Time travel, quick transmigration

"Jiang He? His father passed away early, and he lived with his mother since he was a child. After his uncle's family kicked them out, they settled in a village at the foot of the mountain in the suburbs. His family is small and they are a widow and her son, so they won't attract much attention. I think it's feasible. But we still need to tell Jiang He in case he doesn't understand the implications and accidentally let it slip."

As Xiao Huanling spoke, he helped Shi Yan onto her horse.

Upon hearing this, Shi Yanwen also felt a pang of sympathy for Jiang He's background.

"It turns out that Xiao Jiang grew up with his mother since he was a child, which must have been quite difficult for him."

“His uncle’s family bullied them, an orphan and a widow, and no one in their clan came forward to uphold justice for them.”

Xiao Huanling sensed the anger in Shi Yan's tone and felt indignant about Jiang He's plight.

"Jiang He's father was born out of wedlock and was always in poor health. He was not valued by the family. Moreover, their family only had a rice shop that had been in business for two generations and had always been inherited by the legitimate son. In recent years, due to poor management, they were unable to make ends meet. His eldest uncle inherited the family business and said that he wanted to divide the family property and save expenses. So he gave Jiang He's mother five taels of silver and kicked them out of the house."

“Some family matters are difficult to resolve even if they are brought to the authorities, and besides, his uncle does have the right to divide the family property.”

When Shi Yan learned the truth, she also felt the helplessness of being born in a feudal dynasty.

"Judging from Xiao Jiang's optimistic and cheerful personality, his mother must be an extraordinary woman."

Xiao Huanling pictured Jiang He's mother's gentle yet resilient appearance and wholeheartedly agreed with Shi Yan's words. "You seem to have a pretty good impression of that kid Jiang He."

Shi Yan smiled. "Because he's very straightforward. And I think he listens to you a lot. Later I asked him, and he told me that you saved his life and that you are someone he respects very much."

As she spoke, she lifted the gauze curtain and smiled gently at Xiao Huanling.

"Thanks to you, Xiao Jiang said he will respect me in the future. Since that's the case, I naturally believe him."

“I had already spoken to him beforehand; he’s smart enough to know how to handle it.”

Seeing Shi Yan's radiant smile, Xiao Huanling's eyes also revealed a hint of a smile.

"That kid is even more cunning than I thought; he actually knows how to please you."

"Since you've already discussed it, I suppose I don't need to give him any further instructions."

Shi Yan nodded and smiled as she lowered the gauze curtain.

"let's go."

Xiao Huanling agreed and led Liuyun into the bustling city.

After leaving the market, Xiao Huanling leaped onto his horse, embraced Shi Yan in his arms, and galloped towards the Dongling Temple.

Because Liu Yun ran fast, Shi Yan would occasionally bump into Xiao Huanling behind her. Although she tried her best to avoid touching his chest, she would inevitably bump into Xiao Huanling's arms due to the bumpy road.

Forcing herself to remain calm and composed despite her embarrassment, Shi Yan endured immense torment for Xiao Huanling each time she stumbled into his arms. What man could remain unmoved when his beloved embraced him with such allure?

Finally, they got onto the official road leading directly to Dongling Temple. The road was also much smoother, which reduced Shi Yan's embarrassing situation.

“Ah Ling, let’s part ways here. If we get any closer, your whereabouts will be exposed.”

"This place is not far from Dongling Temple. I can dismount here and walk slowly to Dongling Temple."

"After this incident, I believe that no one will dare to risk assassination for the time being."

After a moment of silence, Xiao Huanling dismounted.

"I will give you the Flowing Cloud; ride it."

Shi Yan gently stroked Liu Yun's smooth, glossy white mane.

"No, it would be too eye-catching for me to bring it along. I would inevitably have to explain the origin of such a fine horse."

Xiao Huanling was also impatient with being so restrained, but Shi Yan's words were not without reason.

"OK then."

"Be careful."

As he spoke, he looked up at the azure sky and gazed at the ethereal feathers swirling above them, the light in his eyes gradually softening.

"Cangyu is very intelligent. I can feel more at ease with it by your side. If you have anything to tell me, just let it carry the message to me."

Shi Yan nodded to indicate that she understood, and then dismounted with Xiao Huanling's help.

"Then I'm leaving. Remember to rest well at home for a few days after you get back."

He waved to Xiao Huanling and turned to walk towards Dongling Temple.

As Xiao Huanling watched Shi Yan's figure gradually disappear into the distance, he made a gesture to Cang Yu, which was swooping down towards where he was standing. Upon seeing this, Cang Yu spread its wings and flew off in the direction Shi Yan had left.

"Liu Yun, she's gone. I couldn't keep her, and she didn't want to leave with me."

"Let's go! From this day forward, I, Xiao Huanling, can no longer be a good-for-nothing good-for-nothing like before."

With that, he leaped onto his horse, turned around, and headed towards the unknown road ahead.

Shi Yan appeared in front of the Dongling Temple, and the soldiers left on duty by the Imperial Guard immediately went forward to inquire.

After Shi Yan revealed her identity and had one of them call Xiao Die to confirm it, someone quickly rode off to report that Shi Yan had returned safely to Dongling Temple.

"My lady, it's so good you're alright. I've been waiting for you to come back..."

Xiaodie was crying and laughing at the same time, and it took Shi Yan a lot of coaxing before she calmed down.

The two exchanged a few words with Abbot Qingfeng, Wenying, and others who had come upon hearing the news, and then returned to Huanqing Residence.

After sitting down in the flower pavilion, Shi Yan took a few sips of the tea that Xiao Die handed her, and the two of them began to chat.

“My lady, you must have suffered a lot these past few days. You’ve lost weight and your complexion is paler than before. It’s all my fault for sleeping too soundly that night. I didn’t even notice when the assassins broke into the temple. If I had been by your side, you wouldn’t have had to face the situation of being chased by assassins alone, and you wouldn’t have been left to suffer outside.”

"It is my fault for being useless. I failed to protect my mistress. Although His Majesty has not punished me, I believe I cannot escape my guilt. Please punish me, my lady."

As he spoke, he bent both knees and knelt on the ground.

Seeing Xiaodie's self-blame, Shi Yan knew that Xiaodie must have been suffering during the days she was missing. Since it had nothing to do with Xiaodie, why would she blame her?

"Xiaodie, I'm back safe and sound. Although I was chased by assassins that night, I escaped unharmed."

"Get up. If you don't get up, I'm really going to get angry."

"Look at you, you must not have been eating or sleeping well these past few days. Your once round face has become noticeably thinner."

Shi Yan reached out and helped Xiao Die up, pulling her to sit down on a stool next to her.

"I didn't suffer much, except that I accidentally fell into the water while escaping. Luckily, someone happened to pass by and rescued me. I was supposed to come back earlier, but I was unconscious for two days and suffered some minor injuries, which delayed me."

"I came back as soon as I got better. Look at me, apart from being a little thinner, I'm fine. At most, you just need to be more careful in the future."

"I'm starving right now, go and get me something to eat."

Xiaodie sniffed twice, and upon hearing that Shi Yan was hungry, she forgot everything else and quickly stood up.

"This servant will go prepare food for you, madam. Please wait for me, I will be right back."

After saying that, he hurriedly rushed out the door to prepare food for Shi Yan.