The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 446 - 445 Is Xianxian having a good time in Khitan? (Second Update)

Chapter 446: 445 Is Xianxian having a good time in Khitan? (Second Update)

Suddenly, several loud knocks on the door came from outside.

A few little sparrows were frightened and flew away with a fluttering chirp.

Two young servants quickly stood up, approached the door, and shouted, "Who’s there?"

Cen Cong said from outside, "Young Master Sheng has returned and has specifically come to pay respects to the Prince and Princess."

Upon hearing this, one of the servants immediately smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, Young Master Sheng, while we go and inform the Prince and Princess."

One young servant stayed by the door, while the other dashed toward the main building.

Li Rui was attending to official business in the study, Qiu Qianyun was embroidering in the flower hall with Li Xianyi, and Li Shaojun had gone to school and not yet returned.

The young servant had not yet reached the flower hall when he began to gasp and shout, "Your... Your Highness Princess, Young Master Sheng has returned from Khitan... and is outside paying his respects."

Qiu Qianyun stood up excitedly so hurriedly that she pricked her finger with the silver needle, and a bead of blood instantly appeared.

Li Xianyi too stood up, her excitement clear as she looked at Qiu Qianyun, "Mother, Young Master Sheng must have brought news about elder sister. I’ll go have a look."

Saying this, she tossed her needlework into the basket and ran to the entrance of the Prince’s Mansion.

Not caring about the pain in her finger, Qiu Qianyun said to the gatekeeping young servant, "Quick, let Sheng Heng in."

Then she instructed the maid beside her, "Hurry and fetch the Prince, tell him there’s news of the Princess."

Li Xianyun had been elevated in status because she went as a bride to the Khitan and was conferred the title Princess Hehui.

Li Xianyi had just reached the gates of the Prince’s Mansion when she saw her brother walking in with Sheng Heng, followed by several Khitan people in disguise.

Li Xianyi looked at Sheng Heng and asked, "Big brother Sheng, is my elder sister doing well in Khitan?"

Sheng Heng had a stiff expression and said with great difficulty, "Pretty, pretty well."

If elder sister were truly doing well, Big Brother Sheng wouldn’t look like this.

Li Shaojun clenched his fists; he knew too well that Yelu Yan, the barbarian who killed without batting an eye, how could he possibly treat his elder sister well?

Li Xianyi also furrowed her brows, devoid of the joy she had felt just moments before.

The side gate was opened, and two Khitan people escorted a very large carriage inside.

The carriage appeared simple, but upon closer inspection, one could discover its intricate design.

The carriage was purposely aged, but the wood used was of fine quality, and every joint was made with valuable materials.

The carriage was quite spacious, easily accommodating five or six people.

Li Xianyi asked, "Big Brother Sheng, who are these people?"

"Oh, they are following the orders of the Khitan Khan to deliver gifts to you," he replied.

A carriage to deliver gifts; how much stuff could there be?

But no matter how many things there were, Li Shaojun and Li Xianyi felt a lack of interest due to Sheng Heng’s earlier demeanor.

Li Shaojun couldn’t help but mutter softly, "I don’t care for whatever damn gifts he sends."

’He’ referred to Yelu Yan.

No number of gifts, no matter how precious, were as important as their elder sister.

If Li Shaojun had known that he would be referring to Yelu Yan affectionately as ’brother-in-law’ in no time and admiring him so much, he wouldn’t have been able to utter such words today.

The Khitan people guarded the carriage while Sheng Heng walked with Li Shaojun and Li Xianyi. The group quickly arrived at the flower hall.

Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun had been waiting there already.

Seeing this familiar place, Sheng Heng remembered leaving Chang’an for Khitan from this very flower hall, bidding farewell to Li Xianyun’s family.

Back then, he was full of anticipation for the future; now, his heart was filled with despondence.

Li Rui frowned as he looked at the Khitan people.

He had only allowed Sheng Heng to come in, not these Khitan folks.

Upon their approach, the Khitan people knelt down and bent their arms in a bow to Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun, saying, "Greetings to the Prince, greetings to the Princess."

