The next day, Lan Yan began packing her luggage, preparing to return to the Imperial City. She packed some local specialties to bring back for Jun Xiao Yao and Hui Niang.
Jun Ye Lan entered from the doorway and saw Lan Yan holding large bags and parcels. He quickly took them from her. "I'll pack these. You go and organize your own snacks."
"What snacks?" Lan Yan distinctly remembered eating everything. She turned and saw a large pile behind Jun Ye Lan, and smiled. "Did you buy all of these just now?"
Jun Ye Lan responded indulgently, "I asked the Eastern Depot personnel to buy them. It will be very boring on the road, so you can eat these." He thought that since Lan Yan had prepared things for Xiao Yao and the others, she surely wouldn't have prepared any for him.
At that moment, the Eastern Depot personnel outside were utterly exhausted. They had rushed to the market early in the morning, with each person responsible for buying a different pastry, all of them buying the first batch fresh from the oven.
The Factory Director truly doted on his wife.
Lan Yan looked at the pastries, many of which were her favorites. She smiled, picked up a box from the table, and said, "Ta-da, I prepared something for you too. This is the only one of its kind, a white steamed bun."
She had also made a filling for it.
Jun Ye Lan took the box and looked at the soft, glutinous pastries inside. He couldn't help but glance at Lan Yan's lips, finding the taste somewhat similar. He shook his head, gently pulling Lan Yan into his embrace. "Yan'er, you've worked hard this time coming to Ningzhou."
"I'm fine. I came for a free trip." Lan Yan leaned against Jun Ye Lan's chest, listening to the powerful thumping of his heart, and smiled. "Look, we went to the market, we found a water source in the mountains, and we went to a temple."
"If we were in the Imperial City, we wouldn't have this much freedom." Too many people recognized Jun Ye Lan in the Imperial City, and it always caused complications. It was better here.
Jun Ye Lan's eyes flickered. Lan Yan was right. If he continued to be the Factory Director, not only would he constantly undertake dangerous missions, but the Emperor would also find him intolerable once he grew up.
The Emperor's heart was unfathomable. He needed to plan for the future.
Seeing that Jun Ye Lan wasn't speaking, Lan Yan looked up and noticed his pensive expression. She reached out and pinched his cheek. "Ye Lan, you're doing that again. Let's make a promise. From now on, when you're with me, you can't frown."
"If you really feel like frowning, just tell me your troubles."
Jun Ye Lan couldn't help but smile. He also pinched Lan Yan's face and said, "Alright, you are my wife. I'll listen to you." He released Lan Yan and turned to help her pack.
The two of them packed their luggage, smiling as they looked at each other.
After they went outside, the officials from Ningzhou were also present, but they were all keeping their heads bowed very low. After last night's events, they dared not provoke Jun Ye Lan, fearing they would end up like Lord Jiang.
Lan Yan observed this, stroking the white cat's fur. "Little White, you're so amazing. You can bite off a big chunk of meat in one go. I'll reward you later."
The white cat meowed and, as if it was used to it, curled up to sleep.
The other officials immediately understood. This wasn't just a cat; it was clearly a tiger. They dared not look up, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
As expected of the Factory Director's wife, she was also a formidable person.
Jun Ye Lan regarded these officials with even less favor. He walked past them directly, reaching out to gently shield Lan Yan.
As they got into the carriage, Lan Yan placed her hand in Jun Ye Lan's and was helped in. She smiled, holding the white cat in one arm and starting to eat pastries with the other.
Jun Ye Lan sat beside her, took out paper and brush, and began to handle other official business.
Song Cheng, who was driving the carriage, couldn't help but comment, "My Factory Director and his wife are truly well-matched. One is lively, the other is quiet, yet they don't interfere with each other and are exceptionally harmonious. Every time I see them, I feel a sense of peaceful serenity."
Seeing that the person beside him wasn't speaking, he nudged Wuming with his elbow.
Wuming glanced at Song Cheng out of the corner of his eye and said, "It's only because Miss Lan has a good temper and can tolerate your Factory Director. Anyone else definitely wouldn't be able to."
"Wuming, why haven't you changed your address? Miss Lan is already with the Factory Director; she's his wife," Song Cheng called out.
But Wuming remained unmoved. "I am repaying a debt of gratitude to Miss Lan." After saying that, he snorted and looked away, ignoring Song Cheng.
Song Cheng grumbled indignantly and continued to drive.
The carriage moved forward slowly, much faster than on their way there. They arrived at the Imperial City a day later.
As Lan Yan alighted from the carriage, she stretched lazily and looked at the familiar gate in front of her, sighing, "We're finally back. I need a good sleep."
"Yan'er, you rest first. I need to go to the palace to report," Jun Ye Lan said with a smile to Lan Yan.
Lan Yan nodded. "Go ahead. I'll wait for you to return." She waved and walked towards the mansion gate.
Jun Ye Lan curled his lips, got back into the carriage, and the smile on his face completely vanished. "To the palace."
As soon as Lan Yan entered, she was hugged by Jun Xiao Yao, who came running. She stroked Jun Xiao Yao's head and smiled, "Oh, Xiao Yao, did you miss Sister Lan?"
"Yes, I missed you very much." Jun Xiao Yao nodded vigorously like a rattle drum and hugged Lan Yan tightly. "Sister Lan, I count the stars every day, waiting for you and brother to come back."
Lan Yan couldn't help but crouch down and look at Jun Xiao Yao. "Xiao Yao is the most well-behaved. Sister Lan will cook something delicious for you later." She held Jun Xiao Yao's hand and looked at Hui Niang, whose eyes were filled with tears. "Sister Hui, thank you."
Hui Niang stepped forward and hugged Lan Yan. "Lan'er, don't say such things. You, a delicate woman, traveling a thousand miles to find the Factory Director, that's what was arduous. I couldn't have had your courage."
"I always thought you looked delicate before, but you are actually very strong inside. The facts have proven me right."
Lan Yan was a little puzzled. Did she look delicate! She patted Hui Niang's back and smiled. "Sister Hui, you helped me a lot when I first arrived at the Jun Mansion. Now you're even helping me take care of Jun Xiao Yao. You are as strong as I am."
Hui Niang's tears turned into a smile. She released Lan Yan. "You always know how to speak, girl. I won't cry anymore. Just be sweet with the Factory Director from now on."
"Mm," Lan Yan smiled. "Let's go, I'll make something delicious for you."
The three of them then headed to the kitchen together, with Lan Yan as the head chef, and Hui Niang and Jun Xiao Yao assisting.
Meanwhile, Jun Ye Lan had arrived at the palace. As soon as he entered the Imperial Study, he saw Yan Zhong Cheng and others, and the Emperor's expression was displeased. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
The Emperor looked at Jun Ye Lan and nodded slightly. "The Factory Director has returned."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Zhong Cheng spoke first. "The Factory Director has returned at a most opportune time. I have received intelligence from Ningzhou stating that the Factory Director was supposed to have arrived in Ningzhou long ago, but was delayed in appearing. After his appearance, he used illness as an excuse and failed to show up for several days."
"Furthermore, at the victory banquet, the Factory Director injured an official, causing other officials to be extremely apprehensive. Your Majesty, the Factory Director's arrogance and disregard for officials is a disregard for you."
Other officials echoed, "Please, Your Majesty, punish Jun Ye Lan."