Time travel, quick transmigration

Shi Yan stood up and looked at Li Longji.

"Your Majesty, the officials and the people must have some complaints and discussions about why you have made such a big fuss over Taizhen. If Taizhen were to enter the palace with Your Majesty at this time, it would undoubtedly cause some speculation and turmoil. Taizhen's personal matter is insignificant, but it concerns Your Majesty's reputation, so Taizhen must treat it with caution."

"Taizhen still wants to wait until after the New Year and the Spring Festival, and then come to the palace next spring to enter Taizhen Palace for cultivation. Before that, Taizhen will sincerely pray for the Tang Dynasty and for His Majesty and the Empress Dowager every day. When the work is completed, it will be more natural for His Majesty to summon Taizhen to the palace again."

"This will not only silence public opinion, but also lessen the damage to His Majesty's reputation."

Every word Shi Yan uttered was for Li Longji's benefit, which deeply moved Li Longji.

"Yu Huan, how fortunate I am to have you in my lifetime."

"Alright, whatever you say."

"Come sit beside me. Don't overexert yourself with your injuries. Your health is already weak, and you're also suffering from a chronic illness. This sword wound may have further damaged your health. As soon as I return to the palace, I will order Xue Hanyi to come to Dongling Temple to examine you and prescribe some nourishing medicine to help you recover."

"I will arrange for several elite Imperial Guards to come here to protect you."

Suddenly, he changed the subject.

"Yu Huan doesn't seem surprised by the Imperial Guards who appeared that night. Do you blame me for secretly sending people to keep watch in the shadows?"

Shi Yan looked into Li Longji's deep, dark eyes, where emotions were hard to fathom.

"Your Majesty is concerned about Taizhen's safety and has sent people to protect her in secret. Taizhen is grateful enough, so how can you blame her?"

“I am not surprised because over time, Taizhen has felt Your Majesty’s concern for her. Your assignment of your personal guards to protect Taizhen is enough to prove your care and love for her. Taizhen is grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness and naturally wants to reciprocate.”

Upon hearing this, Li Longji felt a sense of joy, as if his long-term efforts had finally paid off.

"Yu Huan is not only exceptionally beautiful but also intelligent and perceptive, which pleases me greatly. Seeing you safe and sound puts my mind at ease. It's getting late, and I should return to the palace. There are still state affairs to attend to. I rushed over as soon as I heard you had returned safely... Fortunately, you are indeed alright..."

Li Longji stood up, took a few steps forward, raised his hand to stroke Shi Yan's hair, and looked at her tenderly.

"I'm going back to the palace now. When Xue Hanyi arrives, I'll make sure he examines you thoroughly. Don't hide your illness from medical treatment."

Shi Yan returned the smile and nodded.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. How could I not value my own health?"

Li Longji was amused and laughed.

"makes sense."

After they finished talking, the two left the Flower Pavilion together. Shi Yan escorted Li Longji out of Huanqing Residence, and only after seeing the group of people escorting Li Longji away in a grand procession did she turn around and return to Huanqing Residence.

After a period of recuperation, Shi Yan's sword wound on her shoulder not only completely healed, but also, after taking a nourishing prescription for more than ten days, her complexion was much better than before. When she looked in the mirror while getting ready in the morning, Shi Yan found that her figure was also more plump than before, which made her sigh that Yang Yuhuan was naturally beautiful, with fair skin and jade bones, and graceful figure. No wonder the emperor, who had been accustomed to seeing all kinds of beauties in the harem, was so captivated by her.

Perhaps because the New Year was approaching, the emperor was even busier. Since Li Longji's visit half a month ago, he hadn't left the palace. Apart from Gao Lishi occasionally delivering gifts to her at Dongling Temple on imperial orders, Li Longji hadn't appeared again. During the Tang Dynasty, a grand court ceremony was held annually on the first day of the lunar month, known as the New Year's Day Court Ceremony. With the New Year approaching, the palace must be very busy, so it was normal for Li Longji to be unable to leave. Shi Yan was naturally pleased that Li Longji wouldn't disturb her.

The Tang Dynasty did not have the concept of New Year or Spring Festival. Instead, there was Yuanri or Yuanzheng, which was the first day of the first lunar month. With the first day of the first lunar month approaching, Shi Yan had already instructed Xiao Die to start preparing the things needed for Yuanri, including purchasing all the food and other necessities.

After disappearing for several days following the assassination attempt, Shi Yan learned that Xiao Die and Xiao Shen had become acquainted. After observing them for a period of time, she found that they had developed feelings for each other. Once she confirmed that Xiao Shen was of good character and worthy of entrusting her life to him, Shi Yan began to intentionally or unintentionally try to bring them together, and this has now begun to show some results.

Because one of the four Imperial Guards died and two were injured last time, in addition to Xiao Shen still being assigned to guard the Dongling Temple in the shadows, Li Longji also arranged for five of the top experts among the Imperial Guards to protect Shi Yan's safety.

Xiao Shen was already quite familiar with Xiao Die in the open, so Shi Yan treated him differently from the other Imperial Guards. Sometimes, when it was necessary to purchase something, Shi Yan would have Xiao Shen accompany Xiao Die.

"Xiaodie, take a look at the list I gave you and see if there's anything you need to add."

Shi Yan handed the list to Xiao Die, then picked up the teacup on the table and took a couple of sips.

Xiaodie looked through all the items on the list.

"My wife, nothing has been missed."

Shi Yan nodded, put down the teacup, and then waved to Xiao Die.

Upon seeing this, Xiaodie stepped forward and lowered herself down.

"Does my lady have any instructions?"

Shi Yan glanced at Xiao Die, then lowered her voice and said.

"Don't let Xiao Shen come with you this time when you go shopping. If he insists on going with you, just say that you need to buy some things for girls and it's inconvenient for him to come along."

"I've prepared some money for Haiyue and the others for the festival. Remember to give it to them and make sure they accept it so they can have a good holiday. Tell them that everything is fine here and they don't need to worry. When you're shopping, please also prepare some festival gifts for them."

"Xiaodie, I know you're getting close to Xiao Shen, but remember not to tell him about us. Do you understand what I mean?"

When Xiaodie heard Shi Yan mention Xiao Shen, she first lowered her eyes shyly, too embarrassed to meet Shi Yan's gaze. But upon hearing what Shi Yan said next, she immediately raised her head and swore an oath.

"Don't worry, my lady. I know what's important. No one is more important to me than you. I will do whatever you ask me to do perfectly."

Shi Yan just smiled when she saw Xiao Die's confident promise.

“Fool, I just want you to never tell Xiao Shen everything about me. After all, Xiao Shen is loyal to the Emperor. If the Emperor finds out what I’m doing in secret and what I’m planning, I’ll be in a lot of trouble.”

"We must have the strength to survive in this world, otherwise our fate may be extremely tragic. I will not allow myself to fall into a situation where I can only cry out to heaven and be manipulated and slaughtered by others."

“Xiao Shen is not wrong. You can be close to him, just don’t be completely open with him. I am not the most important person in your life either. If the day comes when we part, you are free to leave me, and I will not blame you. But I will not allow betrayal. If you betray me, I will not show you any mercy.”

Xiao Die didn't understand why her mistress always harbored a heart as if walking on thin ice beneath her calm and composed exterior. Her knowledge was limited and she didn't have the ability to foresee things, so she couldn't help but feel puzzled. However, after following Yang Yuhuan for so many years, she had long since decided in her heart that the other party was the most important person in her life and the master she would be loyal to for life. It was absolutely impossible for her to betray Yang Yuhuan.

"My wife, I will be loyal to you for life, even unto death."