Chapter 345 Gift Giving
Huo Lin's gaze grew colder and colder, as if he wanted to pierce a hole through Huo Yuan.
Huo Yuan felt his hair stand on end and was extremely uncomfortable under their gaze, but he forced himself to remain calm, stiffened his neck, and tried his best to maintain his expression.
Was his disguise not good enough? His attempt to curry favor with the Empress to obtain delicacies was seen through at a glance!
But his words were clearly in accordance with etiquette and were all for the sake of the royal family's dignity.
Even if there were selfish motives... uh... that's not the point!
Huo Yuan sweated more and more as he thought about it, but what's said is said, and leaving it there only made him feel more guilty.
He then coughed softly, trying to break the suffocating silence, and continued dryly, "There's one more thing. The instant noodle cakes that Her Majesty made played a crucial role in the army and also sold well among the common people..."
"I believe that Your Majesty should begin planning and developing some new soup bases, which can replenish the national treasury when there is no need for war preparations."
By the end, his voice was almost inaudible, and his cheeks even flushed slightly from the suggestion, but there was a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
Let me make this clear first: he wasn't indulging in gluttony; he was only thinking of the border troops and the people.
Besides, the bread does have a unique flavor after being soaked. If there were more flavors, he was sure he could snatch up all the new ones.
Pah! No, what am I thinking? Calm down, control yourself!
Huo Lin was stunned when he heard this, and then almost laughed out of anger.
Well, after all that, I've been waiting here.
So all this going around in circles was to get her to research new flavors of instant noodles?
What a wishful thinking! He couldn't bear to let Jiang Huan suffer during her pregnancy, but Huo Yuan dared to openly order his people around!
Huo Lin suppressed the urge to turn Huo Yuan into instant noodles, inwardly sneering but outwardly remaining calm, though the chill emanating from him intensified.
"Oh?" He drawled, his voice devoid of emotion, yet carrying an invisible pressure. "Is the young master tired of his studies and starting to care about trade and commerce?"
Huo Yuan was taken aback, his face turning even redder. He hurriedly explained, "These are all matters of state; I am merely striving for perfection."
“Striving for perfection is a good thing.” Huo Lin interrupted him, a cold smile curving his lips. “Since the Crown Prince is so interested, I happen to have some official business here that requires ‘striving for perfection’.”
He slowly raised his hand, his fingertips pointing to the pile of documents on the side of the desk, which were almost overflowing.
Those are all tedious details about arms inspection and border defense deployment, requiring a great deal of patience and effort to verify and process.
"The military affairs in the Northern Border are complex, so I will trouble Your Highness to check and organize them in detail, ensuring that there are no errors."
"Once the Crown Prince has handled these matters properly and proven that he truly has the ability to 'strive for excellence,' I will then consider whether to mention the instant noodle improvement plan to her, what do you think?"
Huo Yuan stared at the mountain of documents that seemed to engulf him, his vision blurred, and his face turned green.
There are so many, we'd have to gouge out their eyeballs to check them, wouldn't we?
No! No matter how difficult it is, we must do it, for the well-being of the border soldiers, for military affairs, and for the imperial court.
He would never admit it was for the delicious instant noodles, humph!
After an internal struggle, Huo Yuan's longing for the delicious food ultimately overcame the difficulties at hand.
"I...obey the order!"
With his neck stiffened, as if heading to the execution ground, he stepped forward and struggled to pick up the large stack of documents. He walked heavily out of the imperial study, his back view exuding resentment.
Looking at his expression, Huo Lin felt inexplicably relieved.
Hmph, he still wants to order Jiang Huan around? He'll be exhausted!
That'll keep him busy for a while, so he won't have time to cause trouble.
On the other hand, when Huo Yuan returned to his residence, his face was extremely sour.
Huo Qingcang was leisurely sipping tea in the courtyard when he saw his grandson's expression and raised an eyebrow.
"Did you argue with the Emperor in the palace again?"
Huo Yuan slammed the large stack of documents onto the stone table, making the teacups shake.
He gave a brief, aggrieved account of what had happened in the Imperial Study. Huo Qingcang, being an old and shrewd man, could easily see through the intricacies of the situation.
He glanced at the pile of documents, looked at his grandson's frustrated face, and shook his head.
"When will you ever think straight? Consort Zhuang is pregnant and is extremely precious. The Emperor would do anything to protect her. And you, on the contrary, are acting all high and mighty. If we don't punish you, who will we punish?"
Huo Yuan blushed and stubbornly defended himself, "I was just proposing a plan. It may have been a bit hasty, but it was for the good of the soldiers and the people."
"Yes, yes, you are the greatest." Huo Qingcang nodded readily, but his eyes were full of knowing smiles.
He stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "However, Her Majesty is in need of nourishment right now. Since you have asked for... well, you care about the common people, so it is only right and proper that you show your concern."
Huo Yuan was taken aback: "What do you mean?"
Huo Qingcang suggested, "There are still a few top-quality century-old ginseng roots and some nourishing Ganoderma lucidum in the storeroom. These are rare and valuable items. Select some of the best ones and send them to the palace, saying they are for the Empress to nourish her body."
Building a good relationship will make it easier to ask for help later. This kid doesn't understand any social etiquette.
Huo Yuan's eyes lit up. That's right, how come he didn't think of that?
Now that Her Majesty is feeling better, she has the energy to research new flavors.
He suddenly felt that the pile of documents wasn't so unbearable anymore, and immediately rushed to the storeroom, carefully selected a batch of the most precious medicinal herbs, and packed them carefully.
Huo Yuan summoned his men and instructed them, "Send these to the palace immediately and deliver them to the Emperor."
The subordinate accepted the order, carrying the box of valuable medicinal herbs, and immediately set off for the palace.
The journey was smooth and unimpeded. Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, after being informed by Wang Degui, the brocade box was respectfully presented.
Huo Lin raised an eyebrow as he looked at the box of clearly carefully selected top-quality tonic herbs.
Ha, this kid's quick on his feet. He just got scolded and he's already learned some maneuvering tactics?
Huo Lin sneered inwardly, seeing right through Huo Yuan's little scheme.
However, one shouldn't refuse such a delicious and nourishing product that's delivered to one's door.
I'll have the imperial physician come and take a look in a little while to see how best to incorporate the food into the meal.
As for developing new flavors... Hmph, don't even think about it.
"Wang Degui, accept it." He said in a deep voice.
"Your servant obeys the decree." Wang Degui hurriedly stepped forward and carefully took the heavy gift box.
Huo Lin accepted the gift without hesitation, completely ignoring Huo Yuan's expectations.
Nothing is more important than Jiang Huan's health; everything else is out of the question!
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