Time travel, quick transmigration

Because Taoism was elevated to the status of the state religion during the Tang Dynasty, the Taoist temples and monasteries in Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Empire, flourished. During the Tang Dynasty, not only male Taoist priests but also women entered the Taoist order, and even many royal princesses either became nuns or petitioned to be ordained as female Taoist priests, donating their residences to establish temples.

When Shi Yan proposed leaving the palace to find a suitable place to enter the Daoist path, the responsible 0804 chose a place for her: Dongling Temple, located in the outer city of Chang'an, west of Linghua Temple in Changlefang, as her place of quiet cultivation.

"Yan Yan, Dongling Temple is a nunnery, and the environment is quiet and secluded. Apart from the abbess and three or five female Taoist priests, the population is relatively small. It's a perfect place for you to go. Besides, the temple is quite a distance from the palace and the prince's residence, so I'm sure you'll be satisfied."

Shi Yan never expected 0804 to be so efficient, finding her a good place in just one day.

"Okay, we'll pack our bags and head to Dongling Temple first thing tomorrow morning."

There are clearly still doubts about 0804.

"But, Yan Yan, if we just go there like this, will the abbot accept you into the temple and be willing to let you stay?"

Shi Yan patted 0804's head reassuringly as he sat on the windowsill.

"Don't worry, I have my own plans. I will tell the abbot that I am here by imperial decree to become a monk and enter the Taoist temple for cultivation. If the abbot is unwilling to accept me, she can go and tell His Majesty the Emperor that I have nowhere to go and can only end my life. If she can bear the consequences, she can send me away."

"I just want a quiet place to stay. She is a nun who cultivates her mind, and she has no grudge against me. What reason does she have not to help me, a fellow nun?"

0804 was actually persuaded by Shi Yan.

"Yan Yan makes a good point."

Shi Yan smiled, her lips pursed. She was determined to stay at Dongling Temple. Now that she had found a place, she wasn't going to waste any more time. Before the Emperor sent someone to fetch her to the palace temple for her cultivation, she needed to settle down at Dongling Temple first. Her plan needed to be put into action.

Looking out the window at the bright sunshine, lush greenery, and clusters of flowers, Shi Yan was in a great mood.

After dinner, Shi Yan called Yue Ling and Xiao Die to her.

"Tomorrow I will leave the palace to become a nun and cultivate Taoism. Xiaodie has already said that she wants to go to the temple with me. Yueling, what do you think, and what are your plans?"

Upon hearing this, Yueling looked up in astonishment. She had already heard the imperial decree ordering the princess to become a nun, but hearing Shi Yan say it herself was utterly shocking. She hadn't expected Shi Yan to be so calm about becoming a nun. If it were her…

“Yueling is the princess’s maid, so naturally she must go with the princess.”

After speaking, he lowered his eyes with utmost respect.

Shi Yan looked at the girl in front of her with a gentle expression and a face as delicate as a flower.

"What you said is the truth, it comes from the bottom of your heart."

"Yueling, you are a smart girl. I could tell the first time I saw you. You are smart and know how to judge the situation. Although you are not exactly loyal to me, you have never done anything to betray me and have always been dutiful."

"You say you're willing to leave the palace with me, but I'm afraid that's not what you truly mean. It's alright, since you're not sincere about leaving with me, I won't force you."

“Once you enter a Taoist temple, you become a monk, and there will always be more constraints. You are in the prime of your youth, how can we let you waste your time in that secluded and quiet place? You are a person with your own ideas.”

"You don't need to come see me tomorrow. Take care of yourself."

When Shi Yan exposed Yue Ling's secret, she only panicked for a moment before calming down. She looked up at Shi Yan's beautiful, confident, and proud face, and couldn't tell whether she felt more envy or jealousy.

"I will obey Your Highness's orders. Your servant Yueling is grateful for Your Highness's kindness and wishes you all the best in the future, and that you will be free from illness and pain."

He then bowed and withdrew.

Seeing Yueling leave so decisively and without the slightest hesitation, Xiaodie pouted and snorted at the door.

"You heartless wretch! The princess has always treated you so well."

Upon seeing this, Shi Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Alright, why are you angry with her? People strive for better things, just as water flows downhill. It's normal. My future is uncertain, and she's a smart and calculating person, so she naturally wouldn't be willing to stay with me in that quiet Taoist temple."

“I never intended to take Yueling with me when I left. She’s not close to anyone in this palace, unlike you, little girl…”

"Speaking of which, only a silly girl like you would disregard your future and only want to follow me."

Xiaodie pursed her lips tightly after being told off, but when she saw Shi Yan give her a slight smile, she smiled back, her smile revealing trust and innocence, making her look rather cute and endearing.

"We have to leave tomorrow morning. Go and take stock of all my jewelry, jewels, gold and silver. We'll probably need them once we leave the palace, so it's better to be prepared. Pack up everything of value so I can take it with me tomorrow."

Xiao Die was stunned by Shi Yan's energetic demeanor, as if he were about to do something big.

"Yes, sir. I will take care of it right away."

Shi Yan waved goodbye in a good mood.

"go Go."

The next day, the sky was clear. Shi Yan invited Xiao Die to have breakfast together, and then instructed the steward of the mansion to arrange a carriage.

The bewildered steward watched as Shi Yan and Xiao Die each carried a bundle in one hand, and then each took two wooden boxes as they boarded the carriage. It wasn't until the coachman drove the two away from the palace that the steward belatedly realized what was happening and went to the backyard to report to Li Heng.

"How long have they been away from the Prince's residence?"

Li Heng stared blankly into space, looking lost and bewildered, which puzzled the steward.

"Your Highness, the Princess and Xiaodie left not long ago. I felt something was wrong, so I came to report to Your Highness."

The butler bowed his head and reported the truth.

"What did you say? There were only the two of them? Weren't they taken away by someone?"

Li Heng realized something was wrong and became anxious, asking the question.

The manager was also startled.

"No one came to pick up the princess. The princess herself asked the servants to call a carriage, then moved some things and left with Xiaodie in the carriage."

Li Heng knew immediately that things were not good.

"Did the princess leave any words when she left? Did you ask her where she was going?"

Seeing the prince glaring at him angrily and demanding an explanation, the steward knew things were going badly and, in a state of fear and trepidation, had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Her Highness the Princess left no message, and I didn't ask her where she was going. How could I dare ask her where she was going..."

The butler looked at Li Heng, whose face was cold and gloomy, with a mournful expression.

"You stupid lackey!"

Li Heng was so angry that he didn't bother arguing with a servant. He put down his pen and went straight out of the study to his bedroom.

As expected, Shi Yan left her a letter, which Li Heng took out and immediately began to read.

"Li Heng, I'm leaving. Don't look for me. Don't worry, I won't go far. I'm just following your father's decree to become a monk and enter a Taoist temple to cultivate myself. I'll trouble you to plead with your father. I've found a quiet place for self-cultivation, so he doesn't need to worry about me. Now that I've become a monk, I'm no longer a mortal, and worldly affairs are no longer my concern. This farewell is forever!"

The few words in Shi Yan's letter were enough to pierce his heart.

"Never again... Never again... Heh..."

"Yu Huan, you have such a cruel heart. How could you be so resolute towards me?"

Li Heng slumped back on the couch, the letter in his hand falling to the ground. He was so engrossed in the fact that Yang Yuhuan had resolutely left and refused to see him again that he no longer cared about how to explain things to the emperor in the palace.