Ein Bettler bereist die Welt

Kapitel 16

Standing up from the ground, Xiao Xuan endured the burning pain in her shoulder and said, "Hmph, what a stinky man, what's so great about him, all he does is bully women." She glanced at the little red horse beside her and muttered to herself, "Achi, you're the best, only you won't leave me." After saying that, she endured the pain and climbed onto Achi's back, slowly strolling along.

Whether I'm alive or dead, I really don't understand why I came here. Xiao Xuan and A Chi wandered aimlessly when they heard the rapid sound of horses' hooves behind them again. Xiao Xuan closed her eyes and said softly, "I don't care who it is this time. This old lady doesn't care."

The sound of hooves grew closer and closer. Suddenly, a strong arm lifted him up, and he felt light all over. In the blink of an eye, he was transferred from Achi's horse to another person's horse.

Opening her eyes and looking at Yelü Xiuge sitting behind her, Xiao Xuan was about to curse him fiercely: "You stinky man, who cares about you!" when a gust of wind struck her, and she felt a pain in the back of her neck and fainted.

"You filthy woman!" Hugh practically spat out the words through gritted teeth.

He was furious. For days, he'd been like a headless fly, frantically searching for any news about her, but she was like a blank sheet of paper, leaving no trace. He'd meant well, wanting to rescue her from King Yelü Jing's clutches, but now he'd inexplicably become a burden. While he didn't feel any aversion towards her, but rather a fondness, her capriciousness, her spoiled princess temper, and her tendency to disappear at the drop of a hat infuriated him. When he heard the Emperor's secret order to find her, he was overjoyed. Losing her left him with a lingering sense of guilt, so he searched day and night, relentlessly exploring every corner of the Han territory. He probably knew this land of the Han Dynasty better than the Han people themselves.

He had traveled day and night, weary from his journey, all to atone for his guilt. Hearing her voice, he was thrilled and rushed over, only to find her injured. Enraged, he wanted nothing more than to kill the man. He initially intended to knock her unconscious to check her injuries, but she didn't understand his good intentions. "What does your husband's ability have to do with me, Brother Xiu?" she thought. In a fit of rage, he threw her off his horse and left alone. But he hadn't gone far before he had to turn back. "You wretched woman! You wretched woman! Consider it a debt I owe you. I'll send you back to the Xiao residence. You, Xiao Chuo, have nothing more to do with me, Brother Yelü Xiu!"

Holding the unconscious girl tightly to his chest, Hugh searched for a place to stay. Finally, he saw a dilapidated hut, dismounted, and carried Xiao Xuan to the door.

The door opened, revealing a poor family. Seeing the burly Hugh and the weapon hanging on his horse, the skinny man who opened the door trembled with fear.

"Make me a room," Hugh said. "I have some wild game I've hunted soon, I'll give it to you to eat."

The man, no longer daring to ask for any wild game, hurriedly opened the door and let Xiu Ge in. In this chaotic situation, judging from the man's physique, he was clearly not a farmer. As long as he didn't harm his family, he didn't dare ask for any food.

Hugh glanced at the family huddled in a corner of the house, too lazy to ask them anything more. He picked up Xiaoxuan and carried her into the bedroom, placing her on the bed. He called out, "Bring me a basin of water and put it in this room. Also, get me a clean set of women's clothes and put them in here too." After giving the orders, Hugh went out of the house, took a bag off his horse, and carried it inside. He tossed it on the ground and said to the man in the house, "Cook the flour in the bag into porridge and let it cool. There's some wild game in the bag; take it all out and hunt it for the children. If you don't have enough, I'll go out and hunt some more for you later. The woman in the house is injured; you can squeeze in for now, but give her the bed and the room."

The man didn't dare to speak, only nodding nervously. Hugh, who had entered the bedroom, saw that the woman had already prepared water and clothes, and said to her, "Go out and help cook some porridge."

Looking at Xiao Xuan lying unconscious on the bed, Brother Xiu hesitated for a moment before unbuttoning her clothes.

