Chapter 186 Imitation Show
Inside the pavilion, He Ling was still locked in a fierce internal struggle with the system.
Jiang Huan listened intently, feeling that she had never listened so attentively in class before.
[System, I've thought of another way.]
[How about I pretend to be a ghost and appear in Huo Lin's dream?]
Do you sell dream-spreading charms in your store?
The system shook a non-existent finger.
"Host, this system only provides strategy guide assistance. The only effective way to change core plot points is to increase favorability through strategy guides and unlock advanced shop privileges."
Wait a minute, Jiang Huan's eyes suddenly widened.
She seemed to have grasped something.
The system's stubborn refusal to change its target is just like how she'll lose her year-end bonus if she doesn't meet her KPIs.
This was a lucky accident!
Could He Ling's inability to win over Huo Lin cause some kind of crisis for the system itself?
A glint of cunning flashed in Jiang Huan's eyes, as if she had discovered a new continent.
Good, at least she found the health bar.
Jiang Huan was lost in thought when a fragrant breeze carrying laughter came from afar.
Jiang Huan looked up and saw several concubines dressed in their finest attire gracefully walking towards the pavilion.
Leading the group was Consort Li, followed by several Attendants and Ladies-in-Waiting.
"Greetings, Consort Zhuang." Consort Li and the others bowed respectfully, then smiled sweetly and leaned closer.
"Your Majesty is in high spirits. We are fortunate to be enjoying the same scenery as you today."
Jiang Huan raised an eyebrow slightly and subtly moved a small section to the side.
One should always have a sense of propriety.
She had absolutely no connection with these concubines, but Consort Li's enthusiastic manner was enough to make her head spin.
Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of malice or theft.
While muttering to herself, Jiang Huan wore a polite yet sharp smile and replied perfunctorily.
"Well then, let's hurry up and enjoy it."
Consort Li did not leave, her gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over Jiang Huan's attire for the day.
She smiled and said, "Your Majesty's dress is so beautiful, it makes you look radiant. And these hairpins are the perfect finishing touch. I think no one in the palace is more beautiful than Your Majesty."
These sweet words, which were almost like praising someone to death, gave Jiang Huan goosebumps.
Consort Li seemed oblivious to the perfunctory tone in Jiang Huan's words, and sat down on the stone bench next to her, even adjusting her posture.
She tried to straighten her back and placed her hands neatly on her lap.
However, she was too tense, her shoulders were stiff, and her eyes were unfocused, like a wooden board forcibly nailed to a stool, looking exhausted.
It would shift its position every now and then, as if searching for the perfect pose.
Jiang Huan looked at Consort Li's appearance and found it all very strange.
If you feel itchy, go take a shower. Wriggling around like a maggot is really an eyesore!
Just as Jiang Huan was feeling utterly exasperated.
He Ling, who was standing next to her, suddenly let out a soft "hmm" in her mind.
[Isn't Consort Li's sitting posture just like Consort Zhuang's usual posture?]
However, she was sitting too upright; she wasn't nearly as beautiful as the Empress.
The clothes she was wearing were very similar to those the Empress wore a few days ago.
Could it be... she's imitating the Empress?
He Ling's eyes widened instantly, as if she had discovered some earth-shattering secret.
[Good heavens! Not only Consort Li, but also Consort Chen behind her—her clothes are exactly the same as the Empress's.]
[And that Consort Zhang! Her hairstyle today looks exactly like the Empress's!]
My goodness, are all these people imitating the Empress?
[Is this a group impersonation show? Hahaha, this is hilarious!]
[The Empress's beauty is natural, while this bunch of oddballs and deformities, tsk tsk tsk, they're all like Dong Shi (a famous Chinese ugly woman).]
Listening to He Ling's rapid-fire complaints, Jiang Huan finally understood what was going on.
That's great; she's setting a trend in the imperial harem.
From appearance to behavior, from personality to special skills, copy everything that can be copied.
Unfortunately, to win Huo Lin's heart, one needs to be surrounded by pots and pans and carry delicacies.
They're still too inexperienced to become five-star chefs.
Just as she was about to say something, she caught a glimpse of a figure striding towards the pavilion out of the corner of her eye.
Having just finished court, Huo Lin's black dragon robe accentuated his imposing presence, and a hint of coldness still lingered between his brows.
[Finally, I saw her. I've been turned away so many times this morning.]
[I think I've managed to control my expression well. There should be no anger, no irritability, just a sense of peace and tranquility, right?]
The concubines inside the pavilion naturally saw the Emperor's arrival and quickly rose to pay their respects.
Consort Li was so excited that her cheeks flushed. She secretly imitated Jiang Huan's posture from behind and greeted her in a sweet and charming voice, which she thought she had surpassed her teacher.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
However, Huo Lin's gaze was fixed directly on Jiang Huan, ignoring the women bowing around him as if they were just wisps of breathing air.
Whose voice is that? It's so sickeningly sweet.
[Could you please move aside a bit? You're blocking my view of her.]
He walked straight up to Jiang Huan, gently draped his robe over her shoulders, and spoke in a low voice.
"Why are you sitting here? The autumn wind is getting chilly, aren't you afraid of getting cold?"
His nonchalant attitude infuriated the group of concubines.
They began to reflect: Was it because they hadn't learned it well enough, or hadn't grasped the essence?
Jiang Huan didn't want to add any more material to their variety show: "Ready to go back? Would the Emperor like to come along?"
A smile curved Huo Lin's lips as he reached out and gently grasped her wrist.
"Alright, I will follow you."
Jiang Huan suppressed a laugh and, with the little tail following her, left the pavilion amidst the bewildered and resentful gazes of the other concubines.
Those women are chattering away, it's so annoying.
It's still more comfortable being alone with her.
Not far away, Huo Lin stopped and looked back at her, his eyes carrying a hint of seeking praise and reward.
"I did not lose my temper at court today."
Jiang Huan was both amused and exasperated by his self-righteous tone, but she still nodded in satisfaction.
"Alright, alright, then I'll reward you according to your merits. I won't go back to the palace; I'll accompany His Majesty for a while longer."
She pointed to a persimmon tree not far away, laden with golden fruit, and said, "Sitting for too long is bad for your health, so why don't you come outside with me and get some fresh air?"
[Wandering in the Imperial Garden? Or just the two of you?]
[Great, that's wonderful!]
[It's even better than going back to Weiyang Palace, because we can hold hands openly now!]
Huo Lin's eyes lit up, and he instantly abandoned the idea of returning to the palace. He tried his best to maintain his dignity, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.
"Well, since you're interested, why don't you take a look around?"
She wants to see the autumn scenery; I will accompany her, I must!
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