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

Xiao Yanzi sat in her boudoir in the Prime Minister's mansion, a book in her hand, but she hadn't turned a single page for a long time, her eyes filled with worry. Azhu, who was tidying up her clothes beside her, saw Xiao Yanzi's appearance and couldn't help but ask softly, "Miss, what's troubling you this time? Your brows are all furrowed!"

Little Swallow gently put down her book, sighed softly, and looked at Azhu, saying, "Azhu, you don't understand, my mind is in such turmoil!"

A-Zhu walked over to Xiao-Yan-Zi, sat down next to her, and said with concern, "Miss, if you have something on your mind, you might as well talk to me about it. It will make you feel better if you talk about it. It hurts me to see you keeping it all inside."

Little Swallow gently shook her head: "A-Zhu, you're thinking too simply. This palace is full of traps. There are too many complicated and unspeakable things between me and the Fourth Prince. I really don't know what to do!"

Azhu blinked, looking puzzled. "Miss, everyone can see that you and the Fourth Prince are deeply in love. Although the palace is complicated, as long as the two of you are sincere, you can always overcome the challenges together. Why are you so troubled?"

Little Swallow stood up and paced around the room, looking somewhat anxious: "Oh dear, Ah Zhu, I can't explain the reasons to you in detail. In short, I have many concerns that make it difficult for me to make a decision."

Just then, Lin Yuhang walked in. Seeing Xiao Yanzi's appearance, he asked, "Little sister, what's wrong? You look so distracted. Is something the matter?"

Little Swallow hesitated for a moment and said, "Brother, it's nothing serious. It's just that things in the palace are too complicated, and I'm a little annoyed."

Lin Yuhang walked up to Xiao Yanzi, looked into her eyes and said, "Little sister, don't hide it from your brother. Is there some trouble between you and the Fourth Prince? If you trust your brother, tell him. Maybe I can give you some advice."

Little Swallow bit her lip and shook her head: "Brother, thank you for your kindness, but I need to think about this myself, so please don't worry about it."

Seeing that Xiao Yanzi was unwilling to say more, Lin Yuhang didn't press her further and said, "Alright then, little sister, if you ever have any difficulties, you must tell your brother."

Meanwhile, at Hongzhou's residence, he sat at the table, fiddling with a jade pendant—the same one Xiaoyanzi had given him—his face filled with a conflicted expression. Dilire Yao walked in and, seeing Hongzhou's state, felt a surge of anger. She sneered, "Oh, staring at that jade pendant again? Probably thinking about someone else again!"

Hongzhou was startled and quickly put the jade pendant away. He looked at Dili Leyao and said somewhat awkwardly, "Leyao, you're here. I... I was just looking around because I had nothing else to do."

Dilire Yao walked up to Hong Zhou, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction and grievance: "Hong Zhou, don't think I can't see that you still can't let go of Xiao Yanzi. But don't forget, we're married now. How am I supposed to live?"

Hongzhou stood up, gently took Dili Leyao's hand, and said helplessly, "Leyao, I know I've wronged you, but feelings are something I can't control. I've tried hard to let go, but I just can't get over this hurdle in my heart. It's not unreasonable for a prince like me to want to take a concubine, so why can't you accept it?"

Dilire Yao shook off Hong Zhou's hand, her eyes reddening, and said angrily, "Hmph! If you can't let her go, why did you marry me in the first place? Now you're thinking of someone else, while I'm left to suffer here. How can I, a princess, tolerate such humiliation! I am your legal wife, and there can only be one mistress in this mansion. I will never allow you to take Xiao Yanzi as a concubine!"

Hongzhou frowned and raised his voice: "Leyao, don't be willful! I am a prince, and I bear the heavy responsibility of continuing the royal family line and ensuring its prosperity. We have been married for over a year, but we have not yet conceived. It is only natural for me to take a concubine. How can you be so unreasonable!"

Dilire Yao trembled with anger at Hong Zhou's words: "You! How dare you say such a thing about me! Am I really that worthless in your eyes?"

Seeing Dili Leyao so agitated, Hongzhou felt a pang of regret for his impulsive words, but he still insisted, "Leyao, that's not what I meant, but my mind is made up about taking a concubine. If you continue to obstruct me, I will have no choice but to ask Father Emperor to judge this matter."

Dilireyao's eyes widened in disbelief as she said, "You dare! You're actually going to alarm the Emperor for that Little Swallow!"

Hongzhou gritted his teeth: "This is not just for Xiaoyanzi. It concerns the important matter of the royal offspring, and I cannot ignore it."

So Hongzhou went to the palace to see the Emperor. When the Emperor heard what Hongzhou said in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he frowned slightly and said, "Leyao's actions are indeed inappropriate. As a prince, it is not wrong for you to take a concubine to continue your lineage. But you must also consider the princess's reputation and not let this matter become too embarrassing."

