Chapter 449 Aftermath
Huo Chen and Huo Yue slept for almost two hours, and when they woke up again, they were noticeably more energetic.
She was no longer the distressingly lethargic and listless girl she had been before. Although her face was still a little pale, her eyes were open and she could follow the movement of objects.
Huo Lin, standing beside the cradle, finally felt a little more relaxed.
But the gloomy and fierce aura between his brows had not yet dissipated, like the sky after a storm, where the rain has stopped but the dark clouds have not yet dispersed.
He reached out and touched his daughter's little face.
[This little girl has finally recovered.]
It was as hot as a small furnace last night, but it's finally cooled down now.
She's lost a lot of weight after a serious illness; her chin is so sharp, it breaks my heart to see her like that.
The little guy seemed to sense it, and immediately reached out his little hand, grabbed his index finger, and stuffed it into his toothless little mouth.
The soft gums nibbled at it lightly, with a slight tickling sensation.
A hint of warmth appeared in Huo Lin's eyes as he let his daughter grind her teeth, then turned his gaze to his son Huo Chen beside him.
Unlike his sister, the little one didn't touch or speak; he just watched him quietly.
His eyes were crystal clear, unblinking, as if they could see into a person's heart.
This kid is so quiet; I wonder what's going on in his little head.
Wait, what if he's been burned stupid!
Jiang Huan, who was watching Huo Lin's furrowed brows, was about to make a joke when she heard a suppressed sob coming from outside.
Wang Degui wiped away his tears and knelt down at the palace gate with a thud.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! The young prince and princess are blessed with good fortune, turning misfortune into good luck. It is truly the protection of our ancestors and the mercy of Heaven! This old servant... this old servant can finally put my mind at ease!"
He spoke with heartfelt emotion, tears streaming down his face, as if he himself had just returned from the brink of death, not his two children.
Huo Lin's temple throbbed with a mixture of amusement and exasperation: "Stop howling and get up now."
If she keeps howling like that, the child will be scared to tears.
"Yes, yes, yes, this old servant has lost his composure, this old servant will leave right away!"
Wang Degui quickly got up and hurriedly stepped aside to serve, his face still wet with tears, but his face was beaming with smiles.
Jiang Huan was somewhat moved by Wang Degui's performance.
This old man was devoted to Huo Lin and took great care of himself.
I should find an opportunity to mention it to Huo Lin sometime, maybe get Wang Degui a promotion or a raise.
Just as she was thinking this, a sour and bitter taste suddenly rose in her stomach, and Jiang Huan felt as if all the bones in her body had suddenly gone on strike again, leaving her feeling weak and limp.
Sigh, it must be because I was so anxious last night and stayed up all night.
She rubbed her stomach and said to Huo Lin, "I'm hungry."
Huo Lin immediately understood: "What would you like to eat? I'll have the kitchen prepare it."
[We two are truly husband and wife; even when we're hungry, we're in such perfect harmony!]
After a moment's thought, Jiang Huan said to the waiting palace maid, "Hmm... then let's have a sweet and sour fish, the sauce should be glossy and sweet and sour, a bowl of chicken and corn soup, stewed until light and sweet, not too oily, and a refreshing side dish of cold shredded vegetables, with plenty of vinegar."
Although a light diet is recommended after childbirth, who can say no to sour, sweet, salty, and spicy foods!
"Yes, Your Highness, I will go right away."
The palace maid respectfully agreed and quickly withdrew to relay the message.
Soon, the dishes were served and placed on the small table in front of Jiang Huan.
Jiang Huan took a deep, almost blissful sniff, then closed her eyes in ecstasy.
After a whole night of fussing, nothing beats good food to heal the soul.
She picked up her chopsticks and began to eat in small bites.
The sweet and sour vinegar fish whetted her appetite, and after swallowing the warm soup, Jiang Huan felt as if she had been elevated.
Meanwhile, Huo Lin stared intently at the table full of dishes, coughed lightly twice, and remained expressionless.
