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

Emperor Qianlong, Hongli, sat alone in his study, reviewing memorials, his thoughts drifting back to the past. He murmured softly, "Little Swallow, you were once my Princess Huanzhu, so mischievous and naughty. I was both angry and loving towards you. Who would have thought that after being reborn, you would become my Empress? The wheel of fate is so wondrous." Having said this, he put down his brush, slowly rose, and paced back and forth in the room. "I have witnessed every hardship and triumph along the way. At first, I disliked you, but then I fell in love with you. My heart has experienced many ups and downs. I wanted to make amends for the regrets of my past life, but instead, I became deeply entangled in numerous conspiracies."

Just then, Su Peisheng quietly entered and whispered, "Your Majesty, it is time for dinner." Hongli nodded slightly and stepped into the dining hall. Sitting down at the table, he gazed at the abundant delicacies, yet felt no appetite. Seeing this, Consort Ling looked concerned and softly asked, "Your Majesty, are you troubled by something? Perhaps the food is not to your liking?" Hongli gently shook his head and sighed, "I am merely thinking of the past. Consort Ling, tell me, can there truly be lasting peace in this palace?" Consort Ling pondered for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, the people in the palace are unpredictable. Although things seem calm now, I fear there will be no peace in the future. But as long as Your Majesty and the Empress are in harmony, I firmly believe that even if troubles arise, they can be resolved peacefully." Hongli sighed softly, "I hope so. The Empress and I have endured so much suffering; we truly do not wish to suffer further from palace intrigue."

Meanwhile, in the Empress's palace, Xiao Yanzi and Xiao Tao were tidying up clothes. Xiao Tao smiled and said, "Your Majesty, now that you are the Empress, everything in the palace is different from before." Xiao Yanzi, however, frowned and said, "Xiao Tao, although I am now the Empress, I am uneasy. This peace in the palace may be short-lived. I worry that disaster will come in the future." Xiao Tao quickly comforted her, "Your Majesty need not worry. With the Emperor's favor and the support of Lord Lin's family, we will surely turn misfortune into good fortune."

Before the words were finished, Princess Hejing skipped in: "Empress Mother, what are you doing?" Seeing the princess arrive, Xiaoyanzi smiled and said, "Princess, Empress Mother is tidying up clothes. Did you study well today?" Princess Hejing pouted: "Empress Mother, studying is so boring. I wish you would accompany me to the Imperial Garden." Xiaoyanzi replied helplessly, "Alright, alright, Empress Mother will accompany you."

Upon reaching the Imperial Garden, she encountered Yongqi. After bowing, Yongqi respectfully said, "Your Majesty, seeing the Princess so happy fills me with joy." Xiaoyanzi gazed at Yongqi, her thoughts drifting away, memories of her past with him flooding her mind. She thought to herself, if it weren't for Yongqi's crucial arrow in her past life, their destiny in this life might never have been formed. But the past life was gone; now, as Empress, she was bound by many constraints. Lost in thought, she suddenly remembered her close friends from her past life: Liu Qing, Liu Hong, Ziwei, and Ertai, and the warm, joyful courtyard. She thought of Liu Qing now, ten years old, and Liu Hong, six; she wondered if she, in that world, was still in that courtyard. Now, as Empress, her movements were restricted; she could not leave the palace at will. She hesitated for a moment, then instructed her attendant, "Go quickly and find the whereabouts of the tenement. I want to know the details." The attendant obeyed and left, while Xiao Yanzi waited quietly in the palace for news, her heart filled with memories of the past and anticipation of the unknown. She wondered if the tenement was still there, and if her old friends were well.

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