Jun Yelan pushed the wheelchair to Lan Yan's side, gripping her hand tightly. "It's good that you're alright." Had Lan Yan been harmed, he would have fallen into a panic.
Lan Yan crouched down, offering her usual smile. "Your Highness, I am your Princess Consort, I would never bring you shame." She leaned close to Jun Yelan's ear and recounted the entire affair.
As Jun Yelan listened, veins bulged on the back of his hand, and his eyes filled with intense hatred. He tightened his grip on Lan Yan's hand, unable to bear the thought of her falling into such a trap.
He couldn't bear to see Lan Yan cry, or worse, go mad.
With this in mind, he decided he would not let anyone present today off the hook. He would remember every face and ensure these people had their last peaceful night.
The Noble Consort, witnessing the affection between Lan Yan and Jun Yelan, painfully tore the handkerchief in her hand. She listened to the sounds from inside the room, wondering who was in there this time.
Others were also confused and curiously pushed open the door, turning their heads.
It was utterly indecent!
The Noble Consort stood stunned. That was her son inside. She acted decisively, entering and slapping Lan Xiaoxiao. "Bitch! Seducing my son and plotting against him in the palace!"
"Guards! Splash water on her to wake her up, and beat her!"
The palace maids pulled away the Eldest Prince and began to beat and kick Lan Xiaoxiao.
Lan Xiaoxiao instantly sobered up, frantically throwing on her clothes, enduring the blows. "Stop hitting me! I really don't know anything." Tears streamed down her face, unable to comprehend what was happening.
It was supposed to be Lan Yan in here, not her. Her whole body ached.
The Eldest Prince also regained his senses and watched the scene coldly. He glanced towards the door and saw Lan Yan smiling, wanting nothing more than to rush out and beat her.
But Jun Yelan stood protectively in front of Lan Yan, glaring fiercely at the Eldest Prince.
Lan Yan smiled. "Oh my, it turns out the disgraceful ones are the Eldest Prince and Miss Lan. You two are truly disgusting, doing this at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. You're worse than animals."
Her voice was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
The surrounding people immediately looked at the Eldest Prince and his companion with disdain, stepping back several paces, wanting no association with such people.
Jun Yelan still held Lan Yan's hand, supporting her. "Yan'er, it's too dirty here. Let's return to the manor." He had already sent word to the Emperor and was not interested in the aftermath.
Lan Yan smiled and nodded. "Yes, Your Highness." She was so caught up in her joy that she completely ignored the term 'Yan'er'.
After they left, the Emperor sent an imperial edict: "The Eldest Prince shall henceforth cultivate his character within his residence and refrain from going out for the time being. As for Miss Lan, she is also forbidden from entering the palace and shall remain in her manor."
There was also an imperial decree punishing Duke Lan for his failure to discipline his daughter.
The Eldest Prince instantly collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with unwillingness. He heard Lan Xiaoxiao's continued wailing and roared, "Stop crying! You useless woman!"
Lan Xiaoxiao stopped crying, her eyes brimming with fury. She vowed she would never forgive Lan Yan!
The Noble Consort by the door also leaned against the doorframe, utterly shocked. Her son, whom she had painstakingly groomed, was ruined. The Emperor was a ruthless man, he surely knew her scheme. It was truly over now!
Meanwhile, Lan Yan and Jun Yelan had returned to the manor. She asked Xia Lian to prepare a table full of food, wanting to eat her fill first. She hadn't even had a sip of water at the banquet.
Jun Yelan, feeding her dishes from beside her, said helplessly, "Eat slowly." Seeing Lan Yan engrossed in her meal, he went to the adjoining room and said to Xia Lian, "Bring out the evidence we prepared earlier. It will be useful tonight."
"And deal with those who are crippled."
Xia Lian knew that the Prince was the type who became more terrifying the calmer he was. He hadn't said a word since returning from the palace, all for the purpose of acting now.
"Your Highness, this servant will lead the men."
Jun Yelan waved his hand and looked out at the dark night sky, feeling that tonight was a good opportunity to strike. After watching for a while, he returned to his room and saw Lan Yan hiccuping.
"Your Highness, I accidentally ate too much." Lan Yan had eaten too hastily and now had to walk to aid digestion.
Jun Yelan chuckled. He had just told her to eat slowly, and she hadn't remembered at all. "You, go for a walk outside." Seeing Lan Yan look outside, he frowned and said, "I'll accompany you."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Lan Yan smiled contentedly and went for a walk with Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan smiled faintly. Lan Yan feared nothing, yet she was afraid of the dark. But it was precisely this person, afraid of the dark, who was willing to stay by his side, even though his side was the darkest.
He became greedy. Knowing this, he wanted Lan Yan to stay here, regardless of her feelings for him.
After their walk, the two returned to their room to sleep.
The next morning, Lan Yan felt unwell and vomited once.
Li Shi happened to see this, her eyes lighting up. She hurried to support Lan Yan. "Be careful, don't run around so carelessly. Mother will stew a chicken for you to replenish your body. You're carrying two lives now."
Her gaze fell upon Lan Yan's stomach.
Lan Yan: "..." She had simply eaten too much last night. "Mother, you've misunderstood. I'm not what you think."
Li Shi smiled. "Mother knows from experience. Don't worry." She went to the kitchen and found Xia Lian in the corridor, calling out, "Xia Lian, you must serve the Princess Consort well. She's pregnant!"
"What!" Xia Lian was even more shocked than Li Shi. The Prince and Princess Consort had an heir! "Madam Li, should we call a doctor?"
Li Shi nodded. "Of course. I'll go stew the chicken first." She left with a smile, heading for the kitchen.
Xia Lian called for other maids to fetch a doctor.
Immediately, everyone in the manor knew: the Princess Consort was pregnant!
Even Jun Yelan heard it while teaching Lan Yue his studies.
Lan Yue was naturally happy.
Jun Yelan, however, found it strange. He and Lan Yan had not consummated their marriage, so how could there be a child? He called Xia Lian to ask for details, but Xia Lian wasn't very clear either.
"Your Highness, the doctor has arrived. Should we have him examine the Princess Consort's pulse!" Xia Lian felt a little disappointed that the young heir hadn't arrived yet.
Jun Yelan nodded. "It's good to check her health anyway."
So, when Lan Yan returned from her morning exercises, she noticed everyone in the manor smiling at her. She didn't know that Li Shi had already spread the news. Puzzled, she walked into her room and suddenly saw a doctor.
Moreover, in the room, besides the doctor, were Jun Yelan and Li Shi.
"What's going on?" Lan Yan was helped to sit down by Li Shi, her gaze fixed on the doctor taking her pulse, growing more confused.
The doctor frowned. This Princess Consort was not pregnant. How could everyone in the manor believe she was? He decided to examine her more closely, worried he might have made a mistake.
Seeing the doctor's troubled expression, Lan Yan wondered if she had a terminal illness. She said, "Doctor, please speak directly."