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

In the early morning, sunlight streamed through the windows and bathed the floor of Shufangzhai in a golden glow. As usual, little swallows hopped and skipped around Shufangzhai, humming an unknown tune.

"Sister Empress, what are we going to play today?" Little Swallow ran up to Little Swallow, who was doing her hair and makeup, and asked with a look of anticipation.

Little Swallow turned around, gently tapped Little Swallow's nose, and said with a smile, "You, all you ever think about is playing. How about we go to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers today!"

"Great! The flowers in the Imperial Garden are so beautiful!" Little Swallow exclaimed excitedly, dancing with joy.

Just then, Xiao Tao walked in and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Ling has sent someone to say that she has acquired some new flower seeds in the Imperial Garden and would like to invite you and Princess Xiao Yanzi to come and take a look."

"Oh? That's perfect, let's go over there now." Little Swallow got up, took Little Swallow's hand, and walked towards the Imperial Garden.

Along the way, Little Swallow chattered away like a cheerful little bird. "Sister Queen, I really want to see those new flower seeds soon. Will there be any flowers I've never seen before?"

"Of course there will be! Consort Ling is very good at arranging these flowers and plants, and she might have many novel varieties," Xiao Yanzi replied with a smile.

The two quickly arrived at the Imperial Garden, but found no trace of Consort Ling.

"Strange, why isn't Consort Ling here?" Xiao Yanzi asked in confusion.

"Sister Empress, could it be that we've arrived too early?" Little Swallow asked.

"It's possible, let's look around." Little Swallow led Little Swallow to search all over the Imperial Garden.

Suddenly, a group of men in black jumped out of the flower bushes and surrounded Little Swallow and Little Swallow.

"Who are you? How dare you act so presumptuously in the palace!" Little Swallow shouted, shielding Little Swallow behind her.

The men in black didn't answer. The tall, burly man at the head of the group said coldly, "Take him away!"

"How dare you!" Little Swallow fought back fiercely, but the other side outnumbered her and she gradually became powerless.

Little Swallow turned pale with fright and clung tightly to Little Swallow's sleeve. "Empress, I'm scared..."

"Little Swallow, don't be afraid, your big sister is here!" Little Swallow comforted Little Swallow, but she was extremely anxious inside.

Just when Xiao Yanzi was about to give up, she suddenly heard a loud shout: "Stop! You traitors!" It turned out that Fu Lun had arrived with a group of guards.

"Furen! Help us!" Little Swallow cried.

Furen brandished his sword and charged at the men in black, shouting, "How dare you commit murder in the palace!"

The guards followed suit, engaging the man in black in a fierce battle. Seeing the situation was dire, the man in black attempted to retreat.

"Trying to run? Not so easy!" Furen chased after the leader of the men in black, thrusting his sword forward. The man in black dodged to the side, but tripped over a stone on the ground.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Furen subdued him, "Speak! Who are you? Why are you arresting the Queen and the Princess?"

The man in black sneered, "We are from the Shadow Pavilion! You won't live to learn our secrets!" With that, he suddenly bit the poison in his mouth and collapsed to the ground, dead.

"Damn it!" Furen stomped his feet in anger.

Little Swallow quickly checked if Little Swallow was injured, "Little Swallow, are you alright?"

"I...I'm fine, Empress Sister." Little Swallow was scared, but she still tried to remain calm.

"Thank goodness you're alright." Little Swallow breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Fu Lun, saying, "Fu Lun, it seems the Shadow Pavilion isn't going to give up yet, daring to make a move in the palace."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will strengthen the palace's defenses and ensure that the Shadow Pavilion has no further opportunity to take advantage," Fu Lun said.

"Thanks to your timely arrival, otherwise..." Xiao Yanzi said with lingering fear.

“Protecting the Empress and the Princess is my duty. However, the Shadow Pavilion is so arrogant; I fear there is an even bigger conspiracy behind it,” Furen said with deep concern.

"No matter what their schemes are, we can't just sit here and wait to die. We must find a way to uncover the secrets of the Shadow Pavilion as soon as possible and completely eliminate them!" Little Swallow said firmly.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will report this matter to the Emperor immediately." After saying this, Fu Lun left the Imperial Garden with his guards.

