Chapter Twenty-Four: Promotion

Jiang Huan wasn't making excuses when she said the food she was preparing for Huo Lin would take several hours to cook.

After chatting with Xiao Zhao for a few minutes, Jiang Huan began to make preparations.

She first carefully selected ingredients from the gifts Huo Lin had given her, preparing to cook several new dishes.

Immerse the snow-white tofu cubes in ice water, lightly touch the blade to your fingertips, and the tofu strands, as thin as hair, slowly unfurl in the clear water, resembling a white chrysanthemum in the water.

Xiao Zhao held the celadon bowl in her hands and exclaimed in amazement, "Wow! Your knife skills are truly amazing!"

Jiang Huan smiled smugly, "This is nothing."

Give her a radish, and she can carve a dragon!

After cutting the tofu, Jiang Huan blanched it briefly in boiling water, then rinsed it in cold water to keep the tofu strips tender.

Then she started simmering the soup base.

The small kitchen was bustling with activity, and the situation in the imperial court was equally lively.

The hall was filled with noise as the ministers spoke one after another, their voices rising and falling like a surging tide.

The old prime minister, Li Wenbo, stepped forward first. He had a full head of white hair and his tone was somewhat urgent.

"Your Majesty, the country is now at peace and prosperous, a perfect time to have offspring. We beseech Your Majesty to give birth to an heir as soon as possible to comfort the hearts of the people."

"Yes, Your Majesty, the matter of the imperial heir is a matter of national importance. I hope Your Majesty will make plans as soon as possible."

Other ministers echoed this sentiment, and the court was filled with urging voices.

Huo Lin sat on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping across the court like cold lightning.

He was already tired of hearing what these ministers were saying.

If you love having children so much, why don't you have them yourself!

He was the emperor, and he was already exhausted from dealing with state affairs every day. On top of that, he was constantly bothered by the fact that the women in the harem had no children.

It's as if not having children means you should be beheaded.

Normally, if there were no important matters to attend to, the court would have already adjourned by this time.

But when it came to the imperial heir, these ministers talked on and on, as if they were determined to investigate thoroughly.

Huo Lin frowned slightly.

He complained that the food in the imperial kitchen was getting worse every day.

Did these ministers eat all his food and get bored?

Otherwise, why would they always meddle in his business?

If it weren't for the fact that they were all pillars of the court, Huo Lin would have left long ago and wouldn't be here listening to their nonsense.

Since we're forcing him to give an explanation, then...

Huo Lin suddenly let out a cold laugh, his tone surprisingly calm.

"Since you are all so concerned about the matter of the imperial heir, I will grant your request."

Then Zhuang Changzai was there.

It just so happens that he has been frequently summoning Consort Zhuang recently, so using her to deflect gossip is perfectly reasonable.

The court fell silent instantly, and the ministers looked at each other in disbelief.

Huo Lin slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said in a deep voice, "Jiang Huan has been deeply favored by me since she entered the palace. She is now Consort Jinzhuang and a Noble Lady."

"Do any of you have any further objections?"

The ministers were stunned for a long time before they reacted, and hurriedly bowed and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

It doesn't matter who you favor or who you promote; what difference does it make who gives birth to a prince?

Seeing that the matter of the imperial heir was finally over, Huo Lin immediately adjourned the court.

Soon, news of Jiang Huan's promotion to a higher rank spread throughout the palace.

In the west side hall of Jinhua Palace, Jiang Huan saw off the eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree, and her smile broadened even more.

She's a benefactor now.

If Yu Chang tries to cause her trouble again in the future, it will be much more difficult.

The first phase is now complete!

With a smile on her face, Jiang Huan plunged back into the kitchen to continue cooking.

Before we knew it, it was almost noon.

Jiang Huan's small kitchen was filled with an enticing aroma as she placed delicious snacks and side dishes on plates and packed them into food boxes.

With everything prepared, Jiang Huan led Xiao Zhao to the Imperial Study.

Before the two even arrived, they saw a group of people standing at the entrance of the Imperial Study.

When she got closer, Jiang Huan could see that the person was Consort Jia and her maid.

Jiang Huan was speechless.

What a small world!

Why did they have to come at this exact moment?

Jiang Huan cursed inwardly, but showed no sign of it on her face.

"Your Highness, Imperial Concubine." Jiang Huan gave a slight curtsy, her tone calm.

Consort Jia, her fingers adorned with nail polish, was fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist when she heard this, and raised her eyebrows.

"It's only been one morning, but I never expected that when we met again, my sister would already be a noble lady. It's clear that my sister knows how to please the Emperor."

"Your Majesty is too kind. I was merely doing my duty."

Jiang Huan answered calmly and respectfully, while her eyes darted around.

This Consort Jia is like a stubborn plaster, a bit difficult to deal with.

"Duty?"

Consort Jia's eyes turned slightly cold as she glanced at the food box.

She remembered that when she paid her respects to Jiang Huan that morning, Jiang Huan had said that the food in the food box would take several hours to prepare.

"Is this what my sister made? I wonder what kind of rare thing she made?" she said, then suddenly leaned forward half a step and reached out to lift the lid of the food box.

Consort Jia's actions came too suddenly, startling Jiang Huan, who quickly reached out to block them.

Why would she open the lid for no reason? She must be up to no good and want to harm someone!

Don't let her open the food box!

Just as Jiang Huan's hand was about to touch the food box, Consort Jia suddenly withdrew her hand and turned to fall towards Jiang Huan.

Jiang Huan's mind was focused on the food box, so she never expected Consort Jia to pull this stunt.

She stared in astonishment, but it was too late to dodge.

The next second, her body was violently bumped by Consort Jia, and she immediately lost her balance.

"Be careful, my lord!"

Xiao Zhao exclaimed in surprise and quickly reached out to help Jiang Huan, barely managing to grab her arm.

However, the food box in Jiang Huan's hand slipped out and crashed heavily to the ground, spilling the food and soup everywhere, leaving a mess.

She stared at the mess on the ground, her ears ringing.

Her food, her time, and her secret weapon for currying favor!

Consort Jia!

Jiang Huan was furious and glared at Consort Jia.

As expected, the tactic of staged accidents is universally applicable throughout history and across cultures.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault for accidentally bumping into my sister. I hope she won't blame me." Consort Jia apologized, but there was no remorse on her face. Instead, she had a smug smile on her face.

Jiang Huan really wanted to grab Consort Jia by the hair and pin her to the ground to apologize for all her hard work.

But have you ever seen a nobleman beat up a concubine?

Moreover, it was because she herself didn't hold the food box properly that it fell to the ground.

A moment of patience brings calm, a step back opens up a vast expanse.

"I wouldn't dare," Jiang Huan said through gritted teeth.

"That's good then." Consort Jia smiled smugly. "Sister must be here to see the Emperor. In that case, I won't take up any more of your time."

After saying this, Consort Jia turned and left with her maids, leaving Jiang Huan and Xiao Zhao to face the mess.

Xiao Zhao was extremely anxious. "My lady, what should we do?"

These snacks were all personally ordered by the Emperor, and it took a lot of effort just to prepare them.

If the emperor doesn't receive the food they bring...

Jiang Huan shuddered; that meant she was doomed.