The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 191 Such a vicious woman (second update)

Chapter 191: 191 Such a vicious woman (second update)

Li Xianyun glanced at Youlan, who immediately took a bundle off her saddle and handed it to Shart.

"I bought a few books when I passed through the West Market. Perhaps they will be of use to you."

Shart opened the bundle to see several volumes of books on national policy and discussion, not easy to come by, and likely very valuable.

There was also a black purse in the bundle, bulging, obviously full of weighty silver without even having to touch it.

Seeing Shart was about to refuse, Li Xianyun preempted him, "Don’t refuse. Consider it a loan from me. You’ll have to pay it back in full in the future."

Suddenly, Shart’s eyes reddened, and his gaunt figure swayed unnaturally.

Since the calamity struck his family when he was ten, no one had ever been so kind to him.

Li Xianyun, who couldn’t stand to see men cry, was quite moved and said, "Studying is hard. You must take good care of yourself, understand?"

Shart nodded at her slightly.

"Go on with your work."

Shart took a deep look at Li Xianyun, placed the bundle in his basket, and, bending over, carried the basket off to the Drying Room.

Li Xianyun watched Shart’s retreating figure, saw him raise his hand to his face, likely wiping away tears.

Li Xianyun felt a complex emotion stirring within her.

Poor Shart, with his relatives cruelly slain, was left to wander this world alone.

...

Yelu Qi had finally escaped from a throng of women, his face frozen in a forced smile, and no sooner had he climbed onto his horseback than he had any inclination to follow Li Xianyun.

He rode back to his palace with his entourage. As soon as he entered his chamber, Yelu Qi ripped off the robe he was wearing and threw it violently to the ground.

"Filthy! Prepare hot water for me; this prince wants to bathe and change clothes!"

A maid obeyed the order, performed a bow, picked up the clothes from the floor, and handed them to the Palace Servants outside.

The Palace Servants took the clothes to the kitchen to be burned.

Everyone who accompanied Yelu Qi knew that he did not like others touching his belongings.

If something of his was touched by someone he disliked, no matter how valuable and fine it was, he would not hesitate to burn or discard it.

A maid handed Yelu Qi a damp cloth to wipe his hands.

The maid inadvertently caught a glimpse of Yelu Qi’s face and started with shock.

Noticing her unusual expression, Yelu Qi asked with a calm voice, "What’s wrong?"

The maid quickly bowed in respect, "Prince... Your face has many red spots; I do not know what it is."

Yelu Qi walked to the bronze mirror in disbelief and after only one glance, he took a big start.

There were many fine, red spots all over his face and neck, like a rash, densely packed together.

Yelu Qi suddenly thought of the moment Li Xianyun flicked her sleeve at him and realized she must have poisoned him then.

"What a vicious woman," Yelu Qi muttered as he looked at his own face.

Yet, his tone was devoid of any sense of anger, instead revealing a hint of indulgence.

When Yelu Qi first returned to Shangjing, Guli had warned him: Despite Li Xianyun’s appearance of frailty and helpless charm, she was adept with poisons, venal and vicious, consuming people without leaving a trace.

At that time, he had regarded it as a joke and did not take it seriously.

Yelu Qi simply said, "Call the Imperial Physician."

The maid hurried to fetch one.

Yelu Qi had thought the rash was nothing but a temporary blemish, nothing painful or serious.

He did not expect what came next; within less than the time taken to burn a stick of incense, his face and neck became so itchy that he could scarcely bear it.

He really wanted to scratch, but his strong willpower stopped him.

He could not bear the thought of his face being covered with pus and scars.

Actually, Yelu Qi was clear in his mind that Li Xianyun was merely trying to intimidate him and would be lenient for Yelu Yan’s sake.

How laughable, he thought, now forced to consider the face of that bastard.

However, Yelu Qi quickly lost the luxury to feel indignant.

