Lan Yan swallowed, took a deep breath, and walked inside with the plate in her hand. She placed a plate of stir-fried meat on the table and said, "Your Excellency, please eat."
As soon as she spoke, the room fell silent. The servants around held their breath, thinking the new cook was too daring. Just as everyone was worried, Jun Yelan spoke.
"You are not afraid of death." Jun Yelan looked coldly at Lan Yan, this woman did not seem like she was from the countryside.
Lan Yan shook her head, "Of course I'm afraid, but it's my responsibility to take care of Your Excellency's appetite. So please eat, Your Excellency." She really wanted to eat too, but she couldn't leave now, otherwise she would be considered to have fled in panic.
Jun Yelan was slightly stunned. He looked at Lan Yan's pale face, yet she was still trying hard to persuade him to eat. For some reason, a strange feeling arose in his heart, which soon disappeared.
He couldn't help but focus on the dishes in front of him. They tasted a bit different from usual, with a homey aroma. He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, then put them down, and said, "You may go."
"Yes, Your Excellency." Lan Yan took the plate and left. As she reached the door, she remembered something and turned back to say, "Your Excellency, that was what I made just now, without any chili. Please eat more."
After saying that, she quickly left, her stomach growling with hunger.
Jun Yelan sat in place, thinking about her words, and ate a few more bites. His stomach felt much better. He recalled his earlier anger and got up to return to his study to handle official business.
The servants in the dining hall breathed a sigh of relief and were somewhat impressed with Lan Yan.
After Lan Yan returned to the kitchen, she met Hui Niang, who was waiting for her, and smiled, "Sister Hui, I told you I'd be fine. I saved some food from just now, let's eat together."
"Okay, I just heard that Your Excellency threw another tantrum in the dining hall, and I was worried about you, girl, so I didn't eat," Hui Niang brought over the remaining dishes and talked to Lan Yan non-stop.
Lan Yan felt a warmth in her heart. She could always meet kind people in every world she was in, and this mission had long been extraordinary for her. She remembered that Jun Xiaoyao was still in the room, so she brought Xiaoyao over, and the three of them ate together.
After the meal, Hui Niang stayed to clean up and told her to take Xiaoyao to rest well.
After thanking Hui Niang properly, Lan Yan held Jun Xiaoyao's hand and returned to the room. The two, one big and one small, lay on the bed, neither of them able to sleep.
"Sister Lan, I finally get to sleep in a bed, I've never slept in such a nice place." Jun Xiaoyao's eyes welled up with tears, and she started crying again. "It's a pity my parents, brothers, and sisters don't have a chance anymore."
Seeing this, Lan Yan patted Jun Xiaoyao's back and comforted her, "Just consider yourself as representing your family, living a good life for them. And Xiaoyao has a big brother who will also dote on you."
"But brother hates Xiaoyao and is not good to Sister Lan either." Jun Xiaoyao mumbled. Although she was young, she knew that a husband and wife were supposed to sleep together, and Lan Yan staying with her now surely meant she was driven out by her brother.
When she saw her brother, even if she was scared, she would speak well of Sister Lan.
Lan Yan saw that Jun Xiaoyao's eyes were wide open, and she didn't know what she was thinking. She smiled and said, "Alright, children don't think too much. Go to sleep. If you can't sleep, I'll tell you a story."
"Once upon a time, there was a little girl..."
As she spoke, Jun Xiaoyao's eyelids drooped, and she quickly fell asleep.
Lan Yan's lips curved slightly, and she also drifted off into dreams.
The next morning, Lan Yan went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and was informed that Jun Yelan would not be eating, as he would be going out later. She thought to herself, how could he not eat? So she steamed five meat buns, wrapped them in oil paper, and ran towards the gate.
Jun Yelan had already put on his official robes and was adjusting the saddle. He saw a woman rushing towards him. He waited for her to get closer, saw that it was Lan Yan, and prepared to mount his horse.
"Wait a moment." Lan Yan called out urgently, quickening her pace. She looked at the horse in front of her and, unable to stop in time, was about to collide with its head, closing her eyes pitifully.
However, a pair of large hands blocked her. When she looked up, she saw Jun Yelan standing beside her, his eyes devoid of any emotion.
She felt a little embarrassed and handed him the package in her hand, "Your Excellency, please eat these on your way."
"No need." Jun Yelan had already smelled the aroma, but he never ate greasy food, nor did he eat outside.
Lan Yan was suddenly rejected and felt a bit annoyed. She directly stuffed the package into Jun Yelan's hand and shouted, "You don't even care about your own body, how can others care! Anyway, you have to eat what I made just now."
She walked two steps, then turned back and said, "If you don't eat them, I'll add chili to your meals next time." She walked away, covering her chest. She was too bold. Fortunately, Jun Yelan didn't call her back.
Jun Yelan watched her retreating figure behind him, still with a hint of anger. She was truly a strange woman. He then put the package into his embrace and rode away.
Only when she heard the sound of horses' hooves did Lan Yan turn back and breathe a sigh of relief. Then she returned to the kitchen and chatted with the other cooks, learning more about the situation in the mansion, which would be helpful for her mission.
At this time, Jun Yelan rode his horse out of the city. Today, he was going to find the place where the official had hidden things. With the address extorted from the interrogation, he quickly completed this task.
After inventorying the items, he sat aside and took out the package from his embrace.
Song Cheng, who was beside him, had long smelled the fragrance but dared not ask. Seeing it now, he asked, "Your Excellency, who made these pastries in the mansion?"
"They are buns." Jun Yelan opened the oil paper and tossed one to Song Cheng.
Song Cheng's mouth watered, and he finished them in two or three bites, staring intently at what Jun Yelan held. He was thrown another one, and after finishing it, he exclaimed, "These meat buns are truly delicious."
"It seems like some woman specially made them for Your Excellency for fear you would go hungry. Does Your Excellency have a wife?" Given Your Excellency's current status, it was normal to have a wife.
Jun Yelan stared at the bun in his hand, his ear tips turning red, and said coldly, "No, they are just made by the cooks in the mansion." He took a bite and finished the whole bun in a short while.
He turned and saw Song Cheng still staring, so he quickly finished the rest, even disposing of the oil paper.
Song Cheng looked regretful, he hadn't eaten enough. It was the first time he saw Your Excellency so cautious, there must be a woman by his side. But how had he never seen her before? Who could it be!
Jun Yelan had already mounted his horse and saw that Song Cheng had not left yet. "Let's go back."
"Yes, Your Excellency." Only then did Song Cheng follow. On the way back, they passed by a market. He saw many snacks and hairpins and looked at Jun Yelan, "Your Excellency, won't you buy some for your wife?"
Jun Yelan's face darkened, "I've already said, I don't have a wife." He tightened the reins and galloped forward.
Song Cheng, following behind, was still shouting, "Your Excellency, wait for your subordinate."
Jun Yelan arrived at the mansion, holding a small paper package in his hand. He told himself that this was just a thank you gift for the meat buns today, and he had no other thoughts. While thinking this, he walked towards the kitchen.