Chapter Ninety-Four: Digging Up the Cook

"Eat slowly." Huo Lin handed over the teacup, his eyes filled with a hint of doting: "No one's going to take it from you."

Jiang Huan took a sip, and the aroma of the tea perfectly balanced the sweetness in her mouth.

She glanced up discreetly and found that Huo Lin's gaze was still fixed on her, so she quickly picked up a piece of golden jujube pastry.

"Your Majesty, would you like to try some? It's really delicious."

Huo Lin then reluctantly spared a glance for the pastries on the table.

He picked up a piece with a reserved air, and raised an eyebrow slightly after taking a bite.

"It's really good."

The desserts she recommended were indeed delicious.

Seeing her enjoy her meal makes me happy too.

Consort Jia, standing to the side, grew increasingly pale.

She had dressed up carefully for today, thinking that since Jiang Huan's leg was still not healed, she might be able to take the opportunity to spend time with the Emperor.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor's gaze remained fixed on Jiang Huan from beginning to end.

This vixen is adept at seducing the Emperor; she can't let Jiang Huan succeed.

"Your Majesty," Consort Jia forced a smile, picked up her chopsticks, and tried to serve Huo Lin some food.

"These jujube pastries are delicious, but they can get cloying if you eat too many. Why not try this instead..."

"Try it yourself."

Huo Lin interrupted Consort Jia directly, without even looking at what Consort Jia wanted him to taste.

The food that Consort Jia had just picked up fell back down instantly. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her expression was distorted as she suppressed her anger.

She put down her chopsticks, her nails almost digging into her palms.

Jiang Huan had no time to notice Consort Jia's lapse in composure; she was engrossed in enjoying her meal, her almond-shaped eyes crinkling into crescents with satisfaction.

Putting everything else aside, this chef is indeed quite skilled; the food he makes is very authentic.

After eating several snacks, Jiang Huan looked up again and found Huo Lin looking at her.

Why are you looking at her? Keep eating, don't stop.

Jiang Huan felt a little embarrassed by his gaze. "Your Majesty, this jadeite and white jade roll is also delicious. Would you like to try some?"

As she spoke, she picked one up and placed it in Huo Lin's bowl.

Seeing this, Huo Lin picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.

"It's delicious."

Everything she puts on the plate tastes delicious.

However, after only taking a bite, Huo Lin resumed staring at Jiang Huan.

Helpless, Jiang Huan still served food to Huo Lin while eating.

Consort Jia was left standing to the side, her face looking extremely unpleasant.

She was unwilling to give up and tried every means to attract Huo Lin's attention, but Huo Lin's eyes never even looked in her direction.

During the meal, Jiang Huan tried almost all the new dishes, while Huo Lin maintained a cold expression throughout, with only the occasional smile in his eyes revealing his true emotions.

When it was time to pay the bill, Jiang Huan looked at the empty plate with reluctance, feeling somewhat sentimental.

Now that her leg is broken and she is in the deep palace, she cannot leave the palace at will.

"These golden jujube pastries are quite good, but it's a pity that I don't know when I'll be able to eat them again."

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin immediately summoned the shopkeeper: "Who is the chef who makes the Golden Thread Jujube Pastry?"

The shopkeeper quickly replied, "It's Master Zhang from my shop, a family heirloom."

"I...I want to see him." Huo Lin almost let it slip.

Soon, a lean, middle-aged man was brought up.

Master Zhang was completely bewildered, wondering what the customer wanted from him.

"Your cooking skills are quite good." Huo Lin went straight to the point. "Would you be willing to work as a cook in my household?"

Jiang Huan's eyes widened. Was the Emperor trying to poach someone?

Master Zhang looked troubled: "But I..."

"Double the monthly salary, and you can bring your family." Huo Lin stated his terms decisively.

[As long as she's happy, any amount of money is worth it.]

Jiang Huan was both amused and exasperated. Wasn't the Emperor's way of spoiling people a bit too simple and crude?

“Actually,” she whispered to Huo Lin, “I just find it novel, there’s no need for all this…”

"It's alright," Huo Lin said nonchalantly. "Our household happens to be short of someone who can make pastries."

Consort Jia couldn't hold back any longer when she heard Huo Linzhen lying through his teeth.

With so many excellent chefs in the imperial kitchen, how could they not know how to make desserts?

"Young master, don't we already have..."

"You should go back to your residence first," Huo Lin interrupted her directly.

Consort Jia had been interrupted by Huo Lin for who knows how many times.

Seeing the strange looks from the shopkeeper and Master Zhang, her face turned pale and then red, and in the end she could only leave in anger.

The shopkeeper had some reservations about Huo Lin's blatant poaching of employees, but seeing Huo Lin's extraordinary demeanor, he didn't immediately turn hostile.

“Sir, Master Zhang is the star of our Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Isn’t what you’re doing a bit unfair?”

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin immediately took out a gold ingot from his sleeve and placed it on the counter.

"This is compensation."

The shopkeeper's eyes widened immediately, and he quickly changed his tune.

"It's Zhang's good fortune to be appreciated by such a distinguished person!"

With his monthly salary doubled and he allowed to bring his family, Mr. Zhang naturally had no objections whatsoever.

After telling Master Zhang that someone would come to pick him up, Huo Lin paid the bill and left with Jiang Huan.

On the way back to the palace, Huo Lin personally pushed the wheelchair.

Jiang Huan looked up at Huo Lin's cold profile and couldn't help but smile.

"What are you laughing at?" Huo Lin looked down at her.

"It's nothing." She looked up at his cold profile. "I just think the Emperor is really nice."

Huo Lin's ears turned slightly red, but he pretended to be serious in his tone.

"It's good that you know."

She praised me.

However, to maintain dignity, one must not appear too happy.

[No, I'm pushing a wheelchair right now, she can't see me!]

Jiang Huan smiled, and she suddenly felt that it was wonderful to be able to hear the Emperor's thoughts.

As the sun set, their shadows stretched long on the ground, gradually merging into one.

Huo Lin unconsciously loosened his grip on the wheelchair, afraid of jolting her.

These peaceful days are so good.

With her around, even the air tastes sweet.

Jiang Huan pretended not to hear these cheesy words, but she couldn't hide the smile on her lips.

She secretly leaned back, getting closer to Huo Lin.

Huo Lin noticed her subtle movement, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly, but he quickly straightened up again.

She has come close to me.

[Oh dear, calm down, I can't be so spineless.]

Hearing Huo Lin's thoughts, Jiang Huan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing at now?" Huo Lin asked, feigning seriousness.

"Nothing," Jiang Huan blinked, "I just think the sunset today is especially beautiful."

Huo Lin looked up at the setting sun, then looked down at her.

"Yes, it is beautiful."

But people are even more beautiful in the sunset.

Jiang Huan blushed and quickly lowered her head, pretending to straighten her clothes.

The Emperor's sweet words are just too irresistible!

The wheelchair continued moving forward, and the shadows of the two people intertwined on the ground.

However, the shadows stretched long by the setting sun were not just two.

Around the corner, Consort Jia stood in the shadows, staring at the two intimately close individuals, her eyes swirling with a dark undercurrent of jealousy.

She gritted her teeth and said, "Jiang Huan, we'll see."