The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 167 We are husband and wife, why bother with thanks? (Second update)

Chapter 167: 167 We are husband and wife, why bother with thanks? (Second update)

Li Xianyun’s face flushed as she pursed her lips and looked at the bowls and dishes on the desk.

Yelu Yan, however, watched her unabashedly, placing the teacup before her, "Have some water."

Li Xianyun glanced at him hurriedly, picked up the teacup, and lowered her head to drink.

From the corner of her eye, she could feel Yelu Yan’s intense gaze.

The room was full of people teasing them, and this man was still so blatant; didn’t he feel the slightest bit embarrassed?

Li Xianyun subtly turned her body, exposing half of her back to him.

Yelu Yan couldn’t help but chuckle aloud.

Just then, a maid walked in, knelt down, bowed with arms folded, and announced, "Reporting to the Imperial Noble Consort, the Grand Imperial Consort requests an audience."

"Not seen!"

Yaduo said it decisively, a flash of loathing in her eyes.

The maid came to Guli, bowed and announced, "Reporting to the Grand Imperial Consort, the Imperial Noble Consort has been on the road and is somewhat tired; please come another day to inquire after her health."

These maids were all crafty, knowing how to speak in favor of their own mistress while saving face for the other party.

Of course, Yaduo had no intention of giving Guli face.

Guli watched the brightly lit main building with cold eyes when suddenly, Yaduo’s hearty laughter sounded from within.

This is what she calls being tired?

She clenched her teeth; when the day came for Qiqi to ascend to the Khan’s position, it would mean death for these people.

She scanned the main building with a cold gaze and, along with Rong Ge and the others, swept away.

The people in the room talked until very late; Yaduo had a lot to say.

She was genuinely happy, it was obvious by the way she greatly appreciated Li Xianyun as her granddaughter-in-law.

Yelu Yan spoke more than usual today; he seemed to enjoy teasing his grandmother.

In the meantime, maids like Zhuo Ma made jests and antics, and before anyone noticed, it was 9-11 PM — time to sleep.

Neither Yelu Yan nor Li Xianyun had brought up the matter of resting; after all, it had been quite some time since they last shared a bed.

Both had their thoughts: one in anticipation, the other in awkwardness.

Yaduo yawned, "It’s getting late; you two should rest early."

After Li Xianyun had moved her things, maids had already transferred Yaduo’s belongings inside.

Yaduo stood up, casting a meaning glance at Yelu Yan.

Yelu Yan kept a smile at the corner of his mouth, pretending not to see.

Yaduo cursed inwardly: This cheeky lad had all the nerve; now he’s playing ignorant.

Yelu Yan lowered his eyes to Li Xianyun, "Let’s go."

"Hm."

The two walked side by side toward the main hall, followed by Zhuo Ma and Youlan.

Upon reaching the inner chamber door, they knew to stop with propriety, respectfully guarding outside.

While Yelu Yan was talking with Yaduo in the hall earlier, he hadn’t seen the changes in the inner chamber’s layout.

Now looking around, the changes were not significant, but the room was filled with warmth.

A dressing table now sat by the window, topped with women’s items.

The mosquito net had also been set up, Li Xianyun’s preferred pillow rested on the bed, and beside the bedside desk was a pot of richly blooming flowers, with other desks also adorned with a variety of flowers.

All these changes warmed up his previously cold room.

Yelu Yan saw that next to the desk, the vase contained many white scrolls; without a doubt, these were Li Xianyun’s paintings, "Why not hang them up?"

Li Xianyun took some clothes out of the wardrobe, "I feared you might not like them."

"How could I not like them? This Khan likes all of your things."

Could this be what they call, love me, love my dog?

Li Xianyun’s lips curved slightly, revealing a shallow dimple, "Khan, your concubine will go to bathe."

She bathed every day, otherwise she would feel unbearably itchy all over.

Yaduo had brought back quite a lot of luggage, looking as if she planned to stay long.

Since they were going to live together, it wasn’t a matter of one or two days; they had to accommodate each other’s habits, no need for secrecy.