Khan had repeatedly instructed them before they departed that they must treat the prince’s wife’s family with courtesy and must not offend them in the slightest, and they dare not be disrespectful.

Li Rui let them rise and was about to inquire why they had come when he heard a Khitan say, "Reporting to Prince, Princess, this humble one is here by the Khan’s command, firstly to deliver gifts, and secondly to ensure the safety of Young Master Sheng."

"Convey my thanks to your Khan, you may leave now," he said.

The Khitan took out a letter from inside his shirt and handed it respectfully to Li Rui, "Prince, this is a letter from our Khan to you."

Sheng Heng raised an eyebrow. Yelu Yan had actually written a letter to Li Rui, which was unexpected.

Li Rui received the letter and said, "Very well, you may leave."

The several Khitan were planning to move the gifts from the carriage, but since Li Rui had spoken thus, they could not shamelessly stay and had to withdraw.

They had already made contact with Tuoba Che and would be lodging with him.

Watching the Khitan gradually move away, Sheng Heng saluted Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun with a fist and bowed, "Greetings, Prince, and Princess."

Li Rui’s demeanor shifted from businesslike to cordial as he smiled, "Please come in and sit down."

Once everyone had taken their seats, maids naturally came to serve them tea and water.

Li Rui waited for the maids to pour the water, then dismissed all the servants.

He did not want bystanders to hear about Li Xianyun’s recent situation and gossip behind their backs.

With no outsiders present, Li Rui asked, "Brother Heng, did you meet Xianxian in Shangjing?"

"I did," he replied.

Qiu Qianyun couldn’t help but ask, "Is Xianxian doing well? Has she gained or lost weight?"

"She has lost some weight," Sheng Heng replied.

Qiu Qianyun’s expression became sorrowful. "Xianxian never ate properly at home, and now in Khitan, without anyone to manage her, she eats even less."

Li Xianyi couldn’t help but say, "Sister isn’t thin because she doesn’t eat properly, it’s because Yelu Yan is so unkind to her, that’s why she’s lost weight."

Hearing this, Sheng Heng hastily made eye signals to Li Xianyi, asking her not to continue.

Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun exchanged glances.

Li Rui frowned and asked, "Brother Heng, is Xianxian not doing well in Khitan?"

Sheng Heng’s face showed an unnatural expression. "No, Xianxian is doing very well. Yelu Yan hasn’t overly restricted her freedom and even allowed Xianxian to meet with me..."

Qiu Qianyun felt a pang in her heart. What did it mean that he hadn’t ’overly’ restricted Xianxian’s freedom?

What kind of life was Xianxian leading if even meeting old friends required Yelu Yan’s grace?

How could her Xianxian’s fate be so miserable?

Qiu Qianyun’s eyes reddened involuntarily, and she quickly wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

Li Rui clenched his teeth and said, "Brother Heng, there are no outsiders here. Tell me truthfully about Xianxian’s life in Khitan, it’s alright to speak."

Sheng Heng hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Prince, I won’t conceal it from you. I only met with Xianxian twice. During the first encounter, we had barely spoken a few words before Yelu Yan arrived. Xianxian seemed very afraid of Yelu Yan, and not long after, she hurriedly left with him."

Li Rui’s eyes flickered.

Li Xianyun had always been a brave and thoughtful child who endured many hardships.

If she hadn’t suffered terrible harm, why would she not even dare to speak in front of Yelu Yan?

At this thought, Li Rui’s expression became terrifyingly grave.

Perhaps it was his failure as a father for not being powerful enough.

If he had been more powerful, nobody would dare to bully his daughter.

Sheng Heng continued, "The second time was when I was leaving Shangjing. Xianxian and Yelu Yan came to see me off. They didn’t stay long before leaving again, and I didn’t get the chance to be alone with Xianxian."

Yelu Yan had restricted Li Xianyun’s personal freedom, always accompanying her even to meet an old friend. How terrifying was that?

The floral hall fell into an eerie silence, the family’s faces filled with worry, deep in concern for Li Xianyun.

After a long pause, Sheng Heng broke the silence, "Prince, Princess, the gifts on the carriage are from Yelu Yan for you. Should we bring down the gifts?"