The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 49 - 0 Clear-cut Gratitude and Resentment (First

Chapter 49: 049 Clear-cut Gratitude and Resentment (First Update)

Chapter 49: 049 Clear-cut Gratitude and Resentment (First Update)

A palace servant said with a smile, “Your Highness the Consort, how did you know?”

“From the expression on your faces,” Li Xianyun replied with a smile, “This Consort will take a look.”

Li Xianyun, accompanied by a group of people, walked straight towards the tall plane trees on the west side.

From a distance, they saw a brand new brown hanging chair suspended from the thick branches of the plane trees, about one meter above the ground.

To ensure sturdiness, two of the plane tree branches were very thick. The hemp ropes connecting the hanging chair were twisted together in pairs following Li Xianyun’s instructions, which made them extremely solid, allowing the chair to simultaneously support the weight of five or six people.

The hanging chair Li Xianyun designed was not that long; it was big enough to seat three people comfortably and solidly.

Li Xianyun arrived under the plane trees, grasped the thick hemp rope, and gave it a strong tug. She nodded in approval and said, “Well done, the hanging chair is exquisitely made, and it is also sturdy enough. You all can graduate.”

The palace servants looked at each other with smiles and asked, “Your Highness the Consort, are you really telling the truth?”

Li Xianyun replied with a smile, “This Consort never lies.”

She paused for a moment and then said to the maids gathered around, “In the future, this Consort has more wonderful things to teach you.”

The maids asked with cheerful surprise, “Your Highness the Consort, what are you going to teach us?”

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“There’s a lot that this Consort can teach you, like knitting and embroidery. Would you like to learn? This Consort can instruct you.”

“Really?” the maids beamed sincerely.

They were so fond of the knitted and embroidered items sold in the market, but they were too expensive, and the maids couldn’t afford them.

If the Consort could teach them, they wouldn’t have to spend a lot of money. Moreover, they could gift the items to whomever they wished. If their work was good enough, they might even be able to sell them to better the quality of life of their families. It would be a great deed indeed.

Li Xianyun smiled and said, “Indeed.”

While the maids wanted to say more, Zhuo Ma urged from the side, “Alright, alright, do not bother the Consort any longer. Her Highness is tired from the day; let’s allow her to rest.”

Everyone quickly left to attend to their duties.

After the palace servants had departed, a maid reported to Li Xianyun with great respect, “Your Highness the Consort, the hot bath has already been prepared.”

Another maid said with a hint of secrecy, “Your Highness the Consort, the Chief of the Food Preparation Room specially took people out of the palace to learn skills, saying they wanted to show you what they’ve learned.”

They wanted to reciprocate the Consort’s kindness with their own.

Li Xianyun replied with a smile, “You have worked hard.”

The maids were once again moved; these were their responsibilities, yet the Consort had said they had worked hard.

So kind and treating them with dignity, how could it not be moving?

Li Xianyun, holding her change of clothes, entered the bathing chamber in the Erfang and indulged in a good bath.

The water was warm and soothing all around, incredibly comfortable.

She relaxed so much that she nearly fell asleep.

After the hot bath, Li Xianyun, feeling refreshed, went to the main hall to dine.

The Chief of the Food Preparation Room waited expectantly there.

Remembering the secret the maid had told her earlier, Li Xianyun sat down with a smile.

Seeing her seated, the Chief of the Food Preparation Room hurriedly ordered the servings to be arranged.

The meal was sumptuous, with Khitan-style roasted meat and buns as well as milk tea. There were also foods from Houtang—white rice porridge and stir-fried tomato with eggs.

The last two dishes had recently been taught by Li Xianyun, and they were not yet adept at preparing them.

Looking at the table full of food, Li Xianyun raised her eyes to the Chief of the Food Preparation Room and asked with a smile, “Do you think this Consort can eat all this?”

The Chief of the Food Preparation Room smiled sheepishly.

Li Xianyun picked up her chopsticks with a smile, took a golden-brown roasted bun and a small piece of roasted meat for herself, keeping the rice porridge and scrambled eggs as well.

