Extra 2

In the autumn of the third year of the Zhaochen era, Emperor Xuanjing and Empress Si Mianmian of the Yan Dynasty went to the Lishan Imperial Mausoleum to perform a grand ancestral worship ceremony. Just as the ceremony concluded, the weather suddenly changed; a rare purple lightning bolt tore through the sky and struck the coiled dragon stone pillar in front of the mausoleum. Xuanjing instinctively pulled Si Mianmian tightly into his arms, and the two felt a tremendous suction force pull them together. Everything went black, and they lost consciousness.

When I woke up again, the scenery around me was completely different.

Survival Handbook (Special Edition Across Time): When the familiar world collapses in an instant, the greatest advantage is not knowledge, but the person holding your hand tightly.

Si Mianmian was awakened by a sharp "beep beep" sound and glaring lights. She found herself lying with Xuan Jing beside a hard and cold "official road", with towering "glass towers" (skyscrapers) on both sides, and "iron boxes" (cars) running swiftly without horses, and people wearing "immoral" tight or revealing clothes, hurrying along.

"Your Majesty!" She immediately looked at Xuan Jing beside her. Xuan Jing had already woken up. Although his face was as pale as paper, his imperial dignity allowed him to feign composure. However, his tightly pursed lips and clenched, white fingers betrayed the turmoil within him. He was still wearing the black imperial robes he wore for the sacrificial ceremony, while Si Mianmian was dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes. In this bizarre and dazzling modern street, they looked out of place, attracting countless astonished glances and phone cameras.

"Mianmian, this place... is very strange." Xuan Jing's voice was deep, filled with unprecedented vigilance. He shielded Si Mianmian behind him, his sharp gaze sweeping around, trying to distinguish friend from foe. Several curious young people wanted to step forward for a photo, but were driven back by Xuan Jing's icy glare. The oppressive aura of someone accustomed to a superior position even instilled fear in modern people.

Survival Handbook Note: Maintaining your core persona is key to establishing initial deterrence, regardless of location. The authority of an emperor is sometimes more persuasive than any explanation.

After the initial chaos, thanks to Si Mianmian's exceptional adaptability and Xuan Jing's calm judgment, they quickly realized that this might be an unprecedented "time travel." Si Mianmian suppressed her shock and observed carefully. She noticed that although the characters on the roadside billboards differed from traditional Chinese characters, she could still understand their general meaning by guessing, and the people's language was also vaguely discernible. She took a deep breath, took Xuan Jing's hand, and whispered, "Brother Jing, calm down. Although the language and clothing here are different, judging from their appearance, it's still a place where ordinary people live. We need to find a safe place first, and then we can plan our next move."

Xuan Jing looked down at her. Though there was fear in the girl's eyes, there was even more resilience and composure. He made up his mind and squeezed her slightly cool hand in return: "Alright, as you wish." At this moment, he was no longer an emperor she needed to look up to, but a partner she could lean on side by side.

They avoided the crowds and entered a relatively quiet alley. Si Mianmian, with her sharp eyes, spotted a sign with the character "当" (pawnshop/secondhand shop). On a whim, she removed the heaviest, seemingly most ordinary gold and jade hairpins from her hair, and then gestured for Xuan Jing to remove a piece of excellent jade pendant from his waist. "Brother Jing," she said, "since we're here, let's make the best of it. We need some money to get by."

Although Xuan Jing felt it was improper to pawn imperial items, he was forced to comply due to circumstances. Si Mianmian mustered her courage and entered the shop, successfully exchanging her words—a mix of classical and vernacular Chinese with gestures—for a stack of banknotes known in this world as "RMB." Holding this seemingly light stack of paper, Xuan Jing frowned, unable to comprehend its value, while Si Mianmian treasured it like a precious gem.

With this "seed capital," Si Mianmian utilized her strong learning ability and social skills. She first imitated a passerby, entering an "inn" (budget hotel), and successfully checked in using her "travel pass" (ID card? She didn't have one!) and a deposit, employing both gestures and writing in traditional Chinese characters. Upon entering the room, both were once again awestruck by the bright lights, the automatic faucet, and the "black glass" (television) that reflected their images. Si Mianmian boldly experimented and quickly figured out how to operate it, while Xuan Jing studied the faucet for a long time, ultimately having to admit its exquisite craftsmanship.

When Si Mianmian turned on the television, and a figure and voice suddenly appeared on it, Xuan Jing instinctively pulled her behind him, his hand reaching for his waist (but finding nothing; his sword hadn't followed). He shouted sharply, "What kind of demon are you!" Only after realizing it was just an image did he sheepishly release her, his ears turning slightly red. Si Mianmian couldn't help but chuckle at this "adorable" side of the king, who was usually unmoved even by the collapse of Mount Tai, easing the tense atmosphere.

Survival Handbook Reminder: Humility and maintaining a curious and learning attitude are the best ways to integrate into a new environment. Sometimes, the "misbehavior" of those around you can actually be a catalyst for strengthening relationships.

Through television news and discarded newspapers found on the street, combined with observation, the two learned modern common sense at an astonishing speed, especially simplified Chinese characters and Mandarin. Si Mianmian was responsible for external communication, while Xuan Jing used his photographic memory and analytical skills to quickly build a cognitive framework of the world. They used the money they earned to buy simple modern clothes (T-shirts and jeans, which Xuan Jing felt uncomfortable in, but which gave him a unique cool and stylish look), learned to use the basic functions of a mobile phone (mainly Si Mianmian operated it, while Xuan Jing was responsible for seriously "supervising" the learning process), and even managed to order takeout, albeit clumsily.

After settling down, survival became the primary concern. Living off one's savings was not a sustainable solution. Si Mianmian began to consider how to utilize her strengths.

