The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 644 - 642 Did Ayan not feed you enough? (Second update)

Yelu Yan least liked the sycophantic faces of palace attendants, but seeing his own woman coaxed into such happiness now, for the first time, he felt that their flattery was just right.

"Let’s go to the Cirui Palace," Yelu Yan said.

"Yes."

"Hold on," Li Xianyun instructed, "Youlan, bring the gifts prepared for the children."

Youlan quickly responded, "Yes!"

Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun rode a carriage to the Cirui Palace, while several other carriages carrying gifts went directly to the Khan Palace.

As the group just arrived at Cirui Palace, they saw Yaduo, already informed by the Palace Servants, waiting at the entrance of Cirui Hall with royal relatives.

Upon seeing many children among the crowd, Yelu Yan leaned over to Li Xianyun and smiled, "It’s good that you brought gifts for the children."

Li Xianyun smiled, "When the children are happy, the adults naturally feel happy too."

"I didn’t expect you at such a young age to handle social graces with such propriety."

"Thank you, my husband, for the compliment."

The carriage stopped smoothly at the entrance of Cirui Palace.

A Palace Servant placed the carriage step, and a guard opened the carriage door.

Yelu Yan led Li Xianyun out of the carriage.

Aside from Yaduo, everyone else knelt down to greet the couple.

Li Xianyun looked toward Yelu Xuan.

He was stealthily glancing at her, his eyes as bright and dark as if stars had settled in them.

Li Xianyun smiled and winked at him.

Yelu Xuan’s smile grew even broader.

Yelu Yan allowed everyone to rise, and together with Li Xianyun, they bowed to Yaduo, showing respect for the younger generation.

Yaduo’s face was filled with a benevolent smile; she approached Li Xianyun, took her small hand, and squeezed it tightly.

"My dear, you’ve finally returned. You don’t know how much your grandmother missed you during your absence."

Yaduo’s personal maid interjected, "Queen, the Imperial Noble Consort mentioned you several times a day, afraid that you were thirsty or tired. My ears are practically calloused from hearing it so much."

Li Xianyun laughed, "Your granddaughter has missed you too."

Yelu Yan, looking at Yaduo’s personal maid, inquired, "Nanny, has grandmother mentioned this grandson of hers?"

Since Li Xianyun had been by his side, Yelu Yan’s disposition was no longer as stiff and dull as it had been.

Yaduo’s personal maid opened her mouth, then closed it, unsure how to respond.

She couldn’t exactly say, "Replying to the Khan, the Imperial Noble Consort seldom mentions you."

Yaduo glanced at Yelu Yan disdainfully and with a face full of aversion commented, "You thick-skinned brute, what is there for grandmother to worry about?"

As she spoke, laughter broke out from all around.

Yaduo, holding Li Xianyun’s hand, led her inside, "Ignore him, grandmother has had some of your favorite dishes prepared."

"Thank you, Grandmother."

The ladies followed Yaduo and Li Xianyun, while the men followed behind Yelu Yan.

Li Xianyun noticed Yu Chi Qian had gained some weight. The Sixth Prince tried to support her, but she refused.

Clearly, she was afraid it would look improper amid so many people.

Li Xianyun commented with a smile, "The Princess Consort of the Sixth Prince has put on some weight; let the Sixth Prince lend a hand."

The ladies echoed in agreement.

Yaduo looked at Yelu Yu, "You don’t have as much consideration for Qianqian as Xianxian here. Go on, support her."

"Yes."

Yelu Yu was inwardly thrilled, finally able to openly support Yu Chi Qian.

Li Xianyun saw Yelu Xuan eagerly looking at her, and she truly wanted to hold the child’s hand. But with so many children around, holding just him might make others think unfavorably.

In a crowd, one still needs to be cautious.

Yaduo patted Li Xianyun on the shoulder and sized her up, "How did you get so thin? Has Ayan not been feeding you enough?"

Yelu Yan was talking to the Great Prince and did not hear Yaduo’s words. Had he heard them, he would certainly have argued.

Li Xianyun smiled and said, "No, it’s just that the journey has been bumpy, so I’ve lost some weight. I’ll gain it back in a few days."

"That’s true. Traveling can indeed make one lose weight," Yaduo remarked.

They arrived at the main dining hall.

In the vast hall, several tables were set, and maids were busy serving dishes to the tables.

Upon seeing their masters arrive, they all bowed respectfully and moved aside, continuing to serve without causing any disturbances.

Yaduo and Li Xianyun sat at one table, while the other ladies were seated at Li Xianyun’s table and another according to etiquette and status.

The men took up two tables.

The children occupied one table, with the smaller ones seated next to their mothers.

Yaduo, looking at Li Xianyun, smiled and said, "Haoyang Palace is really too far away, making it inconvenient for us to talk, so Grandmother arranged several tables here to liven things up."

She was not one to strictly follow convention, and even in her old age, she was full of ideas.

Li Xianyun smiled and said, "Indeed, it’s nice for the family to come together like this, so close and comfortable."

Khitan customs were not as extensive as those of Houtang; small family feasts did not require the segregation of male and female guests.

After Li Xianyun finished speaking, the others chimed in agreement.

Conversation flowed easily at the table, creating a congenial atmosphere.

Li Xianyun was not much of a talker, occasionally sharing some of her experiences from the frontier.

During the banquet, Yelu Yan often looked towards Li Xianyun, and when she spoke, he repeatedly glanced her way.

However, Li Xianyun deliberately avoided his gaze.

Initially, thinking he needed to speak with her, she met his eyes, but later realized that he had nothing particular to say and was just gazing at her.

After that, Li Xianyun did not glance his way at all.

Yelu Yan felt quite frustrated.

Until Yuchi Qian, who was sitting next to Li Xianyun, could not stand it any longer and gently nudged her with her elbow.

Only then did Li Xianyun look in the direction Yuchi Qian was hinting at, and saw Yelu Yan staring at her.

His eyes were full of melancholic longing.

Li Xianyun gave him a slight smile with pursed lips, then continued to listen to Yaduo’s conversation.

Yaduo was lively, like an old child, and with her presence, there was always much joy.

When the meal was halfway through, and while the adults were still eating and talking, the children became restless and kept wanting to leave the table.

Their mothers made desperate eye signals, trying to prevent them from causing any mischief.

Noticing this, Li Xianyun said to Yaduo, "Grandmother, on the way back to the capital, I bought a lot of things for the children."

The Princess Consorts expressed their gratitude, "Thank you, Queen."

Li Xianyun looked towards Youlan.

Youlan, accompanied by two maids, went out and soon returned, each carrying a large bundle.

As the bundles were opened, the children’s eyes lit up.

Inside were all sorts of strange and curious items.

There were fake birds that could flap their wings in cages, simple-minded cloth tigers, little kites, shuttlecocks, Cuju balls, jianzi, and also nine-linked rings, Luban locks, and other children’s toys.

Li Xianyun deliberately did not buy any food since each child’s taste was different, and these royal descendants were all spoiled, each raised in a particular way, making it uncertain what their dietary restrictions might be.

If she had given them food just to save face and they ended up stomach-sick, it would have been counterproductive.

Gifting the children toys they enjoyed playing with was sure to be safe.

Li Xianyun had bought many of each item, enough for every child to choose several rounds.

Seeing their own children quietly playing with their favorite toys, the adults could finally relax and chat happily.