Chapter 174 Less Temper
Jiang Huan was inwardly astonished. How incredibly self-aware Huo Lin must be to ask such a question.
He desperately needs a vivid and engaging psychology lesson.
"Does Your Majesty still remember last month when the Vice Minister of Revenue miscalculated a number, and you threw the memorial in his face on the spot?"
Huo Lin recalled for a moment and said confidently, "He deserved it."
That fool almost caused the national treasury to lose 100,000 taels of silver. I was already being very merciful by not making him confiscate his family property.
Besides, the way I threw the memorials was so elegant; the angle was perfect.
“And the other day,” Jiang Huan continued, “the Minister of War only suggested increasing the military pay for the border troops, and you punished him by making him kneel for two hours.”
Huo Lin snorted: "The border troops' pay was just increased last year. He's clearly trying to profit from it."
[I already found out. His brother-in-law is in the military supplies business. He wants to move the family genealogy to my court, and I'm not allowed to retaliate?]
[If it weren't for his old bones, I would have made him kneel until he wore through the bricks!]
Hearing his inner rage, Jiang Huan pursed her lips and remained silent.
Are these ministers really that incompetent?!
But as the saying goes, don't get angry, don't get angry, anger will make you sick and no one can take your place.
.
For Huo Lin's health, she had to make him memorize this calming mantra.
"Your Majesty," Jiang Huan coaxed gently, stroking his chest.
"Anger damages the liver, so you need to learn to control your emotions. Come on, follow me and take a deep breath~"
Huo Lin looked completely bewildered: "Why would I do this?"
Without waiting for a reply, Jiang Huan grabbed his hand: "Come on, give it a try! Inhale~ Exhale~"
Huo Lin had no choice but to follow her lead.
As he exhaled, he saw Jiang Huan's cheeks become round and chubby, and he couldn't help but want to laugh again.
So cute, I want to poke it.
Is she deliberately trying to seduce me to death?
Hearing this, Jiang Huan silently complained.
It's one thing to be adorable to death, but to be adorably alive is at least more palatable.
She remained calm and continued teaching: "Very good, let's do it again. Remember, when you encounter something that makes you angry, take three deep breaths, count to ten, and then make a decision."
Huo Lin copied her actions, then raised an eyebrow and asked, "And then?"
“Then…” Jiang Huan’s eyes darted around, “If you’re still angry, you can find someone to confide in, like me, who’s always on standby.”
Huo Lin nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly leaned closer to her.
"So what's troubling you right now? Tell me about it."
"My troubles?"
Jiang Huan was speechless at his sudden question.
After stammering for a while, I finally picked out the most harmless one from a bunch of euphemistic words.
"My problem is that the Emperor doesn't take care of his health!"
Huo Lin chuckled and pulled her into his arms: "Then you should keep an eye on me."
[Ideally, he would be under my control every day!]
[They're controlling me every single moment!]
[He manages my meals during the day and my bedtime at night...]
As Jiang Huan listened to his sweet, sentimental words, the tips of her ears turned slightly red.
This is a perfectly legitimate topic; we can't let Huo Lin steer it off-topic!
She couldn't help but poke his chest with her fingertip: "You have to listen to me too."
"Of course." Huo Lin chuckled softly, his eyes filled with tenderness.
"Very well, I will be very strict. From now on, Your Majesty must eat meals and go to bed on time every day, and especially, avoid getting angry!"
Jiang Huan spoke the last four words through gritted teeth, wishing she could rub them into Huo Lin's forehead.
"Alright, I agree."
[Whatever she says goes. I will immediately refrain from fighting back or arguing, becoming the most good-tempered person in the entire world.]
Jiang Huan nodded in satisfaction. It was worth all her painstaking efforts and the many elaborate ideas she had prepared.
Another day, I'll force Huo Lin to learn the Five Animal Frolics of Tai Chi, to cultivate his character from the inside out.
However, it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. This is not something that can be done overnight; it must be done step by step.
“Now,” she said, pointing to the porridge on the table, “it’s time for His Majesty to eat; the porridge is getting cold.”
Huo Lin refused to let go: "Let me hold you a little longer."
[Soft and fragrant, much more comfortable than reviewing official documents!]
Ah, this is life.
After a short while of tenderness, Jiang Huan coaxed Huo Lin to finish his meal.
Watching him swallow the last mouthful of porridge, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and got up to pack up the food box.
"Your Majesty, please remember what you promised me," she reminded him before leaving. "Get enough rest, and avoid..."
Huo Lin smiled and replied, "Don't lose your temper, I understand."
[Although something felt off, she seemed to want to send me to become a monk.]
But never mind, she talked to me for so long today.
[Yay! My treatment has improved dramatically!]
After the palace doors closed, the smile on Huo Lin's face gradually faded.
He rubbed his temples, picked up his vermilion brush again, and continued to review the mountain of memorials.
Time passed by, and the sky outside the window gradually darkened.
Wang Degui tiptoed in, lit the lamp, and then quietly slipped out.
As Huo Lin reviewed the documents, his brows furrowed more and more deeply.
The Ministry of Works submitted a memorial requesting the repair of the imperial palace, filled with grand and righteous reasons.
These parasites! Do they really think I'm a fool?
He slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, almost dropping the vermilion brush, but Jiang Huan's words suddenly flashed through his mind.
When you encounter something that makes you angry, take three deep breaths and count to ten.
Huo Lin paused, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, repeating the action twice more.
"One, two, three..." he counted in a low voice, forcing himself to calm down.
No, I promised her I couldn't lose my temper.
Huo Lin slowly sat back down in his chair and gently put down the vermilion brush.
The veins on his forehead were still throbbing, but the urge to overturn the table had indeed subsided considerably.
"Wang Degui," he called out loudly.
The old eunuch immediately trotted in: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"Go, bring me the Ministry of Works' accounts from last year's repairs to the Hall of Supreme Harmony." Huo Lin's voice was unusually calm. "I want to read them carefully."
Wang Degui paused for a moment, then cautiously looked up at the emperor's expression.
This...this isn't right? Normally, the Emperor would be furious by now, so why is he so calm today?
"Yes, this old servant will go right away." Wang Degui realized what was happening and quickly withdrew, but he was still feeling uneasy.
What's wrong with His Majesty? Could he be possessed by an evil spirit?
A short while later, Wang Degui returned carrying a thick stack of account books.
"Put it here," Huo Lin said without looking up.
Wang Degui put down the account book, but lingered, reluctant to leave. He stole glances at the emperor's expression, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.
"Is there anything else?" Huo Lin finally looked up.
"Your Majesty," Wang Degui said, mustering his courage, "Are you alright?"
Huo Lin raised an eyebrow: "What could possibly be wrong with me?"
"It's just...it's just..." Wang Degui rubbed his hands together, "You seem particularly..."
"Special what?"
"Extremely kind," Wang Degui managed to squeeze out the word.
Huo Lin almost laughed in anger. He put down the vermilion brush and crossed his hands.
"You also think I'm not kind enough on a daily basis?"
“No, no, no,” Wang Degui waved his hands repeatedly, “That’s not what I meant.”
"This old servant was thinking, should I summon the imperial physician to take a look at you?"
Huo Lin finally lost his temper and kicked over the low stool next to him: "Get out!"
"Ouch!" Wang Degui was startled, but he breathed a sigh of relief and a relieved smile appeared on his face. "Yes, yes, this old servant will leave right away, right away."
That's more like it! It's still the familiar Emperor!
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