Chapter 455 Suspicion

Huo Lin looked up at Jiang Huan, who had a smug little expression on her face. Something warm seemed to be surging in his chest, so full that it was almost overflowing.

[My wife is truly a treasure; she quietly pulled off a major heist.]

[The evidence is irrefutable; I'll tear the Empress Dowager's mask to shreds!]

He could no longer contain his excitement, and with a stretch of his long arm, he pulled Jiang Huan into a tight embrace.

"You are truly my lucky star!" He lowered his head, his forehead pressed intimately against hers, their noses almost touching, his eyes seemingly filled with stars, shining brilliantly.

"This evidence is so timely. I was just looking for a breakthrough. You've been a huge help."

Jiang Huan blushed slightly at his warm embrace and undisguised, straightforward praise, but her heart was filled with sweetness, like a honey pot had been overturned.

She reached out and hugged his strong waist; she could feel the firm muscle lines even through his clothes.

"That's all thanks to Consort Li's great contribution. I'm just... well, an intelligence clerk."

After giving birth, she has been taking good care of herself and her complexion is rosy and full. Although her figure has not fully recovered to the slenderness of her youth, it has become more plump and graceful, soft and fragrant when held in one's arms.

Huo Lin lowered his head, his gaze involuntarily falling on her increasingly radiant and beautiful face.

Her cheeks were flushed from the excitement and shyness, as if painted with the finest rouge. Her eyes were moist, as if they held a pool of clear spring water. Her lips were full and moist, like pink petals covered with morning dew, slightly parted, silently tempting one to pluck them.

Huo Lin's Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes darkened.

[You look radiant, even more alluring than before.]

[Her waist seems a bit rounder than before she was pregnant, but it feels softer and more comfortable to hug.]

[From the time she became pregnant until she gave birth, I endured so much.]

His mind wandered, his breathing became heavier, and he lowered his head, wanting to kiss those red lips to relieve his longing.

However, just as his lips were about to fall—

"Wow!"

"Waaah—"

Inside the cradle, Huo Yue was probably awakened by the noise from her parents' side. Without warning, she started crying loudly and with great force.

Huo Chen, who was next to her, was woken up by his sister and also grumbled twice in dissatisfaction to express his protest.

The romantic atmosphere was instantly shattered. Jiang Huan reacted as if she had been burned, immediately breaking free from Huo Lin's embrace, her cheeks flushing even redder.

"Oh, Yue'er, you're awake? Are you hungry? Mommy's here, don't cry."

She almost instantly switched to mother mode, quickly walked to the cradle, and skillfully and gently picked up her daughter, who was still pouting and brewing an even louder cry. She soothed her daughter in soft words, and didn't forget to pat her son's swaddling clothes.

Huo Lin's arms were suddenly empty; the warm, soft body had left, leaving only a chill on his arms.

He watched Jiang Huan's almost hasty retreat, then glanced at his daughter in the cradle waving her little fists and babbling in protest. He sighed helplessly, the little flame that had just ignited in his heart was extinguished, leaving only a wisp of smoke mixed with a sour taste.

[This little girl, she really woke up at the worst possible time. I've finally managed to get closer to her.]

[Fine, she's my own daughter, how could I possibly throw her out? I'll tolerate it!]

He touched his nose, resignedly walked to the cradle, and watched as Jiang Huan sat sideways on the soft couch, her back slightly to him, skillfully unbuttoning her clothes and beginning to breastfeed her daughter.

The warm candlelight softly outlined her lowered profile, her eyelashes casting delicate shadows beneath her eyes, her neck gracefully curved, and she was enveloped in a tranquil maternal glow. This was completely different from her shy demeanor when he held her in his arms, yet equally captivating.

Huo Lin leaned against the couch, but his gaze was uncontrollably drawn to her slightly open neckline.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating a small patch of snow-white, delicate skin. As she gently patted the child, it appeared and disappeared, shimmering with a pearly luster.

His eyes darkened, and he felt a restlessness in his heart.

Although I was interrupted, looking at it this way, it seems to have a unique... hmm, charm.

[Tsk, you can see it, but you can't have it. What exactly did the imperial physician say? I'll have to ask him about it another day.]

Jiang Huan was focused on breastfeeding when Huo Lin's suggestive words unexpectedly reached her ears.

Her cheeks flushed bright red, and even her ears felt burning hot.

This frivolous person, what is he thinking about all day long?

The baby is still being breastfed, and he... he actually has the mind to think about those things.

What are you looking at! What's so interesting!

She was both embarrassed and annoyed, and subconsciously hugged her daughter tighter. At the same time, she quickly turned to the side, changing her original sideways position to one where she was almost completely facing away from Huo Lin, leaving him with only a slightly red ear tip.

Huo Lin was distracted when he suddenly noticed Jiang Huan's obvious evasive and embarrassed movements, and he was slightly taken aback.

[Huh? Why are you hiding? I didn't do anything, I just glanced at him, and you won't even let me see him myself?]

[But her reaction... it's like she knows exactly what I'm thinking! Her face is as red as a boiled shrimp.]

The thought flashed through my mind, tinged with a hint of curiosity.

He recalled similar situations before, where he would have some inappropriate thoughts, and she would inexplicably blush or glare at him.

Once is a coincidence, but twice or three times... that's a bit intriguing.

Huo Lin's lips unconsciously curved into an interesting smile, and a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes.

He deliberately slowed his pace, took a step closer, and almost pressed himself against her back, his chest barely touching her spine.

His warm breath brushed against Jiang Huan's sensitive earlobe, and he asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "What's wrong? Why is your face so red? Is it too hot in the palace?"

Upon hearing his thoughts, Jiang Huan froze, her mind racing with alarm bells.

How can his intuition be so accurate? No, no, I have to stay calm.

Pretend you didn't hear it, yes, pretend nothing happened.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, then suddenly turned around, deliberately putting on a stern face, and reached out to push Huo Lin's chest with her palm, forcefully pushing him back.

"You're too close. Look, Yue'er is sweating."

Huo Lin was taken aback by her counter-accusation and her flimsy excuse. Seeing her trembling eyes with embarrassment, yet still trying to appear calm, his smile deepened.

That's a really lame excuse, but...it's so cute!