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

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, dappling the golden brick floor of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and casting golden shadows. Inside, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense. Hongli, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, his face stern and cold, a secret memorial tightly clutched in his hand, exuding an awe-inspiring imperial aura.

"Your Majesty, the Shadow Pavilion's power is so immense. What secrets lie behind it that make them so reckless?" Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe, the pearl on her phoenix crown swaying gently with her movements, reflecting a cool light. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, her eyes filled with worry and doubt as she paced back and forth in the hall, her skirt trailing on the ground with a rustling sound.

Hongli put down the secret memorial, rubbed his temples, and sighed deeply, saying, "I've also been thinking that this secret must be of great importance, and may even endanger the entire country." His voice was deep and powerful, tinged with weariness and helplessness.

At this moment, Su Peisheng hurriedly entered the hall, looking slightly flustered. He knelt down with a thud and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Princess Hejing requests an audience."

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes. "Summon them," Hongli said in a deep voice.

Princess Hejing, dressed in a pink qipao, had slightly disheveled hair and fine beads of sweat on her forehead, clearly having rushed here. As soon as she stepped into the hall, she said urgently, "Father, Mother, I... I think I've discovered some new clues about the Shadow Pavilion."

Little Swallow rushed forward, took Princess Hejing's hand, and asked with concern, "Hejing, don't rush, tell me slowly, what exactly happened?"

Princess Hejing took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down: "One of my eunuchs used to work as a waiter in a small teahouse outside the palace. He overheard some mysterious people talking about the Shadow Pavilion, saying that they were recently searching for a key item, which seemed to be the key to unlocking some major secret."

Hongli's eyes sharpened, and he leaned forward, pressing for an answer: "Do you know what that crucial item is?"

Princess Hejing shook her head, her eyes filled with anxiety: "He only heard these things, and when he tried to get closer, he was discovered and driven out by those people."

Xiao Yanzi unconsciously tugged at the hem of her skirt, a vague unease creeping into her heart: "It seems the secret of the Shadow Pavilion has reached a critical stage, and they are speeding up their actions."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall. Fucha Fuheng strode in, holding a scroll in his hand, and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I have found a scroll in the countryside that is very similar to the murals of the Shadow Pavilion. Perhaps we can find new clues from it."

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi hurriedly walked up to Fucha Fuheng. Fucha Fuheng slowly unfurled the scroll, which depicted a mysterious scene that was somewhat similar to the murals they had seen in the Shadow Pavilion, but with some additional details.

Little Swallow leaned closer to examine it carefully, pointing to a blurry pattern on the scroll and saying, "Your Majesty, look here. This pattern looks like a palace, unlike any we've seen before."

Hongli frowned slightly, carefully examining the painting: "Fuheng, have you investigated the origin of this painting?"

Fucha Fuheng respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, this painting was created by a folk painter who, according to him, was inspired by a wandering monk."

Little Swallow's eyes lit up, and she said eagerly, "Then can we find this wandering monk? He might know more about the secrets of the Shadow Pavilion."

Fucha Fuheng looked troubled: "I have already sent people to investigate, but that monk travels all over the world and his whereabouts are uncertain. I'm afraid it will be difficult to find him in a short time."

At this moment, Zhen Huan, who had been listening quietly, emerged from the inner chamber dressed in a deep purple qipao and wearing a phoenix crown. Her gaze swept over everyone, and she slowly spoke: "This matter cannot be rushed. The more critical the moment, the calmer we must be." Her voice was unhurried, yet it carried a reassuring power.

Hongli quickly stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. However, I will not have peace of mind until the conspiracy of the Shadow Pavilion is exposed."

Zhen Huan walked to Hongli's side and gently patted his shoulder: "Your Majesty, as the ruler of a country, you must be more composed. The Shadow Pavilion has existed for many years and must have a deep foundation. We need to plan this carefully."

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly, her eyes full of determination: "The Empress Dowager is right. We cannot lose our composure. No matter what conspiracy the Shadow Pavilion has, I believe we can uncover the truth and protect this palace and the world."

As everyone was discussing the matter, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the hall. A guard rushed in, his expression panicked: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! A group of men in black have suddenly broken into the palace and are searching everywhere. The guards are fighting them off!"

Hongli's expression changed drastically. He stood up abruptly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "How dare they act so presumptuously in my palace! Issue my decree, ordering the Imperial Guards to surround and annihilate them with all their might, leaving no one alive!"