The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 447 - 446 Partial Listening and Believing (First Update)

Chapter 447: 446 Partial Listening and Believing (First Update)

Li Shaojun stood up, gritted his teeth, and said, "If he’s not good to elder sister, we don’t care for the gifts he sends, do we?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Qianyun secretly wiped away her tears.

Li Xianyi, lively by nature, said, "Father, we must find a way to rescue elder sister."

Li Rui’s gaze grew heavy, and he clenched his jaw as veins bulged on his forehead.

How could he not want to save his own daughter from the blazing inferno?

But when international relations between two countries were involved, the difficulties were numerous. How could it be easy?

Furthermore, with Murong Ce always watching like a tiger coveting its prey, even if Li Xianyun were to be rescued, she would be entering the jaws of danger once more.

Sheng Heng also joined in with a long sigh, "Prince, if I could save Xianxian, I would gladly risk my life."

The family was deeply moved; truly, adversity reveals true friendship.

Qiu Qianyun looked towards the Young Master Langlang and felt regret; if only her Xianxian could marry Sheng Heng.

Sheng Heng was knowledgeable and considerate, gentle and caring, and they both shared the same interests; surely, living together, they would be harmonious and happy.

Alas, it was fate’s cruel hand, and the world would not conform to one’s wishes.

Li Rui looked at Sheng Heng, "Heng, you have my gratitude. Have you just returned to Chang’an?"

Sheng Heng nodded, "As soon as I returned to Chang’an, I came to the mansion to report; I haven’t gone home yet."

The family was once again deeply moved.

"You must be exhausted from your journey; you should head back and rest soon," said Qiu Qianyun.

"Indeed," Sheng Heng stood up, took a letter from his bosom, and handed it to Li Rui, "Prince, Queen, this is a letter from Xianxian for you."

"Thank you." Li Rui turned to Li Shaojun, "Junjun, please see your Elder Brother Sheng out."

Li Shaojun and Sheng Heng left the flower hall, walking along the long corridor.

To both sides of the corridor stretched out grassy fields with trees planted upon them; it was deep autumn now, and the yellow grass spread out beneath a layer of fallen leaves.

A rainstorm had drenched the leaves last night, and water stains were not yet evaporated; the mud and grass were joined together, evoking an indescribable sense of desolation and bleakness, akin to Li Shaojun’s current state of mind.

Sheng Heng turned his head towards Li Shaojun, consoling, "Junjun, don’t worry too much about your elder sister, I’ve only met Yelu Yan twice. I don’t know him well, but he might treat your sister quite well."

Li Shaojun snorted coldly, "I knew from long ago that he wasn’t worthy of my elder sister, but I didn’t expect him to treat her so badly. Outsiders even claim that he cherishes elder sister, which is just ridiculous."

Sheng Heng heaved a sigh, "The world hustles and bustles, all for profit; the common people are easily exploited by others."

Li Shaojun sneered. How ruthless Yelu Yan was, a complete hypocrite, fishing for fame.

Poor his dear sister...

"Elder Brother Sheng, you’re the only one who truly cares for my elder sister. If only she could be with you," he said.

Sheng Heng was naturally full of melancholy.

The two soon reached the gate of the Prince’s Mansion, and Li Shaojun did not turn back until he could no longer see Sheng Heng’s carriage.

In the flower hall, Qiu Qianyun urged Li Rui to open Li Xianyun’s letter.

Li Shaojun returned to the flower hall and saw the grave expressions on their faces; he took the letter from Li Rui to read.

Wiping her tears with a handkerchief, Qiu Qianyun lamented, "Xianxian always hides her troubles, only sharing good news. Living in such difficulty, yet she writes that Yelu Yan treats her well, claiming meeting Yelu Yan was the blessing of three lifetimes. If it weren’t for Elder Brother Heng’s trip to Khitan, we might have been deceived by her."

