Chapter Nineteen Feeding

When Jiang Huan arrived, a young eunuch named Chen Jinxi was guarding the entrance to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Upon seeing Jiang Huan approach, Chen Jinxi performed a standard greeting.

"This servant greets Consort Zhuang."

Jiang Huan smiled slightly and casually handed Chen Jinxi a small portion of pre-packaged fries.

"Father-in-law, you've been waiting outside all day, you must be tired. Here are some snacks I made, please have a taste."

Although Chen Jinxi was not like Wang Degui, who could serve the emperor at his side, he was still someone who could see the emperor every day.

You should know that the Hall of Mental Cultivation is not a place that just anyone can enter. If you want to get in, you need someone to announce your arrival.

If she wants to please the Emperor, she will have to visit the Hall of Mental Cultivation quite often, and it is essential for her to build a good relationship with this eunuch Chen Jinxi.

Chen Jinxi stared blankly at the small bag of food that had been stuffed into his hand.

Having guarded the gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation for so long, he had seen many concubines being kept outside by the emperor with just a word.

When the concubines couldn't see the emperor, they would take their anger out on him, and he suffered a lot and was disliked by many.

Zhuang Changzai was the first person who didn't despise him, cared about him, and was willing to give him food.

"This servant thanks Consort Zhuang."

Chen Jin felt a surge of joy and tightened his grip on the food Jiang Huan had given him.

He noticed that Jiang Huan was carrying a food box, so she must have come to see the Emperor about something.

Chen Jinxi asked proactively, "Does Consort Zhuang need me to go in and announce her arrival?"

Jiang Huan nodded and smiled, handing the food box she was carrying to Chen Jinxi.

“I personally prepared some food and would like to offer it to His Majesty for a taste.”

"Please wait a moment, Consort Zhuang, this servant will go in now."

Chen Jinxi nodded to Jiang Huan, took the food box, and turned to enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The atmosphere inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was somewhat oppressive. Huo Lin was sitting at his desk, holding a memorial in his hand, his brows furrowed, as if he were dealing with some thorny matters.

The other eunuchs and palace maids in the hall dared not utter a sound, for fear of disturbing the emperor.

When Wang Degui saw Chen Jinxi come in, he frowned and was about to send him away when he suddenly smelled a rich fragrance.

The aroma was like fried food, but it wasn't quite the same as the fried food Wang Degui knew.

Curious, he couldn't help but ask, "What's that smell? What are you holding?"

Huo Lin also smelled the aroma, and his stomach rumbled with anticipation. He looked towards Chen Jinxi upon hearing this.

Why does it smell so good? Is Jiang Huan here?

Apart from Jiang Huan, he had never seen anyone make food that smelled so good.

Oh! My Lady Zhuang! My food!

When Chen Jinxi looked up, he saw Huo Lin looking at him. Being stared at by the emperor's deep and unfathomable eyes, Chen Jinxi suddenly felt as if a small mountain was pressing down on him.

But thinking of Jiang Huan waiting outside, Chen Jinxi took a breath and mustered his courage.

He picked up the food box and replied, "This is food that Consort Zhuang personally prepared for His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Wang Degui opened the food box and immediately saw the food inside.

The golden-brown fried food looked incredibly tempting.

Wang Degui knew that Jiang Huan was very good at cooking, but what if eating such greasy food at night would make the emperor sick?

inappropriate.

He closed the lid of the food box again. "Your Majesty, these foods are too greasy. They may not be easy to digest if eaten at night. Perhaps this old servant should decline Consort Zhuang's offer."

Huo Lin's eyes darkened slightly, as if his heart was bleeding.

No! He wants to eat the food made by Consort Zhuang! He doesn't want to eat the bland, watery food from the Imperial Kitchen!

No, he has to keep Consort Zhuang.

With Consort Zhuang's intelligence, she will surely find a way to get me to eat it!

"Let's leave the food for now," Huo Lin said casually, picking up his brush. "I'm out of ink. Since Consort Zhuang is here, let her come in and grind some ink for me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jin was delighted and immediately left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

He smiled and said to Jiang Huan, "Consort Zhuang, His Majesty requests that you go in and grind the ink."

When Jiang Huan heard that not only was the food being sent in, but she could also go in herself, she was overjoyed.

Everyone in the imperial harem knows that the Emperor's Hall of Mental Cultivation is the most difficult to enter.

Many concubines have encountered setbacks here.

And she! She has never been refused a meeting with the Emperor!

This "key" is really useful.

Jiang Huan took a deep breath and slowly walked into the hall.

Huo Lin sat at his desk and began to review the memorials again.

The food box she had Chen Jinxi bring in was placed aside, the lid still unopened, and the Emperor showed no sign of wanting to eat.

Huh? What's going on?

Just as she was wondering, Jiang Huan heard Huo Lin's thoughts.

[Waaaaah, my stomach is churning! They're saying I'm so hungry, I want to eat so much!]

[Why won't Wang Degui let me eat! I diligently handle state affairs every day, and even the donkeys in the fields get feed. Why can't I even get a bite to eat here!]

[I want to eat! Didn't we already summon Consort Zhuang? Why haven't we come up with a solution yet?]

[Do I have to be under the guillotine to figure it out?!]

Jiang Huan subconsciously lowered her head, and a chill ran up her spine.

Imagine yourself as a magic lamp, making a wish that comes true in a second.

However, she finally understood.

She said, "How could the emperor, who always complains about not having enough to eat, suddenly change his ways?"

Indeed, no one can resist the temptation of delicious food.

Having come up with a plan, Jiang Huan immediately went over and opened the food box beside her, deliberately asking, "Your Majesty, why didn't you eat the fried chicken I made? Is it not to your liking?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Degui immediately said, "Your Majesty should not eat too much at night, especially fried food, as it is difficult to digest if you eat too much."

Jiang Huan smiled slightly, looking at Wang Degui with a gentle tone.

“Eunuch Wang, what you say makes sense, but His Majesty is busy with many affairs of state and should eat something to replenish his energy. Although these fried foods are greasy, they will not put too much burden on the body as long as they are eaten in moderation. In addition, I have prepared plum juice to help cut through the greasiness.”

As she spoke, she picked up a bamboo skewer from the food box, skewered a piece of fried chicken, and offered it to Huo Lin's mouth.

"Your Majesty, it took me a long time to make these. If Your Majesty doesn't try them, all my efforts will be in vain."

Just as Wang Degui was about to stop her, Jiang Huan looked over with a smile.

"Eunuch Wang, it's just a piece of fried chicken, please don't bother us."

Wang Degui was at a loss after Jiang Huan's words. Could he possibly stop the romantic entanglements between the emperor and his concubines?

Huo Lin bowed his head and readily accepted Jiang Huan's offer of food.

The chicken is fried to a crispy exterior and tender interior, with the crispy skin contrasting beautifully with the juicy meat. The juices burst in your mouth, leaving you wanting more.

Before Huo Lin could recover from the deliciousness of the fried chicken, Jiang Huan fed him a French fry.

"Your Majesty, please try some fries."

The fries are crispy and fragrant, with the aroma of oil blending with the natural fragrance of potatoes, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Huo Lin ate, his eyes deep and bright.

[Consort Zhuang! Well done! I love it!]

[Anything Zhuang Changzai makes, there's no way it can be bad.]

How I wish Consort Zhuang could cook for me every day!