Her snow-white skin was laid out before him. Hugh remained unfazed, his mind focused solely on examining the wound. Because of the close distance from which the arrow was shot, the arrowhead was deeply embedded. Hugh hesitated, wondering if removing the arrowhead would wake her from the pain. After a moment's hesitation, Hugh pressed his face close to Xiaoxuan's shoulder. Her delicate fragrance wafted into his nostrils. Inhaling the alluring scent, Hugh bit his lip hard, trying to suppress his thoughts. Then, he opened his mouth, biting down firmly on the exposed joint between the arrow shaft and the iron tip, took a deep breath, and forcefully pulled upwards.

"Ah!" The pain in her body forced Xiaoxuan, who was in a coma, to wake up. Her lips trembled, and every nerve in her body was twitching. The pain left her without the strength to even scream. Slowly opening her tired eyes, she wanted to see clearly what had happened.

"Alright, just wait for me to bandage you up." Hugh's deep voice came from beside her ear. With tears streaming down her face, she looked at him and saw him putting down the wine bag in his hand, then picking up a clean cloth and carefully and meticulously bandaging her shoulder.

So this is what it feels like to be injured. Xiao Chuo, this body is yours, but I, living in your body now, can clearly feel that excruciating pain. Xiao Chuo, if I have harmed your body, then please give me a chance, give me a chance to make amends to this body.

She endured the pain, closed her eyes tightly, and let him manipulate her, feeling no fear whatsoever. She knew he was helping her. Just as she was about to fall asleep, she heard his deep voice again, "Eat something before you sleep. It's uncomfortable to sleep on an empty stomach."

"Is there food?" Xiaoxuan opened her eyes and asked softly.

Then Hugh got up, walked out of the room, and came back in a moment later with a bowl.

"It's thin porridge, and it's already warm. Let me help you drink it."

He helped Xiaoxuan up, held the bowl to her lips, and watched as she slowly drank the porridge, her brows furrowed, until it was all gone. Only then did Xiu's expression improve somewhat.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 30 Sisters

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:04 Word Count: 3403

"Go to sleep." Hugh helped Xiaoxuan lie down. "I'll go out and hunt some game to give to this family as compensation. I'll be back soon."

After hearing this, Xiaoxuan gently closed her eyes and fell asleep. She was very tired and exhausted, and her injuries ached terribly, but she believed in him. Brother Xiu, with you by my side, I have nothing to fear.

Hugh rode away and returned shortly afterward, keeping his promise and bringing back more game for the family.

In the days that followed, Xiao Xuan rode alongside Xiu Ge, her frail body often nestled in his arms, letting him gallop freely. Falling asleep in his embrace was no longer a one-off occurrence; his chest seemed safer than any bed. She was no longer afraid to return to the Liao Dynasty, no longer afraid of Yelü Jing, for she knew that this man named Yelü Xiu Ge would surely save her.

Her injuries healed day by day, but Xiao Xuan also grew thinner. After a long and arduous journey, enduring wind and rain, the two finally returned to Shangjing, the capital of the Liao Dynasty. Standing not far from the gate of the Xiao residence, they seemed to have something to say, yet also seemed to have nothing to say at all.

“Now that you’re home, you should go back,” Hugh said in a deep voice, his face expressionless.

"Hmph, don't think that just because I'm home, it's none of your business. I was injured right under your nose, so you have to take responsibility. Yelü Xiuge, you'll never be able to shirk your responsibility in this lifetime."

"You!" Hugh's eyebrows shot up, and he roared, "Who let you run away! Who let you leave the military camp? If you hadn't left the military camp, would this have happened?"

“Yelü Talie drove me away!” Xiao Xuan replied confidently.

"You!" Hugh gritted his teeth in anger. "He kicked you out, go find him!"

"I'll remember both of you," Xiaoxuan said through gritted teeth, glaring at Xiu Ge. "Neither of you will get away. When I get the chance, I'll deal with you." In short, she felt safest as long as Xiu Ge was by her side. She was determined to stick with him; as long as she, Xiaoxuan, had a breath left in her body, Xiu Ge, you wouldn't get rid of me.

