Time travel, quick transmigration

"On New Year's Day, Chang'an is usually filled with joy all night long. I just came from the West Market and heard that there will be a bonfire party, a Nuo ritual, and fireworks tonight. It sounds like it will be very lively..."

Xiao Huanling, longing to go out with Shi Yan to stroll through the night market and watch fireworks, deliberately gave a vivid and expressive retelling of the story.

"Ah Ling, is West Market really that lively and fun?"

Shi Yan was curious. Although she had decorated for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day last year, it was still a bit lonely with only her and Xiao Die celebrating together. Because of the trouble, she hadn't gone to the market to experience the lively festive atmosphere. Now, hearing Xiao Huanling mention it, she couldn't help but feel tempted.

She had a general understanding of the customs of the Tang Dynasty. New Year's Day, Lunar New Year's Eve, and the first day of the new year were the grandest and most important days for the people of the Tang Dynasty. On New Year's Eve, there was an important ritual called "exorcism," where people would drive away evil spirits by playing flutes and drums, praying for health and freedom from disaster in the new year. After the exorcism, firecrackers would be set off, bonfires would be lit, and people would stay up all night to welcome the new year. New Year's Eve was called "Sui Chu" in the Tang Dynasty. On this night, no one in the entire Tang Dynasty slept; bonfires burned brightly all night long. On the second day, Lunar New Year's Day, every household would drink pepper wine to ward off the cold and dampness, and put on new "evil-repelling" peach wood charms, welcoming the new year in peace and joy.

Yesterday, on New Year's Eve, she and Xiaodie stayed up until midnight before returning to their rooms to rest, perfectly following the New Year's Eve customs. If Yuanzheng also stayed at Huanqing Residence today, it would seem a bit incomplete.

"Ah Ling, would you take me to the West Market for a stroll?"

Shi Yan looked at Xiao Huanling expectantly with her watery eyes, and Xiao Huanling almost couldn't handle it.

"Okay, I'll take you there."

It's naturally good; in fact, it's something we couldn't ask for.

Xiao Die, who was originally a little tipsy, immediately perked up when she heard that the two were going out to play. She sat up straight and looked at Shi Yan and Xiao Huanling with longing eyes.

"What about me, my wife? I want to go too."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan looked at Xiao Huanling, seeking his opinion.

Xiao Huanling turned to look at Xiao Die, her eyes filled with apology.

"I'm sorry, Miss Xiaodie, I'm afraid that won't work. My horse can only carry one more person."

Upon hearing this, the light in Xiaodie's eyes dimmed, but after thinking it over, she didn't feel particularly disappointed.

“Young Master Xiao, please don’t feel sorry. It was my oversight. A horse can only carry two people, so adding me would be redundant.”

"Although I can't go out with you, my lady, I'm already very happy to receive Mr. Xiao's holiday gift today. My lady, you and Mr. Xiao go out and have some fun. I can go back to my room to rest early. I was a little dizzy from drinking. I just like to join in the fun, so please don't mind me, Mr. Xiao."

Shi Yan couldn't bear to leave Xiao Die alone while she went out to enjoy herself, but it was a fact that Xiao Huanling's horse couldn't carry more than one person, so after thinking for a moment, she comforted Xiao Die.

"If I find anything delicious or fun later, I'll bring some back for you."

Xiaodie immediately beamed and nodded emphatically.

Seeing that Xiaodie was no longer disappointed, Shi Yan also felt relieved.

"I'm heading out now. Take care of yourself."

Shi Yan stood up and gave a word of advice.

Xiao Die nodded, then got up to get the fox fur coat for Shi Yan to wear, and then saw Shi Yan and Xiao Huanling out the door.

It would be a bit difficult for Xiao Huanling to jump over the wall with one person, so the two decided to leave through the back door instead.

Although the snowfall had lessened, the ground was still covered with a thick layer of snow. Xiao Huanling led Shi Yan out of Dongling Temple, through a bamboo forest, and found Liuyun, who had been left in the woods outside the wall of Huanqing Residence. The two then rode together on a horse towards the West Market in the city.

As they sped along, the cold wind swirled up fluffy white snowflakes that fell on the two of them. Xiao Huanling wrapped his arms around Shi Yan and carefully protected her in his embrace.

Shi Yan was wearing a hood and was carefully protected by Xiao Huanling, so she didn't feel much cold wind. Liu Yun was indeed a fine steed, as fast as a shooting star and as steady as a rock. Sitting on the horse and galloping forward, Shi Yan felt extremely happy.

"Are you cold?"

"If you're really cold, just lean against me."

Worried that Shi Yan would get cold, Xiao Huanling mustered up her courage and made a suggestion.

"I'm fine; the fox fur coat is very warm. But you, aren't you cold?"

Shi Yan felt that even her breath was filled with cold air.

Xiao Huanling curved her lips into a smile.

"I am a martial artist and I am not afraid of the cold, so you don't need to worry."

Shi Yan agreed upon hearing this.

"I forgot you know martial arts."

After traveling for about half an hour, the two arrived at the West Market. The streets were already brightly lit and decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. The sounds of firecrackers and zithers rose and fell. Even the snow could not dampen people's enthusiasm for strolling through the market.

Xiao Huanling led Liu Yun and escorted Shi Yanxing to a stall selling trinkets. Looking at the dazzling array of ornaments, Shi Yanxing picked out two exquisite peach charms and bought them.

"Here, this is for you. Peach charms can ward off evil spirits; one for you and one for Xiaodie."

Shi Yan picked up one of the peach charms and handed it to Xiao Huanling.

Xiao Huanling took it and hung it on his waist, folding it together with the jade pendant given to him by Shi Yan.

"Since it is an amulet to ward off evil, you should wear it."

As he spoke, he picked out a beautifully carved peach charm from the stall, bought it, and gave it to Shi Yan as a gift.

Shi Yan smiled and took it, wrapping it around her wrist. She even raised her hand and waved it in front of Xiao Huanling's eyes. "Thank you, I appreciate your kindness, A-Ling."

Seeing this, Xiao Huanling didn't say anything, but just lowered his head and smiled.

The two walked along the long street until they came to a place where a crowd was thronging. At the center of the crowd was a bonfire, and around the bonfire were a dozen or so people dressed in strange costumes dancing the Nuo dance and performing a sacred ritual.

Shi Yan glanced around and saw that everyone in the firelight had a focused and devout expression on their face, so she couldn't help but ask curiously.

Are they performing an exorcism ritual?

Xiao Huanling gave Shi Yan a deep look, suppressing the doubts in his heart.

"Yes, what you are seeing is the exorcism ritual. People usually use Nuo dance, flute playing and drum beating to drive away evil spirits and pray for health and freedom from disaster in the new year."

Shi Yan nodded to indicate that she understood.

The two watched for a while longer, when suddenly they heard the sound of fireworks exploding.

Upon hearing the sound, Shi Yan looked up and was immediately delighted to see the breathtakingly beautiful fireworks in the sky, which were as bright as stars.

"Ah Ling, it's fireworks! They're so beautiful! Shall we go see them?"

Xiao Huanling was momentarily stunned by Shi Yan's radiant smile, and he stammered as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Um... well... the best place to watch the fireworks is the West Bridge in front... standing on the West Bridge, you can have a panoramic view of the beautiful fireworks in the night sky. But there are a lot of people watching the fireworks tonight, so... wait a minute, stay close to me, we'll find a safe place to enjoy the fireworks."

Shi Yan didn't mind that Xiao Huanling's speech was a little disjointed; at the moment, she was focused on watching the fireworks and had no objection to what Xiao Huanling said.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll stay close to you and won't get lost."