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

After a night of fierce fighting, the palace gradually returned to calm. But in everyone's heart, vigilance against the Shadow Cult still lingered.

The morning sunlight streamed into Shufangzhai. Xiaoyanzi got up early and looked at her sleeping baby swallow with eyes full of love and worry. Just then, Liu Qing walked in.

"Your Majesty, you're up so early," Liu Qing said softly.

Little Swallow nodded slightly: "Yes, I'm still worried about what happened last night. The Shadow Cult is too cunning; I don't know what other schemes they might have up their sleeves."

"Your Majesty, please don't worry too much. With the Emperor and so many guards protecting us, and with Liu Hong and me here, we will definitely not let the princess get hurt!" Liu Qing patted her chest and assured her.

"I hope so," Little Swallow sighed. "By the way, how are the guards who were injured last night?"

"Your Majesty, Physician Liu is doing his best to treat them, and they should be out of danger," Liu Qing replied.

Just then, Little Swallow woke up. She rubbed her eyes and, seeing Little Swallow and Liu Qing, perked up immediately: "Good morning, Empress Sister, Brother Liu Qing!"

Little Swallow walked to the bedside with a smile: "Little Swallow, did you sleep well? I didn't scare you last night, did I?"

"No, no! Your Majesty, I heard it was very lively outside yesterday, and I really wanted to go and see. Unfortunately, you wouldn't let me go," Little Swallow said, sounding a little aggrieved.

"Silly girl, it's too dangerous outside. If something happens to you, your sister the Empress will be heartbroken." Little Swallow patted Little Swallow's head.

"I know, Queen. I'll be obedient from now on. But I really want to grow up quickly and be as powerful as you all so I can help you fight the bad guys!" Little Swallow clenched her fists, her face full of determination.

"Okay, when you grow up, you'll definitely become a great person," Little Swallow encouraged.

At this moment, Su Peisheng announced from outside the door: "Your Majesty, the Emperor requests your presence in the Imperial Study."

Little Swallow replied, "Okay, I'll be right there."

She then instructed Liu Qing, "Take good care of Little Swallow. I'll be right back."

"Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured," Liu Qing said.

When Xiao Yanzi arrived at the Imperial Study, Hongli was sitting at the table, looking at some information about the Shadow Cult.

"Your Majesty, you wanted to see me?" Little Swallow asked.

Hongli raised his head, saw Xiao Yanzi, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes: "Empress, please sit down. I would like to discuss with you the matter of the Shadow Cult."

After Xiao Yanzi sat down, Hongli continued, "Although we captured some members of the Shadow Cult last night, they are tight-lipped and refuse to say anything. We must find a way to uncover their conspiracy as soon as possible."

"Your Majesty, I think we can start with that inside man. He has been lurking in the palace for many years and must know a lot," Xiao Yanzi said.

"Yes, I've already had him interrogated thoroughly. But he seems to have been prepared, and we still haven't gotten anything out of him." Hongli frowned.

"That despicable fellow!" Little Swallow said angrily. "Your Majesty, why don't we try a different approach? Let's start with the Shadow Cult's past activities and the places where they've appeared, and see if we can find any clues."

Hongli nodded slightly: "That's a good idea. I've already sent Fu Lun and Er Kang to investigate. Hopefully, they'll find something."

"By the way, Your Majesty, during last night's battle, I noticed that the Shadow Cult's martial arts style was a bit strange, as if it were related to a certain sect in the martial arts world," Xiao Yanzi said.

"Oh? What did you discover?" Hongli became interested.

"I'm not sure yet, but their moves are very sharp and their teamwork is excellent. They don't seem like ordinary thugs. I think we could ask some friends in the martial arts world for help and find out more," Xiao Yanzi said.

“Hmm, your idea is good. I’ll have Fu Lun make the arrangements. Information travels fast in the martial arts world; he might be able to provide us with some useful clues,” Hongli said.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing. I am worried that the Shadow Cult will target Little Swallow again. We must strengthen her protection." Little Swallow looked worried.

"Don't worry, I've arranged for more guards to protect Shufangzhai. Besides, Liu Qing and Liu Hong are there too, so there won't be any problems," Hongli reassured him.

"I hope so. Little Swallow is too naive; I'm afraid she'll get hurt," Little Swallow said.

