The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 400 - 399 Khan’s romantic rival really came (part 2)

Chapter 400: 399 Khan’s romantic rival really came (part 2)

A group was sitting together for a meal when, halfway through eating, a guard came in to report.

"Your Grace, Siji’s father has arrived," he said.

Upon hearing this, Siji stood up excitedly from his chair, craning his neck to look outside.

Li Xianyun smiled and said, "Let him come in."

The guard went out for a moment, and a dark, skinny Khitan man came in. As soon as he entered the door, he knelt down without daring to look up at Li Xianyun, trembling with fear, "Greetings, Your Grace."

From a young age, he had followed his family herding in the mountains, seldom coming into contact with the outside world.

The only time he did, he ended up losing Siji.

Someone wanted to buy his sheep, so he began to negotiate the price.

After a long discussion, the man did not buy the sheep; when he turned around, he discovered his Siji was gone.

He frantically searched for him and even reported it to the authorities.

The officials took note and said they would send someone to look for him.

But more than ten days passed with no news.

Gradually, he realized that the man bargaining with him had no intention of buying his sheep but was merely distracting him long enough to kidnap his Siji.

After this revelation, he regretted it so deeply he almost wished for death.

In those days, laughter and joy no longer filled his home, and his wife wept daily.

Although they had many children, every child was precious to them; no parent does not cherish their own.

Siji’s father knelt low on the ground; he rarely saw people of high status. The only notable figure he had seen was the village chief, amid herds of livestock, with several horse and ox carts.

But now, he was in the presence of the royal family who held the power of life and death, and he feared making a mistake that would anger the nobility.

"Thank you, Your Grace, for saving the child of this humble commoner," he said.

Li Xianyun always had a soft spot and sympathy for honest folk and said to a guard nearby, "Help him to his feet."

She invited Siji’s father to join them for the meal.

The simple Khitan man, his hands black and filled with cracks, absolutely refused to join them at the table.

Li Xianyun had no choice but to pack up some naan and meat in a bundle for them to eat on the road, during which she also secretly slipped in two hundred silver notes, hoping to help them.

Initially, Siji’s father was unwilling to accept the bundle, but seeing the sincerity of Li Xianyun and the enthusiasm of those around him, he reluctantly took it.

Li Xianyun sent the father and son out the door. A beat-up ox cart was parked outside, with a sheep tied atop it.

Siji’s father brought the sheep down and handed the rope to Li Xianyun, saying earnestly, "Your Grace, this sheep was raised by me. I give it to you to express our whole family’s gratitude to you!"

Li Xianyun declined, saying, "I appreciate your sentiment, but you should take it back, sell it, and buy something tasty for your family."

Siji’s father quickly said, "We don’t lack anything at home; please accept it. If you don’t, I won’t know how to explain it to my spouse."

Siji also chimed in from the side, "Sister, please take it."

Li Xianyun reluctantly accepted the rope of the sheep.

The father and son got on the ox cart. Siji, looking at Li Xianyun, said with reluctance, "Sister, will we be able to meet again in the future?"

Li Xianyun smiled and said, "Of course we can meet again. If you come to Shangjing, you can find me at Xuanyi Pavilion."

Siji agreed readily.

Li Xianyun had thought she would see Siji very soon, but when they did meet it was more than a decade later. By then, he had grown into a strong young man, expertly wielding a pair of swords and becoming Yelu Yan’s right-hand man.

If he had not harbored ill intentions towards her later, he would not have been torn apart by Yelu Yan’s chariot.

Such is life, it seems to be arranged in mysterious ways; the once insignificant fleeting moments later become the beginning of another story.

But that is a story for another time.

For now, Li Xianyun watched the honest father and son drive away in the ox cart, standing at the doorway for a long time.

Youlan came to her side and said, "My lady, are you feeling homesick?"

Li Xianyun’s eyes were moist, and her speech choked, she merely "Hmm" in reply.

Just then, a familiar voice came, "Xianxian."

The voice was like that of beautiful jade, very pleasant to hear.

Li Xianyun paused for a moment, then turned her head to look and saw a master and servant standing not far away.

The leading man was as elegant as an orchid and as handsome as jade, with eyebrows like distant hills and eyes like bright stars, composed and restrained. A faint smile on his lips further revealed his gentle and graceful demeanor, making him comparable to the handsome Pan An.

Youlan was overjoyed and exclaimed with a surprise, "Young Master Sheng," then turned to her own mistress and smiled, "My lady, it’s Young Master Sheng."

Seeing Youlan’s joyful face, bright and beautiful, Jinwu couldn’t help but frown and looked displeasedly towards the handsome Han man.

Li Xianyun descended the steps, smiling, "Big Brother Sheng, what brings you here?"

Sheng Heng, followed by his servant, walked towards Li Xianyun.

Although the two were only seven or eight meters apart, it felt like there was a distance of thousands of mountains and rivers between them. Nevertheless, no matter how far, he had finally seen her.

She was still the same as before, charming and bright, delicate and graceful, yet there seemed to be something subtly different about her, something he couldn’t quite grasp in the moment.

Sheng Heng approached Li Xianyun and said, "I came to Khitan to take care of some matters and decided to drop by to see you."

Li Xianyun had many questions she wanted to ask, and so much she wanted to say, but didn’t know where to start, and so inquired, "Where are you staying?"

"At the inn next door."

"When did you arrive?" Li Xianyun asked with a smile.

Jinwu watched the smile on Li Xianyun’s face, pursed his lips, and his gaze grew heavy. If the Khan knew that the princess consort was meeting another man, and such a good-looking one at that, he would be jealous beyond measure.

He contemplated whether he should inform his own Khan.

Sheng Heng smiled, "I arrived today."

The servant of the Sheng Family, Cen Cong thought: He had actually been here for three days, circling around the front of Xuanyi Pavilion for a long time, just to choose the right moment to meet Princess Hehui, yet he lied about just arriving.

Yesterday, the young master said that Xuanyi Pavilion was busy on its first day of opening, and the princess did not meet with him. Today, he was finally at the entrance and managed to see her.

The young master is the Family Head of the Sheng Family, and many people follow his orders. He is gentle and decisive in his actions, but he is always extra careful regarding matters involving Princess Hehui, fearing her disapproval.

"Have you not had a meal yet?" Li Xianyun asked.

A long-awaited guest always merits special attention.

"I have eaten..."

"No, I haven’t."

Sheng Heng and Cen Cong said simultaneously.

Sheng Heng looked at Cen Cong disapprovingly.

The latter muttered, "The young master really hasn’t eaten, why lie to the princess? The princess is not an outsider."

Hearing this made Jinwu’s brow twitch; how could she not be an outsider?

If his own Khan heard this, he wouldn’t hesitate to break this lad’s legs.

Li Xianyun, understanding the situation, smiled, "Big Brother Sheng, they’ve just prepared lunch. Come in and have something to eat."

Sheng Heng no longer declined and followed her inside.

Just as the two entered the courtyard, a guard kneeled on the ground to report.

"Princess Consort, there is trouble. A patient suddenly died in the courtyard, and the Imperial Physician as well as the medical officers are at a loss. They request your presence."

"I will take a look."

Li Xianyun said and followed the guard into the courtyard.

Coming from a Medical Family and possessing excellent medical skills, Sheng Heng also followed.