Lan Yan slipped a bag of silver into Eunuch Yan's palm and said, "Eunuch Yan, Lord Jun has been staying with me for so long. I have a few words I wish to discuss with him."
"General Lan is too kind," Eunuch Yan smiled, tucking the silver into his sleeve. "This humble servant will wait outside."
Lan Yan nodded. "Thank you, Eunuch Yan." After he left, she immediately grabbed Jun Yelan's sleeve, her voice filled with worry. "Something is not right about this."
Jun Yelan knew why, but at this moment, he didn't want Lan Yan to worry more. He replied, "I am indeed a priest. I am merely returning to my original position."
"You don't know how dangerous the palace is," Lan Yan tightened her grip on his sleeve, her brow furrowed. Jun Yelan had no foundation in the palace and was particularly vulnerable.
Jun Yelan watched Lan Yan's pensive expression and couldn't help but reach out, smoothing the worry lines on her brow.
Seeing Lan Yan look up, he lowered his hand, his eyes darting away. "You don't need to worry too much about me. I will protect myself."
Lan Yan was still uneasy, but the matter was settled. She thought of the dagger and whistle Jun Yelan had taken earlier and looked toward the door, lowering her voice. "Keep those things hidden. They can save your life at a critical moment."
"Oh, and I have a token here as well. It may not be of much use, but perhaps it can protect you." She took out a black token from her robes, a family heirloom of the Lan family.
Jun Yelan's pupils trembled slightly. He took it and carefully placed it over his heart. "I have noted everything."
"Alright," Lan Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Eunuch Yan was still waiting, and she couldn't talk for too long. "Then you go pack your things. I'll go to the kitchen for something to eat."
Jun Yelan nodded and turned to walk towards his room. At the doorway, he stopped, turning to look at Lan Yan, who had already gone to the kitchen, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
The next moment, he clenched his fist, packed his belongings with determination, and walked to the door.
Lan Yan emerged from the kitchen, not seeing Jun Yelan, and looked towards the door. Jun Yelan was already standing by the carriage. She walked over, placed the pastries in his hand, and said reluctantly, "I'm going back."
"Okay." Jun Yelan concealed the emotions in his eyes and parted his lips slightly, not speaking the words in his heart. The Emperor's envoy was nearby, and he couldn't say more, as it would only bring trouble to Lan Yan.
He boarded the carriage and left without looking back.
Lan Yan bid farewell to Eunuch Yan and retreated to the doorway, watching Jun Yelan depart. As the carriage's shadow grew distant, she sighed and walked inside.
"System, come online quickly."
Jun Yelan sat in the carriage, clutching the package tightly, a slight smile gracing his lips as he looked at the osmanthus cakes peeking out.
He stroked the osmanthus cakes, Lan Yan's smile appearing in his mind. These were the foods she loved.
From now on, he and Lan Yan would not meet easily again, and those feelings would gradually fade. All he could do was protect Lan Yan. "Lan Yan, may your remaining days be peaceful."
Lan Yan sat in the courtyard, the emptiness palpable without Jun Yelan. She called out, "System, stop hiding and give me some advice quickly."
System: "Host, it's no use looking for me. I've already told you before."
"I know, I just wanted to talk to you for a bit."
Seeing that the System was no longer arguing, Lan Yan propped her chin with one hand and slowly said, "I'm curious now, Jun Yelan dislikes meddling in court affairs and royalty, why has he suddenly become like this?"
System: "I don't understand human emotions, but I know that sudden changes are usually due to major events."
Lan Yan mused, "Jun Yelan came out of that room and went to my military camp, and then came here. I was thinking of taking him out more, he's always been confined."
Her eyes dimmed slightly. Now that Jun Yelan was in the palace, he would be even more confined.
The System sighed. The Host poured too much affection into Jun Yelan. "Host, Jun Yelan is only entering the palace. Although he cannot come out, you can go in."
His Host was quite bold.
"Oh, right." Lan Yan straightened up. She attended court every day and could secretly visit Jun Yelan. "System, although you don't have many abilities, you're still a good person."
With that, she stood up, returned to her room, and rested, preparing for the morning's court session.
Even breathing sounds could be heard. The System in her mind was filled with helplessness. As expected of its Host. "Host, rest assured." It also went offline.
The next morning, Lan Yan arrived at the palace gates early, waiting for the court session.
Soon, other officials arrived and stood around Lan Yan. No one took the initiative to approach or speak to her.
Lan Yan glanced backward and saw Ning Yuan's angry face. She snorted. This Ning Yuan always sought trouble with her. He had been quiet for the past few days, and she suspected he was plotting something wicked.
Ignored, Ning Yuan grew even angrier. He said to the surrounding ministers, "Everyone, His Majesty has appointed another Grand Priest. I believe such matters are inappropriate. I suggest we all advise His Majesty together later."
Involving Jun Yelan, Lan Yan could not remain silent. "Censor Ning, this is His Majesty's decision. What right do you have to interfere? Besides, how does the Grand Priest concern you!"
Ning Yuan knew of Lan Yan's relationship with the new priest and did not want to engage in a war of words. "General Lan, your relationship with the priest is unusual, so this naturally benefits you."
Lan Yan's eyes darkened. Damn Ning Yuan, digging a pit for her. "Censor Ning, your words are quite interesting. You always speak privately with other ministers. Do you also have some hidden connections!"
"My relationship with the priest is pure and upright, owing nothing to heaven or earth, nor to His Majesty. Unlike some people who always do things sneakily."
"You!" Ning Yuan was instantly furious, his face turning red from suppressed anger. He was about to step forward but was stopped by the minister beside him, managing to restrain himself.
Lan Yan smiled triumphantly. Seeing the palace gates open, she quickly walked in, too lazy to bother with those behind her.
After the court session, Ning Yuan's face was still red. Perhaps he was too angry, as he barely spoke during the assembly.
Lan Yan noticed and curved her lips. After the court adjourned, she did not leave immediately. In the corridor, she asked a eunuch, learned the direction of Frost Blossom Hall, and headed that way.
She passed through a courtyard, then three more palaces, walking along the covered walkway. "Strange, it's this way."
At that moment, Concubine Ning, dressed in a golden silk gown, walked up behind her. Seeing Lan Yan, she frowned. "Why is she here?"
The thought of Lan Yan recently targeting her elder brother and causing their Ning family to lose face made her unable to swallow her pride. She instructed the palace maid beside her, "You go follow her. I will report to His Majesty."
The palace maid trembled, bowed her head, and said, "Yes, Your Ladyship." She quickly followed Lan Yan ahead.
Concubine Ning's eyes filled with calculation. Gritting her teeth, she turned and went to find the Emperor.
Passing through another palace, Lan Yan finally saw Frost Blossom Hall. She walked in and saw a room. Through the window facing her, she could see Jun Yelan sitting inside.
A smile bloomed on her face. She quietly approached the window and knocked gently.