Time travel, quick transmigration

"Your Majesty, why are you suddenly turning to me? I didn't want to get married so soon, I..."

Xiaodie became increasingly shy as she spoke, and her face turned red instantly.

Shi Yan smiled and looked at Xiao Die, whose face was flushed with embarrassment.

"Your Highness, you've become wicked. This servant... this servant will go see why Aman hasn't returned yet, this servant will go see if she needs any help."

With that, she cupped her blushing face, turned around, and ran away as if fleeing.

Shi Yan knew that Xiao Die was just shy and embarrassed, so she chuckled, but as she laughed, a touch of sadness crept into her heart.

After sending Xiaodie off to her wedding, Shen Zhi will resign from her position as they agreed and take Xiaodie to settle in Jiangnan. At that time, she and Xiaodie may never see each other again.

"Xiaodie, you must be happy."

Afterwards, Shi Yan had lunch with Xiao Die, Shen Zhi, and A Man at Mianhua Pavilion. Shi Yan spoke frankly to Shen Zhi and Xiao Die, and the atmosphere was filled with warmth and a touch of sadness. The sun shone brightly that day, and the weather was beautiful. The four of them sat together like family, eating and chatting. No matter how much time has passed, they will always remember this moment.

In the evening, Gao Lishi came and took Shi Yan to Ganlu Palace. When Shi Yan arrived, Li Longji was sitting on the soft couch by the window, playing his jade flute. The melodious tune made Shi Yan stop and listen. She had only heard the piece once, but she remembered it very clearly. The piece was called "Guanghan You" (Journey to the Moon Palace), and it was extremely ethereal and moving.

When the song ended, Li Longji looked up at Shi Yan and smiled when he saw that she was listening attentively.

"Yu Huan, you've arrived. Come and sit beside me."

Shi Yan regained her composure, smiled gently, and walked towards Li Longji, sitting down beside him.

"Why is Your Majesty in such high spirits tonight?"

Li Longji put the flute down and reached out to take Shi Yan's hand in his palm.

"Perhaps it was the beautiful moonlight that inspired me to play this flute. It's been so long since I've played it that I'm a bit rusty."

Shi Yan loved music but was not proficient in it. Fearing that she might make a mistake in her words, she could only smile and remain silent.

Li Longji didn't expect Shi Yan to offer any commentary on his playing, and suddenly changed the subject.

"I spoke with Li Shi today, and I want to take you to Huaqing Palace for a while in a while. Li Shi has already started making the arrangements. You must be feeling bored staying in this palace every day, and I've always wanted to take you out for a walk."

"These affairs of the court are causing me great distress, especially those people in the court, whom I find utterly tiresome. Once we leave Chang'an, the Crown Prince and Li Linfu will handle the affairs of state; I have no worries..."

Shi Yan didn't hear a word of what Li Longji said afterward. She was just annoyed by Li Longji's attitude of shirking his responsibilities. She didn't want to accompany Li Longji to Huaqing Palace at all. She really disliked a man who only cared about enjoying himself and being comfortable every day.

"Yu Huan, aren't you happy?"

Seeing Shi Yan's furrowed brows and lack of joy, Li Longji asked tentatively in a low voice.

Shi Yan really wanted to retort to Li Longji, but she held back in the end. In order not to arouse Li Longji's suspicion, she maintained her usual good manners and dignified gentle smile.

"No, Your Majesty, I am not unhappy."

"Your Majesty has gone to so much trouble for me; I am more than grateful."

"I was just distracted because I had something on my mind."

Li Longji couldn't help but ask curiously.

"What is troubling you, Yu Huan? Please speak freely. There is nothing in this world that I cannot resolve."

Shi Yan pondered for a moment and then spoke frankly.

"To be honest, Your Majesty, it was all due to my lack of foresight. I didn't consult with Your Majesty beforehand. Originally, I planned to hold the wedding for Xiaodie and Shen Zhi in half a month, but Your Majesty just said that you will be setting off for Huaqing Palace soon, which has put me in a difficult position."

Li Longji smiled faintly upon hearing this.

“If it’s just about this, why should Yu Huan be in such a difficult position? Xiao Die and Shen Zhi have already fallen in love, as you told me long ago. It was my oversight. Since things have come to this, let’s just wait for Yu Huan to hold their wedding before we head to Huaqing Palace.”

“I know that Xiaodie has served you for many years. You value that girl, so you should naturally stand up for her.”

Shi Yan showed a hint of emotion at the right moment.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."

Li Longji smiled and shook her hand.

"It's getting late, let's get some rest."

Shi Yan's lips twitched as she replied with a "yes," then looked at Li Longji and said.

"Your Majesty, I will go and call someone to help you undress and rest in peace."

Li Longji grabbed Shi Yan's hand and stared at her with feigned displeasure.

"Why should Yu Huan have someone serve you? You are my beloved concubine. These are things that Yu Huan should do herself."

Shi Yan was somewhat unwilling, and perhaps because she hadn't maintained a gentle expression on her face, Li Longji seemed to have noticed something and suddenly launched an attack.

"Yu Huan never seems to care which woman in the palace I am close to, and I have never seen you jealous for anything. Yu Huan, tell me, do you really have me in your heart? Sometimes I even suspect that you are only forced to submit to me because of circumstances, but sometimes your behavior makes me uncertain."

"I have never been so insecure about any woman before. Yu Huan, promise me you will never leave my side, okay?"

The man before her was no longer young, but he still looked robust. Naturally handsome, even with wrinkles and gray hair, he possessed a mature and composed charm, the dignity of a king, and the imposing presence of a ruler. A woman of this era might have fallen for him because of his apparent affection and status. But Shi Yan knew she felt no affection whatsoever for this man, only his favor.

She had no feelings for him, so she wouldn't reciprocate his affections, nor would she pity his vulnerability.

"Even if what you say is true at this moment, in the end you still abandoned Yang Yuhuan at the critical moment of life and death. So what about your deep love? In my eyes it's just a joke."

Of course, these were just her inner thoughts, and she wouldn't let Li Longji know. Facing Li Longji's expectant and eager gaze, Shi Yan smiled gently.

"Your Majesty, what about Yu Huan after all this? How should Yu Huan retaliate? Should she kill all your concubines and prevent them from ever appearing before you again? We are both women, why should we make things difficult for each other? Yu Huan does not want to become unrecognizable in the deep palace. Yu Huan has survived two assassination attempts before, Your Majesty should understand the reasons behind them. Does Your Majesty also expect Yu Huan to be as intolerant as they are of anyone else having your favor and affection?"

"Once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. Since ancient times, every emperor has had more than one woman by his side. From the day Yu Huan entered the palace, she was already prepared. Your Majesty, you are born noble and it is impossible for you to have only Yu Huan as a woman. If we're talking about jealousy, Yu Huan would probably never be able to stop being jealous."

"Some things are better left unsaid. Whether I care about Your Majesty or not is for you to decide."

Seeing the disappointment in Shi Yan's eyes, Li Longji was anxious to explain, but Shi Yan's next words interrupted him.

"Where else can Yuhuan go besides here?"