Little Swallow led Little Swallow back to Shufangzhai. As soon as they sat down, Little Swallow couldn't help but ask, "Empress, why did the Shadow Pavilion arrest us?"

Little Swallow looked at Little Swallow and said seriously, "Little Swallow, the Shadow Pavilion is an evil organization. They want to overthrow the royal family and control the world. We are members of the royal family, so they want to deal with us."

"They're so mean! I hate them!" Little Swallow said angrily.

"Little Swallow, don't be afraid. Father Emperor and everyone else will protect us." Little Swallow comforted Little Swallow.

However, Xiao Yanzi felt very heavy-hearted. She knew that the Shadow Pavilion would never give up so easily. They had failed to capture them this time, and they might come up with even more insidious methods next time.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the palace, a mysterious figure was looking coldly through a window at the direction where Little Swallow and Little Swallow had left.

"Hmph, you failed this time, but I won't let you be so lucky next time!" the mysterious man said in a low voice.

In the imperial study, Hongli was furious after hearing Fu Lun's report.

"How dare the Shadow Pavilion be so audacious as to openly arrest people in the palace! Issue my decree to strengthen security inside and outside the palace and ensure the safety of the Empress and the Princess!" Hongli slammed his fist on the table and shouted.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Fu Lun replied.

"Also, how is Wu Daozi's research on symbols progressing?" Hongli asked.

“Your Majesty, Mr. Wu said that those symbols are too complex and will require some more time,” Furen said.

"Hmph! He had better do it as soon as possible! As long as the Shadow Pavilion remains, my palace will never have peace!" Hongli said angrily.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I believe Mr. Wu will do his utmost,” Fu Lun said.

"I hope so. You may go now and continue to strengthen defenses," Hongli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Fu Lun withdrew.

Hongli sat on the dragon throne, lost in thought. The Shadow Pavilion's power was growing increasingly rampant; a way to thwart their plot must be found as soon as possible. And Little Swallow had just experienced such a fright; he wondered if it would leave a lasting scar on her.

"Someone, bring Little Swallow to the Imperial Study. I want to see her myself," Hongli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch accepted the order and left.

Before long, Little Swallow was taken to the Imperial Study.

"Father Emperor!" Little Swallow rushed into Hongli's arms as soon as she saw him.

"Little Swallow, were you frightened?" Hongli stroked Little Swallow's head tenderly.

"Father, I'm not afraid. I know you and the Empress will protect me," Little Swallow said firmly, raising her head.

"Alright, Father will definitely protect you. From now on, when you go out, be sure to bring more guards with you, understand?" Hongli said.

"I understand, Father Emperor." Little Swallow nodded obediently.

"Little Swallow, remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, don't be afraid. Your father and your empress sister will always be by your side," Hongli said.

"Yes, I understand, Father Emperor," Little Swallow said.

Just then, Su Peisheng walked in and said, "Your Majesty, Wu Daozi requests an audience."

"Let him in quickly!" Hongli said.

Wu Daozi hurriedly entered the imperial study, knelt down and bowed: "Your Majesty, I have made an important discovery!"

Hongli's eyes lit up. "Oh? Tell me quickly, what did you discover?"

Wu Daozi stood up and said, "Your Majesty, after several days of research, I have discovered that these symbols are related to an ancient formation. If we can break this formation, we may be able to find the Shadow Pavilion's lair."

"Really? That's great! Please continue," Hongli said excitedly.

“However, this formation is extremely complex, and I need some more time to fully decipher it,” Wu Daozi said.

"Alright, I'll give you time. You must solve this as soon as possible; it concerns the safety of the palace," Hongli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will certainly not fail in my mission!" Wu Daozi said.

However, will the Shadow Pavilion stand idly by and let Wu Daozi break the formation? What new schemes will they devise to deal with the people in the palace? And how will Little Swallow change after this fright? Everything is still unknown, and the crisis in the palace seems far from over. End of this chapter. Stay tuned for the next chapter.