The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 474 - 473 Everything is up to the master (first watch)

Chapter 474: 473 Everything is up to the master (first watch)

Li Xianyun didn’t have to think to know what Jinwu and Youlan had said in the corner.

These past few days, Youlan had been avoiding Jinwu as if she were a mouse seeing a cat.

When they bumped into each other just now, Youlan was looking down, not lifting her eyelids even once, wishing she were like an ostrich that could bury its head in the sand.

Underneath Jinwu’s eyes was a patch of dark green, his beard unshaven, giving away that he had been having a really rough couple of days.

His eyes were fixed on Youlan’s face, appearing as though he had something to say but hesitated.

Watching Youlan’s face flushed red, Li Xianyun teased her on purpose, "I knew you wouldn’t fancy Jinwu. I also think he’s not suitable for you, just like a toad lusting after a swan’s meat. He’s a complete brute, not one to be tender, and following him would surely lead to suffering."

Upon hearing this, Youlan wanted to defend Jinwu:

Big Brother Jin might look like a brute, but he is gentle and considerate, not at all a boor or a toad.

Yet she didn’t dare to speak out, afraid that voicing her thoughts would invite Li Xianyun’s ridicule, so she held back.

"Rest assured, I will arrange your marriage soon. Many of the old courtiers were dismissed, and Khan has promoted quite a few capable newcomers, among whom are many with good looks and good family backgrounds. If you fancy anyone, just tell me. As your family head, I’m certainly capable of arranging it," she said, claiming a sisterly affection.

Hearing this made Youlan anxious, causing her to stand up with a flushed face and say, "I don’t want any of those nobles."

The reverse psychology really worked wonders, and she would soon fulfill her role as matchmaker.

"Not fancying the nobles is no matter, there are plenty of young generals in the camp. If you set your heart on one, I would have someone propose on your behalf. Isn’t that better than a mere guard?" Li Xianyun said slowly and with a smile.

"I don’t want anyone; I want only to serve my master," Youlan said.

"Then aren’t you going to end up an old maid?" Li Xianyun laughed, "If you’re not interested, why don’t I find a match for Jinwu to save you the trouble? That way, he won’t keep hanging around and annoying you."

"Big Brother Jin has not been bothering me," Youlan said.

"Does that mean you like your Big Brother Jin?" Li Xianyun smiled.

Youlan remained silent.

"Why torture him if you like Jinwu? You haven’t seen how Jinwu looks like a soul lost in despair, which is just pitiable to witness," Li Xianyun continued, shaking her head while sighing.

Youlan’s heart sank along with her words.

"Tell me, what are your reservations?" Li Xianyun said, pulling Youlan to sit beside her.

I don’t want to be separated from my master. I’m scared that if I accept Big Brother Jin’s proposal, I won’t be able to accompany the master all the time," Youlan murmured, her eyes reddening.

She had been with Li Xianyun since childhood, they had been through thick and thin together, like sisters.

Li Xianyun’s lips curved with amusement, considering how Jinwu, who seemed as silent as a gourd, had actually proposed to Youlan.

She couldn’t help but admire his speed.

"Silly girl, even if you get married, you can still spend plenty of time with me. You and your husband could serve in the palace during the day and stay at a residence outside the palace at night," Li Xianyun explained, already having planned a generous dowry for Youlan upon her marriage, including gold and silver jewelry, lands, shops, and a premier residence.

Li Xianyun, who had plenty of money, didn’t care much about such wealth.

The implications of Li Xianyun’s last sentence made Youlan so embarrassed she nearly wished she could shrink into a crack in the ground.

Although Youlan had been slow to catch on emotionally, with Li Xianyun and Yelu Yan around, she had inevitably learned about the matters between a man and a woman.

Once, when serving tea in the inner chamber, she saw Yelu Yan hugging Li Xianyun, seated on a Taishi Chair, ravishingly kissing and fiercely embracing her.

Youlan was so startled that her face flushed and her heart raced, and she quickly retreated. If Khan found out, would her life be over?

She had never expected the always calm and composed, imposing Khan to be so passionate and proactive in private, as if he had become a different person.

Youlan often served Li Xianyun and even once, when they were out, she overheard suppressed voices of a man and a woman coming from the carriage.

Without guessing, she knew exactly what was happening in the carriage, spiritedly and intensely.

From then on, whenever Yelu Yan was in the carriage, Youlan decidedly refused to approach it.

On several occasions, Youlan also accidentally saw the conspicuous petal-like marks on Li Xianyun’s fair skin.

These scattered fragments had already made her understand the matters of men and women.

Just thinking about doing that sort of thing with Jinwu made Youlan feel as if her blood was boiling.

She felt like she was going to die.

"But this servant doesn’t want to leave my mistress at night either."

Li Xianyun said with a smile, "What’s the difficulty in that? The Khan Palace still keeps a room for you; you can choose to live inside or outside the palace, as you wish."

However, once she was married, even if Youlan wanted to return to the palace, she wouldn’t be able to—how could Jinwu be willing to let her go?

Her only concern was dispelled.

"So what are your thoughts?"

Blushing, Youlan murmured, "Everything is up to my mistress to decide."

Li Xianyun chuckled, "Alright, as long as you’re happy, that’s good. But for now, do not immediately agree to Jinwu’s proposal. Just say that you’ll consider it. For one thing, this consort still needs to investigate his family background, and his character requires further observation. Secondly, you should write to your family and ask for your father and mother’s opinion."

Youlan nodded eagerly, "The mistress has thought it all through."

She had been so preoccupied with feeling shy that she had forgotten all these important matters.

"However, I still need to remind you of a few things. Although the people allowed to serve close to Khan are not likely to be bad, one must still use the lure of gold, beauty, and power to reveal true intentions. When this consort tests him, you mustn’t feel pity. If in the end, it turns out Jinwu is not worthy of your trust, you must not be sad."

Besides assessing Jinwu’s character, his family background also needed to be investigated discreetly.

Marrying was not just about marrying the person you love but also their family.

If there were difficult and disagreeable mothers-in-law or sisters-in-law at home, it would inevitably lead to rifts over time, even if the couple had harmonious feelings, and life would become chaotic; a lifetime of happiness would be impossible.

There’s wisdom in saying that women fear marrying the wrong man, and men fear choosing the wrong profession.

As it was her good friend’s marital affairs, Li Xianyun naturally needed to be more cautious.

Youlan quickly said, "This servant will certainly not feel pity. If Jinwu is not the man to trust, it saves me from falling into a pit of fire. I would be grateful to the mistress, so there would be no reason for me to be sad."

"As long as you understand," Li Xianyun said with a smile, "there’s one more thing I need to remind you of."

Youlan looked at Li Xianyun very seriously, listening attentively.

Li Xianyun hesitated a moment, then said, "Even if Jinwu passes all the tests, you mustn’t get too intimate with him too soon..."

Some things are best when they occur naturally.

Youlan instantly understood, and her face grew even hotter, "This servant understands."

As the mistress and servant chatted and enjoyed some snacks, time passed until Li Xianyun, stretching out on the soft couch, began to feel sleepy—only to hear Jinwu outside saying, "Greetings to Khan."

Li Xianyun had just sat up straight when Yelu Yan pushed the door open and walked in.