Chapter 141 An Unexpected Encounter with a Minister
The embers of the fireworks gradually dissipated, leaving only a faint smell of gunpowder in the air and the still bustling sounds of people on both sides of the river.
Inside the private room, a warm yellow light shone.
"Young master, madam, would you like to dine? Our Zuixianlou restaurant is quite famous for its dishes."
The shopkeeper appeared at the right moment, asking questions with a beaming smile.
Huo Lin looked at Jiang Huan, seeking her opinion with his eyes.
Jiang Huan was indeed a little hungry, so she nodded and said, "Okay, please bring me one of each of your local specialties."
"Alright, I'll arrange it right away, I guarantee you'll be satisfied." The shopkeeper immediately retreated with a beaming smile.
Soon, several exquisite dishes were placed on the table.
The steamed sea bass is tender and fresh, the seasonal bok choy is vibrant green, a bowl of milky white fish soup is fragrant, and there are also several dishes of refreshing pickles.
Huo Lin and Jiang Huan sat facing each other, enjoying the peaceful time after the fireworks had faded.
The windows of the private room were not completely closed, allowing wisps of noise and the aroma of cooking from the riverbank to seep in.
Jiang Huan's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the everyday scenes of the city outside the window.
On the opposite bank, a woman in an apron stood with her hands on her hips, yelling at a man who was clearly drunk.
"You bastard, the food's getting cold at home, get back here right now!" The voice was loud and penetrating.
The man was startled by the shout, shrank his neck, and quickly ran home in response.
At the entrance of a nearby alley, several teenagers were chasing and playing with newly bought sparklers, their laughter ringing out clearly and pleasantly.
A slightly younger child was running too fast and tripped and fell, but he didn't cry. He just patted his bottom, got up, and chased after the child again, giggling.
Further along the riverbank, several young couples walked side by side, the boys carefully protecting each other, whispering something, which made the girls cover their mouths and giggle.
Jiang Huan watched with great interest, completely immersed in this vibrant and lively world, even forgetting to eat when Huo Lin put food on her plate.
Now that feels more like a living person, even the lividity she developed in the harem seems to have faded considerably.
Huo Lin looked at Jiang Huan's focused profile and the longing she unconsciously revealed, and his heart stirred slightly.
She seems to really like these things; I'd never noticed before.
[But seeing how happy she is, I also think... hmm, it does seem quite interesting?]
[It's rare for her to come out, could she at least take a look at me?]
Is it that things outside the palace are too fascinating, or is my charm no longer enough?
Just as Huo Lin was having a lively internal drama and Jiang Huan was engrossed in watching, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room.
Wang Degui immediately stepped forward and asked in a low voice through the door, "What is it?"
A respectful voice came from outside the door: "We were shocked to hear of His Majesty's arrival and have come to pay our respects."
Huo Lin frowned slightly, and Wang Degui reported in a low voice: "It was the Vice Minister of Works and the Assistant Minister of Revenue. I suppose they spotted this old servant when they were serving the dishes."
Huo Lin put down his teacup, his eyes regaining their usual deep and reserved expression.
"Let them in."
Wang Degui opened the door in response.
Sure enough, several officials dressed in ordinary clothes but with an extraordinary air stood outside the door, the one in the lead being the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.
Upon entering, the officials immediately bowed to Huo Lin and Jiang Huan beside him.
"We were unaware of His Majesty's arrival and have been quite presumptuous. We hope His Majesty will forgive us."
Huo Lin slightly raised his hand, dismissing their formalities.
"No need for formalities. It's quite common for subordinates to come here for leisure. Are you also dining here?"
“Indeed,” the Vice Minister of Works replied on behalf of everyone, “We were gathered here with our colleagues today to witness the magnificent fireworks display when we unexpectedly encountered His Majesty.”
Huo Lin had no intention of letting them linger and interfere with his time alone with Jiang Huan, and spoke in a calm tone.
"It was just a chance encounter, no need for formalities. Please go and have your meal."
[I hope these people understand what I mean. Stop bothering me and leave.]
Wouldn't it be better to go back and have a meal?
However, Huo Lin's wish was destined to be in vain, and the officials obviously did not want to miss this opportunity to show their faces in front of Huo Lin.
The Vice Minister of Works cupped his hands and said, "It is rare for His Majesty to travel incognito. I would like to offer His Majesty a toast."
Several officials behind him echoed his sentiments.
Huo Lin felt somewhat irritated as he looked at the officials in front of him, who were holding wine glasses and behaving respectfully.
These people aren't hungry, but I am.
Why offer her a toast when there's nothing wrong? I just want to have a quiet meal with her.
Huo Lin's inner self was already furious and ready to flip the table, but he still had to maintain a basic level of decorum on the surface.
He casually picked up the wine glass in front of him and raised it symbolically.
"That's thoughtful of you."
The officials quickly drank their wine.
As soon as the Vice Minister of Works finished his toast, several officials of slightly lower rank immediately stepped forward and took turns offering their toasts.
Everyone had to say a few words of congratulations and express their loyalty.
"Your Majesty, I wish you good health and happiness."
"This humble official wishes the Great Liang Kingdom peace and prosperity."
"emperor……"
One cup after another, the toasts seemed to go on forever.
[Ugh, will this ever end? I don't want to keep drinking!]
[It's rare for me to go out with her to watch fireworks and have a meal, and they've ruined it all.]
[Sigh, she hasn't spoken to me in ages; she must be annoyed by these people.]
In reality, Jiang Huan's mind was completely focused on the view outside the window, and she didn't pay any attention to what Huo Lin was saying.
Huo Lin appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he gradually felt frustrated.
Finally, the officials finished toasting everyone.
They were all seasoned veterans of officialdom, and they sensed that although the emperor hadn't said anything, the invisible pressure emanating from him was enough for them to understand.
Just as they were sensibly preparing to leave, a commotion arose at the door.
A slender, veiled woman carrying a wine jug was gently pushed in by her companion.
At the same time, the urging of his companions could be heard in hushed tones.
"Go on, go quickly, don't you want to get to know him?"
The masked woman glanced at her companion behind her, then looked at Huo Lin, before finally mustering her courage and walking over.
"Young master, I saw your elegant bearing from downstairs just now and was filled with admiration. I would like to offer you a toast, and I hope you will do me the honor." With that, she raised her wine cup and handed it to Huo Lin.
Huo Lin's brows furrowed instantly, his eyes turning as cold as ice.
Just as she was about to get close, he almost reflexively leaned back.
The woman clearly hadn't expected Huo Lin's reaction to be so swift and ruthless; her hand, which was offering the wine glass, missed its mark, and she also tripped over her own feet.
After a gasp, a loud crash was heard as the wine glass shattered on the ground, spilling wine everywhere.
The woman fell heavily to the ground in an extremely disheveled manner, her hairpins falling askew.
At the same time, a cold, electronic voice was emitting a sharp alarm in her mind.
Warning! Warning! Failed to contact the target! Charm value -50. Please take remedial measures immediately!
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