Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

For countless days and nights in the modern world, Xiao Yi painstakingly explored vast seas of books, mysterious relics, and ancient legends, never missing a single clue that could lead him back to ancient times. Accompanied by solitude and battling numerous difficulties, he finally pieced together the method that could transcend time and space.

When he once again stepped into that familiar yet unfamiliar ancient world, his hopes were instantly shattered by the devastation before him. His once-thriving nation was now reduced to decay and desolation. The city walls lay riddled with holes, like a wounded, dying old man. Within the city, fires raged, sending billowing black smoke billowing. The once bustling streets were reduced to ruins. Corpses lay scattered among the shattered bricks and tiles—civilians and soldiers alike. The stench of blood and death permeated every corner.

Xiao Yi's heart was gripped by fear, and he rushed to the palace recklessly. Inside, the palace was in utter chaos. Most of the magnificent palaces had collapsed, their carved beams and painted buildings burned in flames, and the once meticulously tended gardens were now littered with messy footprints and bloodstains. He rushed straight to Li Lingyuan's chambers, his inner panic surging like a surging tide, threatening to overwhelm him.

Entering the bedroom, Xiao Yi found it in a shambles, clothes and jewelry scattered across the floor, tables and chairs overturned, curtains ripped. He frantically searched every corner, searching for any clues that might lead to Li Lingyuan's whereabouts, but he found nothing. His hands began to tremble, and an unprecedented sense of despair crept through him.

"Lingyuan, where are you?" Xiao Yi shouted hoarsely at the empty room, his voice filled with endless panic and anxiety, but there was only an echo in response.

He forced himself to calm down, turned around and rushed out, grabbing a young palace maid who was running around in panic. "Where's the Empress? Do you know where she went?" Xiao Yi asked loudly, his eyes full of anxiety.

The young maid was terrified and pale. She replied tremblingly, "Sir, when the city was captured, there was chaos everywhere. I only saw the Empress and a few guards heading towards the harem, and then I don't know where she went."

Xiao Yi immediately released the young maid and rushed to the harem. The harem was equally devastated. Most of the palaces were damaged, the pond was stained red with blood, and the pavilions and towers along the lakeside were completely destroyed. Xiao Yi searched the palaces, courtyards, and corridors throughout the harem, calling out Li Lingyuan's name, his voice gradually becoming hoarse, but all he heard was dead silence.

He found traces of a struggle in a corner of the harem, bloodstains on the ground, and the bodies of several guards. Xiao Yi's heart sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. He continued to pursue the possible escape route, leaving the palace and arriving on the streets of the capital.

The streets were awash with the cries of the people, who were fleeing in all directions. Xiao Yi asked everyone he met if they had seen the Empress, but they were met with either a shake of the head or a blank expression. He scurried through the city, from east to west, from south to north, leaving no alley, temple, or inn untouched. His clothes were soaked with sweat, and his steps grew heavy, but his gaze remained firm, his faith unwavering.

As the sky darkened, Xiao Yi grew increasingly anxious. He knew that in this chaotic time, the longer Li Lingyuan remained outside, the greater the danger. He approached the city gates and asked the guards if they had seen the Empress leave the city. The soldiers shook their heads, indicating they didn't know. Xiao Yi gazed at the road outside, feeling uncertain.

Finally, he decided to leave the city to search. The road outside was difficult and dangerous, with small enemy patrols occasionally passing by. Xiao Yi carefully avoided them and continued along the road. He came to a small village, which was also in ruins. Many houses had been burned down, and most of the villagers had fled.

Xiao Yi searched the village, hoping for clues. He entered a house that hadn't completely burned down and found a silk handkerchief on a table. The handkerchief was embroidered with designs that Li Lingyuan had personally embroidered. Xiao Yi clutched the handkerchief tightly, a glimmer of hope rising in his heart. He reasoned that Li Lingyuan might have passed through this area, and continued his search outside the village.

He walked along the path and entered a forest. The forest was eerie and dark, with the occasional roar of wild beasts. Xiao Yi cautiously groped his way through the forest when he suddenly heard a soft cry. He was delighted, thinking it was Li Lingyuan, and quickly walked towards the sound.

In a clearing in the woods, he saw a woman huddled on the ground, weeping. Xiao Yi hurriedly approached her, but when she raised her head, he realized it wasn't Li Lingyuan. Seeing Xiao Yi, the woman recoiled in fear. Xiao Yi quickly explained that he meant no harm and was simply looking for the Empress. The woman explained that she was a noblewoman from the capital, separated from her family during the escape, and had never seen the Empress.

Xiao Yi's hope was dashed once again. He comforted the woman and continued his search in the forest. He spent a long and agonizing night in the forest, and the next morning, he continued his search.

He came to a river, where fresh footprints lay. Xiao Yi followed them, finding they led to the other side. He waded across, ignoring the cold and turbulent water. On the other side lay a meadow, marked by signs of a struggle and even blood. Xiao Yi's heart raced, fearing for Li Lingyuan's fate.

He continued his search along the grassy plains and entered a valley. Thick fog filled the valley, making visibility extremely low. Xiao Yi cautiously made his way through the valley when he suddenly heard the melodious sound of a flute. It was a tune Xiao Yi knew well; it was the tune Li Lingyuan often played. Overjoyed, he ran in the direction of the sound.

Deep in the valley, he saw a figure standing on a boulder, playing the flute. Xiao Yi excitedly called out, "Lingyuan!" However, when the figure turned around, Xiao Yi discovered it was a woman who bore a passing resemblance to Li Lingyuan. The woman, momentarily taken aback by the sight of Xiao Yi, then asked, "Who are you? Why are you yelling?"

Xiao Yi stepped forward and explained his purpose to the woman. She told him she was a secluded zither player who had lived in the valley for many years and had never seen the Empress. Xiao Yi's body swayed slightly, and he felt as if he were trapped in endless darkness, unable to find a single ray of light.

He left the valley in despair, continuing his search in this chaotic world. He didn't know how long he had been searching, nor how much longer he could persevere, but he held only one conviction: to find Li Lingyuan, even if it cost him his life. His lonely figure journeyed through the devastated mountains and rivers, a sight of perseverance and despair in this chaotic world. The road ahead was uncertain, but his steps never faltered, like the unstoppable wheel of fate, rolling forward even with scars, for a single glimmer of hope.