The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 159 Is he handsome? (Second update)

Chapter 159: 159 Is he handsome? (Second update)

Zhuo Ma was already imagining just how good-looking the children of Khan and the princess would be, even as she spoke.

As Yelu Yan approached Erfang, he could hear the pleasant laughter and chatter coming from the room.

Hearing Li Xianyun’s tender and melodious words, Yelu Yan’s lips curled up fiercely, and his eyes were full of mirth.

He was just about to step in when he heard Zhuo Ma mentioning the future little prince and princess, which abruptly halted his steps.

Yelu Yan listened intently, eager to hear how Li Xianyun would respond.

However, he then heard Li Xianyun cry out "Aiyo", followed by the sound of a knife dropping.

It seemed she had cut her hand.

Yelu Yan’s brows furrowed tightly, and he strode quickly into the room.

There he saw Zhuo Ma and Youlan surrounding Li Xianyun.

"Mistress, are you alright?" Youlan asked with concern.

Without stopping, Yelu Yan walked over and inquired, "What happened?"

His voice was urgent, filled with worry.

Youlan and Zhuo Ma quickly stepped aside, bent their arms in a salute, and said, "Greetings to Khan."

Yelu Yan placed the birdcage casually on the desk.

The motion was a bit brash, causing the two canaries to flap their wings and chirp nonstop.

Li Xianyun’s lips parted slightly to say, "It’s nothing..."

Before she could finish, Yelu Yan had already taken her delicate hand and was examining it carefully.

His rough, broad hand was a stark contrast to Li Xianyun’s pale, small hand.

"Where is the injury?" Yelu Yan asked as he looked over her hand.

He was so close that their heads almost touched.

Li Xianyun wanted to pull her hand back, but Yelu Yan held onto it firmly.

With no other choice, Li Xianyun said, "I’m not injured, I just almost cut myself."

After a thorough inspection and finding no signs of injury, Yelu Yan raised his eyes to her delicate face and said, "Be careful."

Li Xianyun withdrew her hand and placed it behind her back, then turned to the side and said, "Your concubine understands."

Just then, Li Xianyun heard the pleasant chirping of the birds.

She followed the sound and saw, inside the wooden birdcage, two canaries standing on the "swing" inside the cage.

One canary was completely warm yellow, dazzlingly so; the other mostly warm yellow, but with a few grey downy feathers at the tips of its wings.

They blinked their beady black eyes, curiously observing their surroundings.

Li Xianyun, who couldn’t resist anything cute, walked straight to the birdcage.

As the two little birds saw Li Xianyun approaching, they flapped their wings and moved their pale pink beaks, tilting their heads as they sized her up.

Li Xianyun bent over to look at the two canaries, and with a smile, she said, "These two canaries are really adorable."

Standing next to her, Yelu Yan watched her floral smile and said with a laugh, "Do you like them?"

"I do," replied Li Xianyun. "Khan, where did you find these canaries?"

"I bought them from the Flowers, Birds, Insects, and Fish Market specifically for you," said Yelu Yan with a smile.

Li Xianyun straightened up, looked at Yelu Yan, and with a smile said, "Thank you, Khan."

She continued watching the two canaries and added, "I will make them a nest to hang in the cage later."

Yelu Yan laughed, "Do you know how to make a nest?"

Li Xianyun hummed an affirmative "Mhm," without looking at Yelu Yan.

Her eyes were fixed on the two canaries.

Yelu Yan, captivated, watched Li Xianyun for a while, then laughed, "Have you not eaten yet?"

"Mhm."

"Let’s go eat."

Li Xianyun turned her head to look at the half-finished Kongming Lock and said, "But I still have one Kongming Lock left unfinished."

"Finish it after the meal, be obedient," came the reply.

Li Xianyun had no choice but to agree.

The two of them walked shoulder to shoulder out of the Erfang.

Li Xianyun’s body was covered in yellow and white wood shavings, so she went to the side hall to change into a set of clean clothes. By the time she arrived at the main hall, the Chief of the dining room was leading people in setting the meal.

Yelu Yan raised his eyes to look at her, his tiger-like eyes filled with a smile that was somewhat dazzling.

Li Xianyun glanced at Yelu Yan and obediently walked over to sit beside him.

She picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of apricot in honey syrup into the small bowl in front of Yelu Yan, her smile curving upwards as she spoke, "Khan, this is the apricot in honey syrup that I made. Please taste it and see how it is."

Yelu Yan picked it up and chewed thoughtfully, sincerely commenting, "The flavor is very nice."

Most apricots tend to have a somewhat tangy taste, but this apricot in honey syrup had no such harshness—sour and sweet, it was quite delicious.

"If you like it, I will make some peach in honey syrup for you tomorrow and save some," she offered.

"Good, then I will have a treat tomorrow," he responded.

Yelu Yan then started to pick dishes for Li Xianyun.

He noticed that when Li Xianyun ate, she always watched him. So, he took a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth and looked at her with a smile, asking, "What is it? Tell me."

Li Xianyun said, "Khan, I would like to ask for your help with something."

"What do you need help with?" Yelu Yan asked with a smile.

She was usually so independent that it was rare for her to ask for his assistance.

Li Xianyun related Shart’s situation to Yelu Yan.

Yelu Yan stated gravely, "Such a person who disregards human life must be severely punished."

Li Xianyun nodded in agreement.

After drinking a sip of water, Yelu Yan said, "Tell me, what should I do?"

"Shart has a knot in his heart, and he has to untie it himself, otherwise he’ll never be able to move on," Li Xianyun explained. "I’d like you to dispatch someone to wait for him at the entrance of the Official Government building, to listen to his grievances, and to seek justice for him."

"You mean to let him seek revenge for his parents through his own efforts?" Yelu Yan remarked.

Li Xianyun didn’t expect Yelu Yan to see through her intentions instantly, but she continued, "It is said that ’he who tied the bell must untie it.’ His heartache lies in not being able to take personal revenge for his parents. Only if he personally avenges them will he be able to step out of his suffering."

"Alright, I will send Shulu Xi to the Official Government tomorrow to settle this matter," he conceded.

"Thank you, Khan," said Li Xianyun. "Shulu Xi? Is he the handsome official?"

Li Xianyun had seen Yelu Yan standing with a young official when she was in Xiao Dilu’s palace, and she remembered the man seemed to be called Shulu Xi.

Yelu Yan’s expression became measured and he asked somewhat stiffly, "Is he handsome?"

Li Xianyun was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "He is handsome, but not as much as you, Khan."

Upon hearing this, a faint hint of red emerged on Yelu Yan’s dark cheeks.

Li Xianyun was surprised to see this reaction: Yelu Yan was actually blushing?

After they finished eating, Li Xianyun stood up and said, "Khan, I shall take my leave first."

So soon?

Yelu Yan stood up as well, asking, "To work on the Kongming Lock?"

Li Xianyun nodded. She planned to go to the Erfang to make the Kongming Lock and additionally, to construct a bird nest.

"There’s still some time before bed, I’ll join you," he suggested.

Li Xianyun wanted to object, but Yelu Yan was already headed in the direction of the Erfang.

Li Xianyun could only follow him.

She worked on woodworking in the Erfang, while Yelu Yan sat nearby in a Taishi Chair, reading through reports.

The Kongming Lock was quickly finished.

Li Xianyun placed the nine uniquely shaped Kongming Locks into a beautifully crafted small wooden box, planning to give it to Yelu Xuan on his birthday.

After packing the Kongming Locks, Li Xianyun began drawing the blueprint for the bird nest on paper.