Chapter 264 Compensation

Jiang Huan felt a chill run down her spine when she heard Huo Lin's thoughts.

Every time he says that, I get back pain, leg cramps, and other ailments for ten days to two weeks!

Without a second thought, she immediately picked up the remaining bowl of porridge and walked quickly to Xu Zhiyuan and Xu Muyuan, trying to cover up her guilty conscience with her busyness.

"Second cousin, third cousin, you should try it too. This porridge is best drunk while it's hot; it will taste fishy when it gets cold."

She hurriedly shoved the bowls of porridge into their hands, then turned to greet the palace maids who were standing by.

"Go brew another pot of fresh tea, the kind that helps with hangovers."

She was so busy, serving porridge, arranging dishes, and giving instructions to the palace servants, but she didn't even glance at Huo Lin.

Compensation? What compensation? The wind was too strong for her to hear.

As long as she pretends to be busy enough, embarrassment won't catch up with her.

Xu Xiuyuan was incredibly perceptive, and naturally he noticed his cousin's embarrassment and the Emperor's following gaze.

He knew in his heart that this was not a place to stay for long; if he stayed any longer, his cousin might dig a hole and crawl into it.

He rose and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it is getting late, and the palace gates will soon be closed. We dare not disturb Your Majesty any longer and will take our leave now."

Xu Zhiyuan and Xu Muyuan also immediately stood up, even with a hint of relief and eagerness.

Huo Lin nodded slightly, without saying anything to try and persuade him to stay.

"Well, let's call it a day."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan quickly replied, "I'll see my cousins ​​off."

She almost couldn't wait to follow them out of the warm pavilion, leaving the awkward atmosphere behind for the time being.

Stepping outside the palace, the night breeze caressed her face, dispelling the heat from Jiang Huan's expression.

She took a deep breath, and her tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

Xu Xiuyuan stopped and turned to look at her.

The palace lanterns under the eaves shone on his face, casting a soft shadow.

"Huan'er, you don't need to take today's events to heart, and you don't need to feel embarrassed or pressured."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly sincere.

“We came to the capital not to rely on your whims or to ask you to fight for us. Grandfather always taught us that upright conduct is fundamental. We just want to do what we should do, not to cause you trouble or hold you back. That is the best we can do.”

Xu Zhiyuan also came over and grinned.

"That's right, little sister. The men of our Xu family can make a name for themselves. You just stay in the palace and live your life peacefully, eat and drink well, and keep yourself plump and healthy. If..."

He glanced subconsciously in the direction of the warm pavilion, lowering his voice even further, with a hint of reckless righteousness.

"If anyone dares to make you angry or bully you, try to send a message to your cousins, and we'll do our best to back you up!"

Although he couldn't think of a way to support the concubines in the palace yet, he had to be attentive to their needs.

Xu Muyuan also chimed in gently, "Huan'er, we'll take care of everything. You just need to take care of yourself and be safe and happy."

Hearing her three cousins' simple and caring words, Jiang Huan felt both warm and touched.

So this is what it feels like to have an older brother—simply wanting her to be well and being willing to shield her from the wind and rain.

There was no ulterior motive; it was simply out of concern from family.

Jiang Huan felt a slight tingling in her nose. She blinked, suppressed the tears, and smiled.

"Yes! I know. You all should take good care of yourselves and be extra careful in everything you do in the capital."

Looking at her bright smile, Xu Xiuyuan felt a little relieved and smiled back.

"Alright, let's go back. It's windy outside. We'll leave the palace now."

Watching her cousins ​​disappear at the end of the palace road, Jiang Huan turned and returned to the warm pavilion.

Huo Lin remained seated in the same spot, looking like a jealous person waiting to be coaxed.

As soon as she entered, his gaze followed her with a lingering resentment, never leaving her for a moment.

Jiang Huan felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and coughed lightly.

"Someone, prepare a bath. His Majesty has drunk wine and needs to relax."

She thought that a hot bath would make him feel better and maybe stop him from acting crazy while drunk.

The palace maid accepted the order and left.

Jiang Huan breathed a sigh of relief and was thinking of saying something more when she turned her head and her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

In just a short while, Huo Lin had already taken off his outer robe.

The inner garment was opened, revealing a snow-white silk undergarment underneath.

The fabric of his clothes was extremely thin, and when illuminated by the candlelight in the warm chamber, it clung almost transparently to his body, outlining the contours of his firm chest.

But he seemed not to be satisfied, and his fingers touched the thin strap of his inner garment.

Jiang Huan was stunned. Wait, wait, wait!

What's with this behavior of taking off clothes at the drop of a hat?!

She only asked someone to prepare water; she didn't tell him to take his clothes off right now.

This is... this is way too fast.

Just then, Huo Lin raised his head and precisely caught Jiang Huan's gaze.

He stopped moving, the belt of his inner garment was loosely tied, and the collar was slightly open, revealing a small patch of skin.

He walked towards Jiang Huan, his voice low and heavy with accusation.

"Now you're looking at me? Just now you were only concerned with your cousins ​​and didn't even glance at me?"

"Can't she see me standing here like this?"

[I also need comfort, I need a hug.]

[I'm angry! Very angry!]

Jiang Huan felt incredibly wronged.

"Oh, Your Majesty, I only have two eyes. It takes time for them to turn around," she tried to explain, her voice a little weak. "Look, they've turned to you now..."

"All I know is..." Huo Lin approached, his tall figure completely engulfing Jiang Huan, "You push me away and protect them..."

Jiang Huan thought to herself that after a while, this guy wouldn't be so easy to fool.

So she simply wrapped her arms around his neck, planted a kiss on his cheek, and smiled ingratiatingly.

"Then shall I apologize to His Majesty now?"

"Not enough." Huo Lin was unusually unreasonable at this moment. He suddenly reached out and picked her up in his arms.

"ah!"

Jiang Huan exclaimed in surprise, her arms instinctively tightening around herself.

"Huo Lin! Put me down!"

"I will not release you; I will compensate you."

Huo Lin carried him steadily and strode towards the inner bath area.

The palace maids moved swiftly, and the bath was now filled with steam. Warm water flowed into the pool, and a few fragrant flower petals floated on the surface.

He carried Jiang Huan and stepped directly into the warm pool, the gentle steam caressing their skin.

Jiang Huan's dress was soaked through and clung tightly to her body, outlining her alluring figure.

"Your Majesty, you're drunk, aren't you?" Jiang Huan poked his chest resignedly.

Huo Lin held her even tighter, their bodies pressed close together.

Rippling water, swirling steam, and the candlelight became hazy and ambiguous.

He lowered his head, his forehead pressed against Jiang Huan's, his breath hot.

"I have a headache, I feel terrible... Don't push me." Huo Lin's tone was incredibly soft, like a large dog begging for attention.

Jiang Huan was so exasperated by his shameless behavior that she felt both angry and amused.

Her fingers were curled up, and her voice was strained.

"You...you let me go first..."

"I won't let go."

Huo Lin tightened his grip on her arm, even going so far as to bury his face in the crook of her neck and rub it against her.

"Unless you compensate me..."

The air was thick with steam, body temperature rose, and all sounds and movements were amplified in the warm pool water.

"You...you mustn't..." Jiang Huan protested weakly, her voice soft and sweet like a murmur, utterly unconvincing.

Huo Lin chuckled softly, slowly lowered his head, and moved closer to those lips that had been tempting him for so long.

The water rippled gently, petals floated and swirled around them, and the sound of water filled the pool.