Hongzhou quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I understand. As for Xiaoyanzi, I only wish to give her a proper title and have no other intentions. I hope that Your Majesty will grant my request."

The Emperor pondered for a moment: "I am aware of this matter and will handle it properly. You should return to your residence now and refrain from further conflict with the princess."

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hongzhou was filled with mixed emotions. However, Xiaoyanzi, upon learning of this, remained resolute. She found Hongzhou and said, "Fifth Prince, please don't worry about me anymore. I already have someone else in my heart and will not marry you. You should just live a good life with the princess."

Hongzhou looked at Xiaoyanzi, his eyes filled with disappointment: "Xiaoyanzi, are you really so resolute?"

Little Swallow nodded: "Fifth Prince, you are a very good friend to me. I hope you can be happy and stop clinging to me."

In the palace, Hongli was strolling in the Imperial Garden, his mind also preoccupied with Xiaoyanzi's matter. His brows were furrowed, and he looked deep in thought. Su Peisheng, following behind, noticed this and whispered, "Fourth Prince, are you troubled by Miss Lin's matter?"

Hongli glanced at Su Peisheng and nodded slightly: "Yes, this matter is indeed troubling me. The palace is inherently complicated, and there are many obstacles between me and Xiaoyanzi. I really don't know how to deal with it."

Su Peisheng bowed slightly and softly advised, "Fourth Prince, this old servant understands your thoughts, but matters of the heart must be handled with caution. After all, all sides are watching, and a slight misstep could lead to unforeseen changes."

Hongli stopped and looked at the flowers and plants in the garden. He said slowly, "How could I not know? It's just that I can't let go of this feeling, and I'm afraid of bringing trouble to her. Alas, it's a real dilemma."

Just then, a young eunuch rushed over, bowed, and said, "Fourth Prince, the Emperor has summoned you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, saying he has important matters to discuss."

Hongli straightened his clothes and headed towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation. When he arrived, the Emperor was sitting on the dragon throne, his expression slightly serious.

The Emperor looked at Hongli and said, "Fourth Prince, I've heard that the Shadow Pavilion has been making some moves recently, as if they're plotting something in secret. Have you found any clues?"

Hongli respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, your son, Fifth Prince, Xiaoyanzi, and I have been investigating this matter. We have learned that the Shadow Pavilion seems to be looking for a key person who may be closely related to the murals in the Shadow Pavilion. We are preparing to continue our investigation along this lead."

The Emperor frowned slightly: "Hmph! The Shadow Pavilion is getting more and more arrogant. They dare to act so recklessly right under my nose. You must speed up and completely crush their conspiracy. Don't let them succeed and endanger my Great Qing Dynasty."

Hongli quickly replied, "Yes, Father Emperor, I will do my utmost to investigate this matter as soon as possible and restore peace to the palace."

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hongli thought he should quickly tell Xiaoyanzi and Hongzhou the news, so he headed towards the Prime Minister's residence. When he arrived at the residence and saw that Xiaoyanzi and Hongzhou were there, he said, "Xiaoyanzi, Fifth Brother, I just learned from Father that the Shadow Pavilion has made new moves. It seems they are looking for a key person. This matter is probably getting more and more troublesome."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanzi said anxiously, "Fourth Prince, we must think of a way quickly so that they don't succeed! But who is the key person?"

Hongzhou frowned and said, "Fourth Brother, it seems we need to expand our investigation scope and gather more information."

Hongli nodded and said, "Yes, we need to hurry. This matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed any longer."

Little Swallow clenched her fists and said with a determined look, "Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, no matter how difficult it is, we must uncover the conspiracy of the Shadow Pavilion. We must not let them continue to do evil. I refuse to believe that we cannot find out the truth!"

Looking at Xiao Yanzi's determined expression, Hong Zhou sighed inwardly. He knew that his feelings for Xiao Yanzi could only be buried deep in his heart. The most important thing right now was to deal with the Shadow Pavilion matter. So he said, "Then let's get started. I'll go and contact the spies we planted earlier to see if we can get any useful information."

Hongli also said, "I will go back to the palace to check the relevant clues I have collected before. Xiaoyanzi, you should also keep a close eye on things at the Prime Minister's residence. If there is any disturbance, please inform us immediately."

Xiao Yanzi replied, "Okay, Fourth Prince, don't worry, I will do my best."

And so, the three of them divided their tasks and began a new round of investigation into the Shadow Pavilion. But they all knew that what awaited them ahead was not only the Shadow Pavilion's many conspiracies, but also a complicated and tangled emotional entanglement. All of this was like a fog, shrouding their hearts, and they didn't know when they would be able to see the light of day.