The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 211 Master, have you finally seen the light? (Second update)

Chapter 211: 211 Master, have you finally seen the light? (Second update)

Li Xianyun, with Youlan’s help, had finished her dressing and makeup, taken her meal after washing up, and then became occupied with the preparations for tomorrow’s August Festival palace banquet.

Li Xianyun planned to start the palace banquet from 11 AM tomorrow, after the royal relatives and dignitaries had successively entered the Imperial Palace, they would first participate in a horse racing and archery competition.

This was a Khitan tradition that could not be abandoned.

Next would be to enjoy opera and watch the variety show.

Li Xianyun initially wanted to separate men and women during the opera; the women to watch the opera and the variety show, while the men go off to drink and chat.

However, Yelu Yan disagreed; he didn’t want to be apart from Li Xianyun and insisted on watching the opera together.

As dusk approached tomorrow, it would be the time for dinner, and after the meal, the content and well-fed guests would come to the edge of Qingyan Pool to release flower lanterns and Kongming lanterns.

After these activities, the palace banquet would come to an end.

These several links seemed very simple, but there were still quite a number of preparations and checks to be made.

If she wanted the banquet to go smoothly tomorrow, everything needed to be perfectly organized and diligently prepared.

Li Xianyun brought people to check the horse racing and archery grounds, then went to Haoyang Palace to see how the stage was set up, and to ensure that the freshly purchased vegetables and fruits were complete.

Khitans did not like to eat "dead matter", and the meat of cattle and sheep was slaughtered on the spot by the people from the kitchen, absolutely fresh.

After a thorough inspection, Li Xianyun was relieved; it was fortunate that she conducted this inspection, as many issues were found, though none of them were significant or damaging to the overall grace.

But Li Xianyun always took her work seriously and was fully conscientious. When she did something, she either didn’t do it at all, or she did it well, leaving no regrets behind.

Her attitude was very clearly conveyed to the Palace Attendants, and everyone dutifully returned to their respective tasks without any further slack.

As Khan’s favored concubine, Li Xianyun may have appeared gentle and easily deceived, but she was in fact resolute and decisive. The Palace Attendants respected and feared her and did not dare to disobey.

Li Xianyun also went to the Music Bureau, where the musicians were practicing.

She did not announce her presence but listened from outside; suddenly, the sound inside ceased, followed by a man’s voice chastising someone.

"How can you not understand such a simple tune? I really don’t know how you got in here! Khan has never liked a life of debauchery with women and wine, and our Music Bureau has less and less chance of prominence. It looks like our Music Bureau will be dissolved; the Queen finally chose us to perform, a great opportunity for the Music Bureau to revive its former glory, but what about you? If you can’t even master this simple pitch, won’t tomorrow’s performance be a disgrace?!"

A young man’s voice responded, "Please, Chief, give me another chance; I will certainly practice diligently after I return..."

The Chief of the Music Bureau coldly "hmmphed" and cut him off, "Diligent practice? Tomorrow is the day of the performance, and you say you want to practice diligently; I think you..."

His voice suddenly stopped.

Li Xianyun found it strange and walked in, then saw the Chief of the Music Bureau helping a young man up from the ground, "You have always practiced quite well before; practice well tonight, and I am sure you will not disappoint."

The young man bowed in salute, "Thank you, Chief."

At this moment, someone saw Li Xianyun and quickly knelt to pay their respects, "Greetings to the Queen."

The members of the Music Bureau offered their salutes to Li Xianyun one after another.

Seeing the Chief of the Music Bureau’s flushed face and his startled expression, Li Xianyun asked, "What happened?"

The Chief of the Music Bureau quickly offered a bow and said, "Reporting to the Queen, nothing happened. Everyone was just practicing diligently for tomorrow’s performance."

"Very well, stand up, all of you," said Li Xianyun, as she seated herself on a nearby Taishi Chair, fixing her gaze on him, "then begin. Let this concubine see how well you sing."