“I understand how you feel. Little Swallow is like our child, and we will definitely protect her.” Hongli held Little Swallow’s hand.

Just then, Fu Lun and Er Kang hurriedly entered the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress," Fu Lun and Er Kang greeted.

"How was it? What did you find?" Hongli asked eagerly.

Furen said, "Your Majesty, while investigating the former locations of the Shadow Cult, we discovered some strange markings. These markings are very similar to those we found in some mysterious cases before."

"Oh? Could these cases be related to the Shadow Cult?" Hongli frowned.

“Very likely, Your Majesty. We are still investigating further. In addition, we have also found some friends in the martial arts world who have agreed to help inquire about the Shadow Cult,” Er Kang said.

"Very good, you've done a good job. You must investigate these matters as soon as possible, and we must not allow the Shadow Cult to have another chance to cause trouble!" Hongli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Fu Lun and Er Kang replied in unison.

Little Swallow said, "Fu Lun, Er Kang, you must be careful during the investigation. The Shadow Cult is very cunning and may set a trap."

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty. We will be careful," Fu Lun said.

At this moment, Su Peisheng announced from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Liu requests an audience."

"Let him in," Hongli said.

Imperial Physician Liu entered the Imperial Study and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress."

"Imperial Physician Liu, what is it?" Hongli asked.

"Your Majesty, I've come to report on the condition of the guards injured last night. Most of them are out of danger, but a few remain seriously injured and require further care," said Imperial Physician Liu.

"Thank you for your hard work, Physician Liu. You must do everything you can to save them," Hongli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Also, when I examined the traitor's body, I found some strange marks on him. These marks seem to be related to some kind of mysterious martial art," said Physician Liu.

"A mysterious technique?" Little Swallow asked curiously. "Doctor Liu, can you tell what kind of technique this is?"

“Your Majesty, I cannot be certain yet. But I have never seen this mark before, and it seems very unusual. I think it may be related to the secrets of the Shadow Cult,” said Physician Liu.

“It seems this inside man has quite a few secrets,” Hongli said. “Imperial Physician Liu, continue studying these marks and see if you can find any clues.”

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Physician Liu.

After Physician Liu left, Hongli said to Fulun and Erkang, "Go and investigate whether there are any rumors about this mysterious martial arts technique in the martial arts world."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Fu Lun and Er Kang accepted the order and left.

Xiao Yanzi looked at Hongli and said, "Your Majesty, I feel that the conspiracy behind the Shadow Cult is becoming more and more complicated."

"Yes, no matter how complicated it is, we must find out the truth. We must not allow them to threaten the safety of the palace and the people," Hongli said firmly.

"Your Majesty, I believe we can do it. If we work together, we will definitely be able to eradicate the Shadow Cult completely!" Little Swallow's eyes were filled with determination.

Back at Shufangzhai, Xiao Yanzi saw Xiao Xiao Yanzi practicing martial arts with Liu Qing and Liu Hong.

"Empress, you're back!" Little Swallow ran over as soon as she saw Little Swallow.

"Little Swallow, are you practicing martial arts?" Little Swallow asked with a smile.

"Yes! I need to learn martial arts quickly so I can protect myself and help you all!" Little Swallow said.

"Okay, then you'd better practice hard. But practicing martial arts is very hard, can you persevere?" Little Swallow asked.

"Yes! I'm not afraid of hard work!" Little Swallow said firmly.

Seeing Little Swallow's earnest expression, Little Swallow felt gratified: "Okay, I believe you, Empress. If you don't understand anything, just ask Brother Liu Qing and Sister Liu Hong."

"I understand, Your Majesty!" Little Swallow replied.

At this moment, Liu Hong walked over: "Your Majesty, how did your discussion with the Emperor go?"

Xiao Yanzi told Liu Hong about what she had discussed with Hongli. After listening, Liu Hong said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Liu Qing and I will definitely protect the princess. Moreover, we will keep an eye on the surroundings and report to you and the Emperor immediately if anything happens."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work. The Shadow Cult is too cunning; we can't afford to let our guard down for even a moment," Little Swallow said.

Night fell once more, shrouding the palace in silence. But everyone knew that beneath this tranquility might lurk a greater crisis. What other schemes did the Shadow Cult plot? Could they successfully uncover the secrets behind the Shadow Cult and eradicate it completely? Everything remained to be seen.

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