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

Back at Shufangzhai, Hongli was still reeling from anger and shock. He paced back and forth in the room, his steps hurried and heavy, each one seemingly about to break the floor tiles beneath his feet. Xiaoyanzi sat on the edge of the bed, her brows furrowed, her mind replaying Su Peisheng's terrified and pleading appearance.

"Your Majesty, please don't get too upset. If you do, you'll fall into their trap." Xiao Yanzi looked up at Hongli, her eyes full of concern. She was wearing a light blue cheongsam with delicate white embroidery on the collar and cuffs. Her hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands falling beside her fair cheeks, making her look even more haggard.

Hongli stopped and sat down by the bed. He took Xiaoyanzi's hand, his large hand trembling slightly. "Empress, I really can't swallow this insult. Su Peisheng has been with me for so many years, and I have treated him well. How could he do such a thing!" With that, he slammed his other hand heavily on the edge of the bed, making the bedding shake slightly.

“Your Majesty, Lin Yuhang is reliable and steady. He will surely be able to get something out of Su Peisheng.” Xiao Yanzi grasped Hongli’s hand, trying to give him strength and comfort.

Just then, Xiao Dengzi hurried in, knelt down with a thud, his forehead pressed against the ground, and said in a somewhat fearful voice, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Lord Lin Yuhang requests an audience."

"Summon them quickly!" Hongli stood up abruptly, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

Lin Yuhang strode in, his dark blue robe slightly dusty, his hair disheveled, clearly indicating he had traveled a long way. He knelt on one knee and performed a deep bow: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Su Peisheng has summoned some people."

"Tell me quickly, what did he confess to?" Little Swallow asked anxiously, leaning forward unconsciously and clutching the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands.

Lin Yuhang stood up, his expression grave: "Su Peisheng said that the Shadow Pavilion is indeed preparing for something big, seemingly planning to tamper with the upcoming sacrificial ceremony. But he doesn't know the specifics."

"The Heaven Worship Ceremony?" Hongli's face instantly darkened. He paced slowly, his hands behind his back, each step seemingly weighing the pros and cons. "The Heaven Worship Ceremony is a matter of national importance, concerning the fate of the country. How dare the Shadow Pavilion plot against us? Their intentions are despicable!" His voice was deep and cold, exuding a chilling majesty.

"Furthermore, Su Peisheng mentioned that he was only responsible for delivering some unimportant messages, while the truly important information was delivered to the Shadow Pavilion by someone else," Lin Yuhang added, his brows furrowed and his eyes filled with worry.

"Another person?" Little Swallow's eyes widened, a hint of anger and resentment flashing in them. "Who is it? Hiding so well!" She stood up and paced back and forth in the room, her skirt swaying gently with her movements, like a blooming blue lotus swaying in the wind.

“Su Peisheng said he didn’t know the person’s identity either, only that the people of the Shadow Pavilion trusted him completely and always kept their messages extremely secret.” Lin Yuhang shook his head helplessly, his face full of frustration.

Hongli pondered for a moment, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "Lin Yuhang, intensify the interrogation. Even if you have to pry open Su Peisheng's mouth, get as many clues as possible. Also, immediately mobilize manpower to strengthen security for the sacrificial ceremony. We absolutely cannot let the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy succeed!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Lin Yuhang accepted the order and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Little Swallow suddenly shouted, "Lin Yuhang, I'll go with you to interrogate Su Peisheng. I refuse to believe he can take the secret to his grave!" Her eyes were firm, she bit her lower lip tightly, and her face was full of stubbornness that refused to admit defeat.

"Your Majesty, this matter is dangerous. Perhaps I should..." Lin Yuhang looked troubled and tried to dissuade her.

"No need for further words, my mind is made up!" Little Swallow waved her hand, her attitude resolute. She walked to the side, picked up a black cloak, draped it over her shoulders, and tied the belt, her movements swift and decisive.

Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi with worry in his eyes, but he also knew her temperament; once she made up her mind, it was difficult to change it. He sighed softly, "Empress, you must be careful. I will send a team of elite guards to protect you."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty!" Xiao Yanzi walked to Hongli's side and gently stroked his cheek. "I will return safely." After saying that, she turned and walked out of Shufangzhai with Lin Yuhang.

As dusk settled, the setting sun cast its golden rays upon the Forbidden City's palaces, draping the ancient structures in a veil of gold. Xiao Yanzi and Lin Yuhang, accompanied by their guards, hurried through the palace corridors, their footsteps echoing in the silent palace.

Upon arriving at Su Peisheng's cell, they found it dark, damp, and filled with a pungent, putrid stench. Su Peisheng huddled in a corner, his hair disheveled, his face contorted with fear and despair. Seeing Xiao Yanzi and Lin Yuhang enter, he trembled violently, desperately shrinking into the corner as if to escape his impending punishment.

"Su Peisheng, you'd better tell me the truth, or don't blame me for being impolite!" Xiao Yanzi walked up to Su Peisheng, looking down at him with a burning rage in her eyes. She crossed her arms, slightly raised her chin, and exuded an innate air of authority.

Su Peisheng knelt on the ground with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Majesty, this servant really doesn't know anything. This servant has told you everything he knows!" His forehead hit the cold ground with a dull thud, and soon his forehead became red and swollen, with traces of blood seeping out.

"Hmph, you think you can get away with this?" Little Swallow sneered, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "What exactly is the Shadow Pavilion planning at the Heaven-Sacrificing Ceremony? And who is that inside man? If you don't confess honestly, I'll make you suffer a fate worse than death!" Her voice was icy and chilling, sending shivers down one's spine.

Su Peisheng was terrified, his face turning deathly pale, his body trembling like a leaf. After a moment's hesitation, he said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, this servant truly does not know the Shadow Pavilion's specific plans for the Heaven-Worshiping Ceremony, but... but this servant heard them mention a 'token,' which seems to be related to this token. As for the inside man, this servant truly knows nothing about him!"

"A token? What token?" Little Swallow asked, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

"This servant...this servant doesn't know either. I only heard them say that this token is very important, and it concerns the success or failure of the entire plan." Su Peisheng said with a mournful face, his eyes filled with fear.

Xiao Yanzi and Lin Yuhang exchanged a glance, a hint of doubt and wariness flashing in their eyes. What exactly was this so-called "token"? What was its connection to the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy? And who was the hidden mole in the shadows? This series of mysteries weighed heavily on their hearts like heavy shackles.

Just then, a guard rushed over and knelt on one knee outside the cell: "His Majesty has decreed that the Empress and Lord Lin must return to the palace immediately, as there are important matters to discuss."

Xiao Yanzi and Lin Yuhang dared not delay and immediately rose, leading the guards back to the palace. Along the way, Xiao Yanzi frowned, a vague sense of unease creeping into her heart. She knew that the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy was far more complex than they had imagined, and this so-called "token" might be the key to unraveling the mystery.

Back at Shufangzhai, Hongli was already waiting inside. His expression was grave, and his eyes revealed a hint of anxiety. Seeing Xiaoyanzi and Lin Yuhang enter, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet them: "Empress, Lin Yuhang, we just received news that there seems to be some unusual activity on the border, which may be related to the Shadow Pavilion."

"What? Unrest on the border?" Xiao Yanzi's eyes widened in surprise, filled with shock and worry. "Could it be that the Shadow Pavilion has colluded with foreign enemies?" Her hands clenched unconsciously, her nails digging deep into her palms.

"It's still unclear, but this is no coincidence." Hongli's face was terribly grim. He paced slowly, each step seemingly a deliberation of a countermeasure. "It seems the Shadow Pavilion is going all in this time. We must find out the truth as soon as possible, otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."

A heavy silence fell over the room, the atmosphere so oppressive it was hard to breathe. Xiao Yanzi, Hongli, and Lin Yuhang all understood that they were facing an unprecedented crisis, a crisis that might determine the fate of the entire dynasty…