The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 468 - 467 Young Master, the Lord is looking for you (first update)

Chapter 468: 467 Young Master, the Lord is looking for you (first update)

Li Xianyun rose to her feet and hugged Tia’s arm, smiling as she said, "Master, let’s find a place to sit down."

She had always found her master to be especially mysterious, not knowing her family name or given name, and with no family around her. The only thing she knew was that her master was Khitan and possessed superb medical skills.

Li Xianyun learned these medical skills and the Khitan language from her.

She had also asked Tia about her identity, but Tia would just gently stroke her hair and say, "Xianxian, not telling you about your master’s identity is for your own good."

After that, Li Xianyun never asked again.

It wasn’t strange for everyone to have their secrets.

Later on, for some unknown reason, Tia disappeared overnight in a hurry, taking only some valuables with her and leaving everything else behind.

Li Xianyun packed up Tia’s belongings and kept them. Whenever she missed her, or was feeling sad and bewildered, she would take out her master’s things to look at or have a good cry, which would always make her feel much better.

Tia said, "Alright."

Li Xianyun and Tia went to a nearby restaurant, secured a quiet private room, and ordered some dishes that both of them liked.

The master and disciple sat together, eating and talking as if they had endless topics to discuss.

But most of the time, it was Li Xianyun who did the talking.

Knowing that Tia did not want her identity to be known, Li Xianyun did not inquire further.

She had been perceptive and quick-witted from a young age, winning Tia’s affection.

Tia often thought how wonderful it would be if she had a daughter like her.

Li Xianyun looked at Tia and asked, "Master, how did you know I was at Xuanyi Pavilion?"

Tia took a sip of tea and smiled as she said, "You have become like a divine figure in the mouths of the Khitan people. All the commoners praise you, saying you have superb medical skills, are capable of building water conservancy projects, can forge weapons, and even conduct business. But the most crucial thing is..."

"What?" Li Xianyun asked with a smile.

"The key is that the Khitan Khan cherishes you immensely."

Such a statement from an elder made one feel somewhat embarrassed. Li Xianyun’s cheeks gradually turned crimson, but she still frankly admitted, "The Khan is indeed very kind to me, otherwise he wouldn’t have allowed me to leave the palace to do what I like."

Tia smiled and said, "It’s good that he is kind to you. I’ve always heard that the Khan’s life has been quite harsh, but finally having someone who knows his warmth and cold is his good fortune."

Li Xianyun felt there was something strange about Tia’s words but didn’t dwell on it, assuming it was her concern for her, "The Khan did have a rough time before, but now he has made it through."

She also knew some things about Yelu Yan’s background.

"Both of you are children who have suffered. You should cherish and support each other."

These words were even stranger. Li Xianyun nodded smilingly, "I understand, Master."

Tia nodded, evidently pleased.

"Master, where are you staying now?"

Tia answered, "At an inn nearby."

"Will you be settling in Shangjing for a long time?" Li Xianyun asked with anticipation.

If Tia could settle in Shangjing, then as master and disciple, they could meet frequently to discuss medical skills. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Tia was silent for a moment before saying, "I planned to leave after seeing you, to continue wandering and providing medical relief to the world."

If she were to die somewhere in the future, she would just settle down in that place.

Her life had always been one of wandering, home is where the heart is, full of unspeakable bitterness. Now at her age, she had resigned herself to this fate, but she still couldn’t help wanting to come back and take a look.

This should be her last visit back.

Tia had intended to just have a distant look at Li Xianyun and leave, but missed her several times in a row, and her unusual behavior aroused Li Xianyun’s suspicion.

If Li Xianyun hadn’t recognized her, Tia hadn’t planned on acknowledging her.

Li Xianyun stiffened upon hearing this, deeply saddened. She never expected that their reunion would be a farewell.

"Master, can’t you stay a few more days for Xianxian? After so many years, we finally meet again."

Li Xianyun had looked for her for so many years, thinking she would never see her again in this life, yet fate granted her this unexpected joy, joy that now seemed too fleeting.

Tia said, "Your master has other matters to attend to."

Li Xianyun had no choice but to hold her peace; she couldn’t be too selfish.

Li Xianyun pulled the chair next to Tia, sat close to her, wrapped her arms around Tia’s arm, and rested her head on her shoulder, "Master, I will miss you."

Tia laid her hand on her delicate, fair hand, "Xianxian is good. Your master will come to Shangjing again, and then I will look for you."

But such words were merely a polite refusal, which Li Xianyun surely knew. She was no longer a child.

Her delicate brows slightly furrowed with sadness swirling within her water-like eyes, her heart tightly wound by the sorrow of parting.

Tia turned her head and glanced at her as she had many times before, lifted her hand, and gently patted Li Xianyun’s delicate cheek, "Xianxian is the most obedient."

"But Xianxian doesn’t want to be obedient, wants to keep Master here for a few more days."

Tia chuckled softly, "Xianxian, just being able to meet you today has already delighted your master greatly."

Yet, there was some regret; she hadn’t seen him—the person she owed the greatest apology in this life.

Li Xianyun knew that if Tia could say such things, her decision was final and would not change.

She could only say, "Master, shall I prepare some travel expenses and necessaries for you?"

"No need," Tia said, "Those are but extraneous possessions; carrying them only brings trouble."

Li Xianyun looked at her master, noticing the white hair at her temples and the increased wrinkles on her face.

In her memory, her master was very beautiful; she had never seen such a lovely woman.

However, although Tia’s appearance had changed, her temperament had not; she remained detached from fame and fortune, and as open-minded and transparent as ever.

Li Xianyun took out two bottles of poison from her sleeve and handed them to Tia, "Master, this is the poison I have developed. You can carry it with you for self-protection."

She couldn’t possibly refuse this.

Tia accepted them, smiling, "So it’s true that the Hall Master of the Ji Shi Tang is indeed you."

Li Xianyun asked in surprise, "Master, how did you know?"

Tia laughed, "Have you forgotten what your master does? Although I have never been to Ji Shi Tang, there are many rumors about it and its Hall Master. Your master felt that the way the Ji Shi Tang Hall Master treated patients was too similar to you, so I guessed it might be you, but I wasn’t sure, as you never make poisons. Now that I see the poison you have developed, your master has confirmed this guess."

Li Xianyun said with a smile, "Does that mean, Master, when you were roaming around, you would also carry poisons for self-defense, just like your disciple?"

As a frail woman who didn’t know martial arts, the only method of self-defense she had was poison.

"As clever as ever, nothing can be hidden from you," Tia laughed.

Just as master and disciple were enjoying their conversation, Bater said from outside, "My lady, the master has come looking for you, he’s just outside the door, shall I let him in?"

Li Xianyun turned her head to look at the darkening sky outside the window.

It had already turned dark, no wonder Yelu Yan couldn’t wait and came looking for her.