The Saintess stared at Lan Yan with anger etched on her face. "He went out of the city without permission this time; I won't give him the medicine." The thought of Jun Yelan's safe return only fueled her rage, which she needed to vent.
Lan Yan looked at the Saintess coldly, seeing her as someone deliberately making Jun Yelan suffer. Suppressing her anger, she said, "Saintess, the City Lord left the city for the sake of the entire city. You are a member of this city too."
"Do you think this city, including you, will be alright if the City Lord is in trouble!"
The Saintess paused. This little maidservant had hit the nail on the head. She didn't want to die with Jun Yelan, but she intended to teach him a lesson this time by delaying his medicine for a day.
"I have my own plans for this matter. You may go back."
Seeing the Saintess's resolute refusal to provide the medicine, Lan Yan scanned the room, contemplating where the medicine might be hidden. Since it was needed monthly and was crucial for Jun Yelan's survival, it must be kept near the Saintess.
Her gaze landed on the dressing table where the Saintess sat.
The Saintess had been observing Lan Yan, noting her persistence as she still hadn't left. She was indeed dedicated, but unfortunately, her dedication was directed towards Jun Yelan.
She sneered, "You are indeed foolish, defending Jun Yelan like this. Do you know that one day when his condition flares up, he might even kill you? Even if he doesn't kill you, he won't be grateful."
"Those trained in the Dead City cannot have weaknesses or personal agendas."
Just as Lan Yan was about to leave, she heard this and immediately changed her mind. "Saintess, you are the one who cannot distinguish a pearl from a fish eye. In your eyes, no matter what he does, it's wrong. But in my eyes, it is always different."
She walked towards the back, but instead of leaving, she hid by a side window.
The Saintess remained in place, reflecting on Lan Yan's words. A faint chuckle escaped her lips. This city had produced a madman and now a fool.
She opened a drawer beneath the dressing table, glanced inside, and then closed it coldly before leaving.
After she departed, Lan Yan climbed in through the window and tiptoed to the dressing table. She opened it to find a medicine bottle. A slight smile touched her lips as she pocketed the bottle and fled through the window.
At that moment, a shout came from behind her, "Who's there!" The maidservant's shriek attracted the Saintess.
The Saintess, surprised by Lan Yan's return, angrily pulled off the white silk sash she wore and struck Lan Yan hard on the back. "You are the first person to dare steal from me."
Lan Yan coughed up a mouthful of blood, but she didn't look back, quickening her pace. Clutching the medicine, she knew there was no turning back now that she had come this far.
The Saintess pursued, but encountered Lu Qi at the doorway. Watching the retreating figure, she clenched the sash on her arm. "I'll see how far this little maidservant can go. How much longer can Jun Yelan live!"
With gritted teeth, she uttered these words and turned back into the hall.
Lu Qi stood guard at the door, murmuring, "Lan Yan, you must save the City Lord." She felt that only Lan Yan could accomplish this.
Meanwhile, Lan Yan was rushing towards the secret chamber. She vomited blood again on the way and realized how unpleasant the experience was. Jun Yelan had to endure this periodically.
She increased her speed, entering the secret chamber to find Jun Yelan chained to the wall, his head slumped.
"Jun Yelan!" She cupped his chin, relieved to see he was merely unconscious from pain. She sniffed the opened medicine bottle and fed the pill inside to Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan's hair began to regain its usual color, and his complexion improved.
Seeing this, Lan Yan's lips curved slightly, and she sighed, "Jun Yelan, I told you, things would change." As relaxation set in, fatigue overwhelmed her. She curled up beside Jun Yelan and murmured, "Let me rest for a while."
With that, she closed her eyes, her face pale.
Jun Yelan, in a daze, heard a gentle voice calling him. He opened his eyes to find Lan Yan lying beside him, curled up like a kitten.
He was stunned. He noticed the pain in his chest had subsided and saw the scattered medicine bottle nearby.
Lan Yan had given him the medicine!
"Lan Yan." It was the first time he called her name, yet it felt as if he had said it many times. He looked at Lan Yan's small face and reached out a hand, but was restrained by the chains.
A cold glint appeared in his eyes. He pulled at the chains on his hands, snapping them with a violent tug. Bloodstains remained on his hands. Unwilling to dirty Lan Yan's face, he merely brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
Lan Yan felt a sharp pain in her back and let out a soft huff.
Jun Yelan noticed and looked at Lan Yan's back, his gaze falling upon the conspicuous white marks. He frowned. These were left by the Saintess's weapon.
The Saintess had hurt her!
A hint of ferocity flickered in his eyes. He helped Lan Yan up and gently placed his palm on her back, healing her.
Lan Yan gradually felt the pain subside and continued to rest peacefully with her eyes closed.
Cold sweat beaded on Jun Yelan's forehead, indicating a significant expenditure of his energy. Only when Lan Yan calmed down did he withdraw his hand. He then caught her as she slumped backward, murmuring, "I told you to leave. Why did you come back?"
In her sleep, Lan Yan replied, "I never promised you."
These words sent a tremor through Jun Yelan's heart, and a smile unconsciously curved his lips. Right, this was Lan Yan's usual demeanor. He let Lan Yan rest in his arms, staying like that in the pitch-black secret chamber for a long time.
Then, he carried Lan Yan out of the secret chamber, through the garden, and towards the main hall.
Seeing that the City Lord had survived the full moon night, the people of the city emerged, looking at the scene before them in disbelief. Was this still the City Lord they knew?
The maids whispered amongst themselves, "The City Lord is actually carrying Lan Yan. We must treat Lan Yan carefully from now on. If she reports us to the City Lord, we are doomed."
"Yes, she is the City Lord's favorite now. We must avoid her from now on."
"I felt something different about Lan Yan before, she often stayed with the City Lord. My guess was right. From now on, besides the City Lord and the Saintess, there will be Lan Yan in this city."
The more they thought about it, the more convinced they became, and they dared not discuss further, returning to their tasks.
Jun Yelan paid no mind to the opinions of the city dwellers. He directly placed Lan Yan on his bed and sat beside her, guarding her. He covered her with the quilt and lit the incense burner, hoping the person on the bed would sleep more soundly.
Lan Yan, oblivious to everything, wandered into her dreams.
Jun Yelan gazed at Lan Yan's recovered face, thinking that whoever had caused her weakness deserved to die! He said coldly, "Saintess, you shouldn't have touched her."
He rose and headed towards the Saintess's palace to avenge her.