Xiu Ge had no idea what Xiao Xuan was thinking. He just glared at her fiercely. Feeling uneasy under Xiu Ge's menacing gaze, Xiao Xuan quickly headed towards the Xiao residence. Before she even reached the gate, some sharp-eyed servants spotted their third young lady and turned to shout into the courtyard, "The third young lady is back! The third young lady is back!"

Xiao Xuan, who was sent to the doorstep of "his" home in the capital by Brother Xiu, returned to her room without any effort, guided by the enthusiastic servants.

With the help of the maids, Xiao Xuan changed into clean clothes and washed up. She sat on the bed, surveying her so-called "own" room. It was clean, simple, and comfortable. This room was far more spacious and grand than the one she had woken up in Nanjing. It seemed the living conditions here were quite good; she should be able to enjoy life. Thinking of her pitiful state and the suffering she had endured these past few days, Xiao Xuan felt a pang of sadness. She had to make up for it, she had to make up for all the suffering she had endured. Just as she was pondering this, she heard a scream from the courtyard: "Yan Yan! Yan Yan!"

Xiao Xuan stared wide-eyed at her bedroom door. Who was that woman's voice? Xiao Chuo's mother? No, wasn't she long gone? Then it could be... Xiao Chuo's sister! Yes! That's right! Anyone who addresses Xiao Chuo like that must be her sister! The question is, is this woman the eldest or the second eldest?

Xiao Xuan racked her brains, trying to figure out if this woman was her eldest or second eldest sister, when a graceful and elegant woman entered the house. She was stunningly beautiful, with slightly upturned eyes that hinted at a hint of peach blossoms, her brows and eyes sparkling with spring, and a coquettish expression on her face. Upon entering the house and seeing Xiao Xuan, she frowned slightly, adding a touch of coldness to her pretty face.

"Sister!" Xiao Xuan called out to the woman, her mind racing. Xiu-ge had said that her second sister was the Princess Consort of Zhao, and that her brother-in-law was imprisoned for treason, while her sister was under house arrest in the Zhao Prince's residence. So this woman before her must be her eldest sister! Hahaha, I'm so clever! "Hello, eldest sister!"

The woman, whose pretty face had been frosty, curled her lip upon hearing this, walked up to Xiaoxuan, and poked Xiaoxuan hard on the head: "Are you out of your mind? Can't you even tell your eldest sister and second sister apart? Eldest sister, eldest sister, you only have eyes for your eldest sister! Look at you, all rustic and dirty, where is your lady-like appearance? It's all because your eldest sister spoiled you, making you just as crazy and unruly as her!"

Touching her head, Xiao Xuan wanted to cry out in pain. What was going on? She had just returned to her own little nest, hadn't even had a chance to enjoy the comfort and peace, and was already being scolded by this shrew-like woman. Good heavens! Xiao Chuo, you have absolutely no status in your own home!

"Yo yo yo!"

Before Xiaoxuan could react, another shout came from the doorway: "Who's gone crazy? Who's corrupting whom?" A woman who looked refreshed and spirited walked into the room.

"What do you think?" the beautiful woman said to the imposing woman who walked in. "Look at her! What kind of person is she! Crazy and wild, she even dares to offend His Majesty. I don't know how much guts she has! Now she doesn't even say hello to anyone, she runs off to wherever she wants to go crazy. Does she have no manners at all? Yan Yan, do you still care about your father? Do you still care about your mother? Humph! Eldest sister, only one person could have taught Yan Yan to do this."

"Oh dear! Princess Zhao, you should rest. You just had a chance to leave the Zhao Prince's residence, and now you're coming home to scold people. If you have the chance, you should go home and spend more time with your family."

Hearing them say that, Xiao Xuan finally realized that the imposing woman was "her" eldest sister, and the beautiful woman was "her" second sister.

"Third sister, third sister!"

