Time travel, quick transmigration

Yang Zhao (Yang Guozhong) and the three Yang sisters entered the hall laughing and joking, and went straight to the dragon steps and the throne. In front of the civil and military officials and envoys from various countries, they showed no regard or restraint whatsoever.

Li Longji did not seem to mind Yang Zhao and the Yang sisters' improper behavior, and led Shi Yan forward with one hand in each of their hands.

The three Yang sisters immediately surrounded Shi Yan, offering their congratulations and best wishes.

Yang Yuyao was exceptionally beautiful and charming, with a free and unrestrained personality. She had previously been quite close to Yang Yuhuan. Upon seeing Shi Yan, who was dressed in magnificent and elegant attire, she warmly grasped her hand and began to exchange pleasantries with her.

“Little sister, it’s been so long since we last met. I’ve been thinking of you a lot. Now that we’ve finally met again.”

"My sister has become His Majesty's Noble Consort; her days from now on will surely be sweet and beautiful."

"Sister, you don't know yet, His Majesty has bestowed upon me the title of Lady of Guo."

The beautiful woman in a pale yellow palace dress standing nearby echoed her sentiment.

"And me, I am now also a Lady of Qin."

Yang Yuyao covered her mouth and smiled.

"Yes, your eighth sister was granted the title of Lady of Qin by His Majesty, and your eldest sister was granted the title of Lady of Han by His Majesty."

As Yang Yuyao finished speaking, the beautiful woman in a pomegranate-red palace dress to her right gave Shi Yan a gentle smile.

Not to be outdone, Yang Zhao squeezed forward and showered Shi Yan and Li Longji with compliments.

The group of men beamed with joy, their expressions reflecting the immense wealth and impending rise to power. They were completely oblivious to the person they were so proud of, the one who would bring unparalleled glory to their Yang family, who was watching them calmly and indifferently, unmoved by their flattery and attempts at intimacy.

Shi Yan withdrew her hand from Yang Yuyao's grasp and glanced at Li Longji, who had a smile on his face.

“Your Majesty, they are all my relatives. You specially summoned them to the palace and bestowed titles and rewards upon them. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness. You are very thoughtful.”

Li Longji was very pleased, thinking that he had won the heart of the beauty, and a plan immediately came to mind.

"Since they are the sisters of my beloved concubine, how about I bestow upon them a mansion built in the most prosperous area of ​​Chang'an, named the Three Yangs Mansion?"

"Yes, add six more manors, thousands of acres of fertile land, and a considerable amount of jewels and jade."

Upon hearing of such a generous reward, the Yang sisters, who had already received rewards, were not only amazed by their younger sister's favor with the emperor, but also overjoyed. They gazed eagerly at the majestic and noble emperor above them.

Just as the three were about to express their gratitude, Li Longji's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting their actions.

"As for your cousin Yang Zhao, we will bestow upon him the name Guo Zhong. Now that he is temporarily holding the position of Commandant, we will grant him..."

Li Longji was pondering what official title to bestow upon Yang Guozhong when Shi Yan's gentle call timely stopped his thoughts.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Li Longji was taken aback for a moment, then lowered his brows knowingly, and patted Shi Yan's hand with a smile.

"Please speak freely, my dear consort."

Yang Guozhong was overjoyed, thinking that his sister was going to get him a good official position in front of the emperor. He suppressed his excitement and looked at Li Longji and Shi Yan with anticipation.

Shi Yan glanced at Yang Guozhong, then looked at Li Longji with a delicate expression.

“Your Majesty, since you have already bestowed gifts upon my family and granted them titles, there is no need for further rewards. If Your Majesty wishes to grant a residence, you may choose any place in Chang'an where my three elder sisters can reside. As for the six manors, thousands of acres of fertile land, and jewels and jade that Your Majesty mentioned, there is no need for them. My three elder sisters should also feel unworthy of such rewards, especially since they are merely my relatives and have not rendered any service to the country. They truly do not deserve such generous rewards.”

"And my cousin, he has not accomplished anything, nor has he done anything that benefits the country or the people. If Your Majesty were to grant him an official title because of me, it would be against all propriety."

"I urge Your Majesty to rescind your order."

“My cousin is a man of high ideals and great ambitions. He will surely accumulate merits through his own abilities. When that time comes, it will be more legitimate for His Majesty to promote him.”

These words surprised and pleased Li Longji, but left the Yang siblings speechless, as if they had swallowed a fly.

Yang Guozhong and the three Yang sisters seemed to have fallen from the clouds to the ground. The four of them looked at the elegantly dressed woman, who was indifferent and had not given them a single glance from beginning to end, with disbelief and incomprehension.

Some of the court officials below witnessed what was happening on the dragon steps. They were surprised that the imperial concubine, who they believed had bewitched the emperor, had refused the emperor's favor of promoting the Yang family. For a moment, they were also somewhat confused.

"Yu Huan, your magnanimity truly makes me look at you with new eyes."

"Since you have this intention, I will grant your request."

"You may all leave now."

It was clearly a gesture to send the Yang siblings away.

Yang Guozhong and the three Yang sisters suddenly found themselves in an awkward situation, and the joy they had shown at the beginning vanished from their faces.

"Yu Huan, this..."

Yang Yuyao looked at Shi Yan hesitantly, then turned her eyes to the emperor who was looking at her with a charming gaze.

Li Longji's heart stirred slightly at Yang Yuhuan's captivating gaze, and a glint flashed in his eyes.

Shi Yan took in their expressions and sneered inwardly.

"Your Majesty, today I have prepared a song and dance to present to you."

"Let my cousin and my three elder sisters go home first. The court officials, royal relatives, and envoys from various countries are all watching from here in the main hall."

Li Longji's budding romantic thoughts were successfully nipped in the bud by Shi Yan's words. He coughed seriously and then waved his hand.

Upon seeing this, Gao Lishi stepped forward and respectfully invited Yang Guozhong, Yang Yuyao, and their two sisters out of the hall.

Xiao Huanling naturally also noticed Shi Yan's refusal to accept the emperor's bestowal of honors and favors upon the Yang family. At this moment, he suddenly became unsure of Shi Yan's true intentions.

The ceremony for bestowing the title of imperial concubine came to an end, and the court officials, royal relatives, and envoys from various countries gradually dispersed and left the palace.

As Xiao Huanling watched the emperor and empress walk away together, surrounded by a group of palace servants, a strong sense of desolation and deep resentment almost enveloped him, but there was nothing he could do, nothing he could do.

If the woman he loves is willing to go with him, he will take her away even at the cost of his life, but she never notices his presence from beginning to end.

The cruel reality left him feeling defeated, but despite the pain in his heart, he still couldn't let her go.

Li Heng, who had come to the palace to attend the banquet and offer congratulations, also felt disappointed. Looking at the stunningly beautiful woman beside the emperor, and thinking about the missed opportunity with her, his already low spirits sank even further.

"They really do treat me like a stranger..."

As the sun set, Li Heng walked alone toward the palace gate. His new queen was waiting for him outside the palace. He should let go of what he had missed. He had already let one person down and he could not let another down.