Xichen had recovered from the fire and, upon hearing that Prime Minister Lin was forcing the palace, came to take a look. Seeing Lanyan still being intimate with Jun Yelan, he knew the matter was over.
"Lanyan, you're truly lucky to have escaped another disaster," he said, though with a hint of private glee.
Lanyan stated, "Therefore, no matter what schemes or tricks your Hao Kingdom conjures, I am not afraid. I have already finalized the terms of the peace talks. Pack your things and return tomorrow."
She was eager for Xichen to leave immediately.
Xichen wanted to say more, but seeing Jun Yelan protectively shielding Lanyan, he couldn't be bothered to say much. "Lanyan, I wanted to go back long ago. But I've been here for so long and haven't had a chance to explore. You're being quite inhospitable."
Lanyan fixed her gaze on Xichen, wondering if he, who had been a spy for so long, still needed to explore. "In that case, I will have my consort accompany you around the palace. You're probably tired of seeing the outside."
Xichen bit his lip. He had brought this upon himself and could only bear the consequences.
Jun Yelan stepped forward, his gaze towards Xichen turning colder. "Prince, please."
"Fine, I'll go." Xichen turned and left in a huff, feeling deflated.
Jun Yelan turned back to Lanyan, his eyes filled with amusement. "Yan'er, you go back and rest. I'll handle him." He reluctantly stroked a strand of hair on Lanyan's head before walking ahead.
Lanyan nodded, watching Jun Yelan's retreating figure with a slight smile. She would indeed go back to rest.
Jun Yelan led Xichen to the imperial garden and said coldly, "This place is very suitable for a prince. You can take your time admiring it here."
"Wait, I have something I want to ask you." Xichen's earlier arrogance was gone; he only wished to voice his inner questions.
"I also have an elder sister. She was once deeply in love with a man. But later, due to court and harem matters, they began to argue and drifted apart. In the end, my sister refused to even see him."
Jun Yelan understood Xichen's meaning. He looked towards Lanyan's chambers and murmured, "Lanyan and I will not be like that. I used to despise men in the harem the most, but now I have different thoughts."
"I was sent into the palace and imprisoned, but I was not angry. However, when I saw her hurt and dejected, I felt terrible and desperately wanted to be by her side to comfort her."
His heart was stirred by Lanyan, and he felt alive because of her. "If there truly is reincarnation, I believe Lanyan and I are like that. I always feel like I can't leave her, nor do I want to."
Xichen was slightly taken aback. He realized the deep affection between Jun Yelan and Lanyan, which no one could penetrate. His eyes dimmed slightly, and he shook his head, calling out, "I won't say any more, lest Lanyan seeks to settle scores with me."
"Jun Yelan, you and Lanyan are both people I dislike. So, you must stay together well, to contradict what I just said." He walked forward, feeling it was best to return.
Jun Yelan's response came from behind him, "I will." He turned and walked towards Lanyan's chambers.
Xichen sighed and also departed.
Upon returning, Jun Yelan saw Lanyan squatting in front of a cabinet, searching for something.
"What are you doing?"
"You're back. I've misplaced a book and can't remember where I put it." Lanyan saw a scroll, opened it with curiosity, and discovered it was a portrait of herself.
Her eyes trembled as she looked at Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan looked at the scroll and said, "I haven't retouched it yet. I'll give it to you later."
"It was that time at the Jun family's. So you've remembered all along." Lanyan smiled and hugged the scroll tightly. "You specifically painted this for me. I'll hang it up from now on and look at it every day."
Jun Yelan was amused and dotingly tapped Lanyan's forehead. "You, I'll draw more for you in the future."
"No need, I only want this one. It's enough." Lanyan, treating it like a treasure, placed the scroll back into the cabinet. She discovered a book pressed beneath the scroll. "What book is this?"
She was about to open it curiously.
Jun Yelan's eyes changed, and he quickly snatched the book away. His expression became unnatural as he said, "It's a book I forgot to burn last time. I'll take it to burn now."
Seeing Jun Yelan's strong reaction, Lanyan became even more curious about the book. She grabbed Jun Yelan's sleeve and chuckled, "Don't rush, let me take a peek to see if it's trash."
"Could it be the book I'm looking for?"
"No." Jun Yelan hid the book behind his back and moved closer to the brazier.
Lanyan narrowed her eyes and walked over, reaching out to snatch the book from Jun Yelan. Seeing that Jun Yelan was reluctant to hand it over, she laughed, "Yan'er, don't be so reluctant, let me see."
Jun Yelan flickered and dodged Lanyan's hand, but Lanyan pressed closer. With nowhere left to retreat, he was abruptly pushed onto the bed by Lanyan.
Lanyan's hand brushed against the hair tie on Jun Yelan's head, and with a slight tug, his hair scattered across the bed, making his face appear even more exquisite.
She was momentarily stunned and was about to get up when Jun Yelan gripped her waist. She seized the opportunity to grab the book from his hand and easily obtained it, laughing, "It still ended up in my hands!"
However, Jun Yelan flipped over, pinning her underneath, and kissed her lips.
In a daze, the book in her hand fell to the bedside.
In the entire room, only the candlelight on the table flickered, burning through the night.
The next morning, Lanyan and Jun Yelan saw Xichen off at the palace gate.
Xichen had said everything he wanted to say last night. He got into the carriage without fuss or tears, cast one last look at Lanyan, and returned to Hao Kingdom. They would never meet again in this lifetime.
Lanyan, holding Jun Yelan's hand, walked back. They encountered Mei Dong, who clearly had something on her mind. Lanyan said, "Yan'er, I'll be back shortly."
"Mm." Jun Yelan glanced at Mei Dong and left first.
Mei Dong said, "Your Majesty, when dealing with Prime Minister Lin's matters, the Jun family was implicated. If the Jun family is given a heavy sentence, it will affect your consort. The officials will use this to attack."
Moreover, after this incident, the consort might lose his chance at the position of Lord. She was in a difficult position and specifically came to ask Lanyan.
Lanyan did not want Jun Yelan to go through those words again. Thinking of the Shen family's unexpected troops, she said, "What if we overturned the verdict for the Shen family? If the Shen family's unexpected troops are openly handed over to Yan'er, what will those ministers say?"
Mei Dong was stunned. "Your Majesty, this is a case from the former Emperor's reign. It will be very difficult for you to overturn it. Furthermore, the officials will obstruct you. Do you really intend to do this?" Damaging the former Emperor's posthumous reputation would incite universal condemnation.
"Of course." Lanyan nodded. "Mei Dong, do as I say. I don't want Yan'er's peaceful days to be broken again." Jun Yelan had considered so much for her before; now it was her turn to consider him.