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

In the dead of night, the Empress's palace was shrouded in silence, with only the candlelight flickering gently in the breeze, casting indistinct shadows. Little Swallow lay on the bed, her brow furrowed, fine beads of sweat on her forehead, clearly lost in a restless dream.

"Yongqi, Ziwei, where are you?" Xiaoyanzi murmured anxiously in her sleep, waving her hands wildly in the air as if she were searching for something.

The scene shifts, and she dreams of Shufangzhai, a familiar setting filled with familiar laughter. She is still the illiterate Princess Huanzhu, playing and laughing with Ziwei and Jinsuo. Fifth Prince Yongqi stands to the side, looking at her with eyes full of doting affection.

"Little Swallow, you've gotten into trouble again!" Ziwei scolded playfully, but her eyes were full of tolerance.

"Haha, what's there to be afraid of? You're all here!" Little Swallow waved her hand dismissively, her laughter ringing out.

Suddenly, the image blurred, and the man in black reappeared, baring his teeth and claws as he lunged at her. Terrified, she turned to run away, only to find herself trapped in a dark space, unable to escape.

"No! Don't come any closer!" Little Swallow suddenly woke up from her dream, drenched in sweat, her chest heaving violently, and fear still lingering in her eyes.

"Ziwei! Jinsuo!" she cried out repeatedly, still in shock.

The palace maid standing by rushed forward, her face full of concern and confusion: "Your Majesty, what's wrong? You keep calling for Ziwei and Jinsuo, who are they?" The palace maid bowed slightly, her voice soft, her eyes full of worry.

Little Swallow snapped back to reality, realizing her lapse in composure. She hurriedly wiped the sweat from her forehead and forced herself to remain calm: "N-nothing... I just had a nightmare." She avoided the palace maid's probing gaze, her eyes darting around.

Although the palace maid was full of doubts, she dared not ask any more questions and could only murmur, "Your Highness, if you have any orders, please just call me." After saying that, she stepped aside.

Xiao Yanzi leaned against the headboard, her heart still pounding. The scenes from her dream flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern. Her hands unconsciously gripped the blanket tightly, her heart filled with turmoil: "What exactly is this dream? Why do those people and events feel so real? But I am the Empress now, and I must never let anyone know about these things from my past life."

Meanwhile, in the imperial study, Hongli was discussing countermeasures with Fu Lun, Lin Yuhang, and others. The dim lighting cast long shadows, creating a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.

"Lin Yuhang, although those men in black have been temporarily repelled, they certainly won't give up easily. What are your plans next?" Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his expression cold and his eyes fixed on Lin Yuhang.

Lin Yuhang stepped forward, clasping his hands in a fist salute: "Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent task is to continue investigating their whereabouts, especially what exactly the 'opportunity' they are waiting for is. In addition, when I fought with the men in black, I found their martial arts style somewhat familiar, seemingly related to a mysterious sect in the martial arts world." Lin Yuhang frowned slightly, his eyes revealing deep thought.

Fu Lun stroked his beard and continued, "Your Majesty, this old minister also finds this matter suspicious. This mysterious organization is colluding with forces on the border and is also connected with martial arts sects. There is probably a larger conspiracy behind it." Fu Lun shook his head slightly, looking worried.

Meanwhile, in Shufangzhai, Little Swallow sat by the bed, listening to Liu Hong tell a story. Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a silvery glow over the entire room.

"Sister Liu Hong, when will Her Majesty the Empress get better? I really want her to play with me like before." Little Swallow rested her chin on her hand, her eyes full of anticipation.

Liu Hong gently patted her head: "Princess, don't worry, Her Majesty the Empress will definitely get better. Maybe she'll regain her memory tomorrow." Liu Hong comforted her with a smile, but a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

Back in the Empress's palace, Xiao Yanzi was still immersed in the afterglow of her dream. She got up, walked to the window, and looked at the bright moon outside, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

"If those dreams are real, then who am I? Why did I become the Empress? But I can't say, I can't let anyone know about my past." Little Swallow murmured to herself, her eyes filled with confusion and struggle.

At this moment, Consort Ling rushed over. She entered the room and saw Xiao Yanzi standing by the window, looking haggard, and felt a pang of heartache.

"Your Majesty, why are you up?" Consort Ling quickly walked to Xiao Yanzi's side and asked with concern.

Xiao Yanzi turned around, looked at Consort Ling, and forced a smile: "Consort Ling, I'm fine, I just couldn't sleep, so I got up to look at the moon." She deliberately avoided Consort Ling's probing gaze and spoke in a deliberately relaxed tone.

Consort Ling frowned slightly, took Xiao Yanzi's hand and sat her down on the edge of the bed: "Your Majesty, you still need to rest more. Your health has only just improved." Consort Ling looked at Xiao Yanzi tenderly and gently patted her hand.

Xiao Yanzi nodded and said perfunctorily, "I understand, Consort Ling, you don't need to worry about me." But in her heart, she was thinking, "I absolutely cannot let Consort Ling find out anything. I must keep this secret well hidden."

Just then, a eunuch's voice came from outside the door: "The Emperor has arrived!"

Hongli strode into the room and saw Xiaoyanzi. He looked at her with concern and asked, "Empress, why aren't you resting so late?" He walked to Xiaoyanzi's side and gently took her hand.

Xiao Yanzi forced a smile: "Your Majesty, I...I'm having some insomnia." She dared not look Hongli in the eye, afraid that he would see through her inner panic.

Hongli frowned slightly, his eyes filled with worry: "Empress, don't put too much pressure on yourself. I'm here for you." He gently stroked Xiaoyanzi's hair, trying to comfort her.

Xiao Yanzi leaned against Hongli's chest, her mind filled with a thousand thoughts: "What should I do? What will happen if the Emperor finds out about this secret?" She bit her lower lip tightly, her heart filled with unease.

Meanwhile, in a dark corner of the capital, the leader of a mysterious organization was discussing matters with several of his subordinates. A suffocating atmosphere filled the room, the flickering candlelight illuminating their menacing faces.

"That Lin Yuhang is too much of a nuisance, we must find a way to get rid of him!" the leader said viciously, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

“But, sir, the Imperial Guards are protecting him very closely right now, and we have no way to get to him,” one of his men said cautiously, his voice tinged with fear.

"Hmph, then think of another way!" The leader slammed his fist on the table, causing the candlelight to flicker and almost go out.

Little Swallow kept her eyes tightly shut, her brows furrowed, constantly telling herself, "I can't say it, I absolutely can't say it..." She knew that if this secret were to be revealed, it would cause an even bigger upheaval. Whether she could protect the secret while regaining her lost memories, and whether she could protect herself and those around her in this treacherous conspiracy, became a huge suspense hanging over everyone's minds.