Chapter 377 The Festive Atmosphere
Time flies, and the end of the year is just around the corner.
The festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year is growing stronger in the capital, and the palace is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, exuding a joyous ambiance.
Inside Weiyang Palace, the atmosphere was exceptionally lively.
Jiang Huan's belly was already noticeably protruding, like she was carrying a small watermelon. She moved with a touch of languor and caution typical of pregnant women, but her spirits were exceptionally high. She seemed to be enveloped in a soft halo of impending motherhood.
She stood in the center of the kitchen, surrounded by palace servants who were busy but smiling.
"Oh dear, Xiao Zhao, you need to knead that dough until it's smooth and elastic—the bowl, the dough, and your hands are all clean. Yes, that's it! Give it a little more effort!"
Finally, she couldn't resist and tried kneading dough herself, almost straining her back, which scared the old woman next to her so much that she quickly helped her up.
"Your Highness, please slow down. You just need to give instructions, and we'll do the work!"
Jiang Huan stuck out her tongue shyly, then turned her gaze to the palace maid who was preparing jujube paste filling.
"Add just a tiny bit of sugar to the jujube paste, yes, just a tiny bit, to make it sweet but not cloying. Be careful not to let your hand shake."
The palace maid, startled by her words, tensed up, her hand trembling, spilling half the bag of sugar. "Your Highness, I'm so sorry..."
Seeing this, Jiang Huan chuckled and waved her hand, "It's alright, it's alright. More is fine. We can just put less filling in when we wrap them later. We'll be flexible. It's the New Year, after all, so let's have a sweet and happy time."
She wandered over to the workbench where they were making sugar cakes with molds, picked up a little rabbit sugar cake that had just been unmolded, and examined it closely.
"Hmm, the red beans dot the little rabbit's eyes nicely, making it look very lifelike, but the tail is a bit crooked... Haha, it looks like a rabbit that got beaten up for stealing food."
Her comments made everyone laugh, making the atmosphere in the kitchen even more relaxed and cheerful.
After finishing his day's official duties, Huo Lin walked into Weiyang Palace through the thin layer of snow and was immediately struck by the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
It wasn't the solemnity and grandeur typical of a royal palace, but rather a warm and welcoming atmosphere, full of the spirit of everyday life, that celebrated the Lunar New Year.
He stood at the palace gate, watching Jiang Huan, her belly protruding, bustling about like a busy little bee, pointing here and there, her eyes full of vibrant smiles. His heart, hardened by the trivialities of court affairs, softened instantly.
Watching her teach the palace servants how to knead dough and make dumplings is truly a feast for the eyes, the body, and the soul.
[Should I also go and knead some dough? Just knead her, then knead me, and roll two little balls in the middle as babies...]
[Well, this move of mine is a bit laughable, so let's not make our own people look bad...]
He took off his cloak, which was damp with the cold, and handed it to the palace maid who came to greet him. He walked slowly behind Jiang Huan, who was holding a paper-cut of the character "福" (fortune) and gesturing with it. He reached out and gently wrapped his arms around her waist, rubbing his chin against the top of her head.
Are you busy?
Feeling the warmth of his embrace, Jiang Huan leaned back comfortably and held up the paper-cut "Fu" character in her hand, showing it to him like a treasure.
"How is it? I cut it out. I'm going to stick it on the kitchen window. Doesn't it have a festive atmosphere?"
Huo Lin looked at the slightly crooked but childlike "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character, and a smile spread across his eyes.
"I want it too."
[She made this herself; I want to cover the entire Imperial Study with these.]
[Everyone who comes in can see this; this is a blessing she has bestowed upon me.]
"That's why they say I'm a prophet." Jiang Huan smiled sweetly, pulling his wrist and leading him outside. "I've already cut out yours and left it in the study. Perfect timing, since you were saying you wanted to write 'Fu' characters for the ministers, why don't you write it here? I'll grind the ink for you, and by the way... hehe, the first 'Fu' character is mine!"
