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

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was extremely tense. Around the imperial kitchen, Fu Heng's men were already in ambush, each one focused intently, their eyes fixed on the entrance. Under the moonlight, their figures were hidden in the darkness, like hunters waiting for their prey.

Fuheng personally oversaw the operation, standing in a secluded corner, his eyes never leaving the direction of the imperial kitchen. He knew that this mission was of paramount importance; the slightest mistake would threaten the emperor's safety and plunge the entire court into utter ruin.

"Sir, will Chen Qiming come? What if he senses something..." a subordinate asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with worry.

Fu Heng frowned slightly, his gaze still firm: "He will come. The Shadow Cult has given him a death order, and he has no way out. As long as we guard this place, we must not let him set foot in the Imperial Kitchen."

Time ticked by, the night silent except for the occasional chirping of insects. Suddenly, a dark figure stealthily approached the imperial kitchen. Fu Heng immediately became alert, gesturing for his men to prepare for action.

As the shadowy figure drew closer, the faint moonlight revealed that it was Chen Qiming. He was dressed in ordinary night clothes, his face showing a mixture of tension and fear, and his steps were somewhat hurried.

Chen Qiming cautiously looked around, and only after confirming that there was nothing amiss did he slowly approach the door of the imperial kitchen. Just as he reached out to push the door open, Fu Heng shouted, "Take it down!"

The men who had been lying in ambush rushed out like tigers descending a mountain, instantly surrounding Chen Qiming. Chen Qiming stared wide-eyed in terror, trying to resist, but was easily subdued by the group.

"Chen Qiming, how dare you collude with the Shadow Cult to murder the Emperor! You are guilty of heinous crimes!" Fu Heng stepped forward, his eyes filled with anger and contempt.

Chen Qiming collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, muttering repeatedly, "I was forced into it, I didn't want to..."

Fu Heng snorted coldly: "Forced? No matter the reason, it cannot be an excuse for you to betray the court and the emperor. Take him away!"

At the same time, the Empress and Consort Ling urgently dispatched a group of trusted guards to the Emperor's palace to strengthen protection.

Inside the Emperor's bedchamber, candlelight flickered. Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his expression calm, but a hint of worry lurked in his eyes. He looked at the Empress and Consort Ling, who had rushed over, and frowned slightly: "What's the situation?"

The Empress bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Fuheng has already set up an ambush in the Imperial Kitchen, and news should arrive soon. Your Majesty, we, Consort Ling and I, have come here to protect you. Please rest assured."

Hongli nodded slightly: "You've worked hard. The Shadow Cult is truly audacious, daring to attack me. I will not be able to quell my hatred until they are wiped out in one fell swoop!"

Consort Ling also said, "Your Majesty, please take good care of your health. Lord Fuheng is resourceful and wise; he will surely succeed in thwarting the conspiracy."

Just then, a guard rushed into the palace: "Your Majesty, Lord Fuheng requests an audience."

Hongli immediately said, "Summon them quickly!"

Fu Heng strode into the palace and knelt down to pay his respects: "Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my mission! Chen Qiming has been captured. He is carrying poison and is preparing to infiltrate the Imperial Kitchen to harm Your Majesty."

Emperor Hongli was furious: "This traitor! How dare he be so audacious! Interrogate him severely immediately and make him confess all the details of his collusion with the Shadow Cult."

Fuheng accepted the order: "Yes, Your Majesty! I will take care of it immediately."

After Fuheng left, both the Empress and Consort Ling breathed a sigh of relief.

The Empress said, "Your Majesty, it is truly fortunate that the conspiracy was stopped in time. This is all thanks to the efforts of Lord Fuheng and all the guards."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Yes, Fuheng is loyal and capable. He has made a great contribution this time, and I will certainly reward him well. However, as long as the Shadow Cult is not eliminated, the court will never be at peace."

Consort Ling said, "Your Majesty, we should learn from this incident and strengthen the defenses of the court and the harem. We cannot allow the Shadow Cult to take advantage of us again."

Hongli pondered for a moment: "You are right. Issue my decree to strengthen the guards inside and outside the palace, and to conduct a comprehensive investigation of court officials to ensure that there are no other Shadow Cult spies within the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the Empress and Consort Ling replied in unison.

A few days later, after severe interrogation, Chen Qiming confessed to all the details of his collusion with the Shadow Cult. Fu Heng presented the interrogation results to Hongli.

“Your Majesty, Chen Qiming confessed that the Shadow Cult plans to unite various forces and launch a general offensive after Your Majesty’s death, taking advantage of the chaos in the court. They also have some spies within the court, but Chen Qiming doesn’t know exactly who they are,” Fu Heng said.

Hongli frowned: "It seems that the Shadow Cult's power is even greater than we imagined. Continue the investigation and be sure to find all their accomplices."

Fu Heng bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will send more people to conduct a thorough investigation."

In the days that followed, a large-scale investigation was launched throughout the court. Fuheng led his men to investigate each court official one by one, leaving no suspicious person unchecked. In the inner palace, the Empress and Consort Ling also strengthened their management, conducting strict reviews of palace maids and eunuchs.

A tense atmosphere permeated the streets and alleys of the capital. Although the people did not know exactly what was happening, they could sense that the imperial court was carrying out a major operation.

In this battle between good and evil, the imperial palace and the court work together towards the goal of completely annihilating the Shadow Cult. But how will the Shadow Cult respond after losing Chen Qiming, a crucial pawn? What will be the final outcome of this battle? The entire capital is watching with bated breath.

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