Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

The days in the palace passed slowly. While Li Lingyuan tried to adapt to the ancient life, she also waited for the right time to approach the legendary prince, Xiao Yi, hoping to obtain his permission to enter the library. However, she did not expect that her first meeting with the prince would come so suddenly.

It was a sunny afternoon, and Li Lingyuan was practicing calligraphy in her room. Brush in hand, she meticulously wrote ancient poetry on rice paper. Though her handwriting was still a bit immature, her dedication was evident. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, followed by the hurried footsteps of Xiao Cui. Xiao Cui rushed into the room, her expression tense, and said, "Miss, the prince is here! Get ready!"

Li Lingyuan's heart suddenly tightened, and she nearly dropped the brush in her hand. A myriad of thoughts raced through her mind: nervousness, fear, and a hint of anticipation. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and with Xiao Cui's help, she fixed her clothes and hair. She had chosen a pale blue dress, embroidered with delicate orchids, and tied a white ribbon around her waist, accentuating her graceful figure. Xiao Cui re-tidied her hair and added a few simple yet sophisticated hair accessories.

When Xiao Yi walked into the room, Li Lingyuan felt as if the air in the whole room had frozen. She secretly looked at this legendary prince. He was dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold. The golden dragon on the robe was lifelike, as if it was about to take off. The scales of the golden dragon gleamed dazzlingly under the sunlight, showing its incomparable nobility. The cuffs and collar of the robe were embroidered with exquisite cloud patterns, adding a touch of elegance. His face was as handsome as a knife, with sword-like eyebrows slanting into his temples. His eyebrows were thick and stylish, like two sharp swords, revealing a heroic spirit. His pair of star-like eyes were deep and sharp, with a cold and majestic look in his eyes, as if he could see through everything. Under the high nose bridge, his lips were slightly pursed, giving people a sense of majesty without anger.

"Your Highness," Li Lingyuan imitated Xiao Cui's, performing a somewhat uncharacteristic salute. Xiao Yi frowned slightly, sizing up the woman before him. His gaze slowly shifted from Li Lingyuan's head to her feet, then back to her face. He noticed her nervousness, but what captivated him even more was the unique stubbornness in her eyes. Unlike the timid and pretentious women he'd met before, Li Lingyuan's eyes held a unique glint, a courageous embrace of the unknown and a resolute determination to remain true to herself.

"Raise your head." Xiao Yi's voice, deep and magnetic, echoed in the empty room like the sound of an ancient bell, striking Li Lingyuan's heart. Li Lingyuan took a deep breath, slowly raised her head, and met Xiao Yi's gaze. In that moment, she felt as if she had been seen through. His gaze was like a sharp sword, piercing her heart. But she still tried to straighten her spine, not wanting to show weakness before this strange ancient man.

"Are you the beauty sent here?" Xiao Yi asked, his tone unrecognizable. "I'm not some beauty. I'm Li Lingyuan, and I don't know why I'm here," Li Lingyuan said, mustering her courage. Her voice, though trembling, was crystal clear. Xiao Yi was slightly startled; he hadn't expected such a response from this woman, and a flicker of interest flashed in his eyes. In this ancient, male-dominated society, women were mostly submissive, and few were as outspoken as Li Lingyuan.

He walked over to Li Lingyuan and circled her, as if examining a precious object. Li Lingyuan could feel his gaze burning her like fire, her heartbeat accelerating, but she forced herself to remain calm. She could smell the faint scent of ambergris emanating from Xiao Yi, a mysterious and noble aura.

"You're quite different," Xiao Yi said. "But within this palace, it's best to follow the rules." Li Lingyuan felt a little unhappy. She didn't like being threatened like this, but she also knew now wasn't the time to act rashly, so she nodded slightly to show her understanding. She vowed to herself that she would quickly find a way to return to the modern world, leave this place, and break free from these constraints.

