Time travel, quick transmigration

Xiao Die looked miserable and brooding, spouting nonsensical things that confused Shi Yan. She shook her head, too lazy to explain.

"Xiao Ba, I discovered today that you and Xiao Die are truly of the same ilk, both of you are too good at overthinking things."

0804 pouted upon hearing this.

"Why are you comparing me to Xiaodie? I'm clearly smarter than her."

Hearing 0804's angry voice, Shi Yan couldn't help but cover her lips and laugh.

"Have someone bring in some water so I can wash up. You're off today. Go back to your room in the side hall of Nanxun Palace and get some rest."

Xiaodie was indeed a little tired, but in the palace, she was the only one her master could rely on and trust. How could he not have her around? So after thinking for a moment, she bowed and said.

"Your Majesty, I will go outside and call them in to help you with your washing and dressing. I will go back to Nanxun Palace first, as you need someone to serve you. I don't need to rest for a whole day; two hours of sleep will be enough. I will come to serve you as soon as I wake up."

Shi Yan understood Xiao Die's thoughts, so she agreed without trying to persuade her further.

When Li Longji returned from court, Shi Yan had already dressed up and changed into an elegant and beautiful silk palace dress with blue embroidered patterns, plus a white silk shawl. The maidservant in the palace skillfully styled her hair in a new way, adorned with hairpins, beads, and headdresses of the rank of a Noble Consort. She looked both refined and noble, and was extremely beautiful.

Li Longji's heart trembled as he looked at the peerless beauty sitting in front of the mirror.

Upon seeing him, the palace maids immediately knelt down to pay their respects.

Li Longji waved his hand, and several palace maids withdrew, carrying their trays.

Gao Lishi stood still, eyes downcast and mindful of his own thoughts, without moving forward.

"Yu Huan, you seem even more radiant today."

Li Longji stepped forward and walked to Shi Yan's side, looking at her with deep emotion. Then he leaned down to look at the two faces that were vaguely discernible in the huge bronze mirror.

"This is the scene I have longed for day and night. Fortunately, you finally belong to me."

The emperor, still basking in his own emotions and feeling quite pleased with himself, was unwilling to let anyone else be near him.

"Your Majesty, I didn't eat much yesterday, and my stomach is already empty. I haven't eaten anything at all in order to wait for you to come back so we can have breakfast together."

"You don't even care about me, and you're still talking to me like this..."

Li Longji was not annoyed when he was complained about; instead, he felt very good and comforted the person.

"Ha, ha, it's my fault. I've let my beloved concubine go hungry."

"Gao Lishi, order the servants to prepare the meal."

Before long, the eunuchs from the kitchen filed in and placed the breakfast in the outer hall.

After breakfast was served, Gao Lishi came over to inform the emperor and his concubine to dine in the outer hall.

The emperor was indeed enjoying the best food in the country. Looking at the dozen or so exquisite and delicious dishes, which were of different kinds but not excessive, Shi Yan was very satisfied and her appetite was immediately whetted.

After having breakfast with Li Longji, the two of them each drank a bowl of nourishing sweet soup and then stopped eating.

"Your Majesty, there are still a few snacks here, and the vegetarian and meat dishes have not been touched. Why not give them to the people serving in Ganlu Palace?"

Shi Yan noticed that many things on the table hadn't been touched, so she decided to give them to the palace servants who were serving them breakfast, rather than waste them.

Li Longji would naturally have no objection.

"As my beloved consort wishes."

So Gao Lishi arranged for people to remove all the items.

"The Imperial Concubine is truly a compassionate person. Although those who serve in this palace receive some rewards, no one has ever cared about their food."

"This servant thanks Your Majesty on their behalf, and thanks the Noble Consort for her understanding."

Li Longji smiled slightly upon hearing this.

"You're the best at flattery, always able to say nice things. Go down, you don't need to serve anymore, go back and have your meal."

"Her Imperial Concubine knows how much she cares for you all, so I can't fall behind, can I..."

Seeing the king's smiling face, Gao Lishi said some flattering words before taking his leave.

After everyone had left, the main hall became much quieter.

Li Longji stood up and pulled Shi Yan to his side.

"Yu Huan, would you like to accompany me for a stroll in the Imperial Garden? You've just entered the palace and are not familiar with it, so I suppose you haven't explored the various parts of the palace before. There aren't many court affairs today, so I've taken the time to show you around Xingqing Palace."

"how?"

Shi Yan withdrew her hand, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and looked up at Li Longji with a charming smile.

"Your Majesty, I have indeed not had a proper look at Xingqing Palace yet. So I will trouble Your Majesty to keep me company today."

Li Longji was captivated by Shi Yan's rare display of playfulness.

"Very well, very well, I am more than happy to accompany Yu Huan."

This is the season when osmanthus flowers are in full bloom. The imperial garden is planted with all kinds of rare flowers and there are people who take care of them.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the concubines of each palace, in order to celebrate the occasion, would go in twos and threes or in groups to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the autumn scenery and admire the golden osmanthus.

The air is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus and the flowers are in full bloom. The concubines, surrounded by palace maids, stroll among the flowers. The beauties in their palace attire are a beautiful sight in the palace against the backdrop of the autumn scenery.

At this moment, Shi Yangang and Li Longji were heading towards the Imperial Garden from Ganlu Hall.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the famous scholar Li Bai has entered the Hanlin Academy. I have long heard of his reputation and have read his poems, but it is a pity that I have never met him."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Li Longji's eyes.

"Even Yu Huan has heard of this person."

"Li Bai was indeed quite talented, and his poetry was not bad, but he was not a great talent. I only heard that he was unrestrained and acted unruly. People like him are bound to be a bit arrogant."

"If you wish to see this person, I will summon him to the palace for a meeting."

Shi Yan sensed a hint of indifference in Li Longji's words, which didn't surprise her. After all, although Li Bai had entered the palace to meet the emperor several times and gained his favor, he had never been given important positions. The emperor's heart was unpredictable, and Shi Yan would not try to influence the emperor's decisions and choices just because she admired someone, lest it backfire.

"Then I thank Your Majesty in advance."

"There's no need for thanks for such a small matter. Just tell me what Yu Huan wants."

Li Longji gently took Shi Yan's hand and led her forward. Gao Lishi and Xiao Die followed closely behind them, and the rest of the group consisted of palace servants who accompanied them.

"Your Majesty, the fragrance of the osmanthus flowers travels so far; you can smell it from a great distance."

Shi Yan looked up toward the source of the fragrance, carefully inhaling the delightful aroma, her eyes brimming with a bright and radiant smile.

Li Longji gazed intently at the profile of the beautiful woman beside him, who was smiling and looking into the distance, his eyes growing increasingly tender.

"The osmanthus trees in the Imperial Garden have been planted for many years, and their fragrance fills the entire palace at this time of year. They are not yet in full bloom, but in a few days, the fragrance may even reach as far as the Ganlu Palace..."

"Come, I'll accompany you to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers. At this time, not only are the osmanthus flowers fragrant, but the chrysanthemums introduced from Persia should also be in bloom."

There weren't many entertainment options in the palace, so going to admire the flowers was a good choice. Besides, she really didn't want to stay alone with Li Longji in the Ganlu Hall.