They found an inn and ordered a table full of dishes.
Lan Yan initially thought they wouldn't finish, but her stomach rumbled, and she started eating. "These dishes are good, just a bit inferior to my cooking."
"Yan'er's cooking is the best," Jun Yelan's lips curved as he picked up a piece of fish and placed it in her bowl. "After you bathe, go to sleep first. I need to read for a while longer."
Lan Yan nodded. Jun Yelan had been delayed for a few days; she wondered if it would affect his exams. "Yelan, don't overwork yourself. I believe you'll achieve immediate success in tomorrow's exam."
Her Yelan always ranked first.
The smile on Jun Yelan's lips deepened. He ruffled the hair on Lan Yan's head and chuckled, "Alright."
After dinner, Lan Yan took a hot bath and lay in bed early. She was truly exhausted these past few days.
Jun Yelan sat at a table not far away, a book in his hand. He turned to see Lan Yan's eyes still open and said with a tenderness that reached his bones, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"I want to watch you for a little longer," Lan Yan offered a faint smile.
But that smile was enough to captivate Jun Yelan. He put down his book, walked to Lan Yan's bedside, and leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead. "Sleep, I'll be here with you."
He felt sorry for what Lan Yan had endured these past few days; they had traveled for two days and even encountered bandits blocking their path.
Lan Yan held Jun Yelan's hand and murmured, "Yelan, during the days you were missing, my mind was filled with only one thought: finding you. I truly cannot bear to be without you."
She had already experienced seven worlds, yet she still found it difficult to let go. "If something were to happen to me..." Before she could finish, her mouth was sealed.
Jun Yelan released her, looking at her flushed cheeks. "Yan'er, I forbid you from saying such things. I will be more careful from now on and won't let anything happen to me, and neither will you."
While he was unconscious, he had been dreaming of moments spent with Lan Yan. Some fragments were blurry, others crystal clear, but they all shared one commonality: he deeply cared for Lan Yan.
Lan Yan nodded, hugged Jun Yelan's waist, and leaned into his embrace. It was this incident that made her feel uneasy, leading her to overthink.
She had long made up her mind: if she couldn't change the predetermined ending, she would live each present day to the fullest. "Yelan, I'm sleepy."
Jun Yelan couldn't help but smile. He helped Lan Yan lie down and pulled up the covers. "I'll be right here." He stayed by Lan Yan's side, his eyes on the book in his hand.
Lan Yan closed her eyes with a smile, her dreams filled with happiness.
Jun Yelan gradually put down his book, his gaze fixed on Lan Yan's sleeping face, his heart filled with warmth. With this warmth, he too slowly drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Lan Yan accompanied Jun Yelan to the Imperial College. After watching him enter, she turned and wandered through the streets.
She first visited several pastry shops on the street, noting that her own pastries were not available – a good sign. She also spotted some "Zhuangyuan" (top scholar) cakes and smiled, "Sir, give me three."
The shopkeeper smiled and handed them to her, "Miss, someone in your family is participating in the imperial examinations, aren't they? With the imperial examinations in the capital drawing near, many people are already on their way."
"Traveling so early," Lan Yan inquired.
The shopkeeper replied, "Yes, to make early preparations. Many are accompanied by their families, allowing them to enjoy the scenery along the way."
Lan Yan fell into thought. It certainly made sense. After Jun Yelan was awarded the title of Juren, she could accompany him to the capital, and they could travel together, with her protecting him.
"Sir, thank you," she said, holding the cakes with a smile as she left.
She then visited several more streets, inspecting all the pastries in the area. She found a few that had quite good flavors. She also surveyed the shops, roughly selecting locations for potential branch stores.
Unfortunately, she was not familiar with the area and needed further consideration.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind, "Miss Lan?"
Lan Yan turned around to see Pei Yuan waving his fan, looking somewhat surprised. "Greetings, Young Master Pei."
"Why is Miss Lan here?" Pei Yuan was simply out for a stroll and hadn't expected to encounter Lan Yan. He thought that with so many scholars around these past few days, Lan Yan must be accompanying Jun Yelan.
Lan Yan, realizing Pei Yuan's family was local, saw him as a rare familiar face and asked, "Young Master Pei, do you know of any suitable places to open a shop? I'm looking to open a branch here."
"You've come to the right person," Pei Yuan chuckled. "I happen to have a new shop that I haven't decided what to do with yet. I'll give it to Miss Lan." Thanks to Lan Yan's shop, his family's wealth was now more than enough for a lifetime.
Lan Yan was delighted to have found a place so quickly. "Thank you, Young Master Pei. How much is it? I'll bring the money in a couple of days." Her money was at home, and she didn't have much cash on her at the moment.
Pei Yuan fanned himself and said, "No need. Since Miss Lan is here, would you care to visit my home? The garden scenery is quite nice."
"I need to wait for my husband; I mustn't impose," Lan Yan said. If she went, Jun Yelan would surely be jealous. "However, I can wait for my husband and go together."
Pei Yuan smiled. These two spouses were truly alike – one henpecked, the other ruled by his wife; a match made in heaven.
Three days later, the examination hall gates opened. Jun Yelan emerged, his eyes immediately finding Lan Yan waving at him. He quickened his pace, arriving before Lan Yan. "Yan'er."
"Tired?" Lan Yan took out a handkerchief to wipe Jun Yelan's sweat and handed him a cake.
Jun Yelan nodded. He could show his vulnerability in front of Lan Yan. "Yan'er has been waiting for me for these three days; you must be tired too. When we return, I'll handle all the household chores, and you can rest well."
Lan Yan smiled, then it occurred to her that Jun Yelan had always been the one doing the chores.
Beside them, Pei Yuan, who had been ignored for quite some time, quietly raised his hand. "Why don't the two of you come to my place first and chat?" He had also been waiting for a long time and had been forced to endure a great deal of public display of affection.
Lan Yan held Jun Yelan's hand and smiled, "Yelan, Young Master Pei has invited us to his home."
"Alright, I'll listen to you," Jun Yelan felt the warmth in her palm and gazed at Lan Yan with adoration, completely disregarding Pei Yuan. They walked ahead, leaving Pei Yuan far behind.
Pei Yuan sighed, "Shouldn't you wait for me? Do you even know where my home is?"
Upon arriving at the Pei residence, Lan Yan strolled through the courtyard and said to Jun Yelan beside her, "The flowers in this courtyard are so beautiful. When we get back, we should plant some too."
Jun Yelan smiled faintly, agreeing to whatever idea Lan Yan had.
Lan Yan smiled even more brightly, leisurely continuing her tour with Jun Yelan.
Watching the two of them chatting and laughing, Pei Yuan lamented why he had invited them over. It was surely to make him witness their affection!