Si Mianmian discovered that modern people seemed to have a strong affinity for concepts like "traditional methods," "handmade," and "natural." She recalled her expertise in Suzhou embroidery and traditional incense blending. So, under Xuan Jing's complex gaze (how could the emperor's woman be out in public selling goods?), she rented a small stall in a cultural district, displaying her embroidered handkerchiefs, sachets, and incense sticks and sachets made according to ancient recipes. Her classical demeanor, exquisite craftsmanship, and elegant speech, quoting classical texts, quickly attracted a group of traditional culture enthusiasts, and her goods were in high demand. She even offered small-scale "ancient style makeup" experiences at the request of customers, using homemade rouge and face powder, which also proved very popular. Xuan Jing initially strongly disagreed, but seeing the rekindled light in Si Mianmian's eyes and the indeed considerable income, he eventually acquiesced and took on the roles of "bodyguard" and "accountant," maintaining a straight face while meticulously calculating every penny.

Xuan Jing discovered that the world's "political landscape" (financial markets, international news) was constantly changing, with an information explosion. His powerful logical analysis skills and macro-strategic vision unexpectedly found their application. No longer content with passively learning, he began to delve into the operating rules of this world. He had Si Mianmian buy a large number of books and periodicals, which she studied day and night. Surprisingly, she understood the basic principles of stocks and futures without any formal instruction, and even made several accurate judgments on the international situation (of course, with limited capital, it was just a small trial). Si Mianmian jokingly called him "Master Crouching Dragon," to which Xuan Jing raised an eyebrow and said, "Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish; the principles remain the same despite countless changes." Occasionally, he would offer insightful "strategic advice" to Si Mianmian's small business, such as targeting higher-end customers and building a brand story, helping Si Mianmian's business reach new heights.

Once, a professor specializing in the guqin (a seven-stringed zither) happened to see a fragment of a guqin score that Si Mianmian had casually scribbled down on her desk. He was astonished, believing it to be a long-lost, unique piece. Excitedly, the professor approached her for guidance, but Si Mianmian could only vaguely explain that it was a family heirloom. Xuan Jing, standing nearby, was able to complete the score based on Si Mianmian's fragmented memories, his profound musical knowledge leaving the professor in awe. This story spread to a small circle, and the two were mistakenly identified as heirs of a reclusive guqin family, attracting some attention. Even an organization dedicated to promoting traditional culture wanted to invite them to be consultants. While this wasn't their intention, it provided them with a more stable source of income and a plausible cover for their identities.

Life goes on, and there are plenty of interesting things to do.

Regarding "equality": Xuan Jing readily accepts (and even secretly rejoices in) the modern concepts of "gender equality" and "monogamy," but he goes through a long process of adjustment to the fact that his "wife" can openly smile at other men, has her own "career," and earns more than him, her "husband." Si Mianmian, on the other hand, is overjoyed by the freedom and rights that modern women possess.

Regarding "food": From initially looking down on "junk food" to later having Xuan Jing sternly ask Si Mianmian to order "those yellow, crispy chicken nuggets" (KFC spicy chicken wings), the law of "it smells so good" is inescapable.

Regarding "dependence": Once, when Si Mianmian had a cold and fever, Xuan Jing hurriedly made medicine according to the instructions and tried to check her temperature with his forehead (which Si Mianmian pushed away with a smile and handed him a thermometer). His clumsy but sincere care made Si Mianmian feel that it was more touching than any sweet words.

The biggest test came from an unexpected incident. Si Mianmian's stall was harassed by thugs, and Xuan Jing instinctively used the techniques of a palace guard to subdue them, but was taken to the police station for "excessive self-defense." Faced with questioning, Xuan Jing remained silent, his aura so cold it could freeze anyone. Si Mianmian, quick-witted, insisted that Xuan Jing was a "traditional martial arts enthusiast" who enjoyed studying ancient texts, and that his actions were merely an instinctive reaction in the heat of the moment. She cleverly used his identity as a "successor of the guqin" (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) and his gentle communication skills to ultimately resolve the crisis. After this incident, Xuan Jing became even more silent, but began to actively study the laws of this world. Si Mianmian also realized that in this world, she was not only his wife, but also the "translator" and "diplomat" he needed to rely on most.

As the days went by, they seemed to gradually integrate into this era. Si Mianmian's career achieved some success, and Xuan Jing's investment acumen was also validated. The two even took out a loan to buy a small apartment, finally having a "home" in the true sense of the word.

One night, the two stood on the balcony of their apartment, overlooking the city's dazzling lights. Si Mianmian leaned against Xuan Jing and whispered, "Brother Jing, what if we can never go back?"

Xuan Jing remained silent for a long time, then tightened his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head. His voice was deep and firm: "Mianmian, in Yan Palace, I am the Emperor, and you are the Empress. Here, I am just Xuan Jing, and you are just Si Mianmian. With you by my side, where is not Da Yan? Wherever my heart finds peace, that is my home."

A warm feeling welled up in Si Mianmian's heart, and she turned around to hug him. Yes, whether it was the treacherous inner palace or the bizarre modern world, as long as this person was by her side, she had nothing to fear.

The final note of the survival manual: Love is the courage to transcend time and space, the hands that clasp tightly in the face of the unknown. True strength is not about conquering the world, but about being able to cherish peaceful moments with loved ones, no matter where you are.

Just as they were about to accept their new identities, one day, while visiting a special exhibition called "Lost Civilizations," a jade pendant in the center of the display case, almost identical to the uniquely shaped dragon-patterned jade pendant unearthed from the Lishan Imperial Mausoleum, emitted a faint fluorescence. At the same time, the daylily jade pendant that Si Mianmian wore close to her body, given to her by Xuan Jing, suddenly became hot.

The two exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding. Could it be that the clue to their way home was right before their eyes?