Chapter 486 Tacit Understanding

After discovering Huo Lin's thoughts, Jiang Huan chose not to expose him.

Not only did she not say it, but she also became more dependent on him in her actions.

She seemed genuinely intimidated by the imperial physician's diagnosis, and all she wanted was for him to rest more, spend more time with her, and think less about those troublesome political affairs.

That afternoon.

Just as Huo Lin was about to review the memorials, Jiang Huan rubbed her lower back, frowned, and slowly sidled up to him.

"emperor--"

Huo Lin looked up when he heard the sound and saw her looking aggrieved.

[Even I got goosebumps from that shout.]

[They clearly want something from me, and I must grant their request!]

He put the folded document aside and reached out to pull her close.

"What do you need me to do?"

Jiang Huan leaned into his arms and said in a muffled voice, "I was busy checking the expense list for the celebration with Consort Li today. My back is sore and my legs are numb. I need Your Majesty to massage them to make me feel better."

Looking at her sweet and affectionate demeanor, Huo Lin felt much of the gloom that had arisen from his political affairs dissipate, and he even couldn't help but smile.

[I know she's mostly just acting, but she's just so adorable.]

He reached out and placed his hand on her lower back, massaging it as he spoke with a smile: "From now on, let Consort Li and the others take care of those trivial matters. Don't tire yourself out."

[It's also my fault for being too busy lately and neglecting her.]

Those scoundrels from Jiangnan are nothing but trouble for me.

Once this is over, I will make it up to you properly.

Jiang Huan squinted comfortably, like a cat being stroked, and then took advantage of the situation by putting her legs on his lap as well.

"That won't do. I have to make sure the celebration is a grand affair."

Knowing her temperament, Huo Lin simply raised an eyebrow and smiled, tacitly agreeing, while his hands continued to work, carefully relaxing her tense muscles.

After massaging him for a while, Jiang Huan seemed to suddenly remember something, looked up at him with bright, expectant eyes.

"Your Majesty, my backache is cured, and I suddenly feel a bit hungry. I'd like to eat some of your pastries."

Huo Lin paused in his massage, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

[Pastries?]

[But...but I have absolutely no talent for cooking.]

[All the dishes I made before, I can say, won't kill anyone.]

The pastries were even more laughable, with bizarre and outlandish shapes everywhere.

“This…” he tried to struggle, “I’m afraid I’ll make you sick.”

"I'm as tough as nails, I won't get sick." Jiang Huan grabbed his arm and started shaking it, her ability to act shamelessly was top-notch.

"I only want to eat what you make yourself. No matter how delicious someone else's food is, does it contain your heart? No!"

She blinked her big eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering.

Huo Lin couldn't stand her like this; his heart felt like it had been tickled by a feather, both soft and itchy.

[Very well, I'll go all out.]

This time I'll be more careful and attentive.

[We'll try...we'll try to make it even better than last time.]

"I know, I'll make it for you." He sighed resignedly, but a indulgent smile appeared in his eyes.

"However, you know my cooking skills well. If I do it poorly, you are not allowed to laugh at me."

"Don't worry." Jiang Huan immediately beamed and leaned in to give him a loud kiss on the cheek. "I'll definitely savor this with the utmost seriousness!"

So, half an hour later.

His Majesty the Emperor made a rare appearance in the small kitchen of Weiyang Palace.

He wore a plain apron that seemed out of place with his dignified demeanor, and he faced the flour, apricot honey, and other ingredients on the cutting board as if facing a formidable enemy.

Wang Degui dismissed all the palace servants, leaving only himself guarding the door in fear, lest the Emperor accidentally set the kitchen on fire.

Jiang Huan moved a small stool and sat in the best-lit spot by the kitchen door, resting her chin on her hand and smiling as she looked at the tall, upright figure inside, who at that moment appeared somewhat clumsy and adorable.

Huo Lin rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms, and began to try kneading the dough.

Oh no, it seems I poured too much water.

