Chapter Fifty-Seven Massage
Although Huo Lin's injuries were not serious, Wang Degui treated him as if he were facing a formidable enemy.
In the two days leading up to their departure, they wished they could treat Huo Lin like a porcelain doll.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician said that you need to rest and recuperate, and you should not overexert yourself."
Wang Degui spoke earnestly, holding a freshly brewed medicine in his hand.
"This is for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Please drink it while it's hot."
Huo Lin took the medicine bowl with a cold face, drank it all in one gulp, and didn't even frown.
【bitter. 】
It's so bitter.
This medicine is even harder to endure than my injuries.
Jiang Huan's lips curved slightly.
She hurriedly covered the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, but couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.
Who was it that mocked her for being a three-year-old?
Hmph, now you're reaping what you sowed.
However, medicine in this era was indeed bitter, something Jiang Huan knew all too well.
Since we're both in the same boat, she'll lend a hand.
"Chief Steward Wang," Jiang Huan blinked, "should we prepare some candied fruit for the Emperor?"
"No need," Huo Lin interrupted coldly, his jawline taut.
However, if she feeds him herself, I might consider it.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan almost choked on her own saliva.
She stole a glance at Huo Lin. The man sat there upright, his back straight as a pine tree, his face so solemn that he could go directly to the ancestral temple to worship his ancestors.
Who would have thought that my mind had become so abnormal?
But when she thought of how he risked his life to save her, Jiang Huan's heart softened.
Her eyes darted around, and she pulled a small paper packet from her sleeve, inside which were a few candied plums.
This was specially prepared by Xiao Zhao, who originally intended to keep it for herself to enjoy.
"Your Majesty, please try it first; it will relieve the bitterness."
Jiang Huan called out softly, picked up a plum, and offered it to Huo Lin's lips.
Huo Lin kept a straight face, but his eyes couldn't help but dart towards the crystal-clear plums.
Wang Degui anxiously wrung his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician said..."
"Just one." Jiang Huan blinked. "It won't affect the medicine's effectiveness."
Huo Lin feigned modesty and gave a soft "hmm," then lowered his head and put the plum in his mouth. His soft lips inadvertently brushed against Jiang Huan's fingertips, and the two of them trembled at the same time.
[Ten thousand times sweeter than what's made in the imperial kitchen!]
[I really don't feel bitter anymore, and I don't know if the sweetness comes from the plum or... her.]
Wang Degui's old face scrunched up like a chrysanthemum as he watched this scene.
He cleared his throat and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician specifically instructed that you should eat a light diet these days."
As he spoke, his eyes kept glancing at Jiang Huan, as if he could practically write "Don't let Consort Zhuang give you special treatment" on his face.
"The Imperial Kitchen has already prepared the medicinal cuisine according to the prescription," Wang Degui continued, "His Majesty can no longer eat extra meals as casually as before..."
Huo Lin swallowed the plum expressionlessly, without even lifting his eyelids.
I crave braised pork belly and sweet and sour pork ribs.
[Anyone who wants to eat those bland, watery medicinal dishes, don't treat me like a toothless old man!!!]
Listening to his heartfelt words, Jiang Huan realized that this time she truly couldn't help him.
Wounded people should have the awareness of being wounded.
Seeing the Emperor's gloomy expression, Wang Degui assumed he was worried about his injuries and quickly tried to comfort him.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant has already instructed the Imperial Kitchen and the Imperial Hospital to take extra care. Your injury will surely heal quickly."
Huo Lin glanced at him coldly: "I have no appetite."
[I want to eat the dishes cooked by Jiang Huan.]
But I cannot say.
[Speaking out would make it seem like I'm being greedy.]
Jiang Huan struggled to suppress her laughter and coughed lightly.
"His Majesty's injuries have not yet healed, and he certainly needs to recuperate properly."
"If you can't satisfy your craving, how about I give Your Majesty a shoulder massage to relieve your fatigue?"
"The imperial physician said that promoting blood circulation and clearing the meridians would also help with the recovery of injuries."
Huo Lin's eyes flickered slightly, and he gave a feigned "hmm".
She offered to give me a massage.
[Shen Yi was right, getting injured does indeed have its perks.]
Jiang Huan: ……
This person appears serious on the surface, but inside he's like a cat that's stolen a fish.
With her slender fingers gently resting on Huo Lin's shoulders, Jiang Huan began to massage him with just the right amount of pressure.
Huo Lin's muscles were somewhat stiff, clearly due to days of fatigue.
[Holy crap, how can a massage feel so good?]
The person I like is perfect, capable of everything.
Huo Lin closed his eyes, his heart overflowing with joy.