His face and neck were unbearably itchy, and he spoke in a particularly impatient tone, "Where is the Imperial Physician? Hasn’t he arrived yet?!"

The attending maids and Palace Servants all replied with sincere trepidation, "Reporting to the Prince, he has not arrived yet."

Yelu Qi, unable to stand the itching, promptly swept a costly blue and white porcelain vase from the table to the ground with great force.

After Yelu Qi had thrown a substantial fit, the Imperial Physician finally arrived, but it was as though he hadn’t come at all, since even he couldn’t determine what poison Yelu Qi had been afflicted with.

But one thing was certain: he mustn’t scratch it, for if he did, the poisonous fluid would spread, and more of his flesh would ulcerate.

On the one hand, Yelu Qi clenched his teeth and forcibly endured, while on the other hand, he searched high and low for renowned doctors to treat him.

He wouldn’t seek out that woman; he didn’t want her to see him in such an embarrassing state, and he also knew it would be futile. That woman harbored hostility toward him; seeking her out would only bring him humiliation.

...

Li Xianyun toiled away until mid-afternoon, and by the time she returned to the palace, the sun was hanging over the treetops, its fierce heat subsided.

As she approached the main building, she could hear a burst of joyful laughter and chatter coming from the side hall.

Aside from Yaduo’s voice, there was also Yelu Xuan’s childlike tone.

Li Xianyun moved briskly toward the side hall.

As soon as the maid went in to announce her, Yelu Xuan ran out, wrapped his arms around Li Xianyun’s waist, and rested his head against her stomach, softly calling out "Godmother" in a way that melted her heart.

Li Xianyun bent down to pick up Yelu Xuan and walked toward the side hall.

"Xuanxuan, how come you’ve come to the palace today?"

The last time she had seen Yelu Xuan was at the dust-washing feast prepared for Yaduo. There were many people then, and they didn’t get a chance to speak.

Yelu Xuan spoke in a babyish voice, "Xuanxuan is here with Mother and Grandmother to deliver an invitation to you."

Li Xianyun looked at him, her eyes and heart filled with nothing but adoration. "Is Xuanxuan celebrating his birthday tomorrow?"

Yelu Xuan nodded shyly, looking irresistibly adorable.

Li Xianyun, holding Yelu Xuan, entered the side hall.

Yaduo was seated on a cushioned couch, with Yuchi Qian and an older woman standing to one side.

The older woman bore a resemblance at the brows and eyes to Yuchi Qian; they must be mother and daughter.

She must be the "Grandmother" Yelu Xuan had mentioned.

Several maids were also in the room to attend to them.

Upon seeing Li Xianyun enter, Yuchi Qian and Ye Qiu performed a curtsey toward her.

"Rise."

Yaduo, seeing Li Xianyun’s fondness for children, felt joyous at heart, and looked forward to the children Li Xianyun might have with Yelu Yan.

Li Xianyun tried to curtsy to Yaduo, but Yaduo stopped her, "There are no outsiders here, no need for formalities. Come, sit down."

Yaduo’s face radiated a loving smile, her affection for Li Xianyun genuine and from the heart.

Li Xianyun, with Xuanxuan in her arms, sat beside Yaduo.

"Grandmother, did you enjoy your time yesterday?"

"Greatly. I had such a good time yesterday that I didn’t come back because it was too late. I didn’t notice anything at the time, but I feel sore all over today. Later on, you will need to give me a few more acupuncture treatments."

"Of course."

Yaduo noticing that Yuchi Qian and Ye Qiu were still standing, said, "Please sit down, don’t keep standing."

The mother and daughter thanked her and took their seats.

Yaduo then turned to Li Xianyun, "You haven’t met Qian’s mother before, have you? She’s also Han Chinese. Back in the day, she completely captivated the Great General, quite comparable to what Ayan is experiencing now."

With this remark, it brought slight embarrassment to both Li Xianyun and Ye Qiu.

The two nodded to acknowledge one another.