Chapter 348 Acting Cute
After Shen Yi left, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat awkward.
Mingzhu was still reeling from the shock of "Lin Ergou" and sat there dejectedly.
Jiang Huan looked at her like this and felt both amused and sorry for her.
Mingzhu is still young and inexperienced. This is the first time she has encountered such a distressing situation, so it must have been a big blow to her.
She was about to say a few words of comfort when she heard Mingzhu sigh softly.
“Your Majesty,” she raised her head, looking dejected, “After this ordeal, I’m a little scared. I don’t know which of those young men who came up to me were telling the truth. Maybe it’s better not to get married.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan exchanged a glance with He Ling beside her.
This is a classic case of "once bitten, twice shy".
When a young girl's romantic dreams are shattered by reality, she inevitably develops a rejection of matters of love.
He Ling was outspoken and couldn't keep her mouth shut. Seeing this, she couldn't help but advise, "Princess, there are still good men in the world. We can't deny all men just because of one bad person."
She paused, trying to search her mind for a suitable example.
"Look at His Majesty, he is devoted to the Empress and takes great care of her. And there's Lord Shen Yi, well... although he has a wide circle of friends, he is righteous and capable."
When she mentioned Shen Yi, she paused slightly, as if she felt that the example was not quite appropriate, given Shen Yi's reputation for womanizing.
Jiang Huan chimed in at the opportune moment: "To give up on a good match for something like that would be letting him off easy. There are treacherous villains in this world, but there are also upright gentlemen. It just takes time and careful observation to see things clearly."
Mingzhu raised her head: "But, but Grandmother will definitely not let me take my time choosing..."
As she spoke, she seemed to suddenly remember something, her eyes lighting up, yet also showing a hint of annoyance.
"Oh, right! My cousin, Princess Ping'an, is coming in a couple of days!"
"Princess Ping'an?" Jiang Huan searched her memory and seemed to recall something.
She was the granddaughter of one of the late emperor's brothers. She lived with her parents in Jiangnan for many years and was said to be gentle and quiet.
"Yes! It's her!" Mingzhu seemed to have found a topic to distract herself, and her spirits lifted a little. She started talking again.
"My cousin got engaged three years ago, and the wedding is scheduled for this year. She came to Beijing early to prepare for her wedding."
She grabbed Jiang Huan's arm and shook it coquettishly: "Your Majesty, my cousin's caravan will arrive in the capital the day after tomorrow. I have to go to the city gate to pick her up. Would you and Sister He come with me? It'll be a good way to relax. It's so boring in the palace!"
Go out? To the city gate? Jiang Huan and He Ling's eyes lit up at the same time.
Although life in the palace was luxurious and comfortable, it could get quite boring after a while.
Especially Jiang Huan, after confirming her pregnancy, Huo Lin treated her like the apple of his eye, afraid of any mishap, and the chance of her leaving the palace was almost zero.
Needless to say, He Ling, as a low-ranking concubine, found it even more difficult to leave the palace.
Going to the city gate to pick someone up, although the journey is not far and the range of activities is limited, at least you can leave the palace and breathe some free air outside the palace.
For the two of them, it was like a sudden ray of light in their otherwise dull lives, incredibly tempting.
However, just as Jiang Huan's lips curled into a smile, before she could even speak, Huo Lin, who had been sitting silently beside her listening intently, frowned.
He put down his teacup and refused decisively, "No."
He turned to Jiang Huan and said, "You are currently pregnant, and the area outside the city is crowded and chaotic, so it is not advisable for you to travel."
Jiang Huan's little plan fell through, but seeing Huo Lin's uncompromising expression, her eyes lit up and a scheme came to her.
She reached out and gently tugged at Huo Lin's sleeve: "Husband~ We're just at the city gate. We'll be right back after we pick them up. It's not far. I haven't left the palace in ages. The imperial physician said that some exercise is good for my health..."
She blinked her bright, clear eyes and said in a soft, sweet voice, "I promise I'll be good. I'll have He Ling and Mingzhu with me, and there are so many guards and maids with me. Nothing will happen, okay?"
Looking at her pleading expression, Huo Lin's heart had already softened, and his defenses were crumbling, but his reason was still struggling, and countless possible unexpected scenarios flashed through his mind.
[No! Absolutely not! The city gates are a chaotic place; if something goes wrong, I'll be doomed.]
[But the palace is indeed stuffy and boring, and she wants to go out for some fresh air, which I completely understand.]
[Alas, if I were free on a normal day, I would gladly accompany her, but these past few days I've been overwhelmed with official duties and simply cannot spare the time...]
He put on a stern face, trying to persuade her and himself with reason: "The outside of the city is not the same as inside the palace. You need to rest and recuperate now. Be good."
Upon hearing the slight softening in his voice, Jiang Huan immediately increased her efforts.
She leaned closer, took Huo Lin's arm, and gently rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.
"My dearest husband~ please promise me! I really just want to get some fresh air. I promise I'll come back as soon as I get Princess Ping'an. Please, I beg you~"
Huo Lin: ...
[This is unbearable! Who can withstand this?!]
But is it safe...?
He felt the warmth and softness in her arms, and when he met her eyes that seemed to say "I want to go," his last line of defense completely collapsed.
[Alright, alright, just send more people and have the secret guards provide close protection. That should be fine, right?]
We can't just keep her locked up forever.
He sighed helplessly and pinched Jiang Huan's cheek: "I really can't do anything with you. I grant your permission."
"Really? Thank you, my husband!" Jiang Huan smiled brightly and quickly kissed him on the cheek.
He Ling, sitting at the lower end, took in the whole scene.
[Holy crap, they agreed just like that? What happened to the Emperor's principles and bottom line?]
[The Empress's ability to act coquettishly is textbook-level, no, it's epic!]
[So the ultimate weapon against the Iceberg Emperor is soft, affectionate flattery and kisses? Got it, got it.]
Huo Lin's ears burned slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm and instructed, "Remember your promise to me: do not leave the guards' sight, and return to the palace immediately after receiving the person."
"I know, I swear!" Jiang Huan smiled like a little fox who had gotten her wish.
However, she clearly heard Huo Lin's next thought.
[Two teams of bodyguards should be dispatched to clear the area and set up a perimeter in advance. Any suspicious individuals along the way should be apprehended immediately.]
[The Imperial Guards and Ming Guards will be doubled in number, and the vehicles and carriages will be inspected three times.]
"Yes, only in this way can I feel somewhat at ease."
Jiang Huan: ……
Good heavens, this level of security, is it for picking up a princess or escorting a serious criminal?
She thought to herself, but a genuine smile appeared in her eyes.
Thus, with Huo Lin's tacit approval, the plan to leave the palace for fresh air was finalized.
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