The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 437 - 436 Survival is the top priority (first update)

Chapter 437: 436 Survival is the top priority (first update)

Li Xianyun and Yelu Yan glanced at each other and looked towards the carriage, helping Yaduo down from the horse-drawn vehicle.

As the three of them entered the hunting ground, everyone there knelt down and bent their arms in salutation, saying, "We greet the Khan, the Imperial Noble Consort, and the Princess Consort."

Their voices were like a torrent, quite imposing.

Looking at the dense crowds who had come to participate in the autumn hunt, as well as the even more numerous guards, maids, and palace servants, Li Xianyun thought to herself that the Khitan indeed took the autumn hunt very seriously.

Yelu Yan escorted Yaduo and Li Xianyun to their seats and then returned to the male guests, standing at his spot, he said indifferently, "Dispense with the formalities."

All the people stood up and sat down following Yelu Yan’s instructions.

Princess Jinyu was seated beside Li Xianyun.

She had already felt Li Xianyun was beautiful, but now sitting together up close, she saw that she was flawless, making her feel utterly ashamed.

Today, she had made a special effort with her dress, but sitting with Li Xianyun, she felt she had lost in terms of both beauty and splendor.

The key was that Li Xianyun’s clothes were very well-fitted, showing off her good figure without concealment.

Faced with such a stark contrast, Princess Jinyu somewhat regretted sitting next to Li Xianyun.

What was even more infuriating was that, when Li Xianyun had appeared earlier, she had deliberately observed the reactions of the men opposite.

All of them were amazed, especially her own brother, who had always had a weakness for beautiful women; his eyes were glued to her, and he even swallowed saliva.

She was so angry, she felt like smoke was coming out of her seven orifices.

After sitting down, Li Xianyun looked towards Yelu Xuan.

He was sitting in Yuchi Qian’s embrace, stretching his neck and eagerly looking at her.

Li Xianyun reached out her hand and said, "Xuanxuan, come, sit in godmother’s arms."

Yelu Xuan was overjoyed and slid off Yuchi Qian’s lap, running to Li Xianyun.

Li Xianyun embraced Yelu Xuan in her arms and smiled, "How could our Xuanxuan be so adorable?"

Yaduo also raised her hand to gently stroke Yelu Xuan’s head, smiling affectionately, "Xuanxuan, why haven’t you come to the palace recently to visit your godmother and great-grandmother for fun?"

The tender voice of Yelu Xuan arose.

"Reporting to great-grandmother, after father returned from the frontier, he took my mother and me to enjoy various places, and we did not enter the palace to pay respects to you and godmother, please don’t blame us," he said.

Though young, he was polite and respectful, which was really endearing.

Li Xianyun couldn’t help pinching his soft and tender little face, smiling, "Recently you’ve been playing well and eating well too, right? You feel a lot heavier."

This comment amused everyone around them.

The female guests were in high spirits because of Li Xianyun’s approachability.

Li Xianyun was naturally beautiful, standing out among the ladies; her smile at the moment was captivating, surpassing the world’s most beautiful hues.

From his place among the male guests across the way, Yelu Yan watched Li Xianyun with an indulgent smile, his eyes filled with unconcealed affection.

It was then that he suddenly sensed something amiss from the person beside him and turned his head to look.

He saw that Prince Gechu was staring intently at Li Xianyun with a smile curving his lips, showing an infatuated expression.

Yelu Yan’s face immediately darkened.

For some reason, Prince Gechu felt a chilling sensation on the back of his neck, hurriedly withdrew his gaze, and nervously looked at Yelu Yan, meeting a pair of cold and sharp eyes. He was so frightened that his soul nearly left him, hung his head low, and silently chanted "Survival is paramount, survival is paramount," daring not to look in Li Xianyun’s direction again.

Under the supervision of the Ceremonial Supervisor Official, the hunt soon began.

The lords and ministers who were adept at horseback archery mounted their tall horses, each receiving bows and arrows handed to them by the guards.

The colors and shapes of the arrow feathers differed, serving to identify the owner of the arrows that hit the game.

The one who hit more prey took the lead.

Yelu Yan, in efficient riding attire, sat atop a tall horse, exuding a dominant aura and an imposing presence.

Seeing this, Li Xianyun could imagine the grandeur with which he led his troops into battle.

Yelu Yan was at the forefront of the procession, a quiver filled with sharp arrows hanging from his side, their fletchings painted red.

He held the reins in his hand and gazed at Li Xiayun from afar.

Their eyes met and a single glance was enough to convey unspoken understanding.

Yelu Yan averted his gaze, squeezed the horse with his legs, and cracked the whip, and the well-fed Fiery Flame Horse bolted like an arrow freed from the bowstring.

The other nobles followed closely behind.

It was like a stampede of thousands of horses, and the ground itself trembled along.

The Khitan valued martial prowess and were adept in horse riding and archery, so the majority of the male guests had taken off, leaving behind only a few elderly officials, the unwell Great Prince, and Ji Xueyuan, who claimed to be feeling under the weather.

After the hunt had been over for a while, waiting became dull for the ladies.

Li Xiayun glanced at Youlan, who immediately understood, stepped forward, and announced, "Esteemed guests, in fear that you would find the wait tedious, the Princess Consort has specially arranged some entertainment for the ladies. After enjoying yourselves, the Princess Consort also has a small gift prepared for everyone."

Upon hearing this, the crowd rose and gave thanks with a curtsy, "Thank you, Princess Consort."

Li Xianyun had set up the area for entertainment behind the long pavilion where the female guests were situated.

Several large tents had been erected there, covering a vast space.

Each activity had a long table where a wooden board was placed upright, detailing the rules in the Khitan script.

There were many games, all quite complete, including throwing arrows into a pot, archery, shuttlecock kicking, spinning tops, riddles, and more—easy to play and highly amusing.

The autumn hunt was the men’s main event, leaving the women just waiting arduously, enough to fall asleep or suffer from a sore back.

This hunt was destined to be different, not only were there delicious pastries, candied fruits, raisins, and sweet milk tea, but also games, perfect to while away the time.

The young noblewomen were eager to try as soon as they heard about it.

Moving around was certainly much better than sitting still.

Li Xianyun looked at Yelu Xuan in her arms and said, "Xuanxuan, would you like to join Godmother in having some fun?"

Yelu Xuan laughed, "That would be wonderful, Godmother, Xuanxuan was just thinking the same thing."

Li Xianyun turned to Yaduo and asked, "Grandmother, would you like to play as well?"

Yaduo smiled, "You young people go and enjoy yourselves. For us older folks, it’s not often we see each other, and we prefer to have a chat."

A few elderly ladies nearby echoed her sentiment.

"Yes, Princess Consort, you and the Princely Heir go and have fun, we ladies will accompany the Imperial Noble Consort in conversation."

Li Xianyun replied with a smile, "Very well."

After she spoke, she looked towards Princess Jinyu and several other foreign princesses and commandery princesses and said with a smile, "Let’s play together."

The group replied with a laugh, "Yes."

With that, the noblewomen got up and followed Li Xianyun to the area behind the long pavilion.

They called on friends and formed groups of three or five, heading to their favorite activities to enjoy themselves.

The women started off being reserved, but at a playful age, they soon loosened up, laughing and joking as they played.

However, many were soon captivated by Li Xianyun.

At the arrow-throwing game, there were five long pots coated with red lacquer, wide at the bottom and narrow at the mouth, set three meters away for throwing.