Lan Yan arrived at the kitchen, fanning the flames as she brewed medicine. The system's voice echoed in her mind.
"Host." The system called again, receiving no response.
Lan Yan turned her head, focusing on the fire beneath the medicine pot, completely ignoring it.
System: "..." What to do with a host who holds a grudge? Just endure it.
"Host, I was undergoing repairs and didn't have the chance to contact you. Now that I'm fixed, I've come to find you immediately."
Lan Yan didn't believe this. This system was as cunning as a fox. "So, what do you want from me? Now that I've already adapted here?"
With that, the system found it difficult to respond. "Host, I wanted to warn you, be careful of Jun Yelan. Don't get sold out by him before you've even managed to capture his heart."
"Oh." Lan Yan fanned the fire even harder, knowing the system never had good news. "You might as well stop me from doing missions; I'd prefer the peace and quiet."
System: How did it reach this point! "Host, that won't do. You'd better try harder. I'll be watching you." With that, it immediately went offline, deciding not to anger its host any further.
Lan Yan stopped fanning the fire, poured the medicine into a bowl, and carried it outside. "Stupid system, always saying things halfway."
After her grumbling, she had already reached the outside of the military tent. She walked in and saw Jun Yelan already lying in bed.
Jun Yelan was covered with a thin quilt, his hands clenched, and his brow furrowed. He appeared to be sleeping very restlessly.
Lan Yan put down the medicine and sighed, looking at Jun Yelan like this. "Never mind, I'll let you drink it when you wake up." She worried that waking Jun Yelan would make it harder for him to sleep.
She moved away from the bedside and walked back to her own low couch.
Jun Yelan did not wake up all night, and the wrinkles on his brow smoothed considerably.
The next morning, Lan Yan found Ruan Yuan, and they inspected the military camp together.
Today was the day to return to the court. Most of the tents in the military camp had already been taken down, and some were still being packed up slowly.
"Right, prepare a carriage. I have a use for it."
Ruan Yuan bowed respectfully. "Yes, General." She instructed a nearby soldier, then suddenly remembered that her general always rode horses, and asked, "Is the General tired this time?"
Lan Yan shook her head. "It's not for me, it's for Jun Yelan. He's not well." Moreover, if Jun Yelan walked among the soldiers, they would stare at him, fear him, and despise him.
"General, I must say something," Ruan Yuan said with her head bowed. "He is from the State of Ying after all, and he carries danger around him. I know the General is merciful, but you shouldn't take him back."
Lan Yan looked at Ruan Yuan, seeing her speak so seriously. The original host was not merciful. "Deputy General Ruan, I know what you're saying. But I must take him with me."
This was her mission target. If she abandoned Jun Yelan, she would die horribly.
Seeing Lan Yan's insistence, Ruan Yuan had no choice but to give up. "In any case, General, take care of yourself."
"Mm." Lan Yan quickly changed the subject. "Deputy General Ruan, the preparations are complete. Let's set off. The sooner we start, the sooner we return, and let these soldiers reunite with their families."
Ruan Yuan called out, "Yes, General. Your subordinate will arrange it immediately."
Lan Yan was left alone in the spot and let out a sigh of relief. She looked around, watching the soldiers getting ready to depart, and silently returned to her tent.
Jun Yelan was sitting at the table as before. Seeing Lan Yan enter, a glint flashed in his eyes.
Lan Yan curved her lips into a smile. "Jun Yelan, we're going back. You should pack your things too."
Jun Yelan lowered his head slightly, his eyes turning cold, and he tightened his sleeves. He didn't want to go back with Lan Yan, but it wasn't the right time to reveal that. He would wait a bit longer.
He hid the ruthlessness in his eyes and looked up with a bewildered expression.
Lan Yan's eyes lit up. Jun Yelan looked so well-behaved like this. She quickly withdrew her hand, unable to pet his head again. "It's alright, you just follow me."
She walked to the bed and started packing, which involved only a few clothes. As she unfolded the quilt, something fell out. She looked at the ground, but Jun Yelan had already picked it up.
She looked at Jun Yelan curiously. Seeing him carefully hide it like a treasure, she smiled. "I won't take yours. Everything is packed, you should come out too."
Carrying a pile of things, she walked towards the door.
Jun Yelan stood behind her, his face turning icy. He took out the dagger from his sleeve. He drew the blade, which reflected his eyes filled with hatred.
Half an hour later, the convoy set off.
Lan Yan rode her horse, looking at Jun Yelan, who was sitting in the carriage beside her, and nodded with satisfaction. "Jun Yelan, there's food and drink inside the carriage. If you're tired, get some good rest."
There was no sound from inside the carriage. She was used to it and continued forward without concern.
Jun Yelan was already wiping the dagger, stroke by stroke. His gaze flickered to the food box in the corner, and he murmured, "No one is good to a monster, including her."
He had received the same treatment everywhere he went.
After traveling for a long time, Lan Yan saw a river and called out, "Halt and rest." She let the soldiers rest and reached out to tap on the carriage window, calling out, "Jun Yelan, do you want to get out and walk a bit?"
She didn't hear a response, thinking Jun Yelan refused, and was about to leave when the carriage curtain was lifted.
Jun Yelan emerged, wearing a blue robe. His dark hair was held in place by a jade hairpin, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his face radiated a bone-chilling coldness.
He stepped out, standing beside Lan Yan's horse, and looked at her.
Lan Yan, staring at Jun Yelan, quickly averted her gaze. She had been momentarily captivated. She dismounted and stood alongside Jun Yelan, walking ahead first.
Jun Yelan followed, touching his right sleeve.
Lan Yan glanced at Jun Yelan from the corner of her eye. She felt something was off. Jun Yelan was usually quiet, but he didn't seem this cold; it gave her a chilling feeling.
She cleared her throat and took the initiative to speak, "Jun Yelan, let's walk over there."
Jun Yelan remained silent, merely following Lan Yan.
Now Lan Yan was at a loss. Seeing Ruan Yuan approaching, she waved her hand. "It's fine. We'll walk ahead and be back soon. You don't need to come."
Seeing this, Ruan Yuan could only remain in place.
Jun Yelan's eyes flickered, and he tightly pressed the dagger in his sleeve. He scanned the surroundings. The riverside was lined with dense woods. This was a good opportunity.
He focused on Lan Yan's shoulder, bit his lip, and reached out to grasp her sleeve.
Lan Yan stopped and looked at Jun Yelan curiously. Seeing him point towards the river, she asked, "You want to go there?"
Jun Yelan nodded, a look of anticipation on his face.
This was the first time Jun Yelan had approached her. Lan Yan couldn't help but smile. "Okay, let's go there then." She walked forward, oblivious to Jun Yelan's changing expression.
Upon reaching the riverbank, the water surface was wide open.
Lan Yan stretched out her arms comfortably and called out, "Jun Yelan, you try it too." As she spoke, a dagger suddenly appeared at her neck. She looked back at the person behind her in confusion.
Jun Yelan's eyes were now fierce. His right hand gripped the dagger tightly, and his throat bobbed as he said, "You shouldn't have trusted me."