Chapter Fourteen: Finally, they got a hot meal.
Consort Yu was determined to win the Emperor's favor this time.
Seeing Huo Lin looking at the things she had brought, she smiled.
"Your Majesty, I know you are busy with state affairs and often don't have time to eat, so I specially prepared this charcoal-roasted meat for you."
"You can review official business while waiting for the barbecue, so you can enjoy your meal without any delay."
Consort Yu slightly raised her chin, using the perfect angle she had tested countless times in front of the mirror, and looked at Huo Ling.
With delicious food and beautiful women on his mind, he's confident he can win the Emperor's heart this time.
But Jiang Huan could hear Huo Lin's innermost thoughts directly.
Why emphasize eating while approving official business?
[Do you think I'm too idle?! Send them all to the laundry department to cleanse their eyes!]
Why are you looking down at me like that? Is Consort Yu plotting a rebellion?
Forget it, let's eat the meat first.
He really is a straight man.
Jiang Huan twitched the corners of her mouth inwardly and silently complained.
Consort Yu couldn't see anything amiss. She had personally tasted Jiang Huan's roasted meat, and she was certain that even if the Emperor didn't like it, he wouldn't be able to find fault with it.
As long as the Emperor agrees to eat roast meat, she can stay in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and all the gossip will disappear on its own!
Huo Lin had been itching to eat for a long time, and his stomach felt like it was churning with acid, clamoring for him to have his meal.
He nodded slightly, his expression impassive, giving a nonchalant reply.
"Um."
Jiang Huan lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the expression in them.
She only felt a constant ringing in her ears, extremely cheerful.
This emperor looks so cold, but he's actually so lively.
But having to endure everything is probably the tragedy of being the supreme ruler.
[Great! Not only will I get to eat meat, but I'll also get to eat hot, freshly cooked meat!]
[I wonder how they manage to cook and eat meat over charcoal fire at the same time. If Consort Yu disappoints me again, I'll let her see how sharp the executioner's blade is.]
[Let's begin! I'm ready!]
When Consort Yu heard Huo Lin agree, her smile became even brighter.
She gave Jiang Huan a wink, and Jiang Huan immediately understood, placing the charcoal brazier on the table and setting up the grill.
She took the pre-prepared ingredients out of the food box and laid them out on the table, along with various dipping sauces.
Huo Lin and Consort Yu took their seats in turn, and Jiang Huan divided the dipping sauce into two portions, placing them in front of Huo Lin and Consort Yu respectively.
After the preparations were complete, Jiang Huan picked up a few slices of pork belly and laid them flat on the baking tray.
The pork belly fat began to sizzle, and the slices of meat gradually turned golden brown on the grill, emitting an enticing aroma.
This meat smells so good! When will it be ready?!
[I'm so hungry! Can you hurry up?]
Waaaaah, why does time have to move so slowly!
The meat was very thin; what seemed like an eternity to Huo Lin was actually just a few breaths in reality.
Jiang Huan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking how strangely the emperor knew how to torment people.
Even debt collectors aren't this long-winded!
But on second thought, he's quite good at holding back.
If she couldn't hear his thoughts, she would hardly believe that the person so eager to eat roast meat was the seemingly aloof and unapproachable emperor in front of her.
But even if the emperor is anxious, it's no use if she puts the undercooked meat into his bowl.
Then she would have gone to the execution ground before Consort Yu.
Jiang Huan skillfully flipped the meat slices to ensure that each side was heated evenly.
Seeing that it was almost done grilling, Jiang Huan picked up the slices of meat and, amidst Huo Lin's anxious inner turmoil, placed them into his bowl.
"Your Majesty, this piece of meat is cooked. Be careful, it's hot."
Huo Lin glanced down at the slices of meat in the bowl, picked up his silver chopsticks, and ate them elegantly.
Ouch! It's so hot!
Jiang Huan looked at the person who was screaming in her heart that it was burning hot, and the corner of her lips twitched slightly under her veil.
I already said it's hot.
In the blink of an eye, Huo Lin had already devoured the roasted meat.
He ate with proper manners and elegant poise, making people overlook his speed.
Jiang Huan was somewhat astonished, because it was incredibly fast.
The sliced meat is fresh and tender, with a rich aroma that lingers in the mouth, leaving a lasting impression.
A glint flashed in Huo Lin's eyes.
[Mmm, I have never tasted such delicious meat before! It is so good!]
[The barbecue is still hot, I love it, I want more!]
Consort Yu lacked Jiang Huan's abilities and could only rely on her eyes to discern Huo Lin's emotions.
Seeing that Huo Lin's expression remained unchanged, she was unsure of his attitude.
So he tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think of the taste of this charcoal-roasted meat?"
"Not bad," Huo Lin commented reservedly.
Although Consort Yu did not hear Huo Lin say he liked her, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Such a novel meal is rare in the entire harem; the emperor will surely remember this meal, and consequently, he will remember her.
Even though the emperor didn't keep her to serve him this time, she cleared the impression she had left on him, and could get closer to him in the future.
Consort Yu was overjoyed and even more eager to show off.
"Your Majesty, there is more than one way to eat roasted meat."
"Oh?" Huo Lin glanced at her coldly, his eyes as deep as a still pool.
Consort Yu could not hide her smugness. She raised her hand and gestured for Huo Lin to look at the various dipping sauces placed in front of the bowl, her voice becoming increasingly charming.
Following Jiang Huan's advice, she introduced Huo Lin.
"This is chili powder. If His Majesty finds the roasted meat too bland, he may dip it in."
"And this mushroom sauce, so rich and flavorful, it's delicious on grilled meat..."
Huo Lin listened attentively and tried each dipping sauce.
Wow! There are so many ways to eat barbecue! Whoever invented this method is a genius!
[Cheer, chew, chew! We've already said it's delicious to death!]
As Huo Lin ate the meat, his usual icy demeanor softened slightly.
Consort Yu gradually grew bolder. She took the initiative to pick up a slice of meat, wrap it in lettuce, and hand it to Huo Lin.
"Your Majesty, this lettuce wrap with meat is also very good."
Huo Lin was displeased with the sight of the green vegetables, but he still took a bite for the sake of the roasted meat.
The vegetables perfectly balanced the flavor of the grilled meat, making it refreshing and not greasy.
[Not bad, but meat is still the best! I want meat! Bring me meat!]
Jiang Huan resignedly grilled the meat, and Huo Lin would eat a piece after each grilled piece was finished.
Eat, eat, eat! All you ever do is eat!
If it weren't for the fact that moving out of Jinhua Palace required Huo Lin's permission, she wouldn't bother serving people here.
God knows she really wanted to eat barbecue too!
Unfortunately, she is now just a lowly "palace maid," the kind who can't even show her face.
Huo Lin was completely unaware of this; all he did was eat meat.
Chew, chew, chew.
Whenever his bowl was empty, freshly roasted meat would be placed in it.
Jiang Huan discerned from Huo Lin's thoughts that he still preferred to eat meat directly, so she gave all the prepared vegetables to Consort Yu.
Huo Lin was completely satisfied with the meal.
[This little palace maid's roasted meat is quite good; it pleases me greatly.]
[Knowing I don't like vegetables, they didn't let me see a single green leaf. Hmm, very perceptive.]
[If I could keep this little palace maid by my side, wouldn't I be able to eat roast meat anytime I want?]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com