Looking into her bright eyes, Huo Lin felt that his own eyes were also filled with light.
"good."
Writing to her is a warm and comforting experience, every stroke of the pen.
He readily agreed and followed Jiang Huan to the study, where he sat down at the desk.
He picked up the imperial brush, dipped it in ink, concentrated his mind, and steadily exerted force with his wrist.
A powerful and majestic "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character leaps off the paper.
"Handsome!" Jiang Huan clapped her hands to show her respect, then picked up the plum blossom cake she had taken from the small kitchen and offered it to his lips.
"Here's a reward for you. Try it and see if it's sweet."
Huo Lin took a bite from her hand, and the soft, sweet taste melted in his mouth, warming his heart.
While enjoying Jiang Huan's feeding, he continued to wield his brush, and one "Fu" character after another flowed smoothly from his pen.
Jiang Huan was busy by his side, sometimes laying out paper and grinding ink for him, sometimes handing him snacks and hot tea, and sometimes making a few comments, chattering away like a happy little sparrow.
Under the warm yellow light, the two looked like an ordinary couple preparing for the New Year, simple yet happy.
As Huo Lin wrote, he would occasionally glance at Jiang Huan beside him, who was smiling radiantly. He felt that the fatigue that had accumulated over the past few months was completely washed away by this warm and cozy atmosphere.
If only things could always be like this, peaceful and serene.
[When the children are born, when I teach them their first character, it will be on red paper with gold ink, in a lively and festive atmosphere.]
After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Huan, probably exhausted from her work, leaned against a soft cushion, her head nodding slightly.
Finally, he slumped onto the warm couch next to Huo Lin, clutching a piece of unfinished pastry, and fell into a deep sleep.
His breathing was even, and there was a satisfied smile on his lips.
Huo Lin put down his pen, looking at her defenseless sleeping face, his eyes so soft they could melt.
He carefully took the pastries from her hands, then took a thin blanket from the side and gently covered her with it.
Just as he was about to finish writing the remaining "Fu" characters, very light footsteps came from outside the hall.
Wang Degui entered silently, his face grave. Upon seeing Jiang Huan sleeping peacefully on the bed, he moved even more quietly, walked to Huo Lin's side, and whispered a few words in his ear.
The gentleness on Huo Lin's face vanished instantly, his brows furrowed, and his eyes suddenly turned sharp and cold.
He glanced at Jiang Huan, who was sleeping soundly, signaled Wang Degui to be quiet, then quietly got up and strode towards the outer hall.
The outer hall was brightly lit by candles, and a weary scout was kneeling on one knee, waiting.
Upon seeing Huo Lin, the scout immediately lowered his voice and reported, "Your Majesty, urgent report from the Northwest: the area you have been keeping a close eye on has been experiencing frequent unusual activity recently."
Huo Lin stood with his hands behind his back, his face ashen, listening quietly, emanating a chilling aura.
[How dare you stir up trouble at the year's end, disturbing my peace and ruining my festive season...]
[Does he think I'm too caught up in the pleasures of women to wield my sword anymore?]
[Perhaps I have been too lenient lately, causing some people to forget their limits.]
"By imperial decree, strengthen security, increase patrol frequency, and closely monitor movements. Report any unusual activity immediately without fail."
"Furthermore, summon Shen Yi to the palace immediately to see me."
"Yes!" The guard and Wang Degui accepted the order at the same time and withdrew silently.
Huo Lin stood still, took a deep breath to dispel the chill emanating from his body, then turned around and walked back towards the inner hall.
When he lifted the beaded curtain and saw Jiang Huan still sleeping soundly on the warm couch, completely unaware of the impending storm, his eyes softened instantly.
With him around, even if the sky were to fall, he would hold it up for them, mother and child.
No one can disturb this peace.
He went over and tucked the blanket around Jiang Huan, then sat back down at his desk, picked up his pen, and continued writing auspicious characters for "fortune".
However, a subtle, hidden killing intent has quietly emerged from the strokes of his pen.
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