Jun Yelan remained silent, simply staring at Lan Yan and shaking his head.
Lan Yan calmed down, understanding Jun Yelan’s meaning. She was a general of the Yan Dynasty, responsible for fighting against the Ying Kingdom. If she spoke rashly, and these words were heard by others, it would cause unnecessary trouble.
She looked at the eunuch bowing his head before her and waved, saying, “You may go. Remember, Jun Yelan is now the Grand Alchemist of the Yan Dynasty, as decreed by the Emperor himself!”
The eunuch startled, not daring to look at Lan Yan, and quickly turned to leave.
Lan Yan’s frustration had not subsided. She turned to Jun Yelan and complained, “Jun Yelan, the people in this palace are always like this. You don’t need to pay them any mind.”
“I gave him a little warning. He won’t dare to be so presumptuous again. If all else fails, I’ll report it to the Emperor. Let’s see if these people dare to act like a fox borrowing a tiger’s might.”
These people dared to treat Jun Yelan this way only because he was alone.
Seeing Lan Yan’s indignant expression, Jun Yelan found himself wanting to laugh for some reason. The corners of his mouth curved into a slight arc.
Lan Yan was slightly taken aback. “You’re still laughing? He was speaking about you just now.”
“I know.” Jun Yelan was actually accustomed to it, but seeing Lan Yan defending him filled him with a sense of joy. He felt that living in this world wasn’t so terrible after all.
He said calmly, “Mouths are on other people. Since we can’t control them, we shouldn’t pay them any mind.”
Hearing this, Lan Yan also smiled. “Jun Yelan, that sounds exactly like something I would say. I never expected to hear it from you. Do you think this is a case of proximity corrupting the pure?”
She clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly, her eyes fixed on Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan looked at her eyes, which shone like stars before him. He reached out a finger and gently touched the space between Lan Yan’s eyebrows.
His fingers immediately felt Lan Yan’s skin and the warmth transmitted from her fingertips. He nodded unconsciously and said, “Mm.”
Lan Yan’s smile became even brighter. Jun Yelan was so good with his words. She recalled what the eunuch had said and asked worriedly, “Jun Yelan, do you also mind your Ying Kingdom identity?”
She couldn’t find a good solution for this matter at the moment.
Jun Yelan shook his head, recalling the past. He said, “Actually, I am not from the Ying Kingdom. My people are very special; we have the ability to divine, and some even know the future. Because of this, we are pursued by many.”
“Therefore, we lived in seclusion in our village, not interacting with outsiders. Until one day, horses’ hooves trampled our village, and everyone in the village was killed. I survived because of this appearance.”
He let out a self-deprecating laugh. The appearance he loathed was actually his means of survival.
Those people had never seen him like this before and thought he possessed special abilities, but he was no different.
Lan Yan listened quietly, feeling even more heartbroken for Jun Yelan. “Jun Yelan, this is fate. You survived, so you must live well, live for yourself.”
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan, his pupils trembling slightly. He thought to himself that he would survive for now, at least he had to repay Lan Yan for what she had done.
“Wait, doesn’t that mean I accidentally avenged you?” Lan Yan exclaimed. The ones who destroyed Jun Yelan’s village were likely people from the Ying Kingdom.
Jun Yelan nodded, but he didn’t feel much about it. He was disliked wherever he went.
Lan Yan became excited and grabbed Jun Yelan’s sleeve. “That’s great! I was worried you’d hate me before. Now my problem is solved. I can finally be open with you from now on.”
She patted her chest. Her heart could finally rest easy.
Jun Yelan’s eyes deepened. He wanted to engrave Lan Yan’s current appearance in his memory. He thought that at least with Lan Yan, he would not be disliked.
Lan Yan didn’t notice Jun Yelan’s change. She had already turned around and said with a smile, “Let’s continue drying the paper. It needs to be used tomorrow.” She rolled up her sleeves, picked up the paper and clips, and walked to the ropes nearby.
Jun Yelan’s lips curved, and he smiled a helpless yet gentle smile, walking to Lan Yan’s side.
Only the two of them remained in the spacious courtyard, and the distance between them grew closer.
Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Consort Ning, wearing a cloak, secretly left the palace gates and headed to the Ning manor. Upon seeing Ning Yuan, she anxiously said, “Brother, Lan Yan’s influence is growing stronger and stronger.”
“Yesterday, I tried to corner her, but that new Grand Alchemist helped her. I suspect there’s something going on between them. It seems Lan Yan has arranged someone by the Emperor’s side.”
Ning Yuan frowned. “If that’s the case, it will be troublesome. Before, Lan Yan was focused on avenging the Lan family and treated the captives poorly, losing public favor.”
“But she has changed this time, even arranging for Jun Yelan to enter the palace. I fear she intends to vie for power and profit.”
“Then what should we do!” Consort Ning asked worriedly, clutching her handkerchief.
Ning Yuan fell into thought. “We can’t rush this. Since Lan Yan and Jun Yelan have a connection, we can use this relationship in reverse. If something happens at the sacrificial grounds, would Lan Yan abandon Jun Yelan?”
Consort Ning immediately smiled. “Brother is still the clever one. We can create an incident. As long as Jun Yelan is targeted, Lan Yan will be caught red-handed. Haha!”
“Don’t be too pleased yet. Lan Yan is a difficult person to deal with, and so is Jun Yelan.” Ning Yuan had suffered losses twice and had become much more cautious. “You go back to the palace first. Let me think.”
Consort Ning said urgently, “Then Brother, I’ll leave this to you. I’ll go back now.” She couldn’t sleep peacefully without avenging Lan Yan, and she left in a huff.
Ning Yuan sat there alone, tapping his fingers on the table, muttering, “We are not the only ones watching this sacrifice.” The Emperor’s appearance naturally attracted the attention of many.
The next morning, as the sacrifice began, Jun Yelan needed to ascend the platform to preside, while Lan Yan was responsible for patrolling the area around the altar.
Although Lan Yan didn’t want to, she had to separate from Jun Yelan. She ate breakfast in the hall, looked at Jun Yelan, and instructed, “Jun Yelan, take care of yourself. If anything happens, send someone to notify me.”
Jun Yelan nodded, placed a packet into Lan Yan’s hand. “As you patrol outside, also pay attention to your safety.” With that, he picked up the paper from the table and walked toward the door.
Knowing Lan Yan was nearby put him at ease.
Lan Yan was still standing in place. She opened the paper packet and couldn’t help but smile. She carefully put the packet away and then walked out, in the opposite direction of Jun Yelan.
She reached the entrance to the altar and saw Ruan Yuan, taking the sword from his hand. “The Emperor will also be here today. We must ensure the Emperor’s safety. Let’s go!”
“Yes, General.” Ruan Yuan and the people behind him followed Lan Yan.
After Lan Yan and her entourage left, a group of black-clothed figures appeared silently. Their sleeves were embroidered with the character for Ying.
They moved with agility, carrying black spherical objects with fuses attached, and ran towards the altar.