The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 551 - 550 Grand Wedding (second update)

Li Xianyun had known beforehand that arranging a wedding was a painstaking task, but now that she was personally experiencing it, she realized even more profoundly how rare it was for a man to spare no effort and wade through an ocean of trivial matters for the sake of one woman.

A red carpet over two zhang wide extended from the gates of Haoyang Palace all the way into the majestic halls of the palace, measuring a good seven to eight hundred meters in length.

Every few steps along the red carpet stood palace servants and maids, with courtiers who came for the wedding outside of them, and soldiers guarding the perimeter.

Escorted by a ceremonial honor guard, Li Xianyun, surrounded by courtiers, palace servants, and maids, made her way towards the high platform of Haoyang Palace.

Her appearance immediately became the focus of everyone’s attention; foreign dignitaries and envoys who came to offer congratulations, as well as many Khitan civil and military officials who were seeing Li Xianyun for the first time.

They were very curious about Li Xianyun, the Khan’s favored concubine, and now that they finally saw her, they understood why she was rumored to be a bewitching enchantress who charmed the Khan.

With such a seductive and charming figure, such a bright and beautiful face, such an elegant and graceful demeanor, and such an extraordinary and outstanding aura, she was indeed a rare beauty.

It truly echoed the saying, "Such a woman should exist only in heaven; how often does one hear of her in the human world?"

For those exceedingly beautiful things, people always liked to describe them as divine or as enchantments.

Li Xianyun’s gaze fell upon the tall and majestic man on the high platform.

He stood on the high platform, dressed in red festive attire, as if he were an exalted deity, awe-inspiring and commanding in authority.

Behind him stood a line of neatly arranged courtiers, among whom were Li Rui and Li Shaojun.

Li Xianyun had only taken a few steps when Yelu Yan stepped down from the stairs.

The assembly was taken aback; Xiao Dilu’s eyelids twitched twice. As Yelu Yan’s former teacher, only he dared to speak up to remind him, "Khan."

According to etiquette, during the Khan’s grand wedding, the Queen is to be escorted towards the Khan; there was no precedent for the Khan to step down from the high platform to greet her.

Where was the majesty of the ruler? What about the proper etiquette?

Yelu Yan turned a deaf ear, his steps never faltering, as he walked straight down the stairs.

A smile hung on his lips, his face radiant with joy.

Yelu Yan was usually self-restrained and reticent, hardly ever smiling and deeply strategic, making people fearfully wonder what he was thinking.

Therefore, the Yelu Yan at this moment seemed quite unfamiliar to the crowd; he wore his affection and favor for Li Xianyun openly on his face, concealing nothing. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

At this moment, facing Li Xianyun as she gracefully approached, Yelu Yan could hardly contain his excitement.

He was a man who had been through great turmoil; the cruelty of the battlefield, the scheming and intrigue of the court, and the incessant threat of assassination... none of these ever perturbed him.

Yet now his heart surged with emotion that he struggled to calm, like a young lad, overjoyed beyond measure at marrying the girl he had long yearned for.

Yelu Yan assessed his woman as he walked.

Usually, Li Xianyun either went barefaced or wore light makeup, like an isolated orchid, tender and beautiful with a unique charm.

But at this moment, Li Xianyun was dressed in heavy makeup, like a peony in full bloom transformed into a person, beguiling and captivating, seizing one’s soul.

Why was it that she could so effortlessly capture his heart?

Yelu Yan once again felt the urge to wrap Li Xianyun in his embrace, to claim her for his own, not allowing anyone else to see her.

His woman was to bloom only for him, revealing her fragrance solely to him.

Watching the man stride towards her, Li Xianyun’s lips curved into a smile, revealing her pretty dimples.

Someone in the crowd let out an astonished sigh.

Li Xianyun was already exceedingly beautiful, and now with a gentle smile gracing her lips, it seemed as if the whole world blossomed along with her, emitting wisps of a subtle fragrance, intoxicating and enthralling onlookers.

Yelu Yan quickly reached Li Xianyun’s side and extended his hand toward her.

Li Xianyun placed her delicate hand in Yelu Yan’s rough palm.

At that moment, countless words of praise flooded people’s minds.

"A match of talents and good looks, made in heaven, a perfect match..." These clichéd phrases all confirmed people’s thoughts.

Indeed, the ancients did not deceive.

Yelu Yan looked at Li Xianyun with a doting smile, his eyes almost melting into rivers of affection.

He gathered his hands, gave Li Xianyun’s small hand a gentle squeeze, and led her, walking side by side with her on the long red carpet.

Yelu Yan’s tall figure made the delicate and exquisite Li Xianyun by his side seem even more graceful.

Yelu Yan leaned slightly towards Li Xianyun, very indulgent, and asked, "Did you have your meal earlier?"

Li Xianyun answered with a smiling "Mhm."

"Tell the truth."

Knowing full well the extent of his resources and far-reaching power, Li Xianyun honestly said, "I didn’t feel like eating when I woke up. I ate some pastries in the carriage."

Yelu Yan had feared she would not eat properly, so he had put plenty of food in the carriage.

"After the enthronement ceremony and the welcoming ceremony, we can return to Khan Palace for something to eat, and then you can rest a bit more," he said. "At the banquet in the evening, I’ll come get you."

Most of the social obligations were his; Li Xianyun only needed to appear at the evening banquet.

Li Xianyun gave a "Mhm" and looked towards the lofty man beside her.

Yelu Yan looked back at her and smiled, "What is it?"

Turning her head, Li Xianyun looked forward as they walked slowly, "My lord, I’m very happy to marry you."

Not skilled at expressing herself, this ordinary sentence already represented her feelings.

The smile on Yelu Yan’s face grew even brighter as he tightened his hold on Li Xianyun’s small hand.

"Xianxian," he said softly, "I’ve finally warmed your heart."

If there weren’t so many people around, he would certainly have embraced Li Xianyun tightly in his arms, holding her close, kissing her, and expressing his joy and excitement.

Li Xianyun glanced at him and thought to herself, she wasn’t made of stone, how could her heart not be warmed?

The couple entered Haoyang Palace amidst the throngs of people.

The palace was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, radiating an atmosphere of celebration.

With the Chief of the Department Ceremonial Affairs presiding, Yelu Yan and Li Xianyun completed the welcoming ceremony and became husband and wife.

Next, the Chief of the Department Ceremonial Affairs read the proclamation of Li Xianyun’s investiture.

The investiture of Li Xianyun as Queen praised her virtuous conduct, her beauty and intelligence, her good and gentle virtues and so on. It also announced that, to celebrate the Khan and Queen’s grand wedding, there would be an imperial amnesty and a nationwide holiday for three days.

This news spread rapidly beyond the palace as messengers galloped away, causing the common people to cheerfully spread the word.

As a ruler, Yelu Yan held a strong ability to control public opinion.

Those who spread rumors had been dealt with at the source, preventing any disturbance from the riff-raff.

Contrarily, accolades for Li Xianyun slowly spread.

Only then did people come to know that Li Xianyun, in addition to her achievements in Shangjing, had also designed and established housing for the poor at the Border Market and eradicated a plague on the frontier.

Although Li Xianyun was Han Chinese, no one dared to disrespect her due to Yelu Yan’s backing. Now aware of her silent deeds, they genuinely grew fond of and supported their new Queen.

After the proclamation, it was time for the bestowal of the imperial seal and golden treasures upon Li Xianyun, followed by the kneeling homage of all officials.

"Congratulations to the Khan! Congratulations to the Queen!" The resounding voices echoed again and again, long lasting and unending.