The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 458 - 457 You scold me again (second update)

Chapter 458: 457 You scold me again (second update)

Li Xianyun planned to turn another shop into a dried fruit store.

Both floors would be dedicated to dried fruits, and in addition to selling candied fruits and raisins, she was also ready to adapt to local preferences by selling red dates and walnuts popular in Khitan.

These red dates and walnuts would be processed further to achieve a distinctive taste that would surely attract many customers.

When Li Xianyun felt disordered in her thoughts, she always calmed herself by painting or writing, as these activities would lead to reliable decision-making.

She could not gamble with the lives of the many people at Ji Shi Tang.

Upon hearing that Li Xianyun had returned to the palace, Yelu Yan put aside his official duties and rushed back from the Hall of Diligent Governance.

As soon as he entered the main building, he asked, "Where is the princess consort?"

"Reporting to the Khan, as soon as the princess consort returned to the palace, she went into the inner chamber and barely touched her food," the maid said.

Li Xianyun was kind to the servants of the Khan Palace, and the maids and palace servants were all very concerned about her.

Yelu Yan paused and asked with concern, "She didn’t eat properly?"

The maid was startled and quickly replied, "The princess consort only had a few sips of porridge, then said she had no appetite and refused to eat any more."

Youlan saw that Li Xianyun had hardly eaten anything, she tried to persuade her, but it was futile.

Yelu Yan walked to the door of the inner chamber and subconsciously straightened his clothes, tidying up his appearance before entering.

Li Xianyun, always meticulous in her endeavors, didn’t take notice of the door opening and continued with her painting.

At this moment, she had only completed the decoration of two rooms; with many rooms yet to be adorned, the task was daunting and the journey, long.

Yelu Yan approached Li Xianyun and saw she had systematically drawn the house’s decorations, including shelves and tables, on the Xuan paper.

Yelu Yan placed his hand on Li Xianyun’s slender shoulder.

His hand was large and warm, easily identifiable to her.

Li Xianyun lifted her brush and turned to look at him, "My lord, you are back."

Yelu Yan grunted in acknowledgment, took the writing brush from her hand and placed it on the inkstone, then began gently massaging her shoulders to relieve her fatigue.

"Xianxian, the spies from Houliang have sent word that Murong Ce has not killed the people of Ji Shi Tang; he has locked them all up in White Horse Temple under strict guard," he shared.

"White Horse Temple."

Li Xianyun murmured softly, then raised her voice slightly, "Murong Ce is acting so conspicuously, he surely hasn’t locked the Ji Shi Tang people in White Horse Temple; it’s just a diversion."

While kneading her shoulders, Yelu Yan agreed, "I have the same thought. Your husband will handle this matter and rescue the people of Ji Shi Tang, so don’t worry about it anymore."

How could she not worry when the people had not been rescued?

Li Xianyun placed her fair little hand over Yelu Yan’s larger one and held it gently, turning her body to look up at him.

"My lord, there is a woman in Murong Ce’s harem, named Bai Mengling, who harbors a deep grudge against Murong Ce. We can start with her; she might know where the people of Ji Shi Tang are held."

"Alright, I will send a message to Houliang later."

Li Xianyun nodded but added with concern, "Make sure the contact with Bai Mengling is discreet. I’m afraid that if Murong Ce finds out she leaked the information, it will bring her trouble."

"I will heed your advice."

With an affirmative sound, Li Xianyun attempted to turn away but was stopped by a firm grasp on her chin, making it impossible for her to turn around and forcing her to look up into the eyes of the owner of the hand.

"I have agreed to everything you’ve asked," Yelu Yan said. "Wouldn’t it be improper if you didn’t agree to one thing for your husband?"

"What is it?" Li Xianyun obediently inquired.

"Dine with me."

"But, I’ve already eaten."

Unmoved, Yelu Yan revealed the truth, "A few sips of porridge, you call that a proper meal?"

Li Xianyun pursed her lips and gave a shallow smile, "You know already."

"So, you admit your disobedience."

Li Xianyun’s entire soft body leaned into Yelu Yan, looking up at him with a coquettish tone, "You’re scolding me again."

At the moment Li Xianyun leaned in, Yelu Yan removed his rough hand from her chin and encircled her slim, upright back instead.

"I dare not scold you, for if you’re upset, you will ignore your husband," Yelu Yan said, seeing that Li Xianyun’s mood had lightened significantly, which made his own expression soften.

Li Xianyun let out a light "hmph."

Yelu Yan gripped her neck and lowered his head to fiercely kiss her lips, rubbing against them for a moment before he stood straight, lifting Li Xianyun in his arms and turned his head to look at her with a smile.

"Next time if you don’t eat properly, your husband will spank your bottom," he said.

Li Xianyun gave him a glance, playing with the lapel of his robe and muttered with a smile, "Then go ahead and spank, it doesn’t hurt anyway."

Every time she angered Yelu Yan, he would scoop her into his embrace, press Li Xianyun onto his lap, and spank her bottom.

The action was exaggerated, but the force was so slight it was pitiful.

The way Yelu Yan spanked so lightly, it was no different from tickling.

Moreover, rather than calling it spanking, it was more like he was taking advantage of her—pinching and kneading her behind.

Yelu Yan hummed an affirmative "mm," "It’s time for you to suffer a bit."

He hadn’t done anything to her for two days and was missing it greatly.

He counted today as well.

Hearing this, Li Xianyun quickly wrapped her arms around Yelu Yan’s neck and gently kissed his cheek, scratchy with faint stubble.

"My lord, I was wrong," she said.

If Yelu Yan had his way with her, it would be endless; they wouldn’t stop without a few rounds of a big fight.

How could she handle that?

"Too late," he said.

Carrying Li Xianyun, Yelu Yan made his way to the main hall.

The chief of the food chamber quickly came with his staff to set the meal.

A full table of dishes.

After setting the meal, the maids all retreated outside the main hall.

Every time Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun dined, they would engage in intimate talk, but because maids were present, Li Xianyun, with her thin skin, felt very uneasy.

Thus, Yelu Yan let the maids wait outside, and after one or two times, the maids grew accustomed to it.

Facing a table full of food, Li Xianyun’s eyebrows gently furrowed, her expression one of distress.

Seeing this, Yelu Yan lifted his hand and pinched her plump, soft little face, "You don’t have to finish everything, just eat as much as you can. That should be fine, right?"

He also feared that Li Xianyun would eat too much, get indigestion, and be unable to sleep.

The gloom on Li Xianyun’s face cleared immediately, "You should’ve said so earlier."

Yelu Yan chuckled, passing her a roasted bun and picking up his chopsticks to start serving Li Xianyun the dishes.

The small bowl in front of her was soon piled high.

"You..."

Yelu Yan said with a smile, "Finish the rice in this bowl, and I won’t make you eat anymore."

Li Xianyun ate very little and stuck to one bowl each time, never going for seconds.

After realizing this habit of hers, Yelu Yan eagerly filled her bowl to the brim every mealtime.

"You said so, don’t make me eat more after I finish this," she retorted.

"Of course not," he replied.

Making her eat was akin to torturing her.

Yelu Yan poured Li Xianyun a cup of water and placed it in front of her.

"Xianxian, the Department of Ceremonial Affairs confirmed three suitable wedding dates. Look at them later and see which one you like," he offered.

"You decide," Li Xianyun said as she picked up the cup and sipped some water.

Yelu Yan laughed, "If it were up to your husband, I’d choose the earliest date."

"Which day?"

"Ten days from now."

"So soon? There are still so many things to do..."