Lan Yan looked up at Jun Yelan and asked, "Are you injured just now?" Seeing Jun Yelan like this, she felt a pang of fear.
Jun Yelan shook his head, "Just a minor injury. This blood is theirs. I promised you I wouldn't put myself in danger easily."
He had taken everything Lan Yan had said to heart.
Lan Yan couldn't help but smile, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the bloodstains from Jun Yelan's cheek. She said, "You're amazing."
Jun Yelan let out a soft hum and curved his lips.
After cleaning him up, Lan Yan turned to Ruo Niang behind her and said, "Ruo Niang, Yelan, there's no time to delay. We need to discuss this." This matter couldn't be postponed, or it might change.
Ruo Niang had been cold since she arrived, showing no regard for Jun Yelan.
Only after seeing Jun Yelan's affection for Lan Yan did her attitude improve slightly. She said indifferently, "Jun Yelan, I'm here for Lan Yan's sake."
"I know, thank you, Miss Ruo." Jun Yelan did not want to disrupt Lan Yan's efforts and was willing to put aside the animosity with the Flower Pavilion for now and fight the enemy together.
With such gentle words, Ruo Niang found it difficult to say anything more.
Seeing this, Lan Yan stood between them and smiled, "Alright, you two, let's not beat around the bush. Today's battle is an omen; the court will not let us off."
"What we need to do is work together and face it together."
Jun Yelan naturally supported Lan Yan and spoke about the situation today. "Their numbers are too great. Even if the people from the Assassin Pavilion can fight a hundred with one, it will be difficult to win. We cannot engage in a head-on confrontation; we need to outsmart them."
"Yelan is right," Lan Yan continued, tapping her chin. "Our city is strategically advantageous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. I'm thinking of having the Flower Pavilion devise a defense strategy to block them from the front."
"And the people from the Assassin Pavilion will attack from both sides and kill the enemy."
Jun Yelan nodded. "When the time comes, I will lead the people from the Assassin Pavilion and also set some traps, so they won't die in vain. With the strength of both pavilions, we can buy more time for others to escape."
"We can't stay in this place!"
They all knew that even if the court retreated this time, they would send more people later. The best solution was to relocate.
Lan Yan felt more at ease seeing Jun Yelan's well-thought-out plan, but Ruo Niang remained silent. "Ruo Niang, do you have any concerns?"
"Your ideas are very good, but can this really work?" Ruo Niang still had doubts, as this was, after all, the Assassin Pavilion.
Lan Yan held Jun Yelan's hand and stood in front of Ruo Niang, saying firmly, "It will. When the time comes, I will defend the city, Yelan will kill the enemy, and you, Ruo Niang, will be responsible for organizing the evacuation."
"Yan'er!" Jun Yelan said worriedly, wanting Lan Yan to evacuate first.
Lan Yan, however, smiled. "Yelan, I'm staying this time not for you. With me here, the people of the Flower Pavilion will feel at ease and be united with us."
Jun Yelan's expression was pained. He clenched his fists, confident that they would win!
He looked at Ruo Niang, emanating coldness, and called out with authority, "I, Jun Yelan, am not a person who breaks his promises. I will protect the Flower Pavilion because I know Yan'er cares about you."
Ruo Niang was taken aback. The determination of these two infected her. "Alright, I promise. I will make preparations tomorrow." With that, her gaze turned to Lan Yan, "You are truly different. Even Jun Yelan listens to you."
"That's because I make sense," Lan Yan smiled brilliantly. "Ruo Niang, you've worked hard too. You should go and rest. We'll see each other again tomorrow."
Ruo Niang left.
"Yelan, let's go too," Lan Yan said, holding Jun Yelan's hand as they walked out of the hall.
Jun Yelan smiled gently and followed Lan Yan. After walking for a while, he looked at the direction Lan Yan was heading, which wasn't back to their rooms. He asked in confusion, "Yan'er, where are you taking me?"
Lan Yan smiled mysteriously. "To a place where we can steal some leisure." She led Jun Yelan to the garden, which was now quiet, with moonlight shining on the courtyard.
"Look, how beautiful it is here."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan, his eyes filled with adoration. "Yan'er, only you would know this place." He had stayed in the Assassin Pavilion for so many years, yet he had never truly appreciated it.
It turned out that even the plants and trees here were so captivating.
Lan Yan smiled. "I discovered this place last time when I was wandering around. Yelan, the great battle is tomorrow, and I want to do one thing with you."
She released Jun Yelan's hand, faced the bright moon above, and knelt down.
Jun Yelan was puzzled but knelt with her.
Lan Yan clasped her hands together and smiled, "Yelan, I'll say a sentence, and you repeat it."
"Okay," Jun Yelan's gaze remained fixed on Lan Yan.
The moonlight bathed Lan Yan, casting a gentle glow upon her, making her appear even more tender and lovely than usual.
Lan Yan looked at the bright moon and slowly said, "I, Lan Yan, am willing to marry Jun Yelan as my wife, and will never betray him, in life or death."
Jun Yelan's pupils widened in shock. He stared at Lan Yan, momentarily speechless.
"Why aren't you speaking?" Lan Yan smiled.
Jun Yelan looked at the smile on Lan Yan's lips, finally reacting. His lips trembled as he said, "I, Jun Yelan, am willing to marry Lan Yan as my wife, and will never betray her, in life or death."
His heart was trembling. He couldn't control his hands as he pulled Lan Yan into his embrace, a misty sheen appearing in his eyes. "Yan'er, you must live longer than me."
Lan Yan knew the answer, but this time she replied, "Okay, I'll try."
"Mm." Jun Yelan tightened his embrace, resting his head on Lan Yan's shoulder, suppressing the emotions welling up in his eyes. If Lan Yan were to leave first, he wouldn't stay; these were his true feelings.
The two remained silent, holding each other tightly.
The next morning, Lan Yan stood on the city wall, with Ruo Niang by her side. According to yesterday's plan, Jun Yelan would lead the troops out of the city to fight, while she would defend the city.
She looked towards the city gate, where Jun Yelan was on horseback. She waved goodbye and said solemnly, "You must return safely."
Jun Yelan smiled at her, then looked back at the people behind him. His eyes were determined as he commanded, "Move out." He rode forward, determined to survive for the sake of those behind him.
Only when Jun Yelan's figure disappeared from view did Lan Yan withdraw her gaze. "Yelan, you protect me, and I will protect you too."
Ruo Niang stood by, having witnessed a significant display of affection, and said helplessly, "Then I'll be going too." She had only come to check the situation. Seeing that both of them were ready, it was time for her to attend to her own matters.
She turned to leave, then stopped. "Although I dislike Jun Yelan very much, you must stay alive." She also knew that only if Lan Yan lived would Jun Yelan have a better chance of survival.
"Thank you, you too." Lan Yan watched Ruo Niang leave, leaving her alone.
A group of soldiers gradually appeared at the city gate, the same imperial troops who had retreated yesterday.
Lan Yan clenched her fist, looked at the people on both sides, and shouted, "Hurl stones!" She had to defend this place well, so that Jun Yelan and Ruo Niang would have a retreat.