Lan Yan had been waiting by the door since hearing that someone had arrived from the palace, anticipating Jun Ye Lan's arrival. Seeing his somber expression from afar, she figured the news from the palace couldn't be good.
She stood still and asked, "Director, has His Majesty punished you?"
Jun Ye Lan shook his head, "No, this is a reward." He opened the box in his hand, revealing some jade ornaments. "If you like them, take them all."
"Wow, these are all so beautiful." Lan Yan did not hesitate, quickly closing the box and tucking it into her arms. "Director, since His Majesty wants you to rest more, let's go out for some fresh air."
Staying in the manor all day wasn't good. She heard from Hui Niang that the market had been very lively at night recently, with lantern displays.
Jun Ye Lan noticed the bright sparkle in Lan Yan's eyes and nodded slightly. "Alright."
"Thank you, Director, then I'll go prepare." Lan Yan lifted the hem of her skirt and turned into the room with joy. She first hid the box, then pulled along the awakened Jun Xiao Yao, and they headed out.
Looking at Jun Xiao Yao's soft and cute face, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
So, she took Jun Xiao Yao's hand with one hand, while Jun Ye Lan held Xiao Yao's other hand. The three of them left the manor and walked towards the marketplace.
Jun Ye Lan hadn't gone out like this in a long time. Glancing sideways at Lan Yan's radiant smile, a faint curve appeared at the corners of his lips. He saw a few snowflakes drifting down from the sky, opened the umbrella he was holding, and placed it above Lan Yan's head.
Lan Yan couldn't help but slow her steps, reaching out to catch the snowflakes outside the umbrella. The snow immediately melted on her fingertips. She smiled and turned her head, saying, "Director, this snow is very warm."
Now that Jun Ye Lan was holding the umbrella for her and she held Jun Xiao Yao's hand, she truly felt the snow wasn't cold at all.
Jun Ye Lan tightened his grip on the umbrella handle, his gaze unwilling to leave Lan Yan's smiling face.
Lan Yan also kept looking at Jun Ye Lan, her eyes curved in a smile.
Jun Xiao Yao in the middle blinked his big eyes, looking at them both curiously. He wondered aloud, "Sister Lan, Brother, why aren't we moving? There's something fun over there, let's go see."
Lan Yan then looked at Jun Xiao Yao and said with a giggle, "Okay." She had just seen the affection in Jun Ye Lan's eyes for her, and her steps felt lighter.
She led Jun Xiao Yao to a nearby stall where an archery performance was taking place. Those who hit three targets could win a longevity lock.
Jun Ye Lan followed when he saw Lan Yan wanting to play.
Lan Yan raised the bow and arrow, aiming for the bullseye, but the arrow flew out and missed. A hint of disappointment appeared on her face, and she called out, "Again." She raised it again, staring intently at the bullseye, silently encouraging herself.
Then, with a swish, the arrow shot out, but only grazed the edge. "Oh dear, my luck." She picked up the third arrow and looked pitifully at Jun Ye Lan, appearing to seek help.
Jun Ye Lan suppressed a smile, took her bow and arrow, and said, "Let me."
Lan Yan immediately smiled and stepped aside, her eyes fixed on Jun Ye Lan. "Director, you can do it."
Jun Ye Lan curled his lips, his eyes darkening as he stared at the bullseye.
Just as he was about to shoot, an annoying male voice came from beside him. "Isn't this Director! To think you'd come to a place like this, and with a woman too! With someone like you, are you even fit to stand beside a woman!"
His eyes held disgust as he looked at Jun Ye Lan.
Lan Yan frowned and shouted, "Where did this dog's mouth come from, spewing only foul words."
"You, how dare you insult this young master." Yan Ming was the son of the Censorate Official. Because his father was an adversary of Jun Ye Lan, he would always belittle Jun Ye Lan whenever he saw him.
Jun Ye Lan had always ignored him before, and Yan Ming had felt a sense of smugness. Now, he had actually sent a woman to deal with him.
"What's wrong with scolding you? It's you who lacks proper upbringing!" Lan Yan snorted coldly, finding Yan Ming utterly displeasing, especially for daring to speak ill of Jun Ye Lan.
Yan Ming was about to retort when he was stopped by the woman beside him.
"Young Master Yan, I think that longevity lock is rather nice. Why don't you shoot an arrow for me?"
Lan Yan said impatiently, "Excuse me, we'll take that lock!" She took a step back, instinctively grasping Jun Ye Lan's sleeve, her gaze fixed on the two in front of them.
Yan Ming exclaimed, "It's just a lock! What's the big deal?" He picked up the bow and arrow next to him, but fumbled and almost dropped it.
"Haha!" Lan Yan burst into laughter, turned to Jun Ye Lan, and said, "Director, let's ignore him."
"Alright." Jun Ye Lan had been standing by Lan Yan's side, watching her spirited little demeanor, his heart filled with warmth. He ignored Yan Ming, re-aimed at the bullseye, and hit it with a single shot.
Lan Yan clapped her hands. "Director, you hit it. Shoot another one." She took on the role of Jun Ye Lan's little fan, responsible for handing him the arrows.
Jun Ye Lan's lips curved upwards even more. He took the arrow and hit the bullseye once again.
The third shot naturally also hit the mark, winning the final prize.
Lan Yan looked at the longevity lock in her hand, her eyes full of smiles. "This lock is small and exquisite; someone like him could never get it." She said this while looking at Yan Ming, her face brimming with smugness.
Yan Ming, who had shot one arrow earlier and dropped it on the ground, now had eyes burning with anger. "It's just a lock! What's so great about it? My family has plenty of them."
He gritted his teeth, staring intently at the lock.
Lan Yan laughed even more heartily, "Some people, when they can't get the grapes, say they're sour." She turned to Jun Ye Lan and said with a smile, "Director, let's go quickly; this person is blocking our way."
She habitually tugged at Jun Ye Lan's sleeve and walked forward.
Jun Ye Lan nodded, a hint of indulgence in his eyes.
But Yan Ming blocked their way. "Want to leave? No way!" He eyed Lan Yan's face, which was indeed quite lovely, and said with ill intentions, "What future can you have following that Director? Why don't you come with me."
Lan Yan immediately raised her fist, looking as if she was about to strike, causing Yan Ming to flinch. "With your kind of courage, you still dare to compete with the Director? Shameless!"
Yan Ming's anger flared, and he was met with a cold gaze. He turned to see Jun Ye Lan.
Jun Ye Lan's eyes were like those of a venomous snake, making Yan Ming afraid to speak further. He said coldly, "Young Master Yan, would you like to pay a visit to the Eastern Depot!" This person dared to eye Lan Yan, so he wouldn't let him off the hook.
Yan Ming was startled. He had heard his father talk about the horrors of the Eastern Depot at home. A young master from a noble family like himself couldn't even last a single day there. He hadn't expected Jun Ye Lan to openly oppose the Yan family this time.
He dared not block them any longer, inwardly vowing fiercely, "Jun Ye Lan, I won't let you go. I'll go back and discuss this with my father."
Seeing him flustered, Lan Yan naturally smiled. "Some people really overestimate themselves." She glanced coldly at Yan Ming and walked forward with Jun Ye Lan.
Jun Ye Lan looked at his sleeve being pulled, a faint smile on his lips, letting her have her way.
The two continued their stroll until they were hungry, then stopped to get something to eat.