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

The tense atmosphere surrounding the palace banquet preparations cast a shadow over the court. Xiao Yanzi and Hongli carefully navigated this delicate situation, unaware that an even greater storm was about to break.

At dawn, before the sunlight had fully pierced through the clouds, Xiao Yanzi was in her palace when Xiao Tao rushed in, her face ashen and her voice trembling with tears, crying out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! Empress Fucha...she has passed away!"

Little Swallow was struck dumb, abruptly standing up, her handkerchief falling from her hand without her noticing, her eyes wide with disbelief: "What did you say? Little Peach, how is this possible? I saw Her Majesty the Empress yesterday and she was perfectly fine, how could she suddenly..."

Xiao Tao sobbed uncontrollably: "This servant doesn't know either. This morning, the Empress's maid found Her Majesty unconscious and hurriedly summoned the imperial physicians, but before they could even begin to treat her, Her Majesty had already passed away."

Without a second thought, Xiao Yanzi hurried to the Empress's palace. Along the way, the palace maids and eunuchs all looked sorrowful, walking by with their heads down, as if the entire palace was shrouded in a veil of grief.

Upon entering the Empress's palace, she found it in complete chaos. Palace maids knelt on the ground, weeping, while eunuchs busied themselves setting up the mourning hall. Hongli stood by the bed, his eyes vacant and sorrowful, as if his soul had been ripped away. Xiao Yanzi slowly approached and saw the Empress lying peacefully on the bed, her face still beautiful, but lifeless.

Tears welled up in Xiao Yanzi's eyes. She walked to Hongli's side and whispered, "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences. The Empress... she must have gone to a better place."

Hongli's lips trembled slightly, his voice hoarse and low: "My beloved consort, the Empress and I have been together since childhood. She is gentle, kind, dignified and virtuous, and has always been my wise and capable wife. I never thought that she would leave me so suddenly."

Empress Dowager Zhen Huan arrived shortly afterward. Though her face showed sorrow, her eyes remained calm. She walked to Hongli's side and gently patted his shoulder: "Your Majesty, the Empress has passed away. This is a tragedy for the entire palace. But now you are the Son of Heaven, and you must not grieve excessively. There are still many state affairs that require your attention."

Hongli nodded silently, seemingly oblivious, staring blankly at the Empress's body.

Seeing Hongli so grief-stricken, Xiao Yanzi felt extremely distressed. She recalled her interactions with the Empress; although there had been disagreements, there had never been any deep-seated hatred. But now, with the Empress suddenly gone, a profound sense of helplessness and confusion welled up in her heart.

In the days that followed, the court was immersed in grief, the palace banquet was naturally canceled, and everyone was busy preparing for the empress's funeral.

Xiao Yanzi was also busy, helping with palace affairs while secretly pondering the cause of the Empress's death. She felt the Empress's death was too suspicious; could it be related to the secret of the murals in the Shadow Pavilion?

One night, Xiao Yanzi quietly went to the Empress's palace under the cover of darkness. She looked around, hoping to find some clues. Suddenly, on the Empress's dressing table, she found a diary. Xiao Yanzi's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly opened it. Inside, she saw that it recorded the Empress's daily thoughts and trivial matters in the palace.

On the last page of her diary, Xiao Yanzi read the following: "Recently, I have felt as if a mysterious force is surging within the palace. The secret of the murals in the Shadow Pavilion is like a huge mystery, and I fear it will bring disaster to the court. I have tried to find the truth, but it seems I am trapped in a vortex from which I cannot extricate myself. Now, I only hope that the Emperor is safe and sound, and that the court can remain peaceful."

After reading the diary, Xiao Yanzi became even more convinced that the Empress's death was no accident. She decided to go to Hongli and tell him what she had discovered.

Xiao Yanzi arrived at the Imperial Study and saw Hongli sitting at his desk, staring blankly at the memorials. She stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty, I have something important to tell you."

Hongli raised his head, looking at Xiaoyanzi with weary eyes: "My beloved consort, what is it?"

Xiao Yanzi handed the Empress's diary to Hongli: "Your Majesty, I found this diary in the Empress's palace. As you can see, the Empress seems to have sensed something. Her death may be related to the secret of the murals in the Shadow Pavilion."

Hongli took the diary and read it carefully, his expression growing increasingly grave. After finishing the last page, he clenched his fist: "My beloved consort, if the Empress's death is truly related to that mural, I will not let the mastermind get away with it!"

Xiao Yanzi said, "Your Majesty, I also feel that this matter is of utmost importance. We must find out the truth as soon as possible to prevent the palace from falling into an even greater crisis."

Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi with gratitude in his eyes: "My beloved consort, it's fortunate that you are by my side. There are not many people I can trust in this palace."

Xiao Yanzi leaned against Hongli's chest and said, "Your Majesty, no matter what happens, I will face it with you."

However, unbeknownst to them, in the dark corners of the palace, countless eyes were secretly watching their every move. The forces hidden behind the murals of the Shadow Pavilion were plotting an even greater conspiracy, and Xiao Yanzi and Hongli were about to face an even more severe test.

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