The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 502 - 501: Xianxian is Here, We are Saved (Second Update)

Qiu Qianyun handed him a handkerchief.

Li Rui covered his mouth and coughed up a pool of thick blood.

Fearing that Qiu Qianyun would see, he wrapped the handkerchief around his palm.

Li Rui paused for a moment and then continued, "Qianyun, you must also think about Xianxian. She has suffered too much over the years. If something were to happen to us on the road, with her kind nature, she would surely blame everything on herself. She would live in the shadow of guilt her whole life, never knowing happiness. One of us must survive to give the children something to hold on to."

Qiu Qianyun, with tears secretly falling, lamented, "Prince, no matter what you say, I won’t leave. You leave a letter for the children, and they will understand us."

Qiu Qianyun was the only daughter of a government official’s family, whose father was demoted after offending the powerful and lived in retirement in the countryside.

At the age of sixteen, while she and her mother were shopping at the market, she was harassed by a local tyrant.

In the face of so many passersby who were daunted by power, not one dared to stand up and speak, except for a scholar-looking man who stepped forward to defend her and her mother.

The tyrant, of course, did not take the scholar seriously and ordered his young servant to drive him away.

Seeing that entreaties were useless, the scholar took half a brick from his bag and hurled it at the tyrant, striking him right on the head, causing blood to flow immediately.

Furious, the tyrant, caring no longer about the harassment, joined with his young servant to beat the scholar with fists and feet.

Qiu Qianyun, pulling her mother along, went to report the incident to the authorities, but due to officials’ mutual protection, no one was willing to save the pitiful scholar.

By the time Qiu Qianyun returned, the scholar was at death’s door.

The mother and daughter had people carry the scholar to their home, where after being looked after for half a month, he finally recovered.

Qiu Qianyun saw that although Li Rui dressed poorly, he had an extraordinary bearing, was handsome, well-read, and ambitious, and he quickly became a close friend of her father, despite the age difference.

During that time, as they spent day and night together, feelings developed between them.

As soon as Li Rui returned home, he informed his parents and sent someone to her house to propose marriage.

Seeing his family’s poverty, Qiu Qianyun’s mother hesitated.

He was a good man, but if her daughter married into his family, they would struggle for their next meal and certainly suffer hardships.

Except for her father’s support, everyone was opposed.

Qiu Qianyun insisted on marrying him regardless.

Over the years, although she had experienced hardships and storms with Li Rui, fortunately, he had always treated her well, had not taken concubines, and cherished her as ever.

What more could a woman fear than an unhappy union? To have met Li Rui was her great fortune across three lifetimes.

If Li Rui were to pass away, she would not wish to live alone in this world either.

All these years, she had neglected herself, and now, at the end, she just wanted to be selfish this one time.

Seeing that he couldn’t persuade her to leave, Li Rui sighed softly and resigned himself to let her be.

As the couple was immersed in their sorrow, the voice of Li Shaojun came from outside the door.

"Father, Mother, Sister has sent some medicinal herbs. She asked us to take them first, and she will come to find us shortly."

To conceal their identity, Li Rui had them change the way they addressed each other.

After Li Shaojun spoke, he stood at the door listening carefully but dared not enter.

Last time, despite being prevented, he burst into the room and Li Rui had coughed up blood in anger.

Ever since then, he did not dare to do anything that might upset Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun.

Qiu Qianyun, delighted, looked at Li Rui and said, "Prince, Xianxian has come, we are saved."

Li Rui nodded, reassured.

The couple’s hearts surged with emotion. After months apart, they would finally see their beloved daughter again.