Youlan and Zhuo Ma were stunned when they saw Yelu Yan emerge from the inner chamber, and it took them a moment to remember to bow in greeting.
"Greetings, Khan."
Yelu Yan spoke in a calm voice, "The princess is tired today, do not disturb her rest in the morning. Prepare porridge and take it to Minister Xiao tomorrow morning."
Both bowed in salute, "As you command."
Yelu Yan strode off toward the main hall.
The palace servants, who had been dozing off, were just as astonished as Youlan and Zhuo Ma upon seeing Yelu Yan, and they scrambled to their feet to attend to him.
"Greetings, Khan."
Yelu Yan did not utter a word and entered the main hall, closing the door behind him.
The palace servants outside exchanged confused looks, not understanding what had just happened.
One of them whispered in a puzzled tone, "What's with the Khan, why is he walking so fast?"
Another servant said, "Indeed, it's quite strange, and is the Khan's face red?"
