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

Back at the palace, night had fallen, the entire Forbidden City shrouded in thick darkness, a quiet that felt somewhat oppressive. Inside the Shufangzhai, however, the lights were bright. Little Swallow sat by the bed, gazing silently at the sleeping, grown-up Little Swallow. Little Swallow was now tall and slender, her face no longer childish, yet her brow was still slightly furrowed in her sleep, her little hands unconsciously clutching the blanket, as if she hadn't yet recovered from the terror of being kidnapped. Little Swallow tenderly stroked her forehead, her movements gentle, her eyes filled with worry and self-reproach.

Hongli tiptoed in and, upon seeing this scene, his cold expression softened instantly. He walked to Xiaoyanzi's side and whispered, "Empress, you've been up all night, you must be exhausted. Go and rest."

Little Swallow slowly shook her head, her voice weary and hoarse: "How can I sleep? Every time I close my eyes, I remember the way Princess was taken away, I..."

Hongli sighed softly, sat down beside her, and took her hand, trying to convey warmth and strength: "I understand how you feel, but how can your body withstand such a strain? The princess has returned safely, but you have fallen ill. How heartbroken she will be when she wakes up."

"Your Majesty, I really can't understand why those people captured the Princess. What is their purpose?" Xiao Yanzi raised her head, her eyes filled with doubt and anger. "The Princess has always been kind and innocent, and has never made enemies with anyone."

Hongli frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "This matter is definitely not simple; there must be a powerful force behind it. To dare to take action in the palace is incredibly audacious."

"Could it be someone from the palace?" Xiao Yanzi's eyes flashed with fear. "But who could it be? Everyone in the palace seems so kind and gentle on a normal day."

"It's not clear yet, but I assure you, I will get to the bottom of this!" Hongli's gaze was firm, revealing an unwavering determination.

At this moment, Xiao Dengzi announced softly from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Lord Fu Lun and Er Kang request an audience."

"Let them in," Hongli said loudly.

Fu Lun and Er Kang entered and bowed respectfully. Fu Lun spoke first: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, we have discovered some suspicious clues during our search."

"Oh? What clue? Tell me quickly!" Little Swallow asked eagerly, leaning forward with a face full of anticipation.

“We found some strange markings near that abandoned manor, like those left by some organization,” Furen said gravely. “These markings are related to some of the underworld forces we investigated earlier.”

"Jianghu forces?" Hongli frowned even more deeply. "How could they get involved in palace affairs? They're completely unrelated."

"I also find this very strange, so I am still investigating further," Fu Lun said with a slight bow, his tone resolute.

Erkang added, "In addition, we caught a suspicious person who also had the same mark on him. But this person is very stubborn and refuses to say anything."

"Torture him severely, I refuse to believe we can't pry his mouth open!" Hongli's voice was filled with raging anger. The thought of the princess suffering made it difficult for him to suppress his fury.

"Your Majesty, wouldn't this..." Xiao Yanzi looked worried and gently advised, "What if we get a confession through torture and miss crucial clues?"

"Empress, these people dare to harm the princess, I will not let them off lightly!" Hongli's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, he would never allow anyone to hurt the person he cherished.

"Your Majesty, perhaps we can try a different approach," Erkang respectfully suggested. "This man is stubborn. We might as well start with his background, find his weaknesses, and make him confess on his own."

Hongli pondered for a moment and slowly nodded: "You're right. Erkang, I'll leave this matter to you. Make sure you find out the truth as soon as possible!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Er Kang replied, his voice booming with enthusiasm.

Fu Lun added, "Your Majesty, there is one more matter. During our investigation, we discovered that some strangers have recently appeared in the capital. Their movements are strange and highly suspicious."

"Keep a close eye on their movements, and report to me immediately if there is any news!" Hongli gave the order right away, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"Yes!" Furen acknowledged the order and withdrew.

After everyone left, Xiao Yanzi leaned against Hongli's chest and whispered, "Your Majesty, I always feel that this matter is inextricably linked to the murals in the Shadow Pavilion that we investigated before."

Hongli paused for a moment, then agreed: "Now that you mention it, I also think there's a connection. Could it be that those people from the Shadow Pavilion are unwilling to accept defeat and are stirring up trouble again?"

"Whether it's them or not, I will not let them hurt the princess or the people in the palace again!" Xiao Yanzi's eyes were firm, revealing fearless courage.

Hongli gently stroked her hair and said softly, "Don't worry, with me here, they won't succeed."

