Chapter 231 Waiting for a Rabbit to Fall into a Trap
He Ling felt cold, dizzy, and her body felt very heavy.
Yes, if I go like this, I'm afraid I'll collapse from a high fever before I even reach the gates of Weiyang Palace.
If Her Majesty saw me in this disheveled state, she would be terribly frightened, thinking I had lost my mind.
The system's voice suddenly rang out, as if adding fuel to the fire.
"The host's physiological indicators are abnormal, and the body temperature is too low. It is recommended to prioritize addressing health risks. Image management is also very important..."
Shut up, you don't need to tell me!
He Ling shouted in her mind in frustration, but in the end, reason prevailed over impulse.
She nodded helplessly, her voice heavy with nasal congestion and weak.
"Alright, let's go back to the palace first."
He Ling was carefully supported by the palace maids and left the lakeside, swaying slightly with each step.
The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching Weiyang Palace.
Xiao Zhao hurried into the inner hall, her face still showing signs of shock.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Consort Ling just fell into the Taiye Pond!"
Jiang Huan was leaning against the soft couch by the window, flipping through a book when she heard this. Her fingertips paused, and the pages stopped in mid-air.
Several thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. She couldn't concentrate on her book anymore, so she simply put it down: "How is he?"
"Fortunately, a palace servant who happened to be passing by rescued him in time."
Xiao Zhao quickly replied, "I heard that he choked on water, was frightened, and was quite cold. He has already been sent back to the palace to fetch the imperial physician."
Jiang Huan felt a little relieved, picked up the warm tea beside her, took a small sip, and seemed to be deep in thought.
Why would someone suddenly fall into the water?
Was it an accident? Or was it done intentionally?
She recalled He Ling's preoccupied appearance, as well as the system's repeated warnings and the threat of erasing the world's rules.
Does this mean He Ling has crossed the line in this world and is about to be bombarded with attacks across the entire map?
That means she has reached a dead end.
With both a life-or-death ordeal and a Chinese knot involved, and the implications so clear, He Ling should be about to break down.
He might come and confront her, spilling the beans about his time travel.
However, you can't make a sale by rushing things.
"I understand. It's good that she's alright. Have someone pick out some bird's nest and ginseng and send them to her."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xiao Zhao replied and withdrew.
As Jiang Huan watched Xiao Zhao's departing figure, her own ulterior motives began to stir within her.
She wanted He Ling to bump into her on her own; that would be a natural progression.
At that time, won't everything in the system store be a piece of cake?
Jiang Huan picked up the book again, already happily calculating the list of extortions in her mind.
She hadn't been looking for long when Huo Lin arrived.
[I'm here! I'm here!]
Look what wonderful things I've brought her!
Huo Lin's inner voice was frantically scrolling through the screen, his tone cheerful and carefree.
[I just snatched...cough, took it from Shen Yi!]
He was carrying an exquisite food box that emitted an enticing aroma.
"I got some fresh snacks from outside the palace today, and I thought you might like them, so I brought them over."
Jiang Huan peeked at the food box and raised an eyebrow.
Pfft... He stole it. I feel sorry for Chen Yi for a second. He made a bad choice of friends.
"It smells wonderful, is it a new flavor?"
Encouraged by her expectant tone, Huo Lin immediately and deftly opened the food box, and a rich aroma instantly filled the air.
The food box was divided into compartments containing several delicate and small pastries: crystal-clear osmanthus cake, sesame shortbread with layers of flaky pastry, and a few pieces of fruit filling shaped like plum blossoms.
Jiang Huan's eyes lit up when she saw the pastries.
She picked up a piece of osmanthus crystal cake and took a small bite.
Sweet, soft, and still warm, with a rich texture, certified by a professional chef!
"It's delicious." She squinted her eyes in satisfaction and praised generously, "This osmanthus cake is really authentic."
Huo Lin looked at her satisfied expression, and the corners of his mouth curved almost imperceptibly before quickly straightening up again.
[I knew it. I could recite all 101 of her preferences.]
[Next time I go to Shen Yi's residence to rob... cough cough, to 'show some concern'.]
"Not as good as yours, but it'll do."
He gave a nonchalant reply and picked up a piece himself, taking a bite.
The two ate their snacks quietly, creating a warm atmosphere.
Huo Lin swallowed the pastry in his mouth, as if he remembered something, and said, "By the way, when I went to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager today, we talked about Mingzhu's marriage."
[It's exhausting. I've been meddling in everything, from the heavens to the earth, and in the end, I've even taken over the work of matchmakers.]
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan looked up at him and said, "The older generation's obsession with urging marriage... Does Your Majesty have someone in mind?"
"Hmm." Huo Lin nodded, his words carrying a hint of disdain.
"The Empress Dowager mentioned several families: the second son of the Marquis of Jing'an, the nephew of General Weiyuan, and the eldest son of the Vice Minister of Rites."
He paused, then added, "I think neither of them is quite suitable."
Each of the three women has her own quirks, and Mingzhu's marriage to them has caused chaos and turmoil within three days.
The Empress Dowager is old and blind; she's sending in all sorts of worthless things.
If something goes wrong, it'll be up to me, the part-time matchmaker, to worry about it.
Huo Lin became increasingly disgusted by the thought, his face full of rejection.
As Jiang Huan listened to his inner rant, her gossip-loving spirit also burned brightly.
How bizarre are these three people?
Could anyone be even more bizarre than those people he made up to scare Mingzhu before?
She asked, "Then what kind of person does His Majesty think is suitable?"
Huo Lin put down the pastries in his hand and said seriously, "I think the third son of the Duke of Zhenguo is quite good. He is both literate and martial, and his temperament is also steady. And... well, the third-place scholar of the previous year is outstanding in talent and has a clean family background."
The third son of the Duke of Zhenguo is skilled in martial arts and quick-witted; he is a good match for Mingzhu.
[The third-ranked scholar is handsome, talented, and a source of pride to be seen with.]
[It's still better than those ugly and unattractive people chosen by the Empress Dowager!]
Jiang Huan finally understood.
Last time, Huo Lin mentioned it casually, just to vent his anger, but this time, he was clearly much more serious about finding a partner for Mingzhu.
"Your Majesty," she said, her eyes crinkling with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "the standards you use to choose a husband for your niece sound even stricter than those for choosing a minister?"
If you didn't know better, you'd think they were selecting concubines for him!
Huo Lin's ears turned slightly red from her laughter, but he still maintained his imperial dignity.
[Ahem, I'm just concerned about Mingzhu, aren't I?]
Mingzhu grew up in the palace, pampered and spoiled, and is innocent by nature. Naturally, I must keep an eye on her.
He was somewhat embarrassed, but he still tried to remain calm.
"Marriage is a serious matter; it should not be taken lightly."
Jiang Huan suppressed a laugh and nodded: "Your Majesty is right, but..."
She changed the subject, "The most important thing in choosing a consort is the princess's own wishes. It's inappropriate for us to sing and dance here while others are getting married."
"No matter how well you and the Empress Dowager choose, a forced marriage will never be happy. If the princess doesn't like it, then it will be unfair to her."
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