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

The moonlight, cold and clear, bathed the backyard of the Taoist temple. A heavy stench of blood permeated the air, creating an eerie contrast with the stillness of the night. Hongli held Xiaoyanzi tightly in his arms, his chest heaving, his rapid breaths brushing against her hair. His eyes were filled with anxiety and heartache: "Empress, how are you?" His voice trembled slightly, brimming with undisguised worry. As he spoke, he carefully examined the wound on Xiaoyanzi's arm. Though not deep, blood was still seeping out, staining the cuffs of her embroidered gold cloak.

Xiao Yanzi gritted her teeth, enduring the pain from her wounds. Her face was as pale as paper, yet she still stubbornly forced a smile: "I'm fine, Your Majesty, don't worry." Her voice was weak, but her eyes were incredibly firm, revealing an indomitable spirit, as if declaring her unwavering determination to this unknown conspiracy.

Fuheng sheathed his blood-stained sword with a dull thud. He stepped forward, knelt on one knee, his face filled with self-reproach and guilt: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I failed in my duty to protect you, causing Your Majesty the Empress to be injured. I deserve to die." He lowered his head, not daring to look Hongli and Xiaoyanzi in the eye, his hands clenched into fists, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.

Hongli frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but more so with worry about the current situation: "Fuheng, this is not your fault. Get up. The most important thing now is to find out the secret behind this and not let their conspiracy succeed." His voice regained its usual authority, but it was also tinged with weariness.

At this moment, General Zhao Hui arrived hastily with several soldiers. Their armor, stained with the blood of the enemy, gleamed coldly in the moonlight. General Zhao Hui clasped his hands in salute and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, the men in black have all been wiped out, not one has escaped."

Hongli nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings, his face grim: "Search carefully, see if there are any overlooked clues." His eyes held an unquestionable command, as if he wanted to completely uncover the secrets hidden in the darkness.

After receiving their orders, the soldiers quickly dispersed and searched the Taoist temple thoroughly. Hongli helped Xiaoyanzi to a stone bench and let her sit down. He knelt down, gently took Xiaoyanzi's hand, and looked at her with tenderness in his eyes: "The imperial physician will be here soon, just bear with it a little longer." His thumb gently stroked the back of Xiaoyanzi's hand, trying to comfort her.

Xiao Yanzi leaned on Hongli's shoulder, feeling his warmth and strength, and a warm current surged in her heart: "Your Majesty, that man in black said that I am the key to unlocking the ultimate secret of the Shadow Pavilion. What does that mean? What does my background have to do with this?" Her eyes were full of doubt and confusion, like a traveler groping in the dark, eagerly searching for that ray of light.

Hongli sighed softly, took Xiaoyanzi's hand in his palm, and held it tightly: "I want to know too. But whatever the secret is, I will uncover it with you and will not let you get hurt." His eyes were firm, as if he were making an eternal promise to Xiaoyanzi.

A short while later, Physician Liu arrived hurriedly with his medicine chest on his back. His forehead was covered in sweat, indicating that he had run all the way. Upon seeing Xiao Yanzi's injury, he quickly stepped forward, bowed, and began to carefully examine the wound: "Your Majesty, please bear with it. Let me clean your wound first." His voice was gentle, with the composure unique to a physician.

Physician Liu moved gently and carefully, cleaning, applying medicine, and bandaging Xiao Yanzi's wounds. Every movement was professional and focused. Xiao Yanzi winced slightly in pain, but she endured it without making a sound. Hongli held Xiao Yanzi's other hand tightly, occasionally whispering words of comfort: "Just bear with it a little longer, it'll be over soon."

After treating the wound, Physician Liu stood up and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Empress's wound is not serious. She only needs to take her medicine on time and rest well for a few days."

Hongli nodded slightly, his expression softening: "Thank you for your trouble, Physician Liu."

Just then, a soldier rushed over, holding a tattered piece of cloth with some strange symbols drawn on it: "Your Majesty, we found this in a secret room in the Taoist temple. We don't know what use it is."

Xiao Yanzi and Hongli exchanged a glance, their eyes lighting up. Xiao Yanzi took the cloth and carefully examined the symbols on it, a sense of familiarity welling up inside her: "These...these symbols seem somewhat similar to those on the murals in the Shadow Pavilion." Her fingers lightly traced the symbols, trying to find some clues.

Hongli leaned closer, looking at the cloth with a furrowed brow: "It seems this cloth is related to the secrets of the Shadow Pavilion. Fuheng, immediately summon the scholars of the Hanlin Academy who are proficient in rare and unusual characters, and make sure they can decipher its contents." His eyes were filled with anticipation, as if this cloth was the key to unlocking the secret.

After receiving the order, Fuheng quickly left. Xiaoyanzi looked at the cloth in her hand, her heart filled with mixed emotions: "Your Majesty, when will this secret be revealed? I really want to know my origins, I really want to end all of this." Her voice carried a hint of weariness and helplessness; the days of running around and adventure had left her physically and mentally exhausted.

Hongli gently embraced Xiaoyanzi, resting his chin on the top of her head: "It's almost here, Empress. We're getting closer and closer to the truth. No matter what difficulties we encounter, I will always be by your side." His embrace was warm and strong, giving Xiaoyanzi an endless sense of security.

The night deepened, but the Taoist temple remained brightly lit as soldiers busily searched for clues. Little Swallow nestled in Hongli's arms, gazing at the flickering lights, silently praying that the mystery would be solved soon, allowing her to live a peaceful life, protect her loved ones, and safeguard this hard-won tranquility.