Time travel, quick transmigration

Later that evening, Gao Lishi received an imperial decree from Li Longji to meet Shi Yan at Nanxun Palace. He told her that Li Longji was holding a banquet at Hua'e Xianghui Tower to reward Xiao Huanling and Jiang He, who had returned from Luoyang after serving in the quelling of the rebellion.

Shi Yan learned from Gao Lishi that not only she was invited to the banquet, but also the concubines from other palaces were also invited to attend. In addition to the concubines, the imperial relatives and their families, as well as the civil and military officials, would also attend.

When Shi Yan received the news, she was puzzled and confused by Li Longji's actions. Even if he wanted to reward his meritorious officials, there was no need to go to such lengths. She couldn't understand what Li Longji was planning, so she stopped worrying about it. In any case, she just needed to achieve her goal.

Since this banquet was for Xiao Huanling, she took the opportunity to perform a dance called "Rainbow Feather Robe Dance" to send him off.

Having come up with an idea, Shi Yan, under the pretext of preparing a surprise for Li Longji, discussed it with Gao Lishi.

Gao Lishi was naturally very happy. When he heard Shi Yan say that she would perform a dance for the emperor, he assumed that Shi Yan's efforts were only to make the emperor smile. He was happy to personally prepare for it so that his master would be happy. Before leaving, he told Shi Yan not to worry.

Although she felt somewhat guilty for deceiving Gao Lishi, in order to fulfill her promise to Xiao Huanling and grant the wish of the person she loved, she could no longer consider anyone else.

Since meeting Xiao Huanling, she has never danced for him. On the contrary, in order to accumulate merit and ensure Li Longji's favor towards Yang Yuhuan, she has danced for Li Longji against her will several times.

The person she likes just wants to see her dance, so why can't she grant his wish?

Before the banquet even started, Shi Yan, wanting to present her choreographed "Rainbow Feather Dance" to the best of her ability, not only rehearsed every movement in her mind over and over again, but also took out the dance costume that Xiao Die had made according to her requirements earlier.

In the real world, Shi Yan is an exceptionally skilled dancer. She can dance gracefully to music of all styles whenever she wants. Although she has never formally studied dance or received any training, she is naturally flexible and very talented. Moreover, she has her own aesthetic sense and insights into dance. She has a habit of not spending a lot of time practicing, but she will pour all her emotions into the music and her passion into every dance.

After Li Longji composed the Rainbow Feather Dance, he never saw Shi Yan perform a complete Rainbow Feather Dance. Therefore, this was the first time Shi Yan performed it at the banquet.

As the hour of Shen approached, Gao Lishi, having arranged everything, led several eunuchs to see Shi Yan.

Upon seeing Shi Yan in her new finery, Gao Lishi was stunned for a moment, then realized he had been lost in thought and immediately apologized.

"Your Highness, please forgive me."

"Your Majesty is even more radiant today than usual. This servant was so struck by Your Majesty's beauty that I couldn't help but admire it, and thus I became infatuated."

Shi Yan glanced at him.

"It doesn't matter."

Gao Lishi, reassured, continued.

"Your Majesty, I have prepared everything as you instructed. We are just waiting for the music to start halfway through the banquet so that you may begin your dance."

"I'm sure that when His Majesty sees your stunning dance and learns that it was a surprise you prepared especially for him, he will be overjoyed."

Gao Lishi looked at Shi Yan with a smile.

Shi Yan smiled modestly.

"Yang Guifei's dance is at most worth watching, but it doesn't deserve Eunuch Gao's praise."

"It is truly touching that Eunuch Gao has devoted himself wholeheartedly to His Majesty's affairs."

"Without your meticulous arrangements, even if Yu Huan had the will, it would have been difficult to achieve this. So how could there have been any surprises?"

Gao Lishi was clearly pleased with what Shi Yan said, and his smile deepened.

"Your Highness, what are you saying?"

"Your Highness, there is no need for modesty. Who in Chang'an does not know of your unparalleled beauty?"

"Your Highness's dance is so captivating that even the fairies of the Jade Pool cannot compare to you. This servant has also witnessed Your Highness's dance, and not to mention the whole world, there is no one in the entire palace who can rival you."

Everyone loves to hear nice words, but Shi Yan couldn't bear to listen to Gao Lishi's overly flattering praise.

"Gao Gonggong is truly blessed with a silver tongue."

"Let's go, Eunuch Gao. The banquet is ready, and we shouldn't keep His Majesty waiting."

Gao Lishi nodded, lowered his brows, smiled, flicked his whisk, and bowed.

"Please, Your Highness, move to the Hua'e Xianghui Tower."

Shi Yan nodded and walked forward, followed by Xiao Die and A Man, who each carried a tray containing dance costumes, headdresses, and other necessities.

After Shi Yan and her personal maid took a few steps, Gao Lishi led his eunuchs to follow, with the rest of the palace servants trailing behind at a leisurely pace.

Once outside the palace, Shi Yan boarded the shoulder pole prepared for her, and the group headed towards the Hua'e Xianghui Tower.

When Shi Yan arrived at the Hua'e Xianghui Tower, Li Longji was sitting on his throne watching the song and dance. Consort Mei Jiang Caiping, Consort Qian De, and other concubines from various palaces were sitting on either side of Li Longji.

Crown Prince Li Heng, his wife, concubines, several other princes and princesses, as well as princes and other imperial relatives, civil and military officials and their families, were seated at the lower end of the table.

Shi Yan glanced around the room and her gaze met Xiao Huanling's, who was looking at her from afar. At that moment, everything around them seemed to disappear, and they only had each other in their eyes.

However, Shi Yan rationally withdrew her gaze and, led by Gao Lishi, went straight to the empty seat next to Li Longji and sat down.

Xiao Huanling watched as Shi Yan gracefully walked towards the emperor on the high throne and sat down beside him with a smile. His eyes, which had been sparkling like stars, dimmed, and the fingers holding the wine cup tightened suddenly.

"His Majesty."

Shi Yan called out to Li Longji in a soft voice.

After Shi Yan sat down next to him, Li Longji focused all his attention on her, even neglecting his favorite songs and dances, and gazing at her intently and affectionately.

Li Longji held Shi Yan's hand affectionately, his eyes filled with a smile.

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

"I originally planned to have the 'Rainbow Feather Robe Dance' performed at a banquet on a certain day, so that everyone could witness its splendor. Today, as we are holding a banquet to celebrate the achievements of Minister Xiao and Minister Jiang, it would be a good opportunity for everyone to enjoy the 'Rainbow Feather Robe Dance' with lyrics that I have polished and added. Since the completion of the lyrics and music, the 'Rainbow Feather Robe Dance' has never been performed in public. I am in a good mood today, so I thought it would be better for the emperor and his subjects to enjoy this celestial music together. I have already ordered the guards to make arrangements in advance. Now that you are here, you can have them begin preparations."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan nodded and smiled.

"Eunuch Gao has already spoken to Yu Huan about this matter."

Li Longji paused for a moment, then glanced at Gao Lishi, clearly blaming him for being too talkative.

Gao Lishi's heart skipped a beat when he saw that cold, sharp glance, and he immediately tried to ingratiate himself.

"Your Majesty, it may be that I speak bluntly, but ultimately it is because Her Majesty is so clever that she immediately guessed your plan. Her Majesty and I have a tacit understanding; it is as if we are of one mind and cannot see each other at all."

Li Longji's brow relaxed, clearly satisfied with Gao Lishi's explanation.

"You lackey. Fine, I won't blame you. Go and have them prepare."

Gao Lishi chuckled.

"This servant will make the arrangements immediately."