Chapter Seventy-Six Jealousy
Dusk was falling.
Jiang Huan had written down all the recipes from the northern deserts that she had heard from Ayina that day, and was organizing them when she suddenly heard a familiar sound of footsteps coming from outside the palace gate.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Just as Jiang Huan was about to get up and bow, a pair of strong arms pressed down on her shoulders.
Huo Lin had already appeared behind her without her noticing, and the scent of ambergris instantly enveloped her.
"I heard the princess of the Northern Desert visited today?"
Jiang Huan looked up and met Huo Lin's deep eyes.
Why does that tone sound a little sour?
“Yes,” she said, her eyes crinkling, “the princess gave me a very pretty silver bell.”
As Jiang Huan spoke, she shook the red agate silver bells adorning her waist; the clear, crisp sound was particularly melodious in the twilight.
Huo Lin's gaze fell on the exquisite silver bell, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
[Is the princess really that kind? Or is it a trap?]
What does it mean when people from the northern deserts give someone a silver bell?
[It looks like a token of love!?]
Jiang Huan really wanted to ask Wang Degui if Huo Lin had gotten his head stuck when he left.
Now that Ayina is in Daliang, what kind of traps can she set?
He even gave her a token of love! How could he even think of that!
But teasing him a little wouldn't hurt.
Jiang Huan deliberately shook the bell again: "The princess said this can ward off evil spirits and disasters, and specially gave it to me."
Huo Lin gave a soft hum and sat down beside her, his sleeve brushing against the silver bell as if trying to cover it up.
“People from the northern deserts are used to these fancy things,” he said sternly.
[Exorcising evil spirits? More like exorcising me.]
[Have the Imperial Household Department send ten even better strings of skewers tomorrow, no, twenty strings!]
Wait, she just said 'on purpose'? She definitely had ulterior motives!
Jiang Huan looked at Huo Lin's profile, which was trying to appear calm, and chuckled inwardly.
She blinked, pretending not to notice his subtle actions, and continued to add fuel to the fire.
"The princess is a very nice person. She even told me a lot about the customs and culture of the northern desert!"
She counted on her fingers, "For example, at the bonfire festival in the northern desert, young men and women dance around the fire, and if they take a fancy to someone, they invite that person to dance with them."
Huo Lin felt a strange unease as he watched Jiang Huan's beaming face.
[She gets so excited talking about others; I come here every day, and I've never seen her this excited.]
What exactly does this princess want? Why is she telling her everything?
Could it be that they're trying to steal my man?
Hearing Huo Lin's jealous thoughts, a sly glint flashed in Jiang Huan's eyes.
She continued, "They also have a kind of wine there that can make someone completely drunk after drinking three bowls. The princess said she would bring it to me to try next time I have the chance."
"You're not allowed to drink!"
Huo Lin suddenly raised his voice, then realized he had lost his composure and coughed lightly to cover it up.
"I mean the wine from the northern deserts is strong and not suitable for you."
He tried hard to maintain his imperial dignity, unaware that his eyes had already betrayed him.
Jiang Huan looked completely innocent: "But the princess said that the wine is sweet and not spicy, and that all women love to drink it."
Sweet wine? Clearly a deceptive tactic.
What was the princess's intention? Was she trying to get her drunk?
[Damn it, only I can bear to see her drunk.]
Huo Lin's reaction made Jiang Huan smile even more, but she remained calm on the surface, only looking at Huo Lin.
Seeing him so concerned he was practically jumping up and down, yet forced to maintain a straight face due to his imperial dignity while inwardly raging, was more entertaining than watching ten major plays.
Huo Lin felt uncomfortable under her gaze and awkwardly changed the subject.
"I heard that you also prepared food from the northern deserts today?"
Jiang Huan chuckled inwardly and replied, following his words, "Yes, there are roasted lamb chops and milk cakes with a northern flavor, as well as milk tea with special spices..."
As she was speaking, she suddenly realized something and looked at Huo Lin.
"Would Your Majesty like to try some?"
Huo Lin kept a straight face, feigning composure.
"I was just asking casually."
[Quickly tell me you're making it for me.]
【I want that milk tea with the special spices too!】
"The princess has eaten, so I want some too."
Jiang Huan deliberately pretended not to hear Huo Lin's thoughts and dragged out her tone.
"I see—"
"Never mind then, the Emperor doesn't like to eat these anyway."
Huo Lin grabbed her wrist, his ears turning red at a visible speed.
"Jiang Huan!" His voice carried a hint of embarrassment and anger. "I...I'm suddenly a little hungry."
Those usually majestic phoenix eyes were now flashing with an awkward light, like a cat that had its dried fish stolen but was still trying to remain calm.
"Are you hungry?" Jiang Huan's eyes darted around. "Then I'll have the Imperial Kitchen..."
"I don't want the imperial kitchen's."
Huo Lin interrupted her, unconsciously increasing the pressure on his hand, but immediately released it when he saw her slightly furrow her brow.
He turned his face away, his voice muffled.
"I want to eat what you made."
Jiang Huan finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Very well, make it for the Emperor."
Jiang Huan smiled, her eyes crinkling, and walked towards the small kitchen.
Huo Lin followed behind her, his eyes fixed on the jingling bell at Jiang Huan's waist, just like a cat staring at a cat toy.
"Is Your Majesty no longer angry?" Jiang Huan turned around and winked at him.
Huo Lin scoffed, "When have I ever been angry?"
He took two steps forward, quickening his pace slightly, as if trying to shake off the awkwardness he had just felt, and his face regained its usual dignified expression.
Huo Lin began to order in a serious manner: "I want that special spice milk tea, two servings of roasted lamb chops, and that milk cake too."
"Yes, sir."
How childish! Just because she made it for the princess, the emperor has to eat double?
But since he's the emperor, he's the most powerful person. If she has to put up with it, she can't blame her.
Jiang Huan smiled as she went to get the flour, but before she could take a step, Huo Lin pulled her into his arms.
"Also," Huo Lin said, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice muffled, "you're not allowed to accept jewelry from strangers anymore."
Jiang Huan tilted her head and thought for a moment: "What if it was a gift from the princess?"
"……except."
"If it was a gift from the eldest princess..."
Huo Lin tightened his grip: "Jiang Huan!"
"Okay, okay, I won't accept it."
Jiang Huan smiled and begged for forgiveness, then turned around and poked Huo Lin's chest.
"Your Majesty, how can you be jealous of even the princess?"
Huo Lin's ears turned red, and he argued forcefully, "I'm doing this for your own good. The customs of the northern deserts are different from those of the Central Plains, and we can't just accept things from there."
"Okay."
Jiang Huan tilted her head slightly, looking at Huo Lin, her smile as bright and radiant as a flower blooming in spring.
As Huo Lin gazed at Jiang Huan's bright smile, the bitterness in his heart gradually dissipated.
He sighed softly, "You always manage to make everyone like you."
Even the princess, who fears me most, can smile so happily in front of her.
The stern-faced head chef of the imperial kitchen would come to ask her for dessert recipes every few days.
Now even the princess of the northern desert is eagerly sending her gifts...
She felt a slight warmth in her heart, but also found it somewhat amusing.
The Emperor must have added ten layers of filters to her image; everyone looks like they've been won over by her.
"It's not that exaggerated. It's just ordinary interaction."
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