Chapter 484 Rumors

Preparations for the celebration were proceeding smoothly, and the entire palace was immersed in a busy and festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, another major event was quietly settled at Huo Lin's behest.

At the morning court session that day, Huo Lin issued an imperial edict.

The imperial edict highly praised He Ling, a female official of the Ministry of Agriculture, for her outstanding contributions to agricultural improvement, promotion of new crops, and especially in responding to last year's disasters and assisting in border settlements.

He was specially promoted to the position of Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, a rank of sixth grade.

The imperial decree caused a slight commotion in the court.

However, He Ling's achievements were obvious to all, and with Empress Jiang Huan's support behind her, the Emperor's attitude was clear. Several old ministers who wanted to oppose her weighed their options and, seeing that neither the Grand Secretary nor the Prime Minister had spoken up, wisely kept quiet.

The news of He Ling's appointment was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, with ripples quickly spreading to official circles and the general public.

The fact that a woman held an official position, and one with real power at that, quickly became a hot topic of conversation, and He Ling became a legend in the eyes of many ordinary women.

Naturally, this also touched a nerve with some conservative forces.

Amidst the clamor, a few barely perceptible gusts of wind quietly rose in the southern water towns, swirling and seeping into the bustling marketplace.

In a riverside teahouse in Jiangnan, several tea drinkers lowered their voices in a private room on the second floor.

"Have you heard? That one in the palace... tsk tsk, she's getting more and more formidable these days."

"That's not all. I heard that even the Ministry of Agriculture is getting involved and has promoted a female official to the position. They're overstepping their bounds."

"She's beautiful, but her ambition is too great. And the Emperor, too, how could he..."

"Hey, you can't just say things like that, but I have a distant cousin who works in the palace. I've heard that the Empress has some special methods, otherwise why would the Emperor favor her so much and listen to everything she says..."

Similar whispers began to circulate in the teahouses and taverns of several wealthy towns in Jiangnan, with little difference in content.

It's no wonder that the current Empress is interfering too much in politics, which is not a blessing for the country.

Even worse, some fabricated palace secrets, saying that the empress was skilled in witchcraft or was a reincarnation of a vixen, which is why the emperor listened to her so readily.

These rumors didn't initially attract much attention, after all, the streets are full of all sorts of absurd rumors.

But soon, the secret agents and spies who had been lurking in various places like a spider web keenly sensed that something was wrong.

The spread of these rumors was quite methodical, unlike the scattered word-of-mouth transmissions of ordinary people. The sources were hidden, and they seemed to have originated from some busy docks and inns, as if someone was stirring things up behind the scenes.

Although it did not form a massive wave, its direction was clear, and there were faint signs of it spreading.

The secret report, along with several slips of paper containing details of the rumors, was quickly and urgently presented to Huo Lin's desk.

After reading it, Huo Lin remained calm, but a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

Using such vulgar and offensive language to smear someone seems to think the burden on their neck is too heavy.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately slammed the secret report face down on the table and said to Shen Yi in a deep voice, "Increase the surveillance efforts, thoroughly investigate the source of the rumors, and dig up the layers above them for me. Whoever dares to lay their hands on this should be prepared to be chopped off. Also, guard the Weiyang Palace inside and out tightly. Not a single breeze is allowed to leak in."

Shen Yi straightened his expression and immediately bowed: "Your subject understands."

Thanks to Huo Lin's information blockade, Weiyang Palace remained peaceful.

That morning, sunlight streamed in through the carved window lattice, making it warm and cozy.

Just as Jiang Huan got up and was doing her makeup in front of the mirror, her wet nurse brought in the Crown Prince and Princess to pay their respects.

As soon as the two little ones saw their mother, they immediately opened their little arms, called out "Mama" in their baby voices, and stumbled over to her.

Jiang Huan's heart melted. She hugged one in each arm, kissed one, and teased the other, her laughter filling the inner palace.

When Huo Lin returned from court, he saw this heartwarming scene, and his stern expression softened unconsciously.

He walked over and hugged Jiang Huan from behind, looking at his wife and children smiling brightly in the mirror.

[This is still the best place. All talk of power and intrigue can't compare to the laughter of these three women.]

Ultimately, isn't the reason I'm guarding this empire simply to preserve the current state of affairs?

Jiang Huan felt the warmth of his embrace and nuzzled his cheek against her own: "You've finished court? It seems like it's earlier than usual today."

"Hmm, nothing serious." Huo Lin said calmly, his gaze falling on a small white jade jar on the dressing table. "What's this?"

"Oh, this is a new Jade Complexion Cream from the Imperial Hospital. They say it's very moisturizing." Jiang Huan picked up the small jar, opened it, and smelled it. A delicate floral fragrance filled the air. "I was just thinking of trying it."

As she spoke, she dipped her fingertip in the mixture and was about to apply it to her face when Huo Lin suddenly reached out and took it from her.

"I will help you."

Jiang Huan was taken aback and looked at him in the mirror: "Do you know how? Don't make my face look like a clown."

Huo Lin chuckled: "Am I an idiot?"

Although his movements were somewhat clumsy, he was very careful. He applied the white ointment to Jiang Huan's face and then gently blended it with his fingertips.

Huo Lin's fingertips had thin calluses and a slightly rough texture, yet they possessed a strange gentleness as they brushed against the skin.

Jiang Huan closed her eyes, feeling his gentle movements, and felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

Huo Lin, a beauty blogger, wow, quite a contrast.

Huo Lin noticed the curve of her lips, his hands still moving, and asked in a low voice, "What are you laughing at? Do you think my cooking is bad?"

"No, no," Jiang Huan quickly denied, her eyes darting around before she swiftly applied the ointment to Huo Lin's forehead.

"Reciprocity is key."

Huo Lin was clearly not expected to do this, and instinctively tried to back away, but Jiang Huan wrapped her other arm around his neck.

"Don't move!" she commanded, her fingertips gently tracing down his straight nose. "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, exposed to the wind and sun; you must take good care of yourself."

Huo Lin didn't move at all. He lowered his eyes and felt the warm fingertips, along with the smooth cream, gently tracing his nose, then dotting his cheek, and finally landing on his chin.

The touch was gentle, with a slight itch that traveled all the way to my heart.

"Nonsense." He put on a stern face, trying to maintain his imperial dignity, but his voice was lowered by the intimate restraint, and had no intimidating power.

"Very well, my lady, apply it however you like. The cream is quite cool and comfortable anyway."

[Wang Degui and the others should have all left, right? Hopefully no one saw them.]

"Hmm... applying a little more is fine, consider it me playing with her."

After the laughter subsided, Jiang Huan leaned on Huo Lin's shoulder, and the surrounding atmosphere was peaceful and serene.

However, amidst this warm atmosphere, a strange feeling subtly arose in Jiang Huan's heart.

She looked up at Huo's profile, which was so close to hers. She saw that his eyebrows were relaxed, a slight smile played at the corners of his mouth, and he exuded an almost languid tranquility.

It seems to have been like this for the past few days; I haven't seen him with that furrowed brow and deep thought look again.

"Hey, I've noticed you seem to be in a particularly good mood lately?" Jiang Huan unconsciously twirled a strand of his hair that fell across his chest. "Is there some good news you're hiding from me?"

Huo Lin lowered his head and reached out to pinch the tip of her nose.

"With peace throughout the land, tranquility on the borders, and with you by my side, and two children by my side, why can't I be in a good mood?"