Chapter Thirty-Five: Search
A flush rose to Jiang Huan's face, and she subconsciously bit her lip, trying to hide her panic.
Ahhhh! What are you doing getting so close?!
Didn't we agree that we'd only eat together, and not serve each other in bed?
Jiang Huan was extremely nervous. Huo Lin's handsome face gradually loomed larger before her eyes. Her eyelashes trembled, and she couldn't bear it any longer and closed her eyes.
Fine, I'll serve you in bed then. Didn't I already prepare myself mentally before coming here?
Phew, if people in ancient times could accept this level of tolerance, why should I, a modern person, be ashamed?
Jiang Huan encouraged herself in her heart. She felt Huo Lin's breath was very close to hers, but then it suddenly stopped.
A warm sensation brushed across her cheek near her ear, and then their breaths, which had been so close, suddenly moved away.
[Hmm? I was just wiping the flour off Consort Zhuang's face. Why is Consort Zhuang closing her eyes?]
[It's not even midnight yet, and Consort Zhuang is already this sleepy?]
Um?
Jiang Huan opened her eyes and saw Huo Lin wiping his hands with a silk handkerchief, his dark eyes seemingly filled with a hint of doubt.
Jiang Huan: ……
Okay, she was just being delusional.
Distracted by Huo Lin, Jiang Huan's tension vanished.
She opened the food box she had brought and took out the food she had prepared one by one.
"These are codfish cakes and peach shortbreads that I made. Would Your Majesty like to try them?" Jiang Huan placed the silver chopsticks into Huo Lin's hand.
Huo Lin readily agreed, picked up a bite and put it in his mouth, once again impressed by Jiang Huan's culinary skills.
[It has both sweet and savory flavors, making it perfect for a late-night snack.]
[Hmm? What is Consort Zhuang standing there for? It's giving me the creeps.]
Is she angry that I only eat and don't serve her in bed?
This is outrageous!
Jiang Huan sat down next to Huo Lin in a flash, her eyes crinkling with joy. "Your Majesty's love for food makes me the happiest."
Although she is now Niohuru Jiang Huan, she has to fight and struggle for herself.
But as for serving the emperor, let her continue to be a mere concubine in the harem.
Anyway, that's not her goal.
Huo Lin was even more satisfied; he had never even considered serving the emperor in bed.
Neither of them brought it up again, and they got along very harmoniously.
As night deepened, Huo Lin had finished eating. After washing up, the two lay down on the same bed, but covered with two separate blankets.
All the candles in the room had been extinguished. Jiang Huan lay flat on the bed, closed her eyes, but felt inexplicably nervous and couldn't fall asleep.
This was the first time she had ever slept in the same bed with the Emperor, and in such close proximity at that.
Jiang Huan could feel a soft breathing sound beside her, which tickled her heart.
The book portrays the tyrant as far too ferocious and monstrous.
If you really calm down and look at the cold and ruthless emperor, he's actually quite vivid.
If she were starving and couldn't get a meal, she would also get angry and flip the table.
Jiang Huan lay in bed lost in thought, and before she knew it, she had gradually relaxed and didn't even know when she fell asleep.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation presents a harmonious and warm scene, but other areas are quite different.
At Consort Jia's residence, the moon rises above the willow branches.
Consort Jia sat at her desk, unable to sleep late into the night.
The palace maid beside him felt sorry for him.
"Your Highness, the Emperor's palace has already turned off the lights. You should also get some rest, as we are going to the imperial palace tomorrow."
"His Majesty has never been interested in women. This Consort Zhuang dares to try and steal my favor with her meager skills! Does she think I'm dead?!"
Consort Jia's eyes suddenly turned fierce, and her nails, stained blood red with rouge, gripped the corner of the table tightly.
The palace maid quickly comforted and advised, "Your Majesty, don't get upset. What is that Consort Zhuang anyway? The Emperor just thinks of her occasionally for a change of scenery."
"Besides, whether she can return from the palace is entirely up to Her Majesty."
Reminded by the palace maid, Consort Jia's emotions calmed down.
Her gaze shifted, landing on the green medicine bottle on the rosewood table.
Jiang Huan was favored by the emperor, but there was also criticism in the court. Her family had long been unable to hold back and specially found an opportunity to send this bottle of medicine in.