[This batter is all over my hands; it's so unhygienic to break it off now!]

He frowned, mentally ranting and raving, as he frantically went to scoop up more water...

He repeated this process several times until beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and finally managed to knead the dough into a not-so-smooth ball.

But the next step, wrapping the filling, was fraught with problems.

Or it leaks from the edges everywhere, leaving your hands sticky and sweet.

Or, even if you manage to squeeze them together with great difficulty, they end up looking strangely shaped.

He made apricot blossom cake, but it was less like apricot blossoms and more like a kind of abstract art creation.

Hmm... It's full of a wild and unrestrained spirit.

Jiang Huan couldn't help but burst out laughing as she watched.

Huo Lin looked up at her; his handsome face still had a few specks of white flour on it.

"What happened to being serious?"

Jiang Huan quickly suppressed the smile on her lips, but the smile in her eyes was almost overflowing, and her shoulders shrugged.

"I'm just appreciating it. Don't you think the shape of this apricot blossom cake is particularly creative? It's absolutely unique and will never be seen again!"

I wasn't lying, was I? This legendary wild cursive apricot blossom cake is definitely a groundbreaking debut.

Besides, the way Huo Lin frowned while kneading the dough was just so adorable!

Huo Lin looked at her laughing so hard she was shaking her head helplessly, and could only continue to struggle with the dough in his hands.

Just as he turned to pick up the steamer, his finger was accidentally grazed by the scalding edge of the stove.

[Ouch, it's hot!]

[How could I be so clumsy? I even managed to injure myself while cooking in the kitchen.]

No wonder she laughed at me.

He quickly withdrew his hand and put it behind his back, his face still showing an expression of being focused on making the pastries, as if nothing had happened.

But with her innermost thoughts betraying her, it was hard for Jiang Huan not to notice.

She was instinctively worried and wanted to get up to check how serious Huo Lin's burns were.

But after a moment's thought, he remained seated and did not get up.

After all, seeing Huo Lin's stubborn way of trying to hide his wounds, it was better not to point it out.

So she quickly adjusted her expression, deliberately raised her voice, and pretended that she had just noticed the problem with the cooking temperature.

"Oh dear, the heat seems a bit too high. It might be better to use the smaller burner next to it."

Huo Lin did as instructed, turning to the side to block the hand that had just been burned, and used his other hand to adjust the heat.

Thankfully, I acted quickly enough that she didn't see it.

It's just a minor burn, nothing serious, so she won't worry.

After a busy and bumpy day, a basket of apricot blossom cakes, each with a different shape and barely recognizable as pastries, finally came out of the oven.

Huo Lin carried out the plate of pastries, which didn't look very appealing, with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

"Want to try some?"

Jiang Huan immediately stood up, greeted him with a bright smile, picked up a piece, blew on it to cool it down, carefully took a small bite, and savored it.

"Mmm, delicious, this is the taste I've been craving."

She squinted her eyes happily, as if the deliciousness of the dessert was enough to make up for all the troubles in the world.

Huo Lin looked at her smile, and his furrowed brows finally relaxed.

[Has my cooking improved? It's finally evolved from just being edible to being delicious!]

Seeing her enjoying her meal, all my hard work this morning was worthwhile.

The two of them laughed and joked around in the kitchen, and the whole plate of apricot blossom cakes was eaten up.

......

Night falls.

After confirming that Huo Lin had fallen asleep, Jiang Huan quietly opened her eyes.

She quietly got up and took out the burn ointment that she had asked the palace maid to prepare that evening.

By the dim moonlight, she took Huo Lin's right hand, which was resting at his side, and sure enough, she saw a red and swollen blister on the side of his finger.

Jiang Huan frowned, sighed silently, and used her fingertip to dab a little ointment around the wound, moving very carefully so as not to wake the person.

Huo Lin wasn't actually asleep. He closed his eyes, feeling the slightly cool touch on his hands, and a warm feeling welled up inside him.

[Jiang Huan, wait a little longer. I will soon give you a completely peaceful world.]