Chapter 204 Lingering Fear
Jiang Huan found her silly appearance somewhat amusing.
This reflection arc is long enough to circle the Earth two and a half times.
However, since they were able to change the subject, it seems that everything is really alright.
"Mm." Jiang Huan responded, "His Majesty just issued an edict, promoting you to the rank of Consort Ling and granting you residence in the West Hall of Changchun Palace. From now on, you can rest here and recuperate."
"Waaah, thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty."
He Ling was both crying and laughing, clinging tightly to Jiang Huan's arm. If she weren't so weak and sore all over, she would have knelt down and kowtowed.
"Your Majesty, you are too good to me. I... I will listen to you in everything from now on."
Jiang Huan felt a little uncomfortable being hugged and tried to pull her hands away, but the hug only tightened.
Feeling He Ling's slight trembling, she finally gently hugged her back.
What a cowardly octopus!
She's hugging me so tightly, I feel like she's about to break my bones.
But considering she was just terrified, I'll let her hug me for a while.
Just then, Wang Degui's voice came from outside the hall.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Huo Lin rushed over immediately after dealing with the dispute in the front hall.
He strode into the hall, his face stern.
Upon seeing Jiang Huan and He Ling embracing each other, his brows furrowed instantly.
Hey, hey, watch your manners! Even wounded soldiers can't do whatever they want.
[But I'm easy to coax; I'll let her hug me later.]
[This is all that beast Huo Ting's fault! I'm ashamed to even share his surname!]
"The Emperor is here." Jiang Huan was so tightly held by He Ling that she could not move and could only nod helplessly at Huo Lin.
He Ling then realized that the Emperor had arrived, and she trembled with fright.
He quickly released Jiang Huan's arm and struggled to get up to bow.
"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, pay my respects..."
"No need for formalities, lie down." Huo Lin's voice was calm. "Imperial Physician, how is Consort Ling's injury?"
The imperial physician immediately stepped forward, bowed, and repeated the diagnosis and treatment plan.
After listening, Huo Lin nodded slightly: "Take good care of yourself, and the Imperial Hospital must use the best medicines you need."
"Your humble servant obeys the decree," the Imperial Physician replied hastily.
Huo Lin's gaze returned to Jiang Huan, and seeing her slightly tired appearance, his heart stirred.
She must be exhausted after a long day.
There are palace servants here to attend to her; she doesn't need to stay here all the time.
Thinking about it, Huo Lin coughed lightly.
"Now that Consort Ling has been settled and is being cared for by the imperial physicians and palace servants, and you have had a long day, come with me back to Weiyang Palace to rest."
Jiang Huan was indeed a little tired, so she nodded and said, "Okay."
She turned to look at He Ling and instructed her, "You should rest well, take your medicine on time, and if anything happens, send someone to Weiyang Palace to find me."
He Ling looked at her with teary eyes and nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, I understand. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. You should also get some rest!"
[The Empress is leaving, sob sob, I'll miss her so much.]
However, Her Majesty must be tired too, and I cannot be inconsiderate.
Jiang Huan comforted her a few more times before getting up and following Huo Lin out of the West Hall of Changchun Palace.
After Jiang Huan left, He Ling lay in bed. Although she was still physically weak, her spirits had improved considerably.
【system. 】
She called out softly in her heart.
[I owe a huge debt to Consort Zhuang today; without her, I would have been finished.]
The system was silent for a moment before the electronic voice sounded.
"Host, this system has detected an anomaly."
【Hmm? What's wrong?】
"Today, outside the dressing room, when this system issued a high-intensity alarm, Consort Zhuang, Jiang Huan, blurted out the word 'Shut up.' Based on the analysis of the environment at the time, the instruction was not directed at any person present. Combined with her subsequent accurate identification of the chain of evidence, this system highly suspects that Jiang Huan may have been able to hear the conversation between this system and you."
He Ling was taken aback, then immediately retorted.
Are you trying to say that the Empress has mind-reading abilities? Don't be ridiculous.
[And even if she could hear us, wouldn't that be even better? It would mean we're meant to be.]
"Host, please remain vigilant. If the target, Jiang Huan, is indeed able to sense the existence of this system, her motivations and attitude towards the host may pose unknown risks."
[Risk? What risk? What evil intentions could the Empress possibly have? She risked her life to save me today.]
If it weren't for Your Majesty, I would have been utterly disgraced by now, and might even be dead.
[System, I'm warning you! You are not allowed to slander the Empress, nor are you allowed to doubt her again! Do you hear me?]
He Ling's tone was unusually firm, even carrying a fierce protectiveness, completely devoid of her usual timidity and cowardice.
The system seemed taken aback by her reaction and remained silent for a few seconds.
"...The host's wishes have been recorded, but this system still needs to remind you that maintaining necessary vigilance is the rule of survival."
[Hmph! I don't care, I trust the Empress, and System, you should at least show her some respect.]
If you dare say another bad word about Her Majesty, I'll draw my sword and kill myself.
system:"……"
Meanwhile, at Weiyang Palace.
After taking a bath, Jiang Huan changed into a comfortable nightgown.
She sat on the soft couch by the window, letting Xiao Zhao use a cloth to wring out her wet long hair.
The moonlight outside the window was like water, spilling into the courtyard, creating a tranquil atmosphere, but her thoughts drifted far away.
She remembered He Ling's terrified and helpless face, Huo Ting's sinister and vicious eyes, and the thrilling scene outside the dressing room.
All of this made her feel a wave of lingering fear.
But the deeper chill came from within her own heart.
She thought of herself.
When she first arrived in this unfamiliar world, she was also panicked and walked on thin ice, taking each step cautiously, afraid of making a mistake and being doomed.
If, if she hadn't had that golden finger that allowed her to hear Huo Lin's inner thoughts...
This thought entered her mind without warning, causing Jiang Huan's heart to sink.
She clenched her fists instinctively, her nails digging into her palms.
Yes, without this cheat code, she probably wouldn't have been able to understand Huo Lin's true thoughts beneath his aloof exterior, nor would she have known about his awkward emotions.
She might end up like the original owner, bewildered and helpless amidst the power struggles of the harem, schemed against by those concubines until nothing is left.
She might not have lived to this day, let alone hold such an important place in Huo Lin's heart.
If she couldn't hear Huo Lin's true feelings, she might not even know Huo Lin's true personality, let alone gain his trust and protection.
Fear washed over her like a cold tide.
Jiang Huan suddenly realized that although she seemed to be doing well in this world, her original foundation was so fragile that it depended entirely on an ability that she could not control.
What will she do if this ability disappears one day?
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