As they walked back, Lan Yan caught a scent wafting from a street vendor and her steps faltered. Drawn by the aroma, her eyes fell upon the grilled flatbreads at a nearby stall. "Boss, two flatbreads for me!" she called out.
She then turned to Jun Yelan, asking, "Do you like scallions?"
Jun Yelan nodded.
Lan Yan smiled. "Boss, put plenty of scallions on both flatbreads." Scallions were the perfect complement to flatbreads.
Seeing her so happy, Jun Yelan couldn't help but smile. He subtly glanced behind them, feeling as though someone was following, and had been for some time.
Not wanting to draw Lan Yan's attention, he said, "I'll go buy some osmanthus cakes from next door."
"Go ahead," Lan Yan said, her gaze fixed on the flatbreads on the table, wiping her mouth.
Jun Yelan left and turned into the adjacent alley. He stood still, looking at the dark-clothed figure that appeared before him, and withdrew a fine thread from his hand.
The figure immediately knelt on the ground, calling out, "Master, your subordinate is late. Please punish me." He was an imperial guard, and it was his dereliction of duty not to have protected Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan's eyes turned cold. He had indeed been looking for his guards. "How did you find me?"
"Your subordinate knew the Crown Prince was looking. I infiltrated the Crown Prince's mansion and saw the letter delivered by Du Yin. I then traced your whereabouts, discovering Du Yin was dead before tracking you." The guard kept his head bowed, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
He had thought his master was gone, but thankfully, he was safe and even more powerful than before. "Master, your subordinates are all waiting for your return." They had been saved by Jun Yelan and trained as imperial guards, living for him.
The suspicion in Jun Yelan's eyes disappeared. He had been betrayed by someone close before and had to be cautious. He had fought hard to keep this life, and now with Lan Yan by his side, he couldn't afford to be careless.
"Go summon the others and return to monitor the Crown Prince's every move."
The guard nodded. "Yes, Master. And you?" He was worried about Jun Yelan staying in human territory.
Jun Yelan said coldly, "I still have important matters to attend to."
"Jun Yelan? Strange, where did the person go?" Lan Yan, holding the flatbreads, came over, but couldn't find Jun Yelan nearby.
Hearing her voice, Jun Yelan waved to his guard and walked out calmly. He took out the osmanthus cakes from his embrace and walked towards Lan Yan with a softened expression, "Here."
"The flatbreads are ready too." Lan Yan took the osmanthus cakes and handed him the flatbreads. She started eating as they walked forward.
Jun Yelan looked at the warm flatbreads in his hand, not eating them, his gaze fixed on the person beside him.
The imperial guard behind them sighed, "No wonder Master didn't want to leave; it turns out he has found a wife." He decided to share this good news with his brothers.
Lan Yan and Jun Yelan returned to the mansion. Before they could reach their rooms, they heard Shen Jin's booming voice.
"Xiao Yan, where have you been? I was so worried sick!" Shen Jin shoved Jun Yelan aside, stood next to Lan Yan, and fanned her. He suspected Jun Yelan had taken his cousin away.
Lan Yan said helplessly, "Cousin, I just went to see Doctor Lin."
Shen Jin was puzzled. "I was wondering why you went to see him when you weren't sick. Tell me honestly, is it because of Jun Yelan?"
He shot Jun Yelan a glare.
Jun Yelan's expression was impassive, only changing when he looked at Lan Yan. "It's because of me." Furthermore, he had sworn an oath at Doctor Lin's place.
"I knew it was you!" Shen Jin lunged towards Jun Yelan, but Lan Yan stopped him. He looked at the two of them, and based on his experience mingling with women, he was sure they were romantically involved.
This wouldn't do.
He put away his fan, pointed at Jun Yelan, and shouted, "Jun Yelan, I challenge you to a duel! Three rounds. If you win all three, I will no longer interfere in your and Xiao Yan's affairs."
"Conversely, if you lose even one round, get out."
"Cousin, that's too unfair," Lan Yan muttered, then heard Jun Yelan's voice from behind her.
"Alright," Jun Yelan replied with a cold expression.
Shen Jin smiled smugly, confident that Jun Yelan couldn't possibly win all three rounds against him. Seeing Lan Yan's unhappy face, he comforted her, "Xiao Yan, there are plenty of fish in the sea, don't be too sad."
Lan Yan: "..." How could this be the same? Besides, she thought Jun Yelan might not lose.
Next, Shen Jin set the rules. "The first round, we compete in literature."
He had people bring two tables, preparing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and continued, "Paint Xiao Yan as each of us sees her. Whoever's painting receives more praise wins."
Jun Yelan nodded. "Agreed." He picked up a brush, recalling a painting Lan Yan had done for him earlier, and a hint of tenderness appeared in his eyes. He then began to draw stroke by stroke on the paper.
Shen Jin opposite him snorted, "My cousin definitely understands you better than you do." Unwilling to fall behind, he followed suit.
The judges were the people from the mansion, gathered around Lan Yan. Lan Ya, worried Lan Yan would be nervous, said, "Eldest Sister, Young Master Jun will definitely try his best." She could see how much Jun Yelan cared about her eldest sister.
Lan Yan said, "He's a person with great pride, he definitely will." Her gaze was fixed on Jun Yelan. Although she hadn't seen his painting, she hoped it would be alright.
To be honest, she didn't want Jun Yelan to leave either, otherwise, what about her mission!
This comment reached Lan Ya's ears, and she chuckled. Eldest Sister understood Young Master Jun very well too! Seeing Lan Yan's attention elsewhere, she started talking to her younger siblings nearby.
"Who do you want to win?"
Little Yi raised her hand. "Of course, our future brother-in-law."
Little Wen and Little Wu behind her also nodded.
Lan Ya nodded with satisfaction, exchanged a look with Chun Tao beside her, understanding the meaning in each other's eyes. They were on their eldest sister's side, so they had to help.
An hour later, Jun Yelan was the first to put down his brush.
Shen Jin bit his lip and also put his down. He unfurled his scroll and smiled, "Everyone, please take a look."
The painting depicted Lan Yan standing, and it was lifelike, but it lacked a certain spirit.
The crowd's reaction was lukewarm.
Shen Jin was dejected and turned to look at Jun Yelan. "Hmph, you couldn't possibly have painted better than me. I've been learning painting for over a decade; I'm the best in our family."
These words did not provoke Jun Yelan. He leisurely unfurled his scroll, causing everyone to pause.
The painting showed Lan Yan eating a snack, her every smile and frown vividly portrayed on the paper. Moreover, petals rained down to set off the scene, but none were as beautiful as the person in the painting.
Lan Yan was also slightly taken aback upon seeing the painting. Wow, Jun Yelan painted himself so beautifully!
The crowd immediately exclaimed, "I support Sister... Young Master Jun."