The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 207 Xianxian, come (second watch)

Chapter 207: 207 Xianxian, come (second watch)

Li Xianyun had just finished arranging the musicians and was coming out of the Music Bureau when she saw Jinwu leading a group of people heading towards her.

Jinwu hurriedly glanced at Youlan and came to Li Xianyun with a bow, "Reporting to the Princess Consort, the Sixth Prince and Princess Consort of the Sixth Prince have come to the palace to pay respects to the old Khan. Khan has asked for you to return."

Li Xianyun uttered a sound of acknowledgment and then they all made their way towards the Khan Palace.

Li Xianyun had earlier heard from Yelu Yan that the Sixth Prince Yelu Yu would return to the capital during the August festival, so it wasn’t a surprise to her.

Upon her return to the Khan Palace, and as she approached the main building, Li Xianyun heard laughter coming from the side hall.

Xuanxuan’s crisp and tender voice was particularly clear, revealing his utmost happiness at the moment.

Indeed, how could he not be happy with his long-awaited father’s return?

The maid outside the side hall bowed, "Greetings, Princess Consort."

The people inside the side hall heard the sound and ceased their conversation.

Yelu Yan looked towards the door with a smile.

Upon the announcement, Yelu Xuan hurriedly slid off Yelu Yu’s legs, panicked and unstoppable, as if seduced by a spell.

"Godmother,"

He spoke as he went out to greet her.

Yaduo laughed, "Xuanxuan knows how to be affectionate with his godmother best."

Yuchi Qian, unusually talkative, added, "Indeed, as soon as he heard we were coming to the Khan Palace to pay respects, he was so anxious at home, jumping up and down as if he had wings on his feet."

Soon enough, Yelu Xuan entered with Li Xianyun’s hand in his.

Yelu Yu and Yuchi Qian stood up, as did Yuchi Qian’s brother, Yuchi Hong.

They came for two reasons: one was to pay respects to the old Khan, and the other was to express their gratitude to Li Xianyun for saving Yelu Xuan’s life.

As a border guard, Yuchi Hong rarely returned, and he had entered the palace today to report on the border situation to the Khan. When he learned that the old Khan had returned, he accompanied the Khan to visit.

They had all grown up under Yaduo’s care, so they held deep feelings for her.

After Li Xianyun entered, Yelu Yu, Yuchi Qian, and Yuchi Hong bowed, "Greetings, Princess Consort."

"Rise," said Li Xianyun with a smile.

Yelu Yu was like the gentleman his name suggested, with an air of gentle warmth.

Li Xianyun looked towards the other man and couldn’t help but be stunned.

Yuchi Hong was also staring at her, clearly recognizing her.

His lips moved as if he wanted to speak but he ultimately held back.

Yelu Yan noticed Li Xianyun’s reaction and his profound eyes shifted between Yuchi Hong and Li Xianyun, his expression growing colder and his eyes darkening.

"What’s the matter, Xianxuan?"

Regaining her composure from surprise, Li Xianyun replied, "It’s nothing."

Yelu Xuan, not letting go of Li Xianyun’s hand, pointed at Yelu Yu with some urgency, "Godmother, this is my father."

"Mhm."

Yelu Yu bowed again to Li Xianyun, "Thank you, Princess Consort, for saving Xuanxuan’s life."

"I merely happened to be there at the right time, there’s no need for such formalities."

Yelu Xuan, still holding Li Xianyun’s hand, pointed at Yuchi Hong, "Godmother, this is my uncle, the Great General, undefeated in battle and with formidable martial skills."

Yuchi Hong took the opportunity to give Li Xianyun a bow, expressing his gratitude.

Li Xianyun nodded slightly to Yuchi Hong in return.

Yelu Yan and Yaduo sat on the couch, while the others sat on chairs, according to their social ranks.

"Xianxuan, come here," Yelu Yan beckoned.

Li Xianyun took Yelu Xuan over and settled beside Yelu Yan, holding Yelu Xuan in her arms.

Concerned that Li Xianyun might be tired, Yelu Yan reached out to take Yelu Xuan, "Come here, to your godfather."

Yelu Xuan slipped off Li Xianyun’s legs in a flash and threw himself into Yelu Yu’s arms, "Father."

