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

As dawn broke, the faint morning light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting patches of golden light onto the golden brick floor of the Empress's bedchamber. Little Swallow, having spent a sleepless night, sat blankly by the bed, her eyes bloodshot, gazing at the gradually brightening sky outside the window, her mind still filled with fragmented, chaotic dreams.

Just then, soft footsteps sounded, and Consort Ling entered carrying a steaming bowl of medicine, a concerned smile on her face: "Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine. Perhaps it will make you feel better." She placed the bowl on the table, walked to the bedside, and gently touched Xiao Yanzi's forehead. "Look at you, you look so pale. Didn't you sleep well all night?"

Xiao Yanzi forced a smile, took the medicine bowl, and took a small sip. The bitter taste instantly spread on her tongue. "Consort Ling, I'm fine, it's just that my mind is in turmoil." She put down the medicine bowl, her gaze drifting into the distance, but her thoughts were still immersed in her own secret.

Consort Ling sat down beside her, took her hand, and said gently, "Your Majesty, please don't force yourself. If something is on your mind, tell me. It's so hard to keep it inside." Her eyes were full of sincerity as she tried to find something in Xiao Yanzi's expression.

Xiao Yanzi shook her head, withdrew her hand, stood up, and walked to the window: "It's really nothing, Consort Ling, don't worry about it." She had her back to Consort Ling, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, revealing her inner tension.

Just then, a commotion of footsteps and voices came from outside. It turned out that Hongli had finished his morning court session and rushed over to visit Xiaoyanzi. He strode into the palace, still wearing his bright yellow dragon robe, the hem of which fluttered with his steps: "Empress, I have finished my court session and come to see you."

Xiao Yanzi turned around, curtsied, and said, "Your Majesty, what brings you here? You are busy with state affairs, so please don't worry about me." She raised her head, her gaze met Hongli's, and then quickly looked away.

Hongli stepped forward, gently held her shoulder, and looked into her eyes: "Empress, you are my precious treasure. How can I not worry about you now that you are like this?" His eyes were full of concern, and his fingers gently stroked Xiaoyanzi's cheek.

At this moment, a young eunuch hurriedly entered, knelt down and bowed: "Your Majesty, Young Master Lin requests an audience, saying he has important clues."

Hongli frowned slightly, glanced at Xiao Yanzi, and then said to the eunuch, "Summon him in."

Lin Yuhang entered the palace, bowed, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I have discovered some more clues about the mysterious organization." He took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, on which some strange symbols and markings were drawn.

Hongli took the paper and examined it carefully: "What is this?"

Lin Yuhang pointed to the symbols and explained, “Your Majesty, these symbols were discovered by me at a secret base of a mysterious organization. After making inquiries, I learned that these are their coded messages for communicating with forces on the border. Moreover, I have also learned that they seem to be preparing for a large-scale operation, which will take place in the coming days.” His eyes revealed anxiety and worry.

Little Swallow leaned closer, looking at the paper, a strange unease rising in her heart: "What should we do? We can't let their conspiracy succeed." A resolute glint flashed in her eyes, and she unconsciously clenched her fist.

Hongli handed the paper to Fulun, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Lin Yuhang, continue your investigation and make sure you understand their specific plans. Fulun, deploy the Imperial Guards to strengthen security inside and outside the palace. There can be no slackening." He stood up, put his hands behind his back, his expression cold and stern, exuding an aura of authority.

After receiving their orders, Fu Lun and Lin Yuhang left.

The palace returned to silence, but Xiao Yanzi was plunged into deeper worry. She paced back and forth in her room, her mind filled with thoughts of the mysterious organization's plot and her own secrets, feeling as if she were caught in a giant whirlpool, sinking deeper and deeper.

Seeing her anxious expression, Hongli felt a pang of heartache: "Empress, don't worry too much, I'm here for you. The most important thing for you now is to recover your health and regain your memory as soon as possible." He walked to Xiaoyanzi's side and gently embraced her.

Xiao Yanzi leaned against Hongli's chest, her heart filled with mixed emotions: "Your Majesty, can I really regain my memories? I always feel that I have lost more than just my memories; there are some very important things as well." Her voice was choked with sobs, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Hongli gently stroked her hair: "Yes, Empress, it will definitely happen. No matter what you remember, I won't blame you. I just want you to be alright." His voice was gentle yet firm, giving Xiaoyanzi a sense of comfort.