As Jiang Huan listened to his heartfelt words, her movements became even gentler.
Wang Degui watched in stunned silence.
He had served the emperor for so many years, and this was the first time he had ever seen the emperor looking so comfortable while having his shoulders massaged.
Normally, anyone who dared to touch the Emperor would lose their head!
“Wang Degui,” Huo Lin suddenly spoke.
"This old servant is here."
"You may leave."
"……yes."
Wang Degui quietly withdrew, thoughtfully closing the door behind him before leaving.
With only the two of them left in the room, Jiang Huan suddenly felt a little nervous.
The muscles under my fingers were warm and firm; I could feel the tension even through the fabric.
Why did she slow down?
Are you tired?
Huo Lin tilted his head slightly: "Take a rest if you're tired."
Jiang Huan shook her head: "Not tired."
As he spoke, he increased the pressure on his hand.
"Hmm..." Huo Lin was caught off guard and let out a low groan.
[This force is just right.]
How is she so good at pressing the buttons?
Jiang Huan pursed her lips and smiled secretly, then deliberately pressed hard on a certain acupoint.
"Hiss—" Huo Lin suddenly straightened his back.
"Does it hurt?" Jiang Huan quickly let go.
Huo Lin shook his head: "It doesn't hurt."
【Cool. 】
[Again!]
Jiang Huan's lips curled up slightly. She had realized that massaging the Emperor was like taming a wild beast.
On the surface, they appear imposing and awe-inspiring, but in reality, if you stroke them gently and comfortably, they'll be overjoyed.
"His Majesty spends too much time reviewing memorials every day, and his shoulders are stiff."
As Jiang Huan massaged him, she said, "From now on, you should get up and move around every hour."
Huo Lin hummed in agreement.
What's going on with this old married couple's way of getting along? Has my position in her heart changed?
Jiang Huan's hand trembled, and she almost pressed the wrong spot.
How can this person have such a unique thought process?
The massage lasted for about half an hour, and Huo Lin's complexion improved significantly, with the fatigue of the past few days completely gone.
Jiang Huan's hands were a little sore, so she unconsciously shook her wrists.
Immediately afterwards, the whole person was pulled forward by an irresistible force.
She gasped and stumbled into Huo Lin's arms, her forehead barely touching his chin.
"Your Majesty!" She tried to sit up in a flustered manner, but a warm, large hand firmly pressed down on her lower back.
Are you tired?
Jiang Huan then noticed that her wrist was indeed a little red, probably because she had used too much force earlier.
Just as she was about to speak, Huo Lin took her hand without saying a word and gently massaged her palm with his thumb.
"I'll massage it for you."
Jiang Huan was stunned. Huo Lin's palm was warm and rough, but the force was incredibly gentle.
He lowered his eyes, looking as if he were handling some precious treasure.
[Her hands are so delicate, won't I hurt her if I squeeze them?]
Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly withdrew her hand.
"No, no need, I'm not tired."
Huo Lin didn't press the matter, and instead asked, "Are you hungry?"
Just as Jiang Huan was about to shake her head, her stomach rumbled, betraying her.
Huo Lin smiled faintly.
"Serve the meal."
The imperial kitchen quickly delivered the food, which, as expected, consisted entirely of medicinal dishes.
The massage was so comfortable that he completely forgot his chef was still in his arms.
Huo Lin stared at the bowl of dark, murky medicine, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.
Is this thing really edible?
[Is the Imperial Kitchen researching some method to poison me?]
If it weren't for saving himself, the emperor wouldn't have needed to eat these things.
Jiang Huan picked up the spoon and, being very polite, scooped up a small spoonful to taste it.
"Actually... it tastes alright," she whispered. "If Your Majesty doesn't like it, shall I make you something else?"
Huo Lin's eyes lit up.
[It has been such a long, long, long time since I've had her cooking!]
[But Wang Degui is definitely squatting at the door. He cried so much when I was injured; if I don't drink the medicinal food, he'll probably tear the roof off.]
"No need," Huo Lin said, feigning indifference. "Let's just eat this."
Hearing his insincere words, Jiang Huan suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Then... shall I eat with Your Majesty?"
Huo Lin's eyes flickered slightly: "Okay."
[She dined with me!]
[Isn't this just like the dinner party described in storybooks?]
[If it could be like this every day, I'd be happy to eat medicinal cuisine with every meal.]
Wait, could she be trying to coax me into eating the medicinal food...?
The Emperor, a man of great dignity, can be as childlike as he gets when he has wild thoughts.
but……
Jiang Huan secretly glanced at Huo Lin, and seeing him obediently drinking the medicinal food, a part of her heart softened.
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