The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 139 The man is actually somewhat pitiable (second update)

Chapter 139: 139 The man is actually somewhat pitiable (second update)

Li Xianyun raised her eyes to gaze into Yelu Yan’s deep, tiger-like pupils.

Yelu Yan cared about her so much, always thinking of ways to coax her.

And with his official duties being so busy, she shouldn’t be capricious, she shouldn’t let her own thoughts affect him.

Maintaining a distance from him couldn’t be too deliberate, it had to be done gradually.

"I’m not upset, just a little hungry," Li Xianyun made up an excuse on the spot.

Yelu Yan looked at her and laughed softly, saying, "You’re in your own palace and you still manage to go hungry, won’t people laugh if word gets out?"

Li Xianyun pressed her lips together in a smile.

Seeing a smile finally on Li Xianyun’s face, Yelu Yan sat up straight and called out to the outside, "Someone come in."

Zhuo Ma and Youlan quickly walked in from outside the door, bowing respectfully to the two with bent arms.

Yelu Yan said calmly, "Serve the meal."

The two maids bowed and replied, "Yes."

Just then, a bright white lightning bolt streaked across the sky, followed by the rumble of thunder, and the rain poured down even harder.

Li Xianyun looked at Yelu Yan and said, "Khan, I would like to watch the rain."

"Alright."

Yelu Yan stood up as he spoke, stood aside, and waited for Li Xianyun.

Li Xianyun stood up and walked to the corridor to watch the rain outside.

Heaven and Earth were densely connected by the rainwater, and the tranquil sound of rain filled the air, with the cool breeze blowing straight towards one’s face.

The puddles of water outside the door bubbled up as the raindrops hit them, one bursting and another rising in its place.

Not far away, the deep green leaves of the parasol trees and mimosa trees swayed in the wind and rain, with an occasional red mimosa flower falling down, sticking to the wet ground, soon to be crushed by the rain.

At that moment, another roll of thunder rumbled by, followed by an even greater and denser downpour.

A cloak gently fell on Li Xianyun’s shoulders, enveloping her snugly.

Following those handsome, slender hands upward, she saw a pair of deep, tiger-like eyes.

Yelu Yan looked at her with a smile, saying, "Be careful not to catch a cold."

"Thank you, Khan."

Li Xianyun continued to gaze out at the rain curtain while speaking.

The maids quickly set up the meal, and Youlan invited Li Xianyun and Yelu Yan to eat.

Li Xianyun wasn’t very hungry, but she was feeling rather sleepy.

Due to the rain, the sky had darkened early, and accompanied by the serene sound of rain, she longed to doze off.

Yelu Yan saw that Li Xianyun’s eyes, normally double-lidded, had become triple-lidded from sleepiness, making her eyes appear larger and more spirited.

Yelu Yan, looking at her adorable appearance, smiled and asked, "Feeling sleepy?"

"Hmm, a little."

Li Xianyun said as she raised her hand to rub her eyes, an endearingly cute gesture.

Yelu Yan smiled and said, "Don’t force yourself to stay awake, go to sleep."

Li Xianyun lowered her small hand and said, "Then I shall take my leave first."

"I will escort you there," Yelu Yan offered as he stood up.

"No..." Li Xianyun’s words of refusal hadn’t yet left her mouth when Yelu Yan already stood up and began walking outside.

Li Xianyun had no choice but to follow.

They traveled down the long corridor and passed through two archways, finally arriving at the side hall where Li Xianyun resided.

Standing at the entrance to the inner chamber, Li Xianyun looked up at Yelu Yan and said, "Khan, I am going to retire now."

"Alright," Yelu Yan said, "the wind is strong and the rain is heavy tonight, remember to cover yourself well with the blanket, don’t catch a cold."

Li Xianyun nodded slightly and replied, "Khan, you also make sure to cover yourself well with the blanket, don’t catch a cold."

"Hmm," Yelu Yan placed a hand behind his back and lifted his greenish chin with a nod. "Go ahead."

"Hmm."

After watching Li Xianyun enter, Yelu Yan stood for a moment before heading toward his own main hall.

Li Xianyun returned to the inner room, intending to rest, but she simply couldn’t fall asleep without a bath, so she had hot water prepared. After bathing, she finally climbed into bed to sleep.

Because of the sound of the rain outside, Li Xianyun slept soundly through the night, and when she woke, it was already bright daylight.

The sweet chirping of the birds outside the window and the warm rays of light made it hard to keep one’s eyes open.

Li Xianyun put on her shoes and, accompanied by Zhuo Ma and Youlan, she washed up, changed clothes, and had a light meal.

Li Xianyun, along with Zhuo Ma and Youlan, rode in a carriage driven by Bater, leaving the Imperial Palace behind them.

She had agreed with Yelu Yan the day before that she would leave the palace today.

This time, Yelu Yan only asked her to be safe, without attempting to dissuade her further.

Li Xianyun and her entourage did not head for the Ice Porridge Shop but went directly to Shitoutun Village.

Upon approaching the entrance to the village, a sharp-eyed child recognized Bater and called out, "Quick, come look, the great benefactor has arrived, the great benefactor has arrived!!"

More children gathered, running around the carriage; adults emerged from their houses, standing at their doorways with smiles too wide to close.

An old man chuckled, "The village chief wasn’t wrong; the great benefactor didn’t abandon us."

"We’re finally saved," another remarked.

"I knew it," someone else chimed in. "The great benefactor has such a kind face; she doesn’t seem like someone who would speak grandly just to deceive us."

...

Li Xianyun lifted the carriage curtain and looked at an elder resting against the wall, saying, "Old uncle, do you know where the village chief is?"

The old man got up enthusiastically, came over, and replied, "I just saw him heading toward the Drying Room."

Li Xianyun said, "Thank you, old uncle."

Li Xianyun and her company went straight to where the Drying Room was located and indeed saw Habu walking around inside the Drying Room with two other people.

Hearing the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels, Habu and the two others turned around.

Habu immediately recognized Li Xianyun’s carriage and hurried over with a smile, saying as he approached the small head poking out from the carriage window, "Young master, you’ve finally come."

A companion joined in, "We’ve all been looking forward to your arrival."

Li Xianyun replied with a smile, "There were matters at home that held me up, but I came as soon as I was free."

Bater reined in the carriage, and after it came to a halt, he jumped down, took a footstool from the back of the carriage, and placed it beside the carriage door.

Li Xianyun stepped down the carriage stepping on the footstool and said to Habu, "Old uncle, take me to see how the Drying Rooms have been constructed."

"Right this way, young master," Habu replied.

Li Xianyun inspected each Drying Room. They were built exactly as she had drawn and even exceeded her expectations.

As she looked around, she nodded approvingly, saying, "Good. Now we can start purchasing the grapes."

Habu had been eagerly awaiting these words and laughed, "Great!"

Li Xianyun looked at Habu and said, "Bater should have told you already, right?"

Habu nodded and replied, "He did, purchasing grapes at three coins per jin."

"Then let’s get started," Li Xianyun said.

Habu looked gleefully at the man accompanying him.

That man laughed and went to summon others.

Soon enough, he called over a dozen strong men.

These men arranged the tables, chairs, and benches stored in the Drying Room in a shaded area.

This was done according to Li Xianyun’s instructions; setting up the fruit purchasing area near the Drying Rooms to save on the labor of transporting the grapes, which could save a considerable amount of money.

Moreover, villagers would be bringing fruit that had not yet been sold, surely taking great care during transport, thus avoiding damage from bumps and knocks.