Li Wan’er ultimately said nothing, locking herself in her room.
Sovereign Li departed indignantly, also ordering people to take good care of Young Master Nie.
Young Master Nie, having had his wish granted, naturally left.
Lan Yan followed, watching Young Master Nie’s smug demeanor. She reminded him, “Young Master, to avoid any unexpected developments, you should marry your bride as soon as possible. Many young masters from various sects have arrived, and they are all eyeing Miss Li covetously.”
Young Master Nie fell into thought. What if something happened today before the marriage? He would be utterly humiliated. He ordered, “Have the Nie family prepare. The wedding will take place at this inn, with all the sects as guests.”
As for his parents, a person could be dispatched to inform them.
Lan Yan’s lips curved upward imperceptibly. The Li family, upon hearing this news, would surely be furious yet dare not speak. Once they learned they were not valued by the Nie family, their initial resolve would waver.
And she, next, would make good use of this marriage to further weaken that resolve.
Seeing that her matters were settled, she left the inn and bought many things from the market before returning.
White Tiger was already lying in the courtyard of the wooden house. Upon seeing her return, it merely lifted its eyelids to glance at her.
Lan Yan smiled helplessly. This White Tiger was too lazy. She tossed the freshly bought chicken into the courtyard. Seeing White Tiger still not moving, she said, “If you don’t eat it, I’ll roast it.”
As she spoke, White Tiger extended a paw, stepped on the chicken’s wing, and went to eat nearby.
Lan Yan then proceeded to cook, preparing enough for two people. After setting the table, she looked expectantly towards the doorway.
“Why hasn’t Jun Yelan arrived yet? Did something happen to him?” She quickly rapped her knuckles three times on the table, wanting to retract her earlier words, and waited for the person at the doorway to appear.
At this moment, Jun Yelan was in the main hall, tapping the armrest of his chair, his cold gaze fixed on the captured individuals below. “You truly take my words as wind, resorting to this tactic again.”
These were ordinary martial artists from the Dead City, kneeling shamefully on the ground. They cried out, “City Lord, we were forced! Those righteous sects captured our families outside and coerced us into passing information.”
“We had no other choice.” Tears streamed down their faces.
But it did not elicit the slightest emotion from Jun Yelan. “Of course, when you came to the Dead City to hide, you should have known the rules here. Since you seek protection, do not think of leaving.”
Those below lowered their heads. They had indeed survived because of the Dead City. But as living beings, people always desired more, and so they chose to betray the Dead City this time.
Jun Yelan looked at their fearful expressions, raised his hand, and suddenly thought of Lan Yan. If Lan Yan were captured, how would he choose? He lowered his hand and said, “Drive them out of the Dead City, and they shall never return.”
These people did not know the secrets of the Dead City, so there was no use for them to go out.
Those below showed expressions of surprise. They had actually survived under Jun Yelan’s command; this had never happened before. They kowtowed gratefully, exclaiming, “Thank you, City Lord!”
The scout stepped forward, perplexed, and led them away.
Jun Yelan sat alone in the hall, clutching his chest as the ailment began to act up again. He suppressed the urge to kill and walked out of the hall.
The Saintess in the corridor watched Jun Yelan leave, her brow furrowed. Where did he go every day? She opened her palm, released the insects within, and sent them to follow Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan arrived at the wooden house and saw Lan Yan waiting for him. The silver streaks in her hair had lessened. His heart warmed as he walked in and approached Lan Yan.
“City Lord, look, I’ve made something delicious,” Lan Yan said with a smile. She suddenly noticed the silver streaks in Jun Yelan’s hair and anxiously grabbed his arm, calling out, “City Lord, please sit down quickly.”
Jun Yelan shook his head. “I’m fine.” The pain in his chest came in waves, but looking at the smiling face before him, he couldn’t bear to make Lan Yan worry. He sat down, circulated his internal energy, and began to adjust.
Lan Yan stayed by his side, only relaxing slightly when she saw that Jun Yelan’s complexion was better than when he usually suffered from his ailment.
After a while, the silver streaks in Jun Yelan’s hair returned to black. He turned to look at Lan Yan’s hand and said, “It still hurts a little.”
Lan Yan raised her hand, gently stroking Jun Yelan’s head to comfort him. “It’s alright now.” She caressed his head four or five times softly, but Jun Yelan continued to stare at her.
Strange, was this method not working? She leaned closer, reached out, and hugged Jun Yelan, patting his back. “This should help.”
Jun Yelan was startled, not expecting Lan Yan to suddenly embrace him. He longed for this scent, and his hands unconsciously moved to touch Lan Yan’s waist, gripping it gently.
Seeing Jun Yelan respond, Lan Yan smiled. “City Lord, your recovery has been faster this time.” She let go, not noticing Jun Yelan’s disappointed expression, and continued, “City Lord, eat first, and then I’ll take you for a walk.” httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The scenery nearby was beautiful and serene, which would surely be conducive to Jun Yelan’s recovery.
Jun Yelan nodded, his gaze fixed on Lan Yan.
After eating, the two walked slowly along the riverside.
Lan Yan looked at the fireflies flying in the distance, recalling that day, and smiled, “City Lord, the river in the city was still beautiful.”
Jun Yelan never understood Lan Yan’s thoughts. Everyone wanted to leave the Dead City, yet she longed for it. “The situation is tense now, and everyone wants to leave. Why do you still miss it?”
“Because there are people I miss there,” Lan Yan said, standing on her tiptoes to meet Jun Yelan’s eyes, a faint smile on her lips.
Facing Jun Yelan’s astonishment, she tugged at his sleeve and said sincerely, “City Lord, I know the righteous sects are about to attack, and the Dead City will be very dangerous. But I am not a person who is easily frightened. I will help you, City Lord.”
“Even if everyone else leaves you, I will still help you.” She raised her hand and flicked Jun Yelan’s forehead. “So, City Lord, don’t bear all of this alone anymore.”
Jun Yelan stared at the person before him, his heart pounding violently. He only knew he should embrace Lan Yan, should nod at her. But the better Lan Yan was, the more he feared losing her.
He did not move, simply standing face to face with Lan Yan, letting the river water flow by and the birds in the mountains sing.
The next morning, Lan Yan hurried to the inn. Reflecting on the previous night’s events, she still hadn’t gotten Jun Yelan to reveal the hidden reason. She discussed with the system, “System, you said it wasn’t because of the righteous sects’ attack, so what could it be?”
“Could there be something else about Jun Yelan that I don’t know?”
System: “Host, I think you don’t need to dwell on the reason. Consider why Jun Yelan is acting this way. He is, after all, a ruthless City Lord. Now he cares about your life and death and is hiding secrets from you.”
Lan Yan realized the truth of this. “I understand. Jun Yelan cares about me, and this is an emotion he has never experienced before, so he doesn’t know how to handle it. When I return tonight, I’ll know what to do.”
She curved her lips and arrived at the inn, greeted by the sight of red ribbons and festive characters adorning the entrance.