The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 177 Khan wants to see you, wants to be with you (second update)

Chapter 177: 177 Khan wants to see you, wants to be with you (second update)

Yelu Yan took his seat, and only then did the rest of the women dare to sit down.

He casually draped his arm over the back of Li Xianyun’s chair and leaned in close, his breath warm on her face as he whispered, "Are you tired?"

He was so close, with so many people around, yet he didn’t seem to care.

Li Xianyun’s slender and attractive back stiffened, her ear tips tinged pink, and she bowed her head, whispering softly, "There are people here."

With others present, one must be mindful of propriety.

The corners of Yelu Yan’s mouth curved upward as he gazed affectionately at Li Xianyun’s lovely profile, sitting up straight. He tapped the back of the chair leisurely with his fingers but did not pull his hand away.

His figure was tall and majestic, with strong, lean arms, and in this posture, it seemed as if he enveloped the delicate and exquisite Li Xianyun in his embrace.

After Yelu Yan arrived, the previously joyful atmosphere of the room changed instantly; no one dared to speak freely anymore.

Everyone sat with their eyes cast downward, looking somewhat restless and uneasy.

Yelu Yan exchanged a few words with Yaduo, and, noticing that Li Xianyun had finished writing the prescription, said, "Grandmother, I have some matters to attend to and must take my leave."

"Alright, go ahead."

His presence had made the women so tense that no one dared to utter another word. It would be more comfortable for everyone once he left.

Yelu Yan looked at Li Xianyun tenderly and offered his rough, large hand, "Xianxian, come with me."

To her surprise, happiness came so suddenly. At last, she could escape the circle of flattery, no longer having to maintain a smiling face at all times.

Li Xianyun placed her small hand neatly into Yelu Yan’s warm and broad palm and looked at Yaduo, "Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law..."

Yaduo’s smile was full of joy, "Good child, go on."

Yelu Yan led Li Xianyun outside.

A woman whispered softly, "The Khan and the Princess Consort really do have a wonderful relationship."

Yaduo said loudly, "Isn’t that the truth? They’re like two peas in a pod. The moment Ayan returns, he flocks to Xianxian, treasures her like the apple of his eye."

Upon hearing this, Li Xianyun’s face turned red in an instant, her cheeks burning hot, and she thought to herself, Grandmother, you’re exaggerating a bit too much.

She glanced up at the man beside her.

Yelu Yan was gazing at her affectionately and, noticing her turn towards him, instinctively gave her small hand a tight squeeze.

Li Xianyun shifted her gaze away, her palms now sweaty.

The voices from behind continued incessantly.

A woman chimed in, "It looks like the Khan and Princess Consort’s auspicious event is not far off."

Another woman agreed, "Duoduo, you won’t have to worry anymore. With the Khan and Princess Consort being so loving, you can count on having one child in the first year and another in the second. Just wait and be happy."

Duoduo was Yaduo’s intimate name.

Yaduo’s laughter, full of happiness and pleasure, could be heard, "Then won’t I be laughing every day so much that I can’t close my mouth?"

All these voices drilled into Li Xianyun’s ears, making her feel so embarrassed that she quickened her pace.

Initially, it was Yelu Yan leading her along, but now she was the one pulling him forward.

They finally exited the side hall’s door, and the sound of conversation grew much quieter.

Li Xianyun withdrew her small hand from Yelu Yan’s large one.

Yelu Yan rolled the now empty palm of his hand, the fleeting touch of her tender softness leaving him with a sense of loss.

Li Xianyun lifted her pale little hand and rubbed her large, palm-sized face.

She looked so endearingly cute.

The corners of Yelu Yan’s mouth curved upward, and his eyes, warm with affection, watched her, "Feeling shy?"

"Hm."

Yelu Yan seemingly offhandedly remarked, "They didn’t say anything wrong, though."

Li Xianyun suddenly turned to look at him, her heart pounding.

What didn’t they say wrong?

