"Miss Lan, the people who were speaking ill of you just now have been noted down. Here is the list." Wuming presented the paper he held, only to see Jun Yelan staring at him coldly, a hint of confusion on his face.
Before Lan Yan could respond, Jun Yelan had already taken the list and said indifferently, "This matter will be handled by this Eunuch. Those who dare to gossip about my wife will have their tongues pulled out."
"I can attend to it immediately," Wuming offered.
"No need. This Eunuch has others for such tasks. Wuming, your sole responsibility is to protect Madam when this Eunuch is away. As for where I am, you are not needed," Jun Yelan's words carried a strong sense of unfriendliness.
He had been enjoying a warm moment with Lan Yan, only to be interrupted by this person, someone he himself had arranged. Wuming grew more puzzled, as he felt he hadn't offended Jun Yelan.
Seeing the tense situation between the two, Lan Yan interjected, "Wuming, you may withdraw. With my husband here, there's no need to worry. My husband will protect me." She looked at Jun Yelan with a smile. Jun Yelan's anger instantly dissipated, and he turned to hold Lan Yan's slender fingers. His heart swelled with joy at the word "husband," and he wanted to continue calling Lan Yan "Madam."
Wuming watched the couple, feeling like a third wheel witnessing a public display of affection. He decided it was best to leave quickly.
Only Lan Yan and Jun Yelan remained. She looked at him, "Eunuch, are you not busy today? Usually, you go to the study upon returning. It's rare for you to spend time with me like this."
Jun Yelan rubbed his nose. "Not busy. I'll help out here." If he left, Wuming would reappear, and he strongly disliked Wuming's gaze.
"That's good. Then help me move the books out," Lan Yan said, wanting to air out the items in the house, which felt like proper domesticity. Jun Yelan nodded, rolled up his sleeves, and went into the room to carry a stack of books into the courtyard. Lan Yan, in turn, began to spread them out, arranging them neatly on boards so the pages could be gently fanned by the breeze. They busied themselves like this all afternoon, resting only after dinner.
The next morning, Lan Yan was reviewing her account books when she heard that Madam Yang had arrived. "Let her in," she said, a hint of confusion on her face. She had only met Madam Yang once before, so why was she visiting now?
Madam Yang arrived swiftly and gave a slight bow to Lan Yan. "Greetings, Madam Jun. As soon as I entered, I smelled the fragrance of books. So, you are airing them out. Lord Jun is busy with official duties, so he must have many books."
"They are all for the Emperor and the people. Madam Yang's husband and my husband are both such men; it is only right that they are busy," Lan Yan replied with a smile, observing Madam Yang subtly. She didn't want any more negative rumors about Jun Yelan spreading; interacting with these ladies was tiresome.
Madam Yang smiled, finding herself increasingly drawn to Lan Yan. "Madam Jun, our two families live close by. We didn't socialize before because you hadn't visited. Now that our husbands are engaged in the same work, we can have some interaction. Last time, I also admired Madam Jun's flute playing. I wonder if you could teach me? My husband is also tone-deaf. That's why I've come, shamelessly."
Lan Yan understood Madam Yang's intentions. If it was just about teaching the flute, it wouldn't be a significant matter. She took out her flute, sat down, and said, "Then, Madam Yang and I shall have a friendly exchange. Please, Madam Yang!"
Madam Yang sat down contentedly, took out a flute she had prepared, and focused intently on Lan Yan. "The fingers are placed like this," Lan Yan instructed Madam Yang, adding, "Before you play, visualize a scene in your mind. Each piece expresses a different mood, and the rendering will also differ."
Madam Yang nodded and couldn't help but smile. "I had heard many rumors about Madam Jun. After spending these past two days together, I realize they were mere gossip. Someone as intelligent and kind-hearted as Madam Jun is indeed someone the Eunuch would favor."
"Madam Yang is too kind. Madam Yang's discerning eye for people, not easily swayed by popular opinion, is also rare to see." If it was about complimenting someone, she could do that too. After speaking, Lan Yan continued to teach the flute, no longer wanting to exchange compliments with Madam Yang.
Once the learning was mostly complete, Lan Yan had Hui Niang bring out some pastries, hoping Madam Yang would leave after eating. Madam Yang's eyes lit up at the sight of the exquisite pastries. "Did Madam Jun make these?" she asked in surprise, popping a pastry into her mouth. "Delicious," she exclaimed. She then asked, "Can Madam Jun teach me?"
Lan Yan sighed. It seemed her task for the day was to be a teacher. After another hour of instructing Madam Yang, she finally managed to see her off.
Madam Yang's smile never faltered. "Madam Jun, it's getting late. I shall visit again another day." She walked towards the door.
Lan Yan breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to gather the books. As Madam Yang reached the entrance, she happened to encounter Jun Yelan returning from court. She quickly stepped back and saluted him with a slight tremor. "Eunuch." Although Lan Yan had a gentle demeanor, Jun Yelan was her opposite, inspiring an inexplicable fear.
Jun Yelan didn't even glance at her, striding forward. Then, as if remembering something, he stopped. "Are you here to see my wife?" Normally, no one would approach his residence.
"Yes, I came to learn the flute from Madam Jun." Madam Yang lowered her head, feeling uneasy. "Madam Jun plays the flute beautifully, and I really like it. Today, I also discovered Madam Jun's cooking skills are excellent, and I wish to learn that as well."
Jun Yelan's expression finally softened. "My wife is naturally excellent in every aspect."
Madam Yang could only manage a smile. "Indeed."
"However, if you approach my wife with any ulterior motives, your Yang family will become guests of the Eastern Depot." Jun Yelan's eyes turned cold. "My wife is beautiful and kind-hearted, always treating people with sincerity. Such a wonderful wife, of course, I must protect."
Madam Yang recalled how Lan Yan had previously rebuffed Madam Yan, and now she seemed less formidable. Why did the Madam Jun spoken of by the Eunuch sound so different? She nodded. "The Eunuch is correct. I have absolutely no other intentions." How could she dare? Both husband and wife were not to be trifled with.
Satisfied, Jun Yelan walked forward to find Lan Yan. Madam Yang, after composing herself, got into the carriage waiting at the entrance. She said to her maid, "The Eunuch truly treats Madam Jun well, doting on his wife." The maid then relayed this to others in the household, who in turn spread the word when they went out. Soon, everyone knew of Jun Yelan's reputation for pampering his wife. Even the Yan household heard the news, filled with resentment. "What a Jun Yelan. He used to have such a bad reputation, and now, relying on his fame for pampering his wife, he is actually loved by the common people." Yan Ming angrily smashed a teacup on the table, and then noticed Madam Yan entering. He glared. "Look at how useless you are, unable to deal with even one woman."
Madam Yan retorted angrily, "You blame me? You haven't been able to deal with Jun Yelan yourself! You've already been bested by Lan Yan, and now you're blaming me. Let me tell you, I have plenty of ways to handle her."
"Don't forget, a noble person in the palace is also watching Jun Yelan." Yan Ming finally remembered, a flicker of smugness in his eyes. "Then it's up to you. Don't disappoint me."