Chapter Forty-Three: Calling for Reinforcements

Xiao Zhao ran wildly, her heart pounding in her throat.

The palace lights flickered in the night, illuminating her pale face. Sweat streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the cold wind and causing her a stinging sensation.

She ran all the way to Huo Lin's palace, but was stopped at the entrance by two guards.

The guards were expressionless, their gazes cold and stern, like two cast-iron statues.

"Halt! This is the imperial area; no one is allowed to approach."

Thinking of Jiang Huan, who was still at the hot spring villa, Xiao Zhao was extremely anxious.

"Brothers, could you please make an exception and inform the Emperor that my master has important matters to report?"

She was so out of breath from running that her voice was trembling.

The guards had seen countless concubines come to see the emperor. If they were to announce the arrival of just anyone who asked for a few words, they would be long gone.

"His Majesty is on official business; please return." The guard remained unmoved, his face impassive.

In a moment of desperation, Xiao Zhao suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily.

His forehead slammed against the bluestone slab with a dull thud, and blood instantly seeped out.

Her voice was choked with sobs, almost pleading: "Brothers, please, my mistress has something very important to do. If it's delayed, her life might be in danger!"

The guards were startled by Xiao Zhao's actions, but duty dictated that they kept their faces cold, though their tone softened slightly.

"What is it that your master is in such a hurry?"

Xiao Zhao knew she couldn't reveal the story of the hot spring villa in public, as that would ruin her mistress's reputation.

She gritted her teeth, her voice trembling slightly, "Please, I won't see the Emperor, but could you at least let me see Eunuch Wang?"

She knew this was her only chance; if she couldn't even see Eunuch Wang, then the young mistress was truly doomed.

Blood trickled down her forehead. The guards looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and finally someone turned to report. Soon after, Wang Degui rushed over.

Xiao Zhao often followed Jiang Huan around. When Wang Degui recognized Xiao Zhao and saw her appearance, his expression changed slightly.

"What happened?"

Xiao Zhao lunged forward and grabbed his sleeve, as if she had grasped a lifeline.

"Father-in-law, someone is trying to harm my young master... at the hot spring villa... I beg you..."

Wang Degui was an old hand in the palace, and even though Xiao Zhao spoke cryptically, he still managed to discern some hidden truths.

He immediately understood the seriousness of the matter, turned around and led Xiao Zhao into the hall.

Inside the hall, Huo Lin was staring intently at the sand table.

He had been inexplicably irritable for half an hour, and the command flag in his hand was unconsciously cracked.

After dismissing all subordinates and servants, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

But the heart inside my chest clenched for no reason.

He raised his hand to press his throbbing temples. Strange... why are his eyes twitching? Did he not sleep well?

Just then, Wang Degui led Xiao Zhao in.

Upon seeing the Emperor, Xiao Zhao immediately knelt down, her hoarse voice filled with urgency.

"Your Majesty, please hurry and save my mistress! Something has happened to her."

Huo Lin frowned, and the command flag in his hand snapped with a "crack".

Xiao Zhao's appearance clearly indicated that something terrible had happened.

"Lead the way!" Huo Lin didn't hesitate at all and immediately strode out. "Tell me what happened as we walk."

"Your Highness was soaking in the hot spring at the hot spring villa when a guard..." Xiao Zhao choked up and lowered her voice as she recounted the incident to Huo Lin.

A cold glint flashed in Huo Lin's eyes, his sharp gaze almost piercing the night.

Without another word, he flicked his sleeves and used his lightness skill, disappearing into the end of the corridor in a few leaps.

How dare they openly harm my concubine in my palace! Well, whoever it is, they are quite capable.

Jiang Huan, you eat so much food, it's time to nourish your brain. Be smart, you must hold on until I arrive!

Something absolutely cannot go wrong... No, it's not fast enough.

The thought made Huo Lin pause for a moment.

Since when did he become so concerned about the safety of a concubine?

The situation was critical, and Huo Lin didn't have time to think. He channeled his inner strength and moved at lightning speed, arriving at the hot spring villa in no time.

The hot spring villa was eerily quiet, with only the sound of flowing water.

Huo Lin kicked open the door to the inner room, and the sight before him made him gasp for breath.

Jiang Huan was curled up in a bucket of cold water, her clothes soaked through, clinging to her body and outlining her slender figure.

Her face was ashen, but her lips were an unnatural crimson, and her long eyelashes were trembling with tears.

"Jiang Huan!"

Normally, Jiang Huan always has a smile on her face, and her eyes are bright, clever, and mischievous.

Huo Lin had never seen Jiang Huan so weak before, and an unprecedented feeling of heartache welled up in his heart.

He rushed forward in two strides, quickly reached the bucket of cold water, and scooped the person out of the cold water.

Jiang Huan's body was ice-cold, but the moment she touched him, she felt like a red-hot coal, burning intensely.

At this moment, Jiang Huan was already somewhat delirious from the effects of the drugs. When Huo Lin picked her up, she instinctively snuggled into his arms, her burning cheeks pressed against his neck.

"It's hot...so hot..."

Jiang Huan's voice was soft and weak, with a hint of confusion.

[...]

She seemed to hear something, yet she also seemed to hear nothing at all.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she raised her eyes, which were misty.

"I'm here. Everything will be alright."

Huo Lin tightened his grip and unconsciously hugged Jiang Huan even tighter.

His usually calm voice was now turbulent, carrying an imperceptible sting.

Jiang Huan slightly raised her head, her breathing rapid and disordered, her lips trembling slightly.

She clung tightly to Huo Lin, the effects of the drug making her heart race, every cell in her body seeming to yearn for something.

Huo Lin's heart raced instantly. He could feel the heat emanating from Jiang Huan, and her breath on his neck sent shivers down his spine.

Jiang Huan was completely unaware of this; all she could feel was the endless coolness emanating from the person in front of her, which easily relieved the restlessness within her.

But that's not enough; they want more.

Jiang Huan frowned in discomfort, her breathing became increasingly rapid, and her consciousness became blurred under the torment of the drugs.

The two gradually closed the distance between them, but stopped abruptly just before they were about to touch.

Jiang Huan's confused pupils suddenly cleared for a moment, and she recognized the black dragon pattern that was right in front of her.

This is……

"emperor?"