Chapter 391 Later
Hearing Huo Lin's insincere words, Jiang Huan couldn't help but secretly smile.
She suppressed a laugh, not exposing his little scheme, and simply yawned lazily, then snuggled deeper into the soft cushions.
After a long day of fussing, being frightened by the Empress Dowager, and being forced to paint, she was indeed quite exhausted.
The weariness of pregnancy washed over her like a tide, her eyelids grew heavy, and her long eyelashes, like two small fans, cast faint shadows under her eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the window, gently bathing her in a soft glow.
After Huo Lin finished instructing the palace servants to handle the painting matters, he turned around and saw her looking lazy, charming, and sleepy.
His gaze lingered on Jiang Huan's face for a moment, his Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly, and his eyes deepened.
The artist's work is still not lifelike enough; it doesn't even come close to capturing the essence of the real person.
[I really want to hide this look from you, and only show it to me.]
He waved away the palace servants standing in the hall, walked slowly to the couch and sat down, his fingertips gently brushing the strands of hair that fell across her cheek.
Jiang Huan wasn't actually fully asleep. Sensing his approach, her mind immediately started racing with all sorts of plans.
Hmph, I'm just killing time anyway, let's see how she flirts back!
She deliberately kept her eyes closed, like a cat being stroked, and gently rubbed against his fingertips, letting out a muffled whimper.
Looking at her languid and contented appearance, Huo Lin felt a touch in the softest part of his heart, and his fingertips moved even more gently.
However, the delicate, warm touch and the faint fragrance emanating from her body were like the most fatal temptations, challenging his wavering self-control.
Huo Lin's breathing became heavier, and he leaned forward unconsciously, getting closer, his hot breath brushing against Jiang Huan's forehead.
[Those eyelashes are so long, and her cheeks are so soft, like freshly steamed glutinous rice cakes...]
I really want to take a bite.
With her eyes closed, Jiang Huan felt Huo Lin's increasingly close breathing. She deliberately moved slightly, turning her head to reveal a section of her fair and slender neck.
This action, however, was seen by some as adding fuel to the fire.
Huo Lin's eyes were so deep they seemed to drip ink. He leaned down, his thin lips almost touching Jiang Huan's slightly parted lips.
Just when Jiang Huan thought he was finally about to kiss her, Huo Lin suddenly stopped.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and as if using all his strength, forcefully pulled himself away from her lips, only gently pressing his forehead against hers, his voice terribly hoarse.
"……no."
Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat; she felt a little disappointed, yet also a little amused.
The brakes came on again? The imperial physician's words are truly golden rules.
That patience is truly admirable.
She just opened her eyes, pretending to have just woken up: "What's wrong?"
Those eyes were innocent and pure, as if they had no idea what had just happened.
Huo Lin looked at her like this and laughed in exasperation, then reached out and pinched the tip of her nose.
"What do you mean, 'What's wrong'? Did you do it on purpose?"
Jiang Huan blinked her big eyes and continued to play dumb: "What do you mean, 'on purpose'? I was just a little sleepy."
Huo Lin looked at the smile she couldn't hide in her eyes and knew exactly what she was thinking.
He couldn't do anything with her, so he could only sigh heavily and pull her closer to his chest, as if only in this way could he calm the restlessness within him.
He buried his face in Jiang Huan's neck and said in a muffled voice, "...After the baby is born."
Jiang Huan was taken aback: "Huh?"
Huo Lin raised his head and gazed at her with sincere eyes: "Once they land safely, I will make you empress, announce it to the world, and give you the grandest and most glorious wedding."
Jiang Huan was completely stunned, staring blankly at him.
This guy planned even this out without making a sound?
Now that she's a Noble Consort, she has both power and money, so she's practically no different from an Empress.
However, this was his intention, his promise, and she didn't want to refuse.
In this era, to have someone treat her so devotedly and plan so meticulously for her, what more could she ask for?
Compared to the cutthroat world of the workplace in my past life, I'm now living in a paradise.
Besides, who doesn't want to reach the pinnacle of life!
Seeing her stunned expression, Huo Lin assumed she was frightened by the sudden news and continued in a low voice, "I know you may not care about these empty titles, but this is something I've already decided. My empress can only be you, and will only be you."
"If those old fogies dare to object, I have my own ways to shut them up. They're just old rules and precedents. How many precedents have I broken since I ascended the throne? One more won't make a difference."
"And your brothers, I have also considered them. They are all talented men and your support. I will not mistreat them."
"I will make you a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, a ten-mile-long red bridal procession, an eight-bearer sedan chair, and marry you in a proper ceremony, carrying you in through the main gate of the palace, so that the whole world can witness that you are my empress, whom I have married with the three letters and six rites, and announced to the Imperial Ancestral Temple in a dignified manner."
He was unusually talkative, going on and on about everything, as if he wanted to lay out all his future plans in front of Jiang Huan to put her at ease.
As Jiang Huan listened to his promises and arrangements, her playful teasing gradually faded, and her eyes welled up with tears.
She never expected that Huo Lin had been thinking so much behind the scenes, planning so far ahead, even meticulously arranging her brothers' career paths.
He is truly paving the way for their shared future.
A surge of heat rushed from her heart to her eyes, making her nose sting.
Jiang Huan raised her head, not having time to think, and followed her heart's impulse, kissing his lips.
The kiss was devoid of any lust or provocation; it was gentle yet firm, imprinted with all her love.
Huo Lin was taken aback by her sudden kiss, his body stiffening instantly. He then took the initiative and returned the kiss deeply.
His arms tightened, the force so great that he almost wanted to knead Jiang Huan into his bones.
The thin blanket on the tatami mat was kicked aside, clothes were disheveled, breaths mingled, and the temperature rose steadily.
However, just as things were about to get out of control and his clothes were half undone, Huo Lin stopped.
He buried his face deep in Jiang Huan's neck, breathing heavily.
[This cannot continue. She is still pregnant, and the risks of twins are too great. We absolutely cannot harm her and the children.]
[I can endure! I can endure immensely!]
It took Huo Lin immense willpower to force himself to lift his head off her, his voice hoarse: "...No, not now..."
Jiang Huan slowly came back to her senses from her infatuation. She felt his tense body and her heart softened and burned with tenderness.
She reached out and gently stroked his reddened earlobe and sweaty temples, whispering, "I know."
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