The Emperor's Favorite: The Useless and Crazy Concubine Who Conquers the World

"Next, let me talk about our cabinet rules."

Lan Yunyan's face was serious, her voice steady and powerful. "Everyone in the cabinet should prioritize unity. We must work together on all matters and not act independently. All decisions must be made through joint consultation and respect for the majority opinion."

She paused briefly, her gaze slowly sweeping over everyone, and continued, "Diligence is also a key element of cabinet rules. Everyone must remain committed to their posts and do their best, without the slightest slackness. When undertaking a task, one must give their all and strive for perfection."

"Furthermore, integrity is paramount. Promises must be fulfilled and not broken. In our diplomatic dealings, we must also uphold integrity and build our cabinet's good reputation."

Lan Yunyan took a deep breath and said, "Finally, keep it strictly confidential. The affairs of the cabinet must not be leaked at will, so as not to bring unnecessary trouble to our cabinet. I hope you will remember the cabinet rules and work together to maintain the stability and development of our cabinet." Everyone looked solemn and nodded, indicating that they would strictly abide by the cabinet rules.

"Very good, Yingfeng, I'll leave this place to the five of you."

Lan Yunyan's words were full of trust and expectations for Yingfeng and others.

Then, Lan Yunyan turned to Yingxue and Yingyue and said, "Yingxue, Yingyue, follow me."

Lan Yunyan brought them to the Lan Mansion. The guard at the door saw Lan Yunyan and hurriedly stepped forward to greet her, saying, "Fifth Miss, you're back."

"Yeah," Lan Yunyan nodded slightly.

"Yingxue, Yingyue, go to my yard first." Lan Yunyan whispered.

"Yes." The two men supported themselves and responded respectfully, then turned and walked towards Lan Yunyan's yard.

Lan Yunyan went straight to Mr. Lan's yard.

"Grandpa, I'm back." Lan Yunyan walked into the yard, her voice filled with a bit of kindness and respect.

Old Master Lan was sitting in the yard, reading an ancient book carefully.

Hearing Lan Yunyan's voice, he raised his head, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then changed to a somewhat reproachful tone: "Yan girl is back? You, girl, why did you come back just now? You made grandpa wait so long!"

Lan Yunyan walked over to Old Man Lan, coquettishly took his arm, and said with a smile: "Grandpa, I'm back, aren't I? And I have good news for you!"

When Old Master Lan looked at Lan Yunyan's playful appearance, the blame in his heart instantly disappeared, replaced by full of pampering and love.

He gently patted the back of Lan Yunyan's hand and said with a smile, "Girl, you only know how to make Grandpa happy. Tell me, what good news have you brought me this time?"

"Grandpa, I am now at the fifth level of foundation building."

"Really?" Mr. Lan was so excited that he almost pulled out a few strands of his beard.

Then a huge smile broke out on his face, his eyes sparkling with pride and relief.

He held Lan Yunyan's hand tightly and praised her repeatedly, "Yan girl, you really did it! Grandpa is so happy! The fifth level of foundation building, this is a genius that many big families can't cultivate. Yan girl, people of your age are just at the foundation building stage. You really make grandpa proud!"

Lan Yunyan felt a warm feeling in her heart when she saw her grandfather so excited.

She raised the corners of her mouth slightly, her eyes full of determination and confidence: "Grandpa, this is just a new beginning."

Old Master Lan nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of love. "Good boy, Grandpa believes in you. You have such talent and perseverance, your future is definitely limitless."

He paused, as if remembering something. "But, Miss Yan, you must remember this: a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind; a person who stands out from the crowd will be criticized. The path of cultivation is long and arduous. You must always remain humble and diligent, and constantly improve your strength."

Lan Yunyan nodded solemnly: "Grandpa, don't worry, I understand. I will keep my feet on the ground and take one step at a time."

At this moment, the sunlight shone through the window onto the grandfather and grandson, as if covering them with a layer of golden light. The future of the Lan family was full of hope.

Grandpa Lan patted Lan Yunyan's hand gently and said with emotion, "Girl Yan, you have grown so fast, and Grandpa is very pleased. Under your leadership, the Lan family will surely regain its former glory."

At this moment, a breeze blew past the window, bringing with it the fragrance of flowers. Old Master Lan looked out the window, as if recalling the former glory of the Lan family.

He said slowly: "Yan girl, the Lan family was once a famous and prominent family, but later encountered some changes and gradually declined."

Old Master Lan sighed softly and continued, "The Lan family was once a family of many talented people, holding a pivotal position in the martial arts world. Back then, the Lan family's reputation was at its peak, and all factions held us in high esteem. However, as time passed, conflicts and disputes arose within the family, and coupled with the constant suppression from external forces, the Lan family gradually declined."

As Mr. Lan spoke of this, a subtle hint of sadness flashed across his eyes, but then a self-deprecating smile played at the corner of his mouth. "Thinking back to the 'Blue Lake Feast' hosted by our Lan family, it was truly a lively and bustling occasion. Heroes and scholars alike, from the Jianghu to the literati, all wanted to enjoy a glass of 'Blue Lake Brew'. Even the most discerning gourmets, after tasting our 'Jade Cake', would rave about it, saying, 'This cake is only found in heaven, rarely tasted on earth.'"

He paused, as if lost in beautiful memories, and then shook his head violently, as if trying to shake out the past glory from his head.

"But what about now? The Blue Lake Feast has become empty talk, and the Jade Cake has become a legend. The younger generation of the family is either obsessed with luxury or scornful of martial arts and family traditions."

When Old Master Lan said this, a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes. "Back in the day, the descendants of our Lan family were everywhere in the martial arts world, and each one was a well-known figure. The Lan family's swordsmanship, hidden weapons, and medical skills were all unparalleled in the world. Alas, it's a pity that all this has become a thing of the past."