Chapter Eighty-Eight: The Acrobatic Troupe

There's plenty of time. Once her leg is healed, I will...

Jiang Huan's ears turned red as she listened.

The language is offensive and inappropriate; cut it and rebroadcast it!

She quickly interrupted, "Your Majesty."

"Hmm?" Huo Lin raised an eyebrow.

“If you don’t leave soon, Princess Ayina will get impatient and barge in.”

Jiang Huan pointed outside the door, her big eyes darting around.

Looking at her like this, Huo Lin felt an intense itch in his heart, wishing he could immediately pull her into his arms and kiss her as much as he wanted.

However, due to the emperor's majesty, he could only feign composure.

"Get some rest." He reached out and placed a soft pillow under Jiang Huan's head, his voice low. "I'll come see you again later."

Huo Lin turned and walked out, his back straight as a pine tree, showing no trace of the emotional state he had just displayed.

Only Jiang Huan knew that this seemingly aloof emperor was actually just a naive young man inside.

The palace doors opened and closed, and Huo Lin's figure disappeared outside.

Jiang Huan let out a long sigh of relief, her whole body went limp on the bed, and her fingers unconsciously touched her lips.

It seemed that Huo Lin's warmth and presence still lingered on it.

"My lord," Xiao Zhao rushed in, "Princess Ayina has brought a troupe of acrobats, saying they'll entertain you."

Jiang Huan was still in a daze from the beautiful scene just now, and blinked blankly.

"ah?"

"It's that acrobatic troupe from the northern desert; I've heard they're really good."

Xiao Zhao was beaming with excitement, gesturing wildly as she said, "The princess said you were bored lying down, so she brought this over especially."

Jiang Huan then realized what was happening and was about to speak when the palace door was forcefully pushed open.

"Jiang Huan." Ayina burst in, dressed in fiery red, "This princess has brought you something fun."

Behind her followed several tall, muscular foreign men, all wearing only tapered trousers that revealed their strong upper bodies.

Jiang Huan's eyes widened: "This..."

"How about it?" Ayina proudly raised her chin. "This is the best acrobatic troupe in our northern desert. They usually only perform at the royal court."

The men all knelt down on one knee in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, their muscles undulating with each step, a sight that dazzled Jiang Huan.

"Princess, this isn't quite right," Jiang Huan said softly.

It's true that she likes looking at handsome men.

But if Huo Lin, that jealous man, saw this, he'd probably send the entire circus troupe to the border.

Ayina waved her hand dismissively: "This is someone I brought with me, what's wrong with that? If there are any problems, I, the princess, will take responsibility."

She leaned close to Jiang Huan's ear and whispered, "Besides, aren't you tired of seeing the Emperor's cold face all the time? It would be nice to change things up once in a while."

Jiang Huan suddenly wondered what Huo Lin's expression would be if he heard those words.

It must be both green and purple, like rainbow beans.

However, since the Emperor is not here now, she can take a look without him knowing, right?

"Xiao Zhao," Jiang Huan smiled slyly and instructed, "Go and prepare some food."

"What would Your Majesty like to eat?" Xiao Zhao asked.

"Let's make that fried chicken and fries, the one I taught you last time." Jiang Huan thought for a moment, "And plum juice, with lots of ice."

What's a performance without snacks?

Xiao Zhao has followed her for so long and helped her a lot, and has learned most of how to cook many dishes.

Hearing this, Ayina curiously leaned closer and asked, "What's that?"

Jiang Huan smiled mysteriously: "You'll find out soon enough."

Xiao Zhao accepted the order and left, while Ayina directed the acrobatic troupe to clear an open space in the center of the sleeping quarters.

"Warm up first," she commanded. "Then give a good performance. If you do well, I, the princess, will reward you handsomely."

The men responded in unison, "Yes!"

Jiang Huan leaned against the headboard, watching them begin to perform various difficult moves. Some did handstands with one hand, while others formed human pyramids. Their muscles tensed and relaxed with each movement, gleaming with a healthy glow in the sunlight.

Jiang Huan exclaimed in amazement, "Wow, the control over the waist and abdomen during this handstand is incredible!"

"And this guy, are his shoulders made of iron? Three strong men are standing on them and he doesn't budge an inch!"

Ayina proudly raised her chin: "Of course, our warriors from the northern deserts grow up on horseback, and each of them can subdue a wild horse with their bare hands."

Jiang Huan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Yes, yes, the princess is right."

Xiao Zhao quickly returned with a tray containing golden and crispy fried chicken and fries, along with several special dipping sauces. Plum juice was also brought over.

Ayina curiously picked up a French fry, "It smells so good."

"Try it." Jiang Huan gestured for her to dip it in the sauce. "This is tomato sauce, this is salt and pepper sauce, and this is five-spice sauce..."

Ayina, imitating Jiang Huan, dipped her finger in ketchup, took a bite, and her eyes immediately lit up.

"Delicious." She finished it in a few bites and went to get a second one. "You people from Daliang really know how to enjoy life."

The two ate while watching the acrobatic performance.

Those men from the northern desert were all highly skilled; some could throw and catch seven or eight knives at the same time, while others could do somersaults on ropes, which made Jiang Huan applaud repeatedly.

“That one is good,” Ayina said quietly, pointing to a burly man who was performing a chest-breaking exercise. “His muscle definition is beautiful.”

Jiang Huan followed her finger and nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, she has broad shoulders but a very slim waist."

"You like this type?" Ayina winked mischievously.

Jiang Huan nearly choked on the plum juice: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

"Then what kind do you like?" Ayina persisted, "Someone like the Emperor?"

Jiang Huan's face flushed slightly: "Princess!"

Because of Ayina's words, Jiang Huan's gaze involuntarily fell on those bronze abs, silently comparing them in her mind.

His pectoral muscles are thicker than the Emperor's, but his waist isn't as slender. His shoulders are as broad as a door, but his legs seem a bit short...

So it seems she really does like the emperor type the most...

No, what is she thinking?

“I’m just kidding.” Ayina laughed. “Look at that guy, he can swallow fire.”

The fire-eating acrobats are tall and slender with well-defined abdominal muscles; as they swallow the fire, their muscles flex into beautiful curves.

"That's amazing," Jiang Huan remarked instinctively. "I wish I had that power."

Ayina chuckled: "Don't worry, once you're better, this princess will continue to teach you how to ride a horse. I'll definitely train you to be good."

“Okay,” Jiang Huan readily agreed.

Although learning to ride a horse was a bit tough, she still really enjoyed the feeling.

The two chatted and laughed in the room, enjoying the acrobatic performance, occasionally letting out exclamations and laughter, creating quite a lively atmosphere.