Li Xianyi looked at Li Rui, her eyes rimmed red, "Father, let’s save elder sister, she is so pitiful."

Remembering something, Li Rui took out the letter written by Yelu Yan from his bosom.

"Father, that man’s letter is surely full of lies; it is not worth reading. Let me burn it," Li Shaojun said.

Li Rui did not let him take the letter away, speaking in a subdued voice, "Junjun, you are already thirteen years old, you should learn to act with more composure. Let’s discuss after reading it."

Li Shaojun had no choice but to step aside.

Li Rui unfolded the letter, his expression changing again and again.

Qiu Qianyun urged, "Prince, what does the letter say?"

Li Rui handed the letter to Qiu Qianyun.

The letter was written in Chinese characters, neatly arranged in rows, with meticulous brushwork that pressed through the paper.

"The letter says that due to the long distance, the news is obstructed, and asks us not to be mislead by hearsay. It also mentions that when Xianxian married over there, the wedding was not properly conducted for which he is very apologetic. He is planning to conduct the wedding anew and to confer upon Xianxian the title of Queen, hoping that our family will attend the wedding banquet in Shangjing," Li Rui said.

Qiu Qianyun, scrutinizing the letter, could not help saying, "It’s easily said, but how would the Emperor ever let our family go to the Khitan?"

The Houtang Emperor Li Mu guarded against the Prince’s Mansion like one guards against a thief, fearing that Li Rui might seize his throne.

After all, had Li Rui not been cast aside among the common folk, he, the legitimate eldest son, should have been the one ascending the throne.

Li Rui pointed to a section of the letter, "It says here, let us be at ease, the matter of going to the Khitan will be negotiated with the Houtang Imperial Court, and that an escort will be sent to ensure our safety, assuring that no mishap will occur."

Unexpectedly, Yelu Yan had considered everything so thoroughly, taking into account all possible concerns.

The words in the letter were sincere, always considering the well-being of Li Xianyun and the Prince’s Mansion, not seeming like those from a barbaric and overbearing person.

However, Sheng Heng had always been gentle and refined, upright in character, unlikely to fabricate out of thin air.

"Father, Mother, Yelu Yan as the ruler of a nation, having people write a few letters of earnest words is no difficult task; do not be deceived by his seemingly grandiose words,"

Li Shaojun was unwilling to believe in Yelu Yan, no matter what.

After reading the letter, Qiu Qianyun asked, "Prince, what are your thoughts?"

Li Rui pondered for a moment, "It would be good if we could visit the Khitan to see Xianxian, and it would spare us the constant worry and apprehension."

Li Rui knew that Yelu Yan had exerted pressure on the Houtang Imperial Court to provide protection for the Prince’s Mansion.

Moreover, he had noticed that many Khitans were lingering around the Prince’s Mansion and had even saved him.

It was widely rumored among the people that Yelu Yan was very fond of Li Xianyun, which was why he protected the Prince’s Mansion out of affection for her.

But today, after seeing Sheng Heng’s reaction, Li Rui was filled with doubts.

Had Yelu Yan stationed so many people around the Prince’s Mansion not to protect it but to keep it under surveillance, using this as leverage over Li Xianyun?

A chilling thought indeed.

Qiu Qianyun said, "If it is as Yelu Yan says, that he wants to conduct the wedding, Xianxian would surely send us a message. Let’s wait."

"That’s all we can do," Li Rui said.

Qiu Qianyun mentioned, "The things in the carriage..."

The carriage could not remain parked in front of the flower hall permanently.

"Let’s have someone move them into the mansion’s storeroom first."

Qiu Qianyun ordered five or six young servants to move the items from the carriage.

The young servants opened the carriage door, revealing many large chests stuffed inside to the brim.

A servant climbed up and began transferring the chests one by one.

One of the young servants lost grip while receiving a chest.

The chest hit the ground, the lid flew open, revealing it was filled with gold, a dazzling sight to behold.