She was so hungry, she ate with gusto.
But I must restrain myself; I cannot let my two children think their father is a glutton.
Jiang Huan immediately understood and handed over a pair of chopsticks, winking at her.
"A meal tastes better when shared by two people. Would Your Majesty like to keep me company?"
Huo Lin's eyes lit up, and he calmly took the chopsticks, saying, "Mm."
[It's a legitimate reason! She's struck again!]
I am so happy...
The two of them ate happily, taking turns using their chopsticks.
Just as Jiang Huan picked up another piece of sweet and sour fish, she suddenly felt two burning gazes fall on the spoon in her hand.
Huh? Didn't she already satisfy Huo Lin's cravings?
Jiang Huan looked up with some confusion, following the gaze.
The two little ones stared intently at her with their big, dark eyes, unblinking... at the bowl and spoon in front of her.
Huo Yue's little mouth moved unconsciously, and glistening saliva was faintly visible.
A tiny hand struggled to break free from the swaddling clothes, reaching out and scratching at the bowl in the air.
His calves kicked restlessly, his face clearly showing his desire to eat.
Even Huo Chen, who is usually calm and has the demeanor of his father, tilted his head slightly at this moment, his eyes filled with curiosity, and his gaze followed Jiang Huan's chopsticks closely.
Jiang Huan was taken aback at first, then burst out laughing, the weariness in her eyes instantly vanishing.
No wonder she's Huo Lin's child; the foodie trait is ingrained in her blood.
She deliberately scooped up a little more soup with her spoon and gently waved it in front of the two little ones.
"Doesn't it smell delicious? Doesn't it make your mouth water? You two haven't even grown any teeth yet, and you already know how to eat good food?"
Huo Yue stared anxiously at the spoon that was right in front of her.
The little body tried to lean forward, but was restricted by the swaddling clothes and could only watch helplessly.
Huo Chen remained relatively calm, but he clearly had a tendency to drool.
Huo Lin naturally noticed the children's reactions, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards almost imperceptibly.
[Two little gluttons, luckily they were born into the royal family, I can afford to feed them, they can eat as much as they want.]
However, we must keep a closer eye on them from now on, lest some fools manage to seduce my children with a few snacks.
He reached out and wiped away the glistening drool from his son's mouth, then gently rubbed his daughter's head.
"That greedy look, it's definitely his biological child."
The meal ended in a warm atmosphere. Jiang Huan was full and satisfied, and her stomach felt warm, but drowsiness returned.
Huo Lin helped her lie back on the bed and carefully covered her with the blanket.
"Go to sleep." He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand.
Jiang Huan closed her eyes peacefully and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Huo Lin quietly watched over her, making sure her breathing became even and deep, before gently placing her hand back under the covers, carefully tucking the corners of the blankets in, and then silently leaving the inner hall.
He also has a backlog of official duties to attend to, and he needs to personally oversee the follow-up work at the Cining Palace.
The hall fell completely silent, with only the steady, long breaths echoing in the air.
However, this tranquility always seems to be short-lived.
Jiang Huan was fast asleep when she was suddenly awakened by a groaning sound.
She suddenly opened her eyes, her heart racing instantly; her sixth sense told her this was no good.
I immediately listened carefully and found that the sound was coming from the cradle right next to me.
Jiang Huan's heart leaped into her throat, all sleepiness vanished, and she immediately threw off the covers, got up, and went to the cradle.
Huo Yue frowned slightly in her sleep, and her little body shifted restlessly.
Huo Chen, who was standing next to him, was also breathing more rapidly than usual.
Jiang Huan frowned. They had just survived a harrowing night, and everything was going in the right direction. How could something have gone wrong again?
She immediately reached out to touch their foreheads; their temperatures were normal, and there was no sign of fever returning.
Suddenly, Liu Shuyao's warning before leaving unexpectedly entered his mind.
If the source of the pollution is not eliminated, it will remain a hidden danger.
Empress Dowager... will she really give up now?
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