Time travel, quick transmigration

"My beloved concubine seems to have lost some weight."

As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Caiping with pity and reached out to hold Jiang Caiping's soft hands.

"Come with me for a walk in the plum grove. I've been busy with court affairs these past few days and haven't been able to visit you in your palace. Please don't blame me."

Jiang Caiping smiled slightly.

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? I know Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, but I am only concerned about Your Majesty. How could you say anything strange?"

Li Longji felt comforted and took Jiang Caiping's hand as they walked out of the pavilion and into the plum grove. Gao Lishi and Lian Qiao followed behind them at a distance to serve them.

Li Longji looked at the beautiful plum blossoms on the branch, but he was clearly distracted. Jiang Caiping noticed that although the emperor was physically present, his mind was elsewhere, and a bitter feeling welled up in her heart.

"Your Majesty seems to have something on your mind. May I speak with you?"

A smile appeared in Jiang Caiping's bright phoenix eyes as she looked at the emperor, whose brows were furrowed with worry, with tenderness and sincerity.

Li Longji felt a pang of guilt at Jiang Caiping's understanding. "It was I who spoiled your enjoyment of the plum blossoms."

"It's nothing else, and I won't hide it from you. Since Luo Heng left, I've inevitably felt empty inside. She had been with me for over twenty years and suddenly left first, which naturally saddened me. In this vast harem, apart from my beloved concubine, no one else can bring me joy. From the day I saw her, I was captivated by her. In the past, I could only suppress my feelings because of my status, but since Luo Heng left, I can't sleep at night and am depressed all day long, unable to do anything. But as long as I think of her and have her by my side, I can look forward to the dull days again."

"Can my beloved consort understand the sorrow in my heart?"

"She always refuses and resists me with the rigid rules of propriety, leaving me helpless and distressed... She is currently in the Taizhen Palace, so close to me, yet I have absolutely no confidence in her..."

He was the man she admired wholeheartedly, yet he was harming himself for another woman right in front of her. Jiang Caiping saw the emperor's anxious and insecure state and, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, comforted him.

"Your Majesty, you are such an outstanding man, the emperor who created a golden age for the Tang Dynasty, and so handsome and dashing. It is a great fortune to have won your favor. I suppose the person you speak of is the same."

"If she rejects you for some reason, it means that she also has feelings for you, and is a woman worth your time. A woman who can resist the temptations of fame, fortune, and the love of a king, and uphold her own integrity, is truly rare."

"Your Majesty should be happy that the woman you love is a rare gem, so why be so sad? I believe that Your Majesty will surely get what you desire one day, but there is no need to rush it."

Jiang Caiping's words suddenly enlightened Li Longji, and he smiled again.

"My beloved consort is right. I was being too attached to appearances."

"It is my good fortune to have my beloved concubine by my side."

Li Longji affectionately wrapped his arm around Jiang Caiping's waist and pulled her into his embrace.

Although praised by Li Longji, Jiang Caiping wasn't particularly happy. She always knew the emperor's heart wouldn't stay for her, especially since the emperor she loved was a philanderer. But since she had given her heart to the emperor, she was content with this brief embrace. She nestled close to Li Longji's chest, which exuded the scent of ambergris, and gently rubbed against him, her eyes filled with longing.

In the first year of the Tianbao era, An Lushan, who had started an uprising in Fanyang, was appointed as the military governor of Pinglu and governed Yingzhou. He was trusted and favored by the emperor and became a powerful minister.

When Shi Yan heard the news that An Lushan had been appointed as the military governor of Pinglu by Li Longji, he couldn't help but complain in his heart.

Time flies. Several months have passed since Shi Yan entered the Tai Zhen Palace for her spiritual practice. During this time, Xiao Die inquired about and informed her of various events that had occurred in the court. For example, Li Longji changed the title of Attendant-in-Ordinary to Left Chancellor, the Grand Secretary to Right Chancellor, and restored the original titles of Left and Right Chancellors to Ministers. The historically renowned painter Wu Daozi was summoned to the palace by Li Longji. Furthermore, war had broken out; the Tibetans had invaded Longyou, and the previous dynasty was currently preoccupied with the conflict.

That day, after Shi Yan finished meditating and reciting the scriptures, she returned to the inner hall, and Xiao Die came up to her mysteriously.

"My lady, I heard from Xiao Shen that His Majesty is about to select generals and entourage to fight against Tibet."

"I've heard that His Majesty has been troubled by the war these days. If His Majesty comes again, please don't say anything that might upset him, or I'm afraid he'll take his anger out on you."

Shi Yan pointed her finger at Xiao Die's forehead.

“I’ve got it. You little rascal, why are you worrying about these things?”

"What food did the kitchen send over today? Let's go have a meal together."

Upon hearing this, Xiaodie became enthusiastic and began to introduce the dishes for dinner to Shi Yan.

So the two of them chatted and laughed as they headed to the dining hall for their meal.

That night, the moon was bright and the stars were few. Suddenly, the cry of an eagle broke the silence. Upon hearing the sound, Shi Yan got up from the bed and went to the window to open it. As soon as Cang Yu saw her, he spread his wings and flew into the room.

"Ah Ling asked you to deliver this letter to me? It's so late."

Shi Yan stepped forward, took the letter tube from Cang Yu's right foot, opened it, and walked to the wooden stool placed next to the palace lantern to sit down and read it.

The letter contained Xiao Huanling's greetings, concern, and instructions, as well as information about his recent situation. When she read to the end of the letter, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"They are going to Longyou to accompany Huangfu Weiming and other generals like Wang Nan to quell the Tubo..."

“But the battlefield is dangerous. Ah Ling has never been on the front lines before. What if she gets injured?”

Shi Yan knew that even if she tried to persuade Xiao Huanling, he would not easily change his mind. Besides, a man should protect his country. Although she was worried about his safety on the battlefield, she would not stop Xiao Huanling from following his own wishes to make a name for himself.

After thinking for a moment, Shi Yan went to her desk, picked up her pen, and wrote a letter to Xiao Huanling. The letter was basically a reminder to him to be careful, to be cautious on the battlefield, and to take good care of himself while he was away. She said she would be waiting for him to return safely and victoriously in Chang'an.

After sealing the letter, Shi Yan put it into the bamboo tube and then tied the bamboo tube to Cang Yu's right foot.

"Cang Yu, he's going to Longxi. You must take good care of him for me."

With that, he picked up Cangyu and carried it to the window, letting it fly towards the dark, inky sky.

"Go, Azure Feather."

Cang Yu flapped its wings twice as if in response, and then flew forward.

After leaving the Xiao family mansion and serving in the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, Xiao Huanling gradually gained the Crown Prince's favor and purchased a house in a relatively secluded area of ​​the West Market outside the palace.

As night deepened, Xiao Huanling, waiting for Shi Yan's reply, did not go to rest. Instead, he took a military book and sat under the lamp to read it. When he heard the cry of a blue feather, he immediately stood up and went out without even putting down the book.

Cang Yu flapped its wings and landed on Xiao Huanling's arm. Xiao Huanling then carried it into the house and walked towards the mahogany chair next to the candlelight.

With anticipation, Xiao Huanling took down the mailbox and retrieved the letter. He read it carefully, and as he read the last few words of care, encouragement, and advice, his expression gradually softened with a gentle and warm demeanor.