Time travel, quick transmigration

Because it was a banquet, it was later than usual dinner time. To prevent Shi Yan from going hungry, Xiao Die specially went to the imperial kitchen to bring Shi Yan some snacks to fill her stomach before attending the banquet.

"Your Majesty, Jianyu, who is here to fetch you, is already waiting outside the palace."

Xiao Die stepped into the palace and saw Shi Yan, with her cloud-like hair and beautiful face, looking exceptionally noble, having changed into a formal imperial concubine's dress.

Shi Yan nodded slightly and walked out of the hall first, followed by Xiao Die. The rest of the people who had been waiting outside the hall immediately bowed their heads in greeting when they saw Shi Yan.

Shi Yan raised her hand to signal everyone to stand up, and then she was carried on their shoulders by them towards the Hua'e Xianghui Tower.

The sunset glow illuminated the majestic palace, making it appear extremely magnificent. Shi Yan gazed at the carved beams and painted rafters, eaves, and palace walls, and was captivated by the exquisite architecture. If she were in the modern world, busy making a living, she would have no time or opportunity to appreciate the charm of these ancient buildings.

Yang Yuhuan was given the title of Consort Gui by Li Longji, second only to the Empress. As the highest-ranking concubine in the harem, she enjoyed much better treatment than the other concubines.

Occasionally, palace maids and eunuchs passing by would cast curious and admiring glances at Shi Yan's procession.

"Sister Tao'er, who is that in front? This is the first time I've seen such a grand person in the palace."

The little girl who was speaking was about eleven or twelve years old. She had her hair tied in two double buns, each adorned with a pink beaded flower. Her bright, lively eyes were fixed on Shi Yan and her group, who had already walked away, filled with curiosity and longing.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Tao reached out and tugged at her arm, saying irritably.

"Do you want to die? Get your eyes off me right now. I've told you countless times: when you're working in this palace, don't look around, don't ask questions, shut your mouth, and get to work. Why don't you ever learn?"

Cai Ting was young and inexperienced, so she didn't understand the intricacies of the situation, but she didn't dare to argue with Xuan Tao.

"Oh... I, I won't do it again."

Xuan Tao glanced at her with disdain.

"Hurry up, the front hall still needs to be swept. If it's not finished before sunset, we'll be punished."

He then took her hand and led her towards the front hall.

"But, Sister Tao'er, you still haven't said who the person who was surrounded by such a large group of people just now was."

Cai Ting puffed out her cheeks as if accusing Xuan Tao of not yet answering her questions.

"I'm scared of you. That was the Imperial Concubine's procession just now. The Imperial Concubine is the most beautiful woman in the Tang Dynasty, famous throughout the land, and is extremely favored by His Majesty. Since entering the palace, she has been exclusively favored by the Emperor. She is the most honored person in the palace besides His Majesty."

"You're new to the palace and don't understand. The rules there are strict, and a slight mistake can lead to disaster. Let me tell you quietly, you'd better be careful when you encounter the Imperial Concubine, or you'll be waiting for your family to collect your corpse if you offend her."

Upon hearing that she would die, Cai Ting grabbed Xuan Tao's arm in alarm.

Seeing that the little girl was frightened by his threats, Xuan Tao smiled to himself.

"Let me tell you, many people in the palace know that the once-glorious Consort Wu and Consort Liu were deposed and imprisoned in the Cold Palace because they offended the Imperial Concubine. I heard their lives were miserable after they entered the Cold Palace..."

Cai Ting was clearly quite frightened.

"The Imperial Concubine is so scary. I will definitely stay far away from her from now on. Sister Tao'er, thank you for reminding me. I'm so glad I have you, otherwise I would have suffered a lot."

Xuan Tao wrung out the rag in his hand.

"No problem, no problem. You'll stay with me from now on, and I'll take care of you. You're so dull; it would be such a waste if you lost your life one day without anyone looking after you."

Cai Ting nodded emphatically upon hearing this.

"That's great, Ting'er also wants to follow Sister Tao'er."

As she spoke, she wrung out the rag in her hand and obediently began wiping the objects in the hall.

When Shi Yan arrived at the Hua'e Xianghui Tower, most of the invited guests had already arrived. As soon as Li Longji saw her, he stood up from his throne, went forward to greet her, and shook her hand.

"Yu Huan, you've arrived. I've been waiting for you."

