Time travel, quick transmigration

At the Xiao residence, Xiao Song's face darkened considerably upon learning that Xiao Huanling would be away for two years.

"Let him go if he wants to, but it would be best if he stayed away from home forever and never came back."

"His departure from Chang'an has put my mind at ease, preventing him from being idle all day and causing trouble, which would only bring shame to our Xiao family."

"That wretched child! Last time he beat up Lu Yi from Lu Huaizhen's family, causing quite a stir. If I hadn't swallowed my pride and said all the right things, how could the Lu family have let it go so easily?"

Xiao Song was so angry that he glared and puffed out his beard. Xiao Heng, who was standing to the side, spoke up to comfort him. He disliked Xiao Huanling, who only brought shame to the family, but he always maintained the manners and demeanor of a young master from a prominent family, so he didn't say anything unpleasant. He just gently comforted Xiao Song.

“The other person is already gone, and there’s no point in my father being angry anymore. It’s not worth ruining his health by getting angry.”

"He's just a bit playful, but he won't cause any big trouble outside. Father, there's no need to worry."

"Once he runs into trouble and suffers outside, he'll learn his lesson and understand that he wasn't born into the Xiao family, so he doesn't have the right to be so arrogant."

Xiao Heng was born of the eldest son and was very handsome. He pleased Xiao Song in every way, and recently married Princess Xinchang and was appointed as the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant. Xiao Song had always been close to him, and after hearing some words of comfort from him, his anger subsided somewhat.

"Fine, let him go."

Even so, Xiao Song still harbored resentment towards Xiao Huanling's indifferent attitude towards their family and its members, as if he had never cared about him as a father at all. He couldn't help but reflect on whether he had neglected Xiao Huanling too much over the years. However, the woman who gave birth to Xiao Huanling was of humble origin and had abandoned him and his son without a second thought, a fact that haunted him every time he thought about it.

Xiao Song sighed inwardly. He knew all too well that he was someone who valued the prosperity of his family above all else. He didn't expect Xiao Huanling to be outstanding or talented; he only wanted him to live a peaceful life. If Xiao Huanling was born rebellious and did something that would harm the family, he wouldn't show him any mercy.

On an official road, Xiao Huanling, riding behind a caravan of merchants, gazed at the distant city of Chang'an, his eyes filled with deep reluctance and melancholy.

"Liuyun, you can't bear to leave Chang'an either. Once you leave Chang'an, you won't be able to see her again."

Xiao Huanling gently stroked Liuyun's white fur twice, lowered his brows, and revealed a faint smile.

"Huanling!"

A young man in his early twenties, dressed in a light blue round-necked satin robe, wearing a crown and black boots, turned his horse around and called out to Xiao Huanling.

Xiao Huanling responded to him, "Coming."

He took one last look at Chang'an, the city he was so reluctant to leave, and patted Liuyun's head.

"We should go."

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

After finishing her morning lessons, Shi Yan returned to Huanqing Residence and went to Huaxuan to wait. Since she hadn't brought many books with her from the Prince's Mansion to Dongling Temple, she borrowed a few from Yunying to read in her spare time. It was a beautiful, clear day, and Shi Yan casually picked up a travelogue and leaned against the small couch by the window to read it. After reading only a couple of pages, she lost interest and stared blankly at a magnolia tree outside the window, gazing at the vibrant scene of flowers blooming on the branches, lost in thought.

"Yan Yan, why do you look so listless? Are you unhappy because Xiao Huanling left Chang'an today?"

"I knew it. You're just being stubborn, but you're actually really reluctant to part with Xiao Huanling. If you're reluctant to part with him, just say so. He's already gone, and he won't know you're secretly sad here."

"Oh my god! Yan Yan, have you fallen for Xiao Huanling? No, no! You two are from different worlds. You'll eventually have to leave this place. There's no future for you two."

"..."

Before Shi Yan could speak, 0804 had clearly finished his own mental exercise, and he was getting more and more into the role as he spoke.

Shi Yan really couldn't be bothered to pay attention to 0804, who was sometimes distressed, sometimes conflicted, and sometimes worried.

"Do you like him..." She certainly liked Xiao Huanling, but not in the way one would like a lover. At least for now, she only saw him as a friend, a boy she could treat like a younger brother. She was willing to treat him gently and give him some care and attention, but it was out of her heartache for this lonely boy in a parallel universe, born in the Tang Dynasty and unloved by his family.

The sunlight outside shone on the flower branches, fell on the moss on the ground, and on the marble steps. 0804's chatter continued, but Shi Yan's eyes became hazy. Back in her innocent teenage years, in that campus full of youthful dreams, there was indeed someone who had stirred her heart.

She did have some feelings for that boy, but she was too young at the time and had no intention of starting a relationship, so that vague affection faded away. After graduation, they went their separate ways, and those innocent, beautiful, curious, and naive feelings remained in those youthful years.

At this moment, in this parallel universe of the Tang Dynasty, a passage written by the boy who first captured her heart suddenly became exceptionally clear. He had once asked, "Do you believe in parallel universes?" At the time, she hadn't taken it seriously, but now, with the facts before her eyes, she had no choice but to believe it.

The vast universe holds countless mysteries, so is what she's experiencing real? Or is it just a dream? Shi Yan couldn't help but wonder.

……

"Yan Yan, what are you thinking about? I called you several times and you didn't respond."

0804 touched Shi Yan's cheek a few times with its fluffy little head.

Shi Yan finally snapped out of her reverie. Looking at 0804, who had a bewildered and concerned expression, she was struck by how cute and real the little dumpling was, which instantly made her abandon some of her unrealistic fantasies.

"Sorry, I just suddenly remembered something that happened in the real world. What did you want to tell me? Tell me again."

0804's round eyes darted around, and it affectionately touched Shi Yan's nose.

"I know you want to return to your world as soon as possible, but that's not possible for now. But don't worry, once we've accumulated enough merit together, our Lord God will definitely send you back to the real world."

"I'm here with you, so you won't be lonely together."

Shi Yan felt a warmth in her heart.

“I understand what you’re saying. Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to help those who are still harboring resentment in your time and space. I used to feel indignant about Yang Yuhuan’s fate, and now that I can do something to change her ending, why wouldn’t I do it?”

My mood did improve on 0804.

"Are you telling the truth?"

Shi Yan smiled and reached out to ruffle 0804's fluffy head. "Of course."