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Li Xianyun stood in the vast palace, surrounded by women engrossed in their own conversations, some of them sizing her up with contempt in their eyes.
The Grand Imperial Consort Guli was preoccupied with chatting and laughing with Commandery Princess Ji Chuchu, paying no heed to Li Xianyun.
The others treated Li Xianyun as if she were invisible.
This was clearly meant to intimidate Li Xianyun and force her to toe the line.
Everyone look forward to seeing Li Xianyun's embarrassment.
Before her marriage alliance, Li Xianyun had been a princess; having to enter the palace on festivals and holidays, she had grown accustomed to the backstabbing amongst the palace women.
She turned her head to glance at Zhuo Ma.
Zhuo Ma understood and bowed to the Grand Imperial Consort, saying, "Your Highness, the princess consort has come to pay her respects."
Li Xianyun knew that people tend to bully the weak and fear the strong. If she submitted this time, there would be endless days of being bullied ahead, so she had to let the women in the room know her stance.
Moreover, according to Zhuo Ma, although Guli was Yelu Yan's mother, their relationship was not that good, which meant all the more that Li Xianyun did not need to take this lying down.
Guli watched Li Xianyun with cold eyes. Princess Consort?
If Yelu Yan had not given his approval, no one would dare address Li Xianyun as the Princess Consort. Furthermore, Yelu Yan had given his personal maid, Zhuo Ma, to Li Xianyun, evidently very satisfied with this woman from Houtang.
With this in mind, Guli felt even more irritated inside. She might not be able to control Yelu Yan, but was she unable to deal with a little hoof like Li Xianyun?
Li Xianyun bowed to Guli with an arm across her chest and said, "This humble daughter-in-law pays her respects to Mother Consort."
Guli let out a cold laugh and retorted, "You've got some nerve, girl. I haven't acknowledged your status, and you already call yourself my child?"
Li Xianyun's expression remained serene as she replied, "On the way here, the Khan specifically instructed this child to show great respect to Mother Consort, saying that Mother Consort is generous and sympathetic towards the younger generation, a role model for everyone in the palace. Seeing you today, this child feels deeply touched and dares not forget the Khan's instructions."
With those few words, Guli's face turned green. This was placing such a tall hat on her that she could hardly find room to further trouble Li Xianyun.
The others, upon hearing Li Xianyun's speech, showed various expressions. Li Xianyun had brought up Yelu Yan, indicating she was not to be trifled with.
Although they were uncertain how much truth was in her words, one thing was sure: they wouldn't dare trouble Li Xianyun further until they understood Yelu Yan's stance.
Guli snorted coldly and said, "Are you suggesting that I'm not generous for reprimanding you?"
Li Xianyun spoke softly, "Of course not, receiving instruction from Mother Consort is this child's blessing."
"You..."
Guli felt as though her punch landed on cotton; not only did she not release her anger, but she was left speechless and fuming.
She assessed the woman before her. She was indeed beautiful but also appeared fragile, unfit to withstand the slightest breeze. She had assumed Li Xianyun to be weak and easily oppressed, but she turned out not to be so easily manipulated.
At that moment, a maid approached and whispered into Guli's ear about something that had occurred at the entrance, informing her of every detail.
Guli's gaze turned icy. Yelu Yan had personally escorted Li Xianyun, which confirmed her suspicions that he was indeed showing this woman from Houtang special favor.
Out of consideration for Yelu Yan, Guli could not make things difficult for Li Xianyun anymore and instead said dismissively, "You may leave. I am weary."
This woman was truly irksome; her presence alone made Guli feel uncomfortable all over.
This was precisely what Li Xianyun had hoped for. She bowed to Guli and said, "Mother should rest well. Your humble daughter-in-law will take her leave now."
No sooner had Li Xianyun stepped out of the palace with Youlan and Zhuo Ma than someone from behind called out, "Princess, please wait."
Li Xianyun turned and saw Ji Chuchu approaching with two maids.
She called her 'princess' rather than 'princess consort,' clearly reluctant to recognize her status.
This only confirmed that Ji Chuchu harbored other intentions towards Yelu Yan.
As she approached, Ji Chuchu said with a smile, "The Grand Imperial Consort insisted on keeping me in the palace to talk. I've lingered here quite a while, and just happen to be leaving as well. Let's go together."
Her words implied how deeply entrenched her roots were in the palace.
"Certainly," Li Xianyun replied indifferently with a smile.
Ji Chuchu then asked with a smile, "Are you adapting well to Khitan?"
"The air in Khitan is quite fresh, the sky vast and the land broad, which is very comfortable," Li Xianyun responded with a smile.
With a twinkle in her eye, Ji Chuchu remarked, "That is indeed rare. Previous princesses and commandery princesses who married into our nation were always so delicate and full of complaints, saying Khitan is not good, and they often passed away shortly after arriving due to not acclimating well."
The insinuation was all too clear: she was saying that Li Xianyun wouldn't last long in Khitan, likening her to soon be deceased.
With a smile still on her face, Li Xianyun parted her rosy lips and answered, "That's because they hadn't met a good man like the Khan. The Khan is wise and valiant, and by his side, this consort will surely have fewer troubles."
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