Lan Yan’s letter, sped along by the Eastern Depot’s swift horses, reached Jun Yelan by the evening of the next day.
Jun Yelan was resting at an inn. He looked at the letter in his hand but did not open it for a long time, Lan Yan’s image filling his mind. He had come to Ningzhou without her consent. Was Lan Yan angry with him? Would she ignore him from now on?
He gave a bitter smile. He had truly changed; he even worried about such things now.
Song Cheng entered from outside and saw Jun Yelan staring blankly at the letter, a troubled expression on his face. He said, "Director, Madam also sent a message. If you don't reply tonight, she won't stay at the Jun residence."
It was over. Something must have gone wrong between the Director and Madam, to the point where Madam was threatening to return to her maiden home.
Jun Yelan jolted and opened the letter in his hand, reading it word by word. His eyes gradually moistened, and a faint curve appeared at the corners of his mouth.
Song Cheng was bewildered. "Director, what did Madam write?"
"She cursed me for two pages," Jun Yelan said with a smile.
Song Cheng: "..." Did the Director have some peculiar hobby, to be so happy after being cursed? Was he ill? "Well, Director, you don't need to be too sad. Madam is just angry for a moment."
Jun Yelan looked at Song Cheng and smiled. "My wife cherishes me. Why should I be sad?" He read the letter several times, and a warmth spread through his heart.
He sat down at the desk, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote, "To my esteemed wife, your husband is wrong. My mistake was in my arrogance and ignorance of your heart's desires. Today, upon receiving your letter and seeing your earnest advice, I truly regret my actions."
"A thousand words condense into this one sentence: I will never fail you." He looked at the bright moon outside the window, wishing he could send his longing to Lan Yan.
Song Cheng took the letter and handed it to an Eastern Depot subordinate, still in a daze. He was increasingly bewildered by the Director and Madam.
Just then, flames erupted outside the inn, and a group of people rushed in.
Song Cheng immediately shouted, "Protect the Director!" He hurried towards the room and saw Jun Yelan already standing at the entrance. He shouted, "Director, enemy attack!"
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened. "Prepare for battle." He drew the sword at his waist and thrust it at the approaching figures. He couldn't die here; he hadn't yet returned to express his feelings to Lan Yan.
The person in front of him was stabbed and fell. He continued to attack those beside him, but another group emerged from behind.
"Jun Yelan!" Lan Yan woke with a start. Looking at the familiar bed curtains, she took a moment to compose herself. "So it was a nightmare." She clutched her chest, having dreamt that Jun Yelan was in danger. The blood had seemed so real, it was hard to believe it was just a dream.
She couldn't sleep for the rest of the night and went out the next morning with two large dark circles under her eyes.
Hui Niang, who was at the door, was startled. "Lan girl, what's wrong with you? Before the Director left, he specifically told me to take good care of you. You must not have any accidents."
Lan Yan waved her hand. "I'm fine, just had a dream. Sister Hui, let's have breakfast." She yawned and went into the courtyard.
Hui Niang saw that although Lan Yan's complexion was not good, she didn't seem troubled, so she went to serve breakfast with relief.
As Lan Yan ate, she said, "Sister Hui, you don't need to worry. The issues between the Director and I have been resolved. Yesterday, he wrote down all his thoughts in a letter and also criticized Jun Yelan's unauthorized arrangements."
Judging by the time, Jun Yelan must have already seen her letter and would be surprised.
Hui Niang sighed. "That's good."
"Mm." Lan Yan finished a mouthful of porridge and saw Eastern Depot subordinates rushing over. The spoon in her hand immediately dropped to the table. Her heart suddenly felt a surge of anxiety.
The Eastern Depot subordinate shouted, "Madam, bad news! The Director was attacked and is missing. We have no news of him at all."
Lan Yan froze on the spot. Thinking of her dream from last night, it had come true. She clenched her fists, trying to calm herself. If something had truly happened to Jun Yelan, the system would have alerted her.
Yes, she couldn't panic. Forcing herself to be calm, she said, "Prepare a horse. I'm going to Ningzhou." She then looked at Hui Niang. "Sister Hui, please take care of Xiao Yao."
Hui Niang nodded, feeling sympathetic towards Lan Yan.
Lan Yan went to pack her belongings, brought her crossbow, and walked into the courtyard. "Wuming, you're coming with me this time." The journey ahead was perilous. She didn't want to die halfway as a helpless woman.
"Yes, Miss Lan." Wuming had always wanted to repay her kindness and finally found an opportunity.
Lan Yan then mounted her horse, a small bundle on her back, and galloped towards the city gate. Wuming followed behind her, passing by the person sent to deliver the letter.
At this time, the news of Jun Yelan's accident also spread through the imperial city. The Yan family gathered. Yan Ming laughed, "Excellent! This time Jun Yelan won't be able to return."
Yan Zhongcheng's face was heavy. "Jun Yelan is not so easily killed. Be cautious. Tell our people in Ningzhou to continue searching for him. We must bring back his remains."
"Father, you worry too much," Yan Ming said with a smug smile. He had long wanted to deal with Jun Yelan. Seeing a servant report, he asked in good spirits, "What is it?"
The servant said, "Young Master, it's the Madam who has left the city. The Emperor, upon hearing of this, has also dispatched troops to search for the Director."
"What!" Yan Ming angrily slammed the table, his palm immediately reddening. "This woman is truly detestable. Fine, let her die there along with Jun Yelan." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Yan Zhongcheng shouted, "Tell our people there to hurry. This woman absolutely cannot become a variable." If they couldn't kill Jun Yelan this time, it would be their Yan family that perished.
Meanwhile, outside the city, Lan Yan galloped along a small path. The reins had already rubbed her palms red, but she did not stop.
Wuming, riding beside her, advised, "Miss Lan, you should rest. He will be fine." Although he was reluctant to admit it, Jun Yelan was indeed formidable and wouldn't die easily.
Lan Yan refused to slow her pace, worried that something might have happened to Jun Yelan. "We'll rest when we reach the road ahead," she said. She couldn't afford to collapse first.
Seeing Lan Yan riding ahead again, Wuming shook his head helplessly. "This Jun Yelan truly has incredible luck!"
However, when they reached the road ahead, a group of bandits wielding large sabers appeared. "You two stop! Hand over your valuables, or you won't pass."
Wuming shielded Lan Yan. "Miss Lan, you go first. I'll catch up later."
"Then be careful," Lan Yan said. She knew Wuming was skilled and that staying would only be a burden. So, she shot a crossbow bolt from her arm and broke through the bandits' encirclement, speeding ahead.
The bandits tried to stop her, but Wuming blocked them in an instant.
Wuming spun the dagger in his hand and sneered, "You want to chase? Get past me first." With that, the bandits in front of him lunged, but they were all knocked down.
Lan Yan, meanwhile, was on another path. Seeing that dusk was approaching, she found a place to rest for the night.
She lit a fire, leaned against a tree, and looked at the silent forest around her. She murmured, "Jun Yelan, I've traveled so far to find you. You must not have met with any misfortune."