The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 528 - 527 is his fate in this life (second update)

It was Yelu Yan who settled the Li Family Members in a side hall of the Khan Palace, so that Li Xianyun could spend quality time with her family.

Since Li Xianyun was favored by Yelu Yan, naturally, no one dared to treat her family with disrespect.

The Palace Attendants treated the family from Prince Rui’s Mansion with the utmost respect and took excellent care of them.

Indeed, Yelu Yan had done a great deal for this.

Before Li Rui and his party even entered Shangjing, Shulu Xi, following Yelu Yan’s instructions, led the main dignitaries to welcome them at the city gate.

A lively crowd gathered, giving ample face to the Li Family Members.

Shulu Xi was especially courteous and enthusiastic towards the Li Family Members, determined not to let his good brother lose face.

Before leaving with Li Xianyun for the West Mountain hot springs, Yelu Yan stopped by Cirui Palace to inform Yaduo of his in-laws’ impending arrival.

Before Yelu Yan could speak, Yaduo said, "Ayan, your in-laws have traveled from afar. You must treat them with warmth and attention; we can’t let them feel that we’ve neglected Xianxian."

She was a wife, a mother, and later a grandmother and great-grandmother, but her first identity was that of a daughter. No matter how well she lived with her husband’s family, what concerned her the most was whether her own family received good treatment and respect.

When Yaduo was young, she had a falling out with her husband because his family did not give respect to her parents.

That experience was unpleasant, so she could not allow her beloved granddaughter-in-law to suffer the same indignity.

Upon hearing this, Yelu Yan replied with a smile, "Your grandson has such intentions."

Yaduo laughed, "So, have you come here fearing I would treat your parents-in-law poorly?"

Having achieved his aim, Yelu Yan certainly didn’t wish to admit it.

On the day Prince Rui’s party arrived, Yaduo arranged a palace banquet with the highest standards, with all the prominent Khitan figures in attendance. Amid the clinking of cups and laughter, a harmonious atmosphere prevailed.

Knowing they were treated so well because Li Xianyun was valued by them, Li Rui and his wife were very pleased.

After the carriage came to a stop, Jinwu and Bater opened the carriage door.

Yelu Yan bent down to step out of the carriage and then turned to help Li Xianyun down.

Everyone around them bowed and greeted, "Greetings to the Khan, greetings to the Princess Consort."

Youlan’s eyes reddened at the sight of her mistress.

Although Jinwu had sent word earlier that the Princess Consort was unharmed, Youlan had to see it with her own eyes to be reassured.

Seeing her mistress safe and sound before her, Youlan’s anxious heart finally settled.

After all, her mistress had been captured because of her; if anything had happened to her mistress, how could she face the world?

After Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun steadied themselves, they first bowed to Yaduo.

Yelu Yan then bowed to Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun, "Father King, Mother Consort."

The onlookers were all shocked.

As the sovereign, Yelu Yan should not have bowed to his subjects, Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun. His bowing to them now was quite unexpected.

Yet, it also seemed reasonable, given how much the Khan cherished the Princess Consort, it was natural that he wouldn’t neglect her family.

Indeed, the Khan adored the Princess Consort so much that he was even willing to break conventional propriety for her sake.

Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun were flattered and quickly returned the bow, "Your Highness, the Khan."

Yaduo extended her hand to Li Xianyun with a smile, "My dear, you’re finally back. Your grandmother has been worried about you every day."

Li Xianyun took Yaduo’s hand, her eyes curving into a smile, "I’m sorry for causing you concern, Grandmother."

Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun exchanged a glance; seeing their daughter so esteemed and loved by her husband’s family, they felt naturally overjoyed and reassured as parents.

Yaduo looked at Li Rui and his wife with a smile, "Don’t just stand there, it’s cold outside. Let’s go inside and sit."

A group of people made their way together toward the main building.

Li Xianyun felt like she was the center of attention, surrounded by adoring stars.

Yaduo was holding her hand, while she was holding Qiu Qianyun’s.

Yelu Yan accompanied Li Rui as they walked.

Back in Shuozhou, Li Rui had already met Yelu Yan.

At that time, Yelu Yan had just learned of Li Xianyun’s abduction. His soul seemed to have scattered, but still, he forced himself to meet with Li Rui and his wife.

They exchanged greetings briefly, and then he declared he was going to search for Li Xianyun.

Li Rui’s initial impression of Yelu Yan was that he was tall and handsome, a rarity in this world, his imposing figure and powerful stride exuding an aura of authority. Even Li Rui, who was well-traveled and knowledgeable, couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe in his presence.

Yelu Yan looked terrible at that time, with only his impeccable manners remaining.

Moreover, he solemnly assured them that he would bring Li Xianyun back safe and sound.

When Yelu Yan was seriously injured, Li Rui had seen him but couldn’t make out his face, which wasn’t really considered an encounter.

The meeting in Shuozhou City was their first actual contact, but even from that first contact, Yelu Yan’s assurance was incredibly convincing and comforting.

However, the impression of Yelu Yan as rigid and cold, sparing in words and smile, still lingered in Li Rui’s mind.

Seeing Yelu Yan again now, Li Rui hardly recognized him.

He was still as handsome and upright as before, but now there was less rigidity and indifference, a smile continually on his lips, he took extra care of Li Xianyun, and treated them with great courtesy as well.

His demeanor was entirely different from before.

It was just after noon, the sun warm and comforting, casting mottled shadows upon the bare branches.

The group chatted and laughed as they arrived at the main hall for their meal.

Two days ago, Yaduo had learned that Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun were coming back today, so she had ordered the meals to be prepared in advance.

There was a lot of etiquette involved in the seating arrangement at the dining table.

The group seemed to have some difficulty deciding how to sit.

Seeing this, Yelu Yan said with a smile, "Today’s meal is a family banquet. It’s only proper that Grandmother and Father and Step-Mother take the principal seats. My Khan and Xianxian, along with my younger brother and sister, should sit on the side."

Li Shaojun, being mentioned by Yelu Yan, looked at him once more.

Rumors had it that Yelu Yan was a formidable fighter and a ruthless killer, akin to the king of hell. During their brief encounter in Shuozhou, he was in a rush, and his dark, brooding countenance was difficult to approach, very much like the king of hell.

Although this ’king of hell’ was serious and aloof, he managed to bring his sister back safe and healthy, and he seemed to treat her very well. For those reasons alone, he was willing to try and like Yelu Yan, his brother-in-law.

"Ayan is right; that’s how we should sit," Yaduo said, looking at Li Rui. "In that case, from now on, this palace will address you with the commoners’ term ’Dear Family’ as well."

Li Rui said, smiling, "We’ll follow whatever the Imperial Noble Consort arranges."

Yaduo, allowing for Li Rui to sit, said with a smile, "Dear Family, please take your seat."

Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun stopped declining and sat down alongside Yaduo in the principal seats.

Next to Yaduo sat Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun, while next to Qiu Qianyun sat Li Shaojun and Li Xianyi.

Once everyone was seated, Yaduo ordered the meal to be served.

During the serving of the meal, Yaduo praised Li Xianyun to Li Rui and his wife in various ways. She extolled her medical skills and her cooking, talked about Xuanyi Pavilion and Ruyi Square, and brought up the overturned horse cart.

She kept repeating,

"For Ayan to have met Xianxian is a blessing in his life."

"We owe it to you, Dear Family, for raising such a fine daughter."