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

Xiao Zhuozi's voice broke the heavy atmosphere in Shufangzhai. Hongli and Xiao Yanzi looked up abruptly, their eyes filled with shock and unease.

"Bring it here quickly!" Hongli's voice rose involuntarily, and his hand, which reached out to receive the urgent report, trembled slightly. Xiao Yanzi also stood up and quickly walked to Hongli's side, her hands unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes, her nails digging into her palms.

Xiao Zhuozi presented the letter with both hands. Hongli quickly opened it, and as his gaze swept over it, his face grew increasingly gloomy, his brows furrowing into a deep frown. Xiao Yanzi was extremely anxious and leaned closer to try and see what was going on, but her vision was blurred, and her heart was filled with worry about the situation on the border.

"The Shadow Pavilion's collusion with foreign enemies is becoming increasingly rampant, and they have even increased their troop strength. The border defense line is in grave danger!" Hongli slammed the urgent report heavily on the table, causing the teacups on the table to shake and spill tea, wetting the tabletop.

Xiao Yanzi bit her lower lip tightly, her fair face showing determination and unwillingness: "Your Majesty, we cannot sit idly by and wait for death. We must think of a way quickly. The soldiers on the frontier are still fighting bloody battles. We must support them!" Her eyes were slightly red, filled with worry for the safety of the frontier.

Hongli paced back and forth, his footsteps heavy in the silent room, each step seeming as if he were weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, he stopped, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Issue my decree: immediately dispatch elite troops from the surrounding areas of the capital, ensuring they arrive at the border within three days to support the soldiers on the front lines." He then looked at Xiao Zhuozi, "This matter is extremely urgent; you must personally deliver the message, and there must be no mistakes!"

"Yes, sir!" Xiao Zhuozi acknowledged the order and hurriedly withdrew.

“Your Majesty, as long as the Shadow Pavilion’s influence in the capital remains undiminished, our rear will never be at peace.” Xiao Yanzi walked to Hongli’s side, her voice trembling slightly. “I want to investigate that jade pendant again; perhaps it will provide the key to unraveling the Shadow Pavilion’s conspiracy.”

Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi, his eyes filled with heartache and worry: "Empress, you have just been through danger, and I am really worried about you. Moreover, the people of the Shadow Pavilion must be on guard, and this journey is too dangerous."

“Your Majesty, I’m fine.” Xiao Yanzi grasped Hongli’s hand, her gaze resolute. “I have a feeling that this jade pendant is the key to solving the mystery. As long as we can find the Shadow Pavilion’s weakness, I will go no matter the danger.”

Hongli sighed helplessly and gently stroked Xiaoyanzi's cheek: "Since you have made up your mind, I will not stop you. But you must bring enough guards and be careful at all times. If there is any danger, come back immediately. I will wait for your safe return."

With Hongli's permission, Xiaoyanzi quickly returned to her residence, changed into a light night outfit, the black silk clinging to her figure and outlining her sleek lines. She carefully placed the mysterious jade pendant in her bosom, tucked a sharp dagger into it, took a deep breath, and stepped out of her room.

Night fell over the Forbidden City, and the moonlight, like water, spilled onto the quiet palace paths. Little Swallow, leading a group of agile guards, silently made her way towards the library. The library contained countless ancient books; perhaps they could find clues about the jade pendant symbols there.

Upon arriving at the library, Xiao Yanzi signaled the guards to stand watch around the perimeter, while she gently pushed open the heavy door. A musty smell of old books wafted out. The library was dim and quiet, with rows of bookshelves casting dappled shadows in the hazy moonlight.

Little Swallow carefully weaved among the bookshelves, her eyes scanning over the ancient books. Suddenly, she spotted a dusty old book in a corner. Although the writing on the cover was blurred, the words "Record of Rare and Exotic Treasures" were still faintly discernible.

A thought struck her. She reached for the ancient book, gently blew away the dust, and opened its pages. The book recorded the origins, uses, and related legends of various rare treasures. She carefully read through each page, not missing a single detail.

Just as she was completely focused, a soft footstep sounded behind her. Startled, Xiao Yanzi turned around quickly, her dagger already drawn. A dark figure emerged from the shadows, a long sword aimed at her throat.

Little Swallow dodged the fatal blow by sidestepping. "Who goes there?" she shouted angrily, and by the dim moonlight, she could see the other person's face clearly—it was Niohuru Zhixi's personal maid.

"Your Majesty, forgive me." The palace maid smiled coldly, her long sword thrusting forward again. "My master ordered that you not be allowed to find the way to unlock the secret of the jade pendant."

A surge of anger welled up in Xiao Yanzi's heart: "You damned Niohuru Zhixi, how dare you cause trouble at a time like this!" She brandished her dagger and engaged in a fierce battle with the palace maid.

The two exchanged blows, causing the bookshelves in the library to sway and books to scatter across the floor. Little Swallow, with her agility and tenacious fighting spirit, gradually gained the upper hand. Seizing her opportunity, she kicked the palace maid's wrist, sending her longsword crashing to the ground.

"Tell me, what else does Niohuru Zhixi know? What is her relationship with the Shadow Pavilion?" Xiao Yanzi pressed a dagger against the palace maid's throat and asked angrily.

The palace maid was pale and her eyes darted around, but she kept her lips tightly shut and refused to utter a single word.

Just then, a commotion arose outside. It turned out that the guards had noticed something amiss and rushed in. Xiao Yanzi handed the palace maid to the guards: "Take her back and interrogate her thoroughly. I refuse to believe we can't get her to talk!"

Having dealt with the palace maid, Xiao Yanzi picked up the ancient book again and continued her study. Finally, on the last page of the book, she discovered a record that resembled the symbols on the jade pendant.

"Found it!" Little Swallow exclaimed excitedly. "It turns out that this jade pendant is the key to an important stronghold of the Shadow Pavilion, and that stronghold may very well hold their core secrets!"

She carefully put away the ancient book and hurriedly returned to Shufangzhai with her guards. At this time, Hongli was anxiously waiting. Seeing Xiaoyanzi return safely, he breathed a sigh of relief: "Empress, you're finally back. How was it? Did you find anything?"

Xiao Yanzi recounted to Hongli in detail how she found the ancient book and the secret of the jade pendant. Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Hongli's eyes: "Excellent, Empress! You've done a great service! As long as we find the core secrets of the Shadow Pavilion, we can completely thwart their conspiracy!"

As the two were talking, Lin Yuhang rushed over: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have eliminated all the spies in Niohuru Zhixi's palace, and also discovered some letters exchanged with the Shadow Pavilion." As he spoke, he presented a stack of letters.

Hongli took the letter, his face growing increasingly grim: "You, Niohuru Zhixi, have actually colluded with the Shadow Pavilion, attempting to overthrow the court!"

Xiao Yanzi looked at the letter, her heart filled with mixed emotions: "Your Majesty, it seems we must act quickly. We must not only resolve the border crisis, but also wipe out the traitors in the Shadow Pavilion and the palace."

Hongli nodded slightly, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "Send the order: tomorrow morning, gather all forces, first take down the Shadow Pavilion's stronghold, then deal with the enemies on the border! I want to see what kind of trouble they can stir up now!"