Chapter Twenty-Two: Great Favor

Huo Lin's decision to go to Jinhua Palace was too sudden; the young eunuch did not have time to inform him in advance.

When Huo arrived, Jiang Huan had just brought the last dish she had prepared into the room.

Upon seeing Huo Lin, Jiang Huan was taken aback. Just as she was about to bow in greeting, Huo Lin raised his hand and took her arm.

"No need."

His cold gaze shifted away, subtly landing on the dishes she was holding.

Wow, it smells so good.

[My mouth is already watering before I've even started eating!]

[Consort Zhuang! Please invite me to stay for dinner! I want to eat your cooking!]

Jiang Huan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. The Emperor's style was truly as unchanging as ever.

However, Huo Lin's arrival shows that Chen Jinxi's communication was very effective.

My hard times are finally over.

She placed the plate on the table, quickly concealing her emotions.

Jiang Huan looked at Huo Lin with a smile, her voice gentle.

"Has Your Majesty eaten yet? If not, may I have something to eat here?"

"Hmm." Huo Lin nodded.

[Wuhu, yay! Time to eat!]

Huo Lin washed his hands with Wang Degui's help and sat down at the table. Jiang Huan readily sat down on the other side of Huo Lin.

She had injured her leg and cooked only simple home-style dishes, but even with these, Jiang Huan could hear Huo Lin's satisfied sighs.

[Ah! I've tasted this dish from the Imperial Kitchen before, and it's completely incomparable to the one made by Consort Zhuang!]

What are those people in the imperial kitchen even doing?!

Mmm, this stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork is delicious! The bamboo shoots are crisp, tender, and juicy, and the pork is fresh, tender, and smooth. Very good!

...

Jiang Huan chuckled inwardly. This emperor had quite the pedantry, with his endless little theories.

Look at what they've done to the child!

He coaxed a simple hot dish into turning it into an embryo.

And so, amidst Huo Lin's constant praise, the two finished their lunch.

After finishing his meal, Huo Lin did not leave immediately.

He held a cup of tea and drank it calmly.

The afternoon sun streamed through the side window, casting a soft glow on him.

The dark robes he wore accentuated his handsome features and unparalleled charisma.

He was still the same elegant and noble emperor, but Jiang Huan seemed to see a satiated cat.

A smile unconsciously crept onto her lips as her mind wandered aimlessly.

What would people think if they knew that this seemingly aloof and dignified emperor was actually a foodie who thought about food all day long?

Huo Lin was completely unaware that his true nature had already been clearly exposed in front of Jiang Huan.

His gaze swept across Jiang Huan's room, taking in the place where his concubine resided.

Although the place looked simple and lacked any rare or unusual decorations, it was clean and tidy.

At first, Huo Lin was watching carefully, until his gaze fell on the desk not far away.

【Hmm? Look what I've found!】

[It looks like a dessert, but I've never seen it before!]

The sudden sound of her inner voice quickly pulled Jiang Huan back to reality.

Jiang Huan followed Huo Lin's gaze and saw the glutinous rice ball that she had placed on the desk.

Those were little desserts she made for herself; she only made a few!

Life is so tough, of course we need to eat something sweet!

But Huo Lin's inner voice continued to clamor.

[Ah! Is Consort Zhuang looking at me? Has she noticed what I'm looking at?!]

Why hasn't she given it to me yet?

[I want to eat! I want to eat everything that Consort Zhuang makes!]

Huo Lin didn't say anything on the surface, but instead turned his gaze away from the pastries and looked at Jiang Huan.

Jiang Huan met those deep, dark eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.

No! That plate of glutinous rice balls was made with great difficulty, despite her aching legs.

Hasn't the Emperor already eaten the lunch she prepared? Why does he need to eat more?

She hasn't properly enjoyed the food she made herself in a long time, so let's save some for her this time.

Jiang Huan remained silent, while Huo Lin simply watched her.

[Zhuang Changzai, Zhuang Changzai! What is that?!]

[Your time to shine has come, Consort Zhuang! Quickly bring me that plate of snow-white dumplings!]

Although it was only a few breaths, Jiang Huan was torn between two conflicting emotions.

There were only a few dumplings; if they were given to Huo Lin, what would she eat?

But if I don't give it to Huo Lin, that little foodie will definitely throw a tantrum.

I heard that Consort Yu has already been demoted. If she eats alone today, she might be demoted again tomorrow.

If she could make Huo Lin happy, it would also be good for her.

But it's her glutinous rice ball!

Ah! Why did you do this to her!

After much internal struggle, Jiang Huan finally made a decision: "You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub."

As long as the emperor likes the food she makes, she will never lack ingredients!

If she has the ingredients, she can cook for herself again.

Jiang Huan turned her head and resignedly picked up the plate containing the glutinous rice balls.

"Your Majesty, this is a dessert I made called glutinous rice dumplings. Would Your Majesty like to try some?"

Jiang Huan's voice sounded dejected, and the smile she had shown earlier was gone from her face; she looked listless.

Huo Lin's attention was already drawn to the glutinous rice ball that was right in front of him, and he didn't notice Jiang Huan's unusual behavior.

He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of a glutinous rice ball, and then took a bite.

The black sesame filling is perfectly paired with the soft and chewy outer skin. The outer skin is smooth, the inside is soft, and the filling melts in your mouth, while also carrying the unique aroma of black sesame.

[Ah! Delicious! Is Consort Zhuang some kind of culinary genius descended to earth?]

Jiang Huan felt her heart bleed when she saw Huo Lin devour half of the little dumpling in one bite.

She really wants to eat it too, Your Majesty! Could you please save one for me?!

Perhaps it was because Jiang Huan's gaze was too resentful that Huo Lin paused for a moment while eating a glutinous rice ball.

Noticing Jiang Huan's gaze, Huo Lin was unusually thoughtful.

[Ahem, why is Consort Zhuang looking at me like that? Does she want some too?]

[Hmm... Did I... steal the prize money from the Zhuang family...?]

【Oh, alright, alright, stop looking at me! I'll save one for you! I'll save one for you!】

Jiang Huan wasn't particularly happy about this; she could have had it all!

Next time, she wants to make a plate herself!

She's going to eat like crazy behind Huo Lin's back!

The glutinous rice dumplings were quite small, and Jiang Huan didn't make many. In no time, the plate of glutinous rice dumplings was almost empty, with only one dumpling left on top.

Huo Lin hadn't had enough to eat; he wanted more.

But seeing Jiang Huan's aggrieved expression, Huo Lin put down his silver chopsticks without expression.

Jiang Huan clenched her fist behind her back, but then, remembering that Huo Lin was the emperor, she silently released it.

Don't get angry! Getting angry will only make you sick, and no one can take your place!

Tolerate!