Song Cheng and the others waited at their hiding place for Jun Yelan. Jun Yelan had left in a hurry early this morning after receiving news from the imperial city, and he hadn't returned yet.
They worried that Jun Yelan might be in danger again, as Ningzhou was still not a safe place.
From a distance, they saw Jun Yelan returning, but he was holding someone in his arms. When they saw it was Lan Yan, they exclaimed in surprise, "Why is Madam here?"
Jun Yelan lowered his voice and said, "She's asleep, don't wake her. Go and carry out the tasks I assigned you as soon as possible." With that, he entered the room with Lan Yan and closed the door.
Song Cheng remained stunned, sighing, "Madam is truly amazing, to have found her way here alone from such a distance." He felt a newfound respect for Lan Yan at that moment.
Seeing this, the other subordinates gathered around Song Cheng. "So this is our Director's wife. Even though this is our first time meeting her, we are impressed."
They had once thought that no woman would ever appear by the Director's side, so the sudden appearance of a wife was, to be honest, a bit strange. But now, they no longer felt that way. Only a woman like this could be worthy of the Director.
Inside the room, Jun Yelan stayed by Lan Yan's side. He prepared a basin of water and gently wiped Lan Yan's face and hands. He looked at Lan Yan's travel-worn appearance, finding it hard to imagine how she had arrived here and what hardships she had endured.
He couldn't help but hold Lan Yan's hand, lowering his head to kiss the back of her hand, his eyes full of heartache. "Yan'er, sleep soundly. I will handle everything and take you back."
As he finished speaking, he walked out of the room and into the adjacent one, looking at everyone coldly. "It's time to strike back."
"Yes, Director!" Song Cheng and the others shouted, quickly lowering their voices under Jun Yelan's gaze. They had almost forgotten that Madam was in the next room.
Then, Jun Yelan took out the map of Ningzhou and spread it on the table, saying, "These people from the imperial city have been pursuing us and have learned our route. Therefore, we must do the opposite. We will set up ambushes at these points and capture them all."
"Also, arrange for a decoy team to go to the Ningzhou prefectural office and stay behind closed doors. Meanwhile, we will gather information in Ningzhou outside the prefectural office and resolve the matters here."
He assigned his men to carry out these tasks in batches. After Song Cheng and the others left, he stared at the Ningzhou map alone, his brow furrowed. Ningzhou lacked water, and relying on rain was too uncertain. Perhaps water could be diverted from elsewhere.
He observed the terrain of Ningzhou closely, and when he heard faint footsteps, he turned towards the door, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Lan Yan had woken up some time ago and had heard some of their conversation. She walked in and also looked at the map, saying, "This area is surrounded by mountains. If we can find water in the mountains, we can dig a canal to channel it down."
"As long as every village has a canal for irrigation, it won't be difficult for them to survive." She had seen a lot of the situation on her journey and wanted to contribute.
Jun Yelan nodded, "Your idea is feasible. I will send people to the mountains." Seeing that Lan Yan's complexion was still a little pale, he pulled her onto his lap and said, "You should rest more."
Lan Yan shook her head, "I know this place is very dangerous, and I don't want to be a burden. I can help too. If you have anything to do, you can also entrust it to me."
She wrapped her arms around Jun Yelan's neck and smiled.
Jun Yelan reached out and flicked Lan Yan's forehead, saying with a mixture of helplessness and affection, "You are never a burden to me; you are the most important person to me. Since you arrived, I have feared nothing."
"When I was assassinated at the inn, my mind was not on the mission or the past, but only on your smile. I was scared then, scared that you would see my corpse, scared of seeing you cry."
Lan Yan covered Jun Yelan's mouth, "Don't say such inauspicious things."
Jun Yelan held Lan Yan's hand, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his lips, "Alright."
He put one arm around Lan Yan's waist and held her fingers with his other hand, continuing, "Yan'er, I once thought that letting you leave me might be the best choice, but I can't do that anymore."
"Now I can't do without you. Are you willing to sink with me?"
Lan Yan leaned down and playfully bit Jun Yelan's shoulder, leaving a small tooth mark. She looked up and said, "I've already left my mark on you. Don't even think about leaving me."
Jun Yelan was taken aback, then pulled Lan Yan into his embrace, a mist forming in his eyes. He thought that if there were truly gods in the world, he would ask for their forgiveness for his selfishness, as he truly could not let go of the person in his arms.
If he could exchange all his future lives for this one lifetime of companionship.
Lan Yan rested her chin on Jun Yelan's shoulder, her smile widening. Then, a rumble from her stomach broke the moment. Her face flushed, and she released Jun Yelan, "I'm a little hungry."
Jun Yelan smiled, "Let me take you to eat." He took Lan Yan's hand and led her to a nearby villager's house, paying them to cook a meal.
"The meals we've had these past few days were all cooked by this couple."
Lan Yan nodded, greeted the villager couple, and then sat down.
The woman came over, poured two cups of water, and looked at Lan Yan, smiling, "Our village is thanks to Young Master Jun that we can survive. Before Young Master Jun came, there were bandits here, and they almost burned down the village."
"We are grateful to Young Master Jun and voluntarily cook for him, but he insists on paying us. Madam, you look kind-hearted, and you two will surely be rewarded."
Lan Yan smiled and replied, "Thank you." She turned to look at Jun Yelan and gave him a faint smile.
Jun Yelan squeezed Lan Yan's palm, signaling that he understood everything. The dishes were prepared quickly, and he busied himself serving Lan Yan, "These are all home-style dishes, I don't know if they suit your taste. I'll roast a chicken for you later."
"No need, I can eat it." Lan Yan curled her lips. She wasn't picky at all; it was Jun Yelan who was picky. She ate a piece of green vegetable and nodded. "The taste is quite good. You eat too."
Jun Yelan couldn't help but smile and started eating as well.
After the meal, Lan Yan took Jun Yelan for a stroll around the village. The afterglow of the setting sun was cast across the sky, with layers of gradually changing golden hues.
She saw it and sighed, "This place is very peaceful." However, she would be leaving tomorrow. Only after Ningzhou was dealt with could the people here enjoy days like this.
Jun Yelan stood beside her and smiled, "After we resolve things here, we'll come back." He dared not speak of the future, fearing that his identity might prevent him from having a good end. If that day ever came, he would arrange everything for Lan Yan.
"Okay." Lan Yan hooked her arm through Jun Yelan's and turned back towards their room, where they saw Song Cheng returning from his mission.
Song Cheng's expression was solemn as he called out, "Director, something has changed."
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened.