Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan before her, the animosity in his eyes gone, replaced by an unusual calm. Was he testing her? She said, "I've told you before, I will prove my resolve."
Jun Yelan stared into Lan Yan's eyes, searching for any trace of a lie, but found none. For a moment, he wanted to believe the person before him, yet the face that had once brought him pain made him unwilling to trust.
Ultimately, he clenched his fist and remained rooted to the spot.
Seeing the awkwardness that had fallen over the scene, Lan Yan realized she needed to try harder. She smiled and said, "Right, your health has greatly improved. Why don't we go out for a stroll? You need to get some sun to recover faster."
Jun Yelan glanced at Lan Yan. He was, after all, of the Snake Clan. He looked out the window. It had indeed been a long time since he'd been outside, confined as he was.
He nodded.
Seeing that he didn't refuse, a smile touched Lan Yan's lips, and she prepared to help him.
Jun Yelan caught his own sleeve and rose, walking forward.
Lan Yan: "..." Everyone has their pride. She followed, walking alongside Jun Yelan. As they exited the courtyard, they overheard two maids gossiping.
"I just saw it. The eldest young lady is attending to that Snake Clan slave with such care, as if he were her beloved," said a taller maid.
The shorter maid chimed in, "I also know the eldest young lady cooked personally and bought expensive clothes for that slave. Why would a mere slave need such precious things!"
"It's just that his face pleases the eldest young lady. A creature that isn't even human. When the young lady tires of him, she'll naturally discard him. Who would want to look at a snake's tail every day and have him do nothing?"
The two burst into laughter.
The laughter struck Lan Yan's ears as piercingly jarring. She glanced at Jun Yelan beside her. His face darkened, and a murderous glint appeared in his eyes. She called out, "Chun Tao, bring a stool for Jun Yelan to sit on."
"As for these two maids, get someone to give them twenty lashes and then expel them from the General's mansion."
The two maids looked up and, upon seeing Lan Yan's enraged expression, trembled and knelt on the ground. They cried, "Young lady, spare us! We meant no harm."
"Hmph!" Lan Yan scoffed. "No harm? I think you meant to cause trouble. Does how I treat someone require your consent? If I fancy Jun Yelan and give him the best, what business is it of yours?"
"I believe you are simply too idle and have forgotten who I am! Before anyone comes, you will each slap yourselves twenty times." Her tone was frigid as she stared coldly at the two.
It had taken so much effort to bring Jun Yelan out for a bit, and these two had ruined it.
The two maids began to wail, "Eldest young lady, spare us, spare us!" But all they received was a cold glare. When they looked aside, they were further frightened by the ferocity in Jun Yelan's eyes.
They had no choice but to raise their hands and slap themselves.
Lan Yan shouted, "Not loud enough!" If she didn't teach these two a lesson today, anyone in the mansion would dare to speak out and say words that would wound Jun Yelan.
If Jun Yelan had a choice, he wouldn't want to be a slave. These people could refrain from showing sympathy, but they shouldn't trample on him!
The maids increased the force of their blows, leaving red marks on their faces. By the end, blood trickled from their lips. Yet, it wasn't over. They were then forced onto chairs and whipped heavily.
The pained cries that echoed from outside the courtyard alerted others in the mansion, making them realize that Jun Yelan was now Lan Yan's sensitive point.
From then on, no one dared to speak carelessly.