Time travel, quick transmigration

After parting ways with Shi Yan that day, Xiao Huanling listened to Shi Yan's advice and rested at home for two days before setting about seeking refuge with the Crown Prince. Currently, besides the Crown Prince, several princes and other nobles were also secretly vying for the throne. Xiao Huanling knew that the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent and future emperor, though second only to the emperor, was also surrounded by dangers; a slight misstep could lead to his demise like the other princes. Now that the Crown Prince needed capable men, Xiao Huanling believed that by showing sincerity, he would surely be employed.

After devising the plan, Xiao Huanling contacted one of the Crown Prince's advisors through an old friend, successfully met with the Crown Prince, and passed the Crown Prince's test. He became a guard of the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace and was assigned to the Crown Prince's Left Guard to protect the Crown Prince's safety.

Since Xiao Huanling took up his post in the Eastern Palace, he has officially entered the imperial palace. Sometimes, when he looks at the majestic palace, he feels neither great ambition nor desire for power. All he thinks about is that the woman he loves is about to enter these palace walls and be trapped there. All he can do is to quickly acquire the power that she can rely on.

Before that, he was waiting for an opportunity to be trusted and given important responsibilities by the Crown Prince.

After deciding to seize power by leveraging the Crown Prince's influence, Xiao Huanling moved out of the Xiao residence. That day, in the Fushou Hall, he frankly told his father, Xiao Song, about his allegiance to the Crown Prince and resolutely severed all ties with the Xiao family. His father, Xiao Song, was furious, but after kneeling in farewell, he left. He took nothing with him, leaving only his savings to Chen Hui, stating he would support her until old age. Recalling that day, Xiao Huanling fell silent.

He was all alone, and if he hadn't met Shi Yan, he might still have been aimlessly deceiving himself, living a muddled and aimless life.

New Year's Day arrived in the blink of an eye, and a heavy snow fell for a whole day before gradually subsiding.

The north wind was icy cold on her face. Shi Yan got up early, and the cold wind instantly cleared her head. Since Yuan Zheng's daily morning and evening classes were canceled, she could have slept in a little longer, but she couldn't sleep because she was thinking about preparing for the festival, so she got up.

To create a festive atmosphere, she would definitely make elaborate arrangements. She had already sent festival gifts to Qingfeng, Wenying, and others through Xiaodie, and she had received return gifts in return. Li Longji also sent Gao Lishi with many rewards for her, and she had Gao Lishi take the festival gifts she had prepared back to the palace to present to Li Longji.

Last year on New Year's Day, she wasn't so enthusiastic, probably because Xiao Huanling was coming to celebrate the festival with her. She placed the white plum blossom branch that Xiao Die had broken into a large vase, then turned to look at the snowflakes falling softly outside the window, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"In our world, the first day of the Lunar New Year is the first day of the new year, a day when families should be together. I wonder how my parents and younger brother are doing. They must not be feeling well, since I am still lying in the hospital, fast asleep."

"Dad, Mom, I'm so sorry I can't be there to take care of you. As your daughter, I can't make you happy and instead cause you worry. It's my fault. I'll be back as soon as possible, please wait for me."

Just as Shi Yan was gazing out the window in a daze, Xiao Die excitedly entered the room with the cut-out "Fu" character.

"My wife, do you think these 'Fu' characters I cut out look good?"

Xiaodie was stunned as soon as she finished speaking.

"My lady, what has happened?"

Xiao Die could tell that Shi Yan looked sad, and she worried that there might be a shadow in her eyes as well.

Shi Yan turned her head and smiled sweetly.

"What could be wrong? It's just a sigh that time flies like an arrow and the days pass like a shuttle."

"Let me see the '福' (good fortune) character you cut out."

Xiaodie looked at Shi Yan with suspicion, but seeing that she was indeed unharmed, she smiled again and handed the "Fu" character and window decorations in the basket in her hand to Shi Yan for inspection.

Shi Yan picked up one of the exquisitely cut, bright red "Fu" characters, looked at it, and sincerely praised it.

"Xiaodie has such skillful hands, they're so pretty! Come on, let's put them all up, these festive and beautiful decorations will make the holiday atmosphere even better."

As he spoke, he pulled Xiaodie, who had a smile on her face, and got her busy.

On New Year's Day, apart from those who remained on duty, everyone else at the Eastern Palace was given a few days off. Xiao Huanling, thinking of his promise to spend the festival with Shi Yan, left the palace early in the morning and rode his cloud-like horse to the West Market to pick out festival gifts for Shi Yan.

The palace was bustling with activity on the first day of the new year, as it was also the day of the grand court ceremony. Not only the emperor and crown prince, but also the princes, princesses, concubines, and civil and military officials gathered at Xingqing Palace, keeping everyone extremely busy.

Those bustling and prosperous times didn't belong to Xiao Huanling, and he didn't care about them.

The West Market was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and pedestrians came and went in an endless stream. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares rose and fell. Xiao Huanling went to a well-known jewelry store in Chang'an and selected two pieces of jewelry. He then went to Suxinzhai and bought some pastries. He also selected two gifts for Xiaodie and Chen Hui. Then he mounted his horse and rode off towards Dongling Temple.

"My lady, will Young Master Xiao really come to celebrate the festival with us?"

Xiaodie placed a plate of shredded vegetables and braised beef on the wooden table and looked up at Shiyan.

Shi Yan glanced at the dishes on the table and smiled with satisfaction.

"Yes, it was agreed upon beforehand."

Xiaodie understood why Shi Yan had gone to such lengths to cook for her personally.

"But, my lady, there are Imperial Guards outside. If they discover that Young Master Xiao has come to see you, won't it cause some trouble? After all, he is not a male relative, and what about His Majesty..."

Xiaodie hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Shi Yan gave Xiao Die a reassuring look.

"You don't need to worry about that. I had already planned it. Today is New Year's Day and everyone is busy celebrating, so there won't be any danger on my side. Yesterday, I had Xiao Shen pass on a message to them, telling them to take a day off today and enjoy the holiday, and not to be on duty here."

"Moreover, Ah Ling himself is a master of martial arts and agile, so he has his own ways of not being noticed."

Shi Yan's confident tone made Xiao Die smile secretly.

“My lady, you always seem so happy when you talk about Young Master Xiao. I feel that you treat Young Master Xiao differently from other people.”

"However, Young Master Xiao treats you differently from others."

Shi Yan looked somewhat embarrassed and deliberately put on a stern face.

"Little girl, what do you know?"

"Quickly bring the drunken duck and steamed fish, and don't forget the warmed peach blossom wine. Ah Ling should be here soon, don't let him arrive before all the dishes are served..."

"What are you talking about? Do you need my help?"

Before the person arrived, her voice preceded her. Shi Yan's eyes suddenly lit up as she looked towards the door. The person who walked in was none other than Xiao Huanling, who was wearing a cloak over a dark red brocade robe, her hair tied with a purple jade hairpin, her black hair slightly swaying, and her appearance bright and radiant.

"Ah Ling's arrival is so timely."

"We were just talking about you, and here you are! What a coincidence..."

Shi Yan looked at the person she hadn't seen for more than half a month with a smile, and felt like teasing him again.

Xiao Huanling blushed under Shi Yan's gaze, took off his cloak and handed it to Xiao Die, then walked straight to Shi Yan and placed what he was holding on the table.