Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

The smoke of war gradually dissipated above the imperial palace, and the light of dawn spread across this devastated land. Although Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan were exhausted, they dared not slack off. They knew that although the rebellion had been quelled, the many subsequent matters were like a heavy burden that needed to be dealt with urgently.

Xiao Yi promptly summoned his trusted generals, assigned them tasks, and launched a thorough investigation throughout the capital. Meanwhile, Li Lingyuan summoned several important officials to the palace to discuss how to appease the people and restore order and prosperity to the capital. The officials expressed their opinions, some advocating for a general amnesty, others suggesting tax reductions to allow the city to recuperate. Li Lingyuan listened quietly, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes nodding slightly. Her heart was in a tangle. She knew that the officials' suggestions made sense, but a general amnesty might allow those with ulterior motives to escape punishment and cause more trouble in the future. While tax reductions would benefit the people, if the country lacked financial resources, how could it prepare its military to resist foreign enemies? She felt like a traveler groping in the dark, each step filled with uncertainty and danger, and the slightest misstep could lead to disaster. But she kept reminding herself that she was the queen, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yi. She had to find the right path in this complex situation and help Xiao Yi resolve his problems. Her previous doubts about a woman becoming queen also subtly dissipated. She was determined to prove her worth with her wisdom and strength.

During his investigation, Xiao Yi discovered clues that led to an abandoned manor outside the capital. He acted decisively, personally leading a team of elite soldiers to investigate. The manor appeared long abandoned, overgrown with weeds, and the surroundings were eerily quiet. Xiao Yi signaled caution to his soldiers as they slowly approached the manor. The moment they entered, a swarm of men in black suddenly swarmed from all sides, each armed with a sharp blade, and without a word, they charged. Xiao Yi snorted coldly, unsheathed his sword, and charged at the enemy. His swordsmanship was like a whirlwind, each strike imbued with immense power and precise judgment. Though the men in black fought desperately, Xiao Yi's soldiers, led by him, quickly gained the upper hand. Xiao Yi felt no fear; his only concern was to swiftly eliminate these rebels and restore peace to Li Lingyuan and the world. Li Lingyuan's safety and the stability of the country were paramount to him, and he was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect them. At this moment, his mind was filled with only battle and the belief in victory, as if all the dangers around him were merely stepping stones on his path to peace. His eyes were filled with determination, and every swing of his sword seemed to declare his resolve to this chaotic world.

After a fierce battle, the men in black fell one after another. Xiao Yi discovered several secret letters and account books in the manor's basement, documenting the prince's collusion with officials in the imperial court, underworld forces, and even the covert support of neighboring countries. Xiao Yi's heart sank, knowing that this matter was far more complicated than he had imagined and that a vast conspiracy lay behind it. He quickly returned to the palace with this evidence and reported it to Li Lingyuan.

Li Lingyuan's expression grew increasingly solemn as she surveyed the secret letters and account books. "It seems we face not only the remnants of the imperial court, but also the neighboring nations eyeing us covetously. If we don't take precautions, we'll inevitably face an even greater crisis." She knew that in this complex situation, she needed to unite all available forces. Therefore, she decided to send envoys to neighboring friendly nations to seek support and alliances, while also actively preparing for war at home and strengthening border defenses. At this moment, Li Lingyuan was filled with anxiety, fearing she might make a wrong decision, afraid she would be unable to resist the invasion. She reflected that despite her ambitions, the world was unpredictable, and one wrong move could lead to total ruin. But she also knew that retreat was impossible. She could only constantly encourage herself, relying on the trust and tacit understanding between her and Xiao Yi to face the unknown challenges. Gazing into the distance, she seemed to see the flames of war about to ignite on the border, and silently vowed to protect the empire left by her ancestors alongside Xiao Yi, no matter what.

Xiao Yi volunteered to oversee the training of the troops and the reinforcement of the border defenses. He toiled day and night, personally developing training plans, selecting outstanding soldiers, and teaching them advanced tactics and techniques. His rigorous training significantly improved the soldiers' combat effectiveness. Meanwhile, Li Lingyuan navigated the court, appeasing ministers and stabilizing the political situation while assembling supplies and preparing for the impending crisis.

During these hectic days, Li Lingyuan and Xiao Yi's time together was rare, but their love for each other grew deeper. Late at night, after a day of training, Xiao Yi would return to the palace and stroll with Li Lingyuan through the imperial gardens. They spoke not of state affairs, but of the trivialities of life, sharing their joys and sorrows. These fleeting moments became a haven for them during these difficult times. Xiao Yi gazed at Li Lingyuan's face, slightly relaxed in the moonlight, and felt a surge of pity. He thought, the burdens of the world shouldn't have burdened a woman like her, yet she never complained, always standing firmly by his side. He wished he could share more of her burdens, so she wouldn't be so exhausted. In these moments, Li Lingyuan would temporarily forget the turmoil and pressures of court life, her heart filled only with Xiao Yi's tenderness and love. She would think, no matter how difficult the road ahead, as long as he was by her side, she felt a sense of security. His arms are her warmest harbor within these cold palace walls. As long as she can hold hands with him, she has the courage to move forward even in the face of any storm.

