The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 119 Really got a wife and forgot his mother (second update)

Chapter 119: 119 Really got a wife and forgot his mother (second update)

Youlan looked at Zhuo Ma and smiled, "Don’t worry, our master is someone who always seeks vengeance. She won’t let herself be at a disadvantage; it’s they who will be out of luck."

"And you say you don’t know the inside story?" Zhuo Ma said gloomily.

Youlan laughed, "I really don’t know. I just understand our master well. She has her reasons for everything she does, and she’s always right."

As she spoke, her eyes were filled with admiration.

Li Xianyun went to the kitchen, first checking the ingredients that had been prepared, and then arranged the meals according to a piece of paper sent by Jinwu.

Jinwu, fearful of leaving anything out, had meticulously written the details on a piece of paper and handed it to Youlan.

Looking at the scribbled writing on the paper, Youlan joked, "Guard Jin, your handwriting is truly beautiful."

Jinwu’s face turned red as he said, "As long as it’s clear and detailed, it doesn’t matter if the writing is not pretty."

"Alright, whatever you say," Youlan smiled, "but I can’t guarantee that the master will be able to make out these words."

Jinwu scratched his head and confidently smiled, "Just send it."

Youlan handed the paper to Li Xianyun, and to her amazement, her Family Head was indeed able to understand it. She had to admire her.

Li Xianyun asked the Chief of Haoyang Palace’s kitchen to bring the records of past banquet meals.

The Chief brought over several thick booklets.

Li Xianyun took the booklets and sat at a desk by the window, asking Youlan to bring paper and ink.

She carefully reviewed the past arrangements of the palace banquets to get a clear idea in her mind.

She had noticed earlier in the main hall that there were two people seated at each table.

Li Xianyun planned to assign ten dishes for every pair of people, which would be more than sufficient, and also carried the auspicious meaning of perfection.

Li Xianyun asked Zhuo Ma and the two kitchen Chiefs to come over and pick out eight dishes that had good reputation over the years.

Zhuo Ma, having served Yelu Yan year-round, was experienced and knowledgeable, and the two kitchen Chiefs were well versed with the palace cuisine, making the three of them the perfect candidates for the selection.

After each of them had made their selections and written them down on paper, they brought them to Li Xianyun for review.

Li Xianyun discovered that these dishes were quite similar to what she had recorded.

While browsing the booklets earlier, she had memorized the most frequently appearing dishes.

After consideration, Li Xianyun finally decided on eight dishes.

In the arrangement of this meal, Li Xianyun tried to balance meat and vegetables appropriately, including dishes and soup, ensuring a balance of meat types with fish, beef, and lamb, without repetition of the same kind of meat.

For the additional two dishes, Li Xianyun planned to cook them herself.

After finalizing the meals, Li Xianyun gathered the maids in the main hall to assign them their respective areas of responsibility.

She liked to think ahead, planning even for unforeseen circumstances, and had explained contingency plans to the maids.

The maids looked at the baby-faced Li Xianyun and couldn’t help but be amazed.

The princess executed her tasks with an experienced and thorough approach, hardly what one would expect from a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.

As evening fell and darkness crept in, Haoyang Palace was ablaze with light.

The grand main hall was already filled with royalty and nobility.

There were two tables on the main platform, one placed to the left of the high stage where Guli was seated, and the other at the main seat, for Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun.

Princes, grandsons, and a host of ladies were seated on either side of the main seat, arranged by their status and seniority.

While organizing the seating, Li Xianyun had checked several times with great care.

Ordinary noble families paid close attention to the hierarchy of seating, let alone these royalty and nobles.

Any oversight would lead to grievances.

Yuchi Qian and Yelu Xuan sat in the middle.

Yelu Xuan craned his neck towards the entrance and said, "Mother, when is Godmother coming?"

Yuchi Qian stroked his little head and smiled, "Don’t worry, your Godmother will be here soon."

Yelu Xuan nodded his head but still eagerly watched the entrance.

It wasn’t until a palace servant shouted in a long voice that everyone stood up, hands to their sides, respectfully looking towards the entrance.

Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun walked in side by side.

Today, Li Xianyun was dressed in a bright red wrap-around gown, dignified and imposing, with gold and silver threads sketched on her clothes which shimmered and glittered with the movement of her skirt, looking very attractive.

Her skin was naturally fair, and paired with the red color, it made her skin seem even more lustrous and as white as snow, her peerless appearance causing the ladies present to pale in comparison.

Yelu Qi stared straight at Li Xianyun, but Li Xianyun was only looking at Yelu Xuan, not sparing him even a glance.

A smile lingered on the corner of her mouth, making her beauty even more lively and endearing.

Many among the royals and nobles were seeing Li Xianyun for the first time.

She was even more beautiful than the rumors suggested, more gentle and demure.

The crowd bowed one after another, saying, "Greetings to the Khan, greetings to the Princess Consort."

Yelu Yan turned his head and said to Li Xianyun with a smile, "Don’t look anymore, Xuanxuan will come to play with you later."

Why did it feel like he was treating her like a child.

Li Xianyun said to Yelu Yan with a low laugh, "Thank you, Khan..."

"Let’s go."

"Mm."

The two reached the main seats, and Li Xianyun bent her arm in respect to Guli, saying, "Greetings, Godmother."

Guli was very happy and her crow’s feet deepened as she said, "Good child, quickly rise."

She looked at Yelu Yan with a smile, but noticed that Yelu Yan was looking at Li Xianyun with a doting smile, the affection in his eyes almost pouring out.

Gritting her teeth, Guli thought to herself, they always say when you take a wife, you forget your mother, and indeed, it is not wrong at all.

Yelu Yan said in a calm voice, "You may all rise."

Everyone stood up, only to see the normally aloof Yelu Yan helping Li Xianyun with her chair, and after she was seated, he then sat down himself.

There was an indescribable show of indulgence.

Only after the two were seated did the royals and nobles dare sit down in their chairs.

Li Xianyun looked up at Yelu Yan and asked, "Khan, may we start the meal now?"

Yelu Yan nodded with a smile.

Li Xianyun gave Youlan a look from below the platform.

Youlan immediately bowed and went to give the order.

Guli saw the gentle smile blossoming on Li Xianyun’s face and couldn’t help but snort coldly to herself, thinking, just keep smiling, your time to cry will come.

Soon, the maids came in respectfully carrying the dishes.

The fragrance of the food immediately began to waft throughout the grand hall.

A child couldn’t help but exclaim, "It smells so good."

Dish after dish was served, each one catching the eye with its brilliance.

Although these dishes were ones they had seen before, they had a different allure,

Full of color, aroma, and flavor, they looked incredibly appetizing.

The maids, apparently well instructed, circled the table and placed the dishes, leaving a big space in the middle.

After the brown and light green pastries were brought up, a child couldn’t help but reach out to grab one, but was smacked on the hand by an adult and had to obediently wait.

After a while, the last dish finally arrived fashionably late.

As the maid carrying the plate appeared at the entrance, someone couldn’t help but gasp.