Time travel, quick transmigration

Xiao Huanling wiped the rainwater off her clothes and handed the handkerchief back to Shi Yan.

Shi Yan took it and casually placed it on the side table.

"What snacks did you bring me?"

Shi Yan smiled and glanced at him before lowering her head to open the oil paper package.

Perhaps because of the rain, the shopkeeper wrapped the pastries very tightly, using three layers of oil paper. Shi Yan looked at the delicate little pastries—golden squares, pinkish-white shaped like butterflies, and white like lotus pods—and was almost reluctant to put them down.

"This must be expensive."

Shi Yan looked up at Xiao Huanling, who had a smile on his face.

Xiao Huanling touched his nose, avoiding Shi Yan's gaze, and said, "It's alright, it doesn't cost much money, it's just that the business there is so good that you have to go early, otherwise you'll have to wait in line for a while."

"Since you like them, I'll bring you some more next time. There are several shops selling pastries and fruits in the West Market."

Shi Yan did not refuse. She cherished Xiao Huanling's feelings and did not want to be a spoilsport. She just specifically told him to bring some occasionally.

"What are the names of these snacks?"

As Shi Yan spoke, she picked up a golden pastry and took a small bite.

"It melts in your mouth and tastes a bit like pea flour cake."

Xiao Huanling smiled as she looked at Shi Yan, whose eyes were filled with childlike joy.

"What you're holding is called mung bean cake, the pinkish-white one is called lotus flower pastry, and the white lotus seedpod-shaped one is called lotus seed paste pastry."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan nodded, finished the remaining red bean cake in her hand, and then stood up and said to Xiao Huanling.

“How can we have snacks without tea? I have some tea leaves that Yunying gave me last time. I’ll ask Xiaodie to boil some water. We can have tea and snacks at the same time. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

As he said that, he was about to walk out.

Since they met, Xiao Huanling had never seen Shi Yan so outgoing, lively, and cheerful. He wanted to tell her to sit down so he could go and talk to Xiao Die himself, but Shi Yan had already walked out the door.

Xiao Huanling smiled helplessly at the empty doorway. Bored, he could only sit and wait for Shi Yan to return. The room was silent, save for the sound of raindrops tapping on the leaves of the flowers and trees outside the window. It seemed that Shi Yan's departure had taken away the vibrancy and brightness of the room. Even though the person sitting opposite him had only just left, Xiao Huanling found himself already missing her.

"I've already told Xiaodie, let's sit for a while longer."

Shi Yan walked in with a smile on her face and spoke to Xiao Huanling.

"After boiling the water and brewing the tea, the three of us sat together enjoying tea and snacks, chatting and talking. This kind of weather is perfect for having delicious food and hot tea with friends."

"Ah Ling, you are so thoughtful. I am not only happy that you came to see me today, but I also find this annoying rainy day lovely."

Shi Yan's bright smile and beautiful eyes sparkled, and Xiao Huanling seemed to be infected by her joy, his heart completely captivated. He was moved by the woman before him, knowing it was wrong, yet he was willing to succumb to her charms; as long as he could keep looking at her, he had no other desires.

"I have something I want to give you as a way of repaying your kindness in saving me. I hope you will not refuse."

Xiao Huanling took something out of his pocket and placed it on the table to Shi Yan's right.

Shi Yan glanced at the lustrous green jade Buddha on the mahogany table, then looked at Xiao Huanling with a puzzled expression.

“I bought this item last year from a Tibetan merchant in the West Market. The Tibetan uncle said that I was destined to have this jade and insisted on selling it to me. I happened to have some money on me that day and didn’t want to argue with him, so I bought it.”

"This jade is Hetian green jade. Although it is considered a top-grade jade, it is extremely spiritual. Since I got it, I have never been sick. This time, I was even saved by you. Wearing it may protect you and make me feel much more at ease."

Xiao Huanling stared at her intently, as if afraid she wouldn't accept it. Shi Yan wanted to refuse, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

“Since this jade has a spirit, you should wear it yourself. What’s the point of giving it to me?”

Shi Yan tried to phrase it as tactfully as possible.

Xiao Huanling, however, did not allow her to refuse and deliberately said so.

“When I was young, I met a Taoist priest who traveled around and settled in Chang’an. He took pity on me and taught me some martial arts. If he hadn’t received a letter from a friend asking for help and had to leave Chang’an, I would have followed him to learn swordsmanship.”

“I am physically strong and skilled in martial arts, so you don’t need to worry about me. The reason I got injured this time was due to my carelessness, but it won’t happen again. It’s you who are all alone out there, and I can’t always be by your side. As your friend, can’t I even give you a protective jade pendant?”

Since Xiao Huanling had already said so much, Shi Yan couldn't refuse anymore, otherwise she would really seem pretentious.

"Then I'll accept it, and I'll wear it with me all the time. You can rest assured now."

Xiao Huanling smiled and nodded.

"My lady, the hot water is ready, and the tea leaves are prepared as well."

Xiaodie entered the pavilion carrying a teapot filled with hot water in one hand and a tray with tea leaves and tea-making utensils in the other, and approached them.

Shi Yan immediately took the tray from Xiao Die's hands and put it down at the table.

"Why didn't you call me? You rushed here all by yourself. What if you had fallen and gotten hurt?"

Shi Yan looked at Xiao Die with a hint of reproach in her eyes.

Xiaodie wasn't upset by the scolding; she just smiled shyly. "Don't you know? I'm quite strong. Don't worry, I'm very steady."

Shi Yan gave her a disgruntled look.

"Please sit down."

Xiaodie smiled and said "Ah".

Xiao Huanling watched the two of them go back and forth with a smile in her eyes.

Yang Zhao (Yang Guozhong), who was setting off to Dongling Temple to see Shi Yan, was delayed halfway because his carriage wheels got stuck in a puddle. When he arrived at the gate of Dongling Temple, he lifted the curtain of the carriage to look and saw that the rain was heavier than before. He made up his mind and finally decided to take the plunge.

After getting off the carriage, he refused the steward who offered him an umbrella and gave the clueless steward a very displeased look.

"Put your umbrellas away. None of you are allowed to use them. Just stand in the rain."

"You, lead the way. Even if you're slow-witted, don't ruin my important plans."

The butler, having been scolded, could only obediently lower his head and lead the way, looking particularly disheveled after being soaked by the rain.

Yang Zhao braved the rain and entered Dongling Temple. He strode to the corridor in front of the Sanqing Hall and stood there. Seeing that no one was around, he frowned and looked around.

"Why isn't there a soul in sight? I'm soaked and disheveled from the rain today, and I can't just leave empty-handed."

Yang Zhao's eyes turned cold as he spoke to the butler beside him, who looked like a quail.

"Go and search around to see if you can find out where Lady Taizhen lives in the temple. Tell her that Lady Taizhen's brother has come to see her."

"Be smarter than me."

The butler looked at Yang Zhao (Yang Guozhong) carefully and nodded emphatically.

"Don't worry, Master, I understand."

With that, he walked down the stone steps and into the rain to search for people.

Yang Zhao stood under the corridor, feeling sticky and uncomfortable all over, and his heart was filled with anxiety.