Chapter Twenty: Punishment

After hearing Huo Lin's thoughts, a sly glint flashed in Jiang Huan's eyes.

She now knows the wonderful use of this cheat code.

The method of winning over the emperor with delicious food was incredibly successful.

We must continue to develop in this direction!

Go for it!

Jiang Huan was full of energy, but her face showed an extremely shy expression.

Her eyelids were lowered, and her long, thick eyelashes were fluttering like butterflies about to take flight. She spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

"Does this fried chicken and fries suit His Majesty's taste?"

"Yes, that's thoughtful of you."

The lamplight cast shadows on Huo Lin's face; the young emperor was handsome, his expression indifferent, and his emotions unwavering.

If Jiang Huan hadn't overheard Huo Lin's thoughts earlier, she probably would have thought that Huo Lin was just giving her the runaround.

Fortunately, she could hear.

Jiang Huan smiled shyly, "Since Your Majesty thinks it's good, then I will cook for Your Majesty every day from now on."

Huo Lin remained indifferent, only nodding slightly.

But the little devil inside him had already started laughing with his hands on his hips.

[Haha, Consort Zhuang speaks well! I finally don't have to eat those cold dishes from the Imperial Kitchen anymore!]

[Consort Zhuang is truly my savior!]

Jiang Huan found it amusing; this emperor was quite easy to please.

Just promising to cook for him makes him so happy, he's such a foodie.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Huan asked again, "Your Majesty, may I borrow paper and pen?"

Huo Lin glanced at her, then pulled out a sheet of Xuan paper and handed it to her.

Jiang Huan sat at one side of the desk, picked up her pen, and began to write.

Jiang Huan was very satisfied with the elegant and lively calligraphy on the paper.

Not bad, not bad at all. The calligraphy you've retained from your body's memory is quite beautiful.

Jiang Huan dried the ink on her brush, handed the paper to Huo Lin, and spoke softly.

"I can prepare food for Your Majesty according to this list. If Your Majesty wants to eat something, just send someone to tell me. If one day you get tired of the dishes on this list, I can also prepare a new list for Your Majesty."

Huo Lin took the menu and found that it had a wide variety of dishes, including porridge, soup, rice, noodles, stir-fries, and desserts. There were even many dishes he had never heard of before.

"I understand." Huo Lin accepted the menu.

Jiang Huan deliberately held her breath, making her face flush red, and looked extremely excited.

It seems that being able to cook for the emperor was a great honor for her.

Her skin was already fair, but now her cheeks were flushed, making her even more captivating than the sunset.

Her round, almond-shaped eyes sparkled, and beneath her delicate nose were lips as tender as flowers.

It is said that a beautiful woman is best viewed under lamplight. The hazy glow of the candlelight draped a thin veil over her, making her skin appear even whiter.

Huo Lin's gaze lingered on Jiang Huan's face for a few seconds before he casually looked away.

[How come I never noticed before? Consort Zhuang is so beautiful, far more beautiful than Consort Yu.]

[Not only that, Consort Zhuang is a good cook and also clever; even under Wang Degui's watchful eye, she can ensure I have a full meal.]

[Heavens! What was I doing all this time? How come I only just discovered that Consort Zhuang has this precious jade!]

Jiang Huan listened to this, then pressed her lips together tightly, feeling extremely pleased.

That's a great compliment!

Praise me more, I love hearing it!

When she was happy, she would automatically start feeding Huo Lin.

The two of them got along well, one feeding the other and the other eating, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

There seemed to be an invisible barrier among them, keeping everyone else out and making it impossible for anyone to get in.

Jiang Huan only left with the empty food box after Huo Lin had finished eating all the food he had brought.

Upon returning to Jinhua Palace, Jiang Huan had not yet had time to go back to her own west side hall when she encountered Cuiying blocking the entrance.

Cuiying looked at Jiang Huan with arrogance, her words showing no respect whatsoever.

"Consort Zhuang, Consort Yu requests your presence."

Jiang Huan cursed her bad luck inwardly. She knew that if she went there now, the outcome wouldn't be good.

She has to deliver food to the Emperor tomorrow, how can she delay!

Jiang Huan gritted her teeth and tried to refuse.

"It's getting late. It wouldn't be good if we disturbed Consort Yu's rest."

Cuiying snorted coldly, not taking Jiang Huan seriously at all.

"That's not up to you." As soon as she finished speaking, Cuiying raised her right hand slightly, and two old women immediately stepped out from behind her.

Jiang Huan immediately became wary, but as a concubine who rarely did any housework except cooking, how could she possibly break free from the strength of the two nannies?

In just one exchange, Jiang Huan was subdued.

The two men, one on each side, dragged Jiang Huan toward the main hall, giving her no chance to resist.

In the main hall, Consort Yu sat on the Noble Concubine's Chair.

When she discovered that Jiang Huan was missing, she sent people to inquire about her.

Upon hearing that she had gone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he became even more furious.

That little slut! She's just using her skills to seduce the Emperor time and time again.

Consort Yu's jealousy surged wildly, and the noise suddenly became shrill.

"Kneel down before me!"

Seeing that she couldn't escape, Jiang Huan gritted her teeth and knelt down readily.

A man can bend and stretch.

"What have I done wrong to displease Your Majesty?"

Jiang Huan originally wanted to get out what Consort Yu had to say, and then find an opportunity to exonerate herself.

Although we must be patient, it's always good to reduce the punishment a little.

Unfortunately, Consort Yu had no intention of giving her that chance.

At Cuiying's signal, the two old women immediately grabbed Jiang Huan's shoulders and pressed her to the ground.

Jiang Huan's knee hit the ground with a dull thud, and her brows furrowed instantly.

Seeing Jiang Huan in pain, Consort Yu felt extremely pleased, and her lips curled up into a smug smile.

Even if Aunt Li came to support Jiang Huan before, so what? Jiang Huan still ended up in her hands now.

You can protect someone for a while, but not forever.

Today she will show Jiang Huan who the true master of Jinhua Palace is!

"I haven't lifted your confinement yet, and you've already gone out on your own, completely disregarding me, your empress. Today I'll teach you some manners!"

Consort Yu spoke sternly, her tone fierce: "Guards! Keep an eye on Consort Zhuang. She is not to get up without my permission!"

Jiang Huan's pupils suddenly contracted sharply, and her heartbeat became erratic.

Given Consort Yu's resentment towards her, she definitely wouldn't be able to get up for several hours.

No, she had just told the Emperor she would cook for him. If she broke her promise tomorrow, all her previous efforts would be in vain.

We need to think of a solution quickly.

She opened her mouth, "Your Majesty, I..."

Unfortunately, Jiang Huan had only uttered a few words when her mouth was forcibly covered.

Consort Yu leaned back in her chaise longue, watching coldly.

That bitch is good at sweet talk; otherwise, she wouldn't have tricked him into taking her to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, only to end up becoming her bride.

Tonight, no matter what, we must not let her speak again!