“Who?” General Lan stared intently at Jun Yelan’s exceptionally beautiful face. Recalling the serpent folk he had encountered before, his mind immediately made the connection. “You’re that serpent folk slave, aren’t you? Step aside, I’ll discipline my own daughter.”
Jun Yelan remained in front of Lan Yan, his eyes showing no hesitation. “She is well now.”
Lan Yan silently gave a thumbs-up from behind, immensely pleased with Jun Yelan’s support. She put on a pitiable expression and cried out, “Father, your daughter has truly changed. Jun Yelan is proof of that.”
Hearing the name, General Lan found it strangely familiar, but his anger surged, preventing him from dwelling on it.
Still holding his whip, he shouted, “Young sir, I know everything my daughter has done to you. Do you still intend to protect her?”
“Yes,” Jun Yelan replied without hesitation.
General Lan truly hesitated this time, surprised that a serpent folk would speak up for his daughter. As he was pondering, Lan Ya and the others arrived at the doorway.
“Father, please spare my sister.” Seeing their father about to strike Lan Yan, Lan Ya and the others immediately knelt, tears streaming down their faces. “Eldest sister may have done wrong in the past, but she has changed now.”
“Wuwuwu,” the three little ones began to cry.
Even Chun Tao stepped forward and respectfully called out, “Master, this servant also wishes to plead for Miss. These past days, I’ve served by Miss’s side and have witnessed her changes.”
The Lan Yan before him was indeed different.
General Lan looked at the people pleading for mercy, his hesitation deepening. This was not what he had heard upon his return! Everyone said his daughter was cruel, even bullying the Prime Minister Liu’s daughter.
He couldn’t discern the truth for a moment and looked at Lan Yan’s wronged expression. “Even if you’ve improved now, what about the past?”
Lan Yan muttered, “That’s the original owner’s fault. And this father also bears responsibility.”
“What did you say? Speak up,” General Lan demanded.
Lan Yan raised her head and declared, “Father, you told me to speak. Lan Yan lost her mother when she was young, and you were never home. I was raised by the servants of the manor. Of course, they doted on me to keep me happy, but they never taught me properly.”
“Every time you returned, you only had one meal with Lan Yan and never asked about anything else. Honestly, I don’t think you’re a qualified father.”
General Lan froze upon hearing this, his hand tightening on the whip, especially at the last sentence.
Lan Ya and the others beside him added, “Father, since you weren’t home, Eldest Sister managed the household affairs, and we were cared for by Eldest Sister.”
Since spending time with her elder sister, Lan Ya had gained much understanding.
General Lan slumped onto a chair, looking dejected. He placed the whip on the table and sighed, “It is all my fault as a father. Everyone, rise and return to your rooms.”
He needed to think.
Thus, Lan Ya and the others left first.
Lan Yan, supported by Jun Yelan, rose with a slight smile and walked towards the door.
Seeing this, General Lan’s mind once again recalled the name Jun Yelan, which sounded remarkably like the name of the Serpent Folk God of War. “Wait, this young serpent folk gentleman, please stay.”
He saw Jun Yelan still holding Lan Yan’s arm and called out, “Let go.”
Lan Yan didn’t react immediately, wondering why her father was angry again. “Father, do you have some misunderstanding about him? It’s always me who bullies him; he’s never done anything.”
General Lan’s mind reeled. If this was truly the Serpent Folk God of War, his daughter would be in grave danger. He strode over, pulled Lan Yan away, and stared at Jun Yelan.
“Young sir, I have seen many people on the battlefield and can tell at a glance that you are no ordinary person. If you do not speak the truth, I will not let you approach my daughter!”
Lan Yan glanced at General Lan, then at Jun Yelan. This was bad!
Jun Yelan stated directly, “I am that Serpent Folk God of War.”
As the words fell, General Lan and Lan Yan took six steps back. He had long heard of the Serpent Folk God of War, who was incredibly bloodthirsty on the battlefield, never sparing those who harmed him, and was vengeful to the extreme.
He never imagined this God of War was now in his home, in front of him! And had become his daughter’s slave!
He quickly said, “I don’t know what happened in between to lead to this situation. I know your nature, but as a father, your daughter’s faults are my responsibility. I only hope that if you seek revenge, you seek it from me.”
Jun Yelan simply watched General Lan. In the past, he would have slaughtered everyone in the Lan manor, but he was unwilling now.
He said, “General Lan, as I said earlier, she is well now. I will not do anything to her.”
“Instead, General Lan’s sudden return this time must be due to escalating tensions between the two tribes. We who have been on the battlefield know the brutality of war. I have a proposal, I wonder if General Lan would be willing to listen?”
General Lan, hearing this, felt a stir in his heart. “I will listen.”
“The two tribes have been at war for twenty years; it’s time to rest,” Jun Yelan continued. “Before I was injured, I met with our King. He wished for peace talks, but the Crown Prince constantly obstructed them in secret.”
“Since I am here, I wish to discuss this matter with General Lan.”
General Lan was taken aback. If this succeeded, it would be a great boon for the nation and its people. He nodded, “General Jun, let us talk in the study.”
He then looked at Lan Yan behind him, “As for you, stay in your room and practice your embroidery. After this period of busyness, I will find you a suitable marriage.”
He hoped Lan Yan would be sensible, not every time could she be so lucky to encounter someone as accommodating as Jun Yelan.
Lan Yan’s head drooped. She didn’t want to do either of these things. Having narrowly avoided punishment, she remained silent and obediently walked out.
As she passed Jun Yelan, she said, “You’ll be alone with my father, be careful. If anything happens, just call me.” She worried the two might clash if they disagreed.
Jun Yelan smiled and nodded, while a sense of concern lingered. If the peace talks failed, there would be no future for him and Lan Yan. He clenched his fist, absolutely determined not to let Lan Yan marry anyone else!
He followed General Lan towards the study.
The two conversed for a long time.
Outside the door, Lan Yan, unable to rest easy, sat on the corridor waiting. She looked at the embroidery hoop in her hands, prodding it with each passing moment, unable to resist glancing at the door.
She wondered how their discussion was progressing!
Just as she was about to fall asleep, the door opened. She shook her head, rushed to the doorway, and looked at Jun Yelan, asking, “How did it go?”
Seeing her concerned expression, Jun Yelan’s heart warmed. He smiled, “We’ve made some progress.” He still needed to contact his hidden guards and communicate with the King to implement the next steps.
“Oh, that’s good,” Lan Yan said, relieved. She hugged her embroidery hoop, yawned, and said, “Let’s walk back.”
Jun Yelan nodded, and as they reached the courtyard, he saw the bright moon overhead. “This moon reminds me of my days on the battlefield.”
Sensing Jun Yelan’s wistfulness, Lan Yan smiled and said, “Then let’s admire the moon tonight, and you can tell me about your past. I want to listen.”