The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 635: Okay, I’ll listen to you (first update)

Houliang indeed offered very tempting conditions, and Khitan gained both fame and profit, leaving no reason to disagree.

Li Xianyun said, "War not only exhausts the people and drains the treasury but also plunges the citizens of both nations into extreme misery. Ending the war is beneficial for both sides. You were right to agree to the ceasefire."

Yelu Yan knew that Li Xianyun was always understanding; whatever decision he made, she would support him, but in his heart, it did not feel good.

He had promised to personally take Murong Ce’s life, had promised to avenge her.

Although Yelu Yan did not express it openly, Li Xianyun had already read his mind, "Husband, I do want revenge, but I don’t want it through plunging the people of both countries into war. And you have already done so much for me."

Li Xianyun turned her head, looked at Yelu Yan, and smiled, "Husband, you don’t need to hide it from me. You have planted a large number of Hidden Guards in Houliang, and the forces you support will drain Murong Ce’s resources, leading to his ultimate downfall."

Yelu Yan widened his eyes and looked at her, "You knew all this?"

Li Xianyun nodded her head.

"The wicked will eventually destroy themselves. After this battle, Houliang suffered a great defeat and ceded a lot of territory to Khitan. Murong Ce will surely be controversial within Houliang. He will need to resort to extreme measures in his bid to centralize power and stabilize his emperorship. When someone loses the people’s support, the assistance diminishes. When he loses the people’s hearts, the Murong Xuan you saved will become useful."

In the past, in his quest for power, Murong Ce fabricated various charges to suppress the other princes, with the fifth prince of Houliang, Murong Xuan, who was known for his virtue, becoming his main target.

Having no place to go, Murong Xuan fled to Khitan, seeking Yelu Yan’s protection.

Yelu Yan was already acquainted with Murong Xuan when he was still the Prince, having some interactions.

So he settled Murong Xuan in a mansion in Shangjing and assigned a strong guard detail.

Murong Ce made several attempts at assassination but Shangjing was secure like an iron barrel, offering no opportunity to strike, so he could only let the matter rest.

This wasn’t a secret affair; it wasn’t strange that Li Xianyun knew about it.

Yelu Yan continued to dry her hair, "So, you’re not angry?"

"Why would I be angry?" Her enemy was a monarch of a country; how could she simply take revenge whenever she wished? Besides, revenge was her matter, and she didn’t want Yelu Yan to be too preoccupied with it, "And I miss my grandmother and mother. I want to return to Shangjing."

A heavy gloom finally lifted from Yelu Yan’s heart.

It was good she didn’t blame him for withdrawing the troops.

After drying her hair, Yelu Yan picked up the comb from the table and neatly combed her hair, then crawled into bed, enfolding the fragrant, soft beauty in his arms, kissing her over and over.

Li Xianyun thought he was moved again and with slightly parted red lips, she softly uttered, "Husband, I really can’t take it anymore."

Yelu Yan chuckled softly, "Your husband knows."

Saying this, he kissed her forehead, holding her, "Let’s sleep."

The night was tranquil, with only the sound of the lamp and the dripping of water.

Yelu Yan’s voice came faintly again, "Xianxian, pack your things tomorrow. Have your maids do it. Don’t get involved, don’t overexert yourself."

Li Xianyun, nestled in his arms with her eyes closed, chuckled lightly, "Now you know how to pity people. I didn’t see you holding back just now."

Yelu Yan laughed, "That’s a different matter. Who told you your husband is too vigorous? You’ll just have to bear with it."

"Brazen." Li Xianyun said, "Husband, on the way back to the capital, I want to stop by Yanzhou. I need to arrange for the women of the clothing workshop. Some of them are family members of disgraced officials, most have been trafficked, and I want to send them home."

Yelu Yan gently stroked Li Xianyun’s head, full of affection, "Alright, we’ll do as you wish."

Li Xianyun’s hand tightened around Yelu Yan’s strong waist, pressing even closer into his embrace.

Yelu Yan tightened his hug around her, whispering softly, "Sleep now."

"Okay."

The next morning, Li Xianyun and a few maids began packing.

In reality, there wasn’t much to pack—clothes, necessities for daily life, a medicine box, and sundried herbs.

While following Yelu Yan through the territories of Houliang, Li Xianyun discovered many rare and valuable medicinal herbs on her journey.

So, she had her people collect a lot of them and dry them in the estate. Most of them were already dried and ready for medicine, while a few were still a bit moist and required extra attention during the return to the capital.

Yelu Yan had many tasks to attend to.

Signing treaties between the two countries was a minor matter; the key was ensuring these agreements were implemented down to every detail.

If Houliang failed to appease the Khitans, Yelu Yan would never issue the order to withdraw his troops.

During the negotiations between the two countries, the Khitans, as the victorious side, were very assertive, leaving Houliang with no choice but to acquiesce.

Yelu Yan wanted to wrap things up before returning to the capital to avoid any complications, so he accelerated all the scheduled agendas.

Houliang had no say in this matter.

The day after the negotiations were settled, Yelu Yan sent his officials and soldiers deep into the sixteen states of Hengzhou to take over the management of various affairs.

Yelu Yan was rather enlightened in his treatment of the people in these sixteen states.

If they wished to move back to Houliang, he would not stop them, but if they chose to stay, the original citizens of Houliang, apart from enjoying the same rights as the Khitan people, would also have to pay the same tribute taxes.

After this decree was issued, not many people moved back to Houliang.

Actually, this was not surprising.

For the common folk, war brought only pain and separation.

People simply wanted to live their lives well. As for who won or lost the war, it really didn’t matter to them as long as it did not affect their daily lives.

Although Yelu Yan was of a different ethnicity, he governed with diligence and had grand strategies, making him a renowned leader.

At the same time, Yelu Yan was generous towards the people, with less onerous taxes than those levied by Houliang.

Thus, the people were mostly willing to stay.

Therefore, Yelu Yan, because he needed to deal with the diplomatic affairs between the two countries, was delayed for a few days.

During this time, Li Xianyun wished to return to Yanzhou first, but Yelu Yan disagreed.

Once bitten, twice shy.

He could no longer bear any accidents happening to Li Xianyun.

Li Xianyun had no choice but to find things to occupy herself with.

Early in the morning, in the deserted school, Li Xianyun taught medicine, and in the afternoon, she treated and saved people there.

As a healer, she had always harbored the desire to hang a medicine gourd for the benefit of the world and relieve the suffering of the people.

Now, her wish was fulfilled.

Gradually, Li Xianyun became even busier than Yelu Yan.

She had to be personally urged by Yelu Yan at the end of each day to wrap up and return to the estate.

Yelu Yan would still give Li Xianyun massages to ease her muscles, and often, they would end up rolling into each other’s arms.

After a few days, Yelu Yan’s capable lieutenants had already straightened out the affairs of each state.

The sixteen states of Hengzhou were now completely under Khitan jurisdiction.

Only then did Yelu Yan feel at ease to head north back to the capital with Li Xianyun.

Different from the tension on the way there, their return journey was leisurely, with the two enjoying themselves while traveling.

To facilitate their enjoyment, Yelu Yan had left the army under the command of Shulu Xi to make their own way back to the capital,

while he chose only a little over a hundred skilled guards to protect Li Xianyun and himself.