Time travel, quick transmigration

In December of the first year of the Tianbao era, the Tibetan general Mang Buzhi, unwilling to accept defeat, led 30,000 troops to attack again.

Shanzhou (Qinghai), as the seat of the Longyou Jiedushi (military governor), governed several administrative prefectures and was mainly responsible for defending against the eastward invasion of the Tubo (Tibetan) Empire. Since the Tubo invaded the border, the commander-in-chief who was in charge was Huangfu Weiming, who was accompanied by his valiant general Wang Nande and his deputy Xiao Huanling, among others.

Because Xiao Huanling was a newcomer to the military and a member of the Crown Prince's faction, he was naturally not as trusted and valued as Wang Nan.

Fortunately, Huangfu Weiming was upright and would not deliberately suppress people. Even though he was not given important positions, Xiao Huanling still got the opportunity to gain experience and fight on the battlefield.

Having learned that Mang Buzhi had led his army to attack, the group left Huangfu Weiming's tent after their discussion and went to their own tents to summon their soldiers to perform their duties.

"Brother Xiao, what task did General Huangfu give you? He wouldn't have asked you to stay behind and guard the camp, would he?"

"Pah, I knew those self-important people would only ostracize newcomers..."

Jiang He, dressed in armor and looking like a young general, approached Xiao Huanling as soon as he saw him, his face filled with righteous indignation.

Xiao Huanling reached out and pushed Jiang He away, who was almost touching her shoulder, and gave him a serious look.

"If you can't speak, shut your mouth."

"General Huangfu has always been fair and just; how can you slander him?"

"Pack up and tell your men to set off with me immediately. General Huangfu has appointed me to escort the grain supplies. As the saying goes, 'An army marches on its stomach,' and with well-trained soldiers and sufficient provisions, victory is assured. The fact that the general has entrusted me with this important task shows that he trusts us greatly."

"Instead of gossiping behind my back, you should focus on improving your skills. Swords have no eyes on the battlefield; one careless move and you could lose your life. What would your mother do if something happened to you? Since you're going to follow me, you must always be vigilant and never let your guard down."

Xiao Huanling gave Jiang He a few words of advice and strode away, her exquisite and bright face filled with coldness and solemnity.

"I'm just standing up for you. How can you kill enemies if you don't go to the front lines? How can you achieve merit if you don't kill a few Tibetan generals? Fine, transporting supplies is fine. You don't have to go to the battlefield and you don't have to worry about your life..."

Although he was scolded, Jiang He didn't care at all. He secretly stuck out his tongue and quickly followed Xiao Huanling after her when she walked away.

The battle ended in a complete victory for the Tang Dynasty in the spring of the second year of the Tianbao era. The victorious army returned to the capital, and Emperor Li Longji held a celebratory banquet for the soldiers who had made great contributions, and they were all rewarded.

When Shi Yan learned that Xiao Huanling had also received an honor, and that he had been promoted to the rank of General of the Golden Guard by Li Longji for his meritorious service in the war against the Tibetans, killing a hundred enemies and transporting supplies, Xiao Huanling, a young general of unparalleled talent, shone brightly in the court like a rising star. From then on, Xiao Huanling enjoyed even greater trust from the Crown Prince, and had become a close confidant of the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

While Shi Yan was happy for Xiao Huanling, she couldn't help but worry about his situation. After all, being tied to the Crown Prince meant that, in the eyes of the Emperor and the other princes and nobles, Xiao Huanling was undoubtedly on the Crown Prince's side. He was bound to make enemies, and his current situation could be described as a combination of danger and opportunity.

The emperor's intentions were also unfathomable to Shi Yan. Knowing that Xiao Huanling came from the Crown Prince's palace, he still appointed him as the General of the Golden Guard. The General of the Golden Guard was not only responsible for assisting in patrolling the imperial city and had the right to receive petitions in the Sunrise Hall, but also commanded the emperor's guards and attendants. In the Tang Dynasty's official system, the rank of the General of the Golden Guard was second only to the Grand General and the General. The Grand General was a third-rank official, the General a third-rank official, while the General was a fixed fourth-rank official. This position reflected the Tang Dynasty's high regard for the security of the capital, and the establishment of a dedicated military official responsible for patrolling and supervision was crucial to ensuring the safety and order of the capital.

