When Jiang Huan arrived, a young eunuch named Chen Jinxi was guarding the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Seeing Jiang Huan approach, Chen Jinxi performed the customary salute.
"This humble servant pays respects to Changzai Zhuang."
Jiang Huan smiled faintly and casually handed Chen Jinxi a small, pre-packaged portion of fries.
"You've been standing guard outside all day, it must be tiring. These are some small snacks I made—please try them."
Although Chen Jinxi wasn't like Wang Degui, who could attend to the Emperor personally, he was still someone who saw the Emperor daily.
It was important to remember that the Hall of Mental Cultivation wasn't a place just anyone could enter freely; one needed to be announced to gain entry.
Since she wanted to curry favor with the Emperor, Jiang Huan would be visiting the Hall of Mental Cultivation frequently. Building a good relationship with Eunuch Chen Jinxi was therefore quite necessary.
Chen Jinxi stared blankly at the small bag of food that had been pressed into his hand.
Having guarded the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation for so long, he had encountered many consorts who were turned away by a single word from the Emperor.
Those consorts, unable to see the Emperor, would often take their frustration out on him. He had suffered plenty and faced much disdain.
Changzai Zhuang was the first person who didn't look down on him, showed concern for him, and was willing to give him food.
"This humble servant thanks Changzai Zhuang."
Chen Jinxi felt a warmth in his heart and tightly clutched the food Jiang Huan had given him.
He noticed that Jiang Huan was still carrying a food box, likely here to see the Emperor for some matter.
Chen Jinxi proactively asked, "Does Changzai Zhuang need this humble servant to go inside and announce you?"
Jiang Huan nodded with a smile and handed the food box to Chen Jinxi.
"I made some food myself and would like to offer it to the Emperor to try."
"Please wait a moment, Changzai Zhuang. This humble servant will go in right away."
Chen Jinxi nodded to Jiang Huan, took the food box, and turned to enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The atmosphere inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was somewhat oppressive. Huo Lin was seated at his desk, holding a memorial with a furrowed brow, seemingly dealing with some tricky matters.
The other eunuchs and palace maids in the hall dared not even breathe loudly, afraid of disturbing the Emperor.
When Wang Degui saw Chen Jinxi enter, he frowned and was about to shoo him out when he suddenly caught a whiff of a rich, enticing aroma.
The scent resembled fried food, but it was different from any fried food Wang Degui knew.
Curious, he couldn't help but ask, "What is that smell? What are you holding?"
Huo Lin also noticed the fragrance, and the hunger pangs in his stomach were stirred to life. Hearing Wang Degui, he looked toward Chen Jinxi.
How could there be such an enticing smell? Could it be Jiang Huan?
Aside from Jiang Huan, he had never seen anyone else make food that smelled this good.
Oh! My Changzai Zhuang! My food!
As soon as Chen Jinxi looked up, he met Huo Lin's gaze. Under the Emperor's deep, abyssal stare, Chen Jinxi instantly felt as if a small mountain were pressing down on him.
But thinking of Jiang Huan waiting outside, Chen Jinxi took a deep breath and mustered his courage.
He lifted the food box and replied, "This is food that Changzai Zhuang personally prepared for Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Wang Degui opened the food box and immediately saw the contents inside.
The golden, fried food was extremely tempting.
Wang Degui knew that Jiang Huan was skilled at making food, but eating something so greasy at night—what if it harmed the Emperor's health?
It wouldn't do.
He closed the lid of the food box again. "Your Majesty, this food is too greasy. Consuming it at night may be hard to digest. Perhaps this old servant should go and decline Changzai Zhuang."
Huo Lin's eyes darkened slightly, his heart feeling as if it were bleeding.
No! He wants to eat the food made by Changzai Zhuang! He doesn't want those bland, watery dishes from the Imperial Kitchen!
No, he must keep Changzai Zhuang.
With Changzai Zhuang's intelligence, she will surely find a way to make me eat it!
"Leave the food for now," Huo Lin picked up his brush, speaking as if casually, "My ink has run out. Since Changzai Zhuang is here, have her come in and grind ink for me."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinxi immediately stepped out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
He smiled and said to Jiang Huan, "Changzai Zhuang, His Majesty requests your presence to grind ink."
When Jiang Huan heard that not only had the food been delivered inside, but she could also enter herself, she felt a surge of joy in her heart.
Everyone in the rear palace knew that the Emperor's Hall of Mental Cultivation was the most difficult to enter.
How many imperial consorts had been turned away here.
But she! Whenever she came to see the Emperor, she had never been refused!
This "key" was indeed useful.
Jiang Huan took a deep breath and walked slowly into the hall.
Huo Lin sat at the desk, having already resumed reviewing memorials.
The food box she had Chen Jinxi deliver was placed to the side, its lid still unopened. The Emperor showed no intention of eating at all.
Huh? What was going on?
Just as she was puzzling over this, Jiang Huan heard Huo Lin's inner thoughts.
[Wahhh, the food cravings in my stomach are acting up! They're saying they're so hungry, they want to eat!]
[Why won't Wang Degui let me eat! I work diligently and conscientiously handling state affairs every day. Even donkeys in the fields get feed, so why can't I even have a proper meal!]
[I want to eat! I've already summoned Changzai Zhuang inside, why hasn't she figured out a solution yet.]
[Does she need to be under the executioner's blade to come up with one!!!]
Jiang Huan instinctively lowered her head, a chill running up her spine.
Did he think she was a magic lamp, where wishes were granted in a second?
But she understood now.
She had wondered how the Emperor, who constantly complained about being hungry, could suddenly change his ways.
Indeed, no one could resist the temptation of delicious food.
Having figured out the solution, Jiang Huan immediately walked over and opened the food box beside them, deliberately asking, "Your Majesty, why haven't you tried the fried chicken I made? Does it not suit your taste?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Degui immediately said, "It's not suitable for Your Majesty to eat heavily in the evening, especially these fried foods. They're difficult to digest if consumed in excess."
Jiang Huan smiled slightly, looking at Wang Degui with a gentle tone.
"Eunuch Wang, what you say is reasonable, but His Majesty handles numerous affairs of state and should eat something to replenish his energy. Although these fried foods are greasy, when consumed in moderation, they won't burden the body too much. Moreover, I've prepared plum juice to cut through the grease."
As she spoke, she picked up a bamboo skewer from the food box, speared a piece of fried chicken, and brought it to Huo Lin's lips.
"Your Majesty, I spent a long time making these. If you don't taste them, my efforts will have been in vain."
Just as Wang Degui moved to stop her, Jiang Huan had already looked over with a smiling expression.
"Eunuch Wang, it's just a piece of fried chicken. Please don't disturb us."
Wang Degui had no choice against Jiang Huan's words. How could he interfere in the flirtations between the Emperor and his consort?
Huo Lin obediently lowered his head and accepted Jiang Huan's feeding.
The chicken was fried to perfection – crispy on the outside and tender inside, the crunchy skin contrasting with the smooth, juicy meat. The burst of juices in his mouth was endlessly satisfying.
Before Huo Lin could recover from the deliciousness of the fried chicken, Jiang Huan speared a french fry and fed it to him.
"Your Majesty, try the french fries."
The fries were aromatic, crispy, and golden, with the rich scent of oil intertwining with the natural fragrance of potatoes—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Huo Lin ate them, his eyes deep and gleaming brightly.
[Changzai Zhuang! Well done! I love it!]
[As long as it's made by Changzai Zhuang, there's no room for it to taste bad.]
[How I wish Changzai Zhuang could cook for me every day!]