Time travel, quick transmigration

Not long after, Gao Lishi returned.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have confirmed that the palace servants are ready. After the Green Waist Dance is finished, Your Majesty will be able to enjoy the 'Rainbow Feather Dance'."

Li Longji nodded and smiled.

"very good."

"They have worked hard in rehearsals these days, and I will reward them handsomely after the banquet."

Shi Yan offered a timely compliment.

"Your Majesty is benevolent."

Li Longji stroked his beard and smiled without saying a word, but it was clear that he was quite pleased with Shi Yan's flattery.

For a moment, there was silence. The emperor and empress looked at the group of palace maids dressed in light green dresses dancing gracefully to the light and melodious music.

The banquet was filled with clinking glasses and toasts, everyone beaming with joy, except for Xiao Huanling, one of the day's heroes, who sat alone, drinking by himself with a detached expression. Jiang He, sitting next to him, was engrossed in watching the song and dance performances, completely oblivious to Xiao Huanling's mood.

"Your Majesty, isn't today's banquet a reward for General Xiao and Military Advisor Jiang? Shouldn't you say something?"

Shi Yan suggested.

Li Longji was taken aback upon hearing this. He turned to look at Shi Yan, as if suddenly realizing the main purpose of his banquet. Thinking of this, the emperor then turned his gaze to Xiao Huanling and Jiang He not far away. Seeing that Xiao Huanling was drinking with his head down and his expression was not clear, and then seeing that Jiang He was watching the singing and dancing in the hall with great interest, he lowered his brows and said in a low voice.

“What Yu Huan says is true. Look at me, I was so focused on appreciating the ‘Rainbow Feather Dance’ that I forgot the most important thing, and almost disappointed my loyal ministers. Fortunately, Yu Huan reminded me.”

He then had Gao Lishi dismiss the dancing palace servants, raised his wine cup, and spoke loudly.

The music stopped, the palace servants withdrew one by one, and the whole place fell silent.

All that could be heard was Li Longji's majestic yet smiling voice echoing within.

"Today's banquet is specially prepared for Minister Xiao and Minister Jiang."

"My two esteemed ministers are young and capable. This time, you have swiftly and decisively eliminated the Qianji Pavilion, which colluded with palace concubines and court officials to commit treasonous acts and disregard the law of the land, eradicating it completely and removing a major cancer from our dynasty. This is truly a great achievement. I am very pleased to have such capable ministers. Come, let this cup of wine be offered to the outstanding sons and pillars of my Great Tang..."

Offering a toast to the emperor was an unparalleled honor, and Xiao Huanling immediately stood up to express his gratitude.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens and be loyal to you. I am unworthy of Your Majesty's favor."

Seeing Xiao Huanling's demeanor, Jiang He also put away his playful and serious attitude, feeling flattered.

“What Brother Xiao said is also what I wanted to say. It is Jiang He’s duty to be loyal to His Majesty.”

A look of satisfaction and pleasure appeared in Li Longji's eyes, and he then smiled warmly as he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

"My two ministers, there's no need for such modesty. Please have a seat."

Xiao Huanling bowed and said, "Yes."

Jiang He also bowed and said, "As you command."

Seeing how much the emperor valued the two young men, and considering the emperor's words about them being "pillars of the state," the gazes of everyone present towards Xiao Huanling and Jiang He became somewhat ambiguous.

The Crown Prince had always regarded Xiao Huanling as his confidant, and naturally considered Jiang He as one of his loyal subordinates. However, at the banquet tonight, his father praised his men so highly and was so generous with his compliments, which made him suspicious.

Li Heng glanced meaningfully at Xiao Huanling and Jiang He, then quickly looked away without leaving a trace.

Li Longji took in every little action of the Crown Prince, and seeing Xiao Huanling's calm and composed demeanor, he couldn't help but admire him even more.

"Your Majesty, I just noticed that there is a tear in my dress. It may have been caused by a bump or scratch on the way here. I will go and change my clothes before coming back."

Shi Yan thought the timing was just right, so she found an excuse to speak to Li Longji.

Li Longji was deep in thought when he heard the woman's voice beside him and turned his gaze to her face.

"What are those servants doing? How could they have let you bump into something? Are you hurt?"

Shi Yan smiled gently to comfort her.

“Your Majesty, it was my own carelessness while walking, it’s no one else’s fault. My clothes are just torn, I’m not injured. I asked Xiaodie to prepare an extra set of clothes for me, I can go and change, it won’t take long.”

Li Longji then calmed down.

"In that case, my beloved consort may go on her own. I will wait for you."

Shi Yan nodded, stood up, and left her seat, accompanied by Xiao Die and A Man.

She didn't change her clothes because her dress had a tear; rather, she needed to change into her dance costume and redo her makeup to prepare for a performance of the "Rainbow Feather Dance" for someone she liked at the banquet, so she made up an excuse.

Seeing Shi Yan leave with her maid, Xiao Huanling, unaware of the reason, was stunned and his handsome eyebrows furrowed.

"Xiaodie, do my hair and makeup, just like I taught you to do it last night."

"Aman, go and fetch my dance costume. I need to change later."

After Shi Yan finished speaking, she walked to the dressing box made of pear wood, sat down, and looked at herself in the bronze mirror.

Xiaodie replied, "Yes."

Ah Man went out to fetch the dance costume that had been prepared in advance.

After receiving the dance costume and accessories from the palace servants at Nanxun Palace, Aman quickly returned.

Xiao Die was naturally skillful and finished combing Shi Yan's hair in less than a quarter of an hour. Shi Yan asked Xiao Die to style her hair into a flying fairy bun and then tied it with a red ribbon that had been prepared beforehand.

After combing her hair, Xiaodie then applied a fiery red floral decoration to Shiyan's forehead.

"Your Majesty, this servant will help you change your clothes."

Seeing that Xiaodie had finished dressing Shiyan, Aman took the fiery red dance costume and went to help Shiyan change into it.

Shi Yan responded with an "Mm," and then opened her arms to let Aman help her change into her dance costume.

"Your Majesty, you are so beautiful!"

She changed into a light and flowing fairy robe, like the fairy maiden of the Jade Pool, and her hair was styled in a flying fairy bun with a dazzling ribbon as bright as flowing clouds. With her peerless beauty, she was truly breathtaking and impossible to look away from.

Xiaodie couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, and Aman, who was standing to the side, was also stunned.

Shi Yan smiled gently.

"That's an exaggeration."

"time to go."

As he spoke, he started walking outside.

As soon as Shi Yan, who had changed her clothes and attire, stepped out the door, the eunuch Xiao Anzi, who had been waiting outside, immediately bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness. This servant's name is Xiao Anzi. My master instructed me to be at Your Highness's beck and call."

Shi Yan paused, looking at the young eunuch who was bowing his head, with only his fair forehead visible.

"Since Eunuch Gao instructed you, you may follow me for now."

"But everything is already prepared."

Xiao Anzi seemed a little shy and bashful, and didn't dare to look up to reply, only lowering his eyes and speaking respectfully.

"Your Highness, my master asked me to tell you that everything has been arranged, so please rest assured."

"Your Highness, please follow me to the front. Everything is ready and waiting for you."

Shi Yan nodded and said softly.

"You don't need to be so reserved in front of me. Lead the way."

Xiao Anzi responded softly with a "Yes," and then took small steps forward to lead the way.