Xiao Zhao looked helplessly at Jiang Huan, unsure of what to do.
Just when the Emperor had started treating her mistress better, such a thing had to happen.
If the Emperor changed his attitude as quickly as flipping a page and grew to dislike her mistress, those other concubines would surely seize the opportunity to kick her while she was down!
"Ah, stop crying. Things aren't that bad yet."
Jiang Huan sighed helplessly and patted her maid's shoulder.
She hadn't even started crying yet, so why was Xiao Zhao already in tears?
To be fair, it was partly her fault. She had known Imperial Concubine Jia harbored ill intentions but had let her guard down.
She was only a Guiren, yet she was already facing lethal levels of jealousy.
Jiang Huan scratched her head—if this was happening now, what would the future hold?
Xiao Zhao wiped her tears nearby. "How is it not bad? What if the Emperor gets angry with you and never comes to our place again… Wuwuwu…"
The thought of anyone being able to bully her mistress in the future made Xiao Zhao's heart ache for Jiang Huan.
Seeing Xiao Zhao so devoted to her, Jiang Huan was deeply moved.
She reminded herself to stay calm and analyze the situation rationally.
She had cooked for the Emperor so many times already—if not for merit, at least she had put in hard work.
As the saying goes, everyone makes mistakes. As long as the green hills remain, there'll be no shortage of firewood.
The Emperor should understand the difference between one full meal and having meals every day, right?
With this thought, Jiang Huan's panicked heart gradually steadied.
"What's done is done. Overthinking won't help. Let's go see the Emperor!"
Xiao Zhao looked at Jiang Huan with tearful eyes—to her, her mistress wasn't just going to see the Emperor, but marching bravely to her execution.
When the two arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study, Chen Jinxi saw Jiang Huan and hurried inside to announce her.
Before long, Jiang Huan received permission to enter.
Chen Jinxi opened the door and stepped aside.
"Noble Lady Zhuang, the Emperor requests your presence!"
Jiang Huan swallowed hard and performed the proper salute.
Huo Lin only lifted his cold eyes, his gaze sweeping over her briefly before returning to the documents on his desk, his expression frosty.
[The sky is falling! My Noble Lady Zhuang, how come you brought nothing today?!]
[Didn't you say yourself that whatever dish was on paper, I could have whatever I wanted?!]
[Now you come empty-handed—do you want me to eat you instead!!!]
As if not believing what he saw, Huo Lin glanced at Jiang Huan's hands again—indeed empty, with nothing at all.
Huo Lin's face remained expressionless, his voice cold.
"State your business if you have any."
[Let me hear how Noble Lady Zhuang will explain coming empty-handed!]
[If the explanation isn't good, I'll throw you into the Imperial Garden to feed the turtles!]
Jiang Huan broke out in a cold sweat internally, feeling a chill run down her spine.
She had originally thought it was just one meal—it shouldn't be a big deal.
But now it was clear the Emperor was sulking, and it wasn't the kind that would be easily soothed!
Ah, Jiang Huan felt miserable, but there was nothing she could do.
She could only explain carefully: "I originally prepared Wensi Tofu and some other dishes for Your Majesty, but on the way here, I accidentally bumped into Imperial Concubine Jia. I didn't hold the food box steady, and the meal… was completely spilled…"
"I thought today's food from the Imperial Kitchen might… not… be bad?"
She spoke the last few words almost tentatively.
But Huo Lin exploded at once, the destructive power of his inner thoughts no less formidable than an atomic bomb.
[Noble Lady Zhuang, are you a three-year-old child, tripping over nothing while walking?!]
【Last time you were injured, I was understanding, but today you come with the excuse of being knocked over. Are you toying with my affections or trying to starve me to death!】
【I don't care, I won't bear the consequences for Noble Lady Zhuang's mistake!】
Jiang Huan inwardly sighed with a bitter smile.
Who exactly was the three-year-old child here?
But regardless, if the Emperor held a grudge against her over this meal, all her previous efforts would be in vain.
That simply wouldn't do.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. This humble consort will surely be more careful in the future!"
This time, Jiang Huan knelt down, bowing devoutly while subtly revealing the back of her hand that had been scalded by the spilled food.
Of the thirty-six stratagems, she'd first employ the "self-injury ruse."
Huo Lin narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sharp as needles fixed upon Jiang Huan's slightly reddened hand.
Though the affected area wasn't large, it stood out glaringly against her fair skin.
【Was she scalded? How could Noble Lady Zhuang be so careless! Her hands are meant to cook for me—how could she let them get injured!】
【And that Imperial Concubine Jia is utterly blind! With the palace paths so wide, what was she even looking at?!】
【Most importantly, she ruined my meal. Should I make her suffer the same fate?】
Hearing Huo Lin's inner thoughts, Jiang Huan couldn't tell whether he meant Imperial Concubine Jia or herself.
Just as she was anxiously wringing her hands internally, preparing to say something more, another rapid volley of inner thoughts erupted.
【Have her beaten with boards?】
【No, though I'm furious, this is only a minor matter.】
【Imperial Concubine Jia is one thing, but if Noble Lady Zhuang gets injured, she can't very well cook for me with her feet, can she?】
【But letting me go hungry after getting my hopes up—letting this go unpunished is absolutely unacceptable!】
【This way, Noble Lady Zhuang will remember to be more careful when walking in the future!】
Thank goodness!
Jiang Huan secretly patted her chest in relief. It seemed the Emperor was compromising for the sake of good food, persuading himself to let it go.
When Huo Lin looked up, she quickly resumed a solemn expression.
Huo Lin straightened his face, a flicker of reproach in his eyes, his tone deep and authoritative: "Where have all the palace manners you learned gone? Such recklessness is utterly unbefitting!"
He paused briefly, then snorted coldly: "Considering this is your first offense, I shall let it pass. But if it happens again, it will be deemed disrespect to the throne, and I will have you strictly disciplined!"
If Jiang Huan hadn't known Huo Lin's true thoughts, just seeing his imposing emperor demeanor would have terrified her.
But fortunately, no disaster occurred!
Knowing when to stop, Jiang Huan immediately feigned a chastened expression: "Thank you, Emperor. This consort will remember!"
"Dismissed."
Huo Lin waved his sleeve, impatience flickering in his eyes.
【Sigh, still no delicious food to eat.】
【My heart suffers! I've been longing all morning, just anticipating this extra meal to satisfy my cravings.】
【Can these memorials and inkstones be eaten? I don't want to work on an empty stomach.】
Jiang Huan's steps faltered as she exited.
Huo Lin still harbored deep resentment over missing this meal.
Jiang Huan's mind raced for compensatory strategies, lest the powerful connection she'd nearly secured turn into worthless straw.
With the harem watching like tigers, only by keeping Huo Lin happy could she live comfortably.
As Jiang Huan left the Imperial Study, Xiao Zhao followed behind, cold sweat dripping, her heart still pounding wildly.
"Fortunately, His Majesty was in a good mood today and didn't punish you, mistress.Hearing Xiao Zhao's words, Jiang Huan complained inwardly.
With such a heart-wrenching inner turmoil, one could hardly call it a good mood.
At this moment, the Emperor was probably weeping inwardly.
If she didn't come up with an idea immediately, her standing in Huo Lin's eyes might very well diminish.