The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 427 - 426 Another Nightmare (Second Update)

Chapter 427: 426 Another Nightmare (Second Update)

Yelu Yan grunted his acknowledgment and bent down to plant a kiss on Li Xianyun’s cheek, saying, "Don’t worry, I will take care of myself for your sake as well."

"As long as you know."

"However, to be on the safe side, you must carry your sleeve arrows and poison with you."

Li Xianyun inquired, "Will Grandmother still go to the hunting ground the day after tomorrow?"

"I have already discussed it with Grandmother, and she insists on going. Then let her go. Having Grandmother by your side eases my mind a bit."

Why did it sound like Grandmother was the one who needed to protect her?

Seeing the surprise on Li Xianyun’s face, Yelu Yan pressed a kiss onto her lips and smiled, "Don’t underestimate Grandmother. In her youth, she made a name for herself punishing evil and promoting good, thanks to her martial skills. Speaking of her martial prowess, it’s certainly not to be taken lightly; she will keep you safe."

Li Xianyun gave him a sidelong glance, "Husband, you are too filial."

Yelu Yan laughed heartily.

With her hair now wrung dry, Yelu Yan picked up the comb to brush Li Xianyun’s hair.

"Xianxian, join me at the hunting ground tomorrow night, you can also help me with the planning."

Li Xianyun was very observant; if she hadn’t noticed the problem with the list, he would have missed it.

"Alright."

After finishing combing Li Xianyun’s hair, Yelu Yan lifted her into bed.

The two of them nestled under the covers, whispering to each other with every sentence.

Before long, Yelu Yan spoke, but Li Xianyun did not respond for a long time.

He lifted his head to look over and found Li Xianyun with her eyes closed, her long, thick eyelashes presenting a serene picture, her breathing even, fast asleep.

Yelu Yan chuckled softly, talking to himself in a low voice, "She fell asleep so quickly."

As he spoke, he gently kissed her forehead, then got up to tuck the corners of the blanket around her, dressed himself, glanced at Li Xianyun one last time, and left the inner chamber.

Youlan and the other maids quickly bent their arms in a respectful salute.

Yelu Yan looked at Youlan and instructed, "You go in and stay with your mistress. If there’s any issue, someone can find me at the Hall of Diligent Governance."

"Understood."

Yelu Yan strode out.

With the hunt occurring the day after tomorrow, there were many matters that needed arranging, and there was no room for error.

In a hazy state, Li Xianyun began to dream.

She walked through a forest shrouded in mist, unable to discern the time; it seemed to be early morning but also as if night had just fallen, not completely dark, allowing her to see a winding, rugged mountain path. Yet the road ahead was obscured by thick fog, hiding everything...

Instinctively, Li Xianyun continued to walk forward.

In the distance, she faintly heard Huanhuan’s voice.

"Xianxian, Youlan, come quickly; there are Evening Primroses here, covering the whole hillside, so beautiful."

Li Xianyun felt a surge of excitement and hastened her steps.

Just then, a man’s rough voice broke in.

"Your mistress offended the Crown Prince by acting out of line. Today, the Crown Prince has gifted her to us, life or death, as a warning to your mistress!"

Screams from Huanhuan followed, "Help! Xianxian, save me!"

Li Xianyun’s eyes brimmed with tears as she ran desperately forward, crying out at the top of her lungs, "Huanhuan! I’m coming to save you!!"

The brutal sounds of the men mingled with Huanhuan’s screams, enveloping her like rising dust or the encircling fog, holding her tightly.

She felt so helpless, so lost, so full of hatred and regret.

Just then, a figure on horseback charged out from the neighboring woods, halting on the mist-shrouded path. The man’s figure, sitting tall on the horse, was majestic, as if searching for something.

That silhouette was all too familiar.

Li Xianyun stepped forward and called out, "Husband!"

Yelu Yan turned his head, looked at Li Xianyun, and reached out his hand. "Xianxian, get on the horse. I’ll help you to rescue him."

Li Xianyun cried with joy and ran over, her garments fluttering gracefully.

Just as she was approaching and about to touch the hand that Yelu Yan stretched out,

suddenly, the sound of rustling echoed from the woods—it was the sound of sharp arrows cutting through the air and leaves.

Li Xianyun’s eyes widened in fear. "Husband, be careful!!"

But it was too late, several sharp arrows were speeding towards Yelu Yan.

Li Xianyun watched helplessly as several arrows pierced Yelu Yan’s chest, and blood spurted from his mouth.

His large frame, like a mighty mountain, thunderously fell from the horseback onto the ground.

Before Li Xianyun could reach him, someone firmly grasped her arm.

She turned around in terror and saw a face as handsome as a demon’s, with a pair of phoenix eyes filled with laughter, speaking in a tone as light as the breeze, "Xianxian, you are ultimately mine, even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you are still mine!"

Li Xianyun struggled desperately but couldn’t move at all, wanting to cry out for help, but she couldn’t make a sound.

At that moment, a magnetic voice came from the mist, "Xianxian, Xianxian, wake up, wake up, I am right here..."

Li Xianyun slowly opened her eyes and saw the handsome face of Yelu Yan; he was still alive, but he had clearly been shot through the heart with arrows and died.

When Yelu Yan saw her open her eyes, he sighed with relief and said, "Xianxian, don’t be afraid. What you just experienced was a nightmare, it was all fake. Don’t be afraid, okay?"

Li Xianyun’s consciousness slowly returned. Thank goodness it was all a dream, Yelu Yan was still alive, her husband was still alive.

"Husband."

Her lips curled slightly, her eyes brimmed with tears, looking utterly aggrieved.

Yelu Yan’s heart skipped a beat, his hands and feet in disarray.

Li Xianyun seldom showed her vulnerable side in front of him, but today she made no attempt to hide it, appearing so fragile, so easily shattered, as though a single puff of wind could break her apart.

"Xianxian..."

Yelu Yan said as he embraced her, tightly holding her in his arms.

Li Xianyun wrapped her arms around Yelu Yan’s neck, burying her face deep into the warm strength of his neck, and tears streamed down.

Yelu Yan felt her tears.

The tears were warm, but to Yelu Yan, they felt like a burning conflagration, too intense to bear.

Yelu Yan held her with one hand, while the other gently stroked her slim, soft back. "Xianxian, don’t be afraid, I am right here, okay?"

Li Xianyun’s arms tightened further, and she made a muffled "Mmm," her voice heavy with the sound of crying.

Yelu Yan’s brow furrowed deeply, his jaw set taut, his eyes filled with a cool intensity that spelled out his emotion.

He had gone to the Hall of Diligent Governance to discuss hunting matters with several waiting courtiers and had been away for roughly an hour before returning.

On the way back, he was in such a rush, so frantic, that he even received mocking glances from Jinwu.

Yelu Yan had originally planned to send Jinwu to guard the city gates, but upon thinking that Jinwu had an important task on the day of the hunt, he decided to hold back.

Li Xianyun had always lacked a sense of security, and Yelu Yan had always known it.

When the two of them had first shared a bed, Yelu Yan had discovered that Li Xianyun was not as strong as she appeared to be.

She always slept clinging to him, which was the only way she could sleep peacefully.

Although Li Xianyun appeared very independent, she was very dependent on him when she was unaware.

With his embrace, she could sleep soundly and would not have nightmares.

Today, he had only been away for an hour, and upon his return, he saw Li Xianyun having another nightmare, sweating profusely, as if something was entangling her, her face full of fear, yet unable to wake up.

It was heartbreaking to see.