Time travel, quick transmigration

Back when she was studying in the real world, Shi Yan was always the lead dancer or main dancer in various cultural performances, and she also choreographed dance programs of various styles. When she first heard the legendary "Rainbow Feather Dance", she had a rough idea in her mind. Music can evoke resonance and inspire people.

As the music began, palace maids in moon-white dresses and Hu women in exotic attire gracefully entered the arena, dancing to the melody of "The Song of Rainbow Feathers." This song is a "Qing Shang Hua" Buddhist chant, a fusion of the Han and Wei "Xiang He Three Tunes" transmitted in Liangzhou over a long period in the Hexi Corridor. It is composed of "Xiang He" (Buddhist music and Hu music suddenly harmonizing) and "Shang Diao" (singing Yizhou music in a side Shang Diao). Furthermore, it is a musical work elevated from the Buddhist chant "Brahman," a masterpiece and exemplary example of creating new music by blending Hu and Han music.

Therefore, Shi Yan not only incorporated classical dance into the choreography, but also combined it with dances from the Western Regions, with herself taking the lead.

The audience was completely captivated by the exquisite music, which was a first for them. They were also mesmerized by the unique and ingenious dance performed by the Han man and the Hu woman, whose movements were perfectly synchronized and complemented the music.

Li Longji tapped his foot to the music, seemingly quite absorbed in it. However, he still kept an eye on Shi Yan, who hadn't returned yet.

"Lishi, go and see why the Imperial Concubine hasn't arrived yet. If she's late, she'll miss my new song."

Li Longji's eyes revealed his concern and worry for Shi Yan.

Upon hearing this, Gao Lishi decided to no longer hide Shi Yan's intentions from Li Longji and told him the truth. So he stepped forward and whispered in Li Longji's ear.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has prepared a surprise for you. Just wait and see."

Li Longji was immediately taken aback.

What does the strongman mean?

Seeing the emperor's puzzled expression, Gao Lishi smiled mysteriously and said...

"Your Majesty, you will understand soon enough."

As soon as he finished speaking, the music rose and fell rapidly, and the exciting drums and sheng led out the lingering and melodious music that was almost like heavenly music. Shi Yan, dressed in a red dress as bright as the morning sun and as beautiful as a blazing flame, appeared before everyone's eyes, surrounded by ten palace maids dressed in moon-white dresses.

Li Longji stared at the woman in red, who was as beautiful as a fairy, and was stunned for a moment. When he realized the surprise Gao Lishi had mentioned, his eyes immediately filled with joy.

Everyone stared at the stunningly beautiful woman in red, whose every smile and gesture was captivating, whose every step was graceful and whose every glance and gesture was breathtaking. Some even held their breath and stared in awe.

The one most deeply moved was Xiao Huanling, who was completely captivated. When Shi Yan glanced in his direction, and when the music stopped and the dance ended, she gave him that final smile that only he could understand. The person he loved was smiling at him, telling him that she danced for him. How could he not be moved?

"Ayan, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, and I really like it. I will always remember the dance you gave me."

As Shi Yan departed, surrounded by palace maids and Hu women, Xiao Huanling's mind was filled with images of his beloved, dressed in a fairy-like robe, dazzling and beautiful, dancing gracefully and charmingly. He had only heard of her unparalleled dancing skills before but had never had the chance to see it in person. Now that he had seen it, he would never forget it.

At that moment, he desperately wanted to leave, to hold his Ayan in his arms, and to pour out his heart to her, but his strong willpower made him hold back.

He could only watch silently as his beloved changed out of her dazzling red dress, reverting to her former status as a noble consort, and returned to sit beside the emperor. Xiao Huanling clenched her hands, calming the surging emotions in her heart, suppressing the overflowing feelings so that no one would notice.

"Yu Huan, you've put your heart into this. I'm truly delighted with the surprise you prepared."

"Yang Guifei's dance was unparalleled, and the music and lyrics I composed were all exquisite. Even the most beautiful 'Rainbow Feather Dress' in my heart could not compare to this."

Shi Yan smiled subtly on the surface, but inwardly he was cursing.

"I'm sorry, I'm not dancing this dance for you today. So whether you're happy or not has nothing to do with me."

Seeing that the emperor was in a good mood, Gao Lishi also joined in the commotion.

"His Majesty cherishes the Imperial Concubine, and the Imperial Concubine is also deeply in love with His Majesty. In my humble opinion, your love is truly stronger than gold, making all lovers in the world envious."

Li Longji was overjoyed upon hearing this, and his gaze towards Shi Yan became even more affectionate.

"Yu Huan, all I ask for is to rule this world with you, to share this beautiful land. With you by my side, I am content for the rest of my life."

She had heard Li Longji say similar things before, and Shi Yan could sense whether Li Longji was telling the truth or not. However, she was not Yang Yuhuan, the person she liked was not Li Longji, and she would not fall for him. Therefore, she only smiled and remained silent in response to the emperor's heartfelt confession.

Li Longji was completely unaware of her thoughts and assumed that her silence was an admission, so his smile remained unchanged and his gaze became even more tender and affectionate.

The interaction between the emperor and his concubine appeared to the other concubines as a display of affection. Consort Mei, Jiang Caiping, felt a pang of loneliness as she watched the intimate couple. How long ago was it that she was the one sitting beside the emperor, who openly displayed his favor towards her in front of the entire court? They had played the qin and xiao together, and in moments of deep affection, they danced together in the plum grove that the emperor had ordered to be planted for her. But those days had not been repeated in a long time.

Merlin was left all alone; in the vast palace, she slept alone on her cold bed, with no one to warm her heart anymore.

She envied Lady Yang and longed to regain the emperor's favor, but as proud as she was, she could not bring herself to beg for his affections, so she could only silently endure the loneliness and bitterness.

Consort Qian and the other concubines present saw the emperor's exclusive favor towards Consort Qian, and although they had different thoughts, they did not show it on their faces.

The banquet came to an end after a Hu Xuan dance. It was getting late, and Li Longji, who was getting on in years, was getting tired despite being in relatively good health. So he took Shi Yan and left first.

Before leaving, Shi Yan glanced at where Xiao Huanling was. When their eyes met, she blinked. In Xiao Huanling's eyes, she had a lively and cheerful look that she didn't usually have. Their eyes met briefly and then looked away, but they both understood each other's thoughts.

After the emperor and the imperial concubine left, the rest of the guests also left in twos and threes.

Xiao Huanling watched Shi Yan walk away before turning his gaze away.

"Brother Xiao, let's go back."

Jiang He had drunk some wine and his eyes were tipsy. He almost lost his balance when he stood up. He shook his head to sober up a bit and put his hand on Xiao Huanling's shoulder.

Xiao Huanling nodded, and was about to turn and leave when he was stopped by Li Tanniang's personal maid.

“General Xiao, my princess has something to say to you. Please move to the stone pavilion ahead.”

Jiang He looked at the palace maid who suddenly came forward to block him, and racked his brains to find out who the princess the other party was, but he was too drunk to figure it out.

He turned his head and whispered disapprovingly to Xiao Huanling.

"Brother Xiao, let's leave quickly. Don't go and see any princess."