Lan Yan instinctively stepped forward, shielding Jun Yelan from the approaching figure clad in black. "Who are you? How dare you cause trouble at my general's mansion."
She reached for her waist, only to realize with a jolt that she hadn't brought any weapons.
Jun Yelan watched Lan Yan's protective stance, his eyes flickering. He took her wrist, pulling her aside, and explained, "This is someone from the Emperor's side. He's summoned me to the palace."
"What? The Emperor?" Lan Yan asked in surprise. The Emperor knew of Jun Yelan's existence and wanted to see him?
This was no small matter. She turned and grabbed Jun Yelan's sleeve, asking, "Shall I explain to the Emperor on your behalf?"
Jun Yelan, meeting Lan Yan's worried gaze, tightened his grip on her wrist and shook his head. "This is an imperial decree." While they had their disagreements, he didn't want Lan Yan to get into trouble because of him.
He felt they were even now.
Lan Yan's head drooped. She worried about what might happen to Jun Yelan in the palace. Seeing his resolve, she turned to the man in black and inquired, "Are you truly sent by the Emperor?"
The man in black produced a token and said respectfully, "General, I dare not lie. The Emperor's summons cannot be delayed."
"I will go with you," Jun Yelan said, releasing Lan Yan's wrist. He looked at his palm, feeling a touch of surprise. He shouldn't have been so hasty. He walked past Lan Yan, following the man in black.
Lan Yan stood frozen, watching Jun Yelan's receding figure. She couldn't help but call out, "Jun Yelan, be careful!"
Jun Yelan paused for a moment, a flicker of emotion in his eyes, then continued forward without looking back.
Lan Yan was left alone, sighing softly. "He should be safe!" She tried to recall her meeting with the Emperor today. The Emperor wasn't a rigid person, but what was his purpose in seeking out Jun Yelan?
Just then, Ruan Yuan entered the general's mansion. Seeing Lan Yan like this, she asked, perplexed, "General, what are you doing, meditating?"
"No," Lan Yan shook her head. "Deputy General Ruan, is there something you need?"
Ruan Yuan carried two pots of wine and two paper-wrapped parcels. "General Lan, this is new wine from my family, and two pounds of beef. I wanted to gift them to you."
Truthfully, when she had arrived that morning, she saw the general's mansion was bare, and she worried they might not even have dinner.
Lan Yan insisted on paying, unwilling to accept gifts for free, but Ruan Yuan politely refused. Lan Yan accepted the items, smiling. "Alright, I will visit your residence to express my gratitude later."
"General, you flatter me. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to join the army." Ruan Yuan deeply admired Lan Yan. She had loved practicing martial arts since childhood but had never found an opportunity until Lan Yan became the first female general.
Lan Yan wasted no more words, feeling that Ruan Yuan was a friend worth keeping.
She patted Ruan Yuan's shoulder and nodded. "Good. By the way, Ruan Yuan, Jun Yelan was summoned by the Emperor. Do you know why?"
"Summoned away!" Ruan Yuan exclaimed loudly. The sound echoed particularly in the empty courtyard.
Lan Yan covered her ears and asked, "Why are you so suddenly agitated?"
Ruan Yuan cautiously looked around, then leaned closer to Lan Yan and whispered, "General, as a subject, one shouldn't discuss imperial matters, but I heard that the Emperor keeps male consorts and favors men!"
"What!" This time, Lan Yan's voice was louder than Ruan Yuan's. Birds flew away from the dry branches. She hurried towards the gate, then remembered something and turned back into the house to get her weapons.
Ruan Yuan stood confused, watching Lan Yan suddenly become tense. Strange, Jun Yelan was just a captive; why did the General care so much?
Even if she had some interest, it wasn't worth fighting the Emperor over him.
Lan Yan emerged with her sword. Seeing Ruan Yuan still there, she called out, "Ruan Yuan, I have something to attend to today. I'll entertain you another time. You should head back now." With that, she galloped out of the mansion and headed towards the imperial palace.
She announced that she had something to report to the Emperor and entered the palace without hindrance. However, she was stopped at the door of the imperial study. "Eunuch, I have something to tell the Emperor, may I inform him?"
The eunuch at the door looked troubled. "General, it's truly not that I don't want to, but the Emperor has ordered that no one disturb him at this time. Perhaps you could come back tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow will be too late!" Lan Yan cried out, anxiously looking into the imperial study, unable to see anything clearly. She paced back and forth at the door, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, peeking inside intermittently.
What should she do now! The Emperor wouldn't see her, and Ruan Yuan had said what she did, and Jun Yelan was handsome.
This series of events made Lan Yan panic. She turned and saw a woman in luxurious attire approaching. Judging by her attire, she was from the inner palace. Her eyes darted, and she had an idea.
The woman also saw Lan Yan, a look of disdain in her eyes. This was the General Lan that her elder brother was targeting. Moreover, the Emperor had mentioned wanting to foster a marriage alliance between their families. If Lan Yan became her sister-in-law, her life would be unbearable!
Lan Yan bowed. "Greetings, Consort Ning."
"What are you doing here?" Consort Ning had a sharp, harsh face. She held her head high, her eyes looking at Lan Yan askance.
Lan Yan looked up, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Consort Ning, I was here to discuss military matters with the Emperor, but the Emperor is busy."
"Heh." Consort Ning smiled smugly. "The Emperor will see me." She looked at the eunuch and called out, "Quickly go and tell the Emperor that I have arrived."
The eunuch lowered his head, his expression troubled. "Consort Ning, it's truly not that I'm unwilling, but the Emperor has ordered that he not be disturbed." Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he found himself offending two powerful women at once.
Consort Ning's face became extremely displeased, and anger flared in her eyes. "Who is inside?"
"It is the Crown Prince of Ying, a priest with the title of unparalleled beauty," Lan Yan interjected, watching Consort Ning's anger escalate. The matter was as she hoped.
She stepped aside, looking towards the door.
Consort Ning detested anyone competing for favor with her. She started making a scene at the door. "Emperor, your humble servant has brought you lotus seed soup, made with my own hands."
She shouted and then pretended to weep with grievance.
Her voice reached inside, and a voice from within said, "Enter."
The eunuch opened the door.
Consort Ning strutted in, swaying her hips, and cast a glance at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan ignored her, her attention fixed on the person inside. Seeing Jun Yelan standing unharmed beside the Emperor, she patted her chest, relieved.
With Consort Ning present, Jun Yelan excused himself to the Emperor. As he reached the door, he saw Lan Yan and looked slightly taken aback. "Why are you here?"
Lan Yan glanced around. This was not a place to talk. "Let's go," she said, walking forward. Seeing Jun Yelan hesitate, she retreated a step and grabbed his sleeve.
Jun Yelan was confused. He followed her, noticing the vigilance in Lan Yan's eyes.
They reached the palace gate, and Lan Yan stopped. She anxiously grabbed Jun Yelan's hands and exclaimed, "Jun Yelan, are you alright? You have no idea how scared I was just now."
Jun Yelan's pupils trembled.