Time travel, quick transmigration

After Xiaodie and Aman left, Shi Yan also sent the two head maids who were serving in the bedchamber to wait outside the door.

On her way back to her bedchamber, Shi Yan heard the cry of a blue bird. She knew that Xiao Huanling had written her a letter. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Shi Yan deliberately sent two palace maids away.

Shi Yan entered the inner room and walked straight to the window. When she opened the window, she saw that Cang Yu had already flapped its wings and landed by the window, looking at her with its round, big eyes.

"Hello, Cangyu!"

Shi Yan smiled gently.

Seeing Shi Yan smiling and talking to it, Cang Yu, being extremely intelligent, flapped its beautiful wings twice as if in response.

Seeing how cute it was, Shi Yan quickly reached out and carried Cang Yu indoors, placing it on a shelf to the side.

"Be good! Wait here."

Cangyu seemed to understand and flapped its wings again.

Shi Yan raised her hand to stroke the feathers on Cang Yu's back, then took the letter tube from its right foot, held it in her hand, sat down at the desk outside, and began to read.

Xiao Huanling seemed to have very high standards for the paper he used to write letters, almost matching the paper used by aristocratic families. Unfolding the letter, Xiao Huanling's elegant yet weighty handwriting came into view. Shi Yan read it one by one, her expression changing from initial joy to deep concentration, and finally to being moved. It was as if Xiao Huanling's expression as he wrote the letter was right before her eyes.

The letter contained not only his longing and concern for her, but also his reluctance to part, and Xiao Huanling's affection and care for her. After some thought, Shi Yan poured all her feelings into her writing, hoping that Xiao Huanling would understand her heart and take good care of himself.

As if sensing something, Xiao Huanling went out and stood in front of the pomegranate tree, gazing at the twinkling stars and the bright moon in a daze.

"Ayan, you should have received my letter by now. I'm waiting for your reply."

As he spoke, it was as if he were holding onto a beautiful expectation, and he unconsciously started to smile.

Shi Yan folded the letter she had written and put it into the letter tube. Then she lifted the beaded curtain, went into the inner room, walked to the window, and tied the letter tube to Cang Yu's right foot.

"Cangyu, I didn't prepare anything special for you today. Next time you come, I'll make sure you have a good meal."

“A-Ling will be going to Taiyuan soon. The situation there is unclear. I know you are very perceptive, so please take good care of him for me.”

Shi Yan knew that even a single eagle wouldn't be of much use in a real danger, but she firmly believed in the spirit of all things, especially since the eagle Xiao Huanling kept was truly intelligent. Perhaps she wanted peace of mind; even though she knew from 0804 that Xiao Huanling wouldn't die so easily and wouldn't be in any immediate danger, nothing is absolute, and loving someone always brings worry and concern.

"Go ahead!"

Cang Yu affectionately touched Shi Yan's hand with his head, as if to reassure her.

Shi Yan smiled slightly, then picked him up and carried him to the window.

Cang Yu lightly pecked her palm twice, then spread its wings and flew into the sky.

Only when she could no longer see that increasingly blurry dot did Shi Yan turn her gaze away. The sky was dotted with stars and the bright moon hung high. At that moment, Shi Yan felt that Cang Yu had taken away her longing for Xiao Huanling as well.

"Your Highness, hot water is ready. Please come with me to the bathhouse to bathe and wash up."

"My lady..."

The person calling her from outside was Xiaodie.

Shi Yan calmed herself down and closed the window. As soon as she turned around, she saw Xiao Die lifting the beaded curtain and walking in, her eyes still showing some lingering worry.

Seeing her standing there safely, Xiaodie visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your Majesty, I called you several times but didn't hear a response. I thought something had happened?"

Shi Yan smiled upon hearing this.

"How could you think that way? What could possibly happen to me in this palace? Isn't Xiao Shen here?"

Xiaodie stuck out her tongue and smiled shyly.

"When I entered the bedchamber, I didn't see Your Highness. I called you several times but you didn't answer. In addition, there were only a few lamps lit in the room, so it was dim and very quiet. I couldn't help but overthink things. I'm just worried."

Shi Yan felt a warmth in her heart.

"Okay, I know you care about me."

"Come on, follow me to the bathhouse. I'm really tired."

Xiao Die nodded and lifted the beaded curtain to let Shi Yan go out.

By the time Xiao Huanling received Shi Yan's reply, it was already 7 PM. Cang Yu landed steadily on Xiao Huanling's arm and flapped its wings several times as if to ask for credit.

"You've worked hard. I've prepared your favorite food."

Cang Yu seemed to cry out in joy after hearing this. Xiao Huanling smiled, took the letter tube off his foot, and then strode towards the bedroom.

After entering the house, Xiao Huanling put Cangyu down to enjoy his meal, while he himself couldn't wait to walk to the large chair next to the oil lamp, sit down, and read the letter attentively.

Looking at the delicate handwriting, and keeping Shi Yan's concern and instructions in his heart, Xiao Huanling's features softened under the dim light. That gentleness softened the sharpness and coldness in his features, revealing a touch of gentle beauty. He was already bright and beautiful, and the light made him seem to be covered with a layer of soft light.

After reading the letter, Xiao Huanling carefully folded it, then stood up and went to a cabinet. He opened the cabinet, took out a square wooden box, and put the letter inside. Finally, he seemed to linger, stroking the box, his expression showing how much he treasured and cherished the letter inside.

Xiao Huanling placed the wooden box in the cabinet, closed the cabinet door, turned around, walked behind the screen, took off his outer robe and hung it up. Then he blew out the lamp, put on his apricot-colored nightgown, and lay down on the bed. His mind was planning to find an opportunity to enter the palace to see Shi Yan before leaving Chang'an. Perhaps it was the anticipation and the letter from his beloved that made him feel content, but he gradually relaxed and soon fell asleep.

That day, after having breakfast with Li Longji in the Ganlu Palace, they took a walk together in the Imperial Garden. Because she had something on her mind, Shi Yan made an excuse to say goodbye to Li Longji and return to her own Nanxun Palace.

Although Li Longji was reluctant, he had no choice but to let Shi Yan leave when he heard that Shi Yan wanted to return to Nanxun Palace to finish the painting he was going to give him.

Watching Shi Yan leave, Li Longji felt a little listless. The thought of returning to his palace to deal with the backlog of political affairs made him feel annoyed.

When Gao Lishi saw the emperor's furrowed brows, he assumed that Li Longji was unhappy because he was alone.

"Your Majesty, it is understandable that the Imperial Concubine cannot accompany you. Last time, Your Majesty only mentioned that the Imperial Concubine's paintings were very special, and that their style was different from that of other great calligraphers and painters, and quite novel. Perhaps the Imperial Concubine took it to heart, which is why she thought of creating a painting specifically for you."

Li Longji's expression softened slightly upon hearing this.

"Yang Guifei is very thoughtful."

Actually, he said that simply because he thought Shi Yan's painting style was unique, and he didn't think she painted that well. But since she mistakenly thought he liked it and even specially made a painting for him, he certainly couldn't refuse her good intentions.

Seeing that Li Longji's complexion had improved, Gao Lishi offered timely words of comfort.

"Your Majesty, once the Imperial Concubine finishes her painting, she will have plenty of time to spend with you."