When Lan Yan opened her eyes again, she saw the magnificent palace before her, a little stunned. She had arrived in the next world!
"System, I came in too much of a hurry. I didn't get to see the plot of this world. Quickly tell me something, if we slip up, we'll both be dead."
System: "..." This was the first time the host was so anxious. "Host, this is the Yan Dynasty where women are superior and men are inferior. You have transmigrated into the Empress of the Yan Dynasty."
Before the system could finish, Lan Yan exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, this is my first time being an Empress! From now on, I'll live a life of luxury. Hahaha."
The next moment, the system continued, "But your Empress is known for her decadence and neglect of state affairs. No one loves you. On the contrary, the ministers and common people all want to overthrow you."
Lan Yan's smile froze on her face. Her lips twitched. She shouldn't have placed her hopes on the system to let her complete the task easily.
She was already accustomed to it. Waving her hand, she said, "Let's not talk about this. Tell me about the mission target." At the same time, she looked around the palace. She didn't find any men, only a palace maid standing at the door.
The system replied, "The mission target is called Jun Yelan, and he's... stunningly beautiful." After saying that, it went offline. That "stunningly beautiful" was something the host had said before.
Lan Yan's interest was immediately piqued. She curled her lips and murmured, "Stunningly beautiful." She beckoned to the palace maid, maintaining her Empress persona, and coldly asked, "I... We ask you, where is Jun Yelan?"
Based on her experience in the previous three worlds, Jun Yelan must be by the original host's side.
The palace maid, named Mei Dong, had always served Lan Yan. Upon hearing the name, she paused for a moment before regaining her composure. "Your Majesty, do you mean the legitimate son of Minister Jun who was just sent here?"
"Yes." Lan Yan recalled Jun Yelan's identity: a graceful young man, who was treated as a pawn in a power struggle by his family and hastily sent into the palace.
She couldn't help but sigh. Seeing Mei Dong's expression change, she said, "Where is he?"
Mei Dong hesitated to speak but dared not offend Lan Yan. "Your Majesty, you just ordered Jun Yelan to be locked up in the prison."
Lan Yan pointed to herself, surprised. "I did that!" Heavens, why did the original host do such a thing? Her mission difficulty just went up a notch.
She put her hand to her forehead. "Quick, take me there." If anything else happened, she would truly weep tears of regret.
Mei Dong dared not delay and led the way, taking Lan Yan to the prison.
Upon arriving at the prison entrance, they were immediately hit by a foul odor mixed with the stench of blood. Lan Yan, suppressing the urge to vomit, lifted her heavy skirt and walked forward.
At the end of the cells, Jun Yelan sat on the straw in a blue robe, appearing somewhat disheveled but composed. He heard the sound of the lock being opened and looked up, fixing his gaze on the ill-intentioned woman at the door.
The woman was the prison guard. She rubbed her hands together and leered at Jun Yelan. "What a beauty. It's a shame you angered the Empress and were thrown in here. Let me tell you, no one who comes in here ever leaves alive."
Jun Yelan's expression remained indifferent, and he didn't even glance at the prison guard.
The prison guard gritted her teeth, spat on the ground, and said angrily, "Do you think you're still a young master of a noble family? In here, you have only one identity: a prisoner."
"However, if you obediently listen to me, I can make your time here more bearable." She stared at Jun Yelan's face, almost drooling, and simultaneously reached out a dark claw towards him.
A flicker of disgust flashed in Jun Yelan's eyes. He looked at his left ankle, his fingers tightening around the pebble in his sleeve. As he exerted a slight force, preparing to strike, he heard a shout from outside the door.
"Bastard!" Lan Yan arrived, furious that the prison guard here dared to bully her mission target. She kicked open the door, grabbed the prison guard by the back of her collar, and threw her towards the entrance.
Then her gaze fell upon Jun Yelan. Seeing his calm demeanor, she breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up and saw Jun Yelan's face clearly.
His face was like jade, his eyes deep, his lips slightly pale, and a few stray strands of hair fell onto his cheeks. He was indeed stunningly beautiful!
Seeing Lan Yan staring at him, Jun Yelan gave a contemptuous smile. This person had ordered him to be imprisoned and now came to find him. Was she here to mock him!
Lan Yan snapped back to reality. This was not the time to admire a handsome man. She turned to the prison guard who was kneeling and begging for mercy and shouted, "How dare you touch my person! Mei Dong, deal with her according to the law."
"Also, thoroughly investigate this prison to see if there are any more like her and deal with them all!"
The prison guard stood there in shock. What was wrong with the Empress today? She came to this filthy prison in person and was even punishing them. She kowtowed and begged for mercy, "Please spare my life, Your Majesty! This servant will never dare again."
Before she could finish speaking, she was dragged away.
Lan Yan's anger subsided by more than half. She turned to the icy Jun Yelan and gave an awkward smile. "This place is not suitable for you. I'll take you out." She reached out to help Jun Yelan, but he avoided her.
Jun Yelan remained silent. He supported himself against the wall and stood up, gritting his teeth as he walked forward. Although he didn't know what madness had seized Lan Yan today, he could use this opportunity to leave.
He couldn't die here and let those who had bullied him off the hook.
Lan Yan waited by his side, noticing that Jun Yelan was limping. She saw that the clothes on his left ankle were already stained red. "You're injured!"
However, Jun Yelan did not stop.
Looking at such a stubborn person, Lan Yan felt a mixture of anger and heartache. She directly grabbed Jun Yelan's arm. She had only intended to try, but to her surprise, she actually picked Jun Yelan up.
So the original host was this strong!
Jun Yelan was suddenly lifted, and a flash of astonishment and anger crossed his eyes. He struggled and angrily said, "Let go of me."
Lan Yan smiled, "I won't. If you want to become a cripple forever, keep struggling." Seeing Jun Yelan calm down, her smile deepened.
She carried Jun Yelan out of the prison.
Jun Yelan, meanwhile, clenched his fist, his eyes filling with layers of hatred. Lan Yan was humiliating him! To be carried out by her in front of so many people, his status was no different from those men in the harem.
This was the identity he detested the most!
Lan Yan, unaware of the turmoil in the man in her arms, was focused on finding a physician for Jun Yelan and discussing the next plan with the system.
Because of the original host's actions, her relationship with Jun Yelan had deteriorated. It was difficult.
Upon arriving at the sleeping quarters, she placed Jun Yelan on the bed. The physician Mei Dong had found also arrived. Since Lan Yan's presence was preventing Jun Yelan from receiving treatment, she went to the adjacent room.
She seized the opportunity to summon the system. "Let's quickly discuss the plan."