Jun Yelan's eyes darkened. "Arrange for people to monitor Prince Ning and see his next move." For many years, the Emperor's trust in him was largely due to the threat posed by Prince Ning.
He had to eliminate Prince Ning this time and, at the same time, find a way to retreat unscathed. If it were in the past, he wouldn't have cared, but now, if something happened to him, these people would not let Lan Yan off the hook.
Song Cheng left immediately.
Jun Yelan arranged other matters and then, under the cover of night, entered Ningzhou and arrived at the prefectural office. He found the courtyard where Lan Yan resided and approached the brightly lit kitchen, standing at the doorway.
Lan Yan, feeling hungry at night, had cooked herself a bowl of noodles. As she came out with the bowl, she saw Jun Yelan smiling at her by the doorway and almost dropped the bowl.
Jun Yelan reached out and steadied it, smiling, "Yan'er, why are you so surprised to see me?"
Lan Yan paused and said, "I thought you wouldn't be back for a few more days. Have you finished dealing with everything?"
"Yes." Jun Yelan, holding the bowl of noodles in one hand and Lan Yan's hand in the other, walked towards the table. "Only after finishing everything did I dare to come see you. Otherwise, once I saw you, I wouldn't want to leave."
Lan Yan's cheeks blushed, and she mumbled, "When did you become so eloquent? Oh right, are you hungry?" She pushed the bowl of noodles in front of Jun Yelan, "You eat first, I'll go cook another bowl."
"No need, we'll eat together." Jun Yelan brought a pair of bowls and chopsticks and took a bite. He didn't feel hungry while outside, but upon smelling the aroma of the noodles Lan Yan cooked, his appetite was greatly whetted.
Lan Yan nodded, using a small bowl for herself and giving the large bowl to Jun Yelan. "I can't eat this much at night, or I'll get fat."
As she spoke, Jun Yelan embraced her waist, his voice slightly low, "Is that so? I don't feel it."
"You!" Lan Yan moved a little further away. Why was Jun Yelan teasing her so much today? She lowered her head and focused on eating her noodles.
Jun Yelan couldn't help but curl his lips upwards. His Lan Yan was truly captivating. He also picked up his chopsticks and ate slowly.
After finishing, he got up, rolled up his sleeves, and took responsibility for washing the dishes. "Yan'er, you just stay here."
Lan Yan smiled, propping her chin on her hands, and gazed at Jun Yelan's profile. She felt incredibly lucky to have found such a good husband.
Jun Yelan was not only skilled in martial arts and handsome but also very thoughtful in caring for her. She couldn't get enough of looking at him.
Jun Yelan, while washing dishes, could glimpse Lan Yan's expression with a slight turn of his head, and his lips would curve upwards. He used to think appearance was just skin-deep, but now that this skin could attract Lan Yan, it was somewhat useful.
Afterward, the two returned to rest.
As dawn broke, Jun Yelan glanced at Lan Yan sleeping beside him, leaned down, and kissed her forehead, saying, "Yan'er, after I've dealt with the remaining matters, I'll come back to you."
With that, he left reluctantly through the window.
When Lan Yan woke up, she didn't see Jun Yelan but guessed where he had gone. She went to have breakfast, and upon returning, found the officials from yesterday guarding the entrance to "Jun Yelan's" room.
"What are you doing? The Director is still resting inside."
The official in charge shouted, "Madam, we haven't seen the Director for two days. Who knows how the Director is doing? We are only concerned about the Director and wish to go in and take a look."
Lan Yan immediately blocked the doorway and said coldly, "I told you, the Director is ill and cannot be exposed to the wind. Your Excellencies should listen to the Director, as he is not a patient man."
She was unyielding.
The officials, led by the one in charge, fell into a dilemma. They couldn't afford to offend the Director, but the official in charge also said that if the Director hadn't appeared, he might be in trouble, and they should help.
"Madam, if you need anything, we will come back another time."
However, the official in charge was not willing to let Lan Yan off easily. He had received news yesterday that the riots in Ningzhou had been resolved, but Jun Yelan had clearly not left his residence.
Therefore, he began to suspect the person inside. If it was proven to be a fake Jun Yelan, Lan Yan would be held responsible. "Madam, you've been preventing us from entering. Is there something fishy going on?"
"Did you do something to the Director?"
At these words, the other officials also grew suspicious.
Lan Yan was suddenly scrutinized by everyone. She chuckled, "So you suspect me? Firstly, do you think the Director is such a foolish person that he could be controlled by me?"
"Besides, if I could control just one person, could I control the others in the Eastern Depot! There are many people from the Eastern Depot in this courtyard, and they don't obey my orders either."
Her sincere demeanor began to convince the other officials.
"Sir, you are overthinking it. We have all heard of the Director's reputation; it's impossible for it to be fake."
Seeing this, the official in charge's eyes flashed with unwillingness. He looked at the doorway and shouted, "This woman is silver-tongued; we cannot believe her. I must see the Director today, or I will crash to my death here."
He charged towards the doorway, about to collide with Lan Yan. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Lan Yan tightened her grip on the dagger hidden in her sleeve, preparing to fight back.
Just then, the door suddenly opened, and Jun Yelan, dressed in official robes, walked out. He pulled Lan Yan into his arms, sidestepped, and let the official in charge crash forcefully into the door.
Seeing this, the officials bowed in unison, "Greetings, Director!"
Jun Yelan's eyes swept over them coldly, "Who dares to bully my wife!"
The officials trembled all over.
Lan Yan smiled triumphantly and feigned a wronged expression, saying, "Director, they called me a liar and said I had harmed you." She leaned against Jun Yelan's chest, squeezing out a couple of tears.
Jun Yelan patted Lan Yan's back and said gently, "I will uphold justice for you."
Hearing this, the officials knelt on the ground, "Your humble servant is guilty and willing to accept punishment, only begging the Director not to send us to the Eastern Depot." That place was simply not fit for humans.
Jun Yelan sneered, "It seems you are aware of my methods. However, you bullied my wife, and it cannot be simply overlooked."
The officials immediately pleaded with Lan Yan, "Madam, I spoke rudely to you earlier. Please spare our lives." They began slapping themselves, the sound echoing loudly.
Lan Yan then emerged from Jun Yelan's embrace and smiled, "Your Excellencies still need to handle affairs for the Director in the future, so it's best to keep your lives."
The officials were filled with gratitude and finally realized that the Madam was also not to be trifled with. They dared not anymore.
As for the official in charge, he was currently holding his swollen forehead, being dragged away by Song Cheng. He had no idea it would turn out like this and kept shouting for mercy.
Jun Yelan waved his hand, dismissing the officials, "Today, my wife was magnanimous and spared you. Next time, you will face the punishments of the Eastern Depot."
"Thank you, Madam." The officials quickly fled, distancing themselves from the couple.
Lan Yan smiled and took Jun Yelan's hand, saying, "Jun Yelan, you appeared at just the right moment. The way they looked just now was hilarious."
"Mhm." Jun Yelan clasped Lan Yan's hand in return and walked into the room. As long as Lan Yan was happy, he was happy.