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

The morning sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, gently dappling the floor of Shufangzhai. Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe, her hair neatly combed back, the pearls on her phoenix crown swaying slightly with her movements, reflecting iridescent light. She sat before her dressing table, her gaze somewhat unfocused, a jade comb in her hand, listlessly combing her hair.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong? You've been restless ever since you came back last night," Xiao Tao asked with concern as she tidied Xiao Yanzi's clothes.

Little Swallow sighed softly, put down the comb, and stood up: "Little Peach, how many secrets does this Shadow Pavilion still hold? Why does it always haunt us?"

Just then, Xiao Dengzi's voice came from outside: "The Emperor has arrived!"

Little Swallow hurried out to greet him, and saw Hongli wearing a bright yellow dragon robe with a belt inlaid with beautiful jade around his waist, walking steadily into Shufangzhai. His face showed some fatigue, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.

"Your Majesty, you've finally arrived," Xiao Yanzi said, a hint of anxiety in her eyes. "I didn't sleep well all night, constantly thinking about what Wan Niang said. What exactly does the Shadow Pavilion want to do by capturing the princess?"

Hongli walked to the chair and sat down, taking the tea handed to him by Xiao Zhuozi and taking a sip: "I've been thinking about this issue as well. Since the Shadow Pavilion dares to stir up trouble again, they must be fearless."

"Could they have some new scheme?" Xiao Yanzi frowned and sat down next to Hongli. "We finally managed to uncover their plot before, we can't let them succeed this time!"

"Rest assured, I will never let them harm you and the princess." Hongli held Xiaoyanzi's hand, his eyes resolute.

Just then, Lin Yuhang rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

Xiao Yanzi and Hongli immediately stood up. Hongli asked, "What happened? Tell me slowly!"

Lin Yuhang took a breath and said, "I just received news that all the men in black in that courtyard in the west of the city have suddenly disappeared, as if they've vanished into thin air!"

"What?" Little Swallow's eyes widened. "How is that possible? Where could they have gone?"

"I don't know either," Lin Yuhang shook his head, "but what is certain is that they will not give up easily and must be planning something bigger."

Hongli's brows furrowed deeply: "It seems we need to speed up the investigation. Any news from Fu Lun and Er Kang?"

"Lord Furen is still investigating the backgrounds of those strangers, but there hasn't been any substantial progress yet," Lin Yuhang said. "As for Erkang, that suspicious person still refuses to say anything."

"That wretched fellow!" Little Swallow slammed her hand on the table in anger. "Isn't there any way to get him to talk?"

"I have ordered the interrogation to continue, and I believe he will eventually slip up," Lin Yuhang said.

"No, this is too slow." Little Swallow paced back and forth in the room, then suddenly stopped. "Your Majesty, I have an idea."

"Oh? Tell me about it." Hongli looked at her, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

"We might as well use the princess as bait to lure the Shadow Pavilion people out again," Xiao Yanzi said. "Since they want to lure us out, let's play along and see what they're up to."

"This is too dangerous!" Hongli immediately objected. "What if something goes wrong? What will happen to the princess? I absolutely cannot let her take any more risks!"

“Your Majesty, I know you are worried about the Princess, but this is also the fastest way to uncover the Shadow Pavilion’s conspiracy,” Xiao Yanzi said. “We can arrange enough people to secretly protect the Princess and ensure her safety.”

Hongli pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No, I can't take that risk. Let's think of another way."

Little Swallow wanted to persuade him again, but at that moment, Little Zhuozi rushed in: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the Empress Dowager requests your presence!"

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi exchanged a glance, and Hongli said, "Let's go see what the Empress Dowager wants to see us about."

The two arrived at Cining Palace, where Zhen Huan was sitting in the main seat, holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, which she slowly turned. She was dressed in a deep purple palace gown embroidered with golden peony patterns, which made her look elegant and noble.

"Your subject (your concubine) greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager," Hongli and Xiaoyanzi said, bowing.

"Get up," Zhen Huan said with a smile. "I heard about the princess's arrest. Do you have any leads?"

"Your Majesty, we are investigating," Hongli said. "We suspect it is related to the Shadow Pavilion, but we do not yet have conclusive evidence."

"The Shadow Pavilion?" Zhen Huan frowned slightly. "This organization is truly despicable, repeatedly causing trouble in the palace. You must find out the truth as soon as possible and never let them succeed."

“Your subject understands,” Hongli said.

"I do have an idea," Zhen Huan said. "Since the Shadow Pavilion wants to lure you out, why don't you take the initiative? I've heard that many heroes in the martial world also hate the Shadow Pavilion. You can send someone to contact them; perhaps you can get some useful clues."

“Your Majesty is absolutely right,” Hongli nodded. “I will send someone to do it right away.”

After leaving Cining Palace, Hongli said to Xiaoyanzi, "Empress, it seems we need to start with the Jianghu (martial arts world) clue. Who do you think would be suitable to contact the Jianghu heroes?"

Xiao Yanzi thought for a moment and said, "How about Lin Yuhang? He has some friends in the martial arts world, maybe he can help."

“Yes, I also think he is suitable,” Hongli said. “I will issue an order immediately to have him depart.”

Back at Shufangzhai, Xiaoyanzi sat in a chair, looking worried: "Your Majesty, do you think Lin Yuhang might be in danger when he goes to contact the martial arts heroes?"

"Don't worry, Lin Yuhang is highly skilled in martial arts and has a meticulous mind. He'll be fine," Hongli comforted him. "All we can do now is trust him and wait for news from him."

By now, sunlight had bathed the entire Shufangzhai, but Xiaoyanzi and Hongli's mood was shrouded in dark clouds. They knew that this battle against the Shadow Pavilion had only just begun.