The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 301 Yelu Yan’s Birth Mother

Chapter 301: 301 Yelu Yan’s Birth Mother

Yelu Yan, upon hearing this, lost all semblance of the gentleness and affection he had displayed moments before.

His gaze turned icy, his entire demeanor became more grave, as he reverted to his usual self.

Those around him couldn’t help but sigh, for the Khan only ever showed a different side when facing the Empress—tender and doting, always with a smile on his face, his eyes nearly always fixed on her, rarely straying elsewhere.

Yelu Yan began walking towards the Cold Palace.

A group of guards hurriedly followed behind him.

The Cold Palace was desolate.

During his time as Prince, Yelu Yan had taken no concubines, and after ascending to the throne, he kept not a single woman by his side.

Without a woman beside him, there were none to be relegated to the Cold Palace. Thus, it had been left unused.

Peeling wooden doors, the yard overgrown with withered weeds, and cobwebs strewn about the eaves highlighted the dilapidation of the Cold Palace.

The Cold Palace was vast, with many rooms. Throughout the ages, consorts who had lost favor or made mistakes were confined here, so the walls and rooms bore the marks left by these unfortunate women.

The pampered Guli could hardly bear such conditions.

Ever since Guli was sent to the Cold Palace, she spent her days destroying things. The nannies, following orders from Yelu Yan, didn’t indulge her. Broken items were left unrepaired, with no replacements provided.

This made Guli suffer a great deal.

After several days, Guli’s behavior had become much more restrained.

Suffering always teaches a lasting lesson.

Yelu Yan arrived at the room where Guli was being kept. At the door, two expressionless nannies immediately knelt down, bowing their arms in salute, "We greet the Khan."

Guli, who had been staring blankly out of the window, heard the commotion outside. She moved slightly but remained seated, observing the scenery of the backyard.

Yelu Yan stepped inside, standing by the door without speaking.

He felt everything here was filthy and repulsive; he had no wish to sit down.

Guli’s chilly voice resonated, "You’ve finally deigned to see me."

Yelu Yan looked at her coldly, still silent.

Guli stood up and faced him from the window, "I can tell you everything you want to know, but you have to agree to one condition."

Yelu Yan’s expression was unreadable, giving nothing away.

Guli was somewhat afraid of him. Ever since Yelu Yan joined the military camp at the age of ten, she had been afraid of him.

He was like a demon, ruthlessly dealing with anyone who had once bullied him. Now, only she, Qiqi, and Ji Xueyuan remained.

"Agree to sacrifice me to save Qiqi, and I’ll tell you everything," she said.

Yelu Yan spoke indifferently, "His life can be spared, but he shall be demoted to Commoner status."

Guli said nothing; for a prince accused of plotting to usurp power, this was already the best outcome.

She didn’t make Yelu Yan swear an oath. Though he was ruthless and adept at strategizing, he was known to keep his word. If he said Qiqi’s life would be spared, it would be.

Guli looked at Yelu Yan and said, "Your suspicions were correct. The woman who appeared when you were five years old and left two months later was indeed your birth mother."

Yelu Yan was poisoned and fell gravely ill at the age of five. That elusive woman, somehow learning of his illness, came to the palace for two months, tending to him with great care. But once Yelu Yan’s health improved, she left quietly.

Her departure had a profound effect on Yelu Yan, one that he remembered for many years.

Yelu Yan wished to investigate the woman’s identity, but everyone who had known her had been killed by the former Khan, leaving no one who knew of her.

Guli laughed coldly, "Her name was Tia, originally the treasured daughter of a small tribal chieftain, with a suitor she loved. During one of the former Khan’s battles, he came under a fierce ambush, sustaining serious injuries. In a desperate defense, his men managed to hide him within Tia’s father’s tribe. Tia’s father saved them, and it was then that the former Khan set eyes on Tia."