Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 554: Lan’er, Little Liar!

Chapter 554: Chapter 554: Lan’er, Little Liar!

Zhan Lan suddenly woke up. She had just skillfully reviewed the memorials; as soon as she got her hands on them, it was as if she had returned to her previous life, and these actions began instinctively.

Mu Yan is so clever, how could he not have noticed something amiss with her?

Zhan Lan looked a bit awkward, "I often listen to operas, and it seems like the emperor reviews memorials just like this."

"Then how do you explain your handwriting?" Mu Yan listened to her lie and stared at the brush in her left hand.

Zhan Lan put down the brush and admitted honestly, "Well... my handwriting with my right hand is ugly, but my left hand isn’t bad. I’m also worried someone might mimic my handwriting, so it’s always good to have a backup plan."

Her forehead was gently poked by Mu Yan with his index finger.

"Lan’er, we are even. Your handwriting is so elegant and flowing, yet you let me teach you—what a little trickster!"

Zhan Lan stuck out her tongue. How did she accidentally slip up? It seems that she has no defenses left with Mu Yan.

She completely trusts Mu Yan.

Trusts so much that she believes everything about him.

In her previous life, after becoming an empress, she invited a calligraphy master to teach her writing. As the Mother of the Country, how bad could her writing be!

In this life, she was cautious at every step, afraid others might mimic her handwriting just like she did, so she always wrote with her right hand. She is left-handed; her right handwriting is indeed ugly.

Mu Yan said he would teach her calligraphy. She didn’t really deceive Mu Yan, because her right-hand writing truly was ugly, though she had made some improvements after learning pen control from him.

Zhan Lan softened her voice, leaned on Mu Yan’s shoulder, and uncharacteristically explained, "Yan, my left-hand writing is indeed prettier than the right. I genuinely wanted to learn from my master on how to write with my right hand, with no intention to deceive."

Mu Yan suddenly lifted her chin, eyes tender, "What did you just call me?"

"Yan..." Zhan Lan repeated with a smile in her eyes.

Mu Yan’s gaze gradually turned fiery, "I like it when you call me that."

Zhan Lan was gently pulled into his arms, half-lying in his embrace, staring into his increasingly tender eyes.

"The memorials aren’t finished yet..." Zhan Lan looked at the pile of memorials on the table.

Mu Yan’s voice was mesmerizing as he whispered in her ear, "But tonight, I want to be an unworthy emperor."

Zhan Lan felt her body soften under his allure, "I don’t want to be the Evil Queen..."

"That’s not up to you!"

Mu Yan smirked as he carried her horizontally into the sleeping quarters.

...

Mu Yan actually got up early to finish reviewing all the remaining memorials.

He even attended the morning court on time. Zhan Lan was amazed by his astonishing energy.

She lazily lifted the curtains. She had been recuperating for three months, and her body gradually warmed up.

Perhaps she might be able to have a child in the future.

After washing up and having breakfast, Little Anzi reported the affairs inside and outside the palace as usual.

"Reporting to the Empress, after the palace punishment, Prince Xian has been exiled to Ningguta, and his wife has also been exiled together."

Zhan Lan caressed the white jade teacup. Prince Xian had wronged so many respectable women, and it was only befitting he received such a punishment.

The matter involving Prince Xian is closely tied with his wife; it’s not surprising she was also exiled, as it’s well deserved.

After taking a sip of tea, she continued listening to Little Anzi, who said, "In addition, Mr. Dugu has caught a cold and has taken leave from court today."

Zhan Lan’s head shot up. Dugu Yan is as strong as an ox; how could he have fallen ill?

She looked at Little Anzi, "Go call for an Imperial Physician to accompany me out of the palace."

"Yes, Empress." Little Anzi bowed and went to summon someone.

Little Anzi arrived at the Imperial Medicine Room. As soon as Doctor Chen saw him, he cupped his hands and said, "Welcome, Eunuch An!"

Another Doctor Li also greeted Little Anzi with a bow.

Little Anzi first reciprocated Doctor Li’s salutation, then smilingly looked at Doctor Chen, "Doctor Chen, we have to trouble you again. The Empress would like you to go outside the palace to see Mr. Dugu."

Doctor Chen immediately smiled and packed his medicine chest, "Eunuch An, please lead the way."

Earlier, Manager Liu of the Direct Room and Zhang Mian of the Imperial Medicine Room were executed.

Someone he didn’t think much of before, now a young eunuch, became the manager of the Direct Room and a close confidante of the Empress, an untouchable figure.

Little Anzi smiled slightly, "Doctor Chen, no need to be so courteous. You’re senior here; we’re just the juniors. The Empress respects only medical skills and competence. Please, go ahead."

Doctor Chen was sincerely pleased by Little Anzi’s recognition. He had thought Little Anzi was the kind of person who, after gaining prominence, would take the opportunity to get revenge like other petty palace people.

In such a case, Eunuch An could easily have not used the same physicians with whom he had past grievances, and chosen Doctor Li entirely.

But Eunuch An did not target him because of past unpleasantness.

Doctor Chen considered Eunuch An to be truly promising, managing things so adeptly at such a young age.

Zhan Lan set out from the palace with Doctor Chen, Little Anzi, and Qiuyue.

Zhan Lan sat in the least conspicuous sedan on her way to Dugu Yan’s house.

...

Inside Dugu Yan’s room.

After taking the pill sent by Xue Yifeng, she felt much better.

Upon waking in the morning, she heard a commotion like chickens flying in Xue Yifeng’s courtyard next door. Then she smelled something burning.

Dugu Yan patted her head in frustration, "Xue Yifeng, can’t you be quiet for once so I can sleep well? Are you trying to burn the house down?"

She had already called off her subordinates with an arrow at dawn, asking for leave because her current condition wouldn’t allow her to attend the morning court.

"Sickness comes like a mountain falls; turns out I’m just flesh and blood. Getting sick reduces me to nothing."

She looked at the window in self-mockery.

Suddenly, she saw a familiar figure.

Before long, Xue Yifeng came into her room.

She saw Xue Yifeng’s face and hair covered in some soot, and he was carrying a steaming ceramic pot with both hands.

"What’s in there, can you cook?" Dugu Yan asked skeptically.

Xue Yifeng looked a bit unnatural, "Well, I made some chicken soup, to share with you!"

Dugu Yan looked Xue Yifeng up and down.

Xue Yifeng actually made soup for her!

"Is this soup drinkable?" Dugu Yan dared not meet Xue Yifeng’s gaze.

Xue Yifeng set down the hot pot and answered with feigned indifference, "It won’t poison you."

Dugu Yan curled into the quilt, wanting to get up, but was pressed back by Xue Yifeng.

"Don’t move!"

If anyone had been so assertive with her before, Dugu Yan would have pinned them down instantly.

But now, she surprisingly stayed still, well-behaved.

Xue Yifeng ladled a bowl of chicken soup and sat by the bed.

Dugu Yan smelled the aroma of chicken and mushrooms.

She swallowed as the chicken soup smelled quite appetizing.

Xue Yifeng placed a white porcelain spoon in front of her, the clear chicken soup inside shimmering.

The spoon was brought near her lips, and Dugu Yan looked up at Xue Yifeng and asked, "Xue Yifeng, are you falling for me?"