However, the neighboring country acted faster than they expected. Urgent reports came from the border that the enemy had begun to gather and was about to invade. After Xiao Yi learned the news, he immediately led the army to the border. Before leaving, he held Li Lingyuan's hand tightly, "Lingyuan, wait for me to return. This time, I must make sure that the enemy has no chance of returning and keep my country safe." His heart was full of ambition and passion, but also of reluctance and worry for Li Lingyuan. He knew that going to the battlefield was extremely dangerous, but for the sake of his lover and country behind him, he would never back down. He thought, as the Son of Heaven, if he couldn't defend the country, how could he be a king? How could he be worthy of Li Lingyuan's deep affection? He looked into Li Lingyuan's eyes, as if he wanted to imprint her appearance deeply in his heart, and rushed to the battlefield with this attachment. Tears welled in Li Lingyuan's eyes, but she nodded firmly, "I believe you. You must be safe." She was torn between two things. She didn't want Xiao Yi to leave, but she knew he was the best person to protect the border. As queen, she couldn't let her romantic feelings derail the nation's priorities, she thought. But the longing and worry surged like a surging tide. She could only pray silently, hoping for his safe return. Every time she thought of him, her heart felt like it was being pierced by countless tiny needles, and pain spread throughout her body.

War clouds gathered along the border. Standing atop the city wall, Xiao Yi gazed at the distant enemy camp, secretly formulating his battle plan. Despite the overwhelming force and overwhelming numbers, Xiao Yi remained undaunted. He knew his country and his beloved were at the heart of the situation, and no chance of loss was safe. When the enemy launched their first assault, Xiao Yi responded calmly, commanding his soldiers to utilize the city's defenses, repelling the attacks with arrows, rocks, and other weapons. Unable to capture the city through sheer force, the enemy launched a siege, attempting to trap the defenders. While organizing his soldiers to hold the city, Xiao Yi dispatched small units to raid the enemy camp at night, disrupting their deployment. He also employed the city's artisans to construct simple siege engines for immediate use. Thanks to Xiao Yi's meticulous planning and his soldiers' heroic fighting, the enemy laid siege for months, but was unable to breach the city. During this long, steadfast journey, Xiao Yi sometimes felt exhausted and stressed, but the thought of Li Lingyuan waiting for him in the capital, guarding the rear, rekindled his fighting spirit. He couldn't fall, he thought, he couldn't betray Li Lingyuan's trust, and he couldn't let the capital fall into danger. He gazed at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, seemingly seeing Li Lingyuan's gentle yet resolute face, and silently said to himself, "Lingyuan, I will triumph."

Back in the capital, Li Lingyuan faced immense pressure. Some ministers began wavering, some advocating for peace, while others secretly stockpiled supplies to protect themselves should the city fall. Li Lingyuan, sensing these trends, acted decisively, severely punishing those who had shaken the army's morale. She also actively boosted morale, demonstrating to the people her resolve to hold out. She personally visited the streets, comforted the soldiers' families, and distributed supplies, rallying the capital to unite against the foreign enemy. She felt a wave of uncertainty, unsure if her persistence was the right path, or what the ultimate outcome of the war would be. She wondered if seeking peace might bring temporary peace but would plunge the country into long-term humiliation. While holding on, while difficult, offered a glimmer of hope. She told herself that as long as she breathed, she would not give up. Gazing at the palace walls, a wave of tragic grandeur welled up in her heart, a willingness to live and die with this palace and this country.

Throughout this protracted war, Li Lingyuan and Xiao Yi supported and cared for each other. They fought on their respective battlefields, never giving up for their country and their love that spanned millennia. As time passed, the enemy's siege proved elusive, and internal conflicts and divisions began to emerge. Xiao Yi keenly sensed this change and decided to seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack.

On a dark and windy night, Xiao Yi led the city's elite troops, opened the city gates, and charged like a tiger toward the enemy camp. The enemy, startled awake from their sleep, fell into chaos. Xiao Yi's troops, unstoppable, fought bravely and unstoppable. After a night of fierce fighting, the enemy was routed and fled. Xiao Yi led his victorious army back home in triumph.

Li Lingyuan stood at the gate of the palace, watching the returning troops in the distance, her heart filled with joy and excitement. When Xiao Yi walked up to her, she ignored everyone's gaze and threw herself into his arms. At that moment, they hugged each other tightly, as if the whole world only had them.