The people of the mountain stronghold drank their wine bowls, exclaiming, "Delicious! If it weren't for the young lady's wedding, we wouldn't get to taste such fine wine."
"Don't just drink, eat the dishes too! These dishes are tastier than usual." Others scooped food from the table, laughing, "This new cook is truly good. Let's tell the boss to keep her."
"To be our chieftain's wife!" As the words fell, a sharp pain struck the back of his head. He turned to see a stone on the ground and roared, "Who's there?"
The people around shouted, "No one, you must be imagining things. Drink up!"
The man rubbed the back of his head, still aching, and felt it was too real. Nevertheless, he continued drinking, not dwelling on it further.
Not far from this group, Jun Yelan was observing them, holding a few small stones. He couldn't help but act when he heard their teasing remarks.
Lan Yan was his person; no one could covet her!
Seeing that the group had drunk their fill, he walked towards the kitchen to find Lan Yan.
However, Old Liu suddenly approached, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "Good brother-in-law, why aren't you staying to drink? From today onwards, you'll stay here peacefully, don't think about leaving."
Jun Yelan frowned. He was not this man's brother-in-law! Recalling his plan, he calmly pushed Old Liu away, stepping back a few paces. "Chieftain, I'll go check on the other brothers."
Upon hearing this, Old Liu couldn't stop smiling. His future brother-in-law was indeed sensible. "Alright, you go ahead." He took his wine pot and went to the table, drinking with his brothers.
Jun Yelan's gaze deepened, and he quickened his pace toward the kitchen, encountering Lan Yan as she emerged. "Yan'er, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Lan Yan replied. After the people carrying the wine had left, she had prepared the food. "The cooks are all eating in the back, and no one is watching us. Let's hurry."
Jun Yelan nodded, took Lan Yan's hand, and headed towards the mountain stronghold's entrance. They had scouted the route the previous night and were now carefully avoiding the crowds, moving unimpeded towards the entrance.
Just then, a shout erupted from behind, "Where are you two going?"
Lan Yan and Jun Yelan stopped, exchanged a look, and turned their heads together to see Old Liu behind them. "We've been discovered."
Old Liu looked at the two before him, shaking his head in confusion, trying to sober up. Seeing their clasped hands, he was suddenly shocked, "You are husband and wife?"
Standing together, these two were like a perfect match from a painting. Connecting this with Lan Yan's purpose for coming, he understood immediately.
Seeing this, Jun Yelan revealed the bamboo tip from his sleeve. It seemed they couldn't escape smoothly today.
Lan Yan tugged at Jun Yelan's sleeve, shaking her head. "Yelan, wait. I can persuade him." She observed that the stronghold was close to the sea and that they had only extorted money from passersby, not committed many other bad deeds.
She looked at Old Liu and said, "I told you from the beginning that I came looking for my stranded husband. He is my husband, and I, Lan Yan, thank you for saving us."
Old Liu, seeing Lan Yan's polite and proper demeanor, was unsure how to proceed. His hand rested on his saber as he exclaimed, "So, he is the one you've been longing for. Seeing his appearance, it's no wonder."
He had also been drawn to Jun Yelan's bearing, which is why he wanted Jun Yelan as his brother-in-law.
Lan Yan continued, "Chieftain, my husband and I do not belong here. We must leave. I only put a mild sleeping potion in the wine; you can rest assured that they will wake up after a few hours."
She noticed Old Liu's expression relax slightly, realizing he cared about his people.
"Chieftain, you have been intercepting travelers and living a dangerous life. Have you never thought of a peaceful life?"
Old Liu was stunned, a hint of sadness appearing in his eyes. How could he not want that? But he and his brothers knew nothing else. With a sigh, he could only lament.
Seeing that she might succeed, Lan Yan proposed, "I am actually a businesswoman, preparing to open branches in other places. I need a transport team. If you are willing, Chieftain, you can be my team, and you will be paid for each shipment."
She was planning to expand her shops to farther regions, requiring both land and sea transport.
Old Liu was completely taken aback, not expecting such a way of life. He looked at the extraordinary pair before him, thinking he had struck gold. "Are you serious?"
"Of course, I can sign a contract with you." With everything written down clearly, Old Liu should be convinced.
Old Liu looked hesitant, clearly tempted. He and his brothers had long wanted to start families and careers, but no decent girls were willing to marry them.
Lan Yan took out a piece of paper from her embrace, bearing her shop's signboard, and handed it to Old Liu. "You can find my shop in the nearest town. I need to accompany my husband to take the imperial examinations in the prefecture and will return soon. I will bring the goods to you then."
"I've revealed my secrets, I can't trick you."
Jun Yelan seized the opportunity to speak, "Yan'er, I don't think this chieftain has much courage. We can descend the mountain and cooperate with others. It's just that the money will go to them."
Lan Yan smiled; Jun Yelan's words struck a chord.
Old Liu was even more tempted and called out, "Alright, I agree!" If he could give his brothers a better life, he was willing to take this gamble.
"Good, Chieftain, you are indeed straightforward." Lan Yan and Old Liu signed the contract, each taking a copy, and then bid farewell.
They had been delayed for several days, and the examinations were fast approaching.
Old Liu led two horses forward. "We have offended you before. This is for you. Don't worry, I will follow behind and escort you to Anzhou. You won't encounter any trouble on the road."
If he hadn't detained Jun Yelan, these two would have already reached the prefecture.
"Thank you," Lan Yan accepted the horses, thinking Old Liu was not a bad person. Given that he had saved Jun Yelan, she was willing to entrust this significant business to him.
Jun Yelan looked at Old Liu's reluctant gaze, stepping in front of Lan Yan. "Since that's the case, we will be going. Chieftain, in the future, when you bring people in, remember to ask if they have families."
He then put his arm around Lan Yan's waist and added, "She is the only wife I will ever have, and I am the only husband she will ever have!" With that, he led Lan Yan away.
Lan Yan couldn't help but smile, taking Jun Yelan's hand, and walked down the mountain with him.
Old Liu watched the loving couple behind them and sighed deeply. "With you two like this, no one can interfere." He understood then that someone like Jun Yelan was the only one worthy of Lan Yan.
He should hurry back and focus on organizing the transport team, finding another husband for Xiao Qi as soon as possible.
Lan Yan and Jun Yelan traveled for half a day, finally arriving in Anzhou city by evening.