“I will only eat this much; leave the rest for Khan,” Youlan said.

The Chief of the royal kitchen replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, Khan rarely dines in the Khan Palace. He either eats in the Hall of Diligent Governance or has his meals outside when dealing with official business.”

It was precisely for this reason that the kitchen maids in the Khan Palace’s kitchen seldom had the opportunity to practice their cooking skills, which had deteriorated over time, eventually being surpassed by civilian restaurants.

Li Xianyun said, “Keep it, in case Khan has not eaten.”

Left with no choice, the Chief instructed the maid to take away the extra food.

Seeing that the Chief of the royal kitchen showed no signs of leaving, Li Xianyun understood and picked up a piece of roasted meat with her chopsticks, gently bit into it, and found it considerably improved. She couldn’t help but exclaim, “The roasted meat is fragrant without being greasy, and very flavorful. Your culinary skills have truly improved a great deal.”

The Chief was a middle-aged woman who smiled like a child. She said, “Your Highness, you should also try this cup of milk tea.”

Li Xianyun had already noticed that the Chief had not asked for the milk tea to be taken away, aware that it was specially prepared for her.

She took a sip and found it sweet, comparable to the milk tea she and Yelu Yan had at the barbecue restaurant last time.

“It’s delicious. I heard you went out of the palace specifically today to exchange cooking skills with someone. You have put in great effort.”

“It is just this servant’s duty,” the Chief laughed. “Your Highness, I won’t disturb your meal anymore. I shall take my leave.”

Li Xianyun nodded with a smile.

She always distinguished clearly between gratitude and grudges, repaying those who treated her well in kind, and not sparing those who wronged her.

Everyone in the Khan Palace, from top to bottom, was genuinely loyal and endearing, chosen by Yelu Yan, which made them all the more likeable.

After dinner, the sky had completely darkened.

The oval moon rose, hanging in the eastern sky, its clear light illuminating the courtyard as if it were daylight, leaving only the dappled shadows of trees and buildings.

With such a beautiful nightscape, it seemed a shame to simply go to sleep.

After dinner, to avoid indigestion, Li Xianyun took a stroll in the courtyard with Youlan at her side.

She walked to the western field where the soil, watered by the irrigation, had dried, now ready for planting vegetables and flowers.

In the coming days, she would not need to go out, so she could get the land planted.

Several robust plane trees by the field stretched upwards with interlocking branches, their leaves as large as palms dense and layered, filtering down specks of bright moonlight.

The evening breeze came gently, the dark green plane leaves swaying softly, the silver-white spots of light sifted by the leaves dancing along.

In the face of such a scene, one couldn’t help but feel peaceful as if all troubles had drifted away beyond the clouds.

Li Xianyun sat on the swing, and Youlan prepared to push her from behind.

“Let’s sit together. Have you forgotten how we used to play when we were young?” Li Xianyun stopped her with a laugh.

Youlan laughed, “Of course I haven’t forgotten, but I’d better not sit. When we left Chang’an, both Prince and Your Highness specifically instructed me to remember my place and not to be as informal as I was in the Prince’s Mansion.”

Li Xianyun laughed, “Father and Mother are not here right now. Sit with me.”

Youlan shook her head with a smile, refusing to sit down.

Li Xianyun had no choice but to say, “Then keep me company here. I will swing myself.”

As she spoke, she pushed off with the tip of her toe, and with a forceful kick, the swing began to rock, swaying like a pendulum.

Li Xianyun leaned back in the chair, looking up at the plane leaves.

The broad leaves of the plane trees rustled in the wind under the moonlight, calming and pleasing to the eye.

Yelu Yan rode back to the Khan Palace, walking through the tall and majestic gateway with his guards.

Upon entering the courtyard, he heard a pleasant and delightful voice coming from under the plane trees to the west—who else could it be but that lovely young girl?

Yelu Yan’s lips curved up unconsciously, and he glanced back at his guards.

The two guards immediately bowed and respectfully retreated.