Five days have passed since he returned to the capital victorious and was granted his title. Now that he has taken office, Xiao Huanling stands atop the towering city tower, facing the direction of the palace, gazing at a certain spot in the distance, his longing flowing like a river.

"Brother Xiao, what are you doing up here on the city wall? Aren't you cold with the wind so strong?"

Jiang He rushed up the city wall in two strides, then ran to Xiao Huanling's side, looking at the direction Xiao Huanling was looking with a puzzled expression.

Xiao Huanling's immersive thoughts were interrupted, and she gave Jiang He, who was always loud and energetic, a cold glance.

"Noisy!"

With that, he turned to the side and went down the city wall.

Jiang He, however, stared slyly at Xiao Huanling's dashing and upright back, rubbing his rounded chin with two fingers.

"Brother Xiao was acting like that just now, laughing one minute and feeling sentimental the next. He's clearly lovesick. But this is the dead of winter, not exactly the right time for that..."

A sudden gust of cold wind blew violently, which also brought his imagination to a halt.

"I must be overthinking it."

……

In September of the fourth year of the Tianbao era, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang issued an edict to bestow Wei Zhaoxun's daughter upon Prince Shou and to make her Prince Shou's consort. On September 17, he further issued an edict ordering Yang Yuhuan, who had been practicing Taoism for five years, to return to secular life and leave the Taizhen Palace to enter the palace, and to be made a Noble Consort.

Sitting in front of her dressing table, Shi Yan looked at the carved bronze mirror in front of her. Xiao Die and another palace maid were doing her makeup. The woman in the mirror had a magnificent appearance, wearing a golden phoenix crown, with twelve golden hairpins and several hair ornaments in her hair. Her red embroidered robe with golden phoenixes made Yang Yuhuan, who was as beautiful as a princess, look even more elegant and charming.

The woman in the mirror is neither her nor herself. Yang Yuhuan will step into her predetermined destiny, and today she will meet the emperor in the palace as Li Longji's Noble Consort, and receive the congratulations of court officials and envoys with him.

Five years have passed in the blink of an eye. Shi Yan still clearly remembers the scene on the day she first arrived in this alternate time and space and married Prince Shou, Li Heng.

This was, in fact, her second wedding ceremony as Yang Yuhuan, but neither of them were what she wanted.

"Miss..."

Seeing her lost in thought with a slight frown, Xiaodie called out to her with concern.

Shi Yan knew that Xiao Die was worried about her, so she turned around and smiled at her.

"I'm very good."

Xiaodie suppressed the bitterness in her heart and smiled.

"My lady is truly beautiful today. In my opinion, you are the most beautiful woman in the entire Tang Dynasty. No one can match your unparalleled beauty."

The palace maid who was combing Shi Yan's hair also chimed in upon hearing this.

"What Miss Xiaodie says is true. The Imperial Concubine is the most unparalleled beauty in our Tang Dynasty. It is my greatest honor to serve Your Highness."

Shi Yan smiled silently at the round-faced, endearing maid in front of her, then pointed to an exquisite jewelry box next to her.

"Xiaodie, bring me that jade Buddha inside."

Upon hearing this, Xiaodie opened the box, took out a red brocade pouch, and handed the jade Buddha from the pouch to Shiyan.

Shi Yan took the jade Buddha from her hand and looked at it tenderly before putting it around her neck.

Upon seeing this, the round-faced maid looked down at the necklace of jewels in her hand and spoke with some difficulty.

“Your Highness, the jade Buddha and the necklace you are wearing together do not look very nice. Why don’t you put the jade Buddha inside your inner robe first? That way, it will be easier to wear the necklace.”

Shi Yan glanced at the necklace of jewels that Li Longji had specially made for her through the bronze mirror, and calmly declined.

"No, this jade Buddha is just right for me."