The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 606 - 604 Husband, why did you hit me? (Second watch)

Li Xianyun stepped down from the carriage, and the party only began speaking once they entered the courtyard.

"How did the Khan respond?" Li Xianyun asked Jinwu as she looked at him.

Jinwu bowed to Li Xianyun with a bent arm and said, "Reporting to Master, the Khan said he won’t be returning tonight, and instructed you to rest early and carry on as usual, without worry."

Li Xianyun certainly didn’t believe this statement. If everything were as usual, if there wasn’t critical military intelligence, why wouldn’t Yelu Yan return? "What’s the situation in Hengzhou?"

Jinwu said, "Master, rest assured, it’s the same as before."

Still, Li Xianyun detected a clue from his fleeting expression, "Did the Khan specifically instruct you not to tell me about the situation in Hengzhou?"

"No, the Khan gave me no such instructions. Truly, nothing has happened in Hengzhou."

His response was overly strong, giving off the feeling that he ’doth protest too much.’

Li Xianyun spoke coolly, "Something must have happened in Hengzhou. If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll have the Khan replace you and never let you come to Yanzhou to deliver messages again."

Upon hearing this, Jinwu’s face changed in an instant, and he became flustered.

If he couldn’t come here to report to the Queen, then that also meant he’d lose the opportunity to see Youlan all the time—how could he bear that?

Li Xianyun saw Jinwu’s demeanor soften and pressed the advantage, "Speak, what exactly happened?"

Jinwu hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "It’s not really a big deal. While the Khan was patrolling outside Hengzhou City, the soldiers of Houliang were cursing from the city walls in an extremely nasty manner, and the Khan drew his bow and shot one of the soldiers in the head, silencing everyone on the battlements from shouting insults."

He seemed quite proud of this.

After the soldier was hit by the Khan’s arrow, he fell from the city wall like a stone and died on the spot.

During this period, the Flame Army had been enduring the Houliang soldiers’ insults, filled with burning rage and righteous indignation.

However, with Hengzhou being impregnable, the officers and soldiers were frustrated and felt shameful humiliation.

Now, these insolent soldiers had finally received their just desserts, and everyone felt greatly relieved.

It was all thanks to their wise and valorous Khan!

Li Xianyun’s brows slightly furrowed.

From such a distance, that Yelu Yan could shoot an arrow that far showed his remarkable strength, and of course, it also indicated that he was provoked by what those people said.

Li Xianyun had a clear understanding of what the soldiers of Houliang might have shouted.

It wouldn’t have angered Yelu Yan so much unless they had mentioned her.

Yet the more he reacted in this way, the more it played into Murong Ce’s hands.

Murong Ce would find ways to provoke him, to keep rubbing salt into his wounds.

Who knew how many foul and abusive words would be heard from the walls of Hengzhou City tomorrow?

The soldiers there could continue shouting insults without showing themselves, couldn’t they?

What would Yelu Yan do if he couldn’t bear it then?

If the Khitans attacked head-on while Houliang occupied the higher ground in Hengzhou, they would certainly suffer heavy losses.

Li Xianyun commanded, "Youlan, prepare some food. Bater, feed the horses. We’ll pack up and head for Hengzhou."

Upon hearing her orders, Jinwu hurriedly objected, "Master, you mustn’t—it’s dangerous to travel at night; what if we encounter danger?"

How could he explain this to the Khan?

Li Xianyun headed straight for the main building, preparing to pack some items personally.

"If it’s dangerous to travel at night, we shall go slowly, and if we fear an ambush, we’ll simply bring more people."

It seemed Li Xianyun was determined to go to Liuzhou.

Jinwu continued his earnest and heartfelt persuasion, "Master, it would be better to ask the Khan’s opinion before taking action."

"There’s no need; if I ask the Khan, he will definitely not allow me to go. I must act now and report later."

Yelu Yan desperately didn’t want her to hear those vile and filthy words; he would never agree to let her go.

Upon hearing this, Jinwu couldn’t help but sigh that in this world, only the Queen dared to defy the Khan’s will in such a covert manner.

Soon, Youlan had prepared food and water and brought along soft bedding for the night.

Li Xianyun had also brought a set of spare clothing.

Under Li Xianyun’s direction, the number of Hidden Guards had doubled compared to usual.

Once everything had been arranged, the group took advantage of the cover of night to leave the mansion silently.

Yelu Yan had always been cautious and maintained strict control over the borderlands.

Murong Ce could be very capable, but he had only managed to place a few spies, most of whom Yelu Yan had ordered to be eliminated. The few remaining dared only to cause trouble from the shadows and did not openly seek to disturb Li Xianyun.

It was for this reason that Li Xianyun dared to lead her entourage to the Liuzhou Daying in the dead of night.

Traveling from Yanzhou to Liuzhou required two hours. When they were halfway there, Yelu Yan, who had received the news, personally led his men to meet them.

At first, Jinwu, upon hearing the urgent and dense galloping of horses from afar, thought they had encountered bandits and quickly ordered the Hidden Guards to draw their weapons and prepare for combat.

The air was filled with the tense, murderous atmosphere of drawn swords and ready crossbows.

It was not until they were close enough that Jinwu, recognizing the robust figure at the lead, realized it was their own Khan and was overjoyed.

As Jinwu instructed everyone to put away their weapons, he rode up to the carriage and reported, "Master, the Khan has come to pick you up."

Upon hearing this, Li Xianyun sighed with relief and handed the poison she was holding to Youlan to put back into the medicine box.

After receiving Jinwu’s command to be on alert, Li Xianyun had taken two vials of poison from the medicine box.

She and Youlan each held one, ready for any emergency.

Li Xianyun opened the carriage window and peered out, immediately spotting the tall figure racing on horseback in the dark night.

Behind Yelu Yan followed a number of guards, a dark mass that swept towards her like waves.

Seeing Yelu Yan, a smile unconsciously spread across Li Xianyun’s cheeks as she watched him approach; he became clearer and clearer as he drew closer.

Yelu Yan, gazing at the adorable little head poking out of the window, finally felt his anxious heart settle.

The two groups soon joined together.

Li Xianyun’s entourage stopped one after another to pay their respects to Yelu Yan.

Jinwu had already brought the carriage to a halt, helping Youlan down to leave space for the Queen to be alone with the Khan.

Of course, he could also join his darling wife on the same horse and snuggle up together.

Just as Yelu Yan approached the carriage, he leapt from his horse onto the carriage and bent his considerable frame to enter.

Li Xianyun closed the window, turned, and saw the tall and strong man sit down beside her. With a stretch of his long arm, he embraced her close.

Yelu Yan wrapped one arm around her slender waist, letting her rest in the crook of his arm, while his other hand landed gently on her soft and upturned bottom.

It was a light punishment, a warning more than a chastisement.

Li Xianyun pouted and protested in a tender voice, "Husband, why did you hit me?"

"Why did I hit you? Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t do dangerous things? Look what you’re doing now," Yelu Yan said with a stern face, "acting recklessly and on your own."

Li Xianyun sighed softly, her slender arms encircling Yelu Yan’s neck as she clung to him, "Husband, am I not just worried for you?"

"In this world, there’s no one who can trouble me; why worry? It’s you who truly worries people."