Time travel, quick transmigration

Shi Yan smoothed and straightened her clothes.

"Alright, that's enough for now. You can go back now. Remember to rest well, and have Cang Yu send me a message."

Xiao Huanling suppressed the reluctance in her heart.

"I will soon enter the palace to see His Majesty and report to him on the matter of my trip to Luoyang to eliminate the Thousand Machine Pavilion. At that time, I will find an opportunity to visit you in your palace. Is that alright?"

Shi Yan was looked at by Xiao Huanling's incredibly captivating eyes, those almost pleading eyes made it impossible for her to say anything harsh or cruel. Even though she knew they shouldn't take the risk, she really couldn't refuse Xiao Huanling.

Seeing that Shi Yan remained silent, Xiao Huanling pressed on and made another promise.

"Don't worry, I know the risks. I'll be very careful. I just want to see where you live, I want to see you."

As Shi Yan watched Shen Zhiyi approach, and with parting imminent, she decided to indulge the person she loved this once again.

"Alright, I'll wait for you at Nanxun Palace. But remember to be careful."

Upon receiving permission, Xiao Huanling's already bright eyes shone even brighter, her eyes and brows brimming with joy.

"See you then."

The prospect of seeing each other again has somewhat lessened the sadness of parting.

Shi Yan smiled and said okay.

Shen Zhi witnessed Shi Yan and Xiao Huanling's intimate interactions, and their undisguised attitude towards him left him conflicted. He knew he shouldn't turn a blind eye to the imperial concubine's secret rendezvous with another man, but he also couldn't bring himself to report the truth to his master, the emperor.

"Miss."

Shen Zhi called out.

Shi Yan nodded, then turned to Xiao Huanling and said.

"Go back now, I'll watch you leave."

Xiao Huanling shook his head.

I want to watch you leave.

Shi Yan had no choice but to tell Shen.

"let's go."

Shen Zhi glanced at Shi Yan, lowered his head, and replied, "Yes."

"I am leaving."

Shi Yan waved to Xiao Huanling, then withdrew her lingering gaze and walked towards the other end of the street. She was afraid that if she didn't leave soon, it would be dawn.

Xiao Huanling watched Shi Yan's retreating figure, his eyes filled with deep reluctance and longing.

Upon seeing this, Shen Zhi nodded slightly to Xiao Huanling and immediately followed Shi Yan.

Only after Shi Yan and Shen Zhi could no longer see their backs did Xiao Huanling turn his gaze away, and only after they left did he reveal his dejection and sorrow.

"If only we didn't have to part. But it's alright, we'll see each other again soon."

With a soft laugh, Xiao Huanling leaped onto his horse and, with a light shout, rode off in the direction of Xiao Garden.

After turning a corner, Shi Yan stopped and spoke to Shen Zhidao.

"Xiao Shen, I'll still have to trouble you to carry me back to the palace as before."

With dawn fast approaching, any further delay could lead to unforeseen circumstances.

Shi Yan and Shen Zhi both understood this.

Shen Zhi squatted down.

"Your Majesty, I will escort you back to the palace."

Shi Yan leaned down and rested against Shen Zhi's back.

"Thank you for your help, Xiao Shen."

Shen Zhi carried it on his back.

"Your Majesty is too kind. I promised Xiaodie that I would protect you."

With that, he picked up Shi Yan and leaped away in a few bounds.

They entered the palace smoothly through the secret passage. Shen Zhi used his superb agility and unparalleled lightness skill to evade the palace guards who were patrolling inside. In less than half an hour, he sent Shi Yan back to her bedroom in Nanxun Palace.

Upon arriving at the palace, Shen Zhi put Shi Yan down.

As the two walked one after the other to the entrance of the palace, they saw Xiaodie pacing back and forth, looking worried.

As soon as Xiaodie looked up and saw the two of them, she rushed over with a sigh of relief.

"Your Majesty, I'm so glad to have welcomed you back safe and sound."

Shi Yan smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry to have worried you."

Xiaodie mumbled something a little embarrassed.

"No."

He glanced at Shen Zhi again as he spoke.

The two looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

The trip out of the palace was finally over without any major incidents. After seeing Xiao Huanling, Shi Yan felt relaxed but also a little tired and sleepy.

"Xiaodie, you must be tired after keeping watch for most of the night. Go back to your room and get some sleep before dawn. You can come to my place to start work later."

"Xiao Shen accompanied me out of the palace and traveled back and forth. He must be very tired. You should go back to your room and rest."

Shen Zhi looked at Shi Yan, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Shi Yan saw him like this.

"We'll talk about it later."

Shen Zhi had no choice but to swallow the words that were lingering in his throat.

Xiaodie couldn't help but yawn, her eyes welling up with tears, but she still perked up and said.

"Your Majesty, please go out for a while. Let me help you bathe and wait until you are asleep before I return to my room to rest."

Seeing Xiaodie's sleepy appearance, Shi Yan couldn't bear it.

"No need. You may all go back and rest. I don't need any service here. It's already so late, and I'm quite tired. I won't stand on ceremony. I'm going back to my room to sleep."

As he spoke, he pushed open the wooden door of the sleeping quarters and went inside.

"Go back inside."

Standing at the door, Shi Yan smiled and gestured for the two people at the door to go back and rest.

Upon seeing this, Xiaodie could only nod and curtsy.

Shi Yan smiled.

"Go back."

He then closed the wooden door.

The door to the sleeping quarters was closed, and Shen Zhicai glanced at Xiaodie beside him.

"I'll take you back first."

Xiaodie looked at Shen Zhi and responded with an "Mm".

So the two of them went down the steps together and walked towards the courtyard where the palace maids lived in the side hall of Nanxun Hall.

Perhaps because she and Xiao Huanling had exchanged feelings, Shi Yan changed into her nightgown and lay down on the soft, comfortable bedding. Exhausted, she couldn't fall asleep. Her mind was a jumble; every time she closed her eyes, Xiao Huanling's face, voice, and eyes appeared. Shi Yan, unusually, experienced tossing and turning. She covered her face and struggled a few times on the bed, feeling a mix of self-reproach and resentment that Xiao Huanling always occupied her thoughts. Desperate to fall asleep, Shi Yan began counting sheep.

Xiao Huanling, who returned to Xiao Garden after seeing Shi Yan off, was not in much better shape. Lying flat on the bed, he was in a state of high excitement. He was belatedly excited and overjoyed to have confirmed his feelings for his beloved. He wished that dawn would come quickly and that time would pass faster so that he could rest for two days as his beloved wished, and then immediately go to the palace to see the emperor and see her as soon as possible.

As dawn broke, the two, who had been unable to sleep, finally succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep.

The next day, when Aman came to the bedchamber to serve Shi Yan as usual, she looked at the tightly closed door and was a little suspicious. Every day at this time, Xiaodie would have already woken up their mistress and the bedchamber door would be wide open.

She knocked on the door tentatively and called out to the person inside a few times, but received no response. After standing there for a moment and pondering, Aman decided to stop knocking for now, but she did not leave. She just stood outside the door and waited without moving.

When Xiaodie woke up, washed up, and quickly ate breakfast, she headed towards the palace to see Shi Yan. As soon as she reached the palace gate, she saw Aman standing silently at the door. Xiaodie was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening and walked towards Aman.

"Oh, Ah Man, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you that Her Majesty had a relapse of her old illness last night and tossed and turned for half the night before finally falling asleep. She will definitely be getting up later today. I forgot to tell you this, I'm sorry for making you stand here for so long."