The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 656 - 654 What Should He Do? (Second Update)

Li Xianyun said, "Husband, I do have you in my heart, it’s just that I’m really too busy. Once this busy period is over, I’ll be able to spend more time with you."

"Uh-huh."

Yelu Yan felt that their roles should be swapped.

In other couples, it’s usually the women who are more clingy.

But in their case, it was him, the man, who was the clingy one.

Li Xianyun and Yelu Yan chatted about this and that. As they spoke, she became drowsy, told Yelu Yan, and then fell asleep.

When she woke up again, it was already an hour later.

If not for the chatter and laughter of the passers-by, Li Xianyun would have slept a bit longer.

"That man is so handsome."

"Come back to reality, he’s clearly a married man. The woman in his arms must be his wife."

"What does it matter if he’s married? Isn’t it normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines?"

Yelu Yan looked at Jinwu with a cold gaze.

Jinwu nodded and immediately approached the noisy women.

"Go on, don’t disturb our master and madam."

A moment ago these women thought Yelu Yan handsome and dashing, but when they saw his stern expression, they were taken aback.

This man was not someone they could handle.

Especially when he wore such a serious face, it was truly frightening.

The women scattered in a panic.

Yelu Yan turned around to see Li Xianyun had opened her eyes and reached out to tidy her hair, "Did they wake you?"

"Not at all, it was time to get up anyway." Li Xianyun stood up, took the cloak off her belly, and Yelu Yan took it from her smoothly.

Li Xianyun looked at him, "Husband, it seems you’re quite popular."

"I haven’t flirted around, they can testify to that." Yelu Yan said with a smile, showing his loyalty; where was the severity from before?

"I know."

This man must know how unpleasant jealousy can be, so he was probably afraid of her feeling jealous.

"Husband, about the Imperial Physician yesterday..."

Yelu Yan had already realized, feeling he had been too petty, "I know, I was too petty yesterday, I won’t be next time."

Li Xianyun smiled amiably, "If you really care about that Imperial Physician, I can transfer her back to the Imperial Medical Bureau."

"No need, otherwise it would make me look too petty."

There would be other men even if that one was gone.

He couldn’t keep Li Xianyun tied to his side every day.

She was bound to come into contact with all sorts of men; he couldn’t just get rid of every man he disapproved of.

He needed to learn to be more open-minded.

Yelu Yan took her small hand and gave it a squeeze, "Want to go for another walk?"

"Sure."

When the sun began to set, Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun finally took the carriage back to the city.

By the time they reached Shangjing City, the lights of thousands of homes were already lit.

Yelu Yan took Li Xianyun to dine at Songhe Tower in the West Market before returning to the Imperial Palace.

As they arrived at the entrance to the Khan Palace, they saw Yelang waiting under the gatehouse.

Yelu Yan spotted Yelang immediately and knew something had happened.

He helped Li Xianyun out of the carriage and said in a low voice, "Xianxian, you go on ahead, I have some matters to deal with."

Li Xianyun also saw Yelang; as one of the leaders of the Hidden Guard, he wouldn’t have come in person unless something significant had occurred.

Li Xianyun nodded to Yelu Yan and entered the Khan Palace with the support of Youlan.

Yelu Yan waited until Li Xianyun’s figure disappeared into the gateway before turning to look at Yelang, who had approached him, "What is it?"

Yelang bowed with his arm and lowered his voice, "Reporting to Khan, according to spies from Houtang, Li Rui has ascended the throne as Emperor, and he has more than a passing relationship with the Emperor of Later Liang, Murong Ce. They must have formed an alliance long before. News from Houliang also confirms this."

Yelu Yan’s gaze sharpened, "How is the investigation you were conducting?"

"The owner of the estate imprisoning Li Rui is indeed one of Li Rui’s men."

Yelu Yan sneered, "So, the Li Family members disappearing out of thin air were actually a ploy by both Li Rui and Murong Ce to deceive the Queen into going over."

The collaboration between Murong Ce and Li Rui likely hinged on the bargaining chip that was Li Xianyun.

Yelu Yan couldn’t help tightening his fists.

Recalling Li Rui’s series of actions in Shangjing, everyone praised him for being a good husband and a loyal companion, yet he had done such things in secret.

What would Li Xianyun think if she knew her most revered father had betrayed her?

Yelu Yan felt a tightness in his heart, a pain born of sympathy for Li Xianyun.

He instructed Yelang, "Command the Hidden Guard to keep a close watch on the movements of Murong Ce and Li Rui. Report back promptly with any developments."

"Yes!"

As Yelang was about to leave, Yelu Yan called out to him.

"This Khan will personally discuss the matter with the Queen. If the Queen asks you any questions, you must keep silent."

"Your subordinate obeys."

After Yelang spoke, he leapt up, clearing the wall and disappearing into the dark night.

Yelu Yan stood at the door for a moment before entering the Khan Palace.

As soon as Li Xianyun returned to the main building, she had Youlan prepare clothes for her to bathe.

When she came back, she saw Yelu Yan sitting at the desk in the Warm Pavilion, lost in thought.

He was always adept in strategy, confident in his plans, and it was rare for him to be so absentminded.

Hearing the noise, Yelu Yan looked at Li Xianyun, "You’ve finished bathing."

"Mmm," Li Xianyun’s hair, half-dried by Youlan, now hung loose over her waist as she walked towards Yelu Yan, "What are you thinking about? You seem so engrossed."

Yelu Yan extended his hand to Li Xianyun, pulling her to sit in his lap, and nuzzled his nose against her half-dried hair, "Affairs of the court."

Upon hearing this, Li Xianyun knew he did not wish to elaborate.

So, Li Xianyun didn’t inquire further.

"It’s getting late, let’s wash and get ready for bed."

Li Xianyun tried to rise from Yelu Yan’s lap as she spoke.

Yelu Yan pulled her back tightly, hugging her from behind and burying his face deeply in her hair and the nape of her neck, his strong arms holding her ever tighter, as though he were trying to embed her into his body.

Li Xianyun’s hands gently rested on his arms, tilting her head slightly, "My lord, what’s wrong? Has something happened?"

Yelu Yan’s handsome cheek rubbed against her soft neck, and after a long pause, he finally said, "Xianxian, if someone asked you to leave your husband, would you leave?"

"I would not."

Yelu Yan really wanted to ask her, what if it was a close family member?

If it was a close family member asking you to leave me, would you then leave?

The question lingered in his heart, on the tip of his tongue, yet he dared not voice it.

If he asked, Li Xianyun would inevitably probe further, and being so clever, she would easily deduce the subtleties after a few questions.

The last time, Li Xianyun thought about leaving him to save her family.

If this time Li Rui played upon years of fatherly affection to have Li Xianyun leave,

Being a person of deep feeling and filial piety, Li Xianyun would certainly depart.

What would he do then?

Thinking this way, Yelu Yan held Li Xianyun even tighter from behind, as if the moment he let go, she would vanish.

Li Xianyun grasped his arms, "My lord, you are hurting me."

Yelu Yan then loosened his grip slightly, "It’s my fault."