The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 419: What are you worried or scared about, my husband? (2nd update)

Chapter 419: What are you worried or scared about, my husband? (2nd update)

Yelu Yan held Li Xianyun tightly in his embrace, looking down at her with deep, tiger-like eyes that glinted intensely, "Xianxian, what did your mentor want with you?"

She had indeed guessed correctly.

Li Xianyun replied, "Minister Xiao pulled me aside and asked me a few questions about his illness."

She didn’t want Yelu Yan to start a dispute with Xiao Dilu because of her, and she also wanted to see how Yelu Yan would react in the presence of various beauties.

Although she trusted Yelu Yan, men were lustful by nature, and it was difficult for them to resist temptation. Moreover, Yelu Yan’s desires were strong. After repressing them for so many years and recently indulging in them, he would certainly find it hard to stop.

Li Xianyun had already thought of many possibilities.

If Yelu Yan truly developed feelings for another woman, she would leave him and find another place to live.

After all, for someone burdened with great vengeance, love was truly a luxury to her.

Becoming intimate with Yelu Yan was completely accidental.

Furthermore, living so comfortably also made her feel guilty about Huanhuan.

She should have been single-minded in earning money, plotting, and seeking revenge.

Only this would do justice to the tragically deceased Huanhuan.

Yelu Yan, already feeling uneasy because Xiao Dilu had seen Li Xianyun, now noticed a flash of determination in her eyes, fleeting though it was, he caught it.

His heart felt as if it was being bound by sharp threads, wrapping tighter and tighter, causing him pain.

Yelu Yan’s throat was dry, and he didn’t know what to do.

He gently lifted Li Xianyun’s chin, forcing her to look at him, "Then why were you daydreaming just now? You didn’t even notice when I stopped."

Li Xianyun showed her sweet dimples as she smiled, "I was just thinking about Xuanyi Pavilion and got distracted."

Yelu Yan didn’t believe her and scrutinized her unblinkingly, trying to find a clue on her face.

Li Xianyun laughed, "My lord, what’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

A multitude of words were stuck in Yelu Yan’s heart.

He wanted to tell her that he only cared about her, not about children or heirs, so she shouldn’t worry unnecessarily.

But he was afraid that Xiao Dilu had mentioned only the illness as Li Xianyun said, and not the matter of children. If he brought it up first, it might cause her needless anxiety and displeasure.

He was truly in a dilemma.

Yelu Yan had never been this indecisive and cautious before. Ever since he fell in love with Li Xianyun, whenever it was about her, he felt completely helpless and uncertain.

This was much harder than leading troops into battle or governing the country.

"I was just worried that your mentor has been talking nonsense in front of you, upsetting you."

Li Xianyun laughed, "My lord, are you hiding something from me?"

The best way to avoid exposing oneself is to throw the question back to the other party.

"No."

"Then what are you worried or afraid about, my lord?" Li Xianyun asked with a smile.

"I’m not worried or afraid of anything. I was just asking casually."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

With her gazing intently at him, Yelu Yan felt as though he was a child again, being lectured by his schoolmaster.

This little imp was really clever with words. He truly wanted to pin her beneath him and thoroughly take her until she became undone, wet-eyed and pleading for mercy. Then, perhaps, she would become more compliant.

In Yelu Yan’s mind, the image of her moaning softly under his control appeared, like a tender flower blossoming for him, allowing him to claim her.

His eyes were pitch black yet shining, as if a fire was burning within.

Li Xianyun was all too familiar with that look.

Whenever Yelu Yan was aroused, he would gaze at her like that.

If eyes could devour someone, she would have been eaten by him many times over.

Under the clear sky and bright sun, someone was getting restless again.

Li Xianyun saw that look in his eyes and her legs went weak, with yesterday’s events vivid in her mind. Her cheeks unwittingly flushed hotly, "My Lord, you..."

Yelu Yan wrapped one arm around her slender waist, pulling her tight into his embrace, while his other hand clasped the back of her head, pressing her small head against his arm, "Not scared, hmm?"

He truly pitied her.

Li Xianyun closed her eyes and leaned against him, softly and gently humming in agreement.

His embrace always brought immense comfort, smoothing out all the tumultuous emotions.

But Yelu Yan was in a different situation.

As he held her, a faint unease lurked within him, as if some misfortune was about to occur.

Even though Li Xianyun was safely in his arms, he felt as if he had never been close to her.

It seemed that in the blink of an eye, Li Xianyun would decisively leave him.

Thinking this way, Yelu Yan felt as if a sharp knife were gouging his heart—pain penetrating deep into his soul.

He buried his face deeply into the fragrant softness of Li Xianyun’s neck, tightening his grip around her, gradually losing measure of his strength. He held her so tightly, as if he wanted to meld her into his own body.

"My Lord, it hurts," Li Xianyun protested softly.

Only then did Yelu Yan loosen his hold slightly, still embracing her, he lifted his head to look at her, "It’s all my fault."

"Indeed, it’s your fault," Li Xianyun spoke in her tender voice, "My Lord, I’ve lingered in the palace for too long, I need to go to Xuanyi Pavilion."

"It’s almost time for the midday meal, why not go after we dine?"

Li Xianyun wanted to refuse, but looking into those deep eyes, filled with caution, her heart inexplicably softened.

The words of rejection ultimately remained unspoken.

Her heart was still too soft.

Upon hearing her words, the gloom on Yelu Yan’s face vanished. He bent down to sweep Li Xianyun into a horizontal embrace, planting a heavy kiss on her lips, and carried her towards the Khan Palace.

Li Xianyun rested her head on Yelu Yan’s shoulder, observing the withered grass and fallen leaves.

Autumn deepened, and the air grew chill.

-

The two finished their midday meal.

Yelu Yan personally escorted Li Xianyun onto the carriage, watching as it gradually moved farther away, eventually disappearing down the corridor before he started walking straight towards Xiao Dilu’s palace.

At that moment, Xiao Dilu was dealing with official duties in his study. Hearing from Huo Dun that Yelu Yan had arrived, he couldn’t help but sigh softly, setting aside his work and stepping out.

In the spacious hall, only Yelu Yan was seated on the Taishi Chair, with a noble restraint—a natural-born king that intimidated on sight.

The palace attendants had all been dismissed by Yelu Yan.

Xiao Dilu bowed in greeting to Yelu Yan.

Yelu Yan asked Xiao Dilu to sit down and cut to the chase, "Mentor, I just said not to seek out the empress, yet not only did you seek her today, you also mentioned the matter of an heir in front of her. Why is that?"

His voice was flat, clearly suppressing anger.

Xiao Dilu replied calmly, "Khan, did the empress complain to you?"

Yelu Yan remained silent.

He was trying to outsmart Xiao Dilu.

With utmost intelligence, Xiao Dilu knew that saying too much would certainly give himself away.

If he could not ascertain today exactly what Xiao Dilu said to Li Xianyun, he would be restless.

Seeing Yelu Yan’s silence as confirmation, Xiao Dilu said, "Indeed, this servant was considering your interests, and those of the Khitan, advocating for the empress to bear a son soon, to ensure the grand cause of our Khitan does not wane."

Yelu Yan always managed to keep his emotions concealed, but the hand resting on the chair arm slowly tightened, betraying his mood at this moment.

"Mentor, I have already said this is my family matter, and there’s no need for you to worry," Yelu Yan spoke.

Xiao Dilu began to say, "This servant doesn’t wish to interfere, but I have watched you grow up, seen you endure many hardships to reach this point today, it has not been easy. I cannot simply watch as you potentially ruin the great achievements you’ve built all because of one woman."