The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 537 - 536 Let the whole world know (second update)

Chapter 537: 536 Let the whole world know (second update)

From the moment Yelu Yan laid eyes on Li Xianyun, his brows smoothed out, his tiger-like eyes gently squinted, as if stars had shattered within those deep eyes—suddenly lit up, and the corners of his lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

The two of them gazed at each other affectionately across the great distance, smiles spreading across their faces.

Li Xianyun, not wanting her parents-in-law, Li Rui and his wife, to worry, only looked for a while before returning to the room, explaining, "The Khan has arrived."

It was only then that Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun were able to relax, sitting up much straighter than before; they absolutely could not let their daughter lose face in front of her son-in-law.

Li Rui called in Li Xianyi and Li Shaojun, instructing them to sit properly in their places, so as not to break any rules.

Before coming to Khitan, the word "rules" was what Li Xianyi and Li Shaojun heard the most; after arriving in Khitan, the word they heard the most was still "rules."

Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun were always afraid the two children would make a mistake, causing Li Xianyun to lose face and making her life difficult in her husband’s family.

However, after getting to know Yelu Yan better, it seemed their worries were somewhat superfluous.

But to companion a monarch is like companioning a tiger; a sovereign’s wrath can lead to rivers of blood, not to mention their powerless and unprivileged Prince’s Mansion?

Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun dared not take things lightly.

They hadn’t been seated for long when there was a knock at the door.

"Brother-in-law is here!" Li Shaojun, in his eagerness, got up to open the door, but after a glance from Li Rui, he finally walked properly.

As soon as Li Shaojun saw Yelu Yan, he beamed with joy and called out crisply, "Brother-in-law!"

Li Xianyun felt a bit awkward as she picked up the teacup in front of her and took a sip of tea.

Her younger brother, full of youthful vigor and pride, seldom showed such respect and reverence to anyone.

Seeing his obedient behavior, she felt a bit unaccustomed.

Yelu Yan nodded at Li Shaojun with a smile and gave a hum, striding into the room.

Li Rui and his wife, along with Li Xianyi, had already stood up, and Li Xianyun was pulled up by Li Rui as well.

That morning, in a casual conversation with Li Xianyun, Qiu Qianyun had reminded her that even if she was favored by her husband, she must never become arrogant because of it.

The couple were both of a very cautious nature, honed from their life in Chang’an.

Yelu Yan gave Li Rui and spouse a formal bow before speaking, "Father Emperor and Mother Empress, I feared disrupting your rest this morning, and so I did not come to pay my respects; please do not take offense."

Li Rui’s face beamed with a smile, "With the Khan occupied with official duties, how could my wife and I take offense?"

Although Yelu Yan intentionally lowered his status, treating them with the courtesy due to in-laws, Li Rui dared not presume too much.

Having observed Yelu Yan’s affection for Li Xianyun throughout the half day, everyone saw it, and Li Rui naturally held Yelu Yan in high regard.

But no flower is in bloom for a hundred days, and nobody remains favored every day; one must act humbly when the going is smooth and not be boastful.

"Father Emperor, Mother Empress, now that Xianxian and I are married, I am your son, you might as well call me Ayan like Grandmother, it feels more intimate," he said.

Li Xianyun watched Yelu Yan with shifting gazes, not expecting the usually reticent Yelu Yan would utter such pleasant words.

As expected, upon hearing this, Li Rui repeated the word "good" several times, but he dared not actually address him so.

The group took their seats, with Yelu Yan sitting next to Li Rui.

Li Xianyun sat beside Yelu Yan, while the other three members of the Li Family sat on Li Rui’s side.

When Yelu Yan had entered, he had been stealing glances at Li Xianyun from time to time; now he could finally look over openly, but with a table full of people, it wasn’t appropriate to speak only with Li Xianyun.

He glanced at Li Xianyun with a smile and then turned to Li Rui, "Father Emperor, Mother Empress, have you visited the workshops and the Drying Room?"

"Indeed,"

Yelu Yan smiled and said, "Xianxian is very clever and capable."

"Xianxian has always liked to read all kinds of extraneous books since she was a child. From those books, she has learned a lot and often amazed us," Li Rui said with a smile.

He was very proud to have a daughter like Li Xianyun.

Yelu Yan also couldn’t help but sing her praises.

Once the conversation started, the atmosphere in the private room no longer felt as serious and constrained as it had at the beginning.

The topics all revolved around Li Xianyun.

Yelu Yan talked about how Li Xianyun had modified the trebuchet and the repeating crossbow, and also mentioned her overseeing the construction of carts for overturning barriers and transporting troops.

Li Rui talked about how Li Xianyun was so engrossed in books that she formed an affinity with weaponry and machinery.

Yelu Yan very much enjoyed listening to Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun talk about Li Xianyun. He listened attentively, occasionally glancing at Li Xianyun, his eyes full of indulgence.

From the words of Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun, Yelu Yan learned that his woman had shown talent in the field of weaponry and machinery from a young age. Merely through reading and daily observation, she could penetrate the essentials of machinery, truly an admirable feat.

Yelu Yan couldn’t help but think that if Li Xianyun were a man, with her abilities, she would have made a name for herself long ago. Unfortunately...

But it didn’t matter. The good deeds that Li Xianyun had done for the people and the country in Khitan, he would promote them far and wide. He would ensure her achievements were recorded in history for posterity, and her talents would never be buried.

Yelu Yan harbored great ambitions, yet he was magnanimous and indifferent to his own reputation. But now, he started to care about it.

Of course, he didn’t care about his own reputation, but that of Li Xianyun’s.

He wanted the whole world to know of his love for Li Xianyun, to let the whole world know he had married the best woman in the world.

As the saying goes, "With wine and a good friend, a thousand cups are too few; with no shared interests, even half a word is too much." Yelu Yan and Li Rui found great joy in their conversation, and time passed quickly.

After eating, Yelu Yan turned to Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun and said, "Father, Mother, it’s getting late. I must go to the military camp. I’ll join you and Mother for dinner when I return tonight."

Li Xianyun had already told Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun about Tia.

Upon hearing this, the couple was so shocked they couldn’t speak for quite a while.

In their minds, the Khitan woman living at the edge of their village had always been a mystery; they didn’t know where she came from or her name, and they hardly ever saw her throughout the year.

If they hadn’t passed by the spotless yet simple courtyard at the head of the village while working the fields, they would have almost forgotten her existence in the village.

It wasn’t until Tia and Li Xianyun became acquainted that the couple, wishing to thank her for teaching Li Xianyun medical skills, had brought her food and clothing a few times—that’s when they actually met Tia.

The world is full of complications; what seems significant might seem trivial and vice versa. Yet, in such turns of fate, Li Xianyun had formed such a deep connection with Yelu Yan.

It started with Tia teaching Li Xianyun medical skills, and then Li Xianyun used these skills to save her son—Yelu Yan.

Destiny is truly mysterious, as if there is an invisible hand arranging everything.

Li Xianyun did not elaborate on Tia’s experiences and Li Rui and Qiu Qianyun did not ask.

Doesn’t everyone have secrets?

Li Xianyun has always been prudent and thorough in her actions. If she didn’t divulge Tia’s story, it meant there were matters not meant for outsiders. So why should they press their daughter?

They only cared about whether Li Xianyun would have a good life in the future.

What reassured them was that both Yelu Yan and Tia would be good to Li Xianyun, and moreover, it spared her the potential for mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts. It was, indeed, an excellent marriage.