Time travel, quick transmigration

Looking at the man in purple robes and wearing a silver mask with intricate patterns, Shi Yan suppressed her excitement and shock and slowly stepped forward to confirm again. When she received a response from Xiao Huanling, she couldn't contain her joy and excitement and hugged Xiao Huanling's waist, leaning against him and looking up at him intently.

Xiao Huanling was slightly intoxicated by Shi Yan's gentle and smiling eyes. Overwhelmed with emotion, he reached out and hugged the person who had rushed into his arms. He then handed the bamboo basket in his other hand to Aman. Ignoring the surprise and astonishment in Aman's eyes, he picked up the person in his arms and carried her to the inner room. He walked straight to the small couch by the window and put her down to sit.

The two stared at each other for a moment. Shi Yan was the first to come to her senses and reached out to remove Xiao Huanling's half-covered mask, gently stroking Xiao Huanling's face.

“Ah Ling, I’m not dreaming, it really is you back.”

Xiao Huanling smiled but remained silent.

Shi Yan still felt somewhat dazed. It was unreal that someone who was clearly far away in Hedong had suddenly appeared in front of her.

Looking at the person in front of her, Shi Yan recalled why the other person had covered their face with a mask earlier.

"Ah Ling, do you know that you are taking a risk by secretly returning to Chang'an without being summoned? What important matter makes you have to return to Chang'an?"

Seeing the worry and confusion in Shi Yan's eyes, Xiao Huanling held her hand and smiled nonchalantly.

“I have my reasons for returning to Chang’an. I am right in front of you, Ayan, don’t you understand?”

Shi Yan was immediately stunned.

"You came all this way just to see me. Is it worth the long journey back just to see me?"

"You idiot."

"If you come into the palace like this and run into the palace guards or the Imperial Guards, what if you encounter danger? Do you know how worried and anxious I will be if you are in danger?"

Xiao Huanling released his embrace of Shi Yan and looked intently into her eyes.

"I know, how could I bear to let you worry about me?"

“I wouldn’t take the risk without absolute certainty, not even for you. I’m highly skilled and can move freely within the palace, so you can rest assured. I know that my unauthorized entry into the palace to see you is detrimental to your reputation, and it was a mistake on my part. But I want to see you, especially since I promised you that I would let you taste the first batch of pomegranates from the pomegranate tree in Xiao Garden. I keep my word, and I cannot break my promise to you.”

Shi Yan was deeply moved, and her nose felt a little sore.

"Just because of something you promised me before, you made a special trip here... You idiot, what can I say about you?"

"You must be exhausted. Have you been so focused on getting there that you haven't had a proper rest?"

Having been seen through immediately, Xiao Huanling smiled shyly, but refused to admit it.

"No, you're overthinking it. I rested for several hours before coming to the palace to see you."

Shi Yan realized that Xiao Huanling was just trying to reassure her, so she didn't expose him and just pretended to be serious.

“You’ve already come back, so let’s not talk about this anymore. But you have to promise me that it won’t happen again. I know your feelings for me better than anyone. Even if we can’t have pomegranates this year, it doesn’t matter. I just want you to be well. Nothing else matters.”

Xiao Huanling felt a warmth in his heart; Shi Yan's care and concern for him was enough to comfort him.

"Alright, I've got your words in mind, and I'll listen to whatever you say."

Inside, the two were pouring out their hearts to each other. Aman peeked in secretly and, seeing their passionate love, felt a pang of worry. She wanted to go in and warn Shi Yan against meeting another man at night and putting herself in danger, but she also worried about disturbing the couple's precious time together. For no apparent reason, she was caught in a dilemma.

"Aman, come in."

Shi Yan had noticed A Man's cautious prying long ago and understood why she was behaving this way.

Since she had been summoned, Aman stopped arguing and carried a basket of pomegranates inside. She walked slowly to Shi Yan and Xiao Huanling and stood in front of them.

Xiao Huanling glanced at Aman, then said to Shi Yan.

"She is the Aman you mentioned to me in your letter. She is loyal and courageous, that's right."

Shi Yan slightly parted her lips.

"She's always been a good person."

"Aman, this is Young Master Xiao Huanling. Xiaodie has told you about him. He is the person I love. From now on, you must respect him as much as you respect me."

Aman nodded, bowed to Xiao Huanling, and addressed him as "Young Master Xiao." Then she stared at Xiao Huanling, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xiao Huanling was not annoyed by the undisguised and hostile gaze, but simply smiled gently.

"If there's anything you can't say, just say it."

Aman glanced at Shi Yan, clearly showing her reservations.

Xiao Huanling smiled gently at Shi Yan.

"Ayan, are you usually very strict with the people in the palace, to the point that this little girl doesn't even dare to speak?"

Shi Yan glared at Xiao Huanling reproachfully, knowing that he was deliberately trying to provoke Aman.

Ah Man was indeed angered upon hearing this.

"Young Master Xiao, why do you slander my mistress? My mistress is more lenient than ever to us, and she has shown me the greatest kindness. It is a wonder that my mistress still cares so much about you..."

"If you truly valued and cared for my lady, you wouldn't have secretly entered the palace to see her, committing this heinous act of a clandestine rendezvous. Where does Young Master Xiao place my lady? He's only acting out of his own selfish desires, without considering my lady's reputation or even her life or death..."

These words were rather harsh, but they were undoubtedly weighty, and Xiao Huanling did not refute them.

Shi Yan opened her mouth to stop A Man from continuing, but was stopped by a gentle look from Xiao Huanling.

Xiao Huanling maintained a faint smile, as if Aman wasn't criticizing him at all. He only spoke slowly and deliberately after Aman had finished speaking.

"Ah Man's loyalty to Ah Yan is truly rare..."

“What Miss Aman said makes sense. It was indeed my oversight that led me to act selfishly and not to consider your master’s feelings. I accept all of Miss Aman’s criticisms, but I, Xiao Huanling, do not regret what I did today. If I do not have the ability to protect the one I love, I, Xiao Huanling, am not worthy of talking about love. Ayan is more important than my own life. With her by my side, I would cherish my life more than anything else. How could I put her in danger?”

“I understand your feelings for Ayan, but I will only allow you to question my feelings for Ayan this once. I don’t need to explain to you, but considering that you are devoted to Ayan and that you are someone she trusts and relies on, I cannot refuse you this courtesy.”

Aman was so intimidated by the fierce aura that Xiao Huanling suddenly unleashed that she momentarily forgot what to say.

Seeing this, Shi Yan squeezed Xiao Huanling's hand that was holding hers.

"Okay, don't scare my Ah Man."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huanling's gaze softened, and the chilling, oppressive aura that had been so intense vanished in an instant.

"Ayan, you can't wrong me like that. When have I ever scared anyone? You clearly like my face very much and even said that my face is beautiful. If that's the case, why would I scare anyone?"

Shi Yan almost doubted that the person sitting next to her was a fake Xiao Huanling. How could someone with such a thick skin be the Xiao Huanling she knew?

Seeing Shi Yan's dazed expression, Xiao Huanling affectionately stroked her hair.

"I picked a lot of pomegranates for you. I've already tasted them. They're sweet and juicy, and I think you'll like them. I chose the biggest and best ones for you. If you like them, there are still some on the trees at home. You can have Aman go out of the palace to Xiao Garden to pick some and bring them back to the palace."

Then he spoke to Aman, who was still in a daze.

"Aman, won't you bring it over so your master can have a taste?"

Aman glanced at Shi Yan and saw that Shi Yan's eyes were full of expectation, so he obediently presented the bamboo basket to Shi Yan.