Chapter Sixty-Two: The Unusual Consort Jia
Huo Lin's question struck Jiang Huan like a hammer blow, making her chest tingle.
Oh no, I got carried away and said too much. I almost made myself the greatest prime minister of the time.
What knowledge of water conservancy from her past life should a concubine in the deep palace have?
But seeing his furrowed brows just now, those words seemed to have grown legs and rushed out of his mouth.
Jiang Huan's heart raced: "This concubine enjoys reading miscellaneous books in her spare time..."
Huo Lin's handsome face remained cold and stern, but his phoenix eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.
“These insights are something even my ministers might not be able to come up with, yet you can do them so easily, which shows your erudition.”
[These miscellaneous books are even more effective than the Four Books and Five Classics! Have Shen Yi bring two boxes to me tomorrow; I want to begin studying them!]
However, it depends on the person. Shen Yi became increasingly foolish the more he looked at it, while she gained profound knowledge of the past and present.
[So clever and quick-witted, she's far superior to those concubines who only know how to fight over favors. My Jiang Huan is truly the best!]
That's a compliment.
Jiang Huan's ears burned slightly; she felt unworthy of such a compliment.
She lowered her eyelashes, avoiding Huo Lin's gaze, and spoke softly.
"These are just some basic insights; I hope Your Majesty will not find them offensive."
"Simple?" Huo Lin suddenly leaned forward, pointing to the ink mark on the painting, the scent of ambergris wafting towards him.
"No need to be so modest. Even the Minister of Works would be ashamed of his own inferiority when he sees the design of this karez system."
Wow, her ear tips turn red when she's shy.
Why is your voice so soft? Are you nervous? Did I frighten you again?
Jiang Huan was already feeling guilty, and she didn't expect him to get so close. She lost her balance and took a half step back.
But I accidentally knocked over the pen holder.
"Be careful."
Huo Lin reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist and catching the falling inkstone with his other hand.
This action almost completely encircled Jiang Huan in his arms, their breaths clearly audible to each other.
The shadows of the two were cast on the wall by the lamplight, overlapping to form an intimate shape.
Huo Lin unconsciously rubbed her wrist with his thumb, where her pulse was pounding rapidly.
"Your Majesty..."
Jiang Huan's voice trembled, and she felt as if her heart was about to stop beating. "I have been impolite."
Huo Lin then released his grip as if waking from a dream, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.
“It’s alright.” His voice suddenly became low.
"Your advice today has been helpful, and I have taken note of it."
Jiang Huan forced herself to remain calm and curtsied.
"It is my honor to be able to share the Emperor's burdens."
Huo Lin looked at her slightly flushed cheeks, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.
Her shy demeanor was more vivid than usual.
She's probably only shy in front of me, right? She's definitely mine alone, isn't she?
Jiang Huan: ……
She desperately wanted to cover her ears, but the voice in her heart kept creeping into her mind, making her heartbeat even more erratic.
If she stays any longer, her face will turn as red as a monkey's bottom sooner or later!
"It is getting late, so I will not disturb Your Majesty's handling of state affairs any longer."
She hurriedly bowed, nodded haphazardly, and walked quickly outside, almost tripping over the threshold.
Huo Lin watched her slightly flustered back, his smile deepening.
There's plenty of time; he's not in a hurry.
Jiang Huan hadn't gone far from the imperial study when the night breeze brushed against her cheeks, finally reducing the heat on her face.
She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. Just as she was about to quicken her pace back to her own chambers, she saw an unfamiliar palace maid standing not far away.
"Consort Zhuang."
The palace maid bowed respectfully, with a perfectly appropriate smile on her face.
"This servant is from Chang Le Palace. Consort Jia heard that you had just come out of the Imperial Study and specially invited you to come over for a chat."
Jiang Huan paused, her brows furrowing slightly.
Consort Jia?
Isn't this like a weasel paying New Year's greetings to a chicken?
Xiao Zhao stood to the side, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
She whispered, "Your Highness, it's getting late. Why don't we go tomorrow?"
The palace maid's smile remained unchanged, but her tone carried an air of unyielding authority.
"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine said that she has not seen Consort Zhuang for a long time and misses her very much. She has specially prepared tea and refreshments and hopes that Her Highness will do her a favor."
Jiang Huan's eyes flickered slightly; she really did lie without thinking.
I've clearly seen him quite often at the imperial palace, so why haven't I seen him for so long?
Even a fool would know this was a trap.
But if she didn't go, it would make her seem guilty.
Jiang Huan pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Since it is the Imperial Concubine who has invited me, I will naturally go."
Xiao Zhao hesitated, but Jiang Huan gave her a look, signaling her to relax.
Previously, at the temporary palace, the guards were not as strict as in the imperial palace, so Consort Jia still had the opportunity to take action against her.
But now that she's in the palace, even if Consort Jia is arrogant, she wouldn't dare to openly harm her.
Instead of passively enduring, it's better to take the initiative.
The two followed the palace maid to Consort Jia's Chang Le Palace.
Consort Jia, dressed in a magnificent gown, greeted Jiang Huan with a beaming smile and warmly took her hand.
"My dear sister, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for so long."
Jiang Huan sneered inwardly, her eyes practically rolling to the sky.
She had also mastered the art of understanding the thoughts of these imperial concubines.
He maintained a polite smile, subtly withdrew his hand, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Holding hands? Forget it.
Consort Jia looked at her empty hands, but didn't seem to care much.
Her smile remained unchanged as she pulled Jiang Huan to sit down.
"We're sisters, why be so distant?"
She gestured for the palace maids to bring tea and snacks, her tone gentle.
"My sister has been promoted to the rank of Consort, and I haven't had a chance to properly congratulate her yet."
As Consort Jia spoke, she took an exquisite brocade box from the palace maid.
The brocade box was opened, and inside lay a gold and jade hairpin, gleaming in the candlelight.
"This is a special gift I prepared for my younger sister." Consort Jia took out a hairpin and personally put it on Jiang Huan. "Your skin is as fair as jade, and this hairpin is the perfect match for you."
Jiang Huan narrowed her eyes suspiciously. If Consort Jia could be so kind, she would eat the hairpin raw.
Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of malice or theft.
It's not like they put arsenic or something on it.
Consort Jia seemed to sense her concerns and chuckled softly.
"Don't worry, sister, I have a similar hairpin myself." She pointed to the same gold hairpin in her hair.
"Your Majesty's kindness is too much for me to bear," Jiang Huan said, forcing herself to remain calm.
"Oh, don't be so formal."
Consort Jia warmly grasped her hand, "I've always felt a connection with you, sister, but before..."
She paused, a hint of darkness flashing in her eyes.
"There's just been a misunderstanding between us."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com