Lan Yan continued to stay in the manor, occasionally playing with the white cat. She looked towards the entrance, already missing Xiao Yao and the others in the Imperial City.
Meanwhile, Jun Yelan went out daily to organize the canal excavation, and the progress was getting faster.
At this moment, a person appeared at the door, it was Wuming. He saw Lan Yan and called out with relief, "Miss Lan, I've finally found you."
Lan Yan was also surprised, she had forgotten about Wuming. "Wuming, were you injured on your journey?"
Wuming shook his head, "I am a killer by nature, those people were no match for me. I merely got lost, and it took a great deal of effort to finally reach Ningzhou. When I saw Jun Yelan at the foot of the mountain, I guessed that Miss Lan was nearby."
Lan Yan could only smile, "It's good that you weren't injured. It will still take some time before we return. You can explore around here. Oh, by the way, Song Cheng hasn't been anywhere either, you two can go together."
"No need. I am Miss Lan's bodyguard and should remain here to guard," Wuming stated firmly, gripping the dagger at his waist. He blamed himself for being entangled by those bandits, failing to appear in time and missing the opportunity to repay her kindness.
Lan Yan felt a bit helpless and said, "Wuming, you have already repaid your debt by accompanying me to Ningzhou. From now on, you should pursue what you truly wish to do. Have you ever considered what you would do if you weren't a killer?"
Wuming was stunned, truly unsure.
"It's alright. Go out and explore more. Perhaps you'll get some ideas," Lan Yan spotted Song Cheng in the corridor and called out, "Song Cheng, you're just in time. Take Wuming down with you."
Song Cheng had met Wuming before and had always wanted to spar with him, finally getting this opportunity. He slung an arm around Wuming's neck and declared, "Madam, rest assured, I'll take him to the grandest restaurant for a drink."
Wuming moved away from Song Cheng and walked off by himself.
"Wait a moment." Song Cheng was about to follow but remembered the important matter. "Madam, the canal construction is complete. A celebration banquet will be held tonight. The Eunuch will be returning from outside, so please be ready to attend."
Lan Yan nodded, "Alright." She was alone again. She picked up the white cat. "Little White, I'm going to a banquet tonight. Do you want to accompany me?"
The white cat lazily lifted its eyelids. It had been told many times that it was a white tiger, not a cat. But seeing how comfortable Lan Yan's petting made it, it decided not to quibble and reluctantly agreed to accompany her.
Seeing that the white cat hadn't refused, Lan Yan couldn't help but smile. She changed her clothes, carried the white cat, and headed to the banquet in the front hall.
Jun Yelan was already seated at the head of the table, appearing distracted.
The surrounding officials toasted him, but he paid them no heed. Upon seeing Lan Yan at the entrance, he immediately stood up. "Yan'er." He personally went to greet Lan Yan and brought her to his seat.
Lan Yan smiled and sat beside Jun Yelan, whispering, "This is also a send-off, isn't it?" She saw the joyous expressions on the officials' faces; it wasn't just about the successful canal construction.
Jun Yelan held Lan Yan's hand and chuckled, "Yan'er is very intelligent." His gaze towards the surrounding officials turned cold. "They have already reported this achievement. On one hand, it's to avoid accountability, and on the other, it's naturally to see me, the King of Hell, depart."
"Only you, the King of Hell, can subdue this group of people," Lan Yan smiled and then looked at the officials engrossed in wine and debauchery, her face filled with disdain.
The officials, with women on either side and wine cups in hand, watched the dancers in the center. "Good, a good performance, let's have another one."
Some were already showing signs of drunkenness. One of them stood up and raised his cup to Jun Yelan, "We've long heard of the Eunuch's prowess. In just one month, you've smoothly resolved such a major problem in Ningzhou."
"Eunuch, I toast you."
Jun Yelan raised his cup, brought it to his lips as if to drink, and then put it down.
The official immediately beamed with smugness and drank his wine in one gulp. His eyes, filled with ill intent, fixed on Lan Yan. "The Eunuch's wife is truly a beauty of unparalleled elegance. I wonder if she can dance?"
"The dancers here are all beautiful. Does the Eunuch like them? Perhaps you'd like someone to attend to you tonight?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire banquet fell silent. Those seated dared not breathe, their eyes fixed on Jun Yelan at the head of the table.
Jun Yelan exuded an aura of coldness, his eyes filled with a dense killing intent. He looked at the official who had just spoken and said coldly, "Lord Jiang is drunk. Someone, give him a sobering."
With that, Song Cheng stepped forward and poured a large bucket of cold water over the official's head, his eyes blazing with anger.
The official immediately snapped awake, trembling, completely unaware of what he had just done.
The others around him shook their heads. Offending the Eunuch like this would surely lead to a swift death.
Jun Yelan's icy voice rang out again, "Since Lord Jiang likes dancing so much, then dance yourself." He waved his hand, signaling the dancers in the center to leave, and Song Cheng dragged the aforementioned official onto the stage.
Stared at by everyone, the official finally realized his situation. His legs turned to jelly, and he knelt on the ground, crying out, "Eunuch, your humble servant was drunk and spoke disrespectfully."
"If that's the case, then your tongue is no longer needed." Jun Yelan's eyes turned cold, leaving the official frozen in place. He then turned to the other officials, "Today's banquet was meant to be a celebration, but do not forget, as long as I, this Eunuch, am still here, I have the authority to handle affairs in Ningzhou."
The others dared not utter a sound, their heads bowed so low they were nearly under the table, wishing they could disappear from that spot.
Jun Yelan let out a cold snort, had Song Cheng drag the offending official away, then took Lan Yan's hand and strode out of the front hall.
Before they left, Lan Yan released the white cat to bite the official who had spoken out of turn. She stood imposingly at the doorway and declared, "Everyone, how Ningzhou was saved from crisis, and whose merit it truly is, you all know in your hearts."
"Heaven sees all actions. What you have done is truly inhumane!" With that, she felt Jun Yelan tighten his grip on her hand, and she returned the squeeze, leaving together.
After they left, the other officials, still dazed, heard a shrill cry of pain, filling them with dread.
Jun Yelan led Lan Yan into the garden. Looking at the dark trees surrounding them, he said, "Yan'er, I wanted to make you happy, but it still ended up like this."
"I was also very happy watching you scold them," Lan Yan met Jun Yelan's gaze, reaching up to cup his chin. "Yelan, happiness comes in many forms. I have a way to help you forget what just happened."
Jun Yelan was startled. Lan Yan produced a flute from behind her back, and a smile curved her lips.
Lan Yan placed her fingers on the flute holes, and a melodious tune flowed out, blending with the quiet night and the chirping of insects, bringing a profound sense of peace to the heart.
She poured her emotions into the melody, wanting to soothe Jun Yelan's wounded heart.
However, she didn't realize that Jun Yelan's heart no longer ached because of those people; it only rejoiced because of Lan Yan. He simply watched Lan Yan, listening to her play, and could forget everything, focusing solely on being with the person beside him.
Lan Yan looked up and smiled at Jun Yelan, their eyes filled with shared joy.
Here, there were only the two of them!