Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

The Imperial Palace of Dasheng, Zichen Hall.

The fragrance of ambergris wafted through the air, filling the room with a bright yellow hue.

Emperor Wang Jiling of the Great Sheng Dynasty sat upright on his dragon throne, flipping through a commemorative book.

The palace maid Su Ruan'er, who was standing in the hall, stepped forward quietly, held a gilded teacup, and bowed to hand it to the table.

Wang Jiling didn't even look up, chuckled softly, and stretched out his well-defined hand, saying casually:

"Although spring is warm, my hands are still very cold."

The palace maid, Su Ruan'er, seemed to have a tacit understanding with him, and softly responded, "Your Majesty."

Ignoring the distinction between ruler and subject, he directly reached out and cupped Emperor Wang Jiling's cold hands.

Then she gently pressed her face against the soft, warm spot inside her clothes, tilting her pretty face up, her voice so soft it could melt water:

"It's warm here, Your Majesty, please make yourself warm."

Wang Jiling gave a soft "hmm," her fingertips curling slightly as if by magic.

The head eunuch beside him lowered his head, with a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.

"Ah, the emperor warming his hands—how unique!"

Just then, the young eunuch on duty before the emperor tiptoed in:

"His Majesty!

Yu Shinan, the Director of the Imperial Observatory, was outside the capital requesting an audience with a secret celestial chart!

"This is a matter of national importance, and cannot be delayed for even a moment!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jiling didn't even flinch; his fingertips still lingered on that soft warmth, and he slowly raised his voice:

"allow."

Before long, an elderly man dressed in a dark blue official robe slowly entered; it was Yu Shinan.

He bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly: "Your subject, Yu Shinan, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Wang Jiling raised his eyes slightly and said lazily, "What brings Supervisor Yu to see me so late at night?"

Yu Shinan straightened up, held a scroll of star map high in both hands, and said in a deep voice:

"His Majesty!

Last night, I observed the celestial phenomena and saw a streak of red light suddenly appear beside the Ziwei star, piercing straight through the Big Dipper Tianji!

This light was neither a star nor a comet; it was as red as blood and swirled for three quarters of an hour before dissipating!

"My calculations of the celestial trajectories, compared with ancient texts, indicate that this is a sign of the true energy of the First Emperor manifesting in the world!"

Wang Jiling's fingers remained on that soft, warm surface, as if he were still very fond of it:

"My dear minister, there's no need to beat around the bush; just state the reason."

Yu Shinan's expression turned solemn, and he tightened his grip on the star map:

"Your Majesty is unaware of the following."

Eighteen years ago, the true energy of the Ancestral Dragon suddenly disappeared into the sky. At that time, the people of the Imperial Observatory only thought it was an unusual celestial phenomenon and did not investigate it further!

The current surge of crimson light is no accident!

"Oh? Then please continue, my dear minister."

"Your Majesty, together with the alchemists of the Imperial Observatory, used the ancient magical artifact 'The Great Treasure Box of Heaven and Earth Shift' to deduce and unravel the mystery of the Ancestral Dragon's true energy manifesting in the world, and arrived at two pronouncements concerning the fate of the nation!"

"What is the imperial edict? Minister Yu, tell me directly!"

The First Emperor reappears, shaking the heavens.

A single sword strike, a dragon's roar, shakes the dynasty!

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Ruan'er felt a sharp pain in her chest, which made her tremble and let out a soft moan.

Wang Jiling finally managed to remove his hand, because he could tell that the comment was by no means complimentary.

......

After Xie Xiaoyi dismissed the maids from "Yushengfang", he left the guest room.

He took out a few coins and ordered a bowl of hot porridge and two meat buns. After finishing his meal in a few bites, he turned around and went into the backyard of the inn.

Talk to yourself:

"I've lived for eighteen years, and this is the first time I've practiced martial arts so diligently."

Stand still in the open space and practice the Azure Dragon Absorbing Water technique, which involves sucking up pebbles from the ground from a distance.

Then, he performed the "Dragon Soaring Out of the Sea" move, concentrating his energy in his fingertips and striking the tree trunk with one finger, causing the leaves to fall to the ground.

Then he practiced the "Dragon Swings Its Tail" exercise, where his inner energy flowed through his legs and arms, making him incredibly powerful.

