Chapter 381 Shocking Change
Jiang Huan's gaze swept over the old woman.
Goodness, that pounce was so swift, it doesn't look like someone who's been starving for two days and has no energy.
Her gaze drifted back to the little boy who was crying his heart out.
The child was crying terribly, but there wasn't a speck of dirt under his fingernails; he didn't look like a beggar who had to endure the elements.
Besides, this is the outskirts of Beijing, right under the emperor's nose, not some desolate, neglected place.
If people were to starve to death around the capital, the Minister of Revenue would be the first to be fired.
Jiang Huan became even more vigilant. Taking advantage of the moment when the old woman was still kowtowing and crying, she gently tugged at Huo Lin's sleeve.
Huo Lin clearly sensed something was wrong. His expression remained unchanged, but his aura instantly turned cold. He raised his arm and shielded Jiang Huan behind him.
But at that moment, something unexpected happened.
The little boy, who had been curled up, suddenly sprang up and lunged straight at Jiang Huan's face, a poisoned dagger that gleamed with a cold, eerie blue light now in his hand.
This action also completely exposed his previously hidden face to everyone.
It turns out he wasn't a child at all, but a dwarf assassin disguised as a child!
Almost simultaneously, the old woman kneeling and kowtowing lost all trace of her sorrow. A flash of cold light appeared in her sleeve, and a slender, long dagger silently pierced Huo Lin's ribs.
The two worked together seamlessly and moved ruthlessly, clearly well-trained assassins.
"Watch out!" Jiang Huan exclaimed.
Huo Lin reacted extremely quickly. He remained on high alert and was ready to strike the moment the "child's" eyes changed.
Faced with the two who suddenly attacked him, he snorted coldly and advanced instead of retreating.
He reached out his left hand and precisely seized the dwarf assassin's wrist holding the dagger, crushing the dwarf's hand bones with such force.
At the same time, he wrapped his right arm around Jiang Huan and pulled her into his embrace, slightly turning his body to avoid the old woman's Emei dagger.
The two assassins were shocked when their attack missed, clearly not expecting their target to react so quickly and be so skilled.
But Huo Lin gave them no chance to retreat. His eyes were filled with murderous intent. He did not let go of the dwarf's wrist with his left hand, but instead twisted and pulled it downwards. The dwarf was sent flying and slammed hard to the ground.
At the same time, his right foot lashed out like a whip, carrying a sharp gust of wind, and accurately kicked the old woman's wrist holding the dagger.
Bang--
The dwarf assassin was slammed to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth and nose, instantly losing his fighting ability.
"Ah!" The old woman's wrist was kicked, and the Emei dagger flew out of her hand. She screamed and staggered backward.
Huo Lin continued his offensive relentlessly, his movements as swift as lightning. He took a step forward, transforming his palm into a blade, and with immense force, slashed fiercely at the old woman's neck.
"Ugh!" The old woman's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed softly to the ground, lifeless.
The whole process took only a breath; the two assassins were instantly killed by Huo Lin like chickens and dogs.
Only then did the guards surround the assassin, and upon seeing the dead man on the ground, they all knelt down.
"Your subordinate failed in his duty of protection; please punish me, Master!"
Huo Lin didn't even look at them; his first instinct was to look down at Jiang Huan in his arms.
"How is it? Is there..."
Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Huan suddenly bent over and began to gag violently.
"Ugh, cough cough cough..."
The intense visual impact, olfactory stimulation, and the increased sensitivity brought on by pregnancy caused Jiang Huan's stomach to churn violently.
Her face was deathly pale, her forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, and her whole body was trembling.
Huo Lin felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart tightly, causing him both pain and anger.
He gently patted her back: "It's alright, it's alright, don't be afraid, I'm here."
Jiang Huan vomited until her eyes were filled with tears, her stomach churning so violently that she couldn't speak at all.
[Damn it! They deserve to die! Once I find out who they are, I will tear them to pieces!]
