"Fine, I'll accompany you," Lan Yan snorted coldly, then kicked Ning Yuan into the sedan chair. "Ning Yuan's household guards, hurry and send him to the palace. If you're late, your master won't even have the strength to lodge a complaint!"
She walked ahead, sheathed her sword, and appeared utterly unrestrained.
Ning Yuan was carried away behind her, clutching his waist and crying out in pain, "Slow down!" He clenched his fists, his eyes burning with rage. Once he reached the Emperor, he would teach Lan Yan a lesson!
The sedan chair carriers wanted to slow down, but they were met with Lan Yan's cold gaze, forcing them to quicken their pace. General Lan was a terrifying presence.
Lan Yan snorted, withdrawing her gaze, and continued walking forward. The matter at her mansion's gate had likely already reached the Emperor's ears. She planned to take advantage of Ning Yuan's complaint to explain herself clearly, lest suspicion arise.
Her sovereign was not easily fooled.
After thinking all the way, she smoothly arrived at the palace gate. She glanced back, thinking of Ning Yuan's injuries, and smiled brilliantly before heading straight to the Imperial Study.
Ning Yuan was helped out of the sedan chair. Seeing Lan Yan already walking away, the anger in his eyes intensified. "Lan Yan, you just wait," he said, clutching his waist and enduring the pain as he walked towards the Imperial Study.
Lan Yan entered the Imperial Study and saw the Emperor playing chess alone. She knelt to pay her respects. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The Emperor did not look up, holding a white stone. "Why has my minister come?" he asked.
"Your Majesty!" Lan Yan stood up, pinched her arm, and reddened her eyes. "Your Majesty, this subject woke up early this morning and discovered a group of people suddenly appeared at my mansion's gate. As I was driving them away, Censor Ning arrived to stop me."
This was the first time the Emperor had seen Lan Yan like this, her face etched with grievance. He glanced at a corner and said, "Is this so?"
Lan Yan nodded. "It is absolutely true! Those people were of unknown origin and had blocked my mansion's gate. If not for the martial skills I possess, I wouldn't have been able to leave my home."
"After I came out, Censor Ning cursed at me and threw mud at me. Your Majesty, as you know, I have been constantly campaigning and rarely return to court. I don't know where I offended Censor Ning!"
The Emperor frowned and fell into thought.
At that moment, a eunuch outside the door announced, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Censor Ning requests an audience."
The corners of Lan Yan's lips curved slightly, then hid. This man was walking too slowly; it was evident his injuries were severe. Serves him right!
"Let him in," the Emperor called out, looking at Ning Yuan as he walked through the doorway.
Ning Yuan's heart skipped a beat. He felt the Emperor's gaze was not right.
He looked suspiciously at Lan Yan beside him, his eyes reigniting with anger. He shouted, "Your Majesty, I wish to accuse General Lan of harming a colleague and inciting the populace."
Seeing Lan Yan's unperturbed expression, he wondered if Lan Yan had already said something to the Emperor before he arrived. Feeling uneasy, he continued, "Your Majesty, General Lan was truly excessive, and even struck me."
Lan Yan remained motionless, waiting to see what Ning Yuan would say, and closely observed the Emperor's expression.
His attitude was the most crucial.
The Emperor remained silent. He placed down the white stone in his hand and glanced at the empty seat opposite him. He then looked up and fixed his gaze on Ning Yuan, making Ning Yuan even more uneasy.
"Censor Ning, something happened at General Lan's mansion, and you appeared by sheer coincidence. Furthermore, General Lan only recently returned; how could she incite the populace? The term 'spreading seditious lies' cannot be used lightly!"
Ning Yuan trembled, unable to discern the Emperor's stance. Previously, when he impeached Lan Yan, the Emperor had clearly agreed, but now he had changed. He said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent. General Lan also struck me."
As he finished speaking, he glared fiercely at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan suddenly knelt on the ground and cried out to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Censor Ning charged at me. For my own protection, I merely gave him a gentle push. Furthermore, it was Censor Ning's intention to see Your Majesty that caused his injuries to worsen."
"However, this is related to me, and I am willing to apologize." She looked at Ning Yuan and called out, "Censor Ning, I am sorry."
Ning Yuan was stunned. Lan Yan had been so fierce earlier, why was she so accommodating now? No! He looked at the Emperor and shouted, "I..."
However, he was interrupted by the Emperor raising his hand. The Emperor said coldly, "This matter, I am already aware of it. It is merely a misunderstanding. Both my ministers may leave."
Ning Yuan's pupils trembled slightly. Seeing the Emperor's displeased expression, he could only swallow his words.
Lan Yan, seeing this, exclaimed, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I take my leave." She exited the Imperial Study, her lips curling. She had won.
Ning Yuan also left resentfully. Looking at the energetic Lan Yan, then at himself, he could not let it go. If he could not deal with her openly, he would do so covertly, finding more trouble for Lan Yan.
After they both departed, within the Imperial Study, the Emperor picked up the white stone and said, "Are you satisfied?"
From a corner, a person emerged. It was Jun Yelan. He stood respectfully before the Emperor and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty is satisfied."
A smile appeared on the Emperor's face. "Continue the game of chess."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jun Yelan said, sitting down and holding a black stone. He had overheard Lan Yan and Ning Yuan's argument and had left through the back door to inform the Emperor of what had transpired.
The origin of this matter was related to him, and what the Emperor desired was a balance between civil officials and generals. He had taken the opportunity to confess his wrongdoing and spoken to the Emperor's desires. When the Emperor had asked him to withdraw before Lan Yan entered, it was also to observe the two of them.
He was not interested in court politics, but Lan Yan could not be harmed.
At this time, Lan Yan returned to her mansion. The people at the gate had all left, and only Ruan Yuan remained. She smiled and said, "Ruan Yuan, thank you today. I'll go in and inform Jun Yelan first."
"Young Master Jun is not at the mansion; he has gone to the palace." Ruan Yuan had received a note from Jun Yelan earlier and had been waiting for Lan Yan.
Lan Yan wondered, "At this hour, why would he go!" She thought of the chess game the Emperor was playing alone and realized the reason. "Then I'll go to the palace gate to pick him up. You can go back first."
Ruan Yuan had no choice but to leave, sighing. "When the General deals with Young Master Jun's matters, she becomes anxious. I only hope Young Master Jun feels the same way towards the General."
Lan Yan drove her carriage towards the palace gate, but halfway there, the carriage suddenly stopped. Speechless, she had to look for someone. The sky suddenly began to rain.
"No, is it necessary to be this unlucky!" She watched the rain intensify, took the umbrella from the carriage, and handed the carriage over to the driver. "You fix it first and wait for us here."
The driver called out, "Yes, General. General, with such heavy rain, won't you wait!"
"No, someone is waiting for me." Lan Yan opened the umbrella, lifted her skirt, and ran towards the palace gate. The rainwater splashed up from the ground, soaking her skirt.
As if unaware, she reached the palace gate and saw Jun Yelan standing under the eaves. Her lips curved upwards.
Through the curtain of rain, Jun Yelan looked at the person in front of him, holding an umbrella and walking towards him in the rain. His pupils trembled.