Chapter 386 Staying Overnight
Jiang Huan looked at the worry and helplessness in his eyes, and the little bit of emotion she felt because she had been caught vanished instantly.
Her heart softened, and she took his large hand in return, her tone softening as well: "Alright, alright, next time I eat something like this, I'll definitely tell you first and have the imperial physician examine me, okay?"
She shook his arm, her tone slightly coquettish: "I know you're worried about me, afraid I'll get an upset stomach. Look, I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? So please don't be angry, okay? Let me off this time, please?"
Huo Lin couldn't stand her like this; he couldn't maintain his feigned seriousness any longer.
He pulled her into his arms, gently rubbing his chin against the top of her head, and chuckled helplessly, "You always have a reason. When have I ever really been angry with you? Just don't scare me like that again next time."
"I know, Your Majesty is the best!" Jiang Huan nestled in his arms, smiling like a sly cat.
Huo Lin smelled the faint fragrance in her hair and felt the warmth of the person in his arms, his heart softening.
He lowered his head, about to place a light kiss on her forehead, when a series of noisy footsteps came from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, you must let me stay for a few days, I'm so tired of talking about you!"
With a rustling sound, Princess Mingzhu rushed in, lifting her skirt and looking flustered.
"Ah... Imperial Uncle, you're here too?"
She rushed in and saw Huo Lin. Her voice dropped eight octaves instantly, and she shrank back.
Jiang Huan couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Mingzhu's expression change from fierce and aggressive to meek and timid. She sat up from Huo Lin's arms and beckoned to her, "Come here quickly."
Huo Lin frowned slightly as he looked at his loud and boisterous niece, but said nothing.
Seeing this, Mingzhu became bolder, moved closer to the couch, sat down next to Jiang Huan, and began to complain while holding her arm.
"Your Majesty, you don't know, my father has been finding fault with everything I do lately. All I did was chase a butterfly in the garden, and he said I was being improper. I'm so bored! Please, let me stay with you for a few days to avoid this storm, okay?"
She shook Jiang Huan's arm, acting coquettishly and spoiled.
Jiang Huan was amused by her and was about to agree when another laugh came from outside the hall.
"Oh, whose little sparrow is this, chirping and complaining in Weiyang Palace? I could hear it from far away."
Before he finished speaking, Shen Yi strolled in slowly, waving a jade-bone fan.
Dressed in a moon-white robe, he was dashing and debonair, a familiar smile playing on his lips, his gaze fixed precisely on the ruffled Mingzhu.
The moment Mingzhu saw him, she jumped up like a firecracker that had been lit, her eyebrows furrowed: "Who are you calling a sparrow? You're the sparrow! Your whole family are sparrows, the kind that make a lot of noise!"
Shen Yi raised an eyebrow, closed his fan, and gently tapped his palm with the fan rib.
"Oh? Is that so? Then which poor little creature was complaining about 'I'm about to suffocate' and 'please take me in' that I just heard? The voice was so high-pitched and bright, with a very strong penetrating power. What else could it be but a sparrow?"
"You!" Mingzhu stomped her foot in anger, pointing at Shen Yi, "You eavesdropped! Shameless! You despicable person!"
Shen Yi shrugged, looking completely innocent: "I just happened to be passing by, but the princess's voice was so clear and melodious that it was hard not to hear it."
"You did it on purpose! You just came to laugh at me!"
"Your Highness is overthinking it. I have no interest in jokes." Shen Yi glanced at her meaningfully, his tone lazy but incredibly hurtful.
"Shen Yi, I'll fight you to the death!" Mingzhu's face turned red with anger, and she made as if she was about to pounce on him.
Jiang Huan watched with great interest, almost bursting out laughing. She quickly pulled back Mingzhu, who was about to explode, and smoothed things over: "Alright, alright, everyone, say less. Lord Shen has important business to attend to today, right?"
Huo Lin looked at the chaotic scene before him, rubbed his temples, and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.
"I see that you two have a good relationship; you always have so much to talk about when you meet."
Upon hearing this, the two, who were glaring at each other, froze as if struck by lightning, and then denied it in unison.
"How is that possible!"
Mingzhu: "Uncle, don't talk nonsense. I am sworn enemies with this guy."
Shen Yi: "Your Majesty is wise. I and the Princess are simply not on the same page and cannot work together."
After saying that, the two glared at each other with disgust, then turned their heads away and snorted heavily.
Huo Lin watched their perfectly coordinated reaction, and the corners of his lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.
They both denied it so readily, but their reactions were exactly the same; they seem quite compatible.
[They just don't seem to be very quick-witted.]
Jiang Huan suppressed a laugh, inwardly complaining.
This synchronization rate is unmatched; it's practically the perfect match for a pair of bickering lovers.
Shen Yi cleared his throat, regained his serious demeanor, and turned to Huo Lin.
"Your Majesty, the intelligence from the Northwest has been compiled, and the secret letter is here." He took out a sealed letter from his sleeve and handed it over.
Huo Lin took it but did not open it immediately. He simply nodded and said, "Yes, I understand. Let's go to the study to discuss this in detail."
"Your subject obeys the decree." Shen Yi put away his joking expression, bowed and replied, then followed Huo Lin out of the noisy inner hall.
Upon arriving at the study, Huo Lin first dealt with several important military and political matters with Shen Yi.
After finishing his official business, Shen Yi was about to take his leave when Huo Lin casually picked up his teacup and said as if it were just a casual chat, "Shen Yi, I have a question for you."
Shen Yi immediately took a step back: "Let me make it clear first, I sell my art, not my body."
Huo Lin's veins throbbed violently: "I wouldn't even take it if you gave it to me for free. What I want to ask you is, what do you think of Mingzhu?"
Shen Yi was initially taken aback, but after a moment's reaction, a faint smile appeared on his face, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.
He waved his fan and chuckled, "Princess? Lively and clever, innocent and carefree, very good, very good, but I'm afraid only the future prince consort can handle this temperament."
"If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, I'll be leaving now?"
He smoothly navigated the situation, avoiding offending anyone while absolving himself of any wrongdoing. After bowing, he turned and left with an air of nonchalance.
Huo Lin watched his retreating figure disappear faster than a rabbit and shook his head.
Slippery hands, no wonder he doesn't have a wife.
Mingzhu, standing outside, made a face at Shen Yi's retreating figure before remembering her business. She then snuggled back to Jiang Huan's side, pleading pitifully, "Your Majesty~ Good Your Majesty~ Please let me stay~ I promise I'll be good and won't bother you! It's just that I really can't stay at home anymore, and for some reason, I can't sleep well at night, I keep having nightmares..."
As she spoke, she rubbed her eyes, looking rather tired: "It's so nice here, warm and comfortable. And your pastries are the best! I've been dreaming about that osmanthus cake ever since I had it last time!"
Jiang Huan's heart softened at the sight of her pitiful appearance.
"Okay, I promise you. What do you want to eat? I'll have the kitchen make it right now."
"Really? Your Majesty is the best!" Mingzhu cheered immediately, her eyes sparkling, instantly forgetting Shen Yi and all her worries.
"I want to eat osmanthus cake, and milk cake! And... and that sweet, soft one you made last time with red bean paste inside."
"Alright, alright, I'll make them all for you." Jiang Huan agreed with a smile and instructed the palace servants to prepare.
Soon, several exquisite and delicious snacks were served. Mingzhu ate with shining eyes, her cheeks stuffed full, and she squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
"Mmm, this is so delicious! I'm going to stay here every day from now on!"
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