Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan remained silent. She reached for the wine pot nearby and poured wine into Lin Yuezhi’s cup.
Lin Yuezhi was momentarily stunned. Meeting Jiang Lan’s cool gaze, she picked up the cup and drained it in one go.
Seeing this, Jiang Lan continued to pour wine for Lin Yuezhi.
One poured, the other drank.
Hu Yue watched in astonishment, but fortunately remembered her role as a mediator.
Sitting to the side, Hu Yue was upright in character, sometimes appearing rigid, yet it was precisely for this reason that Lin Moyu entrusted her with important tasks.
Noting how Lin Yuezhi and Jiang Lan remained silent, Hu Yue simply placed her own cup next to Lin Yuezhi’s and gestured with her eyes for Jiang Lan to fill it.
Jiang Lan complied without hesitation, though this time she didn’t pour only for Lin Yuezhi—she filled her own cup as well.
Observing this, Lin Yuezhi reached out and held Jiang Lan’s cup, handing it to her with an apologetic look in her eyes.
Without a word, Jiang Lan lifted her gaze to the cup offered before her, took it, and drank it all in one go.
Lin Yuezhi was utterly astonished. She hadn’t expected the Qin family’s newly appointed Number One Scholar to have such a temperament in private.
Friendship among women has always been forged through shared drinks and conversations.
Moreover, Jiang Lan’s character was both gentle and assertive. After their exchange, Lin Yuezhi couldn’t help but feel as though they should have met sooner.
Qin Yuehan had chosen an excellent seat. Gazing at the distant crowds and listening to the conversations of Jiang Lan and the others nearby, he felt an overwhelming sense of unreality.
Though he had always been favored, Prime Minister Qin had disciplined him strictly.
Indulging in wine, admiring the scenery, and venturing into such luxurious settings were things he had never dared to imagine.
Yet, sitting here now, he felt not a trace of unease. Instead, his heart warmed with a profound sense of comfort.
“Shall I escort you back?” Lin Yuezhi, now half-drunk, stood up and looked at Jiang Lan with reluctance.
Hearing this, Jiang Lan frowned slightly, vaguely regretting having boasted too much earlier.
“No need. I don’t have the prestige to warrant being escorted downstairs by Lin Yuezhi of Azure Capital City,” Jiang Lan replied, her tone remarkably calm.
Already tipsy, Lin Yuezhi moved to stop Jiang Lan, declaring in an impassioned voice, “Jiang Lan, you are a person of great talent. I was disrespectful to you earlier—I truly underestimated you. From now on, if anyone speaks ill of you, I, Lin Yuezhi, will be the first to object.”
[Congratulations, host. You have successfully triggered a random task: Resolve the predicament of Lin Yuezhi, daughter of the Loyal Brave King.] System 009 announced.
Jiang Lan was taken aback. Staring at the spoiled and extravagant young noble before her, she felt an indescribable emotion.
“Resolve Lin Yuezhi’s predicament?” Jiang Lan asked, her voice filled with confusion.
[Yes, host. As you have successfully gained Lin Yuezhi’s admiration, she has subconsciously sent you a plea for help.] System 009 explained.
Jiang Lan glanced at Lin Yuezhi, then at Hu Yue, who was slumped drunk at the table.
“What does she seek?” Jiang Lan asked again.
She didn’t understand. Lin Yuezhi held a high position and considerable power. Despite her arrogant nature, she even held the rank of major general in the military.
[She seeks self-preservation. As the host has triggered a random task, the system will now transmit the court dynamics of this world. Please do your best.] System 009 stated.
Listening to System 009’s respectful address and watching Lin Yuezhi sway unsteadily before her, Jiang Lan felt a dazed sensation as if she had traveled through time once again.
“No need to see me off—we’ll meet again another day,” Jiang Lan said with a smile, her striking features appearing exceptionally trustworthy due to the gentle curve of her lips.
As Jiang Lan stood up, Qin Yuehan and Qin Zhong also began walking slowly toward them.
Lin Yuezhi had initially intended to continue, but she stopped upon noticing Qin Yuehan approaching.
“That works as well. We shall gather another day,” Lin Yuezhi replied, then returned Qin Yuehan’s bow with equal solemnity when the latter paid her respects.
“Yuehan, let’s go,” Jiang Lan called out, her voice exceedingly tender.
Qin Yuehan nodded in response, as if the cold tension between them over the past few days had dissipated in this brief moment.
They had arrived as four, but departed as three.
To minimize his presence, Qin Zhong conscientiously took a seat outside the carriage.
Inside the compartment, Qin Yuehan felt the journey growing increasingly bumpy. Curious, she reached out and lifted the carriage curtain.
Outside the window, rolling green hills stretched into the distance, and further ahead, a peach grove came into view.
“Where is this?” Qin Yuehan asked, turning to Jiang Lan with surprise.
Sitting across from Qin Yuehan, Jiang Lan observed the shift on her elegant face—from its usual aloofness to astonishment at the scenery outside.
A true beauty remains captivating no matter what expression they wear.
“Peach Blossom Spring. It’s mine,” Jiang Lan stated, her sweet voice carrying a slight huskiness.
Qin Yuehan froze at these words, her peach blossom eyes filled with bewilderment as she gazed at Jiang Lan.
“Shall we take a walk?” Jiang Lan extended her hand toward Qin Yuehan.
The carriage had already come to a halt during their conversation.
Qin Yuehan stared at the hand offered to her, conflict flickering in her peach blossom eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, she took Jiang Lan’s hand.