Lan Yan was about to yawn when she heard Prime Minister Lin's words, and her sleepiness vanished! She said coldly, "What did you say!"
Seeing that Lan Yan was unwilling to admit it, Prime Minister Lin's eyes flashed with calculation. "Your Majesty, when you were recently reviewing memorials, Jun Yelan accompanied you. Not only did Jun Yelan know the content of the memorials, but he also privately reviewed them for you."
She had already felt it was strange, why Lan Yan suddenly knew how to handle memorials. It turned out Jun Yelan was helping. She glared fiercely at Minister Jun behind her, truly raising a good son.
Minister Jun curled her neck. She hadn't even hitched a ride with Jun Yelan yet, and she was already being targeted. This son of hers was destined to be her adversary!
Lan Yan saw that the ministers below did not speak, all agreeing with Prime Minister Lin. She sneered, "Prime Minister Lin, I truly think you are very leisurely and love to meddle in my household affairs."
"You said before that you understood my hardships. Jun Yelan accompanying me by my side is understanding! You really speak beautifully but do nothing."
Prime Minister Lin was about to retort but was interrupted by Lan Yan.
"Also, it was I who allowed him to review the memorials. I have read every one of these memorials and have been busy handling these matters. It's just inevitable that I get overwhelmed. Fortunately, Jun Yelan is by my side. I should reward him!"
Lan Yan waved her sleeves and looked coldly at the ministers below. "I don't ask you to understand my hardships, I only hope you understand the common people. Do more proper work, don't always focus on these trivial matters, especially Prime Minister Lin."
"If you don't want to do proper work, I can find someone else to do it."
"This minister is terrified and respectfully obeys Your Majesty's decree." The ministers all knelt on the ground and kowtowed.
Prime Minister Lin suppressed the anger in her eyes and also knelt. This Empress in front of her had grown strong wings! If she wanted to change people, she'd have to have the lifespan for it! She recalled the upcoming hunting event.
After the court session, Lan Yan walked on the road and saw Mei Dong with a face full of business. "Speak." She was truly finding it difficult.
Mei Dong reported, "Old Prince Consort heard that the First Prince has been released and said that he is of age and should get married. He wants to ask Your Majesty how you will arrange this matter."
This Old Prince Consort was the late Emperor's brother, Lan Yan's maternal uncle. Lan Yan said, "How are these matters usually arranged?"
"We first select ladies from aristocratic families, choose some based on their portraits, then we can also test their abilities, and they can personally select people."
Lan Yan found it very complicated, but marriage was indeed difficult. "Alright, arrange it according to this process. Once selected, hand them over to me." It was her duty as a sister to personally oversee it.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Mei Dong retreated.
Lan Yan then returned to the hall, but surprisingly did not see Jun Yelan. She asked the palace maids at the door and learned that Jun Yelan had gone to Lan Ting's place. Remembering Lan Ting's marriage, she also went there.
In Lan Ting's palace at this time, Lan Ting could already get out of bed. He looked at the cold Jun Yelan at the table and dared not speak. Jun Yelan had arrived early, paid his respects, and then sat there drinking tea.
He swallowed and asked, "Young Master Jun, does Imperial Sister have any instructions?"
Jun Yelan put down his teacup. "Nothing."
Lan Ting glanced at Jun Yelan, wondering if these two had quarreled, so he hid here. He thought about Lan Yan's changes and decided to fulfill his duty as an elder brother.
"Young Master Jun, although I don't interact much with Imperial Sister, I can see this time that Imperial Sister is kind-hearted and treats you exceptionally well. I have seen my mother's imperial harem, and those men do not live as well as you."
"And Imperial Sister has given you all the rights, and her true feelings. Young Master Jun, I hope you cherish them." He finished speaking.
These words fell into Jun Yelan's ears word for word. He had initially resisted his status as a man in the harem, but after these words, he realized that Lan Yan had been tolerant of him.
Lan Yan was different from other monarchs, so could he also be different from other men in the harem?
Footsteps were heard from outside the door. Lan Yan walked in and sensed the strange atmosphere in the room. Why were these two not speaking, sitting separately.
"Jun Yelan, Brother."
Lan Ting bowed and left, not wanting to disturb the two of them.
Lan Yan chased after him and spoke to Lan Ting about the marriage. She turned to see Jun Yelan had already stood up, seemingly about to leave. On the way back, she curiously asked, "Why did you suddenly come here?"
"You called me here," Jun Yelan said casually.
Lan Yan was stunned. Did she say that! She laughed, "I was worried you would be unhappy in the palace before. Seeing that you are willing to come out now, I am relieved."
"Right, Mei Dong will bring portraits of ladies from aristocratic families later for Big Brother to choose suitable households. I don't understand these things, help me later." This was also a good opportunity.
Jun Yelan nodded, gazing at Lan Yan's profile, seeing the smile he wanted to see, and felt a touch of emotion.
Back in the hall, Mei Dong had already delivered the portraits.
Lan Yan casually picked up a portrait and looked at it carefully from top to bottom, wondering, "What can you tell from this appearance?" There weren't even any facial features, only whether they were fat or thin, tall or short.
Jun Yelan leaned over and took a look. "She is the second daughter of General Shang, crude, and fond of beauty and wine."
"Then forget it, she's not suitable for Big Brother." Lan Yan tossed it aside and picked up the next portrait. "This woman looks delicate and lovely, quite a good match for Big Brother."
Jun Yelan said, "She has an illness and will not live past twenty."
Lan Yan: "...What kind of people are these selected? I'll have Mei Dong choose again."
"These people are screened by the palace, Mei Dong just brought them for you." Jun Yelan suggested, "Since you can't tell from this, you can use other methods."
Lan Yan thought of what Mei Dong had said before, that she could set up tests. She beckoned to Jun Yelan and smiled, "I have a way." She sat at the desk, took out three sheets of paper, and handed the brush to Jun Yelan.
"Jun Yelan, you are very knowledgeable about the court situation. You come up with a question about the court. I will come up with the others."
Jun Yelan took the brush and casually wrote a question. He turned his head and saw that Lan Yan had only drawn a black mark on the paper, which appeared somewhat out of place on the white paper.
It seemed Lan Yan had a new idea.
Lan Yan saw Jun Yelan look over and smiled, "You'll know tomorrow. Whoever can answer these three questions can marry my Big Brother."
"Mei Dong, send the other blank paper back to my Big Brother and have him compose one. Also, tell him to come personally tomorrow to choose someone." Now everything was ready, waiting for the opportune moment.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's sly eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved up slightly, but when Lan Yan looked over, he had already restrained his smile and even shifted his gaze.
Lan Yan turned her head and saw Jun Yelan's evasive gaze. Had she done something again!