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

The morning sun pierced through the thin clouds, casting a dazzling light on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City. Inside the Imperial Study, however, the atmosphere was as heavy as the sky before a storm. Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a solemn bright yellow phoenix robe, the pearl on her phoenix crown gleaming, sat to one side, her eyes fixed on a mysterious piece of cloth on the table, her gaze filled with anxiety and anticipation. Hongli, dressed in a dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingers lightly tapping the armrests, producing a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound that broke the silence of the room.

"Your Majesty, it's been a whole night, why hasn't Fu Heng returned yet?" Xiao Yanzi finally couldn't help but ask, her voice filled with urgency.

Hongli frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "Don't rush, deciphering the symbols on this cloth is no easy task, and Fuheng must be doing his best." His voice was calm, trying to soothe Xiaoyanzi's emotions, but he himself was equally uneasy.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Fucha Fuheng strode into the imperial study, his face showing some fatigue, but his eyes shining with excitement: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I have returned!" He held an ancient book tightly in his hand, as if it were the key to unlocking all mysteries.

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi quickly got up and hurried forward. "How is it? Is there any result?" Hongli asked anxiously.

Fucha Fuheng, slightly out of breath, placed the ancient book on the table and spread it out: "Your Majesty, after several scholars from the Hanlin Academy studied it all night, they have finally found a record related to the symbols on the cloth. These symbols come from a long-lost book, which records some secrets about the Shadow Pavilion."

Little Swallow eagerly opened the ancient book. The text was obscure and difficult to understand, but she still tried her best to decipher it: "Tell me quickly, what does it say?"

Fucha Fuheng pointed to a passage in an ancient book and said, "According to records, the Shadow Pavilion is a mysterious organization whose existence can be traced back to the previous dynasty. They guard a secret that is enough to overthrow the dynasty, and this secret is closely related to a mysterious mural."

Hongli's expression turned serious: "This matches our previous speculation. Then what is the Empress's connection to this secret?"

Fu Heng paused, looked at Xiao Yanzi, and slowly said, "The book says that the key to unlocking the ultimate secret of the Shadow Pavilion is a person with a special destiny. This person will travel through time at a specific time, and her appearance will trigger a series of events that will ultimately reveal that secret."

Xiao Yanzi's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously clenched her fists: "Could it be me?" Her eyes were filled with shock and doubt, as if she couldn't believe it.

Hongli held Xiaoyanzi's hand and gave her a firm look: "Whether it's you or not, I will not let you get hurt." His voice was deep and powerful, full of protectiveness.

Just then, Su Peisheng rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Na requests an audience, saying she has important matters to report."

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi exchanged a glance, both looking puzzled. "Let her in," Hongli said.

The concubine, dressed in a light purple qipao, walked gracefully into the imperial study. She bowed slightly, but her face showed a hint of anxiety: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I have heard that a battle has taken place in the suburbs. I am worried and have come to pay my respects."

Xiao Yanzi looked at the concubine, secretly on guard: "Thank you for your concern, Consort, but I am fine. May I ask what this important matter you speak of?"

The concubine hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty overheard Rong Momo and several palace maids talking about how the secret of the Shadow Pavilion was about to be revealed and that a great calamity was about to befall the palace. Your Majesty was frightened, so I came to inform Your Majesty and the Empress."

Hongli's face darkened: "Granny Rong? How could she know these things?"

The concubine lowered her head, a hint of barely perceptible smugness flashing in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I do not know either, but I find this matter strange, and I hope Your Majesty and the Empress will investigate thoroughly."

Little Swallow snorted coldly: "Hmph, that concubine is certainly well-informed. But Rong Momo is your person, how could you not know what she's doing?"

The concubine immediately knelt down, her face showing a wronged expression: "Your Majesty the Empress has misunderstood. I am loyal to the Emperor and Your Majesty the Empress. How could I know what Rong Momo has done? I hope Your Majesty the Empress will see the truth."

Hongli looked at the kneeling concubine, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes: "I will investigate this matter myself. Concubine, you may go back now."

The concubine rose, bowed slightly, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes: "This concubine takes her leave." With that, she turned and left, her skirt swaying gently, stirring up a breeze.

After Consort Na left, silence fell again in the Imperial Study. Little Swallow frowned, deep in thought: "Your Majesty, Consort Na's sudden betrayal must be part of some conspiracy."

Hongli nodded slightly: "I also feel that this matter is not simple. It seems that the undercurrents in the palace are becoming increasingly turbulent. In any case, we must speed up the investigation and not let them succeed." His eyes revealed firmness and determination, as if he was ready to meet any challenge.