Chapter 191 Wake-up Service
Time slipped by quietly, and with the Empress Dowager's birthday approaching, the inner palace became increasingly busy.
On this morning, just as dawn was breaking, Weiyang Palace was completely quiet.
Jiang Huan was nestled in the soft bedding, with one arm casually draped over Huo Lin's waist beside her, her breathing even and deep.
Suddenly, a large hand with calloused skin gently pinched her cheek.
"Jiang Huan." A deep, pleasant voice sounded above her head.
Jiang Huan was disturbed from her sweet dream. She wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction, mumbled something under her breath, buried her face deeper into Huo Lin's arms, and tightened her grip on his waist.
I can't get up, I can't get up, where do I turn off the alarm clock?
The little voice inside her protested, wanting only to continue sinking into a deep, sweet dream.
That hand didn't give up, but instead gently stroked her forehead, its fingertips carrying a slightly cool touch, sliding down her brow bone to her cheek, and then gently pinching her earlobe.
"Wake up." Huo Lin's voice was closer, his warm breath brushing against the top of her head.
Jiang Huan was so annoyed by his persistent harassment that she finally managed to open her eyelids a little.
She looked up, staring at Huo Lin with sleepy eyes, her voice filled with dissatisfaction.
"What's going on? It's so early in the morning, even the chickens in the imperial kitchen haven't gotten up yet!"
Huo Lin looked down at her. In the morning light, her long hair was messily spread on the pillow, her cheeks were rosy from sleep, and she was pouting slightly because she was disturbed.
Hmm, she looks so cute when she's lazing in bed.
[And only I can see it, hmph.]
A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, but thinking of the important matter at hand, he had no choice but to continue.
"Today, Consort Li is organizing the other consorts to copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager's blessing. It will begin at the beginning of Chen Shi (7:30 AM)."
Huo Lin reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You were the one who made me wake you up last night. If you don't get up now, you're not allowed to be angry with me later."
Jiang Huan's mind was still a complete mess; Huo Lin's handsome face, magnified in the morning light, occupied her entire field of vision.
He was leaning to the side, propping his head up, and looking down at her.
His long, dark hair was unbound, with a few strands falling lazily over his shoulders, making his handsome face less cold and more gentle.
The light outlined his features: a high nose bridge, thin lips slightly pursed, and further down, the collar of his nightgown was slightly open, revealing a small patch of his collarbone and firm chest.
Jiang Huan opened her mouth, but it took her a long time to speak.
"Your Majesty, do you know that disturbing someone's sleep is tantamount to murder for money? Especially since you used this face as a murder weapon, your crime is even more serious!"
Her voice was heavy with sleepiness, soft and utterly lacking in intimidation.
Is she implying that I abuse my beauty?
[I knew it! As long as she has the face, she can rule the country. She really couldn't resist my charm!]
[Next time I wake her up, I'll make sure to get closer so she can see me properly.]
Huo Lin couldn't help but smile.
He reached out and gently stroked Jiang Huan's rosy cheeks with his fingertips, and his heart fluttered again.
"I would like to let you sleep until the sun is high in the sky, but who was it last night who clung to my arm, repeatedly telling me that I absolutely had to wake you up? Hmm?"
Huo Lin's voice was deep, with a hint of morning huskiness, which sounded exceptionally sexy.
Memories flooded back, and Jiang Huan let out a wail, burying her face back into Huo Lin's firm, warm chest like an ostrich.
"Can't I change my mind? This mess that Consort Li organized has dragged everyone down with it."
She complained and shifted her body.
As soon as she moved, the intense soreness in her waist and legs made her gasp.
"hiss!"
Fragments of memories from last night flooded back, and Jiang Huan's face instantly scrunched up, her body stiffening as she dared not move.
Beast!
No, they're worse than animals!
What happened to the last time? Huo Lin, that big liar, keeps doing it again and again.
Now look what's happened! Her back is about to break, and her legs are as weak as noodles. And you still want her to copy scriptures? What a joke!
Huo Lin looked at her grimacing face, touched his nose guiltily, but a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
"Ahem, I did go a bit too far last night."
However, I will definitely take full responsibility for this aching back and weak legs.
[The massage techniques I specifically learned from the Imperial Physician are finally coming in handy!]
"Let me rub it for you."
Huo Lin sighed with self-reproach, then reached out and gently rubbed Jiang Huan's waist, his tone clearly ingratiating.
"How about I have Wang Degui go to Consort Li's place to ask for leave for you, saying that you are not feeling well and should rest today?"
Those women do wicked things every day; even Buddha would reject the scriptures they copy.
It's better that she didn't go; it saves her from the unpleasant smell and fumes.
"Take leave?" Jiang Huan's eyes lit up.
That's great, that way she can continue to cuddle in bed.
However, the moment this thought crossed her mind, it was ruthlessly shattered by her own reason.
Consort Li, a clear case of nepotism, is arrogant and domineering to an extreme degree.
Take He Ling's incident last time, for example; the people she punished almost died.
If I were to miss this collective sutra copying event to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday, Consort Li would surely gossip about me.
The accusations of being arrogant and disrespectful to the Empress Dowager were slapped on Huo Lin's head. Although he didn't care, it still annoyed him.
Moreover, this sutra copying activity was a collective effort by the harem to show filial piety to the Empress Dowager. If she, as a favored concubine, were to be absent, it would easily give others cause for criticism.
Alas, once you're in the imperial harem, you're not in control of your own destiny.
After struggling internally, Jiang Huan finally sighed in resignation.
She slumped in Huo Lin's arms, her voice muffled, filled with reluctance.
"Never mind, I've already been woken up by your annoyance."
Huo Lin was taken aback, somewhat surprised.
"Can your body handle it?"
"Even if you can't hold on, you have to grit your teeth and bear it." Jiang Huan rolled her eyes at him weakly. "I don't want to hear any gossip about not even respecting the Empress Dowager tomorrow."
Huo Lin frowned: "I will protect you, and you will never have to compromise your principles."
[If she doesn't want to go, she doesn't have to. Who dares force her to do something she doesn't like? Is she tired of living?]
"It's not that exaggerated..."
Jiang Huan pouted and poked Huo Lin's chest.
"Besides, I don't want to cause you any trouble. There are so many gossips in the harem, you can't very well go and pluck them one by one, can you?"
Huo Lin was speechless, his mind wandering.
[Good idea, this way no one will bother me.]
However, he knew he couldn't possibly interfere in everything, but seeing Jiang Huan trying to keep a positive attitude, Huo Lin felt even more sorry for her.
"How about I go with you?" The thought slipped out of his mouth.
Jiang Huan quickly waved her hands: "No! Please don't!"
What a joke! Once Huo Lin sat down, what were those women doing copying scriptures? They were too busy stealing glances at Huo Lin.
Then I'll have to work overtime, which will be even more annoying!
Besides, Huo Lin himself has a lot of things to do, so how can we let him waste his time there?
Seeing her insistence, Huo Lin had no choice but to give up.
He helped Jiang Huan to her feet and watched her slowly move her body.
[It seems I was truly exhausted last night. I will certainly be more restrained next time.]
Jiang Huan caught his inner thoughts and chuckled twice.
A man's words are deceitful.
They always say it's the last time, but what's the result?
She finally managed to move to the edge of the bed, and as soon as her feet touched the ground, another wave of soreness hit her, her legs went weak, and she almost lost her balance.
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