Time travel, quick transmigration

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuanli's fighting spirit was also aroused, and he immediately drew his long sword and attacked Xiao Huanling.

Seeing the sharp glint in Chen Xuanli's eyes, Xiao Huanling waved her hand to deflect the rapidly thrusting sword tip and began to exchange blows with Chen Xuanli.

Shi Yan leaned against Xiao Huanling's chest, raising her eyes to gaze at his chin. Every time he deflected Chen Xuanli's attacks, her heart tightened involuntarily. The sharp sword energy and killing intent emanating from their swords during their clashes made her skin feel as if it were encased in ice.

Looking at Xiao Huanling with concern, and then at the serious-looking Chen Xuanli, Shi Yan felt somewhat annoyed. Chen Xuanli lived up to his reputation for intelligence and cunning, and his dislike for the Yang siblings remained unchanged. Every sword strike was aimed at her, whom Xiao Huanling was protecting in his arms. Perhaps having seen through her as Xiao Huanling's weakness, Chen Xuanli had resorted to a tactic, focusing his attacks on her instead. Shi Yan knew that if it weren't for protecting her, Xiao Huanling wouldn't be so hesitant and unable to unleash his full power.

It seems she's the one holding Xiao Huanling back.

Thinking of this, I smiled and looked towards the sea.

"Haiyue, wake the emperor up."

Then he said to Chen Xuanli.

"General Chen, I advise you to stop. It would be best to leave with your soldiers. Otherwise, I don't mind having my men take the emperor's life."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuanli's expression remained unchanged. He immediately stopped his horse, reined in his horse, and retreated, looking at Shi Yan with an unfriendly expression.

"Yang, do you really intend to murder the emperor?!"

Seeing that Chen Xuanli was clearly hesitant to act rashly, Shi Yan concluded that Chen was concerned about Li Longji's life or death, which gave her more confidence to deal with him.

“I am naturally unwilling to kill or take lives easily, but if General Chen insists on forcing me, then it is hard to say. His Majesty is getting old, and he is exhausted from the long journey, hungry and tired. He is already physically and mentally exhausted. As a subject, don’t you feel sorry for the king you are so loyal to? Oh, I see. General Chen may have already harbored rebellious intentions. Otherwise, why would he disregard His Majesty’s safety and only care about his own pleasure?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuanli flew into a rage and began to speak recklessly.

“You…you wicked woman who spreads heresy…My loyalty to Your Majesty is as clear as the sun and moon, you…”

After venting his anger, Chen Xuanli realized he had lost his composure and fallen into the other party's trap. Provoked by her words, he decisively shut his mouth and glared at Shi Yan with a gloomy expression.

"Release His Majesty immediately, or this general will fight you to the death!"

Shi Yan clapped her hands together.

“Very good, absolutely perfect. General Chen is truly loyal. It’s a pity, we are not cowards. General Chen, your heroic words are of no use to us.”

Xiao Huanling looked at Shi Yan with doting eyes, who was negotiating with Chen Xuanli and had angered the latter so much that his eyes were wide open and he had completely lost his composure. It seemed that he would cooperate with and support whatever Shi Yan did.

Faced with Chen Xuanli's threats and anger, Shi Yan smiled gently.

"General Chen repeatedly avoided direct confrontation with me, Ah Ling, focusing solely on attacking me with his sword. If my Ah Ling hadn't been minding my safety, she could have knocked you off your horse in no more than three moves. It's not the act of a true man to attack a weak woman like me, General Chen..."

"I had heard of General Chen's reputation before, but after meeting him today, I realize he is nothing more than a fraud."

As Chen Xuanli listened, his face grew darker and darker. He felt utterly ashamed and even vaguely felt inferior to Xiao Huanling.

Shi Yan's words were a great insult to the proud man who adhered to simplicity and self-discipline, instantly rendering him speechless.