Xiao Yi stayed in the room for a while, asking about Li Lingyuan's basic situation. Li Lingyuan answered truthfully, but did not mention that she was a time traveler. She knew that if this secret was leaked, it could bring her death. Xiao Yi seemed satisfied with her answer. Before leaving, he looked at Li Lingyuan deeply and said, "Stay in the palace."

After Xiao Yi left, Li Lingyuan breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Cui approached, her face filled with worry, and said, "Miss, you were so bold just now, speaking to the prince like that." Li Lingyuan smiled wryly and said, "I can't help it. I don't want him to look down on me." From that day on, Li Lingyuan's life in the palace began to change. She knew she had caught the prince's attention, and her future might be even more difficult, but she also decided to use this opportunity to search for clues to return to the present day.

In the days that followed, Li Lingyuan diligently studied ancient etiquette and culture. She spent countless hours each day reading ancient books and consulting the palace teachers on various subjects. She understood that knowledge was the key to her survival in this world and her path home. Her reading not only enriched her with poetry, songs, and historical allusions, but also informed her of the politics, economy, and culture of the era. She discovered that while this ancient dynasty possessed its own splendor, it also suffered from numerous problems, such as a widening gap between the rich and the poor and corrupt officials.

At the same time, she began to observe the people and events in the palace, trying to find information that would benefit her. She discovered that the palace's stewards, while seemingly loyal, were actually secretly passing information to some concubines. Once, she saw the steward secretly hand a letter to a concubine's maid, which aroused her suspicions. She began to monitor the concubine's behavior. She discovered that the concubine often met with a mysterious man in the palace garden, and she suspected that the concubine might be plotting something.

Li Lingyuan silently memorized these details, knowing they might come in handy at a crucial moment. She also sought an opportunity to approach the prince again and request access to the library. She knew the library might hold the key to her return to the modern era.

By chance, Li Lingyuan encountered the prince in the palace garden. The garden was ablaze with flowers, each a dazzling display of color. Butterflies danced among the blossoms, and bees busily gathered nectar. Li Lingyuan was strolling along the path, admiring the beautiful scenery, when she suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves. She turned and saw the prince galloping down the garden path. His swift and graceful figure, he rode with a swiftness that made him seem like a gust of wind.

When the prince saw Li Lingyuan, he reined in his horse. The horse spun in place and stopped. Xiao Yi dismounted and walked towards Li Lingyuan. "What are you doing here?" Xiao Yi asked. Li Lingyuan bowed slightly and said, "Your Highness, I am here to enjoy the beauty of this garden." Xiao Yi nodded. He looked at Li Lingyuan and found that she looked particularly beautiful among the flowers, like a blooming flower. "This garden is indeed beautiful," Xiao Yi said.

Li Lingyuan summoned her courage and said, "Your Highness, I have heard that there is a library in the palace, which houses many precious ancient books. I have loved reading since I was a child. I wonder if Your Highness would allow me to enter the library?" Xiao Yi frowned slightly, looking at Li Lingyuan with a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Why are you so interested in the library?" Xiao Yi asked. Li Lingyuan replied, "I believe that books are the golden house. From them, one can learn a lot of knowledge and understand the world." Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and said, "The library is a forbidden area in the palace and is not open to anyone. However, since you love reading so much, I will consider it." Li Lingyuan was delighted and said quickly, "Thank you, Your Highness."

From then on, Li Lingyuan looked forward to entering the library even more. She knew this could be a crucial turning point in her journey through this ancient world. While awaiting the prince's permission, she also diligently continued to study and explore this world. In this process, her interactions with the prince gradually increased, and she discovered that although he appeared stern and majestic, he possessed a gentle and kind heart. Her impression of the prince gradually shifted, from initial fear and disgust to a current admiration. But she also knew she could not become embroiled in the conflicts of this world. She had only one goal: to return to the modern era.

However, the library did not join in. One afternoon, Xiao Yi sent his servants to ask Li Lingyuan to follow him into the palace.

Li Lingyuan knew it, and was both surprised and sad. She knew that her journey through time would be different because of Xiao Yi.