Yelu Yan gazed at her, his profound tiger eyes clear, without a hint of malice or lewd thoughts, "Alright."

He was very good to her, always careful; she knew that.

Li Xianyun took the clothes and went to bathe.

Yelu Yan did a round inside the inner chamber, each of Li Xianyun’s belongings bringing him pleasure.

He opened the wardrobe and saw the clothes of the two of them placed together, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening.

Yelu Yan was like a greenhorn experiencing the flavors of male and female intimacy for the first time.

He sat at the edge of the bed, gazing at Li Xianyun’s scented pillow.

The red fabric was lined with blue and gold, a design he had seen more than once, but only now did he discover that the blue and gold lines actually formed the pattern of a pair of mandarin ducks.

They accompanied each other on the water, one looking back at its companion, full of tender affection.

The corners of Yelu Yan’s mouth turned up, his heart growing warmer and more comfortable.

However, he soon remembered something and stood up to walk towards the scroll container.

...

When Li Xianyun returned to the inner chamber of the main hall, Yelu Yan was sitting at the desk, reading a book.

Their gazes collided.

Yelu Yan’s deep, tiger-like eyes twinkled as he stared unblinkingly at Li Xianyun.

She seemed like a lotus flower rising out of water, enchanting and graceful, her fair and smooth cheeks flushed with a light rouge from the steam, tender as if they could be pinched to drip water.

Although she wore no make-up, her natural beauty was irrefutable.

The two remained silent, both uncertain of what to say.

Li Xianyun pursed her rosy lips and walked towards the dressing table.

She had dried her hair halfway in the bath, but it was still a bit wet for sleep.

Going to bed with wet hair would lead to a headache.

Li Xianyun sat in front of the dressing table, gathered the tips of her hair, picked up a soft cloth to wrap them, and gently rubbed it.

But her movements soon halted.

Through the copper mirror, Li Xianyun could see a tall and handsome figure approaching behind her.

Yelu Yan took the cloth from her hands and gently wiped her jet-black hair, "Let me do it for you, it will be faster."

"Mm."

Yelu Yan didn’t allow her to keep thanking him, and Li Xianyun took it all to heart.

His hands were rough and large but his movements tender.

This side of Yelu Yan made Li Xianyun feel somewhat unacquainted.

She couldn’t help but raise her eyes to look at Yelu Yan in the mirror.

Their gazes met once again.

Yelu Yan paused for a moment, then lowered his eyelids and continued to dry her hair.

He was deliberately avoiding her gaze.

Li Xianyun, not understanding why, looked at herself and her face flushed instantly.

Her wide-open collar revealed her long, fair, swan-like neck and a large expanse of..., even the distinct curves at her chest were visible.

The damp ends of her hair had wet the pale lotus-colored gauze dress, revealing the color of the undergarment beneath.

The colors of the clothing and skin were distinct and wholly visible.

Li Xianyun hurriedly raised her hand to close her collar and attempted to look calmly at Yelu Yan, only to find the corners of his mouth turned up.

He did not seem to be smiling just now, but now he could not hide his amusement.

Li Xianyun’s brows knitted slightly as she bit her rosy lips with her pearly-white teeth.

Annoyance swelled within her heart.

She had been so careful, intentionally choosing a garment with a smaller collar, yet despite all the care, she had still been negligent.

Drying hair, especially her waist-length tresses, was quite a hassle.

Li Xianyun looked at Yelu Yan in the mirror, "I can dry it myself."

"It’s no trouble."

Li Xianyun had no choice but to let him do as he wished.

...

Finally having dried her hair, Li Xianyun stood up and looked at Yelu Yan, "Thank you, Khan."

After drying for so long, standing had made her tired, and it wouldn’t feel right not to express her thanks.

Yelu Yan watched her with a smile lingering in his eyes, "We are husband and wife, why speak of thanks?"

He had said this not just once or twice before, but the girl just couldn’t remember. He would just have to say it a few more times, and one day she would no longer be so formal.