Meanwhile, in Shufangzhai, Little Swallow was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. She was dressed in a light training outfit, and her sword was wielded with great skill, while Liu Hong and Liu Qing were giving her instructions.

"Princess, your swordsmanship has improved again," Liu Hong praised with a smile, her eyes full of satisfaction.

Little Swallow sheathed her sword and wiped the sweat from her forehead: "Sister Liu Hong, I need to quickly master my martial arts so I can protect Her Majesty the Empress." Her eyes were filled with determination and resolve.

Liu Qing walked over and patted her head: "It's good that you have this thought, but you're still young, so be careful and don't hurt yourself."

Little Swallow nodded: "I understand, Brother Liu. I'm just worried about Her Majesty the Empress. She hasn't regained her memory yet. Will those bad people come to hurt her again?" A trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

Liu Hong and Liu Qing exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious. Liu Hong comforted her, "Princess, don't worry. The Emperor and all the officials will definitely protect the Empress. You should focus on practicing your swordsmanship. When the Empress recovers, she will be very happy to see how skilled you are."

In a secluded mansion in the capital, the leader of a mysterious organization sat in a grand chair, his face terrifyingly grim. The table in front of him was piled high with various letters and maps, and his subordinates around him dared not utter a sound.

"That Lin Yuhang has ruined our plans several times. We must get rid of him as soon as possible!" the leader said through gritted teeth, slamming his fist on the table.

One of his men said cautiously, "Boss, the Imperial Guards are protecting him too closely. We really can't find an opportunity to strike. How about... we try something else?" His voice trembled, afraid of angering his boss.

The leader pondered for a moment, a sinister glint in his eyes: "Hmph, since he's not easy to deal with, let's deal with the people he cares about first. Go, bring me his confidante, Wan Niang. I don't believe he won't take the bait!"

Night fell again, shrouding the palace in darkness. The candles in the Empress's bedchamber remained lit, but Xiao Yanzi lay awake in bed. She tossed and turned, her mind racing between the mysterious organization's plot and memories of her past life, her head throbbing with pain.

Suddenly, she heard a slight noise outside the window, like someone moving on the roof. She sat up alertly and whispered, "Who's out there?"

No one answered; only a gust of wind blew, making the windows rustle. Little Swallow's heart leaped into her throat. She quietly got up, picked up the sword beside her bed, and cautiously walked towards the window.

Just as she was about to reach the window, it was suddenly flung open from the outside, and a man in black, wielding a sharp blade, jumped in. Little Swallow took a step back in terror and shouted, "Help! There's an assassin!" At the same time, she brandished her sword and began to fight the man in black.

The man in black was highly skilled in martial arts, and after a few moves, Xiao Yanzi was gradually outmatched. She stumbled and fell to the ground, and the man in black seized the opportunity to raise his sharp blade and stab her…

At the critical moment, the palace door was suddenly kicked open, and Hongli rushed in with a group of guards. "You audacious assassin! How dare you attempt to assassinate the Empress!" Hongli roared, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Seeing that things were going badly, the man in black turned to run away, but was surrounded by the guards. After a fierce fight, the man in black was finally subdued.

Hongli quickly went to Xiaoyanzi's side and helped her up: "Empress, are you alright?" His voice trembled slightly, and his eyes were full of concern.

Little Swallow, still shaken, leaned against Hongli's chest, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, I...I'm so scared." She clutched Hongli's clothes tightly, as if grasping at a lifeline.

Hongli gently patted her back: "It's alright, Empress. With me here, no one can hurt you." He turned his head and looked at the man in black being held on the ground, his face terribly gloomy: "Interrogate him properly and find out who sent you!"

The guards obeyed and took the man in black away.

After this fright, Xiao Yanzi was even more exhausted. Hongli looked at her with heartache: "Empress, you should rest first. I will find out the truth about everything." He helped Xiao Yanzi lie down on the bed and covered her with a blanket.

Little Swallow closed her eyes, but couldn't fall asleep. She knew the crisis was far from over, and her secret could be revealed at any moment...