Just then, Little Swallow let out a soft cry from her sleep. Little Swallow quickly turned around and took her hand: "Princess, don't be afraid, Mother is here."

Little Swallow slowly opened her eyes. After recognizing Little Swallow, the fear in her eyes faded, and she said with relief, "Empress Mother, I had a nightmare... I dreamt that I was kidnapped by bad guys again."

Little Swallow gently hugged her and patted her back to comfort her: "It's alright, Princess, it was just a dream, it's all over now."

"Empress Mother, will those bad people come again?" Little Swallow's voice trembled slightly, still shaken.

"No, Princess, Father and Mother will protect you." Hongli walked to the bedside and made a gentle yet firm promise.

Little Swallow looked at Hongli and nodded vigorously: "Father Emperor, Mother Emperor, you must always stay with me."

"Okay, we'll always be with you." Little Swallow's eyes reddened, her heart aching.

Watching Little Swallow fall asleep again, both Little Swallow and Hongli felt increasingly heavy-hearted. They knew this was just the beginning, and the real challenges might be yet to come.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the Forbidden City palaces, creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. But Xiao Yanzi and Hongli knew that beneath this calm surface, a great crisis was brewing.

Consort Ling entered carrying a bowl of porridge, speaking softly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please have something to eat. You haven't slept all night and need to replenish your strength."

Xiao Yanzi took the porridge and forced a smile: "Thank you, Consort Ling."

"Your Majesty, please don't be so polite. The fact that the princess is safe and sound is a blessing in disguise," Consort Ling said gently, bowing slightly.

"Consort Ling, why do you think those people arrested the princess?" Xiao Yanzi asked, her face full of doubt and confusion.

Consort Ling frowned and pondered for a moment: "I can't figure it out either. But this matter is definitely not simple, and it may be related to certain forces in the palace."

"No matter who they are, I will not let them go!" Little Swallow's eyes sharpened instantly, revealing determination and resolve.

At this moment, Xiao Zhuozi announced from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Lord Lin Yuhang requests an audience."

"Let him in," Hongli said loudly.

Lin Yuhang walked in, performed a deep bow, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have heard some news in the capital."

"What news? Tell me quickly!" Little Swallow urged impatiently, her eyes gleaming with hope.

"I heard that a mysterious shipment was recently transported into the capital. The people involved are acting suspiciously, as if they are deliberately hiding something," Lin Yuhang said solemnly.

"Mysterious cargo?" Hongli frowned. "Could this be related to the princess's arrest?"

"I also find it suspicious, so I'm continuing to investigate further," Lin Yuhang said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"We must find out exactly what this shipment is and what the person behind it is doing!" Hongli ordered, his voice authoritative.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Lin Yuhang accepted the order and left.

After Lin Yuhang left, Xiao Yanzi leaned back in her chair and sighed, "Why are things getting more and more complicated? It feels like there are mysteries everywhere."

Hongli walked to her side and took her hand: "Don't worry, we will definitely be able to solve these mysteries."

"I hope so." Little Swallow looked worried, but her eyes revealed a hint of expectation.

Just then, a commotion arose outside. Hongli frowned: "What happened?"

Xiao Dengzi rushed in and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, it's the Imperial Household Department. They say they want to investigate the accounts of Shufangzhai."

"Checking the accounts? What are they doing here at a time like this?" Little Swallow frowned deeply, clearly displeased.

"Let them in." A hint of wariness flashed in Hongli's eyes, and his voice was low.

An official from the Imperial Household Department entered and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, according to the rules, the accounts of each palace must be audited every month. We hope Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress will not take offense."

"Hmph, rules? Checking the accounts at this time, is someone deliberately instigating you?" Xiao Yanzi's voice was clearly angry, and her face was full of suspicion.

"Your Majesty, this...this is really just a routine matter." Fine beads of sweat appeared on the forehead of the official from the Imperial Household Department, and he looked nervous.

"Routine procedure? I think you have ulterior motives!" Hongli's voice was authoritative, carrying the oppressive aura of a superior.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, we were truly only acting under orders," the official from the Imperial Household Department waved his hands repeatedly, hurriedly explaining.

"Alright, since it's just routine, let's investigate." Hongli's expression was stern. "However, if I discover any of your underhanded tactics, don't blame me for being impolite!"

"Yes, yes." The officials from the Imperial Household Department nodded hurriedly and began to check the accounts.

Xiao Yanzi and Hongli exchanged a glance. They both knew that this was no coincidence; someone must be manipulating things behind the scenes. They had to uncover the truth as soon as possible to protect Xiao Yanzi and the entire palace.

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