With Madam Li and Lan Yue present, the meal became a foursome.
Lan Yan sat close to Jun Yelan, looking at the dishes on the table. She picked up some food and said, "Mother, this pigeon is cooked well. Shall I get some for you?"
"No need, Mother can do it herself. You get some for the Prince," Madam Li said, looking at Jun Yelan. She hoped that Lan Yan and the Prince would get along well, so Lan Yan wouldn't have to live a life of hardship again.
Lan Yan shifted her chopsticks and placed some food into Jun Yelan's bowl. "Prince, eat slowly." She had intended to serve all three of them, thinking to serve the elders first.
Finally, she served Lan Yue a piece of meat. Lan Yue wanted to refuse, but under her urging, he ate it. Madam Li and Lan Yue were too thin, so they needed to be nourished well.
After swallowing the meat, Lan Yue found it incredibly delicious. He had never eaten such food before. He wanted to take more, but he was afraid of making a bad impression on the Prince, which might implicate his sister, so he dared not act.
Seeing the two of them so restrained, Jun Yelan picked up a handkerchief, wiped his hands, and said, "I've eaten my fill. You don't need to get up; continue eating." With him present, these two couldn't eat to their satisfaction.
Lan Yan asked Xia Lian to escort Jun Yelan back to his room. Knowing his thoughtful intention, she quickly urged Madam Li and the others to start eating. She thought it would be better to eat at separate tables in the future, as it would be better for everyone.
With their worries gone, Madam Li and Lan Yue began to eat quickly. However, they ate gracefully, not leaving a single grain of rice behind.
Lan Yan ate with them until they were finished, then went to the kitchen to get a portion of dim sum before returning to her room. She handed the dim sum to Jun Yelan and said, "Prince, have some of this."
Jun Yelan said, "No need, I'm not hungry."
"You didn't eat much just now; you ate half a bowl less than usual. Are you bored eating alone? I'll keep you company." Lan Yan took a bite first and then brought the rest to Jun Yelan's mouth.
Jun Yelan was taken aback. Only Lan Yan could notice his habits. He couldn't help but take it and chew. In reality, the food was tasteless, but seeing Lan Yan eat, it seemed to gain sweetness.
Lan Yan even let out a small burp, having accidentally eaten too much. Seeing Jun Yelan staring at her, she said, "I won't eat anymore; I'll just sit here." She rubbed her belly clockwise.
Jun Yelan stared at Lan Yan, absentmindedly finishing the dim sum, and also felt full.
Now, both of them rubbed their bellies to aid digestion.
In the afternoon, Lan Yan and Jun Yelan went out to the streets to buy some things. In reality, she simply wanted to go out with Jun Yelan.
Arriving on the bustling street, it was as lively as ever.
Lan Yan walked to a stall and looked at the various ornaments displayed, curiously examining them. She took a liking to a set of jade pendants that fit together to form a pair.
The shopkeeper introduced, "Madam has a discerning eye. This set of jade pendants is truly unique. It's perfect for you and your husband to each wear one. Moreover, with your beautiful appearances, it will suit you even better." Although he couldn't see the appearance of the man in the wheelchair, based on his demeanor, he wouldn't be bad-looking.
While Lan Yan was still hesitating, Jun Yelan had already handed over the silver. "Buy it if you like it."
"Alright, Prince, I'll give you this half." Lan Yan gave the left pendant to Jun Yelan and wore the right one herself. "Prince, does it look good?"
Jun Yelan stroked the jade pendant in his hand, his gaze falling on the one at Lan Yan's waist. They were a pair. "It looks good."
"Hehe." Lan Yan smiled and pushed Jun Yelan forward.
The shopkeeper behind them was stunned. "Which Prince? Could it be the Third Prince!" He looked at the two figures in front with shock. Today, he had the business of the Third Prince and his Consort!
Lan Yan and Jun Yelan continued walking. She saw a stall selling masks ahead and ran over.
Jun Yelan waited behind, unfortunately encountering the two people in front of him. The Eldest Prince, accompanied by Lan Xiaoxiao, blocked their path. He also noticed the pair of jade pendants and said sarcastically, "Brother, you specifically went out of the mansion just to buy this."
"Does the mansion not even have such things? Shall I send you a few sets, Brother?"
Jun Yelan said coldly, "Brother, be careful with your possessions; don't let vengeful spirits claim your life." The Eldest Prince's possessions were not exactly clean.
The Eldest Prince was once again provoked by Jun Yelan and became extremely angry. He saw Lan Yan's retreating figure not far away, his eyes darting around, and said, "Brother, you don't actually believe that a woman would willingly like you, do you!"
"Do you truly understand your Consort? Her life was not good before. Her current behavior towards you is merely seeking a reliance. If she had a choice, she would never want a husband like you."
"What can you give her! Brother, I understand such simple logic, why can't you see it." He looked at Lan Xiaoxiao and laughed, "You are also a woman, what do you think?"
Lan Xiaoxiao smiled, "I would naturally choose the Eldest Prince." She wasn't foolish.
The Eldest Prince's lips curved into a satisfied smile. Seeing Jun Yelan's expression unchanged, he really knew how to endure.
Jun Yelan fixed his gaze on the Eldest Prince's eyes and gave a contemptuous smile. "Brother, you are truly going to any lengths to deal with me. It's a pity she is my Consort, and I am the one who understands her." He had long known that the person by his side had changed her core, and was no longer the same person as before.
The Eldest Prince was slightly taken aback.
At this moment, Lan Yan returned with her purchases and saw the Eldest Prince and Lan Xiaoxiao bullying the Prince again. She rolled up her sleeves, bought a basket of soybeans from a nearby stall, and threw them at the Eldest Prince and his companion.
She clapped her hands, pushed Jun Yelan forward, and said with disdain, "Hmph, you two again. Daring to bully the Prince while I'm away. I will teach you a good lesson today."
The Eldest Prince and Lan Xiaoxiao quickly shielded their faces, their foreheads being hit by the flying beans. They immediately retreated, stepping on the beans on the ground, and fell to the ground disgracefully, also hurting their bottoms.
"My bottom!"
Lan Yan burst into laughter and seized the opportunity to shout, "Everyone, come quickly and see! This is the Eldest Prince of the current court, and the other is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Lan's manor."
The two on the ground were surrounded by onlookers, making them even more humiliated. The Eldest Prince, while covering his face, crushed a pill in his sleeve. This pill was a signal.
Suddenly, a clamor erupted on the street. Five horses galloped over, carrying burly men. The person behind shouted, "Make way quickly, Dali Temple is arresting someone." The burly men then threw their fire starters onto nearby stalls, causing smoke to rise.
People on the street panicked and shouted, "Fire! Run!" The crowd became chaotic.
Lan Yan, with quick reflexes, pushed Jun Yelan forward, preparing to find a safe place to hide. However, the crowd surged towards them, separating them. She was pushed to the front and looked back, shouting, "Prince!"
Jun Yelan, also in the crowd, clenched his fists and anxiously searched for Lan Yan's figure. But there were too many people, and the sound of horses made it difficult to find her.
Lan Yan was eventually pushed to the very front. A sharp pain struck the back of her head, and then she lost consciousness.