Time travel, quick transmigration

"Ah Ling, this white fox fur coat is very beautiful, thank you."

Shi Yan stroked the smooth, beautiful fur of the fox fur coat, the warm, soft, and glossy fox fur around the collar, and smiled as she thanked Xiao Huanling.

"White foxes are rare to begin with, and foxes are cunning by nature. You must have put a lot of thought and effort into hunting foxes in the mountains and making such a fox fur coat. Thank you for your hard work."

Although it did take a lot of effort, it was worth it to ensure Shi Yan had a warm fur coat to wear through the winter. Xiao Huanling's tone was indifferent.

"As long as you like it."

"Next time I have the chance, I'll go to the mountains again and hunt a red fox pelt for you to make a scarf."

Shi Yan was stunned upon hearing this. As a modern person, she had been taught from childhood not to kill living beings indiscriminately. Moreover, in her world, foxes were not to be hunted casually, nor were many other creatures. But this was ancient times in a feudal dynasty, where survival of the fittest prevailed, and people didn't have the concept of protecting animals. She didn't want to disappoint Xiao Huanling's good intentions or impose her own principles on him; that would be unfair to him. She didn't want to chill the heart of a young man who was so devoted to her and treated her with such sincerity.

That's right, Xiao Huanling is only eighteen years old now.

"Ah Ling, this fox fur coat is enough for me. Some things are especially precious because they are unique. This is a very precious gift I received this year, and I will wear it carefully."

"Perhaps you've entered the Dao and know that all things have a spirit. Foxes born in the mountains must be extremely spiritual. Please don't hunt them again because of me. Okay?"

"If I could, I would prefer to keep a small, intelligent animal. Don't you think it would be better for them to live a lively and energetic life in the world?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huanling suddenly fell silent. After a while, he looked at Shi Yan as if he had figured something out.

"Yes, I've taken your words to heart. It was my oversight. You're right, I'll pay attention in the future."

Xiao Huanling recalled the pitiful and sorrowful eyes of the white foxes that died under his arrows. At the time, he did not think there was anything wrong with it, but now he realized that he had unknowingly committed a killing. What happened to him was not important, but he did not want the killing he had committed due to his momentary carelessness to be punished on Shi Yan.

Shi Yan heard Xiao Huanling's low voice and knew that he was affected by what he had said, so she smiled and deliberately teased him.

"Ah Ling, you're so good. If one day a girl takes a liking to you, she'll definitely be devoted to you and never let you go."

"When that time comes, don't be as shy as you are now."

Xiao Huanling was unsurprisingly embarrassed and blushed deeply again.

"No...how could that be...why would a girl like me..."

He paused, then murmured to himself, "Even if some young lady took a liking to me and pursued me, I wouldn't be moved. I already have someone I admire."

Shi Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing when she saw Xiao Huanling blushing again.

"Hehe, hehe, Ah Ling, how can you be so cute? You're so shy and easily embarrassed, it makes me not know what else to say to tease you."

Seeing Shi Yan's smile, as delicate as a trembling flower or a butterfly fluttering in the wind, Xiao Huanling's heart softened even more.

It didn't bother him much to be teased by Shi Yan; he liked the lively, uninhibited Shi Yan in front of him.

The atmosphere inside the flower pavilion was warm and joyful, so Xiao Huanling couldn't care less about anything else and was unlikely to be depressed about anything else.

Standing at the door, Xiaodie could clearly hear Shi Yan's clear, bell-like laughter from inside. Intrigued, she carried the dinner that Yunying had brought into the room. After putting down the food box, she went around the screen to see what was going on. What she saw was Shi Yan and Xiao Huanling sitting face to face, chatting happily.

"Master Xiao!"

She was genuinely surprised to find that the person she thought was far away in the Western Mountains was right in front of her, and she couldn't help but call out to him.

"When did you return to Chang'an... and when did you come here..."

Xiao Die was so surprised that she stared at Xiao Huanling with her mouth agape in disbelief.

Shi Yan and Xiao Huanling exchanged a smile and then looked at Xiao Die.

"I arrived in Chang'an around 1:00 PM. I have some things to give to you and your wife, so I'm here now."

"Doesn't Xiaodie welcome me?"

Xiaodie immediately waved her hand.

"How could this be? How could this be?"

"Your presence has certainly livened things up a bit, and my wife now has someone to talk to. I was wondering why I could hear her laughing from so far away; it turns out it was Young Master Xiao here as well."

These words put Xiao Huanling in a great mood.

"As expected of someone from Lady Taizhen's side, they know how to speak well, leaving no room for criticism."

Upon hearing this, Xiaodie immediately raised her head and straightened her back.

"That's right. Our lady is a first-class noblewoman, and also exceptionally wise and intelligent. I have benefited greatly from being around her."

Xiao Huanling lowered his brows and smiled, then looked at Shi Yan. Seeing her smile at him rather awkwardly, he readily agreed and echoed her sentiments.

"Indeed, your wife is truly a rare gem in this world."

After speaking, Xiao Huanling gave Shi Yan a deep look before looking away.

"Before I knew it, it had come to this point. It's time for me to go."

As he spoke, he stood up, intending to say goodbye.

Shi Yan would never agree to Xiao Huanling leaving.

"You came in such a hurry, and now you're already in such a rush to leave?"

"Xiaodie's dinner has been delivered, but you're leaving? Are you deliberately trying to make me ask you to stay for dinner?"

Xiao Huanling was about to explain.

Shi Yan glared at him and continued.

"I was just kidding. Anyway, you're not allowed to leave now. We'll talk about it after dinner."

"Don't worry about not having enough for dinner. We still have the snacks and fruits you brought. If we don't have enough, we can just have some more snacks."

"I don't eat much, you and Xiaodie can eat more."

Shi Yan's words immediately dispelled Xiao Huanling's concerns and eased his tension. He was indeed reluctant to leave, but he didn't want to disturb him any further; he knew how to maintain proper boundaries.

Now that Shi Yan has asked him to stay, he can no longer insist on leaving.

"Yes, Young Master Xiao, please listen to my wife and stay for dinner before you leave."

"It's still snowing outside and it's cold. You should at least eat something to fill your stomach before going out."

As Xiaodie spoke, she turned around and went to the outer room to make arrangements.

Xiao Die's words reminded Shi Yan. She listened intently to the sounds outside and found that a strong wind was howling and the sound of snow falling to the ground could be heard from time to time.

"The snow is falling so heavily and the wind is so strong. It's getting late and the roads might be slippery after dinner. Why don't you stay here for the night and see what happens tomorrow? The room you stayed in before is clean, you can just tidy it up a bit. Is that alright?"

Under Shi Yan's affectionate gaze, Xiao Huanling couldn't remember what else to say and just slowly nodded.

Shi Yan smiled when she saw that Xiao Huanling had agreed to stay. "It's settled then. You go sit in the outer room first, I'll tidy up and then come out."

Xiao Huanling understood.

"Then I'll go wait in the outer room first. Don't rush, take your time."

As he spoke, he stood up, turned his back to her, and walked straight out.