The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 256: She said so, then it is (first update of the day)

Chapter 256: She said so, then it is (first update of the day)

The villagers brought their own stools when they came to listen to Li Xianyun teach them skills.

They sat wherever they could find space, creating a chaotic scene; it was necessary to get them to sit in an orderly manner.

Li Xianyun had the villagers sit on the east, west, and south sides, centered around the cooking area under the locust tree, leaving the north side by the cooking area as her lecturing space.

Surrounded by the villagers on three sides, this arrangement allowed more people to clearly see the demonstration.

They sat in rows horizontally and vertically, with one-meter gaps between each row and column, so it was convenient for her and Youlan to walk around and give guidance.

Meanwhile, Li Xianyun had those with taller stools sit at the back, and those with shorter ones at the front.

Then she made minor adjustments based on everyone’s height to ensure that all could see clearly.

These poor villagers had never attended school, and one man laughed, "Young Master, it feels like we rough folks have gone to school."

Another chimed in, "Yeah, never thought I’d get to play the scholar in my lifetime."

At these words, everyone broke into laughter.

Li Xianyun was easygoing and laughed along with them.

After everyone was seated, Li Xianyun began to teach the methods of making various foods.

The villagers brought walnuts, sesame seeds, and red dates from home as Li Xianyun had instructed the day before.

Li Xianyun started with the simplest walnut and red date combination.

As she spoke, she demonstrated, slicing one side of a date to create a slit, but keeping the other side intact, removing the pit, stuffing in half a walnut piece, and then pressing it together—that was it.

Everyone was surprised by the simplicity, and one person laughed, "Young Master, is that it, all done?"

"Of course, you can try it once you’ve made it."

They all tasted it while laughing—sweet from the dates and fragrant from the walnuts, indeed much tastier than just dates or walnuts alone.

"It’s really delicious," people praised.

Li Xianyun smiled and said, "Actually, red dates and walnuts have great benefits for the body. Red dates can replenish blood, and walnuts can strengthen the body. When you sell these foods, you can pass this information to the buyers, which will attract more people to buy. We are near the Border Market, having the advantage of proximity, and can certainly sell there."

Some villagers worried, "But not everyone can go to the Border Market. You need money and connections to do so."

Li Xianyun wanted to share the news about the reorganization at the Border Market with everyone, but couldn’t reveal her identity, so she hesitated over her words. Then another villager spoke up.

"Haven’t you heard? An official from Shangjing arrived today and arrested several of the managers at the Border Market. They also posted a notice saying that anyone going to the Border Market to sell goods will not be charged any fees. If someone tries to charge them, they can report it to the County Government Office."

Another villager added, "The notice also says they’re opening up discourse, letting the villagers speak freely and give suggestions."

Upon hearing this, everyone discussed it with laughter.

"Opening up discourse, that’s a good move."

"The official from Shangjing really is different, genuinely cares about us villagers."

Li Xianyun’s lips curved into a smile. Just last night she had discussed this with Yelu Yan, and he had already had Ma Zhaoming take care of it early in the morning.

Decisive and swift in action, not dragging his feet, he was admirable.

Li Xianyun couldn’t help but think of the wound on Yelu Yan’s left upper arm; she had woken up late today and hadn’t seen him.

Last night in the study, Yelu Yan was absurdly amorous with her, as if he wanted to consume her, tear her apart.

Li Xianyun’s eyes grew distant as she accidentally saw blood seeping from the arm Yelu Yan was using to hold her leg, and she wanted him to stop so she could bandage it for him.

"My Lord, your arm..."

But the man was not only unmoved, his face flushed as he leaned down, embracing her and gently nibbling her blushing cheek and swollen lips, pecking her lips and exhaling silky breaths, "It’s nothing serious. Focus, alright?"

After that, Li Xianyun couldn’t pay attention to anything else, surrendering to his relentless enticements.

In that regard, he was very domineering and left her no room to resist.

Afterward, with a large red area around his wound, he still held her tightly in his arms, kissing her burning cheek.

"Husband, let me bandage your wound."

"Hold me first," Yelu Yan said in a hoarse voice, tightly embracing her fragrant and soft body.

After a long while, Yelu Yan finally straightened up to dress Li Xianyun

As long as he was there, Li Xianyun’s clothes were always taken off and put on by him, indulging her like a child

After dressing, Li Xianyun bandaged Yelu Yan’s wound, which had been stretched open due to his excessive force.

Thinking about everything that happened last night, Li Xianyun’s cheeks turned slightly red.

She wondered how his wound was healing and whether anyone had bandaged it for him.

Caught in her thoughts, someone came to ask Li Xianyun a question, but she was still in a daze and did not respond

Seeing this, Youlan approached and gently reminded her, "My lady, are you all right?"

Only then did Li Xianyun snap back to reality, smiling awkwardly, "I am fine."

She patiently answered the villagers’ questions.

After confirming there were no issues with the preparation of dates and walnuts, Li Xianyun had the fire lit and taught them how to make syrup-glazed dates and walnuts, as well as peach pastries and crispy dates.

Under the lush canopy of the centuries-old pagoda tree, the aroma quickly became enchanting, attracting more and more people.

Everyone sought knowledge earnestly, and Li Xianyun shared without reservation, creating a cheerful and harmonious scene.

When Yelu Yan arrived with his men in the afternoon, Li Xianyun was guiding several women on how to cook the syrup, the sweet fragrance tantalizing their taste buds.

Yelu Yan spotted Li Xianyun in the crowd at a glance.

She was so beautiful and delicate, yet so confident and composed that it was difficult to overlook her.

As Li Xianyun was speaking, a commotion arose from the crowd, as numerous men and women left their spots to greet someone.

They knelt on the ground and expressed their gratitude, "Thank you, General, for saving our lives."

Many of them had been abducted by bandits, and it was Yelu Yan who had led the troops to rescue them, naturally, they were deeply grateful to him.

Li Xianyun looked up to see a tall and burly man dismounting his horse, followed by Jinwu and other guards dressed as ordinary villagers to conceal their identities.

After dismounting, Yelu Yan first glanced at Li Xianyun, a subtle smile curling up the corners of his mouth.

He bent down to help the kneeling villagers to their feet.

"It is a soldier’s duty to protect the country and the people, you need not thank me, please, rise," he said, his voice ringing with authority, and the villagers were convinced and stood up respectfully.

Huye stood within the crowd and looked at Yelu Yan with a smile, "General, have you come to visit your brother?"

Yelu Yan was taken aback for a moment, muttering, "Brother?"

"Yes, that gentleman, he claimed to be your brother," said Huye, gesturing towards Li Xianyun.

Yelu Yan stared unblinkingly at Li Xianyun, a playful smile on his lips, "If she says so, then it must be."

His words were laden with meaning, but everyone took it as his admission.

The villagers’ praise instantly overwhelmed him.

"General, your brother is really capable, he has taught us many skills."

"He is kind-hearted and has been especially patient with us."

"And also very compassionate, he saved my sister and my nephew."

"He even saved a father and daughter at the Border Market."

...