The original owner treated Jun Yelan as less than human, keeping him confined in a cage like an animal every day. When she was in a bad mood, she would have Jun Yelan dragged out and beaten before being sent back.
Furthermore, Jun Yelan was denied food and medicine.
Jun Yelan could only curl up alone in the cage, licking his wounds like a small beast. However, the pain of his injuries was still immense, often making it impossible for him to sleep through the night.
Recalling these events, Lan Yan sighed again, lamenting the original owner's misdeeds. It was unfortunate that she had to bear the consequences. She couldn't help but sigh, looking at Jun Yelan, who had retreated to a corner, and then at Chun Tao, who was still waiting for her reply.
She deliberately spoke loudly, "Chun Tao, chop that cage for me!"
"Miss, it's made of iron."
Lan Yan: "...Melt it down. I don't want to see that cage anymore. Order everyone in the manor not to mention this cage. Anyone who dares to gossip will face my whip."
"Yes, Miss." Chun Tao, though puzzled, went to carry out the order. The young lady's temperament had changed considerably, but she still felt a sense of apprehension and thought it best to be cautious.
Watching Chun Tao leave with such trepidation, Lan Yan felt a pang of bitterness. If her own maid was like this, how much worse must it be for the abused Jun Yelan?
She turned her head, looking at Jun Yelan with an innocent expression. However, Jun Yelan had already closed his eyes to rest. Fine, she didn't even have a chance to explain.
"System, I think I'm done for."
"Host, please don't be discouraged. This is just the beginning. Don't humans say that hardship precedes sweetness? Just hold on a little longer, and it will all be sweet afterward," the system said in a soft, cute voice.
How could she believe that? But at present, there was no other option.
Lan Yan said with a wronged tone, "Then I'll borrow your good words." She didn't want to disturb Jun Yelan's rest, so she tiptoed out and carefully closed the door.
After she left, Jun Yelan, who had been in the corner, opened his eyes and stared in the direction of the door. He opened his palm to reveal a fresh bloodstain.
He absolutely could not believe Lan Yan's honeyed words, nor could he forget how this person had treated him.
He had to recover as quickly as possible. With this thought, he drifted back into sleep.
Meanwhile, Lan Yan was idly wandering around the courtyard, bored. Since arriving two days ago, she hadn't explored the General's manor, so she decided to visit other courtyards.
She arrived at a secluded and narrow courtyard and heard the cheerful laughter of children within. Curious, she walked over and saw a group of children playing Jianzi. The Jianzi was kicked and landed at her feet.
She picked up the Jianzi, walked over, and smiled, "Here you go."
The three children immediately recoiled in fear, trembling as they called out, "Greetings, Eldest Sister. Eldest Sister, we didn't do it on purpose." After saying this, they all began to cry, afraid that their Eldest Sister would be angry.
Lan Yan suddenly understood. These were the original owner's younger brothers and sister. There were two brothers and one sister, all appearing very young. They wore faded clothes, their faces were gaunt, and their eyes blinked tearfully.
She didn't know how to comfort children either.
Just as she was fretting about what to do, Lan Ya arrived. She walked over, bowed respectfully, and called out, "Eldest Sister is here." She then said to the little ones behind her, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Wen, Xiao Wu, you don't need to be afraid of Eldest Sister. Eldest Sister is very good now."
However, after she spoke, the three younger siblings hid further behind her, their heads lowered, not daring to look at Lan Yan.