The women's battle inside the house hadn't ended when another childish shout came from the doorway. Xiao Xuan looked up and saw a cute little boy standing in the doorway. The little boy was about to go inside, but when he saw there were two more women inside, his bright smile froze. Looking at the two women inside, he respectfully called out, "Big sister, second sister."

This little boy is so cute, so funny!

Xiao Xuan was delighted to see this and secretly waved to the little boy. The little boy obviously saw Xiao Xuan waving to him and immediately called out with a big smile, "Third Sister," and ran towards Xiao Xuan.

"Jixian, why are you running around instead of studying properly?" Second Sister shouted.

"Jixian, have you been practicing your kung fu properly? Look at you, so weak and frail, you don't look like a man at all!" the eldest sister shouted.

The little boy looked at his eldest sister, then at his second sister, and said, "I'm going to practice my kung fu and calligraphy now. Third sister, I'll come see you again when I have time!" With that, he turned and ran out of the room.

Seeing the adorable little boy reluctantly leave, Xiao Xuan shook her head. "Ji Xian, Xiao Ji Xian, so you're the Xiao Ji Xian that 'I' nicknamed 'Brother Liu Zhi,' hahaha." Xiao Xuan chuckled inwardly, then looked at her eldest sister and then at her second sister, feeling extremely depressed. With these two shrews around, Zhong Xuan, I'm afraid your days won't be easy.

Standing frozen in the room, not knowing what to do, she heard her eldest sister say, "Yan Yan, what are you standing here for? Come on, let's go hunting together."

"Xiao Hulian! Yan Yan just got home, and instead of asking her where she's been or what she's been doing, you're taking her out to have fun again? You're supposed to be the eldest sister!" the second sister said angrily to the eldest sister.

"Xiao Yangan! Don't keep bringing up rules with me. I'm your eldest sister. How can you talk to your eldest sister like that?" The eldest sister, Xiao Hulian, said, "Where Yanyan went is her own business. She's back safe and sound now, so what's there to ask? Worrying about things is your specialty, Princess Zhao's specialty, not mine. If you listen to your sister's advice, hurry back to the Prince Zhao's residence. Maybe there will be a general amnesty, and your brother-in-law can come home. Instead of waiting at home to be affectionate with him, you've run back to your parents' house to throw a tantrum? Could it be that Xiyin has found someone else? Hahaha."

"You're talking nonsense! He wouldn't dare!" Xiao Yangan's face grew even colder. After being scolded by Xiao Hunian, she had long lost her patience and no longer cared about her status as a princess or her manners and etiquette, so she started cursing.

Seeing that his second sister Xiao Yangan was angry with him, Xiao Hulian burst into laughter, "Hahaha, hahaha, Princess Zhao is angry, Yan Yan, let's go quickly." After saying that, he quickly walked to Xiao Xuan's side, grabbed Xiao Xuan's arm, and ran out of the room quickly.

"Xiao Hu Nian!"

A roar came from behind. Xiao Xuan looked worriedly at the woman pulling her along as they ran. The woman had a smile on her face, as if the powerful shout had no effect on her, and was just an ordinary occurrence.

Watching his elder sister, Xiao Hulian, drag her younger sister away right in front of him, a sister who had been out of contact for so long, Xiao Yangan was furious, her face turning purple, but she was helpless. After all, she was his eldest sister and the future Queen Consort of the Liao Dynasty.

Empress of Khitan - Chapter Thirty-One: Her Heart's Desire

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:04 Word Count: 3600

Previously, when her father told her that he had arranged a marriage between her and Yelü Xian for her eldest sister, she secretly laughed at his poor judgment. Yelü Xian was just a sickly man; what great achievements could he possibly have? He spent his days hunting and chatting with His Majesty Yelü Jing. But now, Yelü Xian was a completely different person. Immediately after Yelü Jing's death, he declared himself king and seized the throne. Now, anyone who harbored ambitions to seize the throne would have to put in considerable effort. She never imagined that her father would unintentionally find such a good marriage for her eldest sister. Thinking of this, Xiao Yangan sighed deeply. Sisters, yet so different. She was a concubine of the Emperor of Liao, while she was merely a concubine of the Prince of Zhao. Thinking of her husband, Xiao Yangan frowned. If her husband had succeeded in his rebellion, she would have been the Empress of Liao long ago! Humph!

