The noble sons sent were arranged in one palace. At this moment, they held parcels in their hands, standing in the courtyard, crying out, "Your Majesty, we don't want to leave!"
Behind them, Lin Zhi took out a money bag from his sleeve, stuffed it into their palms, and shouted, "Cry louder. If we all leave, this harem will be Jun Yelan's alone. Will our parents and sisters spare us then?"
The noble sons, remembering their families, gritted their teeth and continued to weep loudly. These men had not entered the palace for themselves, but for the glory of their families. If they could not stay, their future lives would not be good either.
Thinking of themselves, their cries carried a hint of genuine sincerity.
Lin Zhi then smiled triumphantly, clenching his fist. "Jun Yelan, you won't be the only winner."
At this moment, the palace gates opened. Seeing Lan Yan appear at the entrance, everyone rushed towards her.
Lan Yan looked at the dark mass of people before her, her temples throbbing. Seeing them still moving towards Jun Yelan, she grabbed his sleeve and pulled him aside.
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened slightly as he looked at the petite figure before him. She was protecting him again.
Lan Yan stood in front of Jun Yelan, coldly gazing at the noble sons. "Stand properly. Come any closer and you'll be beaten."
As she spoke, the noble sons dared not move. They stood rooted to the spot, tears streaming down their faces.
Lan Yan then realized that these were indeed the men of a matriarchal society. However, she did not like them at all; she preferred someone like Jun Yelan, who was neither subservient nor overbearing.
She cleared her throat and said, "Mei Dong has explained clearly to you. You are merely being sent home, and no harm will come to you. As for the reasons, go ask your mothers and sisters when you return."
"If you leave now, I will arrange for carriages to take you. If you refuse to leave, go outside and receive your punishment, and then make your own way back." She turned to look at Mei Dong behind her, who held a long wooden plank.
These noble sons, accustomed to a life of pampered indulgence at home, had never endured such punishment. They looked at Lan Yan's icy demeanor, fearing that a moment's delay would result in them being beaten. They all shouted, "Thank you, Your Majesty, we are leaving immediately."
They picked up their parcels from the ground and quickly ran out of the courtyard gate, one after another.
Only Lin Zhi remained alone. He glared with hostility at a nearby pillar and shouted, "Your Majesty, if you don't let me stay, I won't live!" He lunged towards the pillar, determined to find a way to stay today.
Lan Yan's expression remained unchanged. She called out, "Go ahead, if you hit it, I might consider you brave and reward your mother. However, think carefully, it will be very painful, and you might be disfigured."
Hearing this, Lin Zhi trembled all over, unable to move his feet. He turned and knelt before Lan Yan, crying, "Your Majesty, I am a hundred times better than Jun Yelan. Why do you choose to keep him?"
Lan Yan replied, "He is very important to me." Jun Yelan was linked to her mission. If anything happened to Jun Yelan, she would be in grave danger.
Jun Yelan, standing nearby, was momentarily stunned, looking at Lan Yan's expression, which did not seem feigned. He couldn't help but glance at her again.
Lin Zhi sat on the ground, defeated. His plan had failed. He was unwilling!
Lan Yan waved her hand, signaling Mei Dong to take him away. "Remember, if you dare to trouble Jun Yelan again in the future, this pillar will be waiting for you!"
She watched Lin Zhi leave in despair, confident that he would no longer have the energy or the opportunity to deal with Jun Yelan.
The palace instantly became quiet. Jun Yelan recalled Lan Yan's words to him that from now on, there would only be him by her side. He had to admit, Lan Yan had fulfilled that promise.
Lan Yan turned and saw Jun Yelan looking pensive. She wondered if she had been too harsh with the others, perhaps frightening Jun Yelan. She then spoke, "Jun Yelan, I will never treat you like that."
The corners of her lips curved upwards.
At that moment, Jun Yelan instinctively wanted to nod and gaze at Lan Yan's smile.
However, Mei Dong arrived again. "Your Majesty, something has happened in the Cold Palace. They heard the news that Your Majesty has abolished the imperial harem and have started making trouble, demanding to know their fate. Your Majesty, some of them have already gone mad; perhaps you could hand them over to us servants to handle?"
"There is also one other matter. The eldest prince still resides there. He has been unwell recently, but the imperial physicians dare not disobey your decree to treat him privately."
Lan Yan recalled that the original host had an elder brother who, having been disliked by the late emperor since childhood, lived in the Cold Palace. It was said to be related to the father of this brother. "Calculating the time, he should be around twenty. It is indeed time to find a solution."
"Since one palace has been dealt with today, let us handle them all. Those in the Cold Palace are also unfortunate souls." She had never liked the imperial palace. In this magnificent prison, countless lives had been ruined.
She walked forward, turning to tell Jun Yelan to return first, but Jun Yelan had already followed.
Thus, the entourage proceeded to the Cold Palace. The Cold Palace was located in a desolate corner of the imperial palace. Its doors had faded, and upon pushing them open, a gust of dust hit them.
"Cough, cough." Lan Yan walked in and saw four or five doors ajar, but the furniture inside was all aged and broken.
In the courtyard outside the doors, many men in tattered clothes and disheveled hair were still lingering. They seemed to neither hear nor see Lan Yan and her entourage, merely playing with their hair or squatting on the ground, playing with grass.
Lan Yan sighed, resolving to have Mei Dong send some supplies later. For now, she needed to find someone. "Where is my elder brother?"
"Your Majesty, please follow this servant." Mei Dong led the way to the end of a corridor, stopping at a door.
As Lan Yan approached, she heard violent coughing from inside. She entered and saw a pale, delicately featured man lying on the bed. This was Lan Ting, the original host's elder brother.
Lan Ting, seeing Lan Yan's attire, widened his eyes in shock and exclaimed, "Greetings, Your Majesty." How had his imperial sister come here? He couldn't help but tighten his grip on the thin blanket.
Seeing the person before her so disturbed, Lan Yan couldn't help but lament the transgressions of the original host. "There is no need for formalities. Since ascending the throne, I have not yet visited Elder Brother. I had some free time today, so I came."
"Mei Dong, quickly find an imperial physician, and also select a good palace, instructing someone to have it cleaned immediately. This will be Elder Brother's residence from now on!"
Lan Ting was even more astonished. His imperial sister actually acknowledged him as her elder brother and was allowing him to leave the Cold Palace. He weakly propped himself up, kneeling on the bed, and said, "Imperial Sister, Elder Brother cannot bear such kindness."
Lan Yan stepped forward, helping Lan Ting to his arm, and smiled. "Elder Brother, we are the only children of our mother. If we do not support each other, then we truly have no family."
"I was foolish in the past and did not consider Elder Brother's situation. Things will be better from now on." As she said this, she intentionally glanced at Jun Yelan, expressing her resolve.
She wondered if Jun Yelan understood.