Drip, drip, blood fell from Jun Yelan's palm to the ground. He was gripping the attacking knife, holding it firmly in front of Lan Yan, his eyes filled with ferocity.
"Yelan." Lan Yan cried out in shock, kicking the Ming You in front of her away. Then she looked at Jun Yelan's hand, which was bleeding more and more, and exclaimed, "Yelan, let's go see a doctor quickly."
"Lin Yun, take the shop assistants and capture Ming You, then send him to the authorities!" Her face was full of anger, wishing she could cut Ming You herself, but Yelan's hand was more important now.
Someone immediately subdued Ming You, who was still in a daze, thinking he was surely finished this time.
Lan Yan took Jun Yelan to the medical hall, urgently grabbing the doctor's arm and shouting, "Doctor, his hand must be alright." Jun Yelan was about to participate in the imperial examinations, something he had always wanted to do, and it couldn't be ruined here.
Tears streamed down her face.
Jun Yelan clasped Lan Yan's palm with his other hand, comforting her, "Yan'er, I'm fine, the knife was small." At that moment, his only thought was that Lan Yan could not be harmed.
Lan Yan nodded, casually wiping her eyes, urging the doctor to treat Jun Yelan's injury quickly. She stood by, watching anxiously, her heart aching.
The doctor began treating Jun Yelan's wound, first washing it with water, then applying medicine with cotton swabs.
The knife had cut through his entire palm, and as the medicine was applied, Jun Yelan couldn't help but grunt.
Lan Yan cried out, "Doctor, be gentle, he's in pain." She clasped her hands together, her face etched with worry.
The doctor shook his head helplessly, "Looking at your reaction, it feels like you're the one who's injured."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint smile, "Yan'er, I'm fine."
Lan Yan's eyes dimmed slightly, knowing that Jun Yelan was comforting her; how could he be fine? She felt that with her here, Jun Yelan would have to endure, afraid to cry out lest she worry.
"Then I'll wait outside." With that, she left directly.
Jun Yelan watched her retreating back, clenching his other palm, sweat beading on his forehead as he continued to treat the wound.
After bandaging it, the doctor said, "Your wound is alright, just take extra care from now on. I'll go and call your wife in." He walked out.
Jun Yelan was left alone, looking at his bandaged palm. He felt fortunate that Lan Yan wasn't the one injured. He took out a hairpin from his embrace; he had intended to propose to Lan Yan today, but this incident had occurred.
"Yelan!" Lan Yan rushed in, seeing Jun Yelan lost in thought. She crouched down, meeting Jun Yelan's gaze as he sat, and asked, "Yelan, does your hand still hurt?"
Jun Yelan shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. As long as Lan Yan was well, he felt no pain.
Thinking about what had happened, he said, "Yan'er, it's all because of me that Ming You targeted you. I shouldn't have let him go." He lowered his head, his eyes filled with regret and self-blame.
Lan Yan held Jun Yelan's hand and said gently, "Yelan, look up. You did nothing wrong. They are the ones who did evil deeds and refuse to repent; they are the ones who should pay the price."
"Don't worry, they won't appear again, and they won't disturb our lives anymore." She was afraid Jun Yelan would fall into self-reproach; her Yelan had finally stepped into the light.
Jun Yelan nodded, a plan already forming in his mind.
He presented the hairpin to Lan Yan, "Yan'er, this is for you, our betrothal gift. In fact, I've already been preparing for the wedding, wanting to truly become husband and wife with you."
Lan Yan smiled, accepting the hairpin and placing it on her head. "Actually, we already have many betrothal gifts, but I still really like what you've given me."
"How can I not be involved in preparing the wedding? You should have told me earlier so I could have helped you."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's radiant eyes and was suddenly speechless. No matter what, having Lan Yan by his side was enough. He embraced Lan Yan with one arm, "Alright, we'll prepare it together."
Following this, Lan Yan took care of Jun Yelan while preparing for the wedding. With Lin Yun and the many shop assistants around, she found it much easier, and the wedding preparations progressed smoothly, soon arriving at the wedding day.
On the eve of the wedding, Jun Yelan went to a place, the county prison. He met a half-dead Ming You and deliberately offered a cup of wine, "I said it before, those who hurt her must pay the price."
He intended to resolve all troubles tonight.
Ming You could no longer even cry. Trembling, he picked up the wine cup and drank it down. He shouldn't have crossed Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan collected the wine cup and, as silently as he had arrived, walked towards the door.
Behind him, Ming You leaned against the wall, his limbs gradually growing cold, yet he still had a breath left.
Jun Yelan stood at the prison entrance and glanced inside. Letting Ming You die directly would be too easy for him. Moreover, after being with Lan Yan for so long, he was no longer as extreme as before and could try to let go of the past.
He walked towards home with light steps, where Lan Yan was waiting for him.
The next morning, Lan Yan and Jun Yelan held their wedding ceremony, Lan Chuo also married Lin Yun, and Old Hu, Master Du, and Pei Yuan all came to celebrate.
The Lan family was instantly lively, and it only quieted down after the guests left in the evening.
Lan Yan sat in the bridal chamber, nibbling on a pastry under her veil, being too hungry.
The door opened, and her veil was lifted. Jun Yelan looked at her with a smile.
Jun Yelan smiled at the pastry she was holding and brought out the bowl from behind him. "Yan'er, eat slowly, I'm not in a hurry." He sat beside Lan Yan, his eyes filled with affection.
Lan Yan picked up a cake and took a slow bite, turning her head to see Jun Yelan's gaze, which was too intense. Her cheeks flushed, and she said, "Don't look at me, eat your food."
"I'm not hungry." Jun Yelan gazed at Lan Yan's profile, a satisfied smile on his lips. He chuckled, "Yan'er, I can never get enough of looking at you."
He held Lan Yan's hand, "From today on, you are my wife."
Lan Yan smiled and nodded, "You are my husband too." She rested her head on Jun Yelan's shoulder.
Jun Yelan put his arm around Lan Yan's shoulder and slowly guided her onto the bed.
...
The next morning, Lan Yan saw Jun Yelan off to the prefectural capital for his examination. She handed him the bundle she was holding and hugged him, "Go and come back soon, be careful."
She wasn't worried about Jun Yelan failing the exam, only whether he would take care of himself. In the future, when Jun Yelan had to travel to the capital for further examinations, she would accompany him, otherwise, she would worry incessantly.
Jun Yelan slung the bundle over his shoulder. "Yan'er, I've noted it all." With that, he leaned down and kissed Lan Yan's forehead, smiling, "Yan'er, you should go back."
He boarded the boat and watched Lan Yan from the bow.
Lan Yan waved to him, shouting loudly, "You must return safely." She turned and walked back. As she reached the doorstep of her home, a system prompt sounded in her mind.
"Mission target is in danger, host, please prepare."