After resting on the swing for a long time, Lan Yan felt her legs were much better. She stood up and said, "Jun Yelan, I'm going back to my room. You should also get some rest."
As she walked toward her room door, she looked back and pointed to her palm, "Remember to eat."
Jun Yelan watched as Lan Yan closed the door, a slight smile curving his lips. He returned to his room, took out a bag, put the maple leaves and candy into it, and hid it in his embrace.
This was his precious possession.
The next morning, Lan Yan heard a knock on her door and groggily called out, "Who is it!" She put on her clothes and, half-asleep, opened the mansion gate, yawning.
Someone stood at the door. Seeing that it was an eunuch from the palace, she instantly sobered up.
The eunuch was the same one from before. Looking at Lan Yan's appearance, he sighed, "General Lan, your salary isn't low, why don't you have anyone to open the door in this mansion?"
Lan Yan smiled awkwardly. This was her deliberate act, to avoid disturbing her and Jun Yelan. She changed the subject and asked, "Your Grace, what important matter brings you here?"
The eunuch said, "General Lan, His Majesty has summoned Young Master Jun again. Please ask him to come out."
"Alright." Lan Yan turned and walked into the mansion, confusion in her eyes. Why would His Majesty want to see Jun Yelan again? Was it just to play chess with him?
She knocked on Jun Yelan's door in bewilderment and called out, "Jun Yelan, someone from the palace has arrived."
"I'm here." Jun Yelan was standing right behind Lan Yan, holding a bowl of noodles.
Lan Yan turned her head, saw Jun Yelan, and her lips curved into a smile. She noticed the noodles and said, "Jun Yelan, you went to the kitchen early this morning."
"Yes." Jun Yelan walked over, placed the bowl in Lan Yan's hand, and said, "This is for you. I'm going to the palace." He walked toward the mansion gate.
Lan Yan was left standing there, looking at the plain noodles in her hand. The noodles seemed undercooked. She looked toward the door; Jun Yelan had already left with the eunuch. She then moved toward the kitchen.
She added some ingredients to the noodles and ate them. This was a rare occasion of Jun Yelan cooking, and she ate them all without realizing it, letting out a satisfied burp.
She was the only one in the mansion and felt a bit bored. After cleaning up, she headed to the military camp.
Meanwhile, Jun Yelan arrived at the palace and met His Majesty, who was facing a chess endgame. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Rise," His Majesty said, wearing his dragon robes as he sat on his chair, dark circles under his eyes, clearly not having rested well. He held a white piece and placed it on the chessboard, "Finish this game of chess with me."
He hadn't encountered a worthy opponent for a long time.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Jun Yelan sat opposite His Majesty, holding a black piece, and made his move.
His Majesty looked up and saw that Jun Yelan was neither arrogant nor subservient and did not speak proactively. He then said, "I've heard that the fortunes you tell are eight or nine times out of ten correct. I have a matter here that I cannot decide, and I want you to tell my fortune."
Jun Yelan focused on the chessboard and replied, "Your Majesty, fortune-telling is full of uncertainties. It's better to make your own decisions." He never liked fortune-telling; he was forced to learn it.
"What if it concerns General Lan?"
Jun Yelan's hand, poised over the chessboard, paused. He placed the piece on the board. "If Your Majesty insists that this humble subject tell your fortune, this humble subject will obey."
His Majesty put down the white piece. "Good."
Hearing this, Jun Yelan knew he couldn't avoid it any longer. He took out the copper coins from his embrace and scattered them around the chessboard, frowning.
His Majesty looked over curiously and asked, "How is it?"
"Greatly inauspicious," Jun Yelan said coldly as he put away the coins. "If Your Majesty marries General Lan to Lord Ning, it will result in a lose-lose situation, and Your Majesty will also lose two capable ministers."
His Majesty's eyes darkened, and then he laughed, "Your abilities are indeed remarkable. I haven't said anything yet, and you've already figured out what the matter is. General Lan has been fighting battles outside for years. After all, she is a woman and should be married."
"She holds military power. If she marries a military official, I wouldn't feel at ease. If she marries a civil official, someone too inferior wouldn't be worthy of her, and someone too capable would be a threat. I am also in a difficult position."
Jun Yelan remained silent, hiding the fierceness in his eyes. What did this man think Lan Yan was! He calculated another fortune and said, "Your Majesty, you are a wise ruler and naturally know how to choose."
"It's just that no matter how I calculate, the omen is inauspicious. But this is just an omen." Since it was His Majesty, his suspicion would surely be heavy. If he spoke directly, it would make His Majesty even more wary of Lan Yan.
His Majesty fell into contemplation. The war had not yet subsided, and he still needed Lan Yan. If this marriage caused a rift between the sovereign and his minister, it wouldn't be worth it. "I will consider it."
"By the way, since you live and eat together with General Lan, do you know if she has anyone in her heart? Or what kind of man she likes?" He stared at the expression on Jun Yelan's face.
Jun Yelan's face was calm, and he replied faintly, "This humble subject does not know."
"Is that so?" His Majesty picked up a chess piece, looked at the chessboard, and asked no further questions.
Jun Yelan played chess with his right hand. He opened his left palm, where there was a bloodstain.
The chess game lasted for a long time, and it ended in a draw.
Jun Yelan excused himself from His Majesty and walked alone towards the palace gate. He looked at the straight avenue in front of him, how many people had gained power and lost their lives because of this path.
He thought of Lan Yan, what would her fate be! Lan Yan did not pursue power; she was merely kind to those around her, including people like himself. But with His Majesty and Ning Yuan around, would Lan Yan be able to live a peaceful life!
"Jun Yelan!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Jun Yelan startled and looked up to see Lan Yan at the palace gate.
Lan Yan stood beside a carriage, waving to him and calling out, "Jun Yelan, I've come to pick you up and take you home." As soon as she arrived at the military camp, she was teased by the soldiers. After hiding for a day, she finally found an opportunity to leave.
She thought it was on the way, and she was worried about Jun Yelan encountering danger, so she waited at the gate.
Jun Yelan walked over. Looking at the smiling Lan Yan before him, he wanted to tell her to be careful but couldn't bring himself to say it. He was afraid Lan Yan would be sad, and that all his efforts would be resented.
In the end, he said nothing. He grasped Lan Yan's wrist and pulled her onto the carriage.
Lan Yan stood on the carriage frame and was slightly stunned when she saw Jun Yelan get into the carriage. She also got in, sitting beside Jun Yelan. Seeing his somber expression, she felt something was not right.
"What's wrong? Did something happen when you went to the palace today? Tell me. We live under the same roof now; we are considered family."
Jun Yelan immediately turned to look at Lan Yan. Did she know what she was saying!
He looked into Lan Yan's eyes, his pupils trembling slightly, "Lan Yan, if you had to do something, what would you do?"
What kind of question was this! Lan Yan pondered and replied, "I think I would see if I wanted to do it. If I did, no matter what, I would go."
Jun Yelan nodded, knowing what he had to do. His Majesty wanted him to tell his fortune, and he could use this to protect Lan Yan's safety.
He only knew that he didn't want this person in front of him to disappear, didn't want to never see her smile again, or hear her voice.
For this, he could try his best.