Time travel, quick transmigration

Shi Yan understood that Xiao Die was worried about her.

“You don’t need to worry about me. It’s actually more convenient for me to act alone. With that man following behind, the two of us together will only attract more of his attention.”

"You can rest assured."

Seemingly comforted by Shi Yan, Xiao Die stopped worrying. "Alright then, my lady, please be careful."

Shi Yan responded with an "Mm," then seemed to remember something and looked at Xiao Die, who was looking down and extremely quiet.

"By the way, how much money did you bring with you?"

Xiaodie understood and untied the two exquisitely embroidered pouches tied around her waist, handing them to Shi Yan.

Shi Yan smiled and glanced at her, then took one of them and weighed it in her hand.

"They're quite well prepared."

"I'll take one, and you can take the other one to buy something. If you see something you like, you can buy it. Consider it a reward for you."

Xiaodie paused for a moment, then pursed her lips and refused.

"I didn't do anything, so I don't deserve your reward, madam. Please don't accept it."

Shi Yan realized that Xiao Die wasn't unhappy, but just a little embarrassed, so she changed her approach.

“You serve me very diligently every day, and I am very happy to have you by my side. But... I have never regarded you as just a servant; we are more like family. As family, shall I give you a gift? I was planning to choose a gift for you myself today, but unfortunately, the situation has changed.”

"I told you to pick out the gift yourself, but you didn't want to."

Xiaodie panicked as soon as she heard that.

"No, I'm overjoyed."

Shi Yan chuckled inwardly.

"That's more like it. Since that's the case, just listen to me and buy whatever you like. And buy one for Uncle Zhang too. Oh, and if you see a pastry shop, pick out some pastries for me to take back, as well as fresh fruit, dried goods, good wine, snacks, and whatever else you like."

Xiaodie wrote everything down, and when she looked at Shi Yan again, her eyes were clearly filled with more emotion.

"My wife, you are also the most important person in Xiaodie's heart."

The most secluded residential area of ​​Chang Le Fang is inhabited by the lowest-class people in Chang'an City, mostly from all walks of life. Of course, the poorest and most chaotic place is also the least noticeable and most suitable for hiding.

After parting ways with Shi Yan that day, Hai Yue used the money Shi Yan gave him to rent a two-courtyard house in a place called Pingxia Lane. It had a front hall, a back bedroom, corridors, pavilions, and everything else. The layout was not only orderly but also reasonable, which was just right for the six of them. In particular, the rented place had a fairly spacious courtyard, which was perfect for them to practice martial arts every day.

Haiyue kept his half-month promise with Shiyan firmly in mind, practically counting down the days. During these days, besides learning martial arts from the master with the other five, he would climb onto the roof and lie there, gazing at the sky in his spare time. Shiyan's image would constantly appear in his mind. He knew he had fallen for her, but he knew nothing about her, and in his heart, she was like the moon in the sky—unreachable. This realization filled him with immense frustration.

He got up early, changed into his cleanest clothes, and shaved off his newly grown beard, which he had been too lazy to shave. After giving instructions to his five companions, he went out.

Finally, Zhang He arrived at Chang Le Fang by car. Even through the curtain, Shi Yan could hear the lively hawking sounds outside.

"My lady, shall we get off here?"

Zhang He's voice came into the carriage, and Shi Yan glanced at Xiao Die.

Xiaodie immediately replied, "Yes."

Once the carriage had come to a complete stop, Shi Yan stood up.

Seeing this, Xiaodie hurriedly went to lift the curtain for her, but Shiyan stopped her.

"Xiaodie, remember what I said."

Before getting off the bus, Shi Yan gave her a few instructions.

Xiao Die replied, "Yes." "My lady, please be very careful."

Shi Yan nodded, lifted the carriage curtain, and slowly got off the carriage. Then, leaning on a dry tree branch, she walked step by step toward the place she had agreed to meet Hai Yue, until she gradually entered the crowd.

Xiao Shen, who had been following them, stared intently in the direction Shi Yan had left, but ultimately did not follow. After all, in his heart, Xiao Die was more important than the village woman who had hitched a ride along the way.

Once she had plunged into the crowd and confirmed that Xiao Shen was not following her, she turned into an alley and then threw away the dry branch she was holding.

Hai Yue arrived at the place where he had parted ways with Shi Yan last time, and stood hunched over in the corner of a house. Every now and then, a few passersby would pass by, but seeing that he had his head down and his face was not clear, and that he had a cold and unapproachable aura, they would only glance at him a couple of times and then ignore him.

Hai Yue didn't like the gazes others cast upon him, so he tried to minimize his presence and avoid being seen. Although he kept his head down, he would occasionally look up to see if Shi Yan had arrived.

It wasn't until another half hour had passed that his eyes lit up and his face regained some radiance.

As the person drew closer, Hai Yue couldn't contain his excitement. He raised his head, straightened up, and strode towards Shi Yan, who wore a mask and whose elegance was still undeniable even in simple clothes.

"Haiyue, it's been a long time."

"Hmm...that's good. You seem to be doing quite well."

"She looks more energetic and a bit fairer."

Hearing Shi Yan's cheerful, clear, and melodious voice, as sweet as a nightingale's, Hai Yue's heart fluttered. He managed to suppress his shyness and said with some difficulty.

"haven't seen you for a long time……"

"I...you..."

"Thanks to you, I'm able to live a peaceful life... So, um... thank you."

He finally expressed his true feelings, and although it was a bit bumpy, Haiyue thought it was a significant step forward.

Shi Yan didn't pay much attention to Hai Yue, who kept avoiding her gaze.

"Come on, take me to see where you're staying, see if you're comfortable, and see if there's anything we need to buy. There are some things that aren't convenient to say outside."

Haiyue was overjoyed; he couldn't wait to spend more time with Shiyan. But then he hesitated.

"Wouldn't it be a bit inconvenient? Our living quarters as men are inevitably not very elegant."

"How about we find a teahouse nearby to sit and talk?"

Hai Yue's mind was filled with worry that Shi Yan would see the less-than-tidy rooms of his companions. He wanted to save face for his companions, but he also didn't want to offend Shi Yan's eyes. Besides, it was, after all, the living quarters of several grown men.

Shi Yan seemed to understand Hai Yue's concerns and secretly realized that she had not thought things through.

"That's fine too. Let's find a teahouse nearby and get a private room. I have something to say to you."

"You've been here for half a month, so you should be familiar with the surroundings by now. Lead the way."

Upon hearing this, Hai Yue first breathed a sigh of relief, then cautiously glanced at Shi Yan, but seeing that he couldn't see her expression through the white veil, he had no choice but to look away.

"There is a teahouse not far ahead. The people who go there to drink tea are all ordinary people who have some spare money."

Shi Yan followed behind him and gave a soft reply to indicate that she understood.