Time travel, quick transmigration

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan could only sigh, "It's true that everything is difficult at the beginning."

"Forget it, there's no point in thinking about the future now."

As they spoke, they arrived at the gate of the abandoned courtyard.

Shi Yan glanced at the broken wooden planks scattered on the ground and couldn't help but recall the scene when she and Xiao Huanling first came here. She still had a deep impression of Xiao Huanling's decisive kick at that time.

Walking straight into the dilapidated and desolate courtyard, Shi Yan skillfully found the back door covered by trumpet vines and some kind of climbing plant, opened it, and went out.

After leaving Dongling Temple, Xiaodie briefly recounted Shi Yan's instructions to Zhang He, and the two set off immediately without further delay.

The four men left by Li Longji to guard Yang Yuhuan's safety had been diligently hiding outside the temple. Each of them occupied a different spot, and because Li Longji had given them instructions, they carefully concealed their tracks and did not dare to approach Huanqing Residence, nor did they move around much inside the temple.

Today, Zhang He appeared in his carriage and stopped at the entrance of the temple, so the four of them paid more attention to him. When they saw Xiao Die come out and talk to Zhang He, and then return to the temple, they couldn't help but take it to heart.

Watching Xiaodie and Zhang He whisper a few words before getting into the carriage, which then turned around and drove away, the four of them exchanged glances and discussed their decision.

"Xiao Shen, Xiao Die is a maidservant of Lady Taizhen. Although we don't know where she went or what she did, if something were to happen to her, Lady Taizhen would be devastated. We were left here by His Majesty to protect Lady Taizhen's safety, so we naturally have a responsibility to protect the safety of those around her. Why don't you go? You can also find out where Xiao Die went and what she did. If something happens to her, we'll have a better explanation to His Majesty."

“Go ahead, there are three of us here.”

A robust, square-faced young man smiled and patted Xiao Shen on the shoulder.

"Why is it me again..."

As Xiao Shen spoke, he glanced at his three good brothers, his eyes filled with silent protest against them.

"Xiao Shen, you're the most clever, the most agile, and the best at light footwork among the four of us. You should run the errand. We're just worried that Xiao Die will discover our presence."

One of the thin-faced men with a small mustache touched Xiao Shen's arm.

"Hurry up, or you'll miss it."

“Your brothers are thinking of you too. Going out will help you stretch your muscles and bones, so you won’t end up feeding the bugs here.”

Xiao Shen was still unconvinced, but he honestly didn't argue. He then lightly touched the ground with his toes and flew off to the ground. He then used his unique skill, the Wild Goose Step, to chase after Xiao Die.

Once Xiao Shen was out of sight, the three of them exchanged a quick palm strike and then dispersed to their respective positions.

Before long, Xiao Shen caught up with the carriage carrying Xiao Die. He did not get too close, but kept a distance that was neither too far nor too close.

About two quarters of an hour later, Zhang He arrived at the official road that Shi Yan had mentioned, driving his horse-drawn carriage.

"Miss Xiaodie, we've arrived at the place the lady mentioned. Shall we wait for her here?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaodie lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside.

"This is it. Let's park the carriage by the roadside. My wife should be coming to meet us soon."

Zhang He replied with an "Yes," cracked his whip, and steered the carriage forward a little before stopping it by the roadside.

Xiao Shen, who was hiding behind the trees by the roadside, couldn't help but be suspicious when he saw the carriage in front of him suddenly stop. After thinking for a moment, he decided to check the situation first.

Shi Yan put on Mu Li after leaving the bamboo forest and followed the direction 0804 had pointed out. After half an hour, she finally reached the official road. She immediately saw the carriage parked not far away. Just as she was about to go forward, 0804's voice stopped her.

"Yan Yan, there is an imperial guard following Xiao Die and the others. This person is hiding in the shadows and observing them. You need to think of a way to deal with this."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan frowned and pondered for a moment before having an idea.

"It's alright, let him come if he wants, I have my own way of dealing with it."

As he spoke, he bent down, picked up a dry twig, plucked off the leaves, and slowly walked towards the location of the carriage, using his hand as a support.

When they reached the carriage, Shi Yan stepped forward, bowed to Zhang He, and slightly lifted Mu Li's white veil to reveal her face, giving Zhang He a wink.

Zhang He wasn't stupid; he immediately realized what was going on, so he remained silent. Shi Yan glanced at him gratefully, then lowered the white veil from her fingers and spoke with great emotion.

"Uncle, I am a country bumpkin. My family member is ill, so I am going to the city alone to fetch Physician Chen from Ninghe Hall. But I twisted my ankle halfway there. Although I can walk without being unable to walk, it hurts terribly after just a few steps. Uncle, could you please give me a ride?"

Zhang He told her to wait a moment, then turned around to call Xiao Die, who had been in the carriage for a while but hadn't moved.

Xiaodie knew things might have changed, so she pretended to lift the curtain to look.

When Xiaodie met Shi Yan's gaze through the white veil, she scrutinized Shi Yan from head to toe for a few moments, then asked her some questions before finally letting Shi Yan into the carriage.

After Shi Yan sat down on the small couch inside the carriage, Xiao Die looked at her anxiously.

Shi Yan lifted the white veil and gestured to her with her eyes to calm down.

"Don't panic. It's just that someone is following you."

"What I did just now was to dispel that person's suspicions. I cannot let the emperor's people know that I have gone out, and I certainly cannot let anyone other than you know what I am planning."

"Go tell Uncle Zhang that we can set off now."

"I'll tell you what to do next."

Xiao Die agreed and went outside to talk to Zhang He.

"Uncle Zhang, let's go!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang He cracked his whip and drove the carriage toward Chang Le Fang.

Xiao Shen saw everything that was happening to Shi Yan and the others, but he was completely confused. After Zhang He drove the carriage away, he followed behind the carriage carrying Shi Yan with a puzzled mind.

"Yan Yan, the guy behind you is suspicious, but he didn't guess that the woman who hitched a ride was you."

The 0804 alarm sounded at just the right time.

Shi Yan replied to it in her mind, "I understand."

"Xiao Die, the emperor's personal guards are extremely perceptive. If you are not careful, they will notice something amiss."

"You were quite clever today, you deserve a compliment."

"I'll get off the carriage when we get to the market. You don't need to follow me. Just have Uncle Zhang drive you around the market to attract his attention. Then, pretend you're shopping and pick out some necessities."

"I went to see Haiyue and the others alone."

"Wait for me at the same spot where we got off last time after you've bought all the things you need."

"Don't worry, I'll find a way to get Haiyue and the others to keep him occupied. Then we can all go back to Dongling Temple together."

Xiaodie wrote down all of Shi Yan's instructions, but she was still worried about Shi Yan being alone.

"My wife, are you really alright all by yourself?"

After all, there was some uncertainty about this trip in her heart, and Yang Yuhuan, a pampered young lady raised in her maiden's quarters, had never traveled alone before. How could she feel at ease leaving Shi Yan alone?