Chapter Sixty-Five: Throwing Oneself into Her Arms
"I'm really not angry."
Jiang Huan had a perfect smile on her lips, but it looked deliberately forced no matter how you looked at it.
Calling her a concubine is an understatement; she was more like the emperor's cook.
Moreover, since ancient times, emperors have had three palaces and six courtyards. Who Huo Lin favors and who he favors is none of her business.
Huo Lin tapped the table lightly with his long, slender fingers, the rhythm neither too fast nor too slow.
"Then why didn't you serve me any food today?"
"Isn't this because Consort Jia is serving us?"
Jiang Huan blinked, her tone flippant, "How dare I steal the limelight?"
Her words carried a hint of jealousy that even Jiang Huan herself was unaware of.
[Stubborn to the end.]
[His eyes were red, but he still said he wasn't angry.]
[I understand now. In short, Consort Jia and the Empress Dowager have joined forces to bully her.]
[Fine, I'll handle everything else myself, but if anyone dares to harm her, I will show no mercy.]
[They dare to extend their reach even further? It seems they have no idea of the pain of being cut off!]
Thinking this, Huo Lin's expression turned cold, and a layer of frost settled between his brows.
"Why did Consort Jia come with you today? Did she force you to?" His voice carried an undeniable air of authority.
"Well, this is an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager."
Jiang Huan deliberately dragged out her words, "The Empress Dowager said that I and Consort Jia should 'get along well' and serve meals to the Emperor together."
As she spoke, she imitated Consort Jia's coquettish tone, which gave her goosebumps.
Huo Lin's lips twitched almost imperceptibly: "Speak properly."
"Oh." Jiang Huan pouted. "It's just that the Empress Dowager thinks it's not good for the Emperor to favor only his concubines, and wants to distribute his affections more evenly."
She spoke lightly, but she was very upset inside.
That's strange, what is she saying?
When did she become so prone to jealousy and rivalry?
But... but that Consort Jia was clearly just pretending!
Jiang Huan recalled Consort Jia's gorgeous dress and affectedly sweet voice today, and her heart felt like a tangled mess.
Before she could figure it out, Jiang Huan was suddenly pulled forward by a force.
In a dizzying moment, she found herself in Huo Lin's arms.
The scent of ambergris instantly enveloped her, a unique blend of cinnabar and ink that was dizzying.
"Is that why you won't serve me food?"
Huo Lin's voice came from above, tinged with amusement, and the vibrations of his chest were clearly felt through their pressed bodies.
"Even the almond cookies were hidden?"
Jiang Huan's eyes widened suddenly. How did he know?!
Oh no, she was seen while she was hiding in her sleeve?
That's not right, she was being very careful.
Her ears were burning, and she struggled to get up.
"Who, who's hiding!"
Her voice unconsciously rose a few decibels, but she immediately realized she had lost her composure and bit her lower lip.
Huo Lin did not let go of Jiang Huan; his arm remained motionless, and he tightened his grip even more.
Jiang Huan froze in his arms, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest.
She could clearly feel the warmth of Huo Lin's chest and even hear his equally rapid heartbeat.
Incense wafted through the imperial study, and sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting diamond-shaped dappled patterns on the floor.
[You're so thin, and you weren't even eating properly just now. What if you're starving?]
[I was wondering why the room smelled so strongly of jealousy today; turns out someone smashed a vinegar jar.]
Who...who said she was jealous!
She didn't, she didn't do it, listen to her excuses!
In her panic, Jiang Huan moved, and a paper package suddenly fell out of her sleeve and landed on the ground with a "thud".
Both of them lowered their heads at the same time.
The parchment paper was spread out, revealing the golden almond cookies inside, some of which were already broken.
Huo Lin chuckled softly, his breath brushing against her ear.
"As expected, it was hidden."
"Who is this for?" His voice was tinged with obvious pleasure, as if he had caught something red-handed.
Jiang Huan was so ashamed that she wanted to disappear. She struggled to get out of his arms and squatted down to pick up the broken pastries.
"It was originally intended for the Emperor..."
Oops, I let it slip.
Is it too late to change your story and say it's for the dog?
Jiang Huan's hands were shaking so badly, as if she had Parkinson's disease, that she couldn't pick it up no matter how many times she tried.
Huo Lin suddenly squatted down and covered her with his large hand.
"If it's broken, then don't keep it."
“No way!” Jiang Huan blurted out, “I’ve been working on this for a long time.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Jiang Huan regretted them even more.
Doesn't this mean admitting that it was specially prepared for him?
Huo Lin's eyes lit up.
He picked up a whole almond shortbread and took a bite.
"Hmm, the sweetness is just right."
Huo Lin chewed slowly, but his gaze remained fixed on her face. "What you make is my favorite."
Huo Lin's words were more direct than his true feelings for the first time.
Jiang Huan stared at him blankly, and the pent-up frustration in her chest had unknowingly dissipated.
She looked at the almond crumbs on Huo Lin's lips, and as if possessed, reached out and handed him another piece.
"If Your Majesty likes it, then eat more."
The gesture was too bold; she regretted it as soon as she handed it over.
But Huo Lin had already lowered his head and taken a bite out of her hand.
His lips brushed against her fingertips, like a feather gently touching them.
"Hmm, this one is sweeter."
He commented in a low voice, but his gaze never left her flushed cheeks.
This is the first time I've ever eaten food personally fed by her.
[Pfft, so it turns out that my treatment can double after I get jealous.]
Upon hearing this thought, Jiang Huan withdrew her fingertips as if she had been burned.
She hurriedly got up, but accidentally stepped on her own skirt and fell forward.
Huo Lin caught her with lightning speed, and the two of them fell onto the cushion together.
Jiang Huan placed her hand on his chest and could clearly feel the firm muscles beneath the fabric.
Why is this floor so slippery?
But the Emperor's pectoral muscles are so hard, does he work out every day?
I pinched it, and oh dear, was she pinching it too hard?
Wait, what is she thinking!
"Throwing himself into my arms?" Huo Lin raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile in his eyes.
"I am not..."
Jiang Huan was anxious to explain, but she overheard Huo Lin's inner thoughts.
[It's good if she falls a few more times, so I can hold her more often.]
She looks so pretty when she blushes.
Jiang Huan blushed deeply, even her neck turned bright red. She tried to get up in a flustered manner, but Huo Lin held her wrist down.
"The Empress Dowager wants me to 'spread my favor evenly'..." He suddenly leaned closer, his voice extremely low, "Then I will not let her have her way."
Jiang Huan's eyes widened, unable to tell for a moment whether he was serious or teasing her.
Huo Lin had already let go of her hand, stood up as if nothing had happened, and pulled her up as well.
"Go change your clothes." He pointed to the crumbs of pastry on her skirt. "Come and dine with me again later."
He paused, then added, "He came alone."
Jiang Huan curtsied and fled as if she were escaping.
My heart was pounding wildly, yet I couldn't control my excitement.
Just as she reached the door, she heard Huo Lin calling her again.
"Jiang Huan".
She turned around and saw Huo Lin standing by the window in the light and shadow, his silhouette gilded with a layer of gold.
"Almond cookies..." He waved the remaining half in his hand, "They're delicious."
The sunlight was too bright for Jiang Huan to see his expression, but the gentleness in his tone quietly melted a corner of her heart.
Seriously, it's unfair to smile so beautifully.
Wait, she wouldn't really...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com