The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 70 - 0 Once the sea was hard for water (First update)

Chapter 70: 070 Once the sea was hard for water (First update)

Chapter 70: 070 Once the sea was hard for water (First update)

The citizens of Shangjing saw teams of riders and family guards hurriedly passing by, as if they were searching for someone.

A person buying steamed buns asked, “What happened?”

The steamed bun vendor, who encountered many people and was more informed, said, “I heard that today there was a horse race at the Imperial Palace, and the Commandery Princess of Nan lost to the Princess Consort. In a moment of distress, she left the Imperial Palace and disappeared without a trace. Nanwang Mansion is panicking, sending people everywhere to look for her.”

“How could this be, the Commandery Princess of Nan is the best horsewoman among the Khitan women, undefeated. How could she have lost to the Princess Consort?”

“I don’t know the details, but the Princess Consort won the competition, that’s for sure.”

“The Princess Consort must have cheated, otherwise how could she have beaten the Commandery Princess of Nan? Han people are known to be cunning, and it shows.”

Another person took up the conversation and said, “Exactly, I got swindled by a Han person in a business deal once, and I lost a lot of money.”

“The Commandery Princess of Nan is kind and has done many good things for the people. She’s also been in the military for years, skilful in martial arts. How could she possibly lose to a Han person? There must be something fishy about this.”

Everyone agreed and nodded emphatically.

Ji Zuqing found Ji Chuchu at the Ji Family’s abandoned estate in the outskirts.

The Ji Family had a tradition of scholarship, but it soared to new heights in Ji Xueyuan’s generation. When Ji Chuchu was eleven or twelve years old, the family moved to a prime location in the bustling city of Shangjing.

Ji Chuchu’s entire joyful childhood was spent in the old estate, so she was very attached to it. Sometimes when she felt upset, she would sit here for a while.

Of course, her mood was soured ten out of ten times because of Yelu Yan.

An elderly couple managed the old estate; they had worked for the Ji Family for years, known for their honesty and loyalty. When the Ji Family moved, they were asked to stay behind with a doorman to look after the estate.

The elderly couple discovered Ji Chuchu around lunchtime; she was sitting inside her former boudoir, silently shedding tears with an utterly heartbroken demeanor.

The couple didn’t dare delay and hurriedly informed the doorman outside, asking him to ride swiftly to report to Nanwang Mansion.

Coincidentally, the doorman encountered Ji Zuqing on the road and promptly brought the Princely Heir along.

Ji Zuqing dismounted before the tall gateway of the old estate and went straight to Ji Chuchu’s former chamber. There she was, sitting on the soft couch staring blankly, her eyes red, obviously having cried.

His brows furrowed tightly, pained at the sight. He stepped over the high threshold and entered the room.

When Ji Chuchu heard someone approaching, she turned her head and saw it was her elder brother. Her lips quivered, and she started crying again as tears began flowing anew.

Ji Xueyuan had many wives and numerous children, but among them, only Ji Zuqing and Ji Chuchu were legitimate offspring, sharing a deep bond.

Ji Zuqing took just a few steps to reach Ji Chuchu’s side and embraced her in his broad arms.

Ji Chuchu no longer suppressed her emotions and sobbed loudly.

Ji Zuqing clenched his teeth, struggling to contain the surge of his feelings.

He had learned of the incident from a young servant delivering messages while at the camp. The thought of his beloved sister losing face in front of everybody made him deeply empathize, pain wrenching his heart.

When Ji Chuchu’s emotions had settled, Ji Zuqing said, “Chuchu, did that Han woman cheat? Is that why you lost the race?”

Looking up at her brother, Ji Chuchu shook her head and said, “I lost because I was not as skilled, I don’t blame her. I’ve come to realize here what I truly want and why Brother Yan doesn’t like me.”

Ji Zuqing watched her intently, not interrupting, wanting to hear the thoughts of her heart.

“It’s because I am not outstanding enough. Once I am more accomplished, Brother Yan will naturally take notice of me. I used to be pampered by everyone, thinking I was already excellent. Today I’ve come to see clear-sighted. There are mountains beyond mountains, and towers beyond towers; I haven’t done enough,” said Ji Chuchu.

From the moment she fell for Yelu Yan, she always followed in his footsteps, striving to make herself more outstanding, hoping that one day Yelu Yan would notice her.

For Yelu Yan, she abandoned her own life, while other women chose needlework, she chose to ride horses and shoot arrows, to fight on the battlefields,

She spent years in the military, all to see Yelu Yan more often.

But Yelu Yan was like the high moon in the sky, visible but unattainable.

Sometimes, because of military affairs, she was able to speak a few words with Yelu Yan, and she would be so happy she couldn’t sleep for days.

Occasionally, Ji Chuchu would wonder why she was so obsessed with Yelu Yan.

He hadn’t given her any special treatment above anyone else, had hardly even spoken a few words to her, yet she just liked him.

Perhaps it was as people say, a beauty loves a hero. Who wouldn’t like a hero and a warrior like Yelu Yan?

It’s just that others might lose interest after a few days, while she, constantly exposed to Yelu Yan’s glorious achievements in the military camp, and constantly hearing about Yelu Yan’s heroic tales that startled heaven and earth, grew deeper and deeper in affection—a fondness that lasted ten years.

She was already twenty-five this year, well beyond the age for marriage; like other uninhibited and optimistic Khitan women, she never hid her fondness for Yelu Yan.

Many people secretly ridiculed her, calling her a foolish dreamer, but as long as Yelu Yan remained unmarried, and had not fallen for someone else, she saw hope.

As time passed, Ji Chuchu gradually gave up the idea of marrying Yelu Yan.

Because in Yelu Yan’s eyes, there was only his grand ambition and his integrity; he stayed away from women, appearing as if he would never fancy women, as if he would never marry in his lifetime.

Ji Chuchu thought it was quite good to accompany him this way; if he didn’t marry, she wouldn’t either.

But recently, many things happened beyond her expectations.

When she learned that Princess Hehui was coming for a marriage alliance, she felt a sense of loss, but had no sense of crisis until she saw Li Xianyun for the first time at the Empress Dowager’s Palace.

She was so beautiful, even women couldn’t help but take several more glances.

And she was also so bright and lively, like a warm, holy ray of sunshine on a snowy field.

She seemed delicate, yet she was not someone to be trifled with.

She was quick-witted and graceful, shattering the other’s schemes and treachery with a smile.

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With such a woman by Brother Yan’s side, how could Ji Chuchu be at ease?

So when she heard the news that Yelu Yan had shared a room with Li Xianyun, Ji Chuchu’s heart almost shattered.

Yet she still held on to hope, but today’s horse race made her taste the flavor of utter defeat.

It also made her realize even more acutely how deep her feelings for Yelu Yan were.

As long as she could be by Yelu Yan’s side, she didn’t mind being a concubine, didn’t mind sharing him with other women.

Her love was so humble, humble to the point of bending down to the dust.

But what could she do?

She loved Yelu Yan more than she loved herself.