Chapter 383 Anger

Lin Wanqing's shrill scream shattered the morning tranquility of the hot spring villa like a sharp whistle.

Immediately afterwards, the cries of the other noble ladies, who had been frightened, also rang out in a chaotic manner.

Although there was some distance between them, the faint commotion still reached the inner courtyard.

Jiang Huan was startled by the sudden noise and subconsciously frowned.

Almost the instant she frowned, Huo Lin's eyes turned cold.

He moved extremely quickly, and before Jiang Huan could fully react, he covered her ears, blocking out most of the outside noise.

At the same time, he turned his head and glanced at a guard standing not far away. Although he did not speak, the fierce look in his eyes was enough to say everything.

The guard shuddered, immediately bowed, and withdrew.

Before long, silence returned to the outside.

Huo Lin then slowly released his hand from Jiang Huan's ears, his fingertips gently brushing against her temples, his tone returning to its previous gentleness.

"It's all taken care of, don't worry."

Anyone who dares to shout will be rendered speechless for the rest of their life.

Jiang Huan nodded. She wanted to ask, but she didn't have the energy.

The assassination attempt was suspicious, and the commotion early in the morning suggests that this series of unexpected events, like dominoes, is far from over.

But now that Huo Lin is there to support her, all she has to do is take good care of herself and not distract him from his worries.

Despite thinking this way, the pregnancy still caused Jiang Huan too much harm.

This disturbance seemed to have ruined her appetite, which had just started to improve.

After forcing herself to eat another half bowl of porridge, Jiang Huan felt a bit greasy and put down her chopsticks.

"Are you full?" Huo Lin frowned as he looked at the almost untouched side dishes on her plate.

This won't do. Rounding it up, it's practically the same as not eating anything at all.

"It's alright." Jiang Huan gave a reassuring smile and patted her belly. "Give me some time, I'll be fine."

Huo Lin didn't insist any further. She simply signaled the palace servants to remove the meal and had someone bring up some warm medicine to help with the pregnancy and a small dish of her favorite candied plums.

Watching her sip the medicine slowly and then suck on a plum to mask the taste, her complexion finally eased slightly.

The two rested for another day at the villa. After confirming that Jiang Huan was alright, Huo Lin ordered the carriage to return to the palace.

After returning to Weiyang Palace, Jiang Huan's spirits recovered considerably, but her appetite remained poor.

When her favorite dishes were placed in front of her, she only ate a few bites before putting them down. She looked thinner, and her chin even became a little sharper.

After examining the patient's pulse, the imperial physician only said that the shock and fear had disturbed the spirit and affected the spleen and stomach, requiring slow recuperation and avoiding further stimulation.

This really worried Huo Lin.

On the surface, he remained calm and composed, his authority undiminished when handling state affairs. But when he returned to Weiyang Palace and saw that Jiang Huan had little appetite, he felt like he was being scratched by a cat.

Why are you only eating so little again? This is just watery soup; what nutrition is in it?

[Are those two little devils causing trouble in her belly again? When they come out, I'm going to give them a good beating!]

He tried every trick in the book to get the imperial kitchen to change the menu, and they made dishes from almost every part of the country, but Jiang Huan still wasn't interested.

Huo Lin was extremely anxious, but there were still some clueless people who would run right into the line of fire.

On the morning of that day, a usually silent imperial censor, perhaps at the suggestion of someone, stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty! I have something to report. I know it may be unpleasant to hear, but for the sake of the country, I have no choice but to speak!"

He paused, and seeing Huo Lin's gaze sweep over him, he braced himself and continued, "Your Majesty, the imperial offspring are the foundation of the nation. Although the Imperial Noble Consort is pregnant with the imperial heir, it is still too few. In my humble opinion, Your Majesty is in the prime of your life and should recruit more beautiful women to increase the number of descendants."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Golden Palace fell into complete silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The high-ranking officials standing in the front row wished they could bury their heads in their chests, cursing this clueless fellow countless times in their hearts.

Didn't you see how dark His Majesty's face has been these past few days? How dare you bring this up?

Sure enough, Huo Lin, sitting on the dragon throne, had a face so dark it could drip water.

He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, and shot towards the imperial censor.

"I think you're just bored out of your mind."

The censor was stunned and hadn't reacted when he saw Huo Lin suddenly stand up, his dragon robe sleeves stirring up a gust of cold wind.

He walked a few steps to the bottom of the steps, and amidst the horrified gazes of the court officials, he raised his foot and kicked the censor mercilessly in the chest.

With a muffled thud, accompanied by the censor's cry of pain, he was kicked so hard that he rolled backward several times, his official hat askew, and he collapsed to the ground in a disheveled state, clutching his chest, his face deathly pale, unable to utter a single word.

Huo Lin looked down at him, his voice icy: "When did it become your business to interfere in my family affairs? If you dare to bother me with these filthy matters again, I'll take your head!"

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the silent officials, and he said sternly, "Listen up, all of you! From now on, anyone who dares to mention the words 'selection of concubines' will be punished like this: court adjourned!"

After saying this, Huo Lin turned and left, leaving the ministers in the hall trembling with fear, never daring to mention the selection of concubines again.

Huo Lin returned to Weiyang Palace, seeping into a rage, and found Jiang Huan leaning listlessly against the soft couch by the window, sipping ginseng soup served by a maid. Her face seemed even thinner than yesterday.

The anger in his heart burned even more fiercely, yet he had nowhere to vent it, which could only turn into deeper anxiety.

But when he walked up to Jiang Huan, all his hostility subsided, leaving only an unyielding worry.

"How are you feeling today? Did you enjoy the ginseng soup? Is there anything you'd like to eat? I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare it immediately."

He spoke very softly, afraid of disturbing her.

Jiang Huan looked at the undisguised anxiety and caution in his eyes, and her heart softened and ached.

Look at this guy, his brow is so furrowed, it could trap a fly.

She shook her head, looking rather listless: "It's alright, but I don't have much of an appetite. Even this soup tastes greasy."

Huo Lin's heart sank, and his fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the bowl.

[She has no appetite again. How can her body take this if things continue like this?]

[Should I issue a proclamation throughout the land, seeking a chef capable of preparing appetizers?]

Just then, Wang Degui tiptoed in and reported: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Lord Jiang, Madam Jiang, and Lord Xu Xiuyuan have submitted a memorial, saying they wish to visit Your Highness."

Jiang Huan's eyes, which had been dull, suddenly brightened, and her face became more lively.

"Are my parents and cousin coming?"

Seeing her reaction, Huo Lin felt relieved, as if he had grasped a lifeline, but then a pang of sadness welled up inside him.

[Tsk, as soon as he heard his family was coming, his spirits immediately lifted.]

[I've spent so many days with you, said all the nice things, and prepared all the delicacies, but it's not as effective as the names of my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law.]

[Never mind, her happiness is the most important thing.]

He remained calm and nodded, saying, "Please come in quickly."

"This servant obeys the decree." Wang Degui withdrew.

Before long, Lord Jiang and his wife entered the hall, accompanied by Xu Xiuyuan.