Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 570: The Empress Discovers My Little Secret

Chapter 570: Chapter 570: The Empress Discovers My Little Secret

The Silver-faced Fox leaned against the chair back and looked at Zhan Lan, "If there were wine today, I would certainly have a drink with Her Majesty the Queen."

"After it’s done, I’ll find someone to accompany you for a drink."

"Has Her Majesty the Queen given up drinking?" The Silver-faced Fox propped his chin and looked at Zhan Lan.

Zhan Lan glanced the Silver-faced Fox up and down, and said meaningfully, "Drinking too much makes you lose at Pai Gow, but I don’t intend to lose."

The Silver-faced Fox’s smile froze on his face, but then he smiled again, "Her Majesty the Queen really pays attention to every detail, you’ve discovered my little secret."

The place for playing Pai Gow was his turf, and Zhan Lan had already investigated it thoroughly.

"Mutual understanding." Zhan Lan smiled faintly.

The Silver-faced Fox understood why Zhan Lan had come to see him in person today.

They both have their methods, and had long known each other’s secrets, so there was no need to hide.

However, the Silver-faced Fox didn’t know about his own affairs, the reborn Zhan Lan knew far more than he imagined.

The Silver-faced Fox accepted the silver note that Zhan Lan pushed over, and shaking his head with a smile, said, "Your Majesty the Queen, before you, it’s as if I am not wearing clothes, so embarrassing."

Zhan Lan snorted coldly, "You wouldn’t undress in front of a woman."

The Silver-faced Fox rubbed his forehead, "Your Majesty the Queen, I’m a bit afraid of you now, when shall we depart?"

"In two days, departing together from the Tao Ye Pavilion, five miles outside the city."

The Silver-faced Fox waved to Zhan Lan and walked out, "Good, I’ll wait for you."

...

Zhan Lan returned to the palace, it was already dark, and the sky was gently snowing.

Bringing back a chill, Qiuyue immediately handed over a golden hand warmer, Xiao Tao prepared a towel and warm water, Zhan Lan warmed up and learned that Mu Yan did not come to Fengqi Palace today.

She got up and went to Mu Yan’s sleeping quarters, the Taihe Palace.

Eunuch Li was guarding outside, and upon seeing Zhan Lan had come in person, he immediately greeted her respectfully, "Your Majesty the Queen, in such cold weather, why have you come personally? His Majesty has been busy with state affairs and just returned from the Political Discussion Hall."

Zhan Lan gestured for Eunuch Li to lower his voice, "Let His Majesty rest early, don’t tell him I came."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Li nodded, "I’ll have someone escort you back."

"No need."

Zhan Lan left the Taihe Palace carrying a lantern, without attendants, and passed by the Plum Garden on her way back, surprisingly discovering many new wintersweet trees in the Imperial Garden.

She hurried past earlier without noticing.

Under the illumination of the snow light, red plum blossoms bloomed on the branches, with white snowflakes falling delicately onto the petals and pale yellow stamens, the red plum stood proud against the wind.

"Bloom atop the myriad flowers, glimpsed amidst ice and snow." Zhan Lan touched the flower branches, and the trembling caused the snow on the plum blossoms to fall.

She suddenly recalled when Mu Yan visited the frontier to see her, in Luoshui City, that night’s heavy snow, those plums, and all the past memories of Mu Yan carrying her back to the barracks on a snowy night.

During that festival, Mu Yan told her: As dusk falls, year by year the fireworks burst. Day after day, Suisui be safe.

Now, the festival was approaching again.

"Plum Blossoms Like Snow, does Lan’er like it?" Suddenly, Zhan Lan heard Mu Yan’s voice.

Raising the lantern, Zhan Lan saw Mu Yan dressed in a golden dragon robe, draped in a black fur cloak, with a white fur cloak over his wrist, which Mu Yan wrapped around her shoulders.

"I like it, very much."

Mu Yan took the lantern from Zhan Lan’s hand, and in one hand, wrapped Zhan Lan’s arm around his own, strolling with her around the Plum Garden.

Talking with Mu Yan, Zhan Lan stepped over the already snow-covered ground, lightly brushing against Mu Yan’s hand and detecting his cold fingertips, she was right; Mu Yan’s cold ailment had recurred.

But Mu Yan seemed not to want her to know about the relapse of his cold ailment.

Since Alchemist Qi and Xiao Luobai went to Beiyue together, the old prescription left by Alchemist Qi had lost its efficacy on Mu Yan’s cold ailment.

"Mu Yan, let’s go back, I’m a bit tired."

"Alright." Mu Yan accompanied her away, choosing to sleep in the Taihe Palace, citing busy affairs rather than staying at her Fengqi Palace.

Zhan Lan knew that Mu Yan didn’t want her to worry.

She understood Mu Yan just like her difficulties conceiving, she also concealed the truth from Mu Yan, not wanting him to be disappointed.

The following morning, after the early court session, Mu Yan came to Fengqi Palace to have breakfast with Zhan Lan.

As she stirred the meat porridge with a wooden spoon, Zhan Lan said, "Mu Yan, I wish to travel with the diplomatic mission to Luyu City."

"Impossible." For the first time, Zhan Lan heard Mu Yan’s stern refusal.

He clasped Zhan Lan’s hand, "You don’t need to go there, I believe the four of them can definitely complete the negotiations."

Zhan Lan’s gaze was firm, "I may not go to Eastern Wei’s Luyu City, but I can stay at Dayu’s Shuiyu City and monitor the situation."

"Lan’er, if you indeed want to go, I’ll send someone to protect you." Mu Yan insisted.

Zhan Lan smirked, "Your Majesty, you’ve surely prepared Shuiyu City, don’t worry about my safety."

Mu Yan chuckled lightly, tapping Zhan Lan’s forehead, "Nothing can escape your smart little mind."

Zhan Lan, resting her chin on her hand, asked, "With your people there, I won’t wander about, you can relax then!"

"I’m sorry, Lan’er, I never wished to control your freedom." Mu Yan apologized for his previous harsh tone.

His Lan’er is free, her vision and endeavors extend beyond the palace to the entire world.

Zhan Lan pushed the meat porridge to Mu Yan, "Drink up, it’s not hot anymore."

Mu Yan was pleasantly surprised, realizing Zhan Lan had stirred the meat porridge for him the whole time.

"Mu Yan, you know I don’t like being controlled by anyone, even in the name of love. I might sometimes take risks, but if I don’t do some things, I might feel stifled inside. So it’s good that you understand me."

Mu Yan took a sip of the meat porridge, smiled at Zhan Lan and said, "Lan’er, do whatever you wish, if anything happens, your husband will have your back."

Zhan Lan chuckled, "Who dares to cross me with such a mighty husband?"

Mu Yan smiled with his eyes, "With those words from Lan’er, your husband will not let you be disappointed."

...

Zhan Lan accompanied the envoys departing for Eastern Wei to Luyu City. She sat in the carriage, disguised as a man, lifting the curtain to look outside.

Continuous soft snow had fallen for two days, blanketing the ground in white, the carriage creaked as it compressed the surface.

Beside an ancient pavilion not far away, in a brown carriage, a man dressed in white fur also lifted the curtain, looking towards Zhan Lan.