Huanzhu Time Travel: Yan Luo's Unbreakable Love in the Yong Dynasty

After Xiao Yanzi became the Imperial Noble Consort, her days with Hongli in the palace seemed peaceful on the surface, but in reality, there were undercurrents of turmoil.

One day, Xiao Yanzi was strolling in the Imperial Garden when Niohuru Zhixi passed by with her maid. When Zhixi saw Xiao Yanzi, a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes, but she still pretended to be gentle and greeted her: "Greetings, Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort."

Little Swallow smiled and replied, "Then there's no need for such formalities, Sister Consort. The flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom today; please join me in enjoying them."

Zhixi said softly, "Your Majesty, although the flowers in the palace are beautiful, they need to be carefully tended so that they are not destroyed by the unwarranted wind and rain." Her words seemed to imply that Xiaoyanzi's position in the palace was not secure.

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly and said, "What do you mean by this, sister? I will be careful and cautious. The Emperor will make the decisions on all matters in the palace."

Just then, a young eunuch happened to pass by and accidentally bumped into Zhixi's maid, causing her to drop the tea tray and spill tea onto Zhixi's skirt. The young eunuch was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "Your Highness, please forgive me! I didn't mean to!"

Zhixi's face darkened: "You dog of a servant, how dare you be so reckless! Guards, drag him away and punish him severely!"

Seeing this, Xiao Yanzi quickly said, "Sister, please calm down. This little eunuch must have done it unintentionally. Let him off this time."

Zhixi snorted: "Your Highness is well-intentioned, but if everyone in the palace is so reckless, wouldn't that disrupt the rules?"

Xiao Yanzi was displeased and said, "If you are so strict, I'm afraid you will lose people's hearts. Although there is a distinction between master and servant in the palace, we should be more tolerant of each other."

As the two were locked in a stalemate, Empress Fucha's personal maid approached, bowed, and said, "Your Majesties, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence for a discussion."

Xiao Yanzi and Zhixi exchanged a glance before heading together to the Empress's palace. There, Empress Fucha sat in the highest seat, her expression gentle yet radiating a hint of majesty.

Empress Fucha began, "I have summoned you two sisters here today to discuss the upcoming palace banquet. This banquet concerns the face of the royal family, and we need you two sisters to put in a lot of effort."

Xiao Yanzi spoke first: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to assist you."

Zhixi added, "Whatever Your Majesty commands, I will obey."

Empress Fucha nodded slightly: "Yes, the arrangements for this palace banquet, the program, and so on all need to be carefully considered. And the etiquette at the banquet must not be flawed in the slightest."

Xiao Yanzi's heart stirred, thinking of the murals in the Shadow Pavilion. She tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, this palace banquet is so important, will there be any special arrangements or programs related to the ancient traditions or mysterious things of the palace?"

Empress Fucha's eyes sharpened, and she asked, "Why does the Imperial Noble Consort ask such a question?"

Xiao Yanzi quickly explained, "I've only heard some palace legends, and I thought that if I could incorporate some of them into the palace banquet, it might add to the splendor."

Zhixi sneered from the side, "Does Your Highness want to take this opportunity to show off? The Empress will decide on this palace banquet. It's best not to cause any more trouble."

Xiao Yanzi glared at Zhixi: "Sister, don't misunderstand me. I was just thinking about the palace banquet."

Empress Fucha pondered for a moment and said, "The Imperial Noble Consort's idea is not entirely unreasonable. However, this matter needs to be considered carefully, and we must not act rashly."

After leaving the Empress's palace, Xiao Yanzi returned to her own chambers, where Hongli was waiting for her. Xiao Yanzi told Hongli about the palace banquet and her argument with Zhixi.

Hongli frowned and said, "My dear consort, your mention of the murals in the Shadow Pavilion is indeed somewhat risky. During this palace banquet, all parties will be watching closely, so we cannot easily reveal our intentions."

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I understand. But I always feel that something might happen behind this palace banquet, and it might be related to the secret of that mural."

Hongli grasped her hand: "My dear consort, please do not act rashly. I will send people to keep an eye on things secretly. I have also heard some rumors recently, that there are some mysterious people operating in the shadows of the palace. I wonder if they are related to the mural."

In another corner of the palace, Zhixi returned to her palace. Rong Momo greeted her and whispered, "Your Highness, did you gain the upper hand with the Imperial Noble Consort at the Empress's place today?"

Zhixi sat in the chair, rubbing her temples, and said, "That Little Swallow is clever and flattering, but Her Majesty the Empress did not favor her. It's just that I feel something is amiss when she mentions that mysterious matter."

Rong Momo said fiercely, "Your Highness, we must be careful of that Little Swallow. She's probably plotting something again."

Zhixi scolded, "Granny, stop talking nonsense. Let's focus on the palace banquet first. If we can embarrass Xiaoyanzi at the banquet, that would be great."

Outside the palace, Hongzhou and Dili Leyao's relationship deepened. Hongzhou said to his wife Dili Leyao, "Leyao, now I only wish to be with you. The troubles of the past have gradually faded away."

Dilire Yao looked at him, her eyes full of tenderness: "Your Highness, with your words, I feel at ease."

Xiao Yanzi continues her life in the palace, dealing with the difficulties and conspiracies of Zhi Xi and others while working with Hongli to uncover the secrets of the murals in the Shadow Pavilion. She knows that the path of the palace is fraught with thorns, and her love and destiny with Hongli grow stronger through these trials. Whether they can unravel the secrets behind the murals and protect themselves in the power struggles of the palace remains to be seen.

This chapter concludes here. Stay tuned for the next chapter.