As Xiao Yangan pondered, he walked out of his room and stood in the courtyard, lost in thought. Then he heard a distant call: "Yan Yan, Yan Yan."

"It's Dad!" Xiao Yan hurriedly went to meet the voice. Sure enough, he saw Xiao Siwen, panting and shouting, running towards them.

"Father! Stop running! You're so old, why are you still doing this? What's the point? Don't you care about your health?" Xiao Yangan stepped forward and stopped Xiao Siwen.

"Agan, you're here too! Quick, help me find your sister Yan Yan, quick!" Xiao Siwen said breathlessly.

“Father, don’t be anxious. I know you love your sister. You must miss Yan Yan terribly since you haven’t seen her for so long. But as soon as Yan Yan came back, her older sister dragged her out to play. There’s no use in being anxious. We have to wait until they come back. Let me help you rest first,” Xiao Yangan said.

"What?! Yan Yan has been taken away by Nian'er! Nian'er, you've ruined everything! What are we going to do?!" Xiao Siwen stood there stamping her feet.

Seeing his own father so anxious, Xiao Yangan was very puzzled and quickly asked, "Father, what's making you so anxious?"

"Alas! This morning, Father was discussing matters with His Majesty and the ministers when Yelü Xiuge came to report. His Majesty was very happy to see Xiuge, and when he heard that he had found your sister, he was overjoyed and had someone set an auspicious date. Yan Yan will be married in five days."

"Oh? So soon! May I ask who Your Majesty has betrothed your sister to?"

Looking at his second daughter's questioning face, Xiao Siwen sighed and said, "It's not a promise to anyone else. His Majesty has chosen Yan Yan. Five days from now is the day His Majesty will welcome your sister into the palace."

"What? It's Yan Yan? Isn't it my sister? Didn't Father betroth my sister to His Majesty?" Xiao Yangan was utterly bewildered.

Xiao Siwen nodded and said sadly, "Yes, Father promised Nian'er to His Majesty, but His Majesty chose Yan Yan. He wants Yan Yan."

"Then what about my sister's marriage..."

"His Majesty has re-arranged a marriage for Nian'er, betrothing her to Prince Qi, Yansa Ge," Xiao Siwen said.

Xiao Yangan was startled upon hearing this, then chuckled inwardly. "Yelü Xian, you're a man of few words. I never knew you had this trick up your sleeve." He continued, "After I ascended the throne, I immediately began to win over the ministers, including the Prince of Qi, who was even more qualified to claim the throne than you. Hmph, you married my sister to the Prince of Qi, and you married my younger sister—a brilliant move, killing two birds with one stone! This marriage alliance makes your rule even more secure. Kid, I never expected someone as sickly as you to possess such deep cunning."

As Xiao Yangan was pondering this, Xiao Siwen was already anxiously calling out, "Nian'er, Nian'er, you're going to worry your father to death!"

"Father, don't rush! The date is set so soon, I'll help you arrange this marriage." Xiao Yangan also had her own ideas. Her husband's secret plot to rebel couldn't succeed, and she herself was willing but unable to help. Now that her younger sister had become the Princess of Liao, it was better than her sister Xiao Hulian, with whom she had always been at odds. Her younger sister had always been obedient to her since childhood. As long as her sister married, she could occasionally visit the palace and whisper in her ear, which would be beneficial to her husband's future. Thinking this way, she was even more determined to help her father arrange this marriage. The two were standing in the courtyard when a frightened person rushed in, kneeling and shouting, "Master, Second Miss, at the gate, at the gate..."

"Can't you speak properly? You can't even explain things clearly?" Xiao Yan said angrily, looking at the stammering servant.