Jun extended his hand and took the brush, but did not start painting.
He looked at the scene in the painting: it depicted him and Lan Yan in a pavilion, gazing at a pond full of lotus flowers. Both of them wore smiles, their expressions exceptionally at ease and relaxed.
At this moment, he realized how well he and Lan Yan got along. Without him noticing, he had come to trust Lan Yan, feeling relaxed and natural in her presence.
Precisely because of this, seeing such a radiant Lan Yan, he did not wish for her to remain in darkness with him.
"You must know, danger and darkness are all I have around me." His current state was the best proof of that.
Lan Yan squatted down, looking into Jun Yelan's apprehensive eyes, and smiled, "Your world is merely obscured by clouds for now. Besides, you haven't even asked me, how do you know if I'm willing?"
"I'll tell you the answer: I am willing to stay by your side." It wasn't just a task; she also wanted this person's world to see light again.
Jun Yelan froze on the spot, staring into Lan Yan's eyes, which held no hesitation or lies. He couldn't help but clench his fist, gazing at her for a long time.
He was willing to take this chance.
Seeing this, Lan Yan knew that Jun Yelan's inner turmoil had temporarily eased. She smiled slightly and said, "Let's continue painting, and then go to bed after we finish."
"Okay." Jun Yelan's lips curved into a faint smile, and he picked up the brush, painting the remaining parts of the picture. A painting was completed.
Lan Yan watched from the side, a gentle warmth filling her heart. She spread the painting on the table to let it dry, and then she and Jun Yelan returned to their room to sleep.
The next morning, Lan Yan took yesterday's invitation and, with Xia Lian, went to the Princess's manor.
The people at the Princess's manor, having received the invitation, led Lan Yan forward.
Lan Yan walked in and took a brief look at the Princess's manor before heading towards the banquet hall.
At the banquet, a woman dressed in red, with a red ribbon tied to her hair, sat in the center. Her face was beautiful, exuding an air of heroism; she was the Princess An.
Surrounding her were a group of noble ladies, with Lan Xiaoxiao at the forefront.
Lan Xiaoxiao said, "Your Highness, my sister is usually lazy and bad-tempered at home. I was worried she wouldn't get along with the Prince, so I specifically went to the Prince's manor to find her, but she drove me out.
"She also wears gold and silver, and I don't know where she got the money. Moreover, the Prince hasn't appeared. I don't know if something is wrong. I'm truly worried. My sister is quite peculiar."
After speaking, a calculating glint appeared in her eyes. She had heard that the Princess had a fiery temper and a past connection with the Third Prince. If she could get the Princess to deal with Lan Yan, she could vent her anger!
The others sided with Lan Xiaoxiao, adding, "Your Highness, I also witnessed Lan Yan's maliciousness last time. She actually bullied her legitimate elder sister in the jewelry pavilion, and even spoke so brazenly.
"We've heard about Lan Yan's poor reputation at home before, and after getting married, she's become even more audacious."
These people spoke one after another, their chatter giving the Princess An a headache. "All of you, shut up. I detest people like this the most, and they dare to disrespect my royal brother. I will not let her off."
Lan Xiaoxiao and those around her immediately wore smug smiles.
As Lan Yan walked down the corridor, she saw everyone gathered in this scene. Ignoring Lan Xiaoxiao's furious gaze, she looked directly at Princess An and had Xia Lian present the gifts.
"This gift is for Your Highness. Thank you for the invitation."
Princess An, seeing Lan Yan's beauty and her radiant, gentle demeanor, was momentarily stunned. Recalling what Lan Xiaoxiao and the others had said, she nodded coldly, not uttering a word.
Lan Yan took her seat, unbothered by the stares, and instead focused on the dishes on the table. They looked quite good.
Lan Xiaoxiao, seeing Lan Yan simply take her seat, became furious. She clutched her handkerchief, her eyes blazing with anger, and sat opposite Lan Yan.
She deliberately reminded her, "Your Highness, the Third Prince's Consort is here. I wonder if anyone has been arranged to take care of the Prince. Sister, this is your fault. Since you're married, you should take good care of the Prince."
"Heh." Lan Yan sneered, "Lan Xiaoxiao, anyone who doesn't know would think you're actually concerned about the Prince. You've said a lot of bad things about the Prince before, and now you're indirectly mocking him with your words."
"Let me tell you. The Prince is doing very well; he eats well and sleeps well. Before I came today, I had breakfast with the Prince, and I also told him about coming to the Princess's manor. He also told me about you, Your Highness."
Princess An immediately became interested. It seemed her royal brother was recovering well. She had wanted to visit him before, but he hadn't seen her, and she had been a little worried. She prepared to inquire but was interrupted, making her instantly displeased.
Lan Xiaoxiao, not paying attention to Princess An, scoffed, "Those are all things you say yourself. Who knows if they're true? I think you're just saying that to curry favor with the Princess."
Since someone wanted to pick a fight, she was willing to oblige. Lan Yan deliberately provoked, "Then what do you think the Prince should be like now?"
Lan Xiaoxiao chimed in, "We all know that ten years ago, the Prince became a cripple. Not only can he not walk, but his face is disfigured like a ghoul. A person who hasn't left his home in ten years is surely no different from the dead."
The others also burst into laughter, "That's right. According to rumors in the marketplace, the Prince has lost all his hair, and his body is just skin and bones, with no flesh on it."
Princess An's expression grew darker and darker.
Listening to their words, Lan Yan was seething with rage. She said, "Everyone here, do you know what the consequence is for discussing the Prince like this!"
The crowd was stunned and only then realized they were in the Princess's manor. Lan Xiaoxiao, in particular, showed a hint of panic on her face, having been led astray by Lan Yan.
Lan Yan looked at Princess An and said, "Your Highness, these people speak with such disrespect and express discontent towards the royal family. Your Highness is also a member of the royal family, please punish them with slaps; I can carry out the punishment."
She was observing what kind of person this Princess An was.
Princess An, already feeling annoyed, agreed when Lan Yan suggested it. "Sister-in-law, we'll do as you say."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Lan Yan curved her lips, rolled up her sleeves, and walked towards Lan Xiaoxiao.
Lan Xiaoxiao's eyes widened in fear, and she cried out, "Lan Yan, are you crazy? I'm your legitimate elder sister."
Lan Yan smiled, "I know that, of course, but you haven't treated me like a sister." With that, she slapped Lan Xiaoxiao hard. Feeling it was unbalanced, she delivered another slap to the other side.
"For spewing poison from your dog's mouth, how dare you speak of the Prince like that!"
Lan Xiaoxiao's face immediately swelled, and blood trickled from her mouth. Her mind was reeling. She had come today to deal with Lan Yan, but how had it turned into this?
The others, their faces also swollen, returned without exception.
Lan Xiaoxiao also glared at Lan Yan resentfully. When she got back, she would sell Lan Yan's mute younger brother to vent her anger!
Lan Yan remained at the Princess's manor, flexing her wrists. She was tired from all the hitting. She turned her head and was startled to see Princess An looking at her with an expression of admiration.
"Your Highness, I'll be leaving now. The Prince is waiting for me at the manor."
"Alright, Sister-in-law, I'll visit you at the Prince's manor in the future!" Princess An said with a cheerful smile. Sister-in-law was so formidable.
Lan Yan nodded, returned to the manor, pushed open the door, and called out, "Your Highness, I'm back."