Time travel, quick transmigration

Xiao Huanling neither retreated nor dodged. With a single slash and sweep of his longsword, he easily cut Ashina Shuhe's whip into several pieces, all of which fell to the ground.

"Xiao Huanling, you!"

Seeing his precious whip easily cut in half, Ashina Shuhe, now weaponless, glared angrily at Xiao Huanling, but when he met the other's cold gaze, he inexplicably backed down and stammered, swallowing the rest of his words.

"Princess……"

Xiangyuena finally arrived on horseback and stood in a protective stance in front of Ashina Shuhe.

The remaining fifteen warriors looked at Xiao Huanling with a mixture of fear and anger.

Xiao Huanling glanced at Ashina Shuhe and his party.

"I have heard that the Turkic Khan, Jiuyeli, has a younger sister from the same father and mother, which must be you, Princess. However, did you inform your brother, the King, before leading your men into the territory of my Great Tang? If not, I will not consider the relationship between our two countries and will treat you as a treacherous person who has deliberately invaded my Great Tang. I will detain you and these people as bargaining chips during peace negotiations. I believe that you will pay the price for your reckless actions today."

Ashina Shuhe was speechless. She firmly believed that Xiao Huanling was capable of it; she had already witnessed his prowess firsthand. However, she couldn't accept that the man who had captured her heart treated her with such coldness and indifference.

Xiao Huanling saw the embarrassment on Ashina Shuhe's face and the regret and annoyance overflowing in her eyes. He only wanted to teach Ashina Shuhe a lesson for her reckless behavior, and he did not really want to make things difficult for her or do anything. He was not so despicable as to use a woman to blackmail Jiuyeli.

"This general is returning to Taiyuan Prefecture. If the princess has already regretted her decision, then take your people and leave. I, Su Xiao, will not see you off."

Ashina Shuhe looked at Xiao Huanling in surprise, never expecting such a turn of events.

"You...we'll head back now...General, please be on your way."

Xiao Huanling nodded and rode his horse forward.

Jiang He and Zhang Liang exchanged a glance, both seeing a meaningful and interesting look in each other's eyes.

They watched as Xiao Huanling led his men away, getting further and further away.

Xiang Yuena looked at the princess, who had come with such conviction and rage to seek revenge, now utterly indifferent and silent.

"Alright, stop staring at me. It was my lack of martial arts skills that led to my defeat against Xiao Huanling. Since I lost, I must admit defeat. Let's go back. If we're too late, my brother might find out, and then we'll be punished."

Ashina Shuhe left overnight, and someone discovered the three bound men. After inquiring about the situation, they reported to Jiuyeli. When Jiuyeli learned that his queen had secretly led people to seek revenge on Xiao Huanling, he was moved but also furious. He immediately ordered Youbanan to lead 500 elite cavalrymen with his personal letter to the Tang army camp to bring Ashina Shuhe back.

Ashina Shuhe, having failed in her revenge, encountered Upanan and others who had come looking for her on her way back.

"Princess."

When Upanan saw that Ashina Shuhe was unharmed except for looking a little haggard and pale, he felt relieved and immediately dismounted to bow to her.

"It is good that you are safe and sound. The king was very worried when he heard that you had risked your life for him, so he specially ordered me to lead troops to bring you back safely."

Ashina Shuhe nodded and smiled.

"Lord Lao Jieli has gone to great lengths for this princess."

Ubhana respectfully replied.

"Your Highness is too kind. This is my duty. Has Xiao Huanling offended Your Highness?"

Ashina Shuhe was clearly unwilling to talk more and simply shook his head.

"Go back. This time, it was my oversight that caused my brother to worry about me."

With that, he gave a soft shout and sped away.

Seeing that Ashina Shuhe was eager to return and was getting further and further away, Xiangyuena dared not delay. She nodded to Youbanan and spurred her horse forward to catch up with Ashina Shuhe.

The fifteen warriors who accompanied them immediately followed.

Upan looked at the person who had never stopped for him and had long since gone without a trace of lingering affection, and a sense of sadness rose in his heart. Now that he had found the person, he didn't need to go any further. Thinking of Ashina Shuhe's silent attitude towards this trip, Upan's eyes narrowed, and he sat on the back of his horse, cracked his whip, and turned his horse towards the direction of the royal court.

Five hundred elite cavalrymen followed closely behind.

Ashina Shuhe had just returned to his tent at the royal court and finished washing up when he was summoned by Jiuyeli.

Jiu Yeli was angry and scolded Ashina Shuhe severely, but more than that, she was deeply concerned for her. Ashina Shuhe understood the reason for Jiu Yeli's anger and obediently did not argue. After Jiu Yeli gave her a stern scolding, she spoke softly and coaxed her, and Jiu Yeli calmed down.

Finally released, Ashina Shuhe breathed a sigh of relief, but staying in her tent, she couldn't help but think of Xiao Huanling.

Xiang Yuena couldn't help but feel worried and puzzled when she saw that Xiang Yuena often seemed lost in thought since she returned.

"Princess, have you taken a fancy to that enemy general?"

Xiang Yuena looked at Ashina Shuhe with a worried expression, and the image of Xiao Huanling's unparalleled beauty involuntarily appeared in her mind.

Ashina Shuhe was taken aback by what he heard, and after regaining his senses, he felt ashamed and annoyed that his thoughts had been exposed.

"How could that be? Xiang Yuena, how could you think that? You can leave now, I'm tired and want to rest."

Xiang Yuena's expression grew increasingly grim.

“Princess, that man is our enemy. He even injured the king. Even for the sake of the king, you cannot like him.”

Xiang Yuena's words undoubtedly struck a nerve with Ashina Shuhe, reminding her to face the truth: she and Xiao Huanling were irreconcilable enemies. Even if she mustered the courage to confess her feelings to Xiao Huanling, her brother would not marry her off to a foreigner, especially since she was already engaged to Lord Yehu, whom Jiuyeli had always relied on.

In an instant, Ashina Shuhe's eyes dimmed.

Seeing that her princess understood the implications, Xiang Yuena finally calmed down. She could not allow the princess she served to be with the enemy, especially since Xiao Huanling had injured the man she had long admired. Jiu Yeli was the god she looked up to, and Xiao Huanling was her enemy. An enemy was not worthy of their noble princess.

“Princess, Lord Yehu loves and cherishes you, regarding you as the jewel in his heart. Every year, he searches for your favorite gems, pearls, and precious silks. Each box is filled with his heartfelt wishes for you. You must not let him down.”

Having said that, Xiang Yuena said no more and bowed.

"This servant will now leave. You should rest well."

Ashina Shuhe was torn with conflicting emotions. She had always been a woman of strong emotions, but when the time came, she hesitated.

The following day, Jiuyeli wrote the peace treaty and sent it to Youbanan in Taiyuan Prefecture to deliver to Xiao Huanling, and also brought Juzhui back.

As the rising sun enveloped the earth, dispelling the chill, it seemed that the cessation of war also heralded a new beginning. Upanan, carrying the peace treaty to be sent to Chang'an, along with two carts of precious treasures and medicinal herbs, peace envoys, and two thousand accompanying soldiers, headed towards Taiyuan Prefecture.

After Upanan and his party entered the city, the people waiting to greet them led them to the residence of the Taiyuan Prefecture official.

Xiao Huanling met with Upan in person, and the two exchanged a few words about the peace negotiations. After reading the peace treaty, Xiao Huanling ordered his men to take Juzhui out and hand her over to Upan's subordinates.