Chapter 299 Admiration
Jiang Huan blinked. Was she dreaming?
This old-fashioned woman, who always wished she would shave her head and become a nun, and go and copy the virtues of women a hundred times, actually came up with a surprise today and offered to reward her.
A hint of surprise flashed across Huo Lin's eyes, which quickly turned into amusement.
[It wasn't easy, it wasn't easy at all. That brat's eyes are finally clean of poop.]
[Tsk tsk, is it really that awkward? His face is almost turning purple from holding it in. Saying a fair word is like it's going to kill him.]
He leisurely picked up the teacup, gently blew away the foam, and his gaze fell on Huo Yuan's ears, which were trying to remain calm but were slightly red.
"Oh?" Huo Lin's tone rose slightly.
"Your Highness is so understanding today. I thought you were going to be reciting scriptures in court again."
Huo Yuan was so choked by these words that his face turned pale. He stiffened his neck, his eyes darting around, and dared not look at anyone, only stubbornly sticking out his words.
"Merits and demerits, rewards and punishments, are the laws of the court. I am merely stating the facts of the matter!"
He was simply giving an explanation to the scales of justice in his heart.
Hmph, that's definitely not an endorsement of her.
Jiang Huan couldn't help but chuckle at Huo Yuan's awkward expression, as he clearly wanted to praise her but couldn't bring himself to do so.
They can come up with all sorts of insults, but they get embarrassed when it comes to praising someone.
However, she was still very satisfied to receive affirmation from the tsundere.
To ease the tension and to satisfy her own quirky sense of humor, Jiang Huan walked to the side with a smile, opened the food box she had brought, which contained freshly baked almond cookies.
"General Li has traveled a long way and is tired. It is also rare for the young master to come to the palace. Please try the pastries I made."
Lieutenant Li was flattered and accepted the gift with both hands. He took a bite, and his eyes immediately lit up again.
"Your Majesty, you must be a living deity descended to earth!"
Jiang Huan, with a touch of江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) spirit, clasped her hands in a fist and said, "You flatter me, you flatter me."
After saying that, she picked up a piece of almond shortbread and naturally handed it to Huo Yuan: "Would the young master like to try it, or would you rather remain chaste?"
Huo Yuan's body stiffened almost imperceptibly as he looked at the pastries being offered to him, a hint of struggle flashing across his face.
But the aroma of braised pork wafted out of my memories at an inopportune moment, gradually solidifying into a tangible form.
Like a ghost, she held a knife and threatened him, saying, "If you don't eat this delicious food, I'll kill you!"
His Adam's apple bobbed, but he ultimately succumbed to his inner demons and, driven by the tempting snack, stiffly accepted it.
"It's just an occasional transgression, only an occasional one!"
He wanted to save face, so he took a small sip and savored the food.
Crispy and crumbly, with a rich almond aroma and just the right amount of sweetness.
It's so delicious, I can't even describe it.
He chewed silently, his tense lips softening slightly.
Jiang Huan and Huo Lin exchanged a knowing glance, both seeing a smile in each other's eyes.
Huo Lin coughed deliberately to steer the conversation back on track: "Since the young master also thinks it deserves a reward, then in your opinion, what would be a suitable reward?"
Huo Yuan was enjoying the delicious snacks when he heard this and almost choked, hurriedly swallowing the food in his mouth.
He glanced at the dessert plate, then quickly looked away.
"...I believe that Consort Zhuang should be given a more respectable title to recognize her achievements, which is also in accordance with the rites."
After he finished speaking, he immediately picked up his teacup and took a big gulp to hide his unease.
If it weren't for how useful this crossbow was and how delicious these snacks were, I wouldn't have shown favoritism!
Damn it... I want to eat another hundred bites...
Huo Lin's smile deepened, and he nodded readily, "Well, then I'll consider it."
My eyes are practically glued to the almond cookies; I've never seen anyone drool over them more than I am.
Having received the Emperor's approval, and seeing Jiang Huan smiling at him, Huo Yuan felt even more uncomfortable.
He stood up abruptly and said curtly, "Since Your Majesty has made your decision, I will say no more! I take my leave!"
After saying that, he left the Imperial Study almost as if he were fleeing, forgetting all manners, and his back looked stiff.
Once Lieutenant Li got going, he wasn't about to leave and immediately started chatting with Jiang Huan.
"Your Majesty, this humble general has a few more questions regarding the use and maintenance of crossbows. May I ask for your guidance?"
Jiang Huan nodded generously: "General Li, please don't be so polite, speak freely."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Vice General Li perked up, took a step forward, and bombarded the questioner with questions one after another.
"Your Majesty, although this crossbow fires rapidly, the bolt magazine latch sometimes becomes slightly loose during rapid movement and jolting. Is there any way to reinforce it?"
"Adjusting the bowstring tension is quite time-consuming for soldiers of different arm strengths..."
"besides……"
He asked extremely detailed and focused questions, staring intently at Jiang Huan, as if he wanted to take out a small notebook and write them down on the spot.
Jiang Huan listened attentively and offered suggestions based on her understanding and fragmented memories from her past life.
"Perhaps a small spring could be added to the buckle to increase its flexibility..."
The two were so engrossed in their discussion that they momentarily forgot about Huo Lin standing beside them.
