The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 347: If she’s doing well, I won’t bother her (Part 1)

Chapter 347: If she’s doing well, I won’t bother her (Part 1)

When Li Shaojun and Sheng Heng arrived, Li Rui was dealing with official affairs in his study.

He held a sinecure in the Ministry of Revenue, a job of little significance.

This position had been arranged for him by the late Emperor as compensation for the years Li Rui spent in exile among the common people.

Though the Emperor of Houtang, Li Mu, disliked his long-lost elder brother, he was quite vain and very concerned about his reputation.

Worried that overt actions against Li Rui would tarnish his own standing, Li Mu did not strip him of his official post after ascending the throne.

Although he held a sinecure, Li Rui was kind, diligent, and genuinely concerned for the people. During his years back in Chang’an, he built a strong reputation, and many scholars spoke highly of him.

But they dared to praise him only in private, not daring to openly associate with him.

On the one hand, this was because Li Xianyun had for some reason become a thorn in the side of Houliang as a hostage; on the other hand, it was due to Li Rui’s delicate relationship with Li Mu.

If not for Li Rui’s time among the common folk, as the late Emperor’s legitimate eldest son, he would have been the rightful heir to the throne.

It was for this very reason that Li Mu harbored deep animosity towards Li Rui and suppressed him both openly and covertly.

Talking about Li Rui, he was indeed extraordinary. Despite his time in the countryside, he never became crude and read many books, raising his three children to be well-educated and sensible.

Li Rui, being open-minded, didn’t succumb to despondence due to Li Mu’s suppression, which garnered him much admiration.

Sheng Heng was led to the study and explained his purpose to Li Rui.

Li Rui’s heart surged with emotion; not a day went by without him worrying about Li Xianyun since she had gone to Khitan. If someone he knew could check on his precious daughter, it would be good.

However, after calming down, Li Rui looked at Sheng Heng and asked worriedly, "Brother Heng, have you made proper plans for your journey to the Khitan?"

Led by the unpredictable and often boorish Yelu Yan, he feared Sheng Heng’s visit might invoke jealousy in him, making Xianxian’s life even more difficult.

Parents are always selfish, putting their children’s interests first.

Sheng Heng, aware of Li Rui’s concerns, reassured him, "Prince, rest assured, I’m just visiting Xianyun as her brother. If Xianyun is doing well, I won’t disturb her."

Li Rui knew his own dissuasion would be futile; if Sheng Heng was determined to go, there was nothing to be done about it.

Li Rui called out to the servants, "Someone, please ask the madam to go to the flower hall and bring all the gifts prepared for the princess."

During the time Li Xianyun was gone, Qiu Qianyun often prepared things for her daughter when she missed her.

Though uncertain if she would see her beloved Xianyun in this lifetime, what if they could meet by chance?

The flame of hope in her heart never went out.

After instructing the servants, Li Rui said to Sheng Heng, "Brother Heng, please wait in the flower hall for a moment; I’ll write a letter to Xianyun and be right over."

Sheng Heng gave a respectful bow and said considerately, "Prince, take your time writing. I am not leaving for Khitan until tomorrow; there is ample time."

"Good."

Li Shaojun took Sheng Heng to the flower hall where they sat, and in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Qiu Qianyun arrived with Li Xianyi, followed by a maid carrying two large bundles.

After the maid set down the bundles, Qiu Qianyun sent the other servants away.

Qiu Qianyun apologized somewhat, "Brother Heng, the gifts are somewhat numerous. If they are inconvenient for you to carry, I can select a few less."

Sheng Heng replied, "No need, it’s convenient."

Li Xianyi stepped forward and handed Sheng Heng a scroll.

"Big brother Sheng, could you give this painting to sister? She taught me how to paint, and she left in a hurry before I had finished it. Now that it’s finally done, I want to give it to her. Please tell sister that I have been very well-behaved at home and haven’t made father or mother mad."

The personalities of the three Li Xianyun siblings were very different.

Li Xianyun was gentle and quiet, Li Shaojun was outgoing and cheerful yet relatively steady, but only Li Xianyi was mischievous, lively, and always bustling about like a boy.

When Li Xianyun was married off to the Khitan, what worried her the most was Li Xianyi.

Li Xianyi was practically raised by Li Xianyun, and their relationship was very close; Li Xianyi depended on her a lot. Just speaking a few words, her eyes began to redden.

Sheng Heng opened his mouth and said, "Alright, I will definitely take this painting along with the message you mentioned."

Li Xianyi "hmm"ed in response and returned to Qiu Qianyun’s side.

Seeing that her eyes were already moist, Qiu Qianyun embraced her in comfort, saying, "Don’t be sad. If there is a chance, we will still be able to see your elder sister."

Li Xianyi nestled in Qiu Qianyun’s arms and nodded.

She was only eleven years old but had grown rapidly, only slightly shorter than Qiu Qianyun.

Li Rui quickly brought over the letter and handed it to Sheng Heng.

The couple again instructed him to be safe on his journey.

Sheng Heng only stayed for a short while before excusing himself, citing other matters.

Ever since Li Xianyun had married into the Khitan, he had lost a lot of weight, and those around him never saw him smile again.

The couple had wanted to console him with a few words, but they didn’t know how to speak.

The affairs of the young needed to be resolved by themselves.

Li Rui didn’t insist on keeping him and had Li Shaojun escort Sheng Heng out of the Prince’s Mansion.

After sending Sheng Heng off and returning, Li Shaojun saw the three still in the parlor and said, "Father, Mother, on my way back from school today, I was accosted by a group of hooligans. Two Khitan rescued me, claiming they were sent by Yelu Yan to protect the Prince’s Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Qianyun asked worriedly, "Junjun, are you hurt?"

"No."

After a moment of silence, Li Rui said, "It seems Yelu Yan really does treat your elder sister quite well."

In fact, he had long understood that the Imperial Court’s protection of the Prince’s Mansion was all out of consideration for Yelu Yan.

Last time his carriage was intercepted by bandits, it was also a few Khitan who had saved him.

Based on these events, it was hard for Li Rui to have a bad impression of Yelu Yan.

But rumors in the world couldn’t help but cause concern.

The rumors said Yelu Yan was nine feet tall, extraordinarily ugly, ferocious as a hateful demon, and naturally brutal, which is why no woman had been by his side for so many years.

Li Shaojun huffed lightly, "Then he’s not worthy of my elder sister."

If only he knew that before long, he would admire Yelu Yan so much that he’d be calling him brother-in-law day in and day out, he probably wouldn’t have said such a thing.

Li Rui looked up at him with a serious expression.

"Junjun, don’t interfere with your elder sister’s matters. Let her make her own decisions. Don’t cause trouble for your elder sister, understand?"

Over the years, Xianxian had already suffered enough hardships. With Yelu Yan’s brutal nature, if he knew the Prince’s Mansion held any animosity towards him, it was uncertain what kind of suffering he might inflict on Xianxian.

"I understand," the child replied.

For his elder sister, he would not act willfully.

However, at the moment, it was just family here; there was no fear that their words would adversely affect his elder sister.

"It’s just a pity for Big Brother Sheng."

Upon hearing this, the family fell silent again.

Because they all agreed with what Li Shaojun had said.

But life is filled with difficulties; how many can have everything go their way?

Li Rui looked at Li Shaojun and asked, "Junjun, do you know who was behind the mob that surrounded you today?"

"It was just those good-for-nothing playboys from the school who despise me. I’m used to it. Let them block me; I’ll just use them for practice," he said.