The next morning, the people of the Jun residence were all relieved to hear the news of Jun Yelan's return.
Hui Niang said to the cooks, "I was worried about Lan Yatou before. Now that the factory director is back, the two of them can finally be sweet to each other."
The cooks also laughed, "Who says they aren't? I even saw the factory director and Madam eating together this morning, and the factory director was feeding Madam."
"I saw that too. Madam even heated up a cake and said she specifically saved it for the factory director." Everyone couldn't help but laugh. Working at the Jun residence, their good fortune was tied to the factory director and Madam's happiness.
Hui Niang narrowed her eyes and said, "Just you watch, they'll have even sweeter moments." After saying that, she went to get some pastries and sent them to Lan Yan and Jun Yelan's room, then quickly left.
Lan Yan watched Hui Niang leave quickly and thought she still had things to do. She looked at the pastries arranged in the shape of a heart and smiled helplessly, "Sister Hui's wingman skills are getting better and better."
Jun Yelan also saw it and responded, "Mmm." He picked up a pastry and offered it to Lan Yan's mouth. Seeing Lan Yan about to refuse, he said, "Yan'er, I am appeasing my wife now."
Lan Yan bit into the pastry with a smile, "Not bad."
Jun Yelan also ate one, "Not as good as your peach cakes."
"I'm still upset. Giving you a cake this morning is already good enough." Lan Yan had cried quite a bit by herself and wouldn't let Jun Yelan off easily. She snorted and looked away.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan with adoration in his eyes, "Then I'll make cakes for you. Fearing Madam would wait too long, I asked Song Cheng to buy the pastries you like."
As he spoke, Song Cheng entered from outside, carrying large bags and packages that filled the entire table. "Factory Director, this is food from the entire street. And from other streets, others have already gone to buy it."
He noticed Jun Yelan's clothes peripherally, "Factory Director, your clothes are different from usual..."
"Madam made them herself," Jun Yelan said with a smile on his lips and a hint of pride in his voice.
Song Cheng understood that the factory director was showing off again. He noticed the uneven stitching on the clothes and had wanted to remind the factory director, but now all he could say was, "Madam's craftsmanship is truly excellent, Factory Director, you are truly blessed."
Jun Yelan became even more smug. He waved Song Cheng away, telling him not to disturb him and Lan Yan. After unwrapping the gifts, he placed them all in front of Lan Yan and said, "Madam, I am fully prepared this time. I specifically prepared to appease you happily in the residence."
Lan Yan had actually stopped being angry long ago, but she was playing along with Jun Yelan. "Alright." During these few days, she also needed to think of a plan to help Jun Yelan escape smoothly.
Three days later, Jun Yelan suddenly fell seriously ill, and several imperial physicians were summoned.
Lan Yan appeared to be grieving at the doorway. After seeing off the imperial physicians, she entered the room.
Jun Yelan curled his lips and touched the powder on his face, "Madam's makeup is quite good."
"Husband's act is also quite good," Lan Yan smiled and sat by Jun Yelan's bedside. She had thought for days and came up with the plan for Jun Yelan to feign serious illness and thus request leave to return home.
Jun Yelan took Lan Yan's hand and smiled, "Yan'er, it's hard on you to continue this act for a few more days." He only needed to stay in the room, but Lan Yan had to deal with those who came to see him, which was truly tiring.
He lowered his head and tenderly kissed the back of Lan Yan's hand.
Lan Yan shook her head, "I'm not tired. It's much better than living in constant fear. But Yelan, have you really decided? To give up everything here and return home."
She knew what Jun Yelan had painstakingly built.
Jun Yelan reached out and put his arm around Lan Yan's shoulders, holding her hand, he said, "Before meeting you, I thought I would die in this position. I knew my ending from the very first day."
"But now I want to live. I want to be selfish for once and live with my Yan'er." He had been working tirelessly for years, and his health had long been ruined. If he remained in this position, death by decree or an early death awaited him.
But he still wanted to spend more years with Lan Yan, worrying that Lan Yan would cry alone. His Yan'er never shed tears easily, and the few times she had cried were for him.
Lan Yan patted Jun Yelan's back, knowing his decision. "Alright, then we'll continue the act together." A voice came from outside the door. She forced out tears, motioned for Jun Yelan to lie down, and went to open the door.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's retreating back, and his smile disappeared as the door opened.
A person stood at the doorway. Lan Yan was slightly surprised and bowed, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Shh, I came secretly," the Emperor whispered. "Madam Jun, you need not worry. I came to see the factory director."
Seeing this, Lan Yan had no choice but to push the door open and let the Emperor in, guarding the doorway worriedly.
Jun Yelan saw the Emperor, his eyes devoid of any ripple. He tried to get out of bed to pay his respects but was stopped.
"Factory Director, there's no need." The Emperor sat by the bed, looking at Jun Yelan's pale face, and said with a bitter smile, "Now that Prince Ning and Yan Zhongcheng have been dealt with, are you leaving me, Factory Director?"
Jun Yelan said, "Your Majesty, you should not address me as 'my subject'. From now on, this realm belongs to Your Majesty alone, and I also believe that Your Majesty will govern this realm well."
The Emperor nodded, "Factory Director, you are still the same. You no longer see me as the child from the cold palace. The imperial physicians reported that they could not diagnose your physical problems, saying perhaps it is due to overwork."
"Does Factory Director have any final wishes?"
Jun Yelan bowed, "This subject wishes to return home. This subject does not belong here and wishes to return to the place where fallen leaves return to their roots."
The Emperor turned his head away, his eyes moist, and clenched his fists on his knees. "Then I will never see Factory Director again." He looked at Jun Yelan's determined eyes and said, "I promise Factory Director."
"This subject thanks Your Majesty." Jun Yelan performed a deep bow, fulfilling the bond between him and the Emperor. When he helped the Emperor in the past, he also had his own selfish motives.
In this palace, only the kind-hearted could not survive.
The Emperor turned to wipe away his tears and looked at Jun Yelan again. "I have other matters to attend to. I will visit Factory Director again another day." He stood up and walked towards the door without looking back.
Jun Yelan bowed to see the Emperor off. This would be their last meeting.
Lan Yan watched the Emperor leave from the doorway. She walked in and looked at Jun Yelan, "Yelan, what did the Emperor say?"
"He agreed to my return home." Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's delighted expression and his lips curved upwards as well.
Lan Yan had also heard about Jun Yelan's physical condition from the imperial physicians. After returning home, she would supervise Jun Yelan every day. "From now on, you won't have to think so much. You will have to take medicinal meals every day and engage in appropriate activities."
Jun Yelan nodded and smiled, "I will naturally listen to Madam in everything. From now on, Madam will be in charge of the household." He took Lan Yan's hand and placed it on his chest.
"What I say is true."
Lan Yan could not withdraw her hand. Letting Jun Yelan do as he pleased, she smiled and said, "Okay, then we'll pack our things tomorrow."