter to me with peace of mind, right?

He remained expressionless, simply picking up his teacup and taking a slow, deliberate sip.

Seeing the natural and intimate atmosphere between her daughter and the emperor, Madam Jiang's last bit of doubt dissipated.

Jiang Wenyuan was finally able to put aside his worries and, for the first time, chatted casually with Huo Lin without the formalities of being a subject and ruler.

Madam Jiang quietly tugged at Jiang Huan's sleeve, and lowered her voice while Huo Lin and Jiang Wenyuan were talking.

"Huan'er, next time will I bring your little sister to show you too? The little girl talks about her older sister every day at home, she misses you so much."

Jiang Huan was stunned for a moment, her mind racing.

The original owner seemed to have a younger sister, but in the original book, she was just a minor character who barely made it into the story.

How old was he again? Six?