Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

Li Guangbi: ? ? ?

He was stunned and stood frozen in place for a long time.

After a long pause, he asked, "Are you going to Chang'an by yourself? But... but you never told me that you also long for Chang'an!"

What's so great about Chang'an that everyone is so fixated on it? Li Guangbi simply couldn't understand it. He had grown up near Lingzhou and felt that although Lingzhou wasn't very prosperous, it was enough.

Of course, he didn't know that what Jiang Caiyue desired was not some kind of prosperous scene.

Jiang Caiyue remained silent for a moment, her eyes gentle yet firm.

“Vice Commander Li, I know you genuinely care about me, but this is also my choice. Chang'an is a new beginning for me, and perhaps we will have the opportunity to meet again in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Li Guangbi was even more disappointed.

He gritted his teeth, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to say anything to persuade him to stay.

He simply said, "You... must take good care of yourself."

Jiang Caiyue said softly, "You are the same, Guangbi."

A few days later, the day of departure arrived.

Li Mao had already packed his bags and was ready to mount his horse and wait for the two young ladies.

Jiang Caiyue couldn't ride a horse, so a carriage was prepared this time. Li Mao rode the horse by himself, while Jiang Caiyue and Ya Ru rode in the carriage. The two women sat together so they could look after each other.

However, Li Mao was quite surprised to see Li Guangbi and Guo Ziyi also carrying luggage and leading horses at the city gate.

He stepped forward and asked, "Are you coming along too?"

Guo Ziyi smiled and said, "Since Your Highness has said you are leaving, how can we not go with you? Besides, Chang'an is more lively, which is better than staying here. Since we resolved the Turkic invasion last time, we haven't gone back to the Emperor to claim our credit and rewards. I was thinking that since Guangbi has never been to Chang'an, we might as well go together. Guangbi and I can come back to guard the city when the time comes."

Guo Ziyi had over a thousand elite soldiers under his command, each a trustworthy and capable individual. It was perfectly acceptable to leave them in the Shuofang army to guard the area for a period of time.

Guo Ziyi offered an explanation, while Li Guangbi stood expressionless to the side and said indifferently, "Since we have nothing else to do, let's go for a walk together."

Despite saying that, his eyes were noticeably brighter and more excited than Guo Ziyi's. Li Mao noticed that his gaze frequently focused on Jiang Caiyue, as if he were announcing his feelings for her to the world.

Li Mao pretended not to notice and tacitly approved of the two men's willful behavior.

The five of them traveled very smoothly throughout the journey.

Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi were responsible for escorting Li Mao, whose injuries had not yet fully healed. He naturally enjoyed the care of everyone and did not have to bear the responsibility of protecting women.

During the day, Jiang Caiyue continued to teach Ya Ru the "Dance of the Startled Swan".

At night, the two would occasionally dance for the three men by the campfire in the night camp.

As they approached Chang'an, on their last night away from home, the group set up camp in an open area.

Beside the campfire, Ya Ru was practicing basic steps under Jiang Caiyue's guidance.

Although her movements are still a little clumsy, they are much smoother than when she first started learning.

Jiang Caiyue patiently corrected every detail, occasionally saying softly, "You should lift your toes a little higher; it will look more elegant that way."

Ya Ru quickly recovered, which drew repeated praise from Jiang Caiyue.

As night fell, starlight bathed the campsite.

The campfire burned, emitting a warm glow.

Li Mao took out a flute from his baggage, tested it, and its clear, melodious sound immediately filled the entire camp. Ya Ru stopped, looked at him tenderly, and smiled, "Would Your Highness be willing to accompany us?"

Li Mao smiled gently, nodded, and chose a melodious and gentle tune.

The flute music warmed Ya Ru's heart, and she began to dance slowly, her movements becoming increasingly natural and graceful. Jiang Caiyue swayed gently to the rhythm beside her, her eyes filled with admiration.

The atmosphere around us became exceptionally warm, as if time had stood still for a moment.

When the song ended, everyone applauded.

Li Mao put down his flute and looked at the smile on Ya Ru's face. He couldn't help but sigh, "Your dancing skills are becoming more and more proficient. It's truly a sight to behold. Tomorrow we will be entering Chang'an City. You must be prepared to present your best self to His Highness the Crown Prince."

“It’s all thanks to Miss Jiang’s guidance,” Ya Ru lowered her head, “and His Highness’s encouragement.”

There was a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

Especially when he heard Li Mao say that he wanted to present his best side to the Crown Prince.

But she didn't even know the Crown Prince, so how could she willingly offer herself to him? She would be happier if she offered herself to Prince Shou.

Why can't this marriage alliance be with His Highness Prince Shou?

Thinking about it, Ya Ru completely lost the will to dance.

At this moment, Li Guangbi, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "In that case, we should rest. We still have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow, so let's get some sleep."

Both he and Ya Ru were yearning for each other but unable to be together; they were fellow sufferers in misfortune, and easily sensed each other's sadness and melancholy. Ya Ru felt this way, and so did Li Guangbi. He clearly loved Jiang Caiyue so much, but now was not the time for him to be with her; he could only silently protect her.

This trip to Chang'an will at least allow me to spend some time with Jiang Caiyue.

No one can predict what the future holds.

The following afternoon, the group finally arrived at the outskirts of Chang'an.

The weather was getting cooler, the leaves were turning yellow, and a faint chill filled the air.

As soon as he entered the city gate, Li Mao received an imperial edict from Li Longji summoning him to the palace immediately.

Li Mao was not surprised by the sudden imperial decree.

He knew that Li Longji had summoned him to the palace not to inquire about his son who had come from afar, but to question him about why he had taken so long to return.

After making arrangements for the others, Li Mao went to the palace alone to meet the emperor.

Upon entering the imperial study, one sees Li Longji leaning casually on his arm, half-lying on the table.

The old man did look much weaker, but his brows were still furrowed with sternness. When he saw Li Mao enter, he immediately questioned him: "Why have you delayed things so much? I ordered you to escort the Wolf Lord's daughter back to Chang'an long ago. What were you doing taking people to Lingzhou on your own!"

Li Mao, already prepared, calmly replied, "Father, please calm your anger. This matter is entirely because I felt that although Ya Ru has the status of a princess, she is, after all, from the grasslands and is not yet proficient in Han etiquette. In order to prevent the future Crown Prince's concubine from losing her composure in public, I specially took her to Lingzhou to ask someone to teach her some basic etiquette and culture. Now Ya Ru is poised and speaks elegantly, all thanks to this trip to Lingzhou."

Li Longji valued his reputation above all else. Upon hearing this, his expression softened slightly, but he was still displeased and said, "Lingzhou is nothing but a barbaric land, inhabited only by Turks. What good instructors could it possibly have? Are you perhaps using this as an excuse to avoid the issue?"