Yelu Yan glanced at Li Xianyun and said, "Come in and speak."
"Yes."
It so happened that she also had matters to discuss with him, including the matter concerning the Imperial Physician.
Li Xianyun had just taken a step when she stopped and said to Youlan, "Youlan, bring over a bowl of ice porridge from the refectory for the Khan."
As the saying goes, one does not slap a smiling face, and favors make one weak, acceptance puts one at a disadvantage. Offering Yelu Yan something tasty might make him more amenable.
Youlan wiped her hands and said, "Yes!"
Li Xianyun first went to the side hall to clean her hands and straighten her clothes.
She was very fond of cleanliness, and although others were covered in dust after doing the same work, with their shoes all dusty, she remained spotlessly clean.
Coming out from the side hall and crossing the long corridor, she saw Youlan hesitating at the entrance of the main hall, uncertain whether to enter or retreat.
Li Xianyun approached her and asked, "What's the matter?"
In a low voice, Youlan said, "I do not dare to bring the ice porridge over."
Previously, it was Zhuo Ma who dealt with Yelu Yan, but seeing Zhuo Ma busy arranging the wood, she had asked Youlan to take over, not anticipating that the young girl would be so timid and frightened of Yelu Yan.
Li Xianyun smiled slightly and said, "Give it to me then."
Youlan, like a lark released from its cage, beamed with joy, handed over the tray to Li Xianyun, performed a courtesy, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Li Xianyun said, "Go quickly and keep watch in the courtyard for me."
"By your command," Youlan said with a smile.
Li Xianyun watched Youlan's retreating figure, the corners of her mouth lifting in a smile.
She turned around, composed her emotions, and raised her voice to say, "Khan, may I enter?"
"Come in," Yelu Yan replied indifferently.
He was quite aloof towards people and matters alike.
Li Xianyun, carrying the tray, walked in and saw Yelu Yan sitting at the desk reading memorials.
He was busy every day.
Li Xianyun placed the ice porridge in front of Yelu Yan and said, "Khan, this is the ice porridge I made; please taste it."
Yelu Yan looked at the delicately small bowl filled with colorful fruits, in the center of which were ice shavings and icy water.
"What is this?" Yelu Yan asked.
"It's ice porridge made from fruits, to quench thirst and cool down; please have a taste."
Yelu Yan glanced at her before scooping up a spoonful and putting it in his mouth. It was cold, refreshing, sweet, and delicious.
This woman had a natural gift for making food; the silver fungus and glutinous rice porridge she made last time was also very tasty.
Li Xianyun watched Yelu Yan's expression closely and opened her mouth to say, "You must prefer lighter flavors, so I didn't add too much sugar."
"It tastes quite good," Yelu Yan said, and then took a few more spoonfuls.
Seeing Li Xianyun's gaze fixed on him, he put down the spoon, took the white cloth from the tray, and wiped his mouth before saying, "Did you have Huo Dun summon me back here?"
Li Xianyun said, "Your concubine told Huo Dun to inform you that Minister Xiao was awake. I was afraid you would be upset if you missed seeing Minister Xiao awake."
Yelu Yan raised his profound tiger eyes to look at her.
Li Xianyun lightly pursed her lips and said, "I hope I haven't disturbed you from attending to state affairs."
"No."
"Have you already seen Minister Xiao?"
"Yes," Yelu Yan replied, "My mentor has quite a misunderstanding about you and was somewhat harsh in his attitude; do not take it to heart."
He even knew this.
"I'm fine," she said.
"I have already spoken to my mentor, and he will no longer treat you poorly in the future," Yelu Yan said.
Li Xianyun looked at Yelu Yan. He was so tall and vigorous, she had assumed him to be crude, but unexpectedly, his thoughts were so delicate, so considerate of others.
"Thank you, Khan," Li Xianyun said.
Yelu Yan wanted to say that it was he who should be thankful. He paused and then asked, "Xuanxuan, was it you who saved her?"
Li Xianyun nodded.
"Thank you," said Yelu Yan.
"No need for thanks," Li Xianyun said, "Khan, I have a rather presumptuous request."
"What is it?"
"There is an Imperial Physician at the Imperial Medical Bureau who lacks medical ethics, trifles with human life, inverts right and wrong, and is envious of the talented. I hope that the Khan can revoke his status as an Imperial Physician."
Yelu Yan, with his great power and keen senses, knew not only that she had saved the Princely Heir, but also what she had said in front of everyone, so there was no need for her to elaborate.
"Fine," Yelu Yan said succinctly.
Li Xianyun had thought it would take some persuasion, but Yelu Yan agreed so easily.
"There is also an apprentice named Wu Mu at the Imperial Medical Bureau. If it weren't for him coming to find me today, I might have missed the best time to treat the Princely Heir. Could the Khan perhaps reward him?"
"Fine," said Yelu Yan. "As the queen, you can decide on such minor matters yourself."
Li Xianyun was stunned; he had actually given her the authority to manage people.
Yelu Yan picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip of water, and said, "Anything else you wish to say?"
Li Xianyun looked up at Yelu Yan. A man was truly terrifying, able to peer into hearts and discern the finest details, seemingly hiding nothing from him.
Li Xianyun cleared her throat and said, "I would like to leave the palace for a while, may I?"
"Is the palace too stifling?" Yelu Yan asked.
Li Xianyun pursed her lips, remaining silent.
She had many things to do outside the palace, such as purchasing some items and checking the market conditions on the streets.
Li Xianyun wanted to start with an ice porridge shop, and then, once she had some capital, engage in other business ventures. Money begets money, profit accumulates interest, and only after earning a significant amount could she possibly move out her royal father, mother, and younger siblings, allowing them to live a free and easy life.
Although she knew this was difficult to achieve, how could she know without trying?
And the realization of this idea required a great deal of money.
Seeing that she did not respond, Yelu Yan did not press her, saying, "It just so happens that I want to take you somewhere, let's go together."
Li Xianyun was taken aback. Hadn't he just returned?
And where did he intend to take her?
Seeing the look of astonishment on Li Xianyun's face, Yelu Yan asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I will go change my clothes," she said.
"Mhm."
As Li Xianyun changed her clothes, she felt somewhat uneasy. She did not want to go out with Yelu Yan. It would be so restrictive, preventing her from visiting the places she wanted to go.
If she wanted to start a business, she would certainly have to inform Yelu Yan, but that would only be after everything was ready. At present, not even the preliminary steps had been taken, and she could not let him know her plans.
Li Xianyun put on a pale white gauze dress and removed the hairpins from her head, simply tying her hair at the back of her head. Her long hair draped loosely down her back, imparting a sense of a graceful fairy floated in the wind.
Once outside the palace, amidst the chaos of the crowd, the simpler her attire, the better it would be.
Apparently, however, she lacked sufficient understanding of her own beauty and figure. Even if she stood in rags among a crowd, she would shine brilliantly, unlike any other.