"Injured by accident." Jun Yelan responded concisely.
Lan Yan nodded slowly, feeling that these black-clad figures were detestable for hurting even Jun Yelan. Her expression turned serious, and she said, "Don't worry, I won't let them off."
Jun Yelan hummed softly, always trusting Lan Yan.
Lan Yan couldn't help but smile, looking at Jun Yelan's arm with a heartache. She still needed to report to the Emperor before she could take Jun Yelan for treatment, so she quickened her pace.
The Emperor was resting in the hall, listening to the report from General Zhu beside him, his face cold. "Where did these scoundrels infiltrate from, and how did they have gunpowder all over them? Investigate for me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," General Zhu replied respectfully. "Your Majesty, General Lan had informed me earlier to be cautious."
The Emperor frowned. "General Lan's task was to patrol outside the altar. According to your words, she entered the altar."
Before General Zhu could respond, Ning Yuan, standing below, spoke, "Your Majesty, this Lan Yan must have a problem. Please see clearly." He put on an appearance of concern for the Emperor.
"Censor Ning, what is your intention in being so hasty to point fingers!" Lan Yan entered from outside the hall, with Jun Yelan beside her, coldly staring at Ning Yuan.
Seeing Ning Yuan's anger, she immediately saluted the Emperor and explained, "Your Majesty, when I was patrolling outside, I noticed something was amiss, which is why I informed General Zhu. I then stayed around the altar to protect it."
Ning Yuan immediately snorted coldly, "General Lan, these are all words you say yourself. Who knows if they are true or not. Besides, with General Zhu here, do we need you!"
"One more person is a helper. For someone like you, Censor Ning, who needs protection, of course, you cannot understand," Lan Yan retorted, not to be outdone. "The priest and I were surrounded just now and both sustained injuries."
She was now travel-worn, a stark contrast to Ning Yuan's clean and bright appearance.
The Emperor glanced at Lan Yan and Jun Yelan, then waved his hand, "Go and treat your injuries first." Seeing that Ning Yuan still had something to say, he gave Ning Yuan a cold look, and Ning Yuan immediately fell silent.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lan Yan saluted, looked at Jun Yelan, and turned to leave.
After they left, Ning Yuan couldn't hold back and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, General Lan must be investigated."
A flicker of light flashed in the Emperor's eyes. He said coldly, "I will investigate this matter. Your Highness is also tired, please return." He waved his hand, and an eunuch stepped forward to escort Ning Yuan out. He then looked at General Zhu.
"Have General Lan treated and then come to see me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor was left alone in the hall, holding his forehead, his eyes becoming deep. These ministers never gave him a moment's peace!
At this time, Lan Yan and Jun Yelan returned to Frost Blossom Palace and were examined by the imperial physician.
"I'm fine, you should check on Priest Jun first." Lan Yan sat to the side, propping her chin with her hands, looking at the person opposite her with concern. "By the way, Imperial Physician, please be gentle."
The imperial physician was about to cut open Jun Yelan's sleeve, filled with helplessness.
Jun Yelan said, "You are also tired, go and rest. I have the imperial physician here." He knew Lan Yan was not injured, but after fighting for so long, her body was also fatigued.
Lan Yan did not move at all, showing a wronged expression. "Jun Yelan, you don't want me to stay here, do you?"
"No," Jun Yelan blurted out, then realized he had spoken too quickly and turned his head slightly.
Lan Yan raised an eyebrow, a triumphant smile appearing on her lips. She knew Jun Yelan couldn't resist this. She tapped her cheek with her finger and said, "Then I'll stay with you."
"Mhm," Jun Yelan had nothing more to say.
The imperial physician: For some reason, it felt like I was being shown affection.
After treating the wounds, Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan's arm and asked, "Is there anything else? How about I ask the Emperor for a few days off to take care of you here, or you can come to my residence."
Jun Yelan shook his head, "That would be inappropriate. The Emperor will see you later, and your focus should be on protecting the Emperor." If today's events were not handled properly, the Emperor would become even more suspicious of Lan Yan.
The Emperor wanted him and Lan Yan to keep each other in check, and at the same time, he required them to have this monarch in their hearts.
Lan Yan realized that Jun Yelan was worried about her. "Alright, I'll listen to you. Then you rest well, and I'll leave first."
There was no other way. Given the current situation, she had to go to the Emperor to plead her case, otherwise, she would never get to see Jun Yelan again.
She was truly having a difficult time.
"Watch your wording," Jun Yelan's eyes showed concern. Lan Yan's temperament was not suited for the palace. He suddenly wished that Lan Yan had not returned, and was still her unrestrained self in the military camp.
Lan Yan nodded, took a step, then turned back and pinched Jun Yelan's cheek. "Alright, don't worry about me, I am the only female general in the Yan Dynasty!"
She grinned, looking at Jun Yelan's stunned expression, and walked out of the hall.
Jun Yelan stood in place, watching Lan Yan's retreating figure, his lips also curving upwards.
Lan Yan returned to the imperial study and looked at the Emperor before her, saying with an innocent expression, "Your Majesty, after I discovered something was amiss, I arranged for my subordinates to guard the door and personally went to remind General Zhu."
"General Zhu had some reservations at the time, so I stayed behind to guard the altar, and also to guard Your Majesty."
The Emperor's expression improved slightly. "You have a considerate heart, Your Highness. However, this matter is of great importance. Those people were targeting me, and it needs to be thoroughly investigated."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lan Yan said respectfully, "I suspect these people are remnants of the Ying Kingdom, who came specifically to assassinate Your Majesty during this sacrificial ceremony. My failure to eliminate them completely is my dereliction of duty."
She knelt on the ground, lowered her head, and internally complained. Having to kneel so often was truly bothersome.
The Emperor nodded, satisfied with this answer, and raised his hand, saying, "Rise, Your Highness. This matter cannot be entirely blamed on you, but now the people are in turmoil, and I need to punish some individuals."
Lan Yan understood that she was definitely among those to be punished. "Your Majesty, I know I am guilty and am willing to stay at home temporarily to recover from my injuries."
The Emperor hesitated for a moment, then said, "Thus, you have worked hard, Your Highness."
"It is my duty to share Your Majesty's worries," Lan Yan felt disgusted with herself. Seeing that the Emperor had nothing more to say, she quickly took her leave. As she walked out of the palace gate, she took a breath of fresh air and felt much more at ease.
She looked back, unable to see the palace where Jun Yelan resided, and murmured, "Jun Yelan, please stay safe here."
Ruan Yuan was still waiting for Lan Yan at the palace gate. Seeing Lan Yan's weary demeanor, she didn't know how to ask. "Is the General returning?"
"Mhm, I'll be at home recently. Please help me close the gate." Lan Yan shook her head at Ruan Yuan's stare, signaling her not to ask. She got into the carriage and returned to her own residence.
Ruan Yuan closed the gate and also left.
In the vast residence, only Lan Yan was present. She sat at the table, took out paper and brush, "Heh heh, what should I write?" They couldn't see each other, but they could write letters.