Lan Yan returned with Jun Yelan, listening to Song Cheng’s words.
Song Cheng said, "A replacement for the Grand Director has been found, but that kind of demeanor is difficult to imitate, and I fear the people in the Imperial City won't be convinced. Moreover, the officials in Ningzhou Prefecture are not simple; there are people loyal to Governor Yan."
He had searched for a long time and could only find someone who looked similar, but not one who possessed the same spirit.
Lan Yan thought for a moment and raised her hand, saying, "I will accompany the fake Jun Yelan. Everyone in the Imperial City knows I left to find you. My presence will increase credibility."
"No," Jun Yelan immediately refused. "That's too dangerous." He couldn't let Lan Yan risk herself again.
Lan Yan tugged at Jun Yelan's sleeve and mumbled, "Jun Yelan, while you're out fighting, I can't just sleep at home. Besides, I'll only be at the prefecture; it's not that dangerous."
"And this is the best plan right now," she said, shaking her sleeve and adding a hint of coaxing to her tone.
Jun Yelan stared at Lan Yan, hesitation appearing in his eyes. He shook his head. "There are other ways. This matter is not up for discussion." He gently pulled his sleeve away. Other things could be negotiated, but not this.
Lan Yan's face fell. She kept murmuring in Jun Yelan's ear, but he remained unmoved.
Song Cheng, watching from the side, sensed the strong atmosphere of affection. He decided it was best to leave. Before he did, he boldly said, "Grand Director, I think the Madam is very intelligent and can handle this smoothly."
As soon as he spoke, he was met with a cold stare from Jun Yelan and quickly bowed his head and left.
Jun Yelan helplessly took Lan Yan's hand and said gently, "Yan'er, Ningzhou is full of dangers, and it's even more so around me. If anything were to happen to you, I wouldn't be able to bear it."
He couldn't bear to see Lan Yan looking weak again; his heart felt as if it were being gnawed by a thousand ants.
Lan Yan couldn't help but reach out and hug Jun Yelan's waist, then looked up into his worried eyes. "Jun Yelan, I know. That's precisely why I must go."
"When I heard news of something happening to you back at the manor, I was stunned. My mind couldn't think of anything else but coming to find you. At that time, I didn't consider the worst-case scenario because I believed in you, believed that we would meet again."
She leaned against Jun Yelan's chest and murmured, "So, will you believe me this time, okay?"
Jun Yelan was slightly taken aback. He stroked Lan Yan's back. After a long moment, he sighed, "Fine."
Lan Yan's lips curved upwards, and she hugged Jun Yelan even tighter. "Jun Yelan, you're the best. I promise I won't put myself in danger. At the very least, I'll wait obediently for you to rescue me."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's sly eyes and couldn't help but smile faintly. He ruffled her hair and said, "Alright, you must keep your word."
He took a dagger from his chest and placed it in Lan Yan's palm. "This one I found specifically for you. It's sharp enough to cut through iron. And, please, do not harm yourself with it."
"Don't worry, I'll keep it very safe." Lan Yan drew the dagger. Its blade was sharp, and the steel reflected her face; it was indeed a fine dagger.
She put it away in her sleeve and tightened the cuff. Now she had an extra weapon to protect herself.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan, his eyes filled with undisguised affection.
The next morning, Lan Yan was to accompany the fake Jun Yelan, and they temporarily parted ways with Jun Yelan. "Jun Yelan, I'll wait for you at the prefecture."
"Alright, be careful," Jun Yelan said, standing in place and watching Lan Yan leave, his eyes filled with reluctance.
Lan Yan waved goodbye to Jun Yelan and then headed towards the sedan chair, in which the fake Jun Yelan, a subordinate of the Eastern Depot, was seated. She got into the sedan chair. The subordinate bowed to her and signaled, "Don't speak later; just look indifferent."
"Leave everything else to me." She curled her lips, ready to see how her impromptu performance would go.
The subordinate called out, "Yes, Madam." The Grand Director had instructed that everything in this operation was to be at the Madam's command.
Lan Yan nodded, lifted the curtain, and looked outside. Jun Yelan had already led his men to the area of the civilian unrest. She prayed in her heart, "Jun Yelan, you must be safe."
The carriage moved forward slowly. She lowered the curtain and closed her eyes to rest.
At this time, a group of people were already waiting in front of the prefecture. Upon seeing the carriage, they all bowed and said, "Greetings, Grand Director." They kept their heads down until a pair of embroidered shoes appeared before them. They raised their heads in confusion.
Lan Yan stood before them and said generously, "The Grand Director has traveled a long distance and has caught a chill. He is not to receive guests. If there is anything urgent, please tell me, and I will convey it to the Grand Director."
The officials exchanged glances, finding this behavior unusual. They secretly looked at the carriage, which was tightly covered, making it impossible to see the Grand Director's face.
They inquired, "Is this young lady the Grand Director's wife?" Being far away in Ningzhou, they had naturally never met her. Only one person at the very back had his eyes flash, thinking that Lan Yan matched the portrait sent from the Imperial City.
Lan Yan nodded coldly and said, "Indeed. With the Grand Director ill, of course, I am here to care for him. Have you prepared a room? The Grand Director needs to rest."
Her cold gaze made the officials dare not delay. At this moment, she realized that Jun Yelan's usual methods were quite effective, simple and direct.
"Of course, Grand Director and Madam, please."
Lan Yan then stood by the carriage, waiting for the person inside to disembark, and coughed lightly.
The subordinate immediately understood, covered his face with his sleeve, and feigned a weak cough. He passed by the officials without even a glance, and Lan Yan helped him inside.
The officials behind them muttered, "It seems the Grand Director is truly gravely ill. We can rest for a while too."
The person whose eyes had flashed earlier was the supervisor of this place. He looked speculatively at the back of "Jun Yelan." He needed to send word immediately and have the assassins sent here gather.
It would be very easy to make a move on the currently ill Jun Yelan.
Meanwhile, Jun Yelan was still at the border of Ningzhou, his sharp sword pressed against the neck of the leader of the rioters. "Speak, who instigated the riots?"
The leader, with a full beard, roared angrily, "Who are you? How did you find me?"
"Foolish!" Jun Yelan's eyes turned cold. He moved his sword slightly, instantly cutting the leader's neck. Blood began to flow.
Feeling the pain, the leader begged, "My lord, I was blind and did not recognize your greatness. I was wrong. I don't know who that person was. He sent me a chest of silver and told me to organize the people. I was only trying to save my life!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he was killed by a single sword thrust.
Jun Yelan withdrew his sword and looked at the kneeling crowd behind the leader, his expression icy. "Song Cheng, detain these people and escort them back to the city when we leave."
"Yes, Grand Director," Song Cheng went to make arrangements. After he finished, he asked, "Grand Director, have you any suspects?"
Jun Yelan looked towards Yongzhou, which bordered Ningzhou. "Both these areas belong to King Ning. Ningzhou is suffering from a severe drought, and King Ning has used the excuse of praying for rain to hide away in Yongzhou. He is instigating these matters from behind the scenes to make the Emperor lose the people's trust."
Song Cheng immediately understood and added, "According to the Eastern Depot's intelligence, King Ning and Governor Yan have had private dealings. Grand Director, you must be careful." Everyone knew that Jun Yelan had offended King Ning when the Emperor ascended the throne.
If King Ning were to ascend, Jun Yelan would surely die.