After clearly hearing Huo Lin's inner thoughts, a sly glint flashed in Jiang Huan's eyes.
She now understood the wonderful use of this Golden Finger.
Using delicious food to capture the Emperor's favor was simply too successful.
She must continue developing along this momentum!
Chong Ya!
Though filled with motivation, Jiang Huan maintained an extremely shy expression on her face.
Her eyelids lowered, her long and thick eyelashes fluttering like butterflies about to take flight. She spoke in a soft, gentle voice.
Does the fried chicken and fries suit Your Majesty's taste?"
"Mm, you've been thoughtful."
The lamplight cast shadows on Huo Lin's face. The young Emperor possessed handsome features, his expression indifferent and emotions completely unreadable.
If Jiang Huan hadn't previously heard Huo Lin's inner voice, she might have thought he was merely perfunctory with her.
But fortunately, she could hear it.
Jiang Huan revealed a shy smile. "Since Your Majesty finds it acceptable, this concubine will prepare food for Your Majesty every day from now on.Huo Lin remained with that indifferent expression, only giving a slight nod.
But the little person in his heart was already laughing heartily with hands on hips.
[Hahaha, well said by Changzai Zhuang! I finally don't have to eat those cold dishes from the Imperial Kitchen anymore!]
[Changzai Zhuang is truly my savior!]
Jiang Huan found it amusing inwardly. This Emperor was quite easy to please.
Just promising to cook for him could make him so happy – what a foodie.
After some thought, Jiang Huan added: "Your Majesty, may I borrow some paper and brush?"
Huo Lin glanced at her and pulled out a piece of rice paper to hand over.
Jiang Huan sat at one side of the desk, picked up the brush and began writing on the paper.
Looking at the elegant and lively calligraphy on the paper, Jiang Huan felt quite satisfied.
Not bad, not bad. The brush writing skills retained from body memory were quite beautiful.
After blowing dry the ink, Jiang Huan handed the paper to Huo Lin, speaking softly.
"This concubine can prepare food according to this menu for Your Majesty. Whatever Your Majesty wishes to eat, just have someone inform this concubine. If one day Your Majesty tires of the dishes on this menu, this concubine can prepare a new one for you."
Huo Lin took the menu and discovered it contained a wide variety of dishes – porridges, soups, rice, noodles, roasted dishes, snacks – nothing was missing. There were even many dish names he had never heard of before.
"I understand." Huo Lin stored the menu away.
Jiang Huan deliberately held her breath to make her face flush red, appearing extremely excited.
As if being able to cook for the Emperor was her greatest honor.
Her skin was originally fair, and now with her cheeks flushed red, she appeared more intoxicating than the sunset clouds.
Her round almond-shaped eyes sparkled brightly, and below her delicate nose were lips as tender as flower petals.
They say beauty is best appreciated by lamplight. The hazy glow of candlelight cast a faint veil over her, making her skin appear even more luminous.
Huo Lin's gaze lingered on Jiang Huan's face for a few seconds before casually looking away.
[Why hadn't I noticed before how beautiful Changzai Zhuang is? Much prettier than that Consort Yu.]
[Not only that, Changzai Zhuang cooks well and is clever. She can even make me eat well right under Wang Degui's nose.]
[Heavens, what was I doing before? How did I only recently discover this gem that is Changzai Zhuang!]
Jiang Huan listened to all this, desperately suppressing the corners of her mouth, feeling exceptionally pleased.
Well praised!
Praise more, love to hear it!
In her happiness, she automatically began feeding Huo Lin.
Thus the two interacted harmoniously – one feeding, the other eating – getting along well in a harmonious atmosphere.
There seemed to be an invisible barrier between them, isolating everyone else and making it impossible for anyone to intervene.
It wasn't until Huo Lin had finished all the food Jiang Huan brought that she finally left with the empty container.
Upon returning to Jin Hua Palace, before Jiang Huan could even reach her West Side Hall, she encountered Cui Ying blocking the entrance.
Cui Ying looked at Jiang Huan with arrogance, her tone devoid of any respect.
"Changzai Zhuang, Consort Yu summons you."
Jiang Huan inwardly cursed her misfortune. She knew that if she went now, the outcome wouldn't be pleasant.
She still had to deliver meals to the Emperor tomorrow—how could she afford any delays!
Gritting her teeth, Jiang Huan attempted to decline.
"It's already late. It wouldn't be appropriate to disturb Consort Yu's rest."
Cui Ying snorted coldly, not regarding Jiang Huan in the slightest.
"That's not for you to decide." As soon as she finished speaking, Cui Ying slightly raised her right hand, and immediately two mamas emerged from behind her.
Jiang Huan instantly grew wary, but as a consort who usually did little beyond cooking, how could she possibly break free from the strength of two mamas?
In just a moment, Jiang Huan was subdued.
The two mamas pressed Jiang Huan forward, one on each side, heading toward the main hall without giving her any chance to resist.
In the main hall, Consort Yu sat on an imperial concubine's chair.
She had sent someone to investigate as soon as she noticed Jiang Huan was missing.
Upon learning that she had gone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, her anger only intensified.
That little wretch! She's merely relying on some culinary skills to repeatedly seduce the Emperor.
Consort Yu's jealousy surged wildly, her voice suddenly turning shrill.
"Kneel before me!"
Seeing there was no escape, Jiang Huan gritted her teeth and knelt promptly.
A true man knows when to yield and when to stand his ground.
"Have I done something wrong to upset you, Your Highness?"
Jiang Huan hoped to coax Consort Yu into revealing her grievances, then seize the opportunity to defend herself.
Although she had to endure, it was always better to lessen the punishment if possible.
Unfortunately, Consort Yu had no intention of giving her that chance.
At a signal from Cui Ying, the two mamas immediately pressed down on Jiang Huan's shoulders, forcing her onto the ground.
Her knees hit the floor with a dull thud, and Jiang Huan's brow furrowed instantly.
Seeing Jiang Huan in pain, Consort Yu felt immensely pleased, her red lips curling into a triumphant smile.
So what if Consort Li had previously come to back Jiang Huan up? Now, Jiang Huan was still in her grasp.
She could protect her for a while, but not forever.
Today, she would make Jiang Huan understand who truly ruled Jin Hua Palace!
"Without my permission to lift your confinement, you left without authorization, completely disregarding my authority. Today, I will teach you some manners!"
Consort Yu spoke harshly, her tone venomous: "Guards! Keep watch over Changzai Zhuang. She is not to rise without my orders!"
Jiang Huan's pupils contracted sharply, her heartbeat thrown into disarray.
Given Consort Yu's resentment toward her, she wouldn't be allowed to get up for several hours.
No, she had just promised the Emperor she would prepare food for him. If she broke her word tomorrow, wouldn't all her previous efforts be in vain?
She needed to think of a solution quickly.
She opened her mouth, "Your Highness, I—"
But Jiang Huan had barely uttered a few words when her mouth was forcefully covered.
Consort Yu leaned back on the imperial concubine's chair, watching coldly.
That wretch was always full of sweet talk—how else could she have coaxed her into bringing her to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, only to steal the credit in the end?
No matter what, she couldn't allow her to speak again tonight!