The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 109 Khan let her take charge of the Harem (second watch)

Chapter 109: 109 Khan let her take charge of the Harem (second watch)

Li Xianyun was tidying up her needles and embroidery frame when Yelu Yan watched her with a smile.

At that moment, Li Xianyun’s gaze fixed on his shoulder, prompting him to ask with a smile, "What’s the matter?"

Li Xianyun pointed and said, "Khan, the stitching on your clothing has come undone."

Yelu Yan turned his head to look, noticing about a ten-centimeter tear at the right shoulder.

That afternoon, feeling out of sorts, he had called Ma Zhaoming over for a horse race, perhaps exerting himself too much and tearing his garment at the shoulder.

"It’s not a problem, I’ll have the embroideress from Zhijin Square mend it later."

Or perhaps simply replace it with a new one.

Li Xianyun’s red lips parted as she offered, "Let me sew it up for you."

Yelu Yan hesitated for a moment before replying with a smile, "That would be good."

Seeing him remain seated, Li Xianyun laughed and said, "You’ll need to take off your clothes."

How come he seemed a bit silly, silly in an adorable way?

Li Xianyun was startled by her own thought, wondering how such an idea could have popped into her head, it was quite strange indeed.

"Oh."

Yelu Yan stood up, speaking as he took off his outer robe and handed it to Li Xianyun.

His outer robe was black.

Li Xianyun found the matching thread, took an embroidery needle, carefully threaded it with the black thread, and tied a small knot at the end.

Her movements were skilled and nimble.

Li Xianyun turned the sleeve inside out, aligned the frayed edges neatly, and began sewing.

She was capable of intricate embroidery, so mending clothes was even less of a challenge for her.

Yelu Yan watched her intently.

Her eyelashes were long, thick, and slightly curled, her fair and smooth little face had a touch of baby fat giving it a plump appearance, like a baby’s skin, irresistible to the urge to gently pinch.

Eventually, Yelu Yan’s gaze fell upon her dexterous hands.

The stitches Li Xianyun made were tight and straight, even neater and more attractive than the original ones on the clothing.

She was always conscientious when undertaking any task, completely absorbed and earnest.

A woman immersed in her work is always captivating.

It didn’t take long for Li Xianyun to finish mending the torn spot.

She picked up the robe, bit off the thread with a downward glance, stuck the needle into the black thread spool, and slowly wound the remaining thread onto the spool.

Yelu Yan, watching her, smiled and asked, "Why don’t you use scissors?"

Li Xianyun glanced at Yelu Yan with a smile and replied, "I forgot."

Using scissors seemed too cumbersome and time-consuming; she often resorted to her teeth to snip the thread, a habit that had just revealed itself

Li Xianyun turned the sleeve right side out again, picked up the collar of the robe, stood up, shook it out, and held it open with the inside facing Yelu Yan, saying, "Khan, please try it on."

Yelu Yan had not expected her to help him dress, a warm sensation filling his heart as his smile grew more pronounced.

He stood up, turned his back to her, slid his arms into the sleeves, and donned the robe.

Yelu Yan turned around, lowering his gaze to Li Xianyun’s beautiful little face, so graceful and delicate, serene and enchanting.

They resembled an ordinary couple, the wife mending her husband’s clothes, assisting him with dressing.

Yelu Yan’s deep-set eyes twinkled with a feeling he couldn’t quite articulate, a delightful sensation spreading slowly within him.

Li Xianyun, preoccupied with inspecting his attire, didn’t notice his gaze, so intensely infatuated and heated.

"Does it feel uncomfortable?" Li Xianyun inquired.

Improper handling during mending could result in stitches that are too tight, particularly around the shoulders, restricting movement.

Seeing that Yelu Yan did not respond, Li Xianyun looked into his profound eyes.

He was staring directly at her, corners of his mouth turned up, filled with a rich smile.

Being stared at so intently by a man, it was hard not to be affected.

Li Xianyun averted her gaze, looking at the lapel of his robe and asked again, "Khan, would you please move your arms to see if the clothes are comfortable?"

If they weren’t comfortable, she would alter them again.

Yelu Yan also realized his own gaffe, raised his hand to touch his nose, lifted his arms to move them, and said, "Very comfortable."

Li Xianyun uttered a soft "Mhm" and sat down on the stone bench padded with a thick cotton cushion.

The two of them sat quietly, listening to the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the birds’ crisp and distant chirping.

Yelu Yan said to Li Xianyun, "I have a matter I’d like to discuss with you."

He had intended to speak of it yesterday, but the opportunity hadn’t arisen.

He was rarely so serious and solemn with her, so Li Xianyun couldn’t help but take it seriously.

"What’s the matter?"

Yelu Yan said, "I want you to take the Phoenix Seal and manage the Harem."

After the horse racing event, Yelu Yan had this idea.

Li Xianyun asked in surprise, "Why?"

According to Zhuo Ma, the Harem had always been managed by the Grand Imperial Consort, so why was she suddenly the one to take charge?

Could it be because of the incident with the Ninth Prince that the Grand Imperial Consort angered Yelu Yan last time?

No wonder Rong Ge was waiting at the gates of the Khan Palace late last night; she must have been acting on the Grand Imperial Consort’s orders to summon Yelu Yan, probably regarding the management of the Harem.

Yelu Yan said with a smile, "You are my Queen, and after being promoted you will be the Queen. Sooner or later, you will manage the Harem."

Li Xianyun hesitated.

All she wanted was to earn a lot of money and live a peaceful life, not to be like the women of bygone dynasties, misled by palace and household struggles over a man into ruining their lives.

Yelu Yan said, "Once you manage the Harem, all matters there will be up to you, and you won’t have to do anything you dislike."

Actually, Li Xianyun now also didn’t have to do things she disliked. She had only been there for two days when Yelu Yan exempted her from the Grand Imperial Consort’s morning and evening court duties.

From the outset, Yelu Yan had treated her especially well, unlike other Khitan people.

Seeing Li Xianyun purse her lips without speaking, Yelu Yan said with a smile, "I know what you’re thinking."

Li Xianyun looked up at the tall and mighty man before her.

Yelu Yan said with a smile, "Don’t worry, you will be the only woman in the Harem. No one will vie for your attention or be jealous of you, nor will anyone scheme against you. You may do whatever you wish."

"What about your heirs?" Li Xianyun blurted out.

They were only a couple in name; she wouldn’t bear children for him.

Some woman would eventually have to give him children to succeed his Khanate.

Yelu Yan looked at her playfully, smiling, "What do you think?"

His eyes held too much, and Li Xianyun felt somewhat flustered, unwilling to discern any further.

Seeing her deliberately avoiding the topic, Yelu Yan considerately didn’t pursue it further but said, "Just think of it as helping me."

That sentence finally moved Li Xianyun.

Yelu Yan was truly very kind to her, always standing by her side and treating her with great respect.

For such an important decision, he didn’t issue an imperial decree directly but asked for her opinion first.

That was indeed rare for an emperor.

She should return the favor.

Since Yelu Yan didn’t want the Grand Imperial Consort to manage the Harem and needed someone to take over, she might as well help him.

Li Xianyun nodded slightly and said, "Alright."

Yelu Yan said with a smile, "The imperial decree will come down tomorrow."

"Mhm."