Yelu Yu hugged Yelu Xuan and said with a laugh, "When Xuanxuan was little, he was particularly afraid of the Khan, and now he is still just as scared."

The others laughed upon hearing this.

From the corner of her eye, Li Xianyun felt Yelu Yan’s gaze; turning her head, indeed, she saw Yelu Yan watching her with a constant, amused smile.

Li Xianyun pressed her lips together and exchanged a smile with him, indescribably tender and affectionate.

Yelu Yan naturally reached for Li Xianyun’s hand but was eluded by her as if she were a slippery eel.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, Li Xianyun gave him a sideways glance as if to say, "Be more reserved in public."

Yaduo, seeing the three children who had grown up together, felt happy inside and began to talk more, recounting each one’s embarrassing stories.

To Li Xianyun, it seemed that Yelu Yan had always been mature and composed since childhood, Yelu Yu was the tastefully understated type, while Yuchi Hong was just like his name, high-profile and flamboyant, with a very strong competitive spirit.

Because the topic was light, there was always laughter and cheerful voices coming from the side hall.

Yelu Yan did not laugh much, but the upwards curve of his mouth showed that he was in a very good mood.

Unwittingly, it had reached evening, and Yelu Yu planned to take his wife and child and leave, Yuchi Hong also had no reason to stay any longer.

Yaduo wanted to keep them for a meal in the palace, but they excused themselves, saying they had matters to attend to at home.

Yaduo didn’t press any further.

Li Xianyun had someone pack candied fruits and pastries to give to Yelu Xuan and also got him a Lotus Lantern and a Kongming Lantern.

Yelu Xuan had seen the Lotus Lantern before, but he had never even seen a Kongming Lantern and was extremely curious.

Li Xianyun said with a smile, "Godmother will release a Kongming Lantern with you."

"That would be great!" Yelu Xuan was so excited he nearly jumped up.

Li Xianyun asked Yelu Xuan to write his wish on the Kongming Lantern.

After Yelu Xuan finished writing, he insisted that Li Xianyun write something too.

Li Xianyun simply drew a little rabbit, and with just a few strokes, the image of the little rabbit appeared.

It was utterly adorable.

After the writing was done, everyone came to the open space in front of the main building.

Li Xianyun had Yelu Xuan hold up the Kongming Lantern, while she took a fire starter to light the wax-soaked cloth.

The dim lantern light made her features even more exquisite. She wore a smile on her face, revealing sweet and charming dimples.

After lighting the cloth, Li Xianyun stood up and each held two sides of the Kongming Lantern, waiting for the hot air to fill the cylindrical shape made of waxed paper, which was wide at the top and narrow at the bottom.

Li Xianyun, gauging that the time was about right, said to Yelu Xuan, "Xuanxuan, you can let go now."

Yelu Xuan nodded earnestly and eagerly with a firm "Mhm."

His lovely demeanor almost melted Li Xianyun’s heart.

The two of them released their grip almost simultaneously, and the bright Kongming Lantern first wobbled, then steadily rose up.

Yelu Xuan was so delighted that he hopped and jumped around.

Li Xianyun looked at Yelu Xuan with indulgence and laughed, "Watch your step, don’t fall over."

Yelu Yan watched Li Xianyun intently, as if envisioning how she would look as a mother someday.

His rough hand touched Li Xianyun’s slender and tender waist, pulling her entire body into his embrace.

Li Xianyun turned her head towards him, "Look, it’s flying high."

Yelu Yan hummed in acknowledgment, his thoughts not on the Kongming Lantern, but on his woman.

Li Xianyun looked up at the Kongming Lantern flying higher and higher, becoming smaller with the wind, adding a star of goose-yellow warm light to the dark blue sky.

Yelu Xuan, not knowing when, had already climbed onto Yelu Yu’s neck and said with longing, "Releasing Kongming Lanterns is really fun."

Li Xianyun then had Youlan hand another Kongming Lantern to Yelu Xuan, "Xuanxuan, when you release a Kongming Lantern, you must choose an open area. Otherwise, if the lantern falls, it can easily catch fire."

Yelu Xuan took the Kongming Lantern and nodded vigorously, saying, "Please be assured, Godmother, Xuanxuan will remember."