Chapter 436 Name
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan perked up and listened intently.
She looked at Huo Lin; this guy appeared serious on the surface, but who knew what kind of smugness he was hiding inside.
"The prince's name shall be Chen." Huo Lin looked at his son, who was sleeping peacefully, his gaze calm and expectant. "The North Star is the abode of the emperor, and it also implies the brilliance of the stars."
My eldest son, by virtue of his legitimate wife, is naturally worthy of this supreme and noble title.
May he inherit this empire and become an even more outstanding and wise ruler than his father. Yes, the student surpasses the master, that would be wonderful.
Jiang Huan silently recited in her heart: "Huo Chen..."
She nodded, her gaze softening. "Okay, composed and mature, that suits my brother."
She paused, then looked at her daughter: "And what about your little sister? Our little princess, what name did you give her?"
Huo Lin turned to his youngest daughter, Lele, his voice unconsciously softening and slowing down, filled with doting affection.
"The princess's name will be Yue. Yue is a divine pearl in ancient legends, gentle and peaceful, precious and beautiful."
"My precious daughter deserves the most beautiful words in the world."
[What heavy responsibilities are there for the country? Her brother will shoulder them. My Yue'er only needs to grow up happily and carefree.]
[Anyone who dares to make my Yue'er frown will regret ever being born!]
Hearing his undisguised feelings, Jiang Huan's face broke into a bright smile.
"Huo Chen and Huo Yue are both excellent names; I like them very much."
Huo Lin saw that her eyebrows were curved in a smile, and he was clearly very satisfied and in a good mood.
He held Jiang Huan's hand and gently stroked the back of her hand: "Once you are fully recovered and the ceremony for your investiture as Empress is held, I will begin to abolish the harem, leaving no one except you."
Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat. She looked at him, her eyes swirling with emotions, which finally turned into a light sigh tinged with mockery.
"Isn't Your Majesty afraid that the historians will record you as a tyrannical ruler who is addicted to women?"
Huo Lin chuckled softly and gently pinched the tip of her nose.
"So be it, I've said it before, as long as you are here, it's because of the circumstances that you were forced to do so. Now that you have Chen'er and Yue'er, you no longer need to be mindful of anyone's feelings. I want to give you a peaceful and stable home."
His tone turned cold as he spoke, "Any potential risks or eyesores must be eliminated."
Those women were merely appendages of politics, never truly pleasing me. What's wrong with setting them free?
Her position as empress must be as secure as a mountain, allowing no one to covet or challenge it.
Jiang Huan leaned on his shoulder, feeling sweet inside, but she didn't forget the important matter at hand.
"What about...the Empress Dowager?"
When the Empress Dowager was mentioned, Huo Lin's aura turned cold.
"The Empress Dowager has overreached and misdirected her efforts."
His tone was icy: "The evidence that Shen Yi brought back, though incomplete, is enough to show her true colors. It would be impossible for the Northern Di assassins to infiltrate the capital and set up such a precise ambush without inside help. I will settle this score with her, interest and all."
Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat, and she gripped his hand tightly: "She has been operating for many years, and her influence is deep and widespread. We need to be careful."
"I know." Huo Lin grasped her hand in return, his tone steady. "Therefore, I will wait until you are officially appointed Empress and the situation stabilizes. At that time, I will have my own plans."
The next day, in the Imperial Study.
Huo Lin sat behind his desk, reviewing memorials, when Wang Degui came in to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Xiaoyao has returned to the capital and is outside the palace."
"Announce." Huo Lin put down his pen.
A moment later, the carefree Prince Huo Yunxing walked in with a leisurely gait.
He was dressed in an indigo blue casual suit with cloud patterns, looking travel-worn but still exuding a carefree air.
"It's been a long time, Your Majesty looks even better than before." He spoke in a relaxed tone, his gaze quickly sweeping across the imperial desk. Seeing the numerous memorials piled up on it, his brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
This kid looks pretty energetic; it seems being a father really makes a difference.
But with so many memorials on my desk... tsk, it seems things aren't going well in the capital lately.
His return seems ill-timed. I need to find a way to get away faster.
Huo Lin raised his eyes, his expression calm: "Uncle, you must be tired from your journey. Is your injury much better?"
Huo Yunxing smiled nonchalantly and stretched his shoulders: "It's almost healed. It was just a superficial injury, and after resting for a while, it will be fine."
Huo Lin nodded slightly, said no more, and looked back at the memorial, speaking as if it were just a casual remark.
"Your return is just in time, Imperial Uncle. I have a few thorny issues here, and several senior ministers are arguing endlessly without reaching a conclusion."
As he spoke, he casually picked up a stack of memorials.
Huo Yunxing's smile froze instantly, collapsing at a visible speed.
He suddenly raised his hand to cover his chest, his previously relaxed steps became unsteady, and his brows furrowed tightly.
"Uh, Your Majesty... Your Majesty's chest is suddenly aching, probably because an old injury hasn't healed and you're exhausted from the journey..." His voice became weak and hoarse, and his body swayed in time, the speed of his change in state was astonishing.
Huo Lin looked at his sudden "illness relapse," his lips twitched, and he sneered inwardly.
Ha, you reacted quickly.
He was full of energy just now, saying his injury was healed, but as soon as he heard about government affairs, his old injury flared up again?
Huo Lin didn't expose him, but slowly flipped through the memorials, his tone calm and even.
"Oh? Feeling unwell again? I noticed that when my uncle came in just now, he was walking with a brisk pace."
Huo Yunxing clutched his chest, his breath weak: "I only came here by sheer willpower, not wanting you to worry. In truth, I am at my last gasp. I am truly powerless to help with such important matters of state."
As he spoke, he looked at Huo Lin with expectant eyes, hoping that he would "show compassion".
Upon hearing this, Huo Lin calmly put down the memorial: "Since Your Majesty is unwell, it seems that Your Majesty is also unable to arrange the marriage with the Princess of Mobei."
As he spoke, he picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if he were talking about something trivial.
"Very well, I will tell the people of Mobei that the Imperial Uncle is seriously injured and may ruin the princess's life. This marriage should be called off. I think the King of Mobei will understand."
Huo Lin's words, though seemingly casual, struck Huo Yunxing like a thunderbolt, shattering the mask of pain on his face with a crack.
Huo Yunxing was both anxious and furious, and he forgot to pretend in his voice: "Huo Lin! How dare you! This marriage is an alliance between our two countries. How can you just call it off like that!"
Huo Lin raised an eyebrow as he looked at his instantly "recovered" appearance.
"Oh? Your Royal Uncle looks so energetic; you don't seem like you're at your last gasp."
He put down his teacup and deliberately said, "Weren't you just suffering from an old injury that flared up again, with a dull pain in your chest, and you couldn't even stand up straight? How come your illness is cured as soon as the marriage was called off?"
Huo Yunxing was so choked by him that he almost couldn't catch his breath, his face turning red and white in turns.
What a blunder! That kid is too cunning. He actually used this trick to force him, but he just fell for it!
"Alright, alright, you win, kid. I admit defeat." He glared at Huo Lin irritably. "Give me the memorial, I'll take it!"
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