Chapter 439 Cooking
Jiang Huan worked with the female officials to take the measurements, and the palace servants respectfully bowed and withdrew to prepare for the subsequent complicated production process.
The hall returned to silence, with only sunlight filtering through the windows and casting warm dappled patterns on the floor.
Huo Lin arrived shortly afterward.
"Is it to your liking? If there is anything you are not satisfied with, or if you find the regulations cumbersome, please let them change it."
My Empress deserves the best of everything in the world.
[I don't like those outdated regulations either, and if she doesn't like them either, let's just abolish them.]
Jiang Huan felt a warm glow in her heart as she listened to his tyrannical words.
Back when she first transmigrated into the book, she was completely unfamiliar with the place and the people, living each day with her life hanging by a thread, and every step she took was filled with trepidation.
But look at her now, not only is she alive and well, but she also has someone who cherishes her and two adorable children.
Life has turned upside down, it's like a dream.
On a whim, she leaned forward and quickly kissed Huo Lin on the cheek before retreating just as fast.
"Okay, I'm happy with it now."
Huo Lin was taken aback by her sudden attack. Feeling the fleeting soft touch on his cheek, the corners of his lips involuntarily turned up.
After a warm embrace, Jiang Huan remembered something and looked up at him: "By the way, Weiyang Palace has recently added a lot of staff. I was thinking of redistributing the tasks."
"That girl Xiao Zhao has been with me for so long, and her loyalty is beyond question. However, she is still impetuous and not calm enough. I'm thinking of having the nanny take care of her first, so she can learn more about etiquette and how to manage things. If she has potential, she will naturally have a bright future. If not, I'll let her stay by my side as my personal maid. In the end, I can ensure her a peaceful and prosperous life, and I'll feel at ease."
Huo Lin had no objection to this, only saying, "The people in your palace are naturally under your control. Arrange them however you think is best."
She's always so soft-hearted, always thinking of others.
[But it's good, with her around, Weiyang Palace doesn't feel like home.]
As the days passed, preparations for the investiture ceremony proceeded smoothly under Xie Yunzhi's meticulous supervision.
Jiang Huan rested peacefully in Weiyang Palace. The Imperial Hospital and the Imperial Kitchen tried various methods to nourish her, sending in all sorts of nourishing medicinal dishes and soups in a continuous stream.
For the first few days, Jiang Huan could barely tolerate it, but after eating it for more than half a month, she really couldn't stand it anymore.
At lunchtime that day, looking at the bowl of nourishing soup on the table that smelled strongly of medicine, she felt her stomach churning and lost all appetite.
"Sigh, it's all the same again..." She held the spoon and stirred the soup bowl listlessly, her brows furrowed tightly.
"My mouth is so bland, it tastes like medicine. I feel like throwing up whenever I see this. I just want to eat some salty, refreshing side dishes."
When Huo Lin returned, he saw her looking worried in front of the table full of food, and he understood immediately.
He waved his hand, signaling the palace servants to remove the almost untouched food.
"Can't you eat?" He sat down next to her, feeling a pang of heartache at her listless appearance.
I understand this feeling of having no appetite!
"Hmm..." Jiang Huan leaned on his shoulder and complained weakly, "If I keep taking these supplements, I'll get sick even if I'm not sick."
Huo Lin pondered for a moment, then suddenly stood up: "Wait."
After saying that, he strode towards the small kitchen in Weiyang Palace.
Jiang Huan looked at his back with suspicion, but didn't think much of it, assuming he was just going to tell the cook to bring some lighter dishes.
About half an hour later, Huo Lin returned, carrying a tray in his hands.
On the tray was a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, bright green and fresh; another plate looked like braised pork ribs, and a small bowl of light mushroom soup was served next to it.
Judging from its appearance, it actually looks quite presentable.
Huo Lin placed the food in front of her, his expression calm, but there was a hint of tension hidden in his eyes.
"I made a little something, try it and see if you like it. If you don't like it, don't eat it."
[I've reviewed the steps repeatedly; they should be correct.]
[I personally oversaw the cooking process. The color looks acceptable. Salt has been added, and some vinegar has been added to remove the fishy smell.]
[Hopefully... it can be ingested.]
Seeing his outwardly calm but inwardly panicked state, Jiang Huan couldn't help but smile, dispelling the worry between her brows.
She picked up her chopsticks, her smile genuine: "Hmm, there's been some improvement. Before, it lacked color, aroma, and flavor, but now at least it looks presentable."
However, just as the chopsticks were extended, a familiar voice came from outside the hall.
"Nephew! The Ministry of Rites..." Huo Yunxing strolled in, but before he could finish speaking, he suddenly sniffed the air. "Huh? What's that smell?"
He entered and immediately spotted the two dishes and Huo Lin beside him. His face lit up with a smile, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, has the sun risen in the west? Our busy emperor has actually taken the time to cook himself?"
As he spoke, he unceremoniously moved closer to the small table, bent down to examine the two dishes closely, and clicked his tongue in amazement.
"Not bad, my nephew, you're quite the hidden talent!" he said, and with lightning speed, he took the chopsticks from Jiang Huan's hand.
Huo Lin's face instantly darkened, his tone carrying a warning: "Huo Yunxing!"
[Is that food for him? Why are you fighting over it!]
[If you're so capable, try getting pregnant yourself, and I'll turn a blind eye.]
Huo Yunxing ignored this and said to Huo Lin with a grin, "Don't be in such a hurry. Let your royal uncle taste it first. What if the saltiness doesn't suit Your Highness's taste?"
As he spoke, he didn't give Huo Lin a chance to stop him at all. He quickly picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth, his movements were smooth and effortless.
But the next second, Huo Yunxing's nonchalant smile froze.
His brows furrowed little by little, and his expression quickly changed from initial curiosity to confusion, then to disbelief, and finally to a faint bluish tinge.
He tried to maintain his expression, but the muscles in his entire face contorted uncontrollably, as if he were enduring some kind of great pain.
"Cough...cough cough!" He coughed, barely managing to swallow the mouthful of food, as if he had just endured torture.
He seemed unwilling to give up, and shakily picked up a piece of pork rib that looked the best and stuffed it into his mouth.
As soon as the ribs entered his mouth, after chewing them a couple of times, Huo Yunxing jumped up.
"Water! Quick! Water!" He snatched the teapot from the palace servant's hand, gulped down several mouthfuls, and then, panting heavily, pointed at the two dishes and looked at Huo Lin with a pained expression.
"These greens are bitter, astringent, and terribly salty. Do you have a grudge against salt? And these ribs are tough and dry, you can't even bite into them. They're cloyingly sweet and have a burnt taste!"
He caught his breath, patted his chest, and earnestly advised, "Your Majesty, don't eat it."
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