The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 228: Fortunes never come in pairs but misfortunes never come singly (first update)

Chapter 228: Fortunes never come in pairs but misfortunes never come singly (first update)

Li Xianyun took the child’s hand, felt his pulse, and said to the woman, "Don’t worry, go home and make him some malt sugar mixed with clear water, and let him drink it. He’s still too small to drink too much water, so just a small amount each day will do. Moreover, you should let him get more sunlight and make sure he eats well each time; don’t let him go hungry."

The woman’s lips moved slightly as if she had an unspeakable secret but eventually said, "Okay."

Seeing this, Li Xianyun wanted to say something when she noticed the Diviner hurriedly packing his things, preparing to flee.

"Bater, take him a bit further away, don’t let him escape; I have something to talk to him about in a moment."

Upon hearing this, the Diviner anxiously said, "Young master, I already know my mistake, please spare me this time, I won’t dare to cheat and deceive again."

Without needing Li Xianyun to speak, Bater pulled the man aside; with a glance, the Diviner closed his mouth.

When they were far enough away that they couldn’t hear the conversation here, Li Xianyun looked at the woman and said in a low, caring voice, "You need to eat well so that your milk is healthy."

The woman didn’t expect Li Xianyun to guess her thoughts so quickly.

Li Xianyun turned to Youlan and said softly, "Get those ten taels of silver, wrap them in a bundle, try to be discreet about it."

Tianshui County is located in the vast Gobi desert, with no village ahead and no shop behind; truly an isolated city, calling it a remote and poor place would not be an exaggeration.

There are many poor people here, and it’s said that hard lands produce crafty people. If they knew that such a frail woman had so much silver, they would undoubtedly be targeted, and it would not only fail to help her but could also bring her endless trouble.

Upon hearing this, the woman hurriedly said, "No need, you’ve treated my child, and I am already very grateful."

Li Xianyun looked at her and said, "Consider it a loan from me, you can pay me back when you have the money."

The woman still repeatedly declined.

Li Xianyun took the bundle from Youlan and handed it to the woman, "Don’t just think of yourself, think of the child too. He’s sick and needs to eat well."

The woman’s eyes turned red, and she was about to kneel to Li Xianyun right there and then.

Li Xianyun quickly held her arm, "Don’t do this, it’s not good if others see."

The woman had no choice but to give up and said to Li Xianyun, "I will definitely repay your great kindness."

Li Xianyun gently said, "Take good care of the child."

She paused, then looked at the woman and asked, "What did you promise the Diviner to get him to do the ritual for you?"

The woman’s face turned red in an instant.

Li Xianyun already understood, "Where is your husband?"

"He was taken by the horse bandits; whether he’s dead or alive, I still don’t know."

The woman said, shedding tears.

"When did this happen?"

"About a month ago. He and my brother went to herd the animals, and they encountered the horse bandits. They took all the livestock, along with my husband and brother," the woman said as she wiped her tears.

It’s often said that misfortunes never come singly; her relatives had been kidnapped and on top of that, her child fell sick. She wouldn’t have taken this path if it weren’t for the sake of saving her child.

"Didn’t you report this to the authorities?"

The woman said woefully, "I reported to the officials the day I heard about it, but this is a lawless area, a vast Gobi desert where those horse bandits appear and vanish like ghosts. There’s simply no way to pursue them. Moreover, even if they are found, that gang is numerous and powerful, and each one of them is fierce with high martial skills. These soldiers are no match for them, so they choose to turn a blind eye."

Li Xianyun loved to read, especially travel diaries, which often contain simple records of the customs and culture of border regions; she knew a bit about this.

He was well aware of the ruthlessness of the bandits and their disregard for human life. At the time, he felt indignant at the Imperial Court’s inaction, and now, hearing it firsthand, it truly was a shocking sight.

"You tell me your husband and brother’s names, and I can entrust someone to look into it for you," he said.

The woman’s eyes instantly lit up with joy, and she asked in disbelief, "Can you truly help me find my husband and brother?"

"I can’t guarantee it, but I will do my best to have someone inquire on your behalf."

Upon hearing this, the woman was immensely grateful. "My husband’s name is Huye, and my brother’s name is Maimaiti."

Li Xianyun nodded and said, "I have taken note of it. You have no relatives here, and it’s not safe for you to return alone. When we leave, get on our carriage, and we will take you back."

The woman looked at Li Xianyun in amazement, "How did you know I’m all alone here?"

"If you had relatives here, you wouldn’t have taken this route."

A woman with even the slightest alternative would not resort to selling herself.

She was all alone; with her husband and brother not by her side, she had no income for over a month, and with such a young child, it was hard to imagine how she had managed to survive.

Li Xianyun looked at Zhuo Ma, "Zhuo Ma, stay with her. I will come back after I deal with that man."

"Yes."

Li Xianyun walked with Youlan towards the Diviner.

The woman watched Li Xianyun’s graceful retreating figure with admiration and looking up at Zhuo Ma, she asked in a daze, "Is this young master a celestial being sent by the heavens to save me?"

Zhuo Ma smiled and said, "I thought the young master was a celestial being at first, too."

However, the two had quite different reasons; the former was convinced by Li Xianyun’s kindness, while the latter was stunned by her beauty.

Indeed, heaven seemed to have a special fondness for Li Xianyun, not only bestowing her with unparalleled beauty but also a clever mind.

The Diviner, who was very afraid of Bater, felt a sense of relief when he saw Li Xianyun, who looked like a scholarly young man, approaching and seemed as if he had met his savior.

"My lord, spare me, please! I will never dare to cheat and deceive again. I will go home today and reform completely, becoming a good person who lives an honest life," the man pleaded.

Li Xianyun snorted coldly, knowing all too well how such evildoers were adept at lying and deceiving others.

"Tell me, how many women have you taken advantage of?" he asked.

The Diviner was taken aback, but quickly replied with an ingratiating smile, "What do you mean, my lord? I have a wife and children at home. How could I possibly commit such heinous acts?"

Li Xianyun looked at him coldly. "It’s exactly for this reason that you are worse than a beast. By committing such vile acts, you not only wronged your wife and children but also those women suffering in hardship."

Many people seek fortune-telling mostly when they face insurmountable difficulties, hoping to avert disaster, but instead, they bring misfortune upon themselves, enduring both mental and physical torment.

To consume without spitting out the bones, how could a person be so bestial?

Li Xianyun looked at Bater and said, "Make him write a confession detailing his crimes, and then send him with the confession to the Official Government to be dealt with."

Upon hearing this, the Diviner fell to the ground with a thud, attempting to grab Li Xianyun’s leg but was kicked away by Bater, who said sternly, "Behave yourself!"

Li Xianyun said indifferently, "If he doesn’t write properly and tries any tricks, cut off the tendons in his hands and feet, and let him live the rest of his life as a paralytic."

"Yes!"