Chapter 155 Feigning Illness
[Cough cough, how much salt and Sichuan peppercorns did she add to the soup?]
"Your tongue is numb; does this mean you don't want to hear my explanation?"
No, I can't remain silent. She's still angry; I can't stop talking.
[Water! My life-saving water!]
Huo Lin was internally screaming, but on the surface, he just pursed his lips tightly.
She raised her eyes, forcing herself to remain calm as she looked at Jiang Huan standing to the side, managing to force a smile.
Wang Degui watched with trepidation. They were all old-timers in the palace; what couldn't they understand?
He desperately wanted to rush out and fetch a tub of water, but he couldn't.
The Emperor wants to reconcile with the Empress; this is the test.
For Huo Lin's happiness for the rest of his life, the key word is: forbearance.
Seeing Huo Lin's expression of feigning composure despite being in excruciating pain, Jiang Huan's anger dissipated considerably.
The smile on her lips was impossible to suppress, and her almond-shaped eyes were filled with a triumphant glint, shining brightly.
A life truth: Never offend the cook!
Otherwise, you'll never know what you're eating.
"Oh? Really?"
"Your Majesty, please don't flatter me. I tried a new seasoning method today, and I was worried that Your Majesty wouldn't like it."
She took a small step forward, tilted her head slightly, and spoke in an extremely innocent tone.
[A new seasoning technique? That's a bit too new...]
[Waaaaah... My sense of taste!]
Huo Lin was inwardly weeping, but seeing the long-lost smile on Jiang Huan's face, the torment of the taste didn't seem so unbearable anymore.
[Never mind, as long as she smiles...]
[What does it matter what I eat? I can tolerate leftovers from the imperial kitchen, and even that slow-acting poison didn't kill me, so this potent one won't either!]
Overwhelmed by love, Huo Lin instantly completed his self-conquest, finding Jiang Huan adorable in every way and perfectly suited to his taste.
"I would not lie to you."
Huo Linqing cleared his throat, which was tight from the spitting, and tried his best to make his voice sound less like it had been ripped open with a knife.
"This soup has a unique flavor and a long aftertaste, which I greatly enjoy."
As he spoke, as if to prove his liking, he picked up the spoon again, and with an almost tragic determination, scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth.
Despite the overwhelming taste, Huo Lin forced himself to swallow the second mouthful of soup.
"Ugh." He groaned, the veins on his forehead throbbing even more vigorously.
[Ugh, it's even saltier! Help!]
Wang Degui's eyelids twitched as he read this; the Emperor's path to wooing the Emperor was more difficult than the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures.
Jiang Huan didn't expect that Huo Lin would actually dare to take a second sip.
He remained completely calm and composed, which was truly astonishing.
However, seeing how hard Huo Lin was working, she didn't seem so angry anymore.
Jiang Huan quickly sounded a warning to herself: No, no, that's not right.
She must stand firm and not soften her heart just because of a bowl of soup.
Think of his icy expression when he lost his memory, and think of the beauty pageant he organized.
Forgiving him so easily would be a disservice to the suffering I've endured.
"Since Your Majesty likes it, then drink it all."
Huo Lin's heart skipped a beat, but looking at Jiang Huan's face, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
[Fine, I'll go all out today!]
When he swallowed the last bite, Huo Lin felt as if he had been elevated to a higher level.
[I've finished drinking, I've done it... Wait, why do I feel a little lightheaded? Am I still in the mortal realm?]
Did she see my sincerity?
Huo Lin put down the soup bowl, let out a long sigh of relief, and looked at Jiang Huan with an astonishingly bright gaze.
He reached out, wanting to pull her closer and embrace her to express his longing and guilt.
But Jiang Huan was as slippery as an eel, and it looked like that hand was about to touch her fingertips.
"Ouch."
She suddenly raised her hand to support her forehead, and her body swayed slightly, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.
Huo Lin instantly changed direction and steadily helped Jiang Huan to her feet.
The expectation and tenderness on her face were replaced by worry.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Jiang Huan turned slightly to the side, freeing herself from his hand, her voice carrying a perfectly measured weakness.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I suddenly feel a little dizzy and weak. Perhaps it's because I stood in the small kitchen for too long today and was exposed to some cooking fumes. My chest also feels tight and I'm not feeling well."
As she spoke, she pressed her hand to her chest, her brows furrowing even more.
Feeling dizzy? Weak? Tightness in the chest?
[Could it be that I angered her?]
Huo Lin's heart leaped into his throat, and all his romantic thoughts vanished into thin air.
"Wang Degui, what are you standing there for? Go and summon Physician Chang. Tell him to come running here."
Huo Lin's voice changed, "I'll help you sit down first."
Jiang Huan subtly took a small step back, avoiding his support.
The Oscar-winning actress is really into her performance.
She still covered her forehead, her voice barely audible: "No need to trouble the imperial physician, I'm just a little tired and want to lie down and rest by myself for a while."
"Your Majesty, you must be tired after a long day. Why don't you go back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to rest? It's really inconvenient for me to serve you here."
The word "serve" was given a pitiful emphasis.
Huo Lin looked at Jiang Huan's weak yet determined appearance, his outstretched hand awkwardly hanging in mid-air.
[They wouldn't let me touch them, and then they chased me away...]
[They must have been angered by me, no doubt about it.]
Is there any soup left? A few bowls might help ease her discomfort.
Huo Lin opened his mouth, wanting to stay by Jiang Huan's side.
Jiang Huan gave him a soft wink, meaning she just wanted to be alone.
Finally, Huo Lin reluctantly withdrew his hand, his handsome face filled with disappointment and self-blame.
"Yes, I understand. I'll be leaving now. If you really feel unwell, be sure to summon the imperial physician. Don't try to tough it out, understand?"
He kept turning back to look at Jiang Huan, his gaze fixed on her, filled with reluctance.
"I will come to see you again tomorrow."
Only after confirming that Huo Lin's figure had disappeared outside the palace gates did Jiang Huan lower her hand from her forehead, her face no longer showing any sign of weakness.
She patted her chest, still shaken.
"Phew, that was close! I almost couldn't take it. That pitiful look in her eyes was so devastating."
Xiao Zhao watched in stunned silence, swallowing hard.
"Your Majesty, this is too much..."
That's incredibly audacious! That's the Emperor! If we're played like this, what will happen when he punishes us?
Jiang Huan waved her hand dismissively, walked to the table, poked the soup bowl with her fingertip, and recalled how Huo Lin had stubbornly insisted on staying put earlier.
It felt great, but that belated heartache, like bubbles rising from the bottom of the water, kept bubbling up again.
He was really honest; he actually finished the whole drink.
Will my tongue get damaged?
Jiang Huan shook her head, trying to shake off the image of Huo Lin's aggrieved eyes from her mind.
Hmph, we can't be soft-hearted, otherwise it would be a waste of all the emotional suffering she's endured!
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