The soldiers were all grateful to Lan Yan for saving Jun Yelan on the battlefield, and admired her for venturing in alone as a woman.
They raised their cups and shouted, "We are simple folk, we don't speak grand principles. But from now on, we will respect you as we respect our General." With that, they drained their cups.
Nie Qing, sitting to the side, also said, "At first, I thought Madam wouldn't wake up, but she regained consciousness through her own will. Madam is truly an extraordinary woman, and it's evident how deeply she cares for our General!"
The last sentence was the most important.
"Yes, Madam, we all toast to you."
Facing this situation, Lan Yan could only smile. She stood up and said, "It is you who have worked hard to protect our country. I should be the one to toast you." She drank the water in her cup.
"Everyone, eat and drink well tonight. Please sit down." Seeing the soldiers sit down, she also sat down, letting out a sigh of relief. This was the first time she had handled such a situation.
She turned her head and asked in a low voice, "How was it? Was I okay?"
Jun Yelan chuckled, "You were very good. Now you are the General's wife in every sense of the word." He took Lan Yan's hand, unable to resist wanting to kiss her.
Lan Yan quickly withdrew her hand, "So many people are here. Also, we aren't married yet, and you keep calling me Madam."
The smile in Jun Yelan's eyes deepened. Seeing how adorable Lan Yan looked, he laughed, "When we return to the court, I will go to General Lan to propose." This time, no matter what, he would make General Lan agree to the marriage.
He affectionately squeezed Lan Yan's fingers, "You just wait to be my true wife."
At these words, Lan Yan's ears turned red again. Did "true" mean what she was thinking?
Just then, a "bang" echoed from the sky, and fireworks bloomed across the night, then scattered like shooting stars. The fireworks in the air twinkled, illuminating Lan Yan's eyes.
She exclaimed, "How beautiful!"
Jun Yelan sat beside her, content to see Lan Yan so happy. He watched with her.
Nie Qing beside them asked, "Where did these fireworks come from?"
The副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) replied, "The General spent the entire afternoon preparing them, specifically to make Madam happy." He had even helped.
"The General truly dotes on Madam."
These words reached Lan Yan's ears, warming her heart. She looked at Jun Yelan's profile, leaned towards him, and gave him a peck on the lips, light as a dragonfly's touch. "Jun Yelan, thank you."
Jun Yelan froze. This was the first time Lan Yan had kissed him, and it was too brief. He turned his head, saw that everyone else was watching the fireworks, and stepped forward to kiss Lan Yan's lips.
The sky full of fireworks served as their accompaniment.
At this moment, outside the military camp, a group of people approached, led by General Lan. He also saw the fireworks and muttered, "It seems the battle was won well, and my unfilial daughter should be safe. Rest here, we will depart tomorrow morning."
After the fireworks were finished, Lan Yan had fallen asleep, and it was Jun Yelan who carried her back.
The next morning, as the two were having breakfast, they heard a soldier report from outside the tent.
"General, Madam, there is a person outside the camp who claims to be Madam's father and wishes to see Madam."
Lan Yan was shocked and looked at Jun Yelan, "It must be my father looking for me. He's probably angry that I left without saying goodbye. Can I hide from him this time as I did before?"
"It's alright, I'm here to protect you," Jun Yelan said, "Let him in." This time, he wanted to make a good impression and gain his father-in-law's support.
General Lan was led into the military camp. Hearing the soldiers call her "Madam" one after another, he said irritably, "I haven't agreed to Jun Yelan marrying my daughter yet! Stop calling her that."
The thought of it made him angry. He had thought Jun Yelan was a gentleman, but instead, he had eloped with his daughter! He stormed into the tent, saw Lan Yan with Jun Yelan, and that she was unharmed, his heart finally felt at ease.
Lan Yan was scrutinized by General Lan, and she called out, "Father, hello."
"Hmph, you still remember you have a father." General Lan sat down and stared at Jun Yelan opposite him, saying, "Jun Yelan, I respect you as the God of War of the Snake Clan, and I am being polite to you."
"But you stayed in my mansion for several months and then took my daughter away. She is only sixteen years old, and it's so dangerous for her to be alone in a military camp, especially with so many men here!"
Lan Yan saw that Jun Yelan was listening obediently, which was different from his usual demeanor. However, she felt it was her fault. She raised her hand and said, "Father, I came here on my own."
"Be quiet." General Lan drank a cup of tea and shouted, "I'll scold you later."
He looked at Jun Yelan, "Where was I?"
"Men."
"Right." General Lan continued, "I won't say more about this, but I must take her back today. A young lady staying in a military camp all day, what kind of image does that create?" It had made him worried sick.
Jun Yelan nodded, "Alright." He needed time to prepare the betrothal gifts, and he also had to go to General Lan's residence to propose.
Lan Yan and General Lan were both surprised. Jun Yelan was so agreeable!
With that, General Lan's prepared words became useless. He coughed twice and looked at Lan Yan, "Pack your things, we leave immediately."
"Oh." Lan Yan knew Jun Yelan must have a plan. This time, when she returned, she must talk to General Lan properly and get him to agree to the marriage.
She slowed down her packing and looked at Jun Yelan, who was helping her, and asked, "Why have you changed this time?"
Jun Yelan packed food into Lan Yan's bag and said, "He is your father after all, and I will have many more interactions with him. You eat well and rest well at home, and wait for me."
In half a month at most, he would go to Lan Yan.
Lan Yan nodded and handed the embroidered black fox fur coat to Jun Yelan. "It will get cold from now on, remember to take good care of yourself. I'm leaving."
"Mmm." Jun Yelan couldn't help but hug Lan Yan, his eyes filled with reluctance.
Outside the tent, General Lan called, "Hurry up."
Lan Yan came out of Jun Yelan's embrace, waved goodbye, and walked towards the door. She followed General Lan into the carriage, lifted the curtain, and saw Jun Yelan behind her.
Jun Yelan was still riding his horse, escorting her.
General Lan, seeing this, felt some of his anger dissipate. He looked at Lan Yan and said, "Sit properly."
Lan Yan had no choice but to slowly lower the curtain and call out to the back, "Jun Yelan, you should go back." Sitting in the carriage, she looked at the bracelet in her hand and, indeed, missed Jun Yelan a little.
Jun Yelan only stopped advancing after Lan Yan had entered the human border. "General Lan, take good care of her. I will come to disturb your residence soon."
General Lan heard this and was not angry. If Jun Yelan was sincere, he wouldn't necessarily refuse.
Watching the procession grow further away, Jun Yelan turned his horse around and quickly returned to the military camp to lead the army back to the capital.
The sooner he dealt with these matters, the sooner he could see Lan Yan.