Chapter 69: Seeing Her Different Side Again
A complex look filled Li Lan’s eyes.
Wasn’t the fact that he had fallen to the point of being bullied by servants entirely due to her?
Back then, in front of everyone, she had refused to acknowledge his identity as her Imperial Brother. She had even demanded that he address her as “Princess,” just like the maids did.
If not for that, how could the maids have looked down on him and bullied him?
After so many years, he had etched her cruel words into his heart. He dared not overstep his bounds, and he certainly dared not call her “Imperial Sister” ever again.
Yet now, she seemed to have forgotten the reason for their estrangement and had actually stepped in to help him. Had she truly forgotten how she used to torment him?
Li Lan lowered his gaze, steadying his emotions, before raising his hands in a respectful, formal salute to Li Xuanyue.
“Thank you, Princess.”
Whether Li Xuanyue had genuinely forgotten the past or not, she had helped him today, and he owed her his gratitude. That was an unchangeable fact.
Hearing Li Lanâs polite and distant address, Li Xuanyue frowned. Naturally, she recalled her malicious behavior toward her brother in her past life.
In that life, provoked by Li Qinghe, she had been incredibly harsh to this brother. Worse still, after he died, she had callously ordered his ashes scattered into the river.
Thinking back on it now, her actions in her previous life were truly monstrous. She had completely disregarded their bond as siblings.
That was precisely why she had stood up for Li Lan today. It was likely born from a sliver of guilt in her heart.
“From now on… just call me Imperial Sister,” Li Xuanyue ordered. ” The word ‘Princess’ is too distant.”
Although the harm she caused Li Lan in her past life hadn’t been fatal, it was significant. It had made his every step within the Phoenix Clan difficult, rendering him an outcast. Since she had been given a second chance, she would treat today’s actions as an apology for the past.
Shock flashed through Li Lanâs eyes. He had never expected Li Xuanyue to admit they were siblings right here in Fenghe Hall.
He pursed his lips. He didn’t feel happiness at her words; instead, he was suspicious of her motives.
As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Just moments ago in the Imperial Garden, Li Xuanyue had ordered a maid beheaded for him. Now, in Fenghe Hall, she had executed the manager and maids of Shanren Hall for disrespecting him. And now, in front of everyone, she was telling him to call her Imperial Sister.
If she didn’t have an ulterior motive, Li Lan found it hard to believe.
“If there is anything Imperial Sister needs Li Lan to do, please just say it.”
Although Li Lan didn’t fully understand Li Xuanyueâs temper and nature, he knew she was not someone who would let herself suffer a loss.
Her public admission of his identity as her Imperial Brother might not be sincere. However, as long as everyone in the Phoenix Clan knew this fact, they would never dare treat him with their former attitude.
That alone was a massive benefit for him. He had no reason to refuse.
Li Xuanyue frowned, seeing that Li Lan had misunderstood her intentions.
She didn’t rush to explain. Instead, she spoke calmly, “You cannot help with the things I need to do.”
Li Lan looked embarrassed.
He knew that with his current strength, he truly couldn’t help Li Xuanyue with anything. If anything, he would only make things messier. Still, hearing such blunt words from her mouth made him feel a sting of humiliation.
“However!”
Li Xuanyue dragged out the word, glancing at Li Lan. “You must listen clearly to every word I am about to say.”
Li Lan immediately became serious.
“Everything in the past was my fault.”
Shock flashed across Li Lanâs face.
Li Xuanyueâs noble head suddenly lowered in front of him, her eyes carrying a trace of guilt.
“It was I who failed to take care of you, my brother, allowing you to be bullied. But starting today, such things will never happen again,” Li Xuanyue vowed solemnly.
Li Lanâs eyes shimmered with a dark light and disbelief. He had never dreamed that one day he would hear such words from Li Xuanyue.
Did he hear wrong? Or was she confused and speaking nonsense?
Li Xuanyue ignored the shock on his face and continued, “However, after this incident, I hope you use this opportunity to grow up quickly. Dispose of anyone who dares to disrespect you.”
Otherwise, if she helped him now but his nature remained soft and weak, servants bullying their master would only happen again.
In the great hall, it wasn’t just Li Lan who was stunned. Even Jun He and Zhong He felt their hearts skip a beat at Li Xuanyueâs words.
Compared to the rumors of her being vicious, irritable, and unreasonable, the current Li Xuanyue seemed to value the sibling bond deeply, treating Li Lan like a true brother.
From her words and actions just now, everything seemed aimed at standing up for Li Lan and venting his grievances. She was not the arrogant, murderous tyrant of the rumors who held no one in her eyes.
“Alright, I’ve said what needed to be said.”
Li Xuanyue waved her hand, seeing that Li Lan and the others were still frozen in shock. She slowly broke the silence.
“Yin Xin, later on, go to the treasury and select several rare treasures. Send them to the palaces of the five Consorts,” Li Xuanyue instructed the maid at her side.
Since she had promised the envoys of the five clans that she would take good care of them, she naturally wouldn’t let them suffer the same fate as Li Lan, oppressed by maids.
Sending gifts to their palaces was a strategic move. It would show the palace maids that she valued them. That way, any servant thinking of bullying them would have to weigh their own status against her wrath.
Li Xuanyueâs move caused a huge stir throughout the Phoenix Clan.
Those in the shadows who thought that, aside from Jun He, the other Consorts were out of favorâand had thus been lazy and dismissiveâwere terrified when they learned Li Xuanyue was personally sending gifts.
“Auntie, quickly, have someone change this food!”
At that moment, a maid rushed into the dining area of Wutong Hall, her face full of worry.
“Princess’s personal maid, Yin Xin, is about to arrive at our Wutong Hall. We can’t let them know we’ve been treating Consort Yao poorly.”
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