[Her complexion is so pale, could it be that she's having a miscarriage? No, we must get back to the palace quickly.]
Huo Lin looked up, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling guards, his voice chilling to the bone.
"What are you waiting for? Clean it up and investigate. Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, you have to find out who's behind this!"
"Yes, sir!" The guard accepted the order and immediately directed his men to quickly handle the scene.
Huo Lin scooped up the limp and powerless Jiang Huan and strode toward the carriage parked not far away.
"Return to the palace! Immediately!"
He ordered the coachman in a deep voice, wanting only to bring her back to the safest place, Weiyang Palace, as quickly as possible.
However, just as the carriage entered a slightly bumpy official road, Jiang Huan experienced another violent bout of dry heaving. She curled up, and even more cold sweat appeared on her forehead.
"Stop!" Huo Lin shouted immediately, and the carriage came to a sudden stop.
He looked down at Jiang Huan's pained expression, his brows furrowed into a deep knot.
No, we can't go back like this.
The journey is long, and if the bumpy ride continues, neither she nor her baby will be able to withstand it.
We must find a place for her to rest immediately.
He made a quick decision and changed his mind.
"Let's skip the palace and go to the nearest royal hot spring resort."
The royal family owns several villas in the suburbs of Beijing. One of them is famous for its hot springs. The environment is quiet and secluded, and it is the closest to this place, making it the most suitable place for her to rest and relax.
"Yes!" The driver dared not delay and immediately turned the vehicle around.
Huo Lin used a soft handkerchief he carried with him to wipe the cold sweat from Jiang Huan's mouth and forehead, and then pulled her closer to his chest.
“We won’t go back to the palace. Let’s find a safe place to rest first. It’s quiet there, and there are hot springs. It’ll be good for your health. We’ll go back when you feel better, okay?” He lowered his head and whispered soothingly in Jiang Huan’s ear.
Jiang Huan nodded weakly, buried her face in Huo Lin's neck, and inhaled his reassuring, cool scent. Her trembling gradually subsided.
Sigh, my body is so weak. I'm as fragile as paper when I'm pregnant, and I can't withstand even the slightest shock.
Once these two little devils in her belly are born, let's see how she gets her revenge.
They need to know how difficult it was for her when she was pregnant with them!
About half an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of a separate courtyard.
Huo Lin carried Jiang Huan and walked straight through the courtyard, entering the best courtyard that had been prepared in advance.
This place has a hot spring with fresh water, and the interior is warm and cozy, with elegant and comfortable furnishings.
He carefully placed Jiang Huan on the bed covered with thick, soft cushions, his movements as gentle as if she were a rare treasure.
"Summon the imperial physician who is with you." He gave the order without turning his head, his voice still carrying a trace of lingering coldness.
"Yes!" Wang Degui quickly responded and left.
Soon, the imperial physician arrived, carrying his medicine chest and practically running in. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he dared not utter a sound.
Huo Lin stepped aside, but his eyes remained fixed on the imperial physician's movements.
The imperial physician held his breath and carefully examined Jiang Huan's pulse, then observed her complexion and tongue coating before bowing and replying.
"Your Majesty, the Empress has suffered a mental or physical shock and needs to rest and recuperate. She must avoid any further stimulation. I will prescribe a calming and soothing herbal decoction to regulate her spleen and stomach. After taking it, she should rest well and the symptoms should improve."
"Go and prepare the medicine immediately, and be quick." Huo Lin waved his hand.
"Your humble servant obeys the imperial decree." The imperial physician, feeling as if granted a pardon, quickly withdrew to write a prescription and prepare the medicine.
The medicine was quickly prepared and brought over. Huo Lin personally tested the temperature before carefully feeding it to Jiang Huan spoonful by spoonful.
The medicine contained sedative ingredients, and coupled with her exhaustion from yesterday's fright, Jiang Huan quickly fell into a deep sleep after taking the medicine, soothed by Huo Lin's deep voice.
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