Did they not err in saying Yelu Yan cherished her as one might cherish the apple of their eye?

Wasn’t it said that one would hold two in one year and three in two years?

Li Xianyun gently bit her rosy lips, not pursuing the underlying meaning of his words, and continued to rub her own soft, puffy cheeks.

"Is your face stuck in a smile?"

Li Xianyun, rubbing her cheeks, looked at him in surprise, "How did you know?"

Yelu Yan raised his hand and rubbed the top of her head, "Not only did I know, but I also hurried back to save you."

Li Xianyun stood there stunned. Yelu Yan was always serious, restrained, and had always treated her with respect. Playful and warm words like just now were rare, and he had never rubbed the top of her head before.

What was up with him today?

Seeing the little woman beside him stop, Yelu Yan halted as well, his eyes, black as ink, fixed on her, "What’s wrong?"

Li Xianyun pursed her rosy lips, "It’s nothing."

The two continued to walk side by side toward the main hall.

Yelu Yan turned his head to look at Li Xianyun. She was gently pressing her fingertips to the corners of her mouth to relieve the stiffness of her cheeks from smiling.

The setting sun’s afterglow fell on her smooth skin, making it look even more tender.

"These past few days, there must have been quite a few visits to greet your grandmother’s old friends. I’ll find a time to speak with grandmother so she can handle them by herself without dragging you to accompany her."

Li Xianyun put her small hand down and looked up at the tall, robust man beside her, "Let’s not. When I went to see grandmother just now, she was very happy. If you said that, it would dampen her spirits."

Every old person likes to show off their treasures and loves to be praised by others.

Just like how old people who return to their hometowns always love to walk around the village with their grandsons and granddaughters, hoping for others to lavish praise on them.

Yaduo probably had the same thought, wishing for people to praise her granddaughter-in-law.

Yelu Yan looked at Li Xianyun, his tiger-like eyes slightly stirred.

She was always so understanding and considerate of others, which inevitably made him feel heartache.

"I don’t want to wrong you."

Li Xianyun’s mouth curved upward, revealing sweet dimples, "It’s not a burden."

"Are you going out of the palace tomorrow?"

Li Xianyun nodded, "I rented a shop in the West Market and I want to teach the kitchen maids how to make ice porridge, preserved fruit, and pastries tomorrow."

Yelu Yan’s gaze clung to Li Xianyun, like a true love-struck fool, "After you return to the palace tomorrow, you can come to the Hall of Diligent Governance to find me. That way, you can avoid those women."

"Still, let’s not. It wouldn’t be good if grandmother found out."

"What’s not good about it? Grandmother would be overjoyed to see us sticking together."

Such words were somewhat embarrassing to hear.

"But what if those ministers see?"

Those ministers all disliked her, just like Xiao Dilu. If they found out she went to the Hall of Diligent Governance, they would again accuse her of being a femme fatale and a calamity to the nation and the people; this would just bring trouble for Yelu Yan.

Yelu Yan’s tone was somewhat cold, "If they see, then they see. Where my woman, Yelu Yan’s woman, wishes to go, she goes."

Li Xianyun’s eyes widened as she looked at him.

Fearing that his stern appearance might scare her, Yelu Yan softened his voice.

"No one will see. You come through the back door, someone will lead you inside, and you can stay in the inner room or the study for a while. It’s quieter there, and no one will disturb you."

Yelu Yan looked at Li Xianyun, his gaze intense, and carefully said, "Moreover, I want to see you, I want to be with you."

Li Xianyun looked at Yelu Yan with wide eyes. How had this serious man suddenly become so flirtatious?

The changes in Yelu Yan began after retiring from court.

After the ministers dispersed, Shulu Xi remained, "Khan."

Yelu Yan was dealing with official business, his head not raised, "What is it?"

Shulu Xi smiled, "It’s not that I have an affair, it’s that you, Khan, have an affair."

Only then did Yelu Yan raise his head, "Where do you start with that?"