Chapter 412 Farewell

As a result, the layout of the kitchen changed instantly.

The experienced nanny took over the important task of stir-frying the base sauce, while the palace maids handled the subsequent side dishes and preparations in an orderly manner.

In the outer room of the kitchen, Ayina, Mingzhu, and He Ling sat in a row on three small stools, looking at each other with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Listening to the orderly sounds of chopping and stir-frying inside, and smelling the enticing aroma that gradually spread, the three of them swallowed hard in unison.

"Actually... I've improved a bit in peeling potatoes..." He Ling muttered softly, trying to save face.

Ayina rolled her eyes at her: "Come on, after you peel those potatoes, it's hard to say whether they'll even be enough to fill a tooth gap."

Even so, she touched her nose and, recalling how she had been choked by the chili peppers and her eyes were filled with tears, felt a slight burning sensation in her ears.

Mingzhu, with her face still covered in smeared graffiti, tugged at Ayina's sleeve: "Princess, the hot pot Her Majesty made is so delicious! It's both numbing and spicy, the sliced ​​meat is especially fragrant, and the handmade shrimp paste is incredibly fresh. You must eat a lot of it later!"

Seeing Mingzhu recounting the details with such familiarity, Ayina felt a little less annoyed by her failure in the kitchen, and she let out a snort.

"Of course, I've heard her mention it before. Just hearing it makes it sound amazing. I'll show you the hearty way we Northern Desert people eat later!"

Just as the three of them were chatting idly, trying to dispel the anxiety of waiting, Huo Lin appeared at the door of the small kitchen.

He had clearly just finished court and was still wearing his court robes, but the solemnity between his brows melted away somewhat as he stepped into this bustling place.

He immediately spotted Jiang Huan. She was wearing an apron, her cheeks were rosy, her eyes were bright, and the corners of her lips were slightly upturned.

"How long have you been busy? Are you tired?"

[Hmph, after much deliberation, I still have to come.]

[Or should we just let Ayina take advantage of the situation?]

No, absolutely not!

Jiang Huan turned around when she heard the voice, and when she saw it was him, she smiled and shook her head: "It's not tiring, it's just moving my lips, most of the work is done by the nannies and palace maids."

As she spoke, she reached out and pulled him to sit down on a chair that had been prepared for him. "You've come at the perfect time. We'll be eating soon."

Huo Lin readily sat down and pulled Jiang Huan to his side, placing his arm around the back of the chair behind her and encircling her.

Ayina and Mingzhu both curled their lips in unison as they watched Huo Lin's series of fluid movements.

The two looked at each other and saw the same disdain in each other's eyes. Their relationship was brought closer by this silent exchange of complaints.

Soon, the palace servants brought out a steaming hot pot, with the bright red beef tallow bubbling and churning in the pot, emitting an enticing aroma.

Following that, various side dishes were brought in one after another, filling the large table, and accompanied by several delicate and refreshing snacks and cold dishes, making it a small feast.

Huo Lin was the first to pick up his chopsticks, but he barely paid attention to himself, spending the entire time taking care of Jiang Huan.

He always managed to precisely scoop up the ingredients that Jiang Huan had glanced at, carefully blow on them to cool them down, and then put them into her bowl.

"Try this, it's cooked."

"Be careful, it's hot."

"These fish balls are good."

His movements were practiced and natural, as if he had done them a thousand times. His face remained calm and stern, but the focus and tenderness in his eyes could not be faked.

Eat more meat to replenish your body.

[That was spicy; she can't eat too much of that lately, so I ate it.]

"Yes, she likes these shrimp balls. Get her two more."

Listening to his inner grumbling and looking at the mountain of food in his bowl, Jiang Huan felt a sweet warmth in her heart and picked up a piece of beef roll and put it in his bowl as well.

"You eat too, don't just eat for me."

The intimacy and tacit understanding between the two, oblivious to others, evoked mixed feelings in the three people watching.

He Ling was unfazed and focused on eating, inwardly praising the delicious food.

Mingzhu was a little afraid of Huo Lin, so she only dared to eat in small bites and occasionally steal a glance.

Ayina found the food both offensive and enviable, so she turned her envy into a voracious appetite, hissing and panting from the spiciness without stopping.

Finally, this hot pot feast, full of twists and turns, came to a perfect end amidst the hot, spicy, and fragrant aroma.

A few days later, a message reached the palace.

Jiang Huan's second cousin, Xu Zhiyuan, is about to go to the frontier with the army for training and will serve as a military advisor.

On the morning before her departure, as dawn was breaking, Jiang Huan got up very early and, under Huo Lin's arrangement, rode in a sedan chair out of the palace and arrived at the city gate.

Her two other cousins ​​were already waiting by the pavilion. Upon seeing Jiang Huan's sedan chair, they immediately came forward to greet her.

"Little sister, what brings you here? It's windy this morning, take care of yourself." Xu Xiuyuan frowned slightly, his tone concerned.

"Eldest brother, third brother." Jiang Huan stepped down from the sedan chair with the help of a palace maid. Looking at her two elder brothers, a warm smile appeared on her face. "Second brother is going on a long journey. How could I not come to see him off?"

Xu Muyuan carefully handed her a cloak: "Put this on, be careful not to catch a cold."

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves approached from afar. Xu Zhiyuan, dressed in light armor, rode up and, upon seeing the three people by the pavilion, nimbly dismounted.

"Big brother, third brother, Huan'er, what are you all doing here?"

He walked up to Jiang Huan, looked her over carefully, and gently patted her head.

"You're about to become a mother, and you're still running around like this? Second brother is just going out to gain some experience, it's not like he's never coming back, don't worry!"

Jiang Huan looked at Xu Zhiyuan, her nose tingling with emotion, and forced a smile as she said, "Second Brother, the frontier is harsh and cold, with strong winds and sandstorms. You must take good care of yourself, eat on time, and listen to the advice of the old generals when you encounter problems..."

She kept giving instructions, as if she had endless things to say.

Xu Zhiyuan listened patiently, his eyes softening: "Okay, Second Brother has remembered everything. You must take good care of yourself in the palace and focus on your pregnancy until Second Brother returns."

Xu Xiuyuan and Xu Muyuan also stepped forward, and the three brothers patted each other on the shoulder, everything understood without words.

Xu Xiuyuan said in a deep voice, "Take care."

Xu Muyuan said gently, "Write often."

As dawn broke, the outline of the distant city wall gradually became clear. Jiang Huan looked at her three brothers and felt a warm current flow through her heart.

This feeling of being connected by blood and caring for each other is a treasure she cherishes most since she transmigrated.

After seeing Xu Zhiyuan off and watching his figure disappear, Jiang Huan was filled with emotion and suddenly had the idea of ​​going to a temple to pray for blessings.

For my second brother who has gone far away, for my relatives by my side, and for the child in my womb.

Without hesitation, Jiang Huan took a carriage directly to the royal temple on the outskirts of the capital.

After devoutly offering incense and silently praying for all those she cared about, she felt a little at peace and took a slow walk in the temple, enjoying the tranquility far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world.

When Jiang Huan arrived at an old ginkgo tree in the backyard, she met an unexpected person.

The man was dressed in simple robes, with a handsome face and clear eyes, as if he had seen through the world's splendor and was neither sad nor happy.

It was Liu Shuyao.