The next morning, Lan Yan attended court as usual. Looking at the ministers bowing below, her head began to ache.
The ministers in front shouted, "Empress, we beg for Prime Minister Lin's clemency. Prime Minister Lin has always thought of the Empress and the people. Why is he now confining himself to his home in reflection?"
"We implore the Empress to forgive Prime Minister Lin." They knelt down, their words laced with entreaty, all having acted according to Prime Minister Lin's commands.
Lan Yan said, "Since you wish to kneel, then kneel and listen to me." She threw the memorial on the table to the floor and said coldly, "Open your eyes wide and look carefully."
The ministers lowered their heads and saw the two large, crimson characters, "Assassination." They were suddenly shocked, finally understanding what had happened at the hunting grounds. Could Prime Minister Lin have been so audacious as to attempt to assassinate the Empress?
They then felt something was amiss. Looking further down, they realized it was the Lin family's daughter who had done it, and Prime Minister Lin was inextricably linked to it.
Seeing that the ministers were speechless, Lan Yan continued, "If ministers are all like you, unable to distinguish right from wrong, then this court has no reason to exist. The Lin family has committed such a grave crime, and I have already shown leniency, yet you are still relentless."
"Today, I will have each of you beaten twenty times. If there is a next time, you will face the same punishment as Prime Minister Lin." She looked at the half of the court kneeling, realizing how great Prime Minister Lin's influence was.
If Prime Minister Lin continued to grow in power, she would be in danger. If something happened to her, Prime Minister Lin would certainly not spare Jun Yelan, and then everything she had done would be in vain.
The ministers cried out, "Your subjects thank the Empress." Cold sweat broke out on their foreheads, fearing they would further displease the Empress. They had heard that Minister Jun, as the side consort's mother, had also been suspended and investigated by the Empress, let alone themselves.
The current Empress was no longer easy to fool; it was better to be cautious.
Lan Yan saw that these ministers had finally quieted down and began to distribute the recent memorials. "Those that need to be handled, do them quickly. I have very little patience recently."
"Oh, and the side consort saved me this time, so I will reward his merits. Do any of you have any objections?"
Who dared to have any objections! The ministers all knelt and shouted, "Your subjects obey the Empress." It seemed the only person the Empress trusted now was the side consort, and they could only try to appease him.
Lan Yan nodded with satisfaction and, after the court session, leisurely walked towards the imperial bedchamber.
At this moment, Jun Yelan was leaning by the window, turning the pages of a book. A palace maid outside the door brought in platters of ornaments. He looked up and asked, "What are these things?"
"Reporting to the side consort, these were sent by the main consorts of the various ministers. They said they are gifts for you."
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened. "Send them all back." These people were merely trying to curry favor with the Empress through him, but he would not interfere with Lan Yan's thoughts, nor did he wish to associate with these people.
The palace maid hesitated; she had also received quite a few benefits. She looked up slightly and saw Jun Yelan's cold expression, knowing that this side consort, like the Empress, was a person of his word. She swallowed the words of persuasion.
She carried the platters out and met Mei Dong, who was approaching. She called out, "Sister Mei Dong."
"Mm." Mei Dong glanced at the palace maid's platters and instructed the people carrying platters behind her, "Take these things in and hold them carefully. These are gifts bestowed by the Empress."
Those behind her dared not be negligent and quickly took them inside.
Jun Yelan saw the platters again and said coldly, "Didn't I say to send them back? Why are they still here!"
Those people were momentarily confused and looked at Mei Dong.
Mei Dong stood respectfully aside and explained, "Side consort, you misunderstand. These are gifts from the Empress to you." The Empress had almost moved the entire treasury. "Also, according to the palace rules, today is your day to serve the Emperor. How shall we arrange it?"
She dared not make decisions on her own; even the Empress feared angering the side consort.
Jun Yelan stopped turning pages. After being in the palace for so long, he had naturally learned the rules. He was now the side consort, and this day would eventually come. He nodded, feeling less resistant than before.
Seeing this, Mei Dong smiled. "Then this servant will arrange it immediately. Please prepare yourself, side consort." She clapped her hands, and the palace maids under her brought forth items: a simple white robe, a hairpin, and some bathing supplies.
Jun Yelan stood up and, passing by the platters of items, picked out only the white robe. "Nothing else is needed." He went to the bathing area, not allowing anyone to accompany him.
Thus, no one dared to disturb him.
Lan Yan had just arrived at the imperial bedchamber when Mei Dong stopped her. "What has happened?"
Mei Dong smiled. "Empress, naturally it is good news. The side consort is inside, you will have to wait a while. Oh, and this is the hairpin the side consort dropped. You can give it to him later."
"Oh." Lan Yan took the hairpin perplexedly. Why had Jun Yelan's hairpin dropped! She looked at the tightly closed door. What was Jun Yelan doing inside?
However, since Mei Dong had said so, she sat down at the stone table and ate some snacks.
The snack platter was empty. Finally, Mei Dong's voice came from behind her, "Empress, you may go in now. We servants will not disturb you and the side consort." She led the other palace maids away.
Lan Yan became even more puzzled. She patted the crumbs from her hands and walked towards the door. She pushed the door open and walked in, calling out, "Jun Yelan, your hairpin..."
She saw Jun Yelan's current appearance and was slightly stunned.
Jun Yelan was sitting by the bed, his dark hair unbound, wearing a thin white robe. A mist of moisture still enveloped him; it was clear he had just bathed.
Lan Yan withdrew her gaze, which had almost turned infatuated, and walked towards the bedside. She leaned down and reached out towards Jun Yelan's cheek.
Jun Yelan slightly clenched his fist, then relaxed it, his eyes holding a trace more emotion than usual. As his heart began to race, Lan Yan's voice came to his ear, "How is this hairpin worn?"
Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan's hair, then at the hairpin in her hand, unsure of where to place it for a moment. She grabbed Jun Yelan's hair and tried to tie a bun, then inserted the hairpin.
She straightened up, satisfied with her work, and looked down to see Jun Yelan's slightly stunned expression. She said, "I haven't styled my hair like this in a long time. Why don't you look in the mirror?"
The emotion in Jun Yelan's eyes dissipated. He had misunderstood Lan Yan just now. He stared at Lan Yan, a feeling he couldn't quite describe filling his heart, and asked, "Don't you know what day it is today?"
Lan Yan was bewildered. After all, she wasn't the original host. Had she forgotten something? Her pupils widened in shock. "Could it be today is..."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan.
"Your birthday." Lan Yan patted her palm. "Why didn't Mei Dong remind me? It's still early. Let's go out and celebrate your birthday. But change your clothes first."
Jun Yelan looked too captivating like this; she almost couldn't control herself. Fortunately, she remembered her favorability mission.
For some reason, Jun Yelan felt a surge of annoyance. "No." Seeing that Lan Yan had not the slightest inkling, he wondered if he should remind her.