Lan Yan realized that Jun Yelan had not returned for several days, clearly avoiding her. But why would he avoid her, unless he had encountered difficulties himself?
"System, do you think Jun Yelan is in big trouble, afraid of implicating me?"
The system replied, "Host, I don't think that's likely. Firstly, Jun Yelan is a favored official in front of the Emperor now. Who would dare offend him? And if he was afraid of implicating you, why didn't he send you away?"
"Isn't this Jun Manor very safe?"
Lan Yan propped her chin with one hand, finding some sense in the system's words. "Could it be because of what I said that day? But I comforted him, didn't it work?"
The system felt a headache coming on. "Host, I'm afraid it worked too well, backfiring instead. Host, human emotions are very complex, not as simple as us machines. They always overthink things."
"That's exactly what I'm doing now." Lan Yan saw the empty courtyard and sighed deeply. "Perhaps I should wait for Jun Yelan to return and explain things clearly to him. I wonder if he has left the city yet?"
She looked worriedly towards the west in the sky, where the city gate was located.
At this moment, at the city gate, Jun Yelan was on his horse, looking towards the east.
Song Cheng, standing beside him, couldn't help but say, "Director, if you can't bear to leave Madam, why didn't you let her see you off? Madam would definitely send you off with many things if she knew you were here."
He truly couldn't understand why the Director was in such a hurry this time.
A flicker of reluctance flashed in Jun Yelan's eyes, but he finally said, "I know, that's why I'm afraid I won't be able to bear to leave." Every time he saw Lan Yan, the words he wanted to say wouldn't come out; he just wanted to be with Lan Yan simply.
"Director, I really don't understand you. If two people in love are together, isn't that enough? Why do you make things so complicated?" Song Cheng saw Jun Yelan's heavy expression these past few days and was sure it was because Madam wasn't around.
Jun Yelan looked solemnly into the distance. "Because I care too much. Before, I only had myself to consider, but now I have to consider her more. If I could choose, I would only wish for her to be well in all things, regardless of my own fate."
With that, he turned his horse, flicked the reins, and galloped westward.
Seeing this, Song Cheng could only follow.
After they left, a troop of men emerged from the city gate and pursued them. The man in the lead said, "This time, we are under the order of Commander Yan. We must ensure Jun Yelan dies in Ningzhou. Everyone, hurry up."
"Yes." The men behind followed the leader, stealthily tailing the team ahead.
At Jun Manor, Lan Yan received another imperial decree from the Empress Dowager, summoning her to the palace. Since she was bored staying alone in the manor, she got into the carriage at the entrance and went to the Empress Dowager's chambers.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager smiled upon seeing Lan Yan. "Come, come to my side. You massaged my head last time, and I felt much better. I want you to do it again."
"Yes." Lan Yan walked behind the Empress Dowager and began to press on her temples, but her mind was preoccupied with Jun Yelan.
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes comfortably. Seeing Lan Yan silent, she asked, "Do you have something on your mind today! It's related to the Director."
Lan Yan paused for a moment, then smiled, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, guessed correctly. He has left, and I just miss him a little. It's not a big deal." She just couldn't understand the reason.
The Empress Dowager smiled. "I was your age once, so I naturally know your thoughts. I knew the Director when I was in the cold palace. If it weren't for him, the Emperor wouldn't have survived."
"Actually, I was also worried that he might become too powerful and overshadow the Emperor. However, he has remained humble and composed, and his loyalty to the Emperor hasn't changed over the years, so I've put my mind at ease. The only thing that puzzles me is your appearance."
Lan Yan released her hands and stood before the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, I have something I don't understand. For him, is my appearance good or bad?"
Before, she had approached it with the mindset of completing a task, but after experiencing several worlds, her mindset had already changed. She began to hesitate, wondering if she had truly saved Jun Yelan!
Seeing Lan Yan's solemn expression, the Empress Dowager took her hand and said, "You already have the answer to this question. I don't interact much with the Director, but I've heard from people in the palace that the Director has recently gained a touch of humanity, which must be because of you."
Lan Yan was slightly stunned and bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager. I think I understand now." For Jun Yelan, this change was too significant, making him flustered.
It was like a child who had never tasted candy suddenly tasting it, not thinking of finishing it, but worrying about it melting.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "You may go."
Lan Yan left, a smile on her face. She knew why Jun Yelan's behavior was so unusual. She couldn't wait to leave the palace. On the way, she encountered a figure standing out prominently and bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Rise." The Emperor looked at Lan Yan's face and said, "You are the Director's wife? So this is what you look like." He had wanted to meet her long ago, but the Director kept her hidden. Now he finally saw her.
Lan Yan looked up slightly, standing respectfully to the side. This was the Emperor. If she made a mistake, it would implicate Jun Yelan, which would be bad.
The Emperor then smiled faintly. "The Director has been sent to Ningzhou by me, and he won't be back for quite some time. You mustn't blame me."
"Your subject dare not." Lan Yan was a little puzzled. Was the Emperor making small talk with her!
The Emperor showed a bit more curiosity towards Lan Yan. "I was wondering what kind of woman could change the Director. You are indeed different. Since the Director has acknowledged you as his wife, I hope you will treat him well in the future."
Lan Yan detected a trace of sincerity in his words. It seemed this Emperor had some affection for Jun Yelan, which somewhat reassured her. "Your Majesty, your subject is willing to pledge her life to ensure she treats him well."
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, the Emperor said no more and walked forward, murmuring to himself, "Director, you can't escape your wife's grasp."
Lan Yan didn't quite understand the Emperor's meaning. She didn't care and left the palace directly. She returned to her room at Jun Manor, took out paper and brush, and prepared to write a letter to Jun Yelan.
"Since I can't see him, I can at least write. He's ignoring me without a word, I need to scold him a bit first, and then ask him how he's doing?" She picked up the brush and wrote a whole page, all speaking ill of Jun Yelan.
This man was too infuriating. He decided their future without asking her opinion. Jun Yelan had his concerns and wanted her to have a better life, but he didn't know what was truly best for her.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she couldn't help but write another page. Finally, on the third sheet, she began to inquire about Jun Yelan's current situation and urged him to take care of himself.
After finishing, she put down the brush and looked at the lonely moon outside the window, murmuring, "Jun Yelan, I find that I miss you quite a bit."