Huo Lin initially held his teacup, a smile on his face, looking proud of Jiang Huan.
But gradually, as he watched Lieutenant General Li get closer and closer, asking more and more questions, his eyes growing brighter and brighter, until he was practically pressed against Jiang Huan, the smile on his lips slowly faded.
【Hey, is this some kind of endless questioning machine? You're asking forever!】
[Couldn't the craftsmen in the Ministry of Works solve the crossbow problem?]
Why are you standing so close? Didn't you learn any rules in the military?!
Huo Lin put down his teacup, making a slight clinking sound.
Li, who was getting into the conversation, paused and looked at the Emperor with a puzzled expression. But Huo Lin calmly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and seemed to be just casually moistening his throat.
Have you received my hint? If so, you may take your leave immediately.
But Lieutenant General Li, a rough and unrefined man, had no idea what he meant.
They felt that Huo Lin's silence meant he tacitly approved.
He then turned to Jiang Huan with even greater enthusiasm, continuing to speak loudly about the wonders of the military machinery.
Huo Lin's fingertips gently caressed the rim of the teacup, his face calm, but a lump formed in his throat.
[This is outrageous! How dare they disregard me!]
What's wrong with today's tea? It's so sour it'll make your teeth ache!
These thoughts were filled with resentment and grievance, but Jiang Huan was focused on recalling the mechanical principles and didn't pay much attention.
Huo Lin couldn't take it anymore, so he frowned and cleared his throat.
"Cough...cough!"
Jiang Huan and Vice General Li both looked at him.
"Did His Majesty choke?" Jiang Huan blinked.
"Should I call the imperial physician?" Lieutenant General Li hurriedly turned to run away.
"No need." Huo Lin was almost driven mad by these two straight men and women, but his expression remained calm, though his tone turned cold, as if he were clenching his teeth.
"What I meant to say was that General Li has truly devoted himself wholeheartedly to the matter of the crossbows. Why not have the Vice Minister of Works step down and let the General take charge of the overall situation?"
Lieutenant Li didn't catch the irony in his words at all. Instead, he puffed out his chest and said loudly, "Your Majesty is wise! It is truly my honor to be so valued by Your Majesty. However, I am a rough man, and it is really inappropriate to give me the position of Vice Minister of Works!"
Huo Lin: ...
Okay, very good, you're quite eloquent.
[They're really faking it, making me lose my temper.]
Jiang Huan finally heard Huo Lin's frantic displays of jealousy. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she quickly lowered them.
I want to laugh, but I have to hold it in.
General Li clearly only had eyes for the crossbows; he probably didn't even remember what she looked like.
Even if I had to get involved with her, it would only be a buddy-buddy relationship, like two brothers.
Huo Lin saw that Jiang Huan's shoulders were trembling slightly, as if she was trying to suppress a laugh, and he became even angrier.
She's still laughing! She's actually still laughing! Didn't she see this hothead is practically glued to her?!
No, we need to find a way to get this kid away from us.
Huo Lin tapped his fingertips lightly on the imperial desk, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Alright, then I'll give you another task."
Lieutenant Li's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty, please give your orders!"
Huo Lin said slowly and deliberately, "Go to the Ministry of Works and verify and discuss with the craftsmen the details about the crossbow that you just talked about with Consort Zhuang. Then record them in a book, making sure they are detailed."
Upon hearing this, Lieutenant General Li was even more excited: "This humble general accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your grace. This humble general will go immediately."
He seemed to have received a wonderful assignment, and excitedly bowed to Huo Lin and Jiang Huan, then turned and strode away, his back view exuding enthusiasm.
Jiang Huan: ……
That's it... they just sent them away?
Huo Lin watched Li Fujun's figure disappear outside the hall, then withdrew his gaze with satisfaction.
[He's finally gone. Those old craftsmen from the Ministry of Works could keep him occupied for three days. Let's see how he'll have time to run to the palace then.]
He turned his head and met Jiang Huan's eyes, which were filled with a mocking smile.
"Can you smell it?" Jiang Huan suddenly sniffed the air, moving closer as she did so.
"Wow, such a strong smell of vinegar... Hmm, this is the sourest part!"
Huo Lin, having his thoughts exposed, reached out and pulled the person to his side.
His ears burned slightly, but he kept a straight face: "...It's because the tea is sour today."
Jiang Huan tilted her head, both amused and exasperated, and poked his chest.
"Yes, yes, His Majesty is the most understanding and compassionate towards his officials. It's definitely not because someone asked me a few more questions, hmm?"
Huo Lin grabbed her mischievous fingers and looked down at her smiling face.
The slight jealousy I felt because of Vice General Li had long since vanished, and my heart had softened completely.
He lowered his head and gave her a light peck on the lips.
"Speaking of which, this Deputy General Li is young and promising. Although he is a bit straightforward, he is a promising talent."
Jiang Huan leaned against him, nodded in agreement, and almost burst out laughing again.
"Yeah, he's a pretty honest person, which makes it impossible for you to be sarcastic."
Huo Lin was both amused and annoyed. He played with her fingers and casually asked, "He's not married yet, and he's about the same age as Mingzhu. What do you think about me letting him spend more time with Mingzhu?"
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