He became a court musician during Emperor Wu's reign, but was eventually executed for treason.
Upon hearing this song, the Emperor did not believe there could be such a woman on earth, but his sister Princess Pingyang mentioned Li has a younger sister who could match the description, so Emperor Wu took Li's sister Li Furen as a concubine.
When Emperor re-established the Imperial Music Bureau, Li Yannian was appointed a musician in the court.
Jiarenqu (佳人曲, The Beauty Song) Book of the Later Han 67:34[1] After the death of his sister, Yannian's family began to lose Wu's favour.
In 90 BC, much of the Li family was executed on multiple charges, including treason.