Lan Yan woke up to the aroma of food. Seeing the chicken drumstick on the bedside table, the corners of her lips curved upwards. As she reached for it, a sharp pain shot through her arm, a lingering effect from being beaten earlier.
She immediately felt wronged.
"I'll get it for you." Jun Yelan had been watching Lan Yan since she woke up. Seeing that she was fine, he finally felt truly relieved. He helped Lan Yan sit up and carefully tore off pieces of the chicken drumstick, feeding them to her one by one.
Lan Yan's eyes sparkled. She hadn't expected such treatment even while injured. She chewed slowly, the delicious food making her forget her wound.
As she ate, she bit into a sliver of cucumber and looked up in confusion.
Jun Yelan chuckled helplessly. "You can't be picky. Your body is recovering. After this chicken drumstick, you won't be able to eat it for the next few days. And you still have to drink your medicine later."
"No way!" Lan Yan looked at the almost finished chicken drumstick, the large plate of cucumber shreds, and the bowl of dark medicine. She pressed her forehead, "No, I have a headache. I need to rest."
Jun Yelan replied, "Your head isn't injured."
Lan Yan paused, then reached out and grabbed Jun Yelan's sleeve, shaking her head. "I don't like eating it."
This time, Jun Yelan wouldn't budge. These were beneficial for Lan Yan's health.
Lan Yan simply pulled the covers over her head and turned away, ignoring him.
Jun Yelan was amused. "Alright, you can drink the medicine later. Eat your vegetables first."
"Okay." Lan Yan sat up with a smile, only to have a spoonful of bitter medicine offered to her mouth, making her want to turn away.
Seeing this, Jun Yelan gently pinched Lan Yan's chin, drank the medicine himself, and then kissed her lips.
Lan Yan froze, her throat involuntarily swallowing. She frowned, the taste incredibly bitter. After he finished, she pushed Jun Yelan away, covering her mouth. "I'll drink it myself."
The curve of Jun Yelan's lips deepened as he handed the medicine bowl to Lan Yan. Seeing that Lan Yan was finally drinking her medicine obediently, his gaze fell on her lips, where residual medicine still lingered.
His Adam's apple bobbed. He moved closer to Lan Yan. Seeing her dodge, he turned and picked up the nearby handkerchief.
Lan Yan wiped her mouth and quickly hid under the covers. Her face was burning, and her heart was beating rapidly.
Seeing this, Jun Yelan stopped teasing her and collected the medicine bowl.
Just then, a voice came from outside. "Sir, Madam, are you awake? I've come to apologize." Seeing the door open, the leader respectfully presented a jade pendant.
"This is yours, Sir."
"Mm." Jun Yelan took back the jade pendant and said, "I've come because Yan Chao has gone to war with Hao Kingdom. We are all citizens of Yan Chao, and at this time, no one can escape their responsibility."
"After Yan'er recovers a bit more, we will set off for the battlefield."
The leader bowed. "Yes, Sir. We have just come from the battlefield; we are merely returning to where we belong. Oh, I just heard Madam call the name Lan Yan, which is the same as the new Empress."
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened. "She is."
"What!" The leader's eyes widened in shock. He furtively glanced at Lan Yan, who was lying behind Jun Yelan, realizing she was the Empress. This Empress was too approachable; she had taken two of his blows.
She remained standing there for a long time, unable to process it.
Jun Yelan said, "She is different from her mother. She is a benevolent monarch. She cares for her people, is good at accepting advice, and even came to supervise the battle this time. You can trust her!"
If it weren't for the past two days of interaction, the leader wouldn't have believed that such an Empress existed. She suddenly understood why such a powerful man as Jun Yelan was willing to marry Lan Yan.
She exclaimed, "Sir, I believe you."
"Mm, go and make preparations." Jun Yelan closed the door and looked at Lan Yan behind him. "Stop pretending to be asleep."
Lan Yan had no choice but to open her eyes and smile. "Jun Yelan, thank you for speaking well of me." She had been worried about her identity, and now this burden was lifted from her heart.
After this, she could directly head to the battlefield.
Jun Yelan walked to the bedside and couldn't help but flick Lan Yan's forehead, laughing. "You thank me every time. How many times should I thank you? You saved me from the very beginning and even defended me in front of the palace attendants."
"And the Jun family, and this place of elite soldiers."
Lan Yan thought about it and realized it was true. "Alright, then let's not say thank you anymore." She looked at Jun Yelan, sensing a fiery gaze in his eyes that was different from before.
Had her actions paid off, but why hadn't the system alerted her? With this question in mind, she asked, "Jun Yelan, what are your thoughts on this campaign?"
Jun Yelan took out a piece of paper from his pocket. "My thoughts are all here. After we reach the military camp tomorrow, you can then issue the orders."
Lan Yan read it carefully several times, filled with admiration. "Okay, let's hurry back." They had delayed here for a few days, but the war was about to begin.
"Mm." Jun Yelan took off his outer robe, lifted the covers, and walked towards the bedside.
Lan Yan quickly turned her head, then thought to herself, what was she afraid of? She nodded, lay down, and counted sheep to fall asleep quickly.
Jun Yelan looked at the person beside him, suppressing a smile. He reached out and pulled Lan Yan into his embrace, murmuring amidst her astonishment, "The weather here is very cold."
"Oh." Lan Yan covered herself with the fox fur and fell asleep warmly.
Jun Yelan curved his lips and drifted into sleep as well.
The next morning, Lan Yan, dressed in fox fur, rode a horse. Jun Yelan was by her side, followed by the elite soldiers. The group headed towards the military camp.
Meanwhile, at the Hao Kingdom army camp not far away, Xi Chen sat in his tent, clenching a piece of paper in anger. "According to news from Yan Chao, their Empress Lan Yan has also arrived."
"This time, we must win and capture Lan Yan alive."
The commander beside him shouted, "Yes, Your Highness. There's one more thing: they arrived at our border long ago but have not initiated an attack. I suspect they have a contingency plan. We should also wait a bit."
"What contingency plan could she have! I've seen her; she has no martial arts skill and relies on her consort in fights." Xi Chen scoffed, "There's no need. Attack them as soon as possible."
The thought of being imprisoned and starved ignited his anger.
The commander shook his head helplessly. Why did the King send Prince Xi Chen to supervise the battle? This was only causing delays! She dared not express her anger but walked out of the tent, worriedly making arrangements.
Xi Chen looked at the vast procession, then turned towards the Yan Chao military camp, smiling smugly. "Lan Yan, you will suffer greatly this time. Revenge is a dish best served cold."
He snorted and left.
Meanwhile, Lan Yan had also arrived at the military camp, with the elite soldiers standing neatly on either side. She saw the commander, who had already arrived, and called out, "Everyone is here. Begin preparations for battle."