The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 174 Coming to this world once, always has to leave something behind (First update)

Chapter 174: 174 Coming to this world once, always has to leave something behind (First update)

Xiao Dilu nodded and looked at Yaduo.

"Before, Khan had never exhibited such abnormal behavior. However, ever since the Princess arrived, he often zones out and even warned me not to touch her, saying she is his woman."

Yaduo’s frown smoothed out; she had thought it was something serious. As a man, what’s wrong with protecting his own woman?

Considering that Yelu Yan was as stoic as stone when it came to emotions, the fact that he could say such words astonished Yaduo, and she almost wanted to applaud him.

Xiao Dilu, not noticing Yaduo’s reaction, kept talking incessantly.

"Imperial Noble Consort, that Han Ethnic Group woman may appear gentle and virtuous, but she’s full of schemes and clearly a spy sent by Houtang to bewitch Khan. We must be wary."

Yaduo picked up her teacup and took a sip, "Since the Princess came to Khitan, has she done anything detrimental to Khitan?"

Xiao Dilu fell silent.

Yaduo, setting down her teacup, looked at Xiao Dilu, "Your concern is merely her Han identity. But have you ever considered that women in intercultural marriages are forced into it? Would anyone willingly leave their homeland? The Princess is also a pitiable person."

Xiao Dilu had assumed that Yaduo would meddle in Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun’s affairs for the sake of the nation, but unexpectedly, she spoke in favor of that Han woman at every turn.

The Imperial Noble Consort had only been back in Shangjing for two days and had already been beguiled by that Han woman.

"Imperial Noble Consort, all of Khan’s abnormal behaviors..."

Yaduo interrupted, "Minister Xiao, do you want to see Ayan lonely for life?"

Her question left Xiao Dilu speechless.

Yelu Yan had only ever been focused on his ambitions, with no interest in women.

Xiao Dilu had also worried about this before, fearing that Yelu Yan would have no heir, and the empire he had conquered would fall into others’ hands.

He had advised against it, but Yelu Yan wouldn’t listen.

Seeing that her words had an effect, Yaduo continued to stir emotions.

"Why do you think I was so eager to arrange Ayan’s marriage?"

Xiao Dilu remained silent.

With a sorrowful expression, Yaduo sighed softly.

"Ayan has had such a difficult life. He was sent into battlefields by those people at the age of ten. They never meant for Ayan to survive. He fought bravely in countless battles, narrowly escaping death many times, and although he earned great military achievements, his success made him a target of jealousy. He faced numerous frame-ups and survived various despicable assassination attempts. His body is riddled with scars, which are shocking to see."

Choked up with sadness, Yaduo’s voice turned hoarse. She paused before she could continue, "The gravest injury had Ayan unconscious for three days and nights, his body weakening day by day. Such a strong man, yet he became as feeble as a withered leaf. A house full of Imperial Physicians could do nothing; even the coffin had been prepared."

As Yaduo reached this point, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer, her eyes reddening as she took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Dilu’s brow furrowed with grief.

Yaduo sniffled, restraining her emotions.

"Fortunately, Ayan is tenacious and, barely hanging on to his last breath, woke up. He didn’t let those villains succeed, and he struck back fiercely, making them pay the price. Seeing Ayan awake, with a pallid face lying on the bed, I decided that we needed to arrange his marriage quickly so that he could take a wife and have children. He shouldn’t go through life without leaving anything behind in this world."

At least Yelu Yan should leave behind a child to continue his legacy, so that his time in this world wouldn’t be traceless.

A murky tear rolled down Yaduo’s face, which she quickly wiped away with her handkerchief.

Touching on the sentiment, Xiao Dilu consoled, "Imperial Noble Consort, do not be sad, it’s all in the past."

Yaduo sighed lightly, "Is it really all in the past? Have the attempts on Ayan’s life ever decreased? Have the people wishing Ayan dead ever lessened? Who can predict what will happen in the future?"

"..."

"It’s obvious that Ayan truly likes the Princess. Just let him be. Do you really want to see Ayan live his life like a cold stone, devoid of warmth, engaged only in relentless power struggles and battles? His life would be too bitter."

Yaduo spoke, but couldn’t stop her tears from flowing again.

"The palace is aware of your sincere feelings for Ayan. If this weren’t the case, you wouldn’t have taken such precautionary measures to prevent potential problems. Your deep loyalty and intense emotions for Ayan are not unknown to the palace. However, your suspicions about the princess consort are, after all, merely conjectures without any concrete evidence."

She paused, "Rest assured, if the princess consort were to do anything detrimental to Ayan, you wouldn’t need to say a word; I would be the first to deal with her. Ayan is my own grandson; how could I not wish for his well-being? Let’s observe quietly and not meddle in the children’s affairs for now, shall we?"

Seeing Yaduo in tears, speaking with such reason, Xiao Dilu could only agree.

"This official obeys the command."

Yaduo continued to earnestly advise, "Minister Xiao, you are Ayan’s pillar of support. Should you become estranged from him over this matter, it will only cause pain to those who love him and pleasure to those who wish him ill."

"This official understands."

That was precisely why he had defended Li Xianyun when Ji Xueyuan spoke ill of her.

The woman whom Yelu Yan protected was also one he had to support in public.

After a few more exchanges of pleasantries, Xiao Dilu took his leave.

Yaduo’s personal maid approached, handing her a warm, damp white handkerchief to wipe her face, "My lady, are you alright?"

The aged personal maid, seeing Yaduo distressed and in tears, couldn’t help but worry.

Yaduo took the handkerchief and gently wiped her face, "It’s nothing. That old fool simply had to bring up my sorrows, utterly detestable."

Xiao Dilu was stubborn; if she hadn’t become tearful today, she wouldn’t have been able to sway him with tales of the past.

Yaduo handed the handkerchief back to the maid and looked outside; the mimosa flowers in front of the main tower were blooming beautifully.

After today’s conversation, Xiao Dilu should no longer cause trouble for the two youngsters.

She could rest easy now.

...

Li Xianyun had just left the palace gates when a graceful figure on horseback suddenly cut diagonally across their path, blocking their way.

Bater and Zhuo Ma, thinking it was an assassin, quickly spurred their horses forward to protect Li Xianyun.

Li Xianyun reined in her horse, focusing her gaze, it was the Commandery Princess of the South—Ji Chuchu.

Having not seen her in many days, she had grown considerably thinner, her chin sharpened, yet her valiant spirit was not diminished.

Ji Chuchu dismounted and bowed to Li Xianyun, "Princess consort, may I have a word?"

Li Xianyun regarded Ji Chuchu indifferently; previously headstrong, she always referred to herself as Princess Hehui. This was the first time she called her princess consort.

It seemed Ji Chuchu had come to plead on behalf of her brother.

Li Xianyun instructed Zhuo Ma and Bater to inform her immediately if they learned of any news.

The power struggles in the palace and court were perilous; one wrong move could result in total loss.

To stand firm in the harem, one had to be observant and well-informed, avoiding being blinded and used by others, to anticipate and take precautions against being outmaneuvered.

Li Xianyun could have walked past Ji Chuchu without further acknowledgment.

But if she could confront her today, there might be a second or third time, so it was necessary to face the issue head-on; avoiding it wouldn’t solve anything.

She turned to Zhuo Ma and her group, "You wait here for me."

"Yes."