Lan Yan started, her heart pounding. Her eyes were fixed on the person before her.
"Empress, Prince Ting requests an audience," Mei Dong's voice came from outside the door.
Lan Yan recovered, her cheeks slightly flushed as she withdrew her hand. "Let him in."
Seeing this, Jun Yelan's lips curved upwards. He sat down beside Lan Yan.
The door opened again. As soon as Lan Ting entered, he felt the pleasant atmosphere and suppressed a smile. He bowed, "Imperial Sister, Consort."
"Brother, you're here. Please sit." Lan Yan instructed Mei Dong to pour tea. Noticing Lan Ting's preoccupied expression, she asked, "Brother, you've come so late. Is there something on your mind?"
Lan Ting glanced at Mei Dong, drank the tea she poured, then stood up and knelt before Lan Yan.
Lan Yan was instantly surprised. She stepped forward to help Lan Ting up, "Brother, what are you doing? Speak plainly."
Lan Ting shook his head, looking up at her. "Imperial Sister, brother is willing to go for the marriage alliance."
"Brother, do you know what you're saying!" Lan Yan couldn't help but exclaim. She had done so much to avoid this outcome. She was now Empress Lan Yan and should protect those around her.
Even if she was here on a mission, she had her own feelings.
Lan Ting nodded. He had overheard the palace maids discussing this matter all day and knew of Lan Yan's distress. He had been disdained by their mother and spent twenty years in the cold palace. If it weren't for Lan Yan, he wouldn't have emerged.
Now, it was his turn to do something for Lan Yan.
"Imperial Sister, brother has never married, perhaps it was for this very moment. Brother is Prince Ting of the Yan Dynasty and has his own responsibilities. Since I have enjoyed wealth and honor, I must pay the price."
"Besides, the ruler of Hao is not that terrible. As long as Imperial Sister is here, she won't dare do anything to me. Brother has never asked Imperial Sister for anything. This time, brother implores you." He rested his forehead on the ground and shouted.
Lan Yan stood frozen, her heart trembling violently. She could walk away from ministers kneeling outside, but she couldn't do the same to her own brother.
Her voice laced with a hint of a sob, she asked, "Brother, have you truly made up your mind? There's no turning back."
Lan Ting called out resolutely, "Yes, I beg Imperial Sister to grant my wish."
At this moment, Lan Yan's eyelids drooped. She waved her hand, "Brother, you should go back and rest." Her steps were heavy as she walked towards the adjacent room, no longer wanting to deal with memorials tonight.
"Imperial Sister." Lan Ting saw Lan Yan like this for the first time and looked at Jun Yelan with concern.
Jun Yelan's expression softened slightly. "Leave her to me. You go back." He followed her out. Seeing Lan Yan burying herself under the covers, he sat by the bed in silence.
Lan Ting also left. At the doorway, he met Mei Dong and smiled, "Miss Mei Dong, please take good care of Imperial Sister."
"Yes, Prince Ting." Mei Dong, seeing Lan Ting's smile, added, "The Empress has been trying to prevent this. Won't Prince Ting wait a bit longer?"
Lan Ting shook his head. "Imperial Sister has her own task, and I have mine." With that, he walked down the steps outside, his pace unwavering.
Mei Dong bowed behind him, a newfound respect for Lan Ting growing in her heart.
The hall was quiet outside, and so was it inside. Lan Yan lay covered by the quilt, her heart feeling utterly cold. She couldn't help but lift a corner of the quilt and hug Jun Yelan's waist as he sat by the bed, remaining silent.
Jun Yelan stroked her back and said, "This is his own choice."
"I know," Lan Yan replied softly. "But I can't bear for Brother to go for a marriage alliance." If only she had transmigrated earlier, she could have prepared everything and fought Hao.
Jun Yelan gently patted her back, his tone softer than usual. "Who says he must go for the marriage alliance?"
Lan Yan started, then looked at Jun Yelan in confusion.
Jun Yelan took out a memorial from his embrace. "I told you before that a war with Hao was inevitable and asked you to prepare grain and soldiers. It has had an effect, but it still needs time."
"So you can use the marriage alliance to delay things, find fault with Hao, and thus have a legitimate reason to fight."
Listening to Jun Yelan's words, Lan Yan immediately understood. "Then all we need to do is endure for a while. Jun Yelan, your plan is excellent. Hao has been harassing our border citizens, and they deserve a lesson."
"If they can communicate properly, this war can be avoided. If not, we will teach them a lesson." She disliked conflict unless there was no other path.
Seeing Lan Yan finally smile, Jun Yelan nodded.
The smile on Lan Yan's lips deepened. She tightened her embrace around Jun Yelan's arms. Burying her head against his chest, the tears she shed soaked his clothes. These were tears of catharsis.
She had just complained to the system about her identity and then heard that Lan Ting was willing to go for the marriage alliance. Her heart was naturally shaken. It was just being Empress, she would do it well. Not one person beside her could be harmed!
She made up her mind.
Jun Yelan's hand remained on Lan Yan's back. When Lan Yan emerged from his embrace, he let go. He looked at the tear stains on her face and gently wiped them with a handkerchief, saying, "Don't cry anymore. It's alright now."
"Mmm." For some reason, Lan Yan heard a hint of pampering in Jun Yelan's words. Was it her imagination! She reached out and hugged his neck again, laughing, "Jun Yelan, thank you. This is a reward."
She quickly pecked his cheek and got up, running out. "I'm going to wash my face; I've become a little kitten."
Jun Yelan remained seated. He raised his hand to touch the spot where Lan Yan had kissed him, a slight curve forming on his lips. He was growing accustomed to this way of interacting with Lan Yan. He took out a jade pendant from his embrace.
He had investigated much about this jade pendant recently and was certain it was related to that surprise force from the Shen family. A war between the two nations was now inevitable, and Lan Yan must win.
He wanted to find this surprise force to help Lan Yan.
While washing her face, Lan Yan told Mei Dong, "Go and prepare for the marriage alliance. Remember, take your time. We are not in a hurry." Now, she needed to maintain a facade and appease the ministers and Hao.
"Yes, Empress." Mei Dong saw that Lan Yan's expression was not as cheerful as before, and she still had to prepare for this matter. She must be heartbroken. She sighed and instructed her subordinates.
She also said, "The Empress has been in a bad mood lately, so don't provoke her. Also, prepare more of the things the Empress likes to make her happy."
The palace maids nodded and discussed, "But the Empress's favorite seems to be the Consort. Should we give all the things to the Consort?"
"Alright, let's do that." The palace maids followed Mei Dong's instructions and brought the items to Jun Yelan's room, saying, "Consort, our Empress is counting on you."
Jun Yelan: "..."