"Come, come with me and sit down."

Li Longji led Shi Yan to the spacious throne and she sat down. Then, without making a sound, she withdrew her hand, picked up the glass wine cup placed on the throne, and smiled sweetly.

"Your Majesty, this glass cup is so unique. This is the first time I have ever seen such a clear, crystal-clear, and exquisite wine cup."

Looking at Shi Yan's stunning smile and her increasingly captivating beauty, Li Longji's heart fluttered, and he even felt a little intoxicated.

"Yu Huan has a good eye. This cup is called Night Flowing Light. It can absorb moonlight and emit a light like amber at night. It is said that drinking wine from this cup can prolong life. Night Flowing Light is a rare treasure treasured by the King of Persia. It is priceless. There are ten such glass cups. I have long coveted it. I am able to obtain this treasure thanks to An Lushan."

"If Yu Huan likes it, I will give this Night Flowing Light to Yu Huan to enjoy."

When Shi Yan stepped into the Hua'e Xianghui Tower, she noticed An Lushan and Yang Guozhong, who were sitting very close to Li Longji. The two were sitting on either side of Li Longji's throne, which was not far away from him. They were obviously very popular with the emperor, otherwise they would not have been arranged to be in such a close position to the emperor.

She had never seen the man sitting to An Lushan's right before. He was clearly of a different race, thin with broad shoulders and a hunched back, protruding eyes and a side nose, and had a beard. Judging from his appearance, attire, and those shrewd and calculating eyes, Shi Yan could tell that he was no good person.

Despite disliking Li Longji's closeness to these treacherous officials and his invitation to their presence, Shi Yan still tried her best to maintain a polite smile.

"No, Your Majesty. You have given me many treasures in your daily life. Since Your Majesty has long desired the Night Radiance, how could I possibly take away what Your Majesty loves? Besides, the Night Radiance is a set of ten, and it would be less beautiful if one were missing."

Upon hearing this, Li Longji almost blurted out that he wanted to give all ten Night Flowing Light cigarettes to Shi Yan, but he didn't say it in the end. First, he was indeed a little reluctant, and second, seeing that Shi Yan didn't seem to like them much, he smiled slightly.

"If you don't want Yang Guifei, then so be it."

An Lushan, seated at the lower end of the table, had his eyes glued to Shi Yan the moment she appeared, showing no restraint whatsoever, until the emperor and empress at the upper end finished speaking, at which point he finally looked away.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine."

An Lushan stood up, walked to the center of the field, looked at Li Longji, and bowed respectfully.

Li Longji was talking to Shi Yan when he saw An Lushan step forward, stop smiling, and look at him.

"What business does Lushan have? Speak plainly."

An Lushan first glanced at Shi Yan very quickly, and then looked earnestly at Li Longji.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness, but I have heard that the Imperial Concubine's dancing skills are exceptional, yet I have never had the chance to witness them, which I deeply regret. May I...?"

Shi Yan, sensing the madman's intentions, gave him a cold, disgusted look and immediately interrupted him.

"I dance only for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and to praise the benevolent ruler. Today, His Majesty has privately arranged a banquet to entertain the ministers and for the emperor and his subjects to enjoy themselves together. I have not prepared any dance music, and I am also not feeling well, so it is not appropriate for me to dance. Minister An, my dance may be passable, but it is far from outstanding. Little do you know that there are always people more skilled than you."

"Your Majesty, could it be that you summoned Yu Huan here with the intention of having her perform a dance?"

Seeing that Shi Yan seemed annoyed, Li Longji immediately spoke up to smooth things over.

"of course not."

“Lushan, your godmother is not feeling well today and cannot dance. So be it, there will be other opportunities in the future.”

Shi Yan was stunned when she heard this.

"It seems that even though I didn't adopt An Lushan as my son back then, An Lushan still managed to get Li Longji to adopt him as his son through his own abilities."

Thinking of this, Shi Yan glanced at Li Longji, who was all smiles beside her, and thought to herself that he was truly a muddle-headed and arrogant ruler.

"Li Longji, Li Longji, you think that with your status as the emperor of a country, your thunderous power, and your imperial mind, you can control this foreigner and make him your servant? You don't know that he is an ungrateful wolf. When it matters, he will bite off your flesh and blood and will not stop until he has devoured you completely."