The people around stared at Lan Xiaoxiao upon hearing her words, making her feel even more ashamed. She clenched her fist, glaring at Lan Yan, and exclaimed, "Sister, I am tending to the disaster victims here!"
"Last time, I was framed, and I've felt uneasy ever since. I took this opportunity to do more good deeds, so others would know it was a misunderstanding." She put on a pitiful look, drawing the attention of many.
However, Lan Yan was not among them. She looked at Lan Xiaoxiao coldly and said with amusement, "Many people saw what happened that day; how could it be a frame-up? Besides, if you were truly framed, you must have offended many people in the past."
"His Majesty decreed that each household should send people to arrange porridge distribution. Currently, the person distributing porridge here is a maid, and she has nothing to do with you. I suggest you go inside, kneel before the Buddha hall, and repent properly."
Lan Xiaoxiao was instantly angered. Thinking of the many people present, she suppressed her rage. "Sister, we are family after all. Is this necessary? Even if you are now married to the Prince, you cannot disregard your family's well-being."
"Heh," Lan Yan sneered, "you should be the one saying that. We both know what happened that day; you brought it upon yourself. Since you have no regard for sisterly affection, why should I care?"
"However, for the sake of last time, I have brought a gift for you, sister, to prevent you from making further mistakes."
She looked behind her. Officers from the Dali Temple had arrived.
Lan Xiaoxiao's pupils dilated in shock. She looked at the soldiers, then at Lan Yan. "So you were prepared!"
"Sister, goodbye." Lan Yan stepped forward and explained the situation to the Dali Temple officers.
The Dali Temple officers had met Lan Yan before. She was a favored Consort of the Third Prince. They dared not delay and arrested Lan Xiaoxiao. "You have defied the imperial decree. You are hereby confined to the Dali Temple."
If Lan Xiaoxiao were truly taken away this time, her future would be ruined. She cried out, "No, Mother, come out and save me!"
Her cries attracted Madam Lan from inside the mansion. She looked at the scene in surprise, clapped her thighs, and cried, "Oh, heavens! You cannot take my daughter away."
She hurried after them but was suddenly pushed to the ground. When she looked back, there was no one there.
Without time to dwell on it, she got up to see Lan Xiaoxiao being taken away. She then unleashed all her fury on Lan Yan, "You venomous woman! You are jealous of my daughter and have harmed her. It was also your doing when she had illicit dealings in the palace last time."
"If it weren't for you, my daughter wouldn't have to stand under the scorching sun distributing porridge with these lowlifes."
As she finished speaking, a small stone was thrown from the crowd, landing on Madam Lan.
Before Madam Lan could react, more small stones flew towards her. She scrambled to retreat into the mansion, shouting, "Quick, close the gates! Close the gates!"
The entire Duke Lan Mansion fell into chaos.
Lan Yan watched this scene, a smile curling her lips. She clapped her hands and walked to a nearby alley. From her money pouch, she took out some copper coins. "Here, for those who threw stones just now."
Standing before her was a group of beggars, who had been the ones throwing stones at Madam Lan. "Thank you, Madam." They happily took the copper coins and left.
Lan Yan also returned to the Prince's mansion. As soon as she arrived, a disaster victim collapsed at her feet. She called the maidservants nearby to help up the victim, who turned out to be a frail scholar.
"Go fetch some food." The scholar likely fainted from hunger.
After the food arrived, the scholar slowly regained consciousness, his eyes fixed on the food. Seeing Lan Yan nod, he called out, "Thank you, Princess Consort." He took the food and devoured it ravenously.
Seeing that he was fine, Lan Yan went to the porridge stall to continue serving.
Jun Yelan also arrived and continued handing out buns. He had heard about the Lan Duke Mansion incident from Xia Lian and had already instructed the Dali Temple officers to "take good care" of the situation.
After he finished eating, the scholar walked over and smiled, "Princess Consort, I am Shi Lei. Thank you for the meal just now." His gaze lingered on Lan Yan.
Lan Yan did not look at him, busy with her work. "Mm."
The scholar then said, "Princess Consort, you are so busy. Let me help you." He deliberately organized the disaster victims into orderly queues and took good care of them, earning much praise.
This saved her a lot of trouble. Lan Yan looked up at him, thinking of giving him an extra bun later as compensation.
However, that glance held a different meaning in Jun Yelan's eyes. He disliked the scholar's gaze, which was fixed on Lan Yan intentionally or unintentionally.
He involuntarily pushed his wheelchair closer, leaning beside Lan Yan.
Lan Yan continued to serve porridge as usual. When the scholar approached again, she gave him a bun. "Thank you."
As the scholar prepared to express his gratitude, he caught sight of the murderous intent in Jun Yelan's eyes. Startled, his smile deepened. "Princess Consort, you're welcome. It's what I should do."
"The Princess Consort is a kind-hearted person; she deserves a beautiful life."
Lan Yan frowned and called out, "Please move aside, the people behind need to come forward. If you have anything else to say, tell Xia Lian beside you. She will inform me." This person was too chatty.
The scholar reluctantly moved aside, a chill running down his back. He turned his head and saw Jun Yelan's gaze again, offering a sincere smile that was completely ignored.
Jun Yelan moved extremely close to Lan Yan. When Lan Yan finished her work and returned to the mansion, he remained by her side.
During dinner, Lan Yan also noticed Jun Yelan's gaze and asked, "Your Highness, what's wrong?" His gaze was too intense for her to ignore.
Jun Yelan picked up his chopsticks, then put them down, and asked, "What do you think of that Shi Lei?"
"Who?" Lan Yan, chewing a piece of meat, couldn't recall for a moment.
Jun Yelan suddenly chuckled. "No one, an unimportant person. Eat more." He picked up his chopsticks and served food to Lan Yan.
Looking at the mountain of food in the small bowl, Lan Yan: "..." She didn't know why Jun Yelan was acting so strangely tonight, but she decided to eat.
Jun Yelan's lips curved upwards. He watched Lan Yan eat and ate a little more himself. When Lan Yan went to bathe, he went to see Xia Lian.
"You will be distributing porridge tomorrow. Do not let her overexert herself. If she disagrees, you know what to do."
"Yes, Your Highness," Xia Lian replied respectfully.
Jun Yelan tapped his fingers on the armrest of his wheelchair and continued, "She really liked the sweet and sour pork ribs today. Instruct the kitchen to make it again tomorrow, and the day after as well."
Xia Lian: "…Yes, Your Highness." She really wanted to say that the Princess Consort would get tired of eating it for three consecutive days.
Jun Yelan thought of the scholar from earlier and decided he would observe the situation personally tomorrow.
After finishing all his tasks, he turned back and saw Lan Yan already asleep in bed. He moved to the bedside and stared at Lan Yan's face all night.