After finishing the meal, Lan Yan let out a yawn and slumped onto the table. She had been raising the Gu all month, and the sudden relaxation left her feeling tired.
Seeing this, Jun Yelan remained silent, gently picked Lan Yan up, and placed her on the bed, tucking her in. He then went outside to question Lü Qi, who was waiting.
"Tell this city lord everything that has happened during these days, in meticulous detail."
Lü Qi did not dare to delay and began, "That day, when City Lord suddenly collapsed, Lan Yan was terribly frightened. She stayed by your side for a long time, searching for a way to save you."
"She went to the secret chamber, then to the water prison to see the Saintess. When she returned, she brought back a Gu worm. She meticulously raised it for a month, often speaking to you, City Lord, always waiting for you to wake up."
Even Lü Qi, an outsider, was moved. "City Lord, Lan Yan is truly a wonderful woman. You must cherish her."
The thought of Lan Yan's suffering during this period brought a pang of pain to Jun Yelan's chest. He clenched his fist and looked back at Lan Yan on the bed. "I have always known."
"This city lord has a task for you. Prepare some things in the garden."
Lü Qi nodded. "Yes, City Lord." She withdrew.
Jun Yelan turned and walked to the bedside, sitting down and taking Lan Yan's hand, which was slightly cold. He channeled his internal energy into her palm.
Looking at Lan Yan's sleeping face, a warm current flowed through him. "Yan'er, for the rest of my life, let me be the one to take care of you, to protect you."
Lan Yan stirred drowsily and rolled over, her hand catching Jun Yelan's, causing him to lean forward suddenly.
Jun Yelan looked at the person so close to him, his gaze falling on Lan Yan's lips, remembering what he hadn't finished earlier. He couldn't help but reach out and caress her red lips, but he didn't move.
He didn't want to wake Lan Yan, so he finally gently imprinted a kiss on her forehead, filled with affection.
Lan Yan remained unaware, only vaguely feeling a large stuffed toy beside her, which she then embraced.
Jun Yelan was startled, his face flushing. He rested his head against Lan Yan's, his hands touching her waist. He tapped Lan Yan's forehead and smiled helplessly, "You, you're not even still when you sleep."
Lan Yan unconsciously held the person in her arms even tighter.
The next morning, Jun Yelan woke first, staring intently at Lan Yan.
As Lan Yan opened her eyes, she saw Jun Yelan's burning gaze, which startled her. She sat up and asked, "Jun Yelan, what are you doing so early in the morning?"
"I'm taking you somewhere," Jun Yelan said, taking out a black cloth and smiling. "But I have to blindfold you first, and then lead you. Are you willing?"
Lan Yan found Jun Yelan's mysterious demeanor intriguing. She took the black cloth, tied it at the back of her head, and nodded. "Then hold my hand tight, and I won't be afraid."
"Alright." Jun Yelan took Lan Yan's hand and led her towards the door. "Be careful, there are steps here."
Lan Yan carefully took steps, following Jun Yelan's directions, and stopped without knowing where she was. She reached out in front of her but grasped nothing.
Jun Yelan looked at the garden that had been prepared before him, walked behind Lan Yan, and removed the black cloth from her eyes.
Lan Yan froze, looking at the scene before her.
The garden was filled with flowers, arranged on both sides of a small path. Petals were scattered along the path, and at intervals, small trinkets were placed, such as sugar figurines and candied hawthorns.
Moreover, Lü Qi and Bai Hu stood nearby, holding a basket filled with candies of various colors.
Jun Yelan turned and saw the shock in Lan Yan's eyes, curving his lips. "Do you like it?" He took Lan Yan's hand and continued walking forward.
"I like it." Lan Yan's lips curved upwards, her heart warming. She asked, "Jun Yelan, when did you prepare all this?" Jun Yelan had been with her all day, so it could only have been last night or this morning.
Jun Yelan had woken up early and finished setting everything up before guarding Lan Yan's bedside. "Let's go see what's ahead." He didn't answer Lan Yan's question, diverting her attention with the food on the ground.
Lan Yan looked at the sugar figurine in her hand and took a bite, the sweet taste filling her mouth. She offered it to Jun Yelan. "Jun Yelan, you try it too." She vaguely recalled saying this before, but couldn't remember when.
Jun Yelan couldn't refuse Lan Yan and leaned in to take a bite, tasting a hint of sweetness. He actually had taste, which must be the effect of the Gu Lan Yan had raised.
He gripped Lan Yan's hand even tighter, picked up all the items along the way and handed them to Lan Yan, continuing until they reached the pavilion at the very front.
Lan Yan could no longer carry them and placed them on the table, asking curiously, "Jun Yelan, is there anything else in this pavilion?" She looked around but saw nothing.
Jun Yelan smiled and produced a covered plate from behind him. "The last surprise."
Lan Yan nodded, lifted the cloth, and saw a phoenix coronet on the plate. She immediately realized that Jun Yelan had done all this for a proposal.
My goodness, this was her first proposal! Unable to contain her excitement, she caressed the exquisite phoenix coronet, adorned with small pearls.
Seeing Lan Yan's delight, Jun Yelan's smile widened. The person he loved deserved all good things. He seized this opportunity, embraced Lan Yan, and asked, "Lan Yan, will you marry me?"
He had seen ordinary couples in the city before and had imagined a life like theirs.
"Silly, I've wanted to for a long time." Lan Yan smiled faintly, stroking Jun Yelan's back. "When you said those things by the river before, I thought you were proposing."
"You even made me wait this long, I almost wanted to propose to you myself."
Hearing this, the smile in Jun Yelan's eyes deepened; this was truly Lan Yan's way. "It was my fault for being so slow. From now on, whatever you want me to do, I will do it without question. My wife!"
Lan Yan nodded. "Okay, I've remembered."
They embraced for a long time, while Lü Qi and Bai Hu on the side had to endure their affection for a while.
Lan Yan thought about how long it had been since she had last visited the city. "Yelan, let's go for a walk in the city today. I haven't been since the war between the two factions."
"Alright." Jun Yelan took Lan Yan's hand and walked out of the hall.
Lan Yan remembered the items on the table. "What about these?"
"Lü Qi will move them back to your room; they won't be lost," Jun Yelan said, looking at Lan Yan's adorable expression. He tapped her forehead, suppressing the desire in his eyes.
Lan Yan's ears turned slightly red as she left with Jun Yelan.
After the great battle, the citizens in the city lived peaceful lives. When they saw Jun Yelan and Lan Yan emerge, they spontaneously came forward and shouted, "Thank you, City Lord and City Lord's Lady, for saving us."
Lan Yan was momentarily stunned by the new title.