Chapter 298 Admiration
Jiang Huan felt that her heart rate hadn't spiked this fast during her 800-meter physical fitness test.
Calm down, calm down.
Her mind raced, and in a flash of inspiration, she explained.
"I mean, the official impeached in your report clearly had impure motives."
But Huo Lin did not answer, his dark eyes staring silently at her.
Surprisingly, there were no questions asked, nor were there any reflections.
That gaze seemed to pierce through all pretense and reach straight to the heart.
Jiang Huan was so nervous that her palms were sweating. For a moment, she even thought about simply confessing and being treated leniently, or resisting and being punished severely.
But at that very moment, Huo Lin suddenly withdrew his extremely oppressive gaze.
He raised his hand and gently rubbed his temples.
"Hmm, I agree with you. Since you're free anyway, take another look at this document for me."
As Huo Lin spoke, he picked up a booklet from the table and handed it to him.
Jiang Huan's heart was still in her throat. She hurriedly took the gift while carefully observing his expression.
But no matter how you look at it, everything seems calm and peaceful, as if nothing has happened.
He... just believed it like that?
Was it because her acting skills were so good that she could fool everyone, or was Huo Lin actually a hidden acting master who was deliberately cooperating with her to continue the act?
Ever since that harrowing experience, Jiang Huan has had to silently recite the precautions every time she goes to the Imperial Study.
Don't get distracted, don't slip up, and don't let your brain drop!
A few days later, a young deputy general returned from the northern frontier and was summoned by Huo Lin to report on his duties.
His mastery of the repeating crossbow in the military camp was unparalleled, and he successfully used the new weapon to repel the Northern Di cavalry.
After the report was completed, Huo Lin gave him a reward, then picked up his teacup and chatted with him.
"Besides you, are the soldiers at the front getting used to the new crossbow?"
Upon hearing this, the young deputy general became excited and clasped his hands in greeting.
"Your Majesty, this crossbow is lightweight, swift, and powerful. It is also easy to learn, and everyone has adapted well. They have asked me to inquire with Your Majesty about the name of the master who devised this method. This humble general wishes to express the gratitude on behalf of all the soldiers!"
Upon hearing this, Huo Lin's lips curled into a smile, and his mood improved even more.
Indeed, this young man has excellent judgment; Jiang Huan truly deserves the title of master.
A single sketch can be worth a thousand troops—what is that called? That's called wisdom!
He was equally adept in formal settings and domestic tasks; he was truly a treasure bestowed upon him by heaven and a lucky star for Daliang.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard a message from outside the hall.
"Consort Zhuang has arrived."
Jiang Huan happened to be carrying some newly made pastries when she entered the Imperial Study. Besides Huo Lin and Wang Degui, she saw a young general in military uniform standing there.
Oh dear, I hope I haven't disturbed their meeting.
She paused slightly, hesitating whether to back out first, but Huo Lin waved to her: "You've come at the right time."
Jiang Huan had no choice but to walk over and put the food box aside.
The deputy general immediately bowed and saluted, saying, "This humble general pays his respects to Your Highness Consort Zhuang!"
Huo Lin pointed to the deputy general and said to Jiang Huan, "This is Deputy General Li, who just returned from the northern border. He was saying that your crossbows have been very effective on the front lines, and the soldiers are full of praise for them. They even want to thank the crossbow maker in person."
Jiang Huan paused for a moment, then smiled a little embarrassedly.
"There's no need to be so polite. The soldiers can use it as they please."
These words stunned Lieutenant General Li.
He imagined that the mastermind behind the crossbow must be a wise man with white hair and eyebrows, or a muscular general.
Who would have thought it was Consort Zhuang, who lived deep within the palace and possessed a beauty like a celestial being?
It wasn't until Huo Lin added, "Deputy General Li, the person you wanted to ask about is both far away and right before your eyes."
This time, Lieutenant General Li finally understood what was going on, and his eyes widened to be bigger than copper bells.
He looked at Jiang Huan with a start, his face filled with shock and a growing sense of adoration.
"It was...it was Your Highness? This ingenious new crossbow was designed by Your Highness?"
Listening to his impassioned and trembling voice, Jiang Huan thought to herself that she had also made something of herself and even had a little admirer.
She waved her hand somewhat awkwardly: "Uh, it's not really a design, just a rough sketch. The specific manufacturing improvements were all done by the craftsmen."
"Your Majesty is too modest!"
