Time travel, quick transmigration

Seeing Feng Xiang's reaction, Xiao Huanling could easily guess what Feng Xiang was thinking. He certainly couldn't agree to Feng Xiang's request; knowing the danger of the journey, how could he allow Feng Xiang to lead only a thousand men to fight the enemy? Feng Xiang was merely trying to provoke him into making a decision by recognizing his hesitation.

Although he disliked Feng Xiang's use of his own life and the lives of a thousand soldiers as leverage, he could not deny Feng Xiang's fearless spirit of devoting himself to the country.

"I cannot grant your request."

Xiao Huanling glanced at Feng Xiang.

When Feng Xiang caught a glimpse of the deep look in Xiao Huanling's eyes, his heart inexplicably trembled. He could only swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue and lowered his eyes to whisper.

"Yes, my subordinates know."

Zhang Liang couldn't fathom Xiao Huanling's thoughts, but he always preferred to be straightforward.

"General, what do you mean? Whatever you plan to do, I will follow your lead."

Upon hearing this, Jiang He agreed without hesitation.

"I'm the same as Brother Zhang."

Looking at the two men and reflecting on his own past actions, Feng Xiang suddenly felt lost. He realized that his current position and the fulfillment of his ambitions were all thanks to Xiao Huanling's appreciation, but his loyalty wasn't solely to Xiao Huanling, nor was he willing to die for him. His loyalty was to the Emperor, even though he had never seen the Emperor sitting high in the imperial court. In Taiyuan and on the border, while he served under Xiao Huanling and followed his orders, he also harbored suspicions towards him. If he discovered any disloyalty in Xiao Huanling, he would be the first to report it to the Emperor.

Zhang Liang and Jiang He had always been loyal to him and obeyed his orders, something Xiao Huanling knew all too well. He did not respond to their remarks.

"I know what you're thinking. Go back now. Whether you're going to Luoyang or Chang'an, I will give you a definite answer tomorrow."

"I, the general, do not do things without being sure of success. Since I am leading you, I am responsible for your lives."

He then waved his hand.

Jiang He and Zhang Liang exchanged a glance and said in unison.

"General, we'll head down now."

Feng Xiang also clasped his hands in a salute.

Xiao Huanling nodded in response.

"Ah."

……

In the Nanxun Palace, in the Mianhua Pavilion, Shi Yan, who had accompanied Li Longji on a stroll in the Imperial Garden, was resting by the window when she suddenly heard several familiar eagle cries. Immediately, she looked up and saw a hawk flying down to the window.

"Cangyu, did A-Ling ask you to deliver this message to me?"

"He should have returned to Chang'an long ago, but I don't know what caused his delay. I was worried about him when you arrived..."

Shi Yan picked up Cang Yu and placed it on a wooden shelf to the side. Then she took a plate of roasted dried fruit from the table and fed it to Cang Yu. After Cang Yu had eaten enough, she patted its head a few times before taking the letter tube from its right paw and pouring out the letter inside to read it.

As Shi Yan read about Xiao Huanling's experiences along the way, her expression shifted between seriousness and relaxation.

"It turns out that A-Ling encountered a rainstorm in Tongzhou and was blocked by a landslide and mudslide, which is why she hasn't been able to return to Chang'an until now. The situation is not peaceful now, and news is delayed and blocked, so it is inevitable that Chang'an cannot receive news. In any case, it is good that she is safe."

Shi Yan thought to herself.

In his letters, Xiao Huanling only briefly mentioned his encounters along the way, his battles with bandits and rebels, sometimes even glossing over them, avoiding the important points. Yet, Shi Yan seemed to be able to imagine the hardships and difficulties Xiao Huanling and his party faced on their return journey. Xiao Huanling's letters were mostly filled with his longing for her, his concern for her, and his words of advice. Shi Yan was always moved, and also felt a sense of satisfaction at being cared for and loved.

After folding the letter, Shi Yan sat down at the desk, picked up her brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write a reply to Xiao Huanling.

By the time Xiao Huanling received Shi Yan's reply, it was already dark. The aftermath of the torrential rain left a scene of devastation. Fortunately, the sky gradually cleared after the storm, and since there were no villages, houses, or farmland nearby, there was no damage or casualties. Those who had just been passing through the area were inevitably frustrated by the downpour, the rocks blocking their path, and the tireless clearing of the road. However, the fact that the road was now open and the bright sunshine dispelled some of the gloom in their hearts.

Xiao Huanling led Cang Yu back to his tent, quickly walked to the makeshift wooden stool, sat down, and focused intently on watching under the oil lamp.

"Ah Ling, you must have had a very hard time these days. I'm so sorry I can't be there to comfort you or do anything for you. Are you doing well? I'm sure you're not doing well, you must be eating and sleeping poorly. But I really hope you can take good care of yourself. I was thinking of you when I received your letter, which shows that the saying 'What you keep in your heart will eventually come true' is true. You know, seeing that you haven't returned to Chang'an yet, and not knowing what happened, I couldn't help but worry about how you were doing. Fortunately, I received your letter. You never make me worry; you always put my mind at ease in your own way."

"After reading your letter, I know you hesitated because of me. I'm glad you place me in the most important place in your heart. But now that the country is on the verge of collapse, this is not the time to indulge in personal feelings. This is A-Ling's homeland, how can you really be indifferent? Those who are blinded by greed only care about themselves, but what have the people done wrong? A-Ling, you have the ability to do practical things for the people and to protect your homeland, so what reason do you have not to do it? Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. You must believe me, I am still waiting to hold your hand."

"Ah Ling, do what you want to do, do what you think is right. Don't let yourself regret it, don't leave any regrets. I am proud that I like you, and even more proud that I like the best Xiao Huanling in the world."

Xiao Huanling stroked each word on the letter, as if tracing the features of his beloved. At this moment, his heart was filled with tenderness and love for Shi Yan.

“Ayan, what have I, Xiao Huanling, done to deserve your sincere heart? I know what to do. Don’t worry, I will return to Chang’an as soon as possible to be with you.”

At this moment, Shi Yan, who was lying on the bed in the palace, was tossing and turning.

"Xiao Ba, is there any way to make An Lushan and Shi Siming die suddenly?"

"Forget it, I was overthinking it. If you really had the ability to kill someone, I wouldn't have to stay in the palace and follow the historical trajectory."

"I really want all this awful stuff to end soon, for the world to be at peace, so that I can finally live in a quiet place with Xiao Huanling."

Awakened by the incessant chatter, 0804 awoke from Shi Yan's consciousness. Since he had grown into a handsome young man, he rarely appeared at night, especially when Shi Yan was sleeping. He no longer appeared before Shi Yan as he used to. He claimed it was because of the difference between men and women, and to avoid suspicion.

"Disturbing my peaceful sleep!"

0804 muttered something.

"Since you already know this, why are you still thinking about such unrealistic things? Anyway, once you change Yang Yuhuan's fate and eliminate her resentment, our merits for this dynasty will be complete. You don't need to think about anything else. As for Xiao Huanling..."

Shi Yan felt a pang of anxiety upon hearing this.

"What happened to Xiao Huanling?"

"Oh, he didn't do anything, what could he have done?"

0804, believing herself to be discreet, naturally wouldn't tell Shi Yan the final outcome between her and Xiao Huanling—that they could never be together.