Time travel, quick transmigration

He recognized the maidservant before him and knew who the princess she spoke of was. Although the court was known for its open-mindedness, secretly meeting with a man outside the palace was still inappropriate for a princess's reputation. Moreover, this was the second time she had been summoned; even he, oblivious to the situation, had figured out the princess's intentions. He didn't understand why he had won the princess's favor, and he couldn't be too cold to a woman, but he already had someone he loved, and some things needed to be made clear.

"You're obviously drunk. Sit here and wait for me. Don't wander off. I'll be back for you soon."

As he finished speaking, he helped Jiang He sit down and patted him on the shoulder.

Jiang He raised his eyes and tried to struggle to stand up, but Xiao Huanling pressed him down.

"Be honest!"

Seeing Xiao Huanling's cold gaze, Jiang He dared not cause any more trouble and obediently nodded and lowered his shoulders.

"Oh……"

Xiao Huanling's expression softened.

"Please lead the way, young lady."

Xiao Huanling was no longer the young man who had been stained with blood and killing. Even the occasional glimpse of his murderous aura was enough to make people fearful. The palace maid Ya'er instantly suppressed her admiration for the young general and the handsome man, and cautiously lowered her head, no longer daring to look directly at Xiao Huanling.

"General Xiao, please follow me this way."

He then stepped forward to lead the way.

Xiao Huanling followed the palace maid Ya'er to a pavilion in a corner outside the Hua'e Xianghui Tower. From afar, she saw Li Tanniang standing in the pavilion, accompanied by a palace maid, eagerly waiting.

Today, Li Tanniang wore a sky-blue dress, her face beautiful and gentle. As Xiao Huanling entered the pavilion, his eyes met a pair of bright, watery eyes. Under the night sky, reflecting the hazy light of the surrounding palace lanterns, those eyes seemed to hold countless threads of emotion, possessing a captivating and serene beauty. However, that kind of beauty was not what he desired, and he would not reciprocate that kind of affection. Xiao Huanling looked away, gave the woman, whose eyes held fervent anticipation, a slight nod, and then stopped about ten paces in front of her.

"Princess."

Xiao Huanling clasped his hands in a salute.

Looking at the man who deliberately kept his distance from her, exuding aloofness and indifference, and gazing at his stunningly handsome face, Li Tanniang recalled how she had fallen for him at first sight and how she had longed for him every day. Now that the person she had been yearning for was right in front of her, she suddenly felt timid, even though she had intended to express her love for him.

Xiao Huanling was completely unaware of Li Tanniang's conflicted thoughts. Seeing that she had seen him but remained silent, he pondered for a moment before taking the initiative to break the silence.

"Does the princess have summoned me here because of something important, or is there something she wishes to say?"

Upon hearing this, Li Tanniang inexplicably became nervous, and the hand on the maid's arm on the ground involuntarily tightened.

The maid was Li Tanniang's confidante and had served her for many years, so she naturally understood her mistress. The force on her arm made her realize that her mistress must be nervous. She didn't dare to interrupt and could only watch her mistress anxiously.

Her mistress had always lived a simple life, becoming a nun at a young age but not being favored by the Emperor. After returning to secular life, she lived in the palace. Now that she had reached marriageable age, she had fallen in love with the most outstanding young man in Chang'an. In her eyes, Xiao Huanling was not only unparalleled in appearance but also exceptional in character and talent. She was very happy to see her princess marry such a man. Hearing that her princess was going to meet Xiao Huanling to express her feelings, she was amazed by her princess's courage and boldness and sincerely hoped that her princess would get her wish.

Xiao Huanling waited a while longer, but the master and servant in front of him just looked at him without saying a word. Even with his good manners and temper, he was unwilling to waste time with people he didn't care about. Xiao Huanling's brows furrowed slightly, and his gaze suddenly darkened.

"Since the princess has nothing more to say, then I shall take my leave."

When she saw that the person was about to take their leave, Li Tanniang became anxious.

"General Xiao, please don't leave yet. I have something to say to you."

Xiao Huanling raised his eyes and glanced at Li Tanniang indifferently.

"Princess, please speak your mind."

Li Tanniang's heart skipped a beat when she saw that cold, emotionless gaze, but fearing she would miss this great opportunity, she took a deep breath and mustered her courage to speak.

"I wonder if General Xiao has any betrothal arrangements made for you in your family?"

The woman's voice trembled slightly, perhaps from nervousness. Facing those expectant eyes, Xiao Huanling silently said, "I'm sorry," and truthfully replied.

“My family had previously arranged a marriage for me, but I have already refused it.”

Li Tanniang's breath caught in her throat for a moment, then relaxed.

"I see. So you rejected him? Does General Xiao not like that young lady? What kind of woman does General Xiao like, and is there anyone he likes..."

Xiao Huanling didn't let Li Tanniang continue, and spoke up at the right time.

"I do not like the marriage arranged by my family, and I already have someone I like and we are engaged. I will only love one person in my life, so I will not delay other people's daughters."

Li Tanniang seemed to hear the sound of her heart breaking into pieces. She was even glad that it was nighttime and the darkness would cover her, otherwise her weakness and her tears would have been discovered.

"Is that so? General Xiao is truly a devoted lover. The woman who can win your heart must be very beautiful."

Xiao Huanling's mind was filled with images of Shi Yan at different times, as well as her exquisitely beautiful dance tonight.

"She is indeed the most beautiful woman in the world."

Li Tanniang felt a sharp pain in her heart.

"In that case, I wish General Xiao and the woman you love all the best, and may you stay together forever and grow old together."

Xiao Huanling clasped his hands in a gesture of sincere gratitude.

"Thank you princess."

“If the princess has nothing else to say, I will take my leave now. My younger brother is still waiting for me; he has drunk a bit too much, and I am worried about leaving him alone.”

Li Tanniang had no reason to keep her any longer.

"Yes, General Xiao, you may go."

Xiao Huanling nodded.

"Princess, you should return to the palace soon. The night is cool and the dew is heavy. Do not linger outside for too long. Princess, please take care."

With that, he turned around, left the pavilion, and strode away.

Only when Xiao Huanling's figure could no longer be seen did Li Tanniang reluctantly turn her gaze away. A night breeze brushed against her face, and in a blink, the tears she had been desperately holding back fell down her cheeks.

"That's fine too. I was just a drifting leaf, yet I dared to hope for a place to settle down and make a living, expecting it to be my final destination in this life. I was just being delusional."

"Today's events have put my mind at ease, and from now on there is nothing left for me to cherish."

At this moment, Li Tanniang seemed to have seen through the illusions of the world; her once bright and spirited eyes fell completely silent. This palace was like a cage. She was a princess of the Tang Dynasty and had her own path to walk. She could not be an ordinary woman. If she had to marry the person she wanted, she would have to enter the Taoist path again and never care about the mortal world again. She was tired.

"Princess, please don't be sad."

The maidservant beside Li Tanniang, who had witnessed everything, offered words of comfort with heartache.

Li Tanniang raised her hand to wipe the corner of her eye and smiled slightly.

"I'm fine. Let's go back."

As he spoke, he left the pavilion.

Upon seeing this, the maid and Ya'er, who was guarding outside the pavilion, exchanged a glance; both of them were undoubtedly feeling down and distressed.

Seeing that their princess had already walked some distance, the two quickly looked away and caught up with Li Tanniang.