The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 435 - 434 Is Just So-So (1st Update)

Chapter 435: 434 Is Just So-So (1st Update)

Princess Jinyu picked up another raisin to eat.

The situation was different from the past, Ji Chuchu had offended Princess Hehui who came from Houtang for a marriage alliance and was demoted to the bitterly cold land of Kunlun, thus losing any possibility of being with Yelu Yan.

Moreover, from Ji Chuchu’s letter, it was not hard to tell that she had become utterly disheartened and had lost all hope in Yelu Yan, no longer harboring any feelings for him.

Princess Jinyu’s gaze was resolute, and she pursed her lips, which also meant that her opportunity had come.

She wanted to see for herself what the woman adored by Yelu Yan looked like and who she was.

Determined to outshine Li Xianyun, Princess Jinyu took special care to bathe and burn incense, dressing up elaborately for the occasion. From head to toe, she had her maids attend to her meticulously, intending to overshadow the ignorant Han Ethnic Group woman.

She disdainfully glanced at the chair beside her—that was where Li Xianyun would sit.

The voices of noblewomen in the conversation carried over.

"It’s truly impressive that the consort can make such delicious food, one simply must admire her."

"Yes, the consort is not only skilled in cooking but can also heal people. It seems there’s nothing she can’t do in this world."

Although these words might have been an exaggeration, they were enough to show the noblewomen’s fondness and respect for Li Xianyun.

"No wonder the Khan treasures the consort so dearly in his heart. If I were a man, I too would fancy the consort."

The latter half of the remark was somewhat disrespectful, spoken in a suppressed voice by the young woman because Princess Jinyu was close enough to hear it distinctly.

Princess Jinyu couldn’t help but snort in contempt; to be seated with such ignorant people was a disgrace. If it weren’t for Yelu Yan, she wouldn’t want to spend a minute with these tasteless people.

Just then, a noblewoman noticed Princess Jinyu picking up a raisin to eat and laughed, "Does the princess also like the raisins made by the consort?"

Princess Jinyu stiffened at the words, her complexion turning quite ugly.

"These were made by your consort?"

"Indeed," said the noblewoman, "the consort has built a Drying Room and produced a lot of raisins, solving the common people’s problem of unsold grapes. The raisins are also selling well in Houliang and Houtang, and they are very popular."

Since the horse racing event where Li Xianyun came out on top, she had gained the favor and following of many noblewomen.

However, those women of advanced years did not take well to Li Xianyun at first.

So young and yet so stunningly beautiful, she had also stolen the affection of their brave and wise Khan, destroying their daughters’ dreams of marriage, leading one to believe that Li Xianyun must have some slyness about her, making it impossible for them to like her.

Subsequently, many events unfolded:

Not long after Li Xianyun entered the palace, Guli took her own life.

The usually stern and unsympathetic Imperial Noble Consort showed great affection for Li Xianyun.

People began to take notice of the young consort who had won the Khan’s favor so thoroughly.

Later, Li Xianyun’s identity outside the palace was revealed, and only then did everyone learn of the many achievements she had made in Shangjing in just a few short months:

Pastry shops, milk tea shops, workshops, Drying Room, and now the foundation of Xuanyi Pavilion, healing and saving lives.

Because of Xuanyi Pavilion, these older noblewomen came to like and respect Li Xianyun thoroughly.

As people age, ailments begin to surface.

These older noblewomen were very fond of health maintenance, naturally holding physicians who could alleviate their pain in high esteem.

Moreover, Li Xianyun was not just any physician, she excelled in medical skills, capable of curing various complex diseases, even more formidable than the Imperial Physicians in the palace.

Many of them had been relieved of their ailments thanks to Li Xianyun.

Gradually, an unbelievable scene emerged, where these women of advanced years admired Li Xianyun even more than their daughters and daughters-in-law did.

Princess Jinwu, upon hearing this, "slap," threw the raisin back in its place and said indifferently, "That’s all there is to it."

Many high-born ladies and married women saw this and glanced at her sideways, thinking to themselves, once the princess consort arrives, she’ll learn what true arrogance and narrow-mindedness are.

Just then someone exclaimed, "Look, the Khan and the princess consort are coming."

The crowd instantly quieted down and looked toward the entrance.

Princess Jinyu also turned her gaze to the hunting grounds entrance and saw an exceedingly luxurious carriage approaching from afar. Next to the carriage, an impressive figure stood tall and noticeable at a glance.

He sat astride a reddish-brown Fiery Flame Horse, with sword-like brows and bright eyes, a broad stature, and an imposing presence, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Princess Jinyu’s heart thumped wildly.

Every year during the Khitan autumn hunt, she would follow her father and brothers to Shangjing, all to catch a glimpse of that extraordinary warrior—Yelu Yan.

She vividly remembered when the enemy cavalries breached the palace of Yue Country.

The soldiers, like devils incarnate, plundered and slaughtered within the palace, men beheaded and women hoisted over shoulders, kicked into any room to be defiled before being killed.

The entire palace was engulfed in raging flames, people fleeing in all directions, the vast royal residence a veritable purgatory.

Although skilled in martial arts, she was no match for the overwhelming numbers of enemy troops.

She was struck on the back of her head with the hilt of a sword and darkness came over her. When she regained consciousness, she realized she had been carried on a soldier’s shoulder into a corner hidden from the light.

Despite being hidden from the light, the place was still bathed in a sooty red glow from the fire.

The man’s every move was clearly visible.

She struggled desperately, but not knowing where she had been injured, she couldn’t muster the strength to move, only able to watch the man in front of her, untying his belt while she screamed, "I am a princess of Yue Country, you dare not act rashly!!"

The soldier was quite old, old enough to be her father.

Contrary to her expectations, her words did not deter the bloodstained, hideous man before her; instead, they excited him, and he called his companions with glee, "Brothers! Come quickly, I’ve found a treasure!! This woman is actually the princess of Yue Country!! A gem beyond compare!!"

To survive, she, along with her Khan father, mother, and brother, had disguised themselves in palace attendants’ clothing, planning to escape amidst the chaos.

But they were scattered by the enemy forces along the way.

Had she not disclosed it, these men would still have considered her an ordinary maid.

The man’s words immediately attracted five or six soldiers clutching their spoils.

In the fierce blaze, each of their faces was as ugly as the next, their eyes all alight with wicked gleams.

By then they had completely forgotten that their own mothers were women, forgotten they had sisters at home, daughters too.

They felt no shame for brutalizing a woman the same age as their sisters or daughters.

In the face of war and greed, benevolence, morality, propriety, and decency were worthless.

A man leered at her and said, "I’ve had my share of women in this lifetime, but never a princess. Today I must savor the experience."

Ridiculously, they quickly arranged their order right in front of her.

The old and ugly man who discovered her first couldn’t wait to step forward.

She struggled desperately, her limbs finally able to move for a moment, but her body was immediately pinned down by seven or eight pairs of hands.

She could no longer move an inch.

The men fumbled with her clothes, and in no time she was stripped bare.