Lieutenant Li was so excited that his face turned red. He felt that if the occasion were not inappropriate, he would have rushed up to shake his idol's hand.
"Without Your Majesty's ingenious ideas, how could the craftsmen have created such a powerful weapon? Your Majesty, you do not know how much this crossbow has helped us on the battlefield, saving the lives of countless brothers. On behalf of the soldiers at the front, this humble general thanks Your Majesty!"
As he spoke, he took a step back, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply to Jiang Huan.
Jiang Huan was somewhat infected by his passionate appearance, and suddenly felt that the responsibility on her shoulders had become three times heavier! She quickly went to help him up.
"You are fighting bravely on the front lines, risking your lives. What is this little favor I did? If anyone should thank you, it is me thanking you on behalf of the people!"
Upon hearing this, Lieutenant General Li, a man of nine feet tall, was on the verge of tears.
He wished he could cut his palm and bleed on the spot, and then swear brotherhood with Jiang Huan in the Peach Garden.
Watching from the side, Huo Lin's smile deepened, and a sense of pride welled up within him.
[See? See? I told you, she's all-knowing and all-powerful, and sooner or later she'll conquer every subject of the Great Liang.]
[Even I, the Emperor, have a day when my status rises because of my wife!]
Unfortunately, this surge of ambition was shattered by a cold, indifferent voice.
“A performance review should be conducted in a proper manner. This endless thank-you is hardly appropriate. Do you think the imperial court is a charity hall?”
Huo Yuan, dressed in an official robe that was spotless from head to toe, walked in with a frown, a pursed mouth, and muttering to himself.
"Your subject Huo Yuan pays respects to Your Majesty, and... cough cough... Consort Zhuang."
When Jiang Huan is mentioned, his slender, bamboo-like figure seems to disappear in two, and his confidence seems to diminish.
Huo Lin glanced at him indifferently, did not react, and simply waved his hand casually.
"I only see the soldiers on the border are full of sincerity, and Consort Zhuang is wholeheartedly devoted to the country and the people. There is nothing wrong with that. It is the Crown Prince who is engrossed in the classics and must not know much about the border war."
"Vice General Li, please repeat what you just said to me to the Crown Prince."
I'm in a good mood today, so I won't hold it against him.
[This will be a good opportunity to let him learn about the achievements of the crossbow and see what other fallacies he can come up with later.]
[All they do all day is hold those outdated, tattered books and spout outdated, pedantic ideas.]
Open your eyes and look at reality. She's a hundred times better than those bookworms.
As he thought about it, Huo Lin even started to feel a little excited.
I wonder what kind of interesting expression will appear on Huo Yuan's stern face after hearing this.
After receiving permission, Lieutenant General Li bowed to Huo Yuan and repeated his praise of Jiang Huan.
Huo Yuan stood there listening, his face growing greener with each word.
How could a concubine in the imperial harem spend all her time studying these weapons of war?
They still dare to interfere in the military industry?
Even ten lives wouldn't be enough to kill them all!
But......
His fingers tightened unconsciously, but when his gaze fell on Lieutenant General Li's flushed face, his righteous anger dissipated.
Undeniably, this crossbow was an extremely useful tool.
Without it, those bastards from the Northern Di might have wiped out the entire Liang army.
Just as he was struggling with his decision, Lieutenant General Li had already finished speaking.
"...Your Majesty, the crossbows made by the Empress are truly powerful weapons on the battlefield, saving the lives of our border soldiers and ensuring the smooth flow of our supply lines. This is a great achievement. This humble general would like to humbly request a reward for the Empress on behalf of all the soldiers!"
Huo Yuan felt a fierce tug-of-war between reason and emotion in his mind, which made his head ache.
On one side were the deeply ingrained teachings of sages, and on the other side were the bloody reality of battle reports and the living lives of their comrades.
But this is against propriety! How could a woman... how could she... alas!
But that's a lot of lives. Are we just going to watch our soldiers die for some empty gift?
Finally, he took a deep breath, as if he had made a tremendous decision.
"Your Majesty, I believe that what Vice General Li said is not without reason."
These words were like a thunderclap, striking Huo Lin completely, leaving him stunned and slightly surprised. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for Huo Lin to continue.
Huo Yuan dared not look at Jiang Huan, and forced himself to continue: "Although Your Majesty's actions constitute interference in politics by the inner palace, they are still of merit to the country. It is not a matter of offsetting merits and demerits, but rather that the merits outweigh the demerits. Therefore, I suggest that Your Majesty be granted the reward she deserves!"
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