The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 135 Behave yourself (second update)

Chapter 135: 135 Behave yourself (second update)

Li Xianyun was taken aback as Yelu Yan’s question caught her off guard.

She pursed her rosy lips, unsure how to respond for a moment.

She did care about his feelings, but admitting it in such a situation would inevitably carry an ambiguous undertone.

Yelu Yan’s lips curved upwards without making her further uncomfortable and said, "The Grand Imperial Consort did these things without considering my feelings, so why should I consider hers? From now on, you don’t need to show her any mercy on my behalf."

His words were quite cold and ruthless, as if he were talking about a stranger with no relation to him. Even if the relationship between mother and child was not good, blood is thicker than water, and such words shouldn’t be spoken.

Unless they were not...

Li Xianyun bit her lip, not daring to delve any deeper, afraid of uncovering some formidable secret.

Those who know too many secrets generally don’t meet good ends.

Yelu Yan looked at her and said, "Xianxian, do you think I am too cruel and heartless?"

"Not at all."

"There are many complicated issues involved. I can’t explain it to you in a short amount of time, but gradually, you will understand."

"Mhm."

Yelu Yan seemed to care about her feelings, giving her a warm and respected sensation inside.

After finishing her meal, Li Xianyun showed Yelu Yan the empty porridge bowl with a smile, "Khan, does this suffice?"

"Mhm."

Yelu Yan picked up a towel and moved closer to wipe the corner of Li Xianyun’s mouth.

He was very close, and his unique refreshing scent enveloped Li Xianyun, causing her heartbeat to flutter momentarily.

Li Xianyun took the towel from him in a somewhat flustered manner, saying, "I can wipe it myself."

Yelu Yan watched her cat-like adorable appearance and smiled, "Don’t forget what I just told you. Health is important, so don’t overexert yourself. Understand?"

Li Xianyun smiled gently and nodded.

"What, you find me nagging?"

Li Xianyun looked at Yelu Yan in surprise. How did he always seem to know what she was thinking?

Yelu Yan smiled and said, "I never nag at others."

Indeed, he was always blunt with others, either punishing or executing them, never saying more than necessary.

Did that mean she wasn’t just ’others’?

Li Xianyun thought this and shifted her gaze away, deliberately avoiding his deep and ink-black eyes.

Yelu Yan picked up his book and stood up, saying, "I’m leaving now, be good."

Li Xianyun also stood up, subconsciously murmuring "Mhm," then realized what she had done and lifted her eyes, as expressive as autumn waters, towards Yelu Yan:

When had she ever been not good?

Yelu Yan, looking at her adorable expression, really wanted to reach out and pat her little head. However, he ultimately restrained himself, his hand that had almost moved balled into a fist.

Now was not the time; he couldn’t scare her.

Haste would not bring success, and it would be counterproductive.

After Yelu Yan left, Li Xianyun returned to her side hall to continue drawing the Acupoint Map. Last time she only finished the acupoints of the head, and now it was time for other parts.

It took Li Xianyun over two hours, on and off, to finally complete the Acupoint Map.

The reason it was on and off was that Youlan and Zhuo Ma, following Yelu Yan’s orders, always made her take a break after she had been drawing for a while, either offering her some pastries or letting her go outside for some fresh air.

Li Xianyun admired her own drawing, quite satisfied with it.

When she had free time, she could go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to explain the acupoints and teach acupuncture.

Just then, Youlan walked in and said with a bow, "Reporting to Your Highness, Bater has returned and is waiting in the main hall."

Li Xianyun said, "Let’s go and see."

Upon entering the main hall, Bater paid his respects to Li Xianyun.

Seeing Bater’s delighted expression, Li Xianyun smiled and said, "It seems that the Ice Porridge Shop is doing quite well."

Bater smiled and replied, "Indeed, Your Highness, the Ice Porridge Shop is doing exceptionally well; we could say it’s packed to the rafters. Just yesterday we made a clear profit of over fifty taels of silver, and today many people came by reputation. It took me some effort to squeeze in."

Li Xianyun smiled and said, "You’ve worked hard."

"Nata wanted to bring you the fifty taels of silver we earned, but as per your earlier instructions, I didn’t take it and only said that we would settle accounts once a month."

"You’ve done well," Li Xianyun said. "There is another matter for which I need your assistance."

"Your Highness, please give your orders," Nata said.

Li Xianyun said, "I had intended to go to Shitoutun today to discuss the acquisition of grapes, but I can’t make it due to some matters. I would like you to leave the palace once again, meet with Habu, and inform him of this situation so that he doesn’t worry, not seeing anyone for a few days, and think that I am a swindler."

Nata and Habu contacted her through Bater’s relatives in the East Market; the fewer people knew about this matter, the better, thus Bater had to make another trip.

Bowing his arm in salute, Bater said, "I understand, I’ll see to it right away."

Having said this, he took his leave and departed.

Li Xianyun stretched lazily and said, "I’m a bit tired; I’ll go lie down for a while."

She always felt unwell after her monthly period.

She slept so deeply that when Li Xianyun woke up and saw the somewhat dim sky, she actually thought it was morning.

It took her a moment to realize it was afternoon.

Li Xianyun was staring blankly on the bed when the door was gently pushed open, revealing a head.

It was Youlan.

Li Xianyun found it amusing and said, "What are you doing?"

Youlan, seeing Li Xianyun awake, opened the door fully, clearly happy.

As she walked over, she said, "My lady, you must come out and see."

"Has something happened?"

Youlan smiled and said, "You’ll know once you go out and see."

Li Xianyun, puzzled, got up to adjust her clothes and touched up her makeup in front of the bronze mirror before heading outside.

Arriving in the main hall, she was met with an extremely striking scene: over thirty guards, each holding a tray, stood in neat rows in the central hall.

The trays contained items of varying sizes, all covered with red silk embroidered with silver threads.

Zhuo Ma stood to the side, watching her master, her smile so wide she couldn’t close her mouth.

The Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, seeing Li Xianyun’s arrival, hastily knelt to pay his respects, saying, "Greetings to Your Highness."

In fact, they had been waiting for quite some time.

"Rise," said Li Xianyun.

Getting to his feet, the Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs respectfully said, "Your Highness, these are the rewards granted to you by the Khan."

After he finished speaking, he looked towards two Palace Servants.

The two Palace Servants respectfully walked forward and gently lifted the silk cloth.

On the trays were gold and silver jewelry, pearls and agates, as well as expensive rouge, finely made silk brocades, and many other unnamed but evidently very precious items.

When the last tray was uncovered, Li Xianyun was outright astonished.

Neatly arranged within the tray were several layers of gold ingots, and on top of them, a thick stack of silver notes.

Zhuo Ma and Youlan, seeing so many fine things for the first time, covered their mouths, excitedly almost exclaiming aloud.

Looking at the Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Li Xianyun asked, "Did the Khan instruct you to prepare these?"

The Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs respectfully saluted and replied, "Yes."