After the carriage traveled for two days and one night, they reached the outskirts of the city and made camp.
Lan Yan jumped off the carriage, looking at the boundless forest before her and stretching. She had been tired from the carriage ride these past few days. Turning, she said, "Jun Yelan, aren't you coming down? It's so beautiful here."
She curved her lips into a smile, thinking of Jun Yelan's first time here.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Jun Yelan, dressed in green, his white hair tied back with a single green ribbon, stepped down from the carriage. Sunlight shone directly into his eyes, and he slightly turned his head, looking at the surrounding trees and the river.
The forest surrounded the river, and by the river, there were some cute little animals drinking water.
His eyes trembled. He had never seen such a scene, having always been confined to a small room.
Seeing Jun Yelan stunned, Lan Yan's smile widened. She reached out and tugged his sleeve, leading him forward. "It's even more beautiful up ahead."
Jun Yelan lowered his head, gazing at his sleeve, his lips parting slightly before returning to stillness.
Lan Yan hadn't been here before either, just walking wherever the path led. Her sharp eyes spotted a hole in the nearby bushes. She then pulled Jun Yelan and crouched beside it, saying with a grin, "Let me show you a good show."
She hid her entire body in the bushes, only revealing her two eyes.
Jun Yelan looked at her mysterious demeanor, his eyes sparkling with cunning. In her, he always saw a childlike side, a side he had never experienced, simple and unrestrained.
His sleeve was tugged, and he withdrew his thoughts, looking at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan was staring at the entrance of the hole not far away and whispered, "Here they come."
Jun Yelan followed her gaze and saw a rabbit hopping over, its eyes filled with confusion. Was she bringing him to see a rabbit?
"Shh, don't speak." Lan Yan placed a finger on her lips, watching the rabbit before her. The moment the rabbit hopped into the hole, she pounced forward and covered the opening.
Her eyes darted about as she looked down into the hole and fished out the rabbit from before. Then she stood up and waved at Jun Yelan, "I caught it."
Jun Yelan looked at the person before him, his lips gradually curving upwards. This person was always so easily delighted.
Lan Yan was stunned. Jun Yelan finally smiled, and she realized how handsome it was. Holding the rabbit, she walked over and dangled it in front of Jun Yelan. "Jun Yelan, this rabbit is for you."
"Eat it or not, it's up to you." She stroked the rabbit's head. The rabbit was pure white, a perfect match for Jun Yelan's white hair.
Jun Yelan stared at the rabbit. The rabbit remained motionless as Lan Yan tossed it into his arms. It was his first time holding a small animal, and a trace of panic appeared on his face as he dared not move.
Then he saw the rabbit curl up in his hands, seemingly sleepy. He couldn't help but murmur, "It's asleep."
"Mmm," Lan Yan smiled and nodded. Finally, she saw a relaxed side of Jun Yelan and felt that catching the rabbit today was worth it. "Let's go back and feed it."
She patted the leaves off herself that she had picked up from the ground. Suddenly, a hand reached over her head, and she stopped abruptly, looking at Jun Yelan beside her.
Jun Yelan withdrew his hand, holding a leaf. "There's a leaf stuck in your hair."
"Oh." Lan Yan showed a hint of regret, having thought Jun Yelan wanted to touch her head. But there would be time for that. She put her hands behind her back and walked forward with light steps.
She then remembered she had to pretend to be lame and slowed her pace, limping deliberately. She couldn't pretend to be lame forever, so she wanted Jun Yelan to linger a bit longer, making him reluctant to leave.
Heh heh, she was truly clever.
Jun Yelan followed, holding the rabbit, and looking at Lan Yan's retreating figure, the curve of his lips never faded. He stroked the rabbit's head and muttered, "Such a peculiar creature."
It was unclear whether he was referring to the rabbit or the person in front of him.
Lan Yan and Jun Yelan returned to the army camp, ate a little, and then continued their journey.
The next morning, the convoy arrived at the imperial city.
According to protocol, Lan Yan left the convoy outside the city and entered alone to meet the Emperor. She instructed Ruan Yuan, who was driving the carriage, "You know where my mansion is. Take Jun Yelan there first."
"Yes, General," Ruan Yuan called out and got into the carriage.
Lan Yan stood by the carriage, leading a horse, and knocked on the window.
The window opened, revealing a scene of a beauty holding a rabbit. She smiled, "Jun Yelan, Ruan Yuan will take you. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
Jun Yelan nodded and looked at Lan Yan's injured leg, asking, "Can you ride a horse?"
"Yes," Lan Yan replied, then added with a hint of grievance, "I can ride slowly. Jun Yelan, remember to wait for me." She was afraid that once she left, Jun Yelan would depart halfway.
After all, Jun Yelan was too intelligent, and Ruan Yuan was no match for him.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's aggrieved expression, his palms tightening slightly. In the end, he did not refuse.
Lan Yan smiled, closed the window, and mounted her horse. "Let's go." She watched the carriage leave before quickly heading towards the palace.
Jun Yelan sat in the carriage, stroking the rabbit's head, and murmured, "Why hasn't her injury healed? Should I do something?"
Rabbit: "..."
Soon, Lan Yan arrived at the palace and saw the magnificent palace buildings.
She removed her sword and armor, entered the grand hall where civil and military officials were gathered, and looked at the man in yellow sitting high above. She knelt and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years."
The Emperor, in his prime, possessed an imposing presence. He raised his hand and said, "General Lan, rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lan Yan stood up, keeping her head lowered. She didn't want to attract the Emperor's attention. She briefly recounted the battle and submitted her memorial.
The Emperor was instantly overjoyed and slapped the armrest of his dragon throne, saying, "General Lan, you are mighty. I shall reward you handsomely."
As he spoke, ministers in red official robes on both sides stepped forward, all shouting, "Your Majesty, although General Lan achieved great victory, she mistreated the prisoners and killed them wantonly, which harms our nation's prestige!"
Lan Yan frowned and looked at the minister on the right. The one who had taken the lead was the Censor-in-Chief, Ning Yuan.
She said coldly, "Censor Ning, one would think you were on the battlefield with me, to know these things."
"Furthermore, are these things true? Or is someone deliberately framing me?" She had a new mind now and wouldn't do such things.
Ning Yuan's face instantly turned ugly, his eyes burning with anger. "General Lan, since when have you become so glib-tongued? The entire army can testify. These are things you have always done."
Lan Yan snorted and looked at the Emperor. "Your Majesty, in the past, I did this to deter those with ill intentions. This time, I have brought all the captives back, awaiting Your Majesty's judgment."
"I have already stated this in my memorial." She smugly raised an eyebrow at Ning Yuan, thinking he couldn't harm her.
Ning Yuan became even more indignant and said to the Emperor, "I implore Your Majesty to pass judgment."
The Emperor's eyes darkened as he fixed his gaze on Lan Yan.