Lan Yan, caught in Jun Yelan's gaze, quickly turned to fasten her clothes. Her cheeks flushed as she exclaimed, "That bug suddenly flew over and startled me."
"I'll take it away," Jun Yelan said, awkwardly scooping up the bug from the floor and pushing his wheelchair outside. He went to the window, his fingers tightly gripping the insect, trying to shake the image from his mind.
The bug: I am already dead; no need for me to be ground to dust.
After changing, Lan Yan patted her cheeks and took a deep breath before walking out. She looked at Jun Yelan's back by the window and called out, "Your Highness, I'm ready."
Jun Yelan turned around, somewhat hesitant to meet Lan Yan's eyes. "Yes, it suits you very well."
Lan Yan smiled. "Then I'll wear this set for my birthday banquet. Your Highness, would you like to try yours on too?"
"No need." Jun Yelan’s gaze kept flickering towards Lan Yan, and he had no desire to leave at the moment.
Lan Yan nodded, suddenly unsure of what to say. It was all that bug's fault! "Your Highness, I'll step out for a moment then." She practically ran out, the atmosphere having become rather intimate.
She wasn't used to it.
Inside, Jun Yelan couldn't help but smile, looking at the bug in his hand. "Today was good."
The bug: So miserable. Even in death, I'm not left alone.
Two days later, the birthday banquet arrived. Due to recent disasters, the banquet was not a grand affair, with only a few imperial relatives and noble ladies invited.
Lan Yan pushed Jun Yelan to the palace gate, entering the majestic palace. This was her first time in the imperial palace. Upon entering, she felt a sense of oppression, as if being trapped inside.
She disliked it intensely.
A hand rested on her own, and she turned to Jun Yelan, smiling. "I'm fine, just adjusting."
"We will never come here again," Jun Yelan declared, having already decided to quell certain people's ambitions at this opportunity. This imperial palace would be irrelevant to him from now on.
Lan Yan nodded. It was for the best.
The two arrived at the Imperial Garden where the banquet was held. The Emperor and Empress Dowager sat at the highest table, followed by the Imperial Consort, then the Princes and their families, and finally, the noble ladies.
The seats were arranged in two columns, with fine wine and delicacies on each table, and palace maids standing behind.
As everyone was exchanging pleasantries, their pupils widened in shock at the sight of the two entering from the doorway. They hadn't seen the Third Prince in a long time, assuming he was half-dead.
Yet, today, he appeared vibrant and in good spirits. Even seated in his wheelchair and wearing half a mask, he commanded respect, forcing others to lower their gaze slightly.
The Prince held their lives in his hands and was known for collecting their mistakes.
Upon seeing this, the First Prince clenched his fist and nodded to Lan Xiaoxiao beside him.
Lan Xiaoxiao understood immediately and looked at Lan Yan with a calculating gaze, certain that Lan Yan was doomed today.
Beyond the attendees, the Emperor's eyes held surprise, even a hint of excitement. He gripped the dragon throne beneath him and said coldly, "My son has returned."
Only the Third Prince was addressed in such a manner.
Jun Yelan, colder than the Emperor, bowed. "Greetings to Your Majesty, greetings to the Empress Dowager."
Hearing this address, everyone gasped, while the First Prince and the Imperial Consort smirked with triumph.
However, the Emperor merely nodded, allowing him to take his seat.
Lan Yan stood beside Jun Yelan, understanding clearly that the relationship between father and son was far from simple. Her attention was soon drawn to the food on the table, but she dared not move, instead taking out sunflower seeds from her sleeve and cracking them.
She even shared a few with Jun Yelan.
The Imperial Consort, observing Lan Yan's demeanor, found it differed from Liu Niang's description. She initiated a topic. "So this is the renowned Princess Consort of the Third Prince. Your Majesty, you wouldn't know, but the Princess Consort sent back the people I sent over two days ago."
"I only meant well, understanding that the Prince lacked care, so I sent my trusted maids. But the Princess Consort misunderstood me so greatly, and my heart feels wronged."
"Ugh!" Lan Yan nearly vomited, and Jun Yelan gently patted her back. She retorted, "Imperial Consort, your words are quite interesting. His Highness is perfectly fine, and the Prince's mansion has plenty of people. How could he lack care?"
"Furthermore, offering your own maids to His Highness, isn't that demeaning him? Does His Highness lack even a maid!"
The Imperial Consort's face darkened, her hand tightening on her handkerchief.
Sitting above, the Emperor nodded in satisfaction. "Very well, enough idle talk. Let the feast begin."
Following this, everyone ate and drank.
Lan Yan, bored, looked around and noticed that Lan Xiaoxiao was unusually quiet today, which struck her as abnormal.
Just then, a palace maid beside her was pouring wine and accidentally spilled some on her, exclaiming, "My apologies, Princess Consort of the Third Prince, I didn't mean to. Please come with me to change your clothes."
Lan Yan narrowed her eyes and said to Jun Yelan, "I'll be back soon." She followed the palace maid into a side hall and was immediately hit by a fragrant scent upon entering.
She quickly covered her nose and called out to the palace maid outside the door, "You, come in and help me."
The palace maid's eyes flickered as she pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to collapse onto the floor.
Lan Yan looked contentedly at the stick in her hand and dragged the palace maid to the bushes outside, hiding her. Then, she hid herself as well, peering into the side hall, and sure enough, someone appeared.
It was a familiar face, Lan Xiaoxiao.
She emerged from behind, also knocking Lan Xiaoxiao unconscious, and moved her into the hall.
A while later, the First Prince, sneaking a look, was naturally knocked unconscious by Lan Yan as well. Looking at the two people inside the hall and recalling the scent, she instantly understood.
"You wanted to scheme against me, so I'll let you personally experience your own machinations!" She left with a smile, continuing to crack sunflower seeds nearby, anticipating that someone would bring more people soon.
At the banquet, Jun Yelan, seeing that Lan Yan had not returned, felt uneasy. He was about to leave when the Imperial Consort called out to him.
"Why hasn't the Princess Consort returned yet? Has something happened?" the Imperial Consort chuckled slyly. "Your Highness must be going to find her, right? Do you still know the way through the palace? Allow me to accompany you."
Jun Yelan cast her a cold glance. "No need." His unease intensified, and he hurried away in the direction Lan Yan had taken.
The Imperial Consort, unwilling to miss such a prime opportunity, gathered others and followed Jun Yelan.
A group of people arrived at the side hall, and hearing the sounds coming from within, they all froze in astonishment.
Jun Yelan's eyes turned cold. This was a trap. He wasn't worried about Lan Yan betraying him, only about her getting hurt. Those who plotted against Lan Yan today would all die!
Seeing Jun Yelan's darkening expression, the Imperial Consort knew her plan had succeeded. She deliberately exclaimed, "Heavens, this Princess Consort of the Third Prince is too shameless, to actually do something like this."
"Imperial Consort, how do you know who is inside? Don't falsely accuse my Princess Consort here!" Jun Yelan scoffed, his eyes glinting with killing intent.
The Imperial Consort became even more smug. "Your Highness, you are deceiving yourself."
"Oh, dear." Lan Yan leisurely walked out from behind the bushes, clapping her hands. "Imperial Consort, these words are for you."
Everyone was astonished, especially the Imperial Consort, who was left speechless.