The Chief of the Music Bureau signaled the musicians with a glance, and the sound of strings and bamboo flutes began to rise as the musicians started to sing.

Aside from that young man, several other young singers were performing poorly, no wonder the Chief of the Music Bureau had earlier erupted in thunderous anger.

So, what caused his stern reprimand to stop abruptly?

Li Xianyun took a careful look at the young men who were singing poorly, pondering in her heart.

She spoke smoothly, "If you perform like this at the festival, it will surely be a disgrace. You need to work harder. If it’s the same tomorrow, I will certainly punish your transgressions!"

The people from the Music Bureau quickly knelt down and bowed with folded arms, "Yes!"

After leaving the Music Bureau, Li Xianyun casually strolled to the edge of Qingyan Pool as if nothing had happened.

In preparation for tomorrow’s August Festival, Li Xianyun had summoned many guards familiar with water to secure this area.

Having learned from Yelu Xuan’s precedent of falling into the water, Li Xianyun had sent additional personnel here, to prevent the imperial relatives and high-ranking officials from encountering any accidents while releasing lanterns, which would otherwise backfire.

After wandering around Qingyan Pool for a while, and it being nearly 11 AM to 1 PM, Li Xianyun was ready to head back, when Zhuo Ma asked, "Master, are we returning to the Khan Palace?"

"Go to the Hall of Diligent Governance, I have matters to discuss with the Khan," she replied.

Zhuo Ma and Youlan were stunned. Had their mistress finally come to her senses, knowing now to reciprocate the Khan’s advances?

The Khan was extremely warm towards their mistress, but as for their mistress, she always maintained a calm and indifferent facade, as if idly watching the clouds roll by and flowers bloom and wilt.

For a short time, this was acceptable, but what if it continued for long? What would happen if the Khan became tired and weary of pursuing her?

Li Xianyun entered the Hall of Diligent Governance through the back door.

This was her first time visiting the Hall of Diligent Governance. The last time Yelu Yan had told her to come here to avoid the incident with Yaduo and the other women, she was delayed by other matters and did not come. Today, she finally made it.

The staff of the Hall of Diligent Governance had already received imperial orders that if the consort came, they were absolutely not to obstruct her.

Not only were they not to obstruct, but they were also to serve her with fine tea and delicacies.

A palace servant led Li Xianyun all the way to the study, bowing respectfully, "Reporting to the consort, this is the study. Beyond this door is the inner chamber. The Khan had instructed us, if you came and were tired, you might rest in the inner chamber."

Li Xianyun looked around the study’s decorations. The study was vast, with two entire walls occupied by tall bookshelves filled with books on military strategy and state governance. Another wall displayed a map marked with the territories of Khitan, Houliang, and Houtang.

There was also a desk and an array of cold weapons, as well as other items, but no matter the object, all emanated a sobering and cold aura, fitting Yelu Yan’s temperament well.

Li Xianyun told the palace servant, "I will wait for the Khan in the study."

"Yes."

Li Xianyun enjoyed reading books. She walked to the wall, looked up at the titles, and finally picked one about state governance. She sat down on the Taishi Chair and began to read.

Soon after, the Chief of the Hall of Diligent Governance came in with a group of palace servants and maids, carrying pastries and fruit.

The palace servant from the Hall of Diligent Governance bowed to Li Xianyun, "Reporting to the consort, the Khan is currently in the front hall discussing state affairs with the ministers. He sent us to attend to your needs."

Li Xianyun, sitting in the Taishi Chair and looking down at her book, responded, "I don’t need any attendance here; you may all leave."

The Chief of the Hall of Diligent Governance, somewhat troubled, said, "Reporting to the consort, the Khan mentioned if we fail to make you satisfied and comfortable, he will have us punished with thirty strokes."

If he were to leave just like that, he would most certainly end up being beaten, something he absolutely did not wish to endure.