At the gates of the prince's mansion, a carriage from the Lan residence was parked. Lan Xiaoxiao alighted from it.
She gazed at the opulent prince's mansion before her and let out a scoff, remarking it was merely a facade of grandeur. "Have my belongings brought down. I wish to bestow some charity upon my dear sister."
The maids behind her, each carrying a box, followed Lan Xiaoxiao.
As Lan Xiaoxiao proceeded inside, she was intercepted by the guards at the entrance. Angrily, she rebuked, "Have you no eyes? I am the eldest daughter of the Duke of Lan's residence, the legitimate elder sister of your Princess Consort."
Upon recognizing her as the Princess Consort's sister, the guards made way.
Lan Xiaoxiao walked in with a more triumphant air. As she entered the courtyard, she was stopped by Xia Lian. "What, another one who dares to block me!"
Xia Lian remained still, stating coolly, "All matters within this prince's mansion are overseen by the Princess Consort. Whomever the Princess Consort wishes to see, only then may they enter. Please wait, Eldest Miss Lan. I shall inform her."
Feeling utterly humiliated, a surge of anger welled up within Lan Xiaoxiao. She decided to address the matter with Lan Yan. She uttered no more words.
Xia Lian entered the room and addressed Lan Yan, who was organizing her belongings. "Princess Consort, Eldest Miss Lan has arrived." Xia Lian could sense the strained relationship between the Princess Consort and her elder sister.
Lan Yan, who had been in good spirits, felt a prickle of displeasure upon hearing of the arrival of someone she disliked. "Tell her to wait outside the courtyard. Since someone is deliberately seeking trouble, we shall certainly demonstrate the might of the prince's mansion."
She curved her lips upwards and inserted a ruby hairpin into her hair.
"Yes, Princess Consort." Xia Lian left with a smile, leaving Lan Xiaoxiao to wait. She paid no heed to Lan Xiaoxiao's angry expression and excused herself.
Inside the room, Jun Yelan turned his head to observe Lan Yan's preparations. It was the first time he had seen Lan Yan put so much effort into her appearance. He inquired with curiosity, "Is your elder sister very important?"
Lan Yan, while putting on a pair of earrings, replied, "Of course not. I intend to put her in her place and ensure she loses all face to speak ill of the prince's mansion. Your Highness, you have no idea how harsh her words can be."
"I cannot talk with you any longer. I am off to put her in her place. I shall return shortly." She departed the room swiftly, like a butterfly.
Jun Yelan behind her could not help but smile, his attention focused on the sounds outside the door.
Lan Xiaoxiao stood under the sun for a considerable time, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Just as she was preparing to return home, she finally saw Lan Yan emerge. However, Lan Yan now exuded an air of nobility, vastly different from their last encounter.
A flicker of jealousy crossed Lan Xiaoxiao's eyes as she remarked sarcastically, "My sister truly puts on airs these days, making me, her elder sister, wait for so long."
"Did you not come of your own volition!" Lan Yan blinked her eyes and said with a smile.
Lan Xiaoxiao was momentarily at a loss for words and turned to the maids behind her, presenting the boxes. "Sister, I know that your life in the prince's mansion is not easy, and it is understandable that you may feel unhappy. These are gifts I have privately prepared for you."
"One of these boxes contains ginseng to supplement His Highness's health. The other is a set of jewelry. Last time I saw you, you were only wearing a hairpin, and it pained me to see it."
After speaking, she displayed a proud smile. In the past, at the Duke of Lan's residence, Lan Yan had never encountered such fine items.
Lan Yan smiled, a smile that momentarily stunned Lan Xiaoxiao. She clapped her hands and called out, "Xia Lian, bring out the hundred-year-old ginseng I just retrieved from the storeroom. Also, those sets of jewelry, let me choose which one to wear later?"
As she spoke, Xia Lian, accompanied by the maids of the prince's mansion, stood behind Lan Yan, holding ornate boxes filled with treasures worth a fortune.
Lan Xiaoxiao was dumbfounded. Those jewelry sets included rare treasures that had been offered as tribute from neighboring countries, as well as heirlooms passed down through royalty. She had only heard her grandmother speak of them; she had never seen them before.
The ginseng was also a large piece, much larger than those found in the market.
Lan Yan observed Lan Xiaoxiao's current expression and smiled. "My dear elder sister, I appreciate your kind intentions. However, I have grown accustomed to finer things now. As for what you have brought, perhaps you should keep it for yourself."
"After all, sister also needs these to adorn herself!"
Hearing these words, Lan Xiaoxiao's eyes ignited with rage. She looked at Lan Yan's enhanced beauty, realizing she was indeed far more attractive. Her jealousy deepened, and she thought that once she married the Eldest Prince, she too would possess all of this.
She considered the Third Prince to be a cripple now, no comparison to the Eldest Prince. Thinking this way, she felt more at ease. "Lan Yan, do not be too pleased with yourself."
"Heh, I am indeed pleased." Lan Yan succeeded in infuriating Lan Xiaoxiao to the point of exasperation, causing her to storm away. She then happily returned to the room, crouched by Jun Yelan's bed, and asked with a smile, "Your Highness, was I impressive just now?"
Jun Yelan, seeing her seeking praise again, found himself involuntarily drawn to her eyes. He turned his head and nodded.
Lan Yan became smug and declared, "With people like her, you cannot be too kind, or they will only push their luck. Back in the residence, she often bullied Lan Yan, and what's more, she was involved with the Eldest Prince."
"Now, anyone connected to the Eldest Prince is someone I will not let off the hook."
Hearing the mention of the Eldest Prince, Jun Yelan felt a warmth spread through his heart, realizing it was for his sake. He looked up at Lan Yan's chattering demeanor, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace, time seeming to fade away.
In the afternoon, Lan Yan went to retrieve a mask and returned with a box.
Jun Yelan, seeing Lan Yan's earnestness, felt a sense of curiosity.
Lan Yan opened the box, her gaze falling upon the exquisite and beautifully crafted mask. She nodded in satisfaction. She had designed it quite well. She brought it before Jun Yelan and smiled, "Your Highness, why don't you try it on?"
Staring at the mask, Jun Yelan realized it was prepared for him. His pupils trembled slightly, and for a moment, he did not reach for it.
"It is very beautiful and will suit you perfectly." Lan Yan earnestly promoted it. "If you wear this, I will take you out for a stroll, alright?" She was concerned that others' reactions might hurt Jun Yelan.
Seeing Jun Yelan not respond, she took it as consent. She stepped forward, leaned down, and gently placed the mask on Jun Yelan's face, tying the straps at the back.
Jun Yelan's body stiffened. He had never been this close to someone. With just a slight tilt of his head, he could brush against Lan Yan's lips, his ears flushing.
Once it was fitted, Lan Yan saw that Jun Yelan's right cheek was covered, lending his entire face an air of nobility and mystery. She was struck by its beauty. This mask was tailor-made for Jun Yelan.
"It looks truly beautiful. Would you like to see yourself?"
Jun Yelan shook his head. From Lan Yan's eyes, he could already see himself. It was the first time his face had been praised as beautiful, rather than ugly or terrifying.
Lan Yan showed a hint of regret but respected Jun Yelan's wishes, deciding to proceed slowly. She fetched a wheelchair from the adjacent room, helped Jun Yelan into it, and pushed him out of the room.
This was Jun Yelan's first time venturing out in years. He extended his hand, feeling the sunlight filtering through his fingers, and closed his eyes slightly. This sunlight was not as warm as the person behind him.
He felt an inexplicable sense of kinship with Lan Yan.