Seeing Chen Xuanli's unpleasant expression, Shi Yan felt that it was about time and had no intention of making a loyal and righteous man too embarrassed. So she changed the subject.

"What I said just now was merely a woman's frank and outspoken words. Please forgive me, General Chen. General Chen is wholeheartedly devoted to the country and his loyalty to the emperor is as clear as the sun and moon. I believe that everyone in the world is convinced of his sincerity."

Chen Xuanli looked at Shi Yan, who had suddenly become much more humble and whose words were no longer so harsh. His expression had also softened considerably. He felt a complex mix of emotions regarding Shi Yan's affirmation of his character.

Shi Yan didn't care what Chen Xuanli was thinking, and simply continued.

"General Chen, I have no objection to your advocacy of killing Yang Guozhong and the Yang sisters. They are indeed parasites to the country and the people, and their deaths are not a pity. However, if you want me to die, I am sorry that I cannot comply. From beginning to end, I, Yang Yuhuan, have a clear conscience towards the Tang Dynasty, the people, and even your monarch."

"Right here today, I, Yang Yuhuan, hereby declare to the world that from this day forward, Yang Yuhuan and Your Majesty shall have no further connection, and all ties shall be severed."

"Your Majesty, you heard it too, didn't you?"

As Shi Yan spoke, she looked at Li Longji, who had already regained consciousness.

Li Longji stared blankly at Shi Yan, who stood proudly in Xiao Huanling's arms, his eyes filled with deep sorrow and desolation. How could he not see the kind of feelings between his imperial concubine and Xiao Huanling? The indescribable intimacy he had never experienced, the uninhibited dependence he had never seen or received before.

"General Chen, I am handing over your lord to you. In exchange, you must leave with the rest of your troops and you must not pursue us afterward, nor obey the Crown Prince's orders to become our enemy."

"General Chen is ready."

Chen Xuanli pondered for a moment, then glanced at Li Longji, who was being held hostage by Haiyue and looked extremely disheveled, and couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

"Very well, this general agrees."

As soon as Chen Xuanli finished speaking, he ordered the remaining soldiers of the six armies to cease fighting and retreat behind him.

Shi Yan felt relieved. It was all for the best that neither side would suffer a fatal blow, and Xiao Huanling wouldn't have to get hurt because of her.

Xiao Huanling sensed her emotional change and reached out to gently squeeze her hand twice. The light shining in his eyes and the faint smile seemed to be comforting her and giving her strength.

As everything finally came to a close, Shi Yan smiled slightly.

Having received Chen Xuanli's permission, Shi Yan immediately instructed Hai Yue to escort Li Longji to Chen Xuanli.

Li Longji, supported by Hai Yue, brushed past Shi Yan and Xiao Huanling, who were sitting upright on their horses.

"Yu Huan, I only want to know if you have ever had feelings for me, or loved me, from the past to the present."

Li Longji's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, but the obsession and plea contained within it were impossible to ignore.

Shi Yan lowered her eyes to look at the man whose hair had turned much whiter and who looked much older in an instant. Suddenly, a strong emotion that did not belong to her welled up in her heart. At that moment, it was as if Yang Yuhuan, whose soul was imprisoned in a Buddhist temple and whose resentment could not be dispelled, had finally been released. Shi Yan felt her body and mind lighten, as if something had left her.

"Yan Yan, Yang Yuhuan's resentment has dissipated, you've done it."

Shi Yan was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Yu Huan, why won't you answer me? Have you finally decided you won't even speak to me anymore...?"

Shi Yan then came to her senses and looked at Li Longji.

"No, and from beginning to end, Yang Yuhuan was forced into the palace by you. You showered her with unparalleled favor and spoke of deep affection, but in the end, it all turned into a joke. The moment Your Majesty issued the decree to order Yang Yuhuan's death, all the past vanished like smoke."

"Your Majesty, for the rest of your life, please pretend that Yang Yuhuan is no longer here..."