Finally, lower your waist and sway your hips, subtly drawing the energy of the dragon's tail swing down to three inches below your abdomen.

A domineering force suddenly erupted, scalding his blood and qi, and he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

But it wasn't just his laughter that couldn't be suppressed; there were other things as well.

calm down!

calm down!

Xie Xiaoyi was being persuaded by his older brother.

"Those who have abandoned me, the days of yesterday cannot be retained. Those who trouble my heart, the days of today are full of worries!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a clear, melodious exclamation came from behind:

"What a beautiful line, 'What troubles my heart is today'! Thank you for your talent, young master!"

Xie Xiaoyi froze, too afraid to turn around, and could only manage a dry laugh: "Master Fu? What brings you here?"

Fu Yaoqin's footsteps approached softly, accompanied by a hint of coquettish laughter:

"You left in such a hurry yesterday, and I've been thinking about you ever since. It's past noon now, so I came to see you."

She paused, her voice filled with joy, "The two lines of poetry you just recited were exquisitely beautiful. Could you give them to me?"

"Take it, take it. It was just something I made up on the spot."

"Even your fabrications are so stunning." Fu Yaoqin chuckled, her tone carrying a hint of invitation.

"I had a sudden inspiration a few days ago and composed a new piece of music. Would Young Master Xie be willing to come with me to the Elegant Music Pavilion to hear it?"

"How can we refuse an invitation from a beauty? Let's go now."

Xie Xiaoyi said it, but felt guilty in his heart.

Sister Mu Pingting!

It's not that I didn't want to keep your appointment; it's just that Sister Yaoqin intercepted it.

Turning around, I saw Fu Yaoqin wearing a veil.

A gossamer-thin veil draped over her shoulders, concealing her face.

"Sister Yaoqin, why are you wearing this?"

Fu Yaoqin raised her hand and gently gathered the gauze curtains, a hint of helplessness in her expression:

"As the owner of Ya Yin Fang, it's ultimately inconvenient for me to show my face in public. Wearing this will help me avoid unnecessary trouble."

Xie Xiaoyi felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Others would spend a fortune to see her, but this Lady of Ya Yin Fang wore a veil and personally came to the backyard of the inn to find him. Even a fool could appreciate her sincerity.

"Then, Sister Yaoqin, let's go!"

The two walked out of the inn side by side, where a blue-draped carriage was already waiting.

I lifted the curtain and sat down, and the carriage wheels slowly began to turn.

Xie Xiaoyi rolled up a corner of the car window, looked at the clear blue sky, and suddenly the tune etched into his bones came to mind.

Unable to resist, he hummed softly:

"A hearty laugh echoes across the vast ocean, the tides surge on both shores; adrift with the waves, I remember only today..."

As she continued singing, Fu Yaoqin beside her suddenly froze, and the veil of her hat swayed.

"Young Master Xie, where did you hear this melody from?"

"Nonsense!"

"Don't give me that, who would believe you're making it up?"

"Yes, it fell from the sky."

Fu Yaoqin got angry and punched his chest hard with her little fist.

"Honestly, do you really think I'm a fool?"

Xie Xiaoyi hissed in pain, then said in a serious tone:

"Do you know that women hear the sounds of man, but not the sounds of earth? Women hear the sounds of earth, but not the sounds of heaven?"

This music is heavenly; it can only be appreciated intuitively, not explained in words.

Fu Yaoqin was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed in admiration, "The sounds of man, earth, and heaven... you've put these words into such a profound way."

Having said that, she pursed her lips and smiled slightly, her tone full of admiration:

"No wonder you can hum such a tune; young master, you truly possess great wisdom."

Xie Xiaoyi waved his hand and smiled, "Sister Yaoqin, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such kindness."

Fu Yaoqin's eyes lit up, and she pressed her advantage, asking, "Could you please give me the sheet music for this piece?"

Xie Xiaoyi's lips curled into a smile as he thought to himself.

The copyright for the "Swordsman" melody belongs to the Hong Kong musical genius James Wong; I can't make that decision.

"Hehe! Where did you get the sheet music? I only remember the tune, so I can only hum it for you."

"What's the harm?" Fu Yaoqin chuckled. "Just hum the whole lyrics and melody, and I can write down the sheet music from your ears."