The next morning, Lan Yan summoned everyone in the manor to gather in the courtyard. She looked at the rows of servants, unable to discern who might have ulterior motives.
She sat on a chair, took the teacup handed to her by Xia Lian, and took a leisurely sip.
The people below looked at her, confused by Lan Yan's actions. However, Lan Yan was the Princess Consort, so they dared not discuss it openly.
As Lan Yan put down the teacup, she scanned everyone, her mind made up. She said, "Last night, Li the servant disturbed my and the Prince's peaceful slumber, and he has been sold off."
"Before he left, he was beaten with thirty heavy boards."
This statement caused everyone to be surprised and murmur amongst themselves. "The Princess Consort has never beaten anyone."
"What mistake did that servant make to be so severely punished."
Some people were already filled with fear and involuntarily took half a step back.
Lan Yan seized the opportunity to establish the rules. "From now on, in this manor, the Prince and I are the highest authority. If anyone dares to do otherwise, Li the servant's fate will be theirs. Everyone, do you understand!"
Her voice was loud, echoing throughout the entire courtyard.
Jun Yelan, who was in the room behind, also heard it. He looked out the window and could see Lan Yan's back. The strange feeling in his heart began to stir again.
Seeing that no one was murmuring anymore, Lan Yan curved her lips. "Alright, you can all go. There is still work to be done in the manor." She dismissed everyone else, leaving only Qin Momo.
Qin Momo lowered her head, not daring to look at Lan Yan. She called out respectfully, "Princess Consort." She now dared not cause any more trouble; this Princess Consort was clearly no pushover.
She must have been faking it before.
Lan Yan put on a seemingly gentle smile and said, "Qin Momo, I heard you have a good relationship with people in the manor."
Qin Momo trembled all over. Such a smile was truly frightening. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. "Princess Consort, as the eldest among the servants in the manor, I naturally know more people."
She secretly glanced up, truly not knowing what Lan Yan intended to do.
Lan Yan took off a hairpin from her head, one of the few pieces of jewelry from the original owner's dowry. "Qin Momo, I have something for you to do. Starting today, you will investigate the origins and whereabouts of everyone in the manor, and then report to me."
"If you do well, this hairpin will be worn on your head. If you fail, this hairpin will be plunged into your neck."
Qin Momo knelt on the ground, trembling, and fearfully cried out, "Please rest assured, Princess Consort. This old servant has no other skills, but she is good at interacting with people. I will definitely complete your task."
She knew the Princess Consort was terrifying, just like the former Prince.
"Drink this cup of tea, and you may leave." Lan Yan took a new teacup and poured another cup of tea.
Qin Momo took the teacup with trembling hands. This was undoubtedly poison. She could only drink it now. She closed her eyes and downed it in one gulp. "This old servant takes her leave."
"Mm." Lan Yan stood up and walked towards the room door. She glanced back at Qin Momo's stooped figure. In reality, it was just a normal cup of tea.
She returned to the room and saw Jun Yelan lying on the bed. She smiled, "Your Highness, I've handled everything. Shall I massage your legs?"
Seeing Lan Yan so happy, Jun Yelan felt less troubled. "No need, you must be tired today." These matters should have been handled by him.
"It was just a few words, and I was sitting down while saying them." Lan Yan prepared to wash her hands but found there was no water. She called out towards the door, "Bring water."
She had to sit down first and warm up her wrists.
A maidservant from the doorway entered with a basin of water. She looked up and happened to see Jun Yelan's face. With a gasp, she knocked over the water basin in her hands.
Jun Yelan's expression darkened. Everyone thought his face was hideous!
Lan Yan's eyes turned cold as she looked at the trembling maidservant on the ground and said, "Go and receive your punishment yourself." She had been careless.
The maidservant retreated, still having lingering fear.
Lan Yan walked to the door and saw Xia Lian approaching with a teapot. She said, "This maidservant is no longer needed to serve here. Also, besides you, no one else should come near this door."
She needed Xia Lian to be her eyes, to monitor the entrance.
Xia Lian bowed, "Yes, Princess Consort." She led the maidservant away.
The maidservant couldn't help but ask, "Sister Xia Lian, I truly didn't do it on purpose. This is my first time seeing His Highness. With His Highness like this, how does the Princess Consort manage to be with him every day?"
"When did it become our place to discuss our masters' affairs!" Xia Lian's expression was cold. "The place for receiving boards is just ahead. I hope you remember this lesson."
After speaking, she left coolly.
The maidservant became afraid once more.
At this moment, inside the room, Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan's unhappy expression and wondered how to comfort him. She said, "Your Highness, I've washed my hands. Shall I massage your legs for you?"
If she brought up the previous incident again, it would only reopen Jun Yelan's old wounds.
Jun Yelan grasped Lan Yan's wrist, preventing her from touching his leg. He stared into Lan Yan's clean eyes, in which he could see his own reflection, his own detested face.
"Why are you not afraid of me?"
Lan Yan smiled and met Jun Yelan's gaze. She said, "If Your Highness had a choice, you wouldn't want to be like this. It's not your fault."
She cupped Jun Yelan's chin and smiled, "No matter what others think, I happen to like looking at Your Highness's face."
Jun Yelan froze in place, his ears subtly flushing red. He coughed twice, "You're talking nonsense."
"I never talk nonsense." To prove she was telling the truth, Lan Yan leaned closer and even touched Jun Yelan's face.
Jun Yelan's mind went blank, staring dazedly at Lan Yan before him. What had she just done!
Seeing that Jun Yelan was silent, Lan Yan thought she hadn't done enough and asked, "Do I need to prove it further?" Perhaps she should kiss him.
"No need. I believe you." Jun Yelan moved further inside and let out a sigh of relief. "I need to rest for a while. You go out and wait for a bit."
He needed to calm his emotions.
Lan Yan nodded. "Then I'll wait for you outside." She hadn't massaged his legs today, so she would go eat some snacks and come back later. She walked out of the room, thinking she should get a mask for Jun Yelan.
Otherwise, Jun Yelan wouldn't be able to leave the house.
She called out to Xia Lian, "We're going out of the manor." She didn't know the way.
Xia Lian followed her.
Meanwhile, Jun Yelan remained alone in the room, covering his chest. His heart had been beating rapidly just now. His leg was injured, but why was his heart acting up now!
He looked at the washbasin on the bedside table, where his reflection stared back at him, his face covered in hideous, terrifying scars.
When he was carried out of the fire, he had heard everyone's screams, coupled with the pain on his face, he knew his face was ruined.
Even the imperial physicians were afraid of him back then, let alone others.
Later, it had turned into scars, and everyone who saw him was afraid of him over the years. Yet, just now, Lan Yan had touched that face!
Thinking of this, his heart began to beat again.