The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 674 - 672 I must find Xianxian back (second update)

Yelu Yan ordered the guide to rest and then issued an order to mobilize the troops and dispatch generals overnight, personally leading the army deep into the desert.

The generals, upon hearing this, knelt down to voice their opposition.

"Khan, you must not go there. This guide’s speech is unclear; what if it’s a trap?"

"Yes, Khan. If there are people ambushed in the desert, with its vast territory, it will be very difficult for the army to rush to provide support immediately."

"Few people venture into this part of the desert, known as the Sea of Death. Those who go there hardly ever return; it’s truly too dangerous."

"Khan, the Queen cannot possibly be in the desert. Even if Murong Ce has immense abilities, he couldn’t possibly have taken the Queen deep into the desert in such a short time."

After several investigations, all evidence pointed to Murong Ce having kidnapped Li Xianyun.

"Please reconsider for the sake of the common people under the heavens, Khan."

For a moment, the room that had been so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, became tumultuous with everyone speaking one after another.

Yelu Yan could not take in a single word of their entreaties. "This Khan’s mind is made up. Anyone who continues to advise against this will be dealt with by military law."

Pressured by Yelu Yan’s authority, no one dared to speak further, yet there were a few driven by a fierce loyalty, willing to risk death to request an audience.

During this standoff, Jinwu bowed at the door, saying, "Khan, the Imperial Noble Consort is here and wishes to see you."

Yelu Yan’s gaze fell on Shulu Xi, who nervously cleared his throat.

Indeed, it was he who had ordered for the Imperial Noble Consort to be summoned.

Yelu Yan, not wanting Yaduo and Tia to worry, had told the two that he planned to take Li Xianyun out for a leisure trip and would be back in a few days.

These days, Shangjing’s army was coming and going incessantly, with armed troops seen everywhere, causing public unrest. Yelu Yan had intentionally kept the common people in the dark about this significant matter, but it was something that couldn’t be concealed from the Imperial Noble Consort.

Since Li Xianyun’s disappearance, Yelu Yan had become increasingly irritable and often lost his composure.

Where was the calm and self-possessed demeanor he used to have?

If no one could bring him to his senses, who knew what chaos might ensue?

Xiao Dilu had advised him many times regarding this matter, but Yelu Yan simply wouldn’t listen, and in the end, Xiao Dilu was so angry that he gave up on meddling.

At this point, Shulu Xi had no choice but to seek Yaduo’s help, hoping she could make Yelu Yan come to his senses.

Yelu Yan addressed the generals, "This Khan will set out tonight. Assemble five thousand cavalry, provisions, and water. Once the army is ready, we will depart."

"Yes!"

Military orders were like mountains; the generals dared not disobey and could only prepare to leave.

Yet, in their hearts, they pinned their hopes on Yaduo, wishing she might persuade Yelu Yan not to venture into perilous territory.

"Shulu Xi, stay."

The other generals withdrew.

Only Yelu Yan and Shulu Xi were left in the room.

Yelu Yan looked at Shulu Xi and said with a muted voice, "Ah Xi, do others not understand me, or do you also not understand?"

"Your humble servant understands you, but you cannot disregard all else just because of one woman."

"How presumptuous!"

"Your humble servant has not spoken wrongly. In the days since the Queen’s disappearance, you have become like a different person—impatient and irritable. Your only concern is the Queen, not the well-being of the world. This will inevitably lead to problems. If the Queen knew you had become like this, how could she bear it?"

Yelu Yan snorted coldly, "You’re not the one in pain, so it’s easy for you to talk. The woman who’s missing is mine, not yours, so you can afford to make these cold remarks!"

His words were heavy.

From outside the door came a voice, "Ayan, don’t take your wrath out on Ah Xi. If he hadn’t told me, it would be to your detriment."

Yaduo entered as she spoke, and when she saw Yelu Yan’s appearance, she was completely stunned.

In just a few days, Yelu Yan seemed to have become a different person.

His eyes were sunken, reddened, his beard unkempt, and he had lost a lot of weight.

Yaduo steadied herself and addressed Shulu Xi, "You may leave. I will handle things here."

Shulu Xi bowed and left the room.

Yelu Yan stood up to greet Yaduo, and they both sat in chairs opposite each other at the desk.

"Grandmother, if you have come to persuade me to give up the search for Xianxian, I will not listen," he said.

Yaduo looked at Yelu Yan and said, "You know how much Grandmother likes Xianxian. Now that she’s missing, Grandmother is also anxious. How could I not let you look for her?"

Yelu Yan looked up at Yaduo, and in the next instant, his eyes reddened. He wanted to say something, but it was as if there was a lump in his throat, and he suddenly turned his head away.

Yelu Yan, with his back to Yaduo, covered his eyes with a hand.

When he lowered his hand, Yaduo saw traces of tears on it.

The tip of Yaduo’s nose became sour with heartache.

Yelu Yan had always been resilient and tough, never seen shedding a tear, even when injured, bleeding, or facing the utmost humiliation. Even after several near-death experiences, he had never shown a hint of despair.

Now, for Li Xianyun, he had actually cried.

It is said that men do not shed tears easily, except in the depths of heartbreak.

Yaduo knew that Yelu Yan had deep feelings for Li Xianyun, but she hadn’t realized they ran this deep.

Yelu Yan took a long sigh, and his voice trembled for a moment.

"Grandmother, I really don’t know what to do now. With so many days passed, I haven’t heard a thing about her. Whenever I think she might have come across some danger..."

Yelu Yan couldn’t continue. He rubbed his cheek hard with one hand to prevent tears from falling.

The last time Murong Ce took Li Xianyun, Yelu Yan had clues to follow, tracking her step by step.

But this time was different; he had no leads to follow and didn’t even know where to start looking.

Helpless, desperate.

It was as if rough vines were tightly entwined around him, almost suffocating him.

He couldn’t stop.

His Xianxian didn’t know what she was going through, waiting for him to come to her rescue. How could he stop?

Yaduo placed a hand on Yelu Yan’s shoulder. That stubborn little boy had grown into a great hero who stood tall and unbeatable.

"Ayan, Xianxian is clever and smart; she will surely be able to protect herself. Don’t worry," she said.

Yaduo didn’t really know what to say, so she comforted him in this way.

In reality, she too was very concerned about Li Xianyun’s safety.

Yaduo saw Yelu Yan with his back to her, rubbing his face.

People are always most vulnerable in front of their closest kin.

"Ayan, I’ve just heard that you’re considering leading an army deep into the desert to find Xianxian?"

Yelu Yan had calmed down a lot and turned to look at Yaduo.

His eyes were red and moist, as if bleeding.

"Grandmother, I must find Xianxian and bring her back."

He said it with such determination.

Yaduo nodded her head. Indeed, he was the child she had raised, valuing loyalty and righteousness.

"Grandmother supports your search for Xianxian, but you must stay calm. Being distraught and unable to eat or sleep, in a state of panic, will only be counterproductive," she advised.

"I understand, Grandmother," Yelu Yan said.

"I will appease the court officials’ emotions. Go quickly, and be sure to keep safe."

"Thank you, Grandmother."

The commanders, seeing the pair exit the room so soon, thought that Yaduo had succeeded and gathered around joyfully.

But to their surprise, Yelu Yan addressed the commanders and troops.

Seeing Yaduo remain impassive, they realized that even the Imperial Noble Consort couldn’t persuade the Khan.