The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 114 Make it clear, so he won’t misunderstand (first update)

Chapter 114: 114 Make it clear, so he won’t misunderstand (first update)

Li Xianyun pulled Youlan out of the dark alley and headed toward the place where the horses and carriage were kept.

If she hadn’t guessed wrong, Bater and Zhuo Ma, unable to find her, would surely go there to meet up with her.

Youlan looked at Li Xianyun and said, "Mistress, that young master just saved you, but it seems that you are not pleased, and you didn’t even properly thank him."

Her mistress was always one to seek revenge for the smallest grievance and was most grateful for any favors done to her.

Yet, her mistress’s attitude toward that young master was very indifferent; she didn’t even deign to give the person a proper look.

This was just too strange.

Li Xianyun didn’t stop walking as she continued in the direction of the horses and carriage, saying indifferently, "He is not a good person."

Youlan said, "That can’t be possible. That person looked quite amiable, not like a bad person at all."

Li Xianyun glanced at Youlan and said, "Silly girl, appearances can be deceiving, and the sea cannot be measured with a bushel. Moreover, bad people do not have ’bad person’ written on their foreheads."

Seeing the puzzled look on Youlan’s face, Li Xianyun said:

"This place is so secluded, yet that man coincidentally appeared here, which is suspicious."

"And those masked men who were killed all had their eyes wide open, showing a look of shock. They didn’t expect the man with the scar to be so ruthless, to kill them, so they must have known the scar-faced man before."

"This was a premeditated assassination, and the purpose of the assassination was to stage a hero-saving-the-beauty play. The mastermind should be that reasonably good-looking man."

Youlan thought to herself, mistress, you seem to have a misunderstanding about ’reasonably good-looking.’ That man is obviously very handsome.

But right now, her mind was a bit confused; how did the life-saving hero suddenly turn into the prime culprit?

Li Xianyun didn’t expect her to understand right away and continued, saying:

"Looking back at the earlier events, the masked men deliberately separated us from Bater and Zhuo Ma. Such a purposeful act implies that they knew the man who saved us. If I am not wrong, that man should be the Ninth Prince—Yelu Qi, who is deeply favored by the Grand Imperial Consort."

Youlan said in shock, "Mistress, he is actually the Ninth Prince? Why would he go through the trouble of staging such an act?"

"Of course, it is to sow discord."

Youlan followed up, "To sow discord between you and Minister Xiao?"

Li Xianyun said, "Not likely. Rumor has it that the Ninth Prince is wise and sagacious. He probably wouldn’t be foolish enough to let the masked men reveal themselves. There must have been some slip-up in the plan that he is unaware of."

"His main goal is to get close to me, to sow discord between me and the Khan. Therefore, this man is very dangerous, and we should keep our distance if we see him."

Youlan nodded heavily and said, "Mistress, where do we go now?"

Li Xianyun replied, "We must hurry back to the Imperial Palace and inform the Khan about the Ninth Prince’s unauthorized visit to the capital, so he can take precautions. At the same time, we must clear our association with the Ninth Prince to avoid any misunderstandings."

"Yes."

Youlan looked at her mistress with admiration.

Her mistress had a shrewd mind and seemed to handle everything with ease.

While the two of them talked, they had already arrived at the place where the horses and carriage were kept.

Youlan paid the old caretaker five coins.

The old man then had some people bring out the carriage.

Li Xianyun parked the carriage at the side of the road where it wouldn’t be in the way.

Looking around, Youlan asked, "Mistress, should we go find Zhuo Ma and Bater?"

Li Xianyun looked at Youlan and said, "No need, we two don’t know martial arts, and going over would just cause more trouble. We’ll wait here, they will be here shortly."

The two waited for about the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, and then they saw Bater and Zhuo Ma hurrying over.

Youlan turned to Li Xianyun, smiled, and said, "Mistress, you really do have a divine foresight; they indeed came looking for us."

Li Xianyun smiled with pursed lips, "Flattery will get you nowhere."

"I am simply telling the truth, not trying to flatter," Youlan said with a smile.

Zhuo Ma and Bater saw Li Xianyun and Youlan’s figures from afar, and at last, their hearts settled.

Just now, after they had extricated themselves from the predicament, they searched around and, not seeing the two, decided to try their luck at the place where the horses and carriage were left. Unexpectedly, they indeed found them there.

Approaching them, Zhuo Ma asked, "Mistress, are you all right?"

"I’m fine."

Even the usually aloof Bater inquired, "Princess, how did you escape?"

Li Xianyun replied, "It’s a long story. Let’s hurry back to the palace."

Just like on the way there, the women rode in the carriage while Bater drove it.

Bater was an expert at driving carriages and it took only half an hour before the majestic Imperial Palace came into view in the distance.

As the carriage reached the city gate, Bater was about to show the soldier the pass token when the heavy and huge iron gate opened thunderously.

Li Xianyun heard the noise and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

She saw the city gate suddenly open and a large troop of riders thundering out at electric speed.

Each of them rode a tall horse, appearing very formidable.

The one in the lead stood out among them, not just for his tall and handsome stature, but also for his imposing presence that was so awe-inspiring it caused one to feel apprehensive upon seeing him.

Zhuo Ma and Youlan, upon recognizing that it was Yelu Yan, hastily alighted from the carriage and stood by it with Bater, waiting.

Yelu Yan caught sight of the endearing little head peeking out from the carriage; a flash of surprise and delight appeared in his eyes.

He lifted his hand, and the guards reined in their horses, coming to a halt.

Yelu Yan steered his horse to the front of the carriage and reined it in.

The huge Fiery Flame Horse, having been running at high speed and then suddenly pulled to a stop, reared up with a long neigh, lifting its front hooves high and only its rear hooves touching the ground.

The entire body of the Fiery Flame Horse almost stood upright.

Yelu Yan, an excellent horseman, didn’t become flustered at all. He gripped the reins tightly and sat firmly on the horseback, but his profound tiger-like eyes were fixed entirely on Li Xianyun.

After the Fiery Flame Horse steadied itself, Bater and the others respectfully knelt down and saluted with folded arms, saying, "We greet the Khan."

Yelu Yan merely grunted in response, his gaze still fixed on Li Xianyun’s petite face.

"Are you all right?"

"Khan, were you about to leave the palace?"

The two spoke almost simultaneously, displaying an uncanny connection.

Li Xianyun couldn’t help but smile and said, "This consort is fine."

Yelu Yan grunted again.

He had been dealing with official duties in the Hall of Diligent Governance when he heard that Li Xianyun had been attacked. He immediately led his guards to gallop out of the palace to find her.

Little did he expect to see her carriage right outside the palace gates.

The two of them truly shared a mutual understanding.

Looking up at Yelu Yan, Li Xianyun said, "Khan, I have something to tell you."

"Alright."

Yelu Yan said and swung down from his horse to come to the front of the carriage, stepping up into it in one stride.

He was indeed excessively tall and burly.

Yelu Yan bent down to enter the carriage compartment, sat down opposite Li Xianyun, and stared unwaveringly at her small face.