Time travel, quick transmigration

Seeing that Shi Yan was unmoved by his hints, Gao Lishi almost squinted his eyes out of shape.

"Your Majesty, Taizhen has just entered the palace and many eyes are watching her. Although Taizhen has entered Taizhen Palace, she is still a nun. Please understand Taizhen's concerns."

Shi Yan's eyes were full of delicate worry, and Li Longji, who was still feeling annoyed, felt only heartache and could no longer bear to keep his cold face.

"Your concerns are understandable, but now that you have entered the palace, I can provide you with support. You can relax a bit."

Li Longji's expression softened slightly as he gazed at Shi Yan, who, after her bath, appeared as beautiful and graceful as a lotus emerging from the water, captivating and charming. He couldn't help but recall the time he had stumbled upon her at Huaqing Palace after her bath, when she was so alluring and delicate, so fragile and powerless, that he found it hard to resist her. For a moment, he felt a surge of desire, his eyes lingering on Shi Yan's face and body.

When Gao Lishi saw the emperor's dazed eyes, he knew perfectly well that the emperor had fallen in love. However, looking at the surroundings and Shi Yan's aloof and unapproachable demeanor, he was in a dilemma.

In his view, Taizhen Palace was, after all, a place of cultivation, and Yang Yuhuan was still a female Taoist priest. If Li Longji were to favor her based on his own feelings, it would indeed be inappropriate. But since the master he served was the emperor of a country, he could ask for anything in a matter of a single thought or word. As a servant, he dared not utter any complaints except to share the emperor's burdens.

Shi Yan had long anticipated that she would have to serve the emperor, but Li Longji was already impatient as soon as she entered the palace, which really made her feel frustrated and speechless.

"Your Majesty, Taizhen is exhausted from the journey and wishes to rest as soon as possible. Your Majesty's visit to Taizhen shows your high regard for her, and Taizhen is grateful for Your Majesty's kindness and will surely recite scriptures and pray for you during your morning and evening prayers. Judging from Your Majesty's slightly tired complexion, you must be worried about state affairs. You should return to your palace to rest as soon as possible."

Shi Yan's eyes were full of heartache, and she looked like she was thinking of him. Li Longji didn't know whether to agree or not.

"Your Majesty, although Taizhen has entered the palace, she will still keep to herself until the day she achieves her goal. Taizhen believes that Your Majesty, like Taizhen, seeks not a fleeting moment but a long-lasting companionship in the future."

"Your Majesty may not know, but when Taizhen received your decree ordering her to become a nun and cultivate Taoism, Taizhen harbored some resentment towards Your Majesty. However, since recognizing Your Majesty's true intentions, Taizhen no longer resents you. But Taizhen's previous identity inevitably invites criticism from the world, and now, after only two years, if her cultivation is interrupted, it will be difficult to withstand the clamor of the masses. Taizhen has made a vow that during her cultivation, she will be sincere and devoted, and will never be tainted by worldly desires. I beg Your Majesty to grant her request."

After Shi Yan finished speaking, she bowed to Li Longji, then raised her head and looked directly into his eyes.

"Or is it that His Majesty is unable to give Taizhen a legitimate reason to do so?"

Emperor Li Longji's pride caused his eyes to suddenly sharpen, and he abruptly stood up from his seat.

"Just you wait and see, I will make sure you stand by my side in glory, receiving the worship of all officials and people."

"You need not be sad or sentimental. I will soon bring you into the palace and will protect you. With me here, no one will dare to insult or slander you."

"I still have state affairs to attend to, you should rest early. I won't keep you any longer."

Li Longji made his decision and then left decisively with Gao Lishi.

When Shi Yan saw Li Longji and Gao Lishi being escorted away by a group of palace servants, the sadness and weakness in her eyes vanished instantly.

"Finally, we've seen off a big shot. It's time to get a good night's sleep."

Having been assured that Li Longji would no longer have designs on her after this encounter, she was naturally happy that she no longer had to serve him. Upon arriving at Taizhen Palace, she planned to get a good night's sleep, leaving everything else for the next morning.

Within the vast inner palace grounds lies a unique and elegant place called Zichen Palace, the residence of Consort Mei, Jiang Caiping. Because of her love for plum blossoms, Emperor Li Longji ordered a large plum grove to be planted within her palace grounds. He also personally named the pavilions and terraces within Zichen Palace "Plum Pavilion" and "Plum Pavilion." Compared to the other concubines' treatment of Consort Mei, a rare woman of refined elegance and multifaceted talent, Emperor Li Longji showed her exceptional favor and affection.

In early spring, the plum blossoms were in full bloom. Amidst the white and red plum grove, a woman dressed in elegant palace attire, with a beautiful face and a cool and quiet temperament, held a white jade flute and played an unknown melodious tune in the pavilion.

The palace maid Lian Qiao, who was waiting outside the pavilion, looked at the woman in the pavilion with a deep sorrow between her brows and felt sorry for her.

After the song ended, Jiang Caiping put away her white jade flute and turned to look at her personal maid, Lian Qiao, who seemed hesitant to speak.

"If you have something to report, just say it. Why make such a fuss?"

Jiang Caiping has a cool and quiet demeanor, yet her voice is extremely gentle.

Upon hearing this, Lianqiao entered the pavilion and said with considerable resentment.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty hasn't set foot in Zichen Palace for over half a month. Aren't you worried?"

"His Majesty used to value you the most. This plum grove was specially ordered to be planted for you. In previous years, when the plum blossoms bloomed, His Majesty would come to admire them with you. You would play the flute and His Majesty would play the zither. When you danced, His Majesty would capture your dance in a painting. But now..."

"I heard that Lady Yang, whom Your Majesty is so concerned about, just entered the Tai Zhen Palace yesterday. Your Majesty immediately put aside state affairs and rushed to see her, and stayed in the Tai Zhen Palace for quite some time."

"In my opinion, Yang Yuhuan is just like everyone else says—a shameless vixen who seduced His Majesty into losing his decorum..."

"shut up!"

Jiang Caiping's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"You're becoming more and more unruly."

"How dare you discuss His Majesty?"

"Besides, we are both women, how dare you insult another woman like this. I can't control others, but you are someone who serves me in the palace. If I hear your arrogant words again, I will definitely send you away."

Lianqiao immediately became anxious.

"Your Majesty, please do not send me away. I will serve only you for the rest of my life."

"This servant knows she was wrong..."

Jiang Caiping remained silent, her eyes cold.

"What's wrong? Why is Lian Qiao kneeling? Did she do something to displease your master?"

Li Longji walked solemnly to the pavilion and looked at Jiang Caiping and her servant. Gao Lishi behind him bowed to Jiang Caiping and then stepped aside.

"His Majesty!"

Lian Qiao was startled by the sudden arrival of His Majesty the Emperor and immediately knelt down to pay her respects.

Jiang Caiping saw a hint of joy in her eyes when she saw Li Longji suddenly arrive, but she did not respond to Li Longji's words. Instead, she asked Lian Qiao to get up.

Lian Qiao stood up and obediently retreated to Gao Lishi's side, leaving space for the Emperor and Consort Mei.

"Your Majesty, aren't these plum blossoms beautiful? How do you think they compare to last year's?"

Jiang Caiping smiled as she looked at the emperor, who seemed preoccupied, hoping to cheer him up.

Upon hearing this, Li Longji became interested and looked around. Looking at the plum blossoms, some pure white and elegant, others delicate and bright, and then at the woman in front of him with her beautiful appearance and affectionate eyes, the gloom hidden in Li Longji's heart dissipated considerably.