Time travel, quick transmigration

Before leaving, Xiao Huanling spurred his horse, Liuyun, to a hillside. He turned back and gazed at the magnificent city of Chang'an, and the towering palaces that were not clearly visible in the center of power. It was as if his gaze could penetrate all obstacles and see the people in one of those palaces. His eyes were filled with such longing, tenderness, and reluctance.

If Shi Yan were standing before him at this moment, she would surely feel his deep affection and attachment. It's just a pity she can't see it.

"Ayan, I know you can't come to see me off, but I feel so lost and sad that I won't be able to see you before I leave."

"I should have gone to the palace to see you last night, no matter what. It would have been better than regretting it now..."

"Ha... I really am, what am I thinking? I'm the one who's forcing myself to be longing, unwilling to be a coward who can't leave the embrace of love. Since I made the choice, I shouldn't regret it. I never knew I was such a clingy person. If you knew, you would definitely laugh at me, right? Ah Yan, you always like to tease me..."

Thinking this, Xiao Huanling couldn't help but laugh.

"Ayan, I will pacify the border as soon as possible, wait for me..."

Xiao Huanling hid all his reluctance in his heart, tightened the reins, and turned to drive towards the team that was waiting for him not far away.

Under the blazing sun, the sound of horses' hooves echoed, and dust billowed as the group traveled further and further into the distance until they disappeared from sight at the vast horizon.

Following Shi Yan's orders, Hai Yue, who had hidden himself in the shadows to protect Xiao Huanling, watched the group disappear from sight before turning his gaze away and concealing the deep look in his eyes, and said to a Kunlun slave beside him.

"It's time for us to set off too."

"Arang, you and Ak must remember what I said. The first priority on this trip is to ensure Xiao Huanling's safety; everything else is secondary. Of course, ensuring Xiao Huanling's safety is contingent on protecting yourselves first, which is also Master's intention."

Ah Rang and the others could now understand a little Chinese, and they all nodded upon hearing this.

"Let's go, getting on the road is the priority."

With that, he spurred his horse and galloped off in the direction Xiao Huanling had left.

Upon seeing this, Arang and the other three immediately whipped their whips and gave chase.

Inside the Nanxun Hall, in the Mianhua Pavilion.

Shi Yan, who had been leaning against the small couch for a while, looked at the sun outside the window and said softly.

"Xiaodie, what time is it now?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaodie went to another window, peeked out, and then made some estimations.

"Your Majesty, it should be close to the hour of Wei (1-3 PM) now."

Shi Yan never quite understood how people in ancient times possessed the skill of estimating the time. The key point was that almost everyone calculated it quite accurately. In any case, since she came to this Tang Dynasty in another time and space, she still hadn't learned how to distinguish the time.

"Is it already past 1:00 PM? Then Ah Ling and the others must have already left the city."

As Shi Yan's soft voice faded, Xiao Die belatedly realized the reason why her master had been so listless and unhappy all day.

"So Your Highness is thinking of Young Master Xiao. I forgot that today is the day Young Master Xiao leaves Chang'an to take up his post in Taiyuan."

"Your Highness, please don't blame me for being nosy. Don't you feel bitter that you long for someone but can't be with him?"

Xiaodie looked at Shi Yan with heartache, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan turned around in surprise. When she met Xiao Die's eyes, filled with heartache and concern, she felt a warmth in her heart. Shi Yan slightly curled her lips, and Xiao Huanling's face appeared in her mind.

“I didn’t feel bitter; on the contrary, I was very happy. Because I know what kind of feelings he has for me when he loves me. There is someone who loves me, and I like him too. Even if we can’t be together for the time being, what we have is real.”

"Just like with Xiao Shen, could you say that before I agreed to your marriage, you and Xiao Shen were not sure if you would end up together, that you liked each other but could not see each other often, and that you felt bitter at that time?"

Xiaodie was stunned for a moment. She couldn't answer because she hadn't thought too much about it at that time. But the only thing she was sure of was that she was happy most of the time when she realized that she liked Shen Zhi and that she liked him too.

She couldn't refute Shi Yan's words, but she didn't agree with them either.

“But Your Highness, my relationship with Xiao Shen and your relationship with Young Master Xiao are completely different…”

Shi Yan smiled good-naturedly.

"Alright, alright, don't worry about my affairs. Let's talk about your personal matters first."

“A few days ago, I mentioned your marriage to Xiao Shen to His Majesty, saying that we should choose an auspicious day for your wedding. I have already picked a date for you, which is in three days. I informed Xiao Shen yesterday to start preparations, so just wait to be a beautiful bride. I had your wedding dress made earlier, and on the day of your wedding, I will have A-Man do your makeup and have all the palace girls escort you off. I guarantee you will have a magnificent wedding.”

As Shi Yan spoke, her smile grew even brighter and more radiant.

"Knowing that one day you will marry and live your own happy life, I have prepared a generous dowry for you well in advance. After you get married and are no longer by my side, you will have a dowry to rely on and live a rich and comfortable life. This is what I hope for."

"Remember, don't let Xiao Shen bully you. Of course, the most important thing between husband and wife is to support each other, respect each other, and care for each other. In short, you have to manage your own life yourself, so I won't say more. Don't worry about me, don't be too concerned, and don't let go of me. With A-Man by my side, I'm not alone."

Xiaodie was already in tears.

"My lady..."

"How could you... I didn't expect it to be so soon... But I don't want to leave you..."

"Actually, this servant doesn't necessarily have to get married..."

Xiaodie choked up as she spoke, tears streaming down her face.

"Your Majesty only allowed me to marry because you have Ah Man. I am not Your Majesty's favorite and I am an eyesore to you."

Seeing Xiaodie's aggrieved look, Shi Yan felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

"Listen to what you're saying. When have I ever found you an eyesore? If Aman heard you say that, she would be very upset. She truly considers you her older sister."

Xiaodie felt ashamed upon hearing this.

"I spoke without thinking."

Realizing that she had just acted like a child and even cried, Xiaodie looked up at Shi Yan's teasing gaze and immediately blushed with embarrassment.

"Wipe it off! Look at your snot and tears. If your little Shen sees this, he'll think I'm scolding his sweetheart."

Shi Yan handed Xiao Die a handkerchief in an annoyed manner.

Xiaodie pursed her lips and remained silent, obediently taking the handkerchief from Shi Yan's hand and quickly wiping her face.

"This servant has made a fool of herself in front of Your Highness."

After crying for a while, feeling wronged and sad, Xiaodie felt too embarrassed to cry anymore.

Seeing that Xiaodie's expression was normal, Shi Yan's mood calmed down, and the bitterness and reluctance in her heart also faded a lot.

"I hope you get better."

"You're getting married, cheer up."

Even though you're getting married, this place will always be your maternal home. Remember that.

Xiaodie nodded heavily upon hearing this, a hint of joy appearing on her face.