This trip is the perfect opportunity. I must not only win the emperor's favor and give birth to the first imperial heir, but also get rid of Jiang Huan without anyone knowing!
With slender, pale fingers gripping the medicine bottle, a conspiracy was brewing in the shadows.
The next morning, Jiang Huan got up very early.
If word got out that she slept in the Hall of Mental Cultivation until late morning, the Empress Dowager would skin her alive.
Back at Weiyang Palace, Jiang Huan checked the items she needed to bring: "Nothing is missing. Close the doors and carry them out."
Xiao Zhao looked troubled, glancing at the chest full of pots and pans, and hesitated, "My lady, are we really going to the summer palace to escape the heat? Do we really need to bring all this stuff?"
Jiang Huan nodded seriously; these were all her treasures.
"Yes, quickly get someone to carry it out and put it in the car."
Xiao Zhao didn't know what to say, so she had no choice but to do as Jiang Huan instructed.
Inside the imperial study, Huo Lin, dressed in black, faced the bookshelf with his back to the others in the room. His long, slender fingers held a note between his fingers, and his face was gloomy.
The atmosphere in the court was turbulent, with everyone having their own agendas. He didn't care about the insignificant factional struggles and impeachments, or the methods used.
But now, someone actually has designs on him?
To assassinate a king, one must have the guts!
Wang Degui tried to speak several times, but he didn't dare to look at the emperor's gloomy face.
"Wang Degui".
Huo Lin suddenly spoke, his voice as cold as a cold river.
“Your Majesty, this servant is here.” Wang Degui quickly stepped forward.
"Go and see if all the palaces are ready. Open all the boxes and carefully inspect the items that the concubines brought."
Huo Lin lit the note in his hand and then threw it into the brush-washing pool. The candle flame flickered and turned to ashes in an instant.
Wang Degui bowed slightly, somewhat startled, and said, "Yes."
As noon approached, the sun gradually grew stronger.
Although there weren't many people accompanying the emperor to the imperial palace, they brought quite a lot of things.
Jiang Huan stood under the shade of a tree and raised her hand to fan herself.
The scorching sun makes this even harder to endure than military training.
"When will we get there?"
What is Huo Lin up to? We've been waiting for so long and he hasn't sent anyone to load the boxes onto the cart, leaving them to bake in the sun.
Xiao Zhao quickly took out a round fan from her luggage and fanned Jiang Huan.
Consort Jia sat on a stone bench to the side, equally puzzled by the Emperor's actions.
A series of orderly footsteps broke the cacophony of thoughts.
The imperial guards lined up in rows on both sides, and Huo Lin, dressed in black, walked out slowly with a tall and straight posture.
Upon seeing this, everyone stood up and bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Huo Lin stood still, his eyes filled with coldness.
"Rise."
Consort Wan was the first to speak. As the sun grew stronger, the beauty was covered in sweat, and her voice had become soft from the heat.
"Your Majesty, it's so hot. We sisters are suffering here in the sun."
"Each one or two has their own agenda; shouldn't I be the one feeling bad?"
Huo Lin sneered, and those words were so chilling that they made people shiver even in the sweltering heat.
Wang Degui stood beside Huo Lin and spoke up at the opportune moment.
"His Majesty has discovered that assassins have appeared in the inner palace. To ensure your safety, we must check whether the items you are carrying have been tampered with by the assassins."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked tense, and many began to whisper among themselves.
None of them are stupid; the Emperor suspects that an assassin is among them!
Huo Lin glanced around and waved silently.
The imperial guards and several palace maids immediately obeyed the order to search, while several concubines stood aside.
I want to see who has such audacity.
[Anyone who tries to assassinate me has better be alive and reach me!]
Jiang Huan frowned and fanned herself, becoming increasingly alarmed as she listened.
Is it Huo Lin's turn to witness this classic scene of swords clashing and shadows flashing?
However, she wasn't too worried. Everyone had witnessed how ruthless Huo Lin was.
It takes real skill to kill him.
But Jiang Huan was somewhat curious, so she raised her head slightly and peered into the crowd.
Then, Consort Jia, who seemed to have noticed something, winked at the palace maid beside her.
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