Lan Yan saw Jun Yelan just watching her. She reached out and waved, calling out, "Eunuch, are you too surprised? You're stunned. I made delicious food, let's go eat together."
She turned and walked forward, then looked back to see Jun Yelan still in place. She couldn't help but take a step back and grab his sleeve. Why did she feel Jun Yelan was acting strange today?
Jun Yelan was pulled to the dining table by Lan Yan, his gaze never leaving her. The kinder Lan Yan was to him, the more he desired, even though he knew he was unworthy.
Lan Yan sat beside Jun Yelan and saw his eyes dimming. She took a deep breath, cupped Jun Yelan's chin, and smiled, "Oh dear, you can't be unhappy on your birthday."
"You should know that the day you came into this world was the happiest day." She always believed that the moment life was born into this world, it gained meaning.
Jun Yelan looked into Lan Yan's eyes, desperately suppressing the tremor within him. He smiled faintly and said, "Okay." He curved his lips and, as Lan Yan's hand left, he couldn't help but hold onto it, saying, "I want to sit like this."
"That's fine," Lan Yan picked up food with her right hand and placed it in Jun Yelan's bowl. "But how will you eat?"
Jun Yelan smiled and picked up chopsticks with his left hand, smoothly picking up food.
Lan Yan was a bit surprised, but Jun Yelan was already very capable, and this small difficulty wouldn't stump him. She then continued eating.
The smile in Jun Yelan's eyes deepened. He would occasionally glance at their clasped hands, the warmth in his palms spreading to his heart. He had never celebrated a birthday before, nor did he remember his own birthday. He always felt he had arrived in this world without anyone caring.
But now he felt differently. He was willing to transform all his past suffering into this moment.
This night, no one knew that he had hidden someone in the deepest part of his heart.
After dinner, Lan Yan presented her gift. "I sewed this today, I was a bit rushed, so it's not very good. How about I make you another one next time?"
She even thought it was ugly and wanted to take it back.
Jun Yelan held it tightly and smiled, "I think it's very good, I can wear it normally." He looked at the stitches on the clothes, all personally sewn by Lan Yan. It was the most precious gift he had ever received.
He carefully put it away in the cabinet.
Seeing this, Lan Yan's mood inexplicably improved. Since Jun Yelan didn't dislike it, there was no need for her to care. She lay on the bed and said, "Then Eunuch, goodnight."
She was tired from preparing the birthday banquet today and could finally rest.
Jun Yelan did not respond. He sat at the head of the bed and gently held one of Lan Yan's hands. He looked at the dense wounds on her fingers, his heart aching. He applied medicine to the wounds and blew on them gently.
"Yan'er, thank you." He transformed all the unspoken words in his heart into this one sentence. He would prove it with his actions in the days to come.
The next morning, when Lan Yan woke up, she saw a post delivered by someone from the manor. She looked at the words on the post, stating that the Yang manor was hosting a flower appreciation banquet and inviting her, Madam Jun, to attend.
"Strange, why send me a post?"
Jun Yelan walked in and heard Lan Yan's question, responding, "They inwardly dislike me, this Eunuch, but many flatter me outwardly. Since they can't achieve anything from me, they'll try through you."
"If you don't like it, just refuse." These banquets were attended by ladies from various manors, and their words wouldn't be pleasant. He didn't want Lan Yan to experience that.
Lan Yan looked at the post and smiled, "No, the more they have this intention, the more I must go. I want to see what they will do, what they can do!"
Instead of hiding in the manor and being laughed at, it was better to go out boldly. After all, she had a clear conscience. Moreover, she was still Madam Jun now, and for the sake of this identity, it would be fun to go.
Jun Yelan had been worried at first, but now seeing Lan Yan's sly eyes, he felt assured. His wife was very strong, and it was likely those who came to watch the show would be the ones to suffer.
"If that's the case, bring more people with you. Sometimes, putting on a good show will naturally deter them from approaching you."
"Alright." Lan Yan was happy to borrow the tiger's might. After Jun Yelan left for the palace, she dressed up splendidly. She changed into a blue ruqun, adorned her hair with exquisite jewelry, and set off with Hui Niang and Wuming.
The carriage was already at the door. She and Hui Niang sat inside the carriage, while Wuming drove. The Yang manor was on the next street, and they arrived shortly.
Quite a few people had already gathered at the Yang manor, all surrounding Madam Yan in the center. "Madam Yan, we've always wanted to see you, and finally we have the chance."
Madam Yan had a malicious look, holding her head high, and looked at the people around her with disdain. "I usually accompany the Empress in the palace, so I don't have time for these banquets. Today is only out of respect for Madam Yang."
Madam Yang was busy nearby, instructing the servants to prepare food.
At this moment, a servant from the manor reported, "Madam, Madam Jun has arrived and is at the entrance."
Madam Yang hurried towards the entrance. This was not someone to be kept waiting.
The others saw this and said with disdain, "What Madam Jun? A mere consort of an eunuch dares to come here. Madam Yan, you must teach her a lesson later."
Madam Yan snorted, "Naturally." She didn't consider a country girl to be a threat.
Madam Yang arrived at the entrance and was slightly stunned to see Lan Yan. She realized Madam Jun was so beautiful. Being someone who also appreciated beauty, she warmly called out, "Madam Jun, please come in."
"Alright." Lan Yan was not familiar with these people and calmly followed them in. As soon as she arrived, she drew everyone's attention.
"That's actually Madam Jun! Could there be a mistake?" The other madams wondered. They had heard that Lan Yan was ugly and uncultured. Now, with her appearance and demeanor, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was a young lady from a noble family.
Madam Yan tightened her grip on her handkerchief, anger burning in her eyes. What was Lan Yan's background to have so easily deceived everyone? It was just an act.
She took a step forward and said, "Oh, a country girl, and she's worthy of standing with us? Madam Yang, your taste is not very good, inviting someone like this. If I had known she was coming, I wouldn't have come."
Madam Yang was immediately put in a difficult position.
Lan Yan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, "Madam, I am here at the Yang manor, what business is it of yours? Also, I heard your family caused trouble that reached the Ministry of Justice. I wouldn't want to be close to such a chaotic household."
Madam Yan's face changed immediately, and she bit her lip. How did Lan Yan know about this!
Lan Yan smiled even more gleefully. Little did they know, she had done her research before coming, understanding the situations of the various madams. After all, she had married Jun Yelan, the esteemed Eunuch Supervisor, and could obtain any information she desired.
Today, she wasn't here to be lectured, but to watch the show.