013 Let's do it by the rules then
Li Xianyun saw the situation and asked Zhuo Ma, "According to the rules of the Khitan Imperial Palace, what is the punishment for insubordination?"
Zhuo Ma bowed to Li Xianyun and said, "Reporting to the Princess Consort, according to the palace rules, those guilty of insubordination should receive thirty strokes of the cane, be expelled from the Imperial Palace, and never be employed again."
Li Xianyun spoke coldly, "Then let's follow the rules. Someone, take her out to the courtyard, cane her first, then expel her, and ensure she is never employed again!"
Although Li Xianyun looked fragile, her speech was clear and to the point without the slightest hesitation.
No sooner had she finished speaking than the palace servants from the Khan Palace took the person in charge away.
The person in charge argued, "You can't do this to me; I belong to the Grand Imperial Consort. To strike me is to show disrespect to her!"
Li Xianyun said flatly, "The Grand Imperial Consort is generous. How could she allow you to slander in this way? As her representative, I will discipline you for insubordination and for slandering and sowing discord among your superiors. Proceed!"
"Yes!"
The palace servants of the Khan Palace were not to be trifled with, and upon receiving the order, they grabbed the cane and thrashed the person in charge without mercy.
When Jinwu entered, he immediately heard the heartbreaking screams of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' person in charge.
Youlan and a maid stood by, counting to ensure the correct number of strokes were administered.
The seriousness of their demeanor was quite comical.
Without disturbing others, Jinwu simply asked a nearby servant and learned that Li Xianyun had already taken Zhuo Ma into the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
It seemed he was not needed after all; the Khan's concerns had been somewhat superfluous.
Jinwu left and went to report back to Yelu Yan.
The Princess Consort had impressed him yet again today.
Despite having an innocuous face, she was far from soft-hearted when it came to taking action.
Inside the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Li Xianyun looked at the items in the storeroom. The person in charge had indeed lied; almost everything she needed was here.
She had soft gauze brought out to make mosquito nets and firmer gauze for making screen windows.
In addition, she gathered needles, thread, fabric, wood, and many other items that would be useful now or in the future.
Having had the person in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs punished and having made a mark against herself at the Grand Imperial Consort's, she might as well take a bit more.
Palace attendants and servants passing by saw Li Xianyun leaving the Ministry of Internal Affairs with her arms full, giving the impression that the place had been robbed.
The Princess Consort dared to act so brazenly; it was clear she was backed by the Khan. With the Princess Consort in such favor, it was even more crucial not to offend her.
Instantly, the palace staff understood how they should treat the newly arrived Princess Consort.
Returning to the Khan Palace with her spoils, Li Xianyun was busy as soon as she arrived, assigning tasks to the palace servants.
The courtyard of the Khan Palace was expansive, with several pavilions and rockeries among the shady trees, yet it lacked flowers and plants.
Without flowers, the Khan Palace seemed dull and uninteresting to the extreme.
Li Xianyun planned to create a flower bed in the western corner, planting her favorite flowers and even installing a swing.
She instructed the servants to till the soil and build a surrounding ridge.
Li Xianyun herself worked on making mosquito nets with the maids.
Khitan mosquitoes were both large and black, and a single bite would cause a big, red welt that took days to subside.
On her journey to the Khitan lands, she had crafted many a mosquito-repellent sachet.
Thanks to the sachets, she had managed to avoid bites, but at night, sprawling out in her sleep, the sachet would roll away, and her susceptibility to mosquito bites left her vulnerable.
Therefore, making mosquito nets was an urgent matter.
Li Xianyun dug out a measuring tape from the cases she had brought in her dowry and measured the dimensions of the bed, while Youlan took notes.
She then had the wood brought over from the Ministry of Internal Affairs laid out in the yard.
Zhuo Ma was stunned, her jaw nearly dropping, when she saw Li Xianyun take out saws, nails, hammers, and a large iron can from her dowry boxes. The iron can was wrapped layer upon layer at the opening, as if to prevent anything from spilling out. Zhuo Ma was unsure what it contained.
Zhuo Ma was shocked by these contents, for most women's dowries comprised jewelry and textiles, but the Princess Consort's included sturdy tools.
It was surprising to see that the delicate Princess Consort took an interest in such items.
Yet what surprised her even more was yet to come.
Li Xianyun elegantly tied her sleeves behind her back with a silk ribbon and began to saw the wood with skilled motions.
Under her hands, the wood transformed.
Zhuo Ma was completely astonished—was there anything the Princess Consort could not do?!
Seeing Zhuo Ma's surprised look, Youlan laughed and said, "The Princess Consort really enjoys making household items. All the tables and stools in the Prince's Mansion were made by her. They're not only comfortable but also beautiful."
What a treasure the Princess Consort was.
After shaping the wood into even pieces of varying lengths, Li Xianyun nailed them together, and with a few strokes of the hammer, a rectangular frame to support the mosquito net came into being, appearing almost like magic.
Pleased with her work, Li Xianyun said to Youlan, "The rest is up to you. I'm tired and need to rest."
"Yes."
Youlan opened the iron can, revealing the brown raw lacquer inside, which when applied to furniture enhanced its appearance and prevented the wood from worming.
She and the other maids set to work painting it.
Youlan was as efficient as her mistress, leaving the lacquer smooth and shiny.