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

Xiao Yanzi rushed back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, her heart filled with doubt and worry, wondering why Hongli had summoned her so urgently. Stepping into the hall, she saw Hongli pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, his expression solemn.

"Your Majesty, I've arrived. Has something happened?" Xiao Yanzi asked anxiously, bowing slightly.

Hongli turned around, his worry still evident. He gestured for Xiaoyanzi to sit down. "Empress, I just received news that some ministers in the court have reservations about Yongqi's request for a marriage decree."

"Oh? Why is that? Today I met the girl Yongqi admires, named Ziwei. She seems to be a well-educated and sensible young lady." Xiaoyanzi frowned slightly and said, puzzled.

"I have also heard that Ziwei is the daughter of Minister Chen. However, some ministers have advised that Minister Chen has made many enemies in the court, and that a marriage between him and Yongqi might cause trouble." Hongli sighed slightly, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yanzi said, "Your Majesty, Yongqi and Ziwei are deeply in love, and marriage should be based on their feelings for each other. As for Minister Chen's troubles, I'm sure they can be resolved properly."

"What the Empress says makes sense, but as the ruler of a country, I must consider all aspects. This matter needs further discussion." Hongli rubbed his temples, looking somewhat tired.

Meanwhile, Yongqi took Ziwei back to his residence. Ziwei felt somewhat uneasy; she knew Yongqi was of noble birth, and her own background might be an obstacle to their being together.

"Yongqi, will the Emperor and Empress agree to our marriage? I'm a little worried..." Ziwei gently bit her lip, her eyes full of worry.

Yongqi held Ziwei's hand and said firmly, "Ziwei, don't worry, I won't let anyone stop us from being together. Father and Mother have always loved me, and I believe they will grant our wish."

Ziwei nodded slightly, leaning on Yongqi's shoulder, feeling somewhat comforted.

Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Consort Niohuru Zhixi (Nafei) heard the news that Yongqi had requested a marriage decree, and a feeling of jealousy immediately arose in her heart. She sat in front of her dressing table, looking at her beautiful face in the mirror, but her eyes revealed a hint of sinister malice.

"Hmph, Yongqi actually wants to marry that Chen Ziwei, I absolutely cannot let them have their way." Consort Na gritted her teeth and said in a low voice.

Rong Mama, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and said, "Master, please don't get upset. It won't be that easy for Chen Ziwei to marry into the royal family. We need to think of a way to ruin their marriage."

Consort Na pondered for a moment, a sly glint in her eyes, "Granny Rong, go and investigate Chen Ziwei's background, see if there's anything we can use against her. Also, spread some rumors that are unfavorable to her, so that the Emperor and Empress will dislike her."

"Yes, Master, this old servant will go and do it right away." Rong Mama accepted the order and left, a sinister smile on her face.

A few days later, rumors began to circulate in the palace about Ziwei. Some said she was scheming and trying to curry favor with Yongqi; others said her father, Minister Chen, was corrupt and took bribes in court. These rumors quickly reached Xiaoyanzi's ears.

Xiao Yanzi sat in the inner chamber of Kunning Palace, her brows furrowed, her heart filled with anger. "These rumors are utterly baseless! Ziwei seems gentle and kind; she's definitely not that kind of person."

Consort Ling, who was standing to the side, nodded slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty, I also find this matter strange. The rumors are spreading so quickly that someone must be manipulating things behind the scenes."

"No matter who's behind this, I won't let them succeed. Yongqi and Ziwei truly love each other; they can't be harmed by these rumors," Xiaoyanzi said firmly.

Just then, Xiao Tao hurriedly entered the inner room, "Your Majesty, Prince Yongqi requests an audience."

"Quickly, summon him in," Little Swallow said hastily.

Yongqi rushed into the inner room with a worried expression. Upon seeing Xiaoyanzi, he immediately knelt down and said, "Empress Mother, those rumors about Ziwei are all false. Please don't believe them."

Xiao Yanzi quickly stood up and helped Yongqi up. "Yongqi, Your Majesty believes in you and in Ziwei. However, these rumors have already spread, and it won't be easy to quell them. Do you know who's behind this?"

Yongqi shook his head. "Your Majesty, I am also investigating, but I have no leads yet. All I know is that Ziwei is kind-hearted and would never do such a thing."

Xiao Yanzi patted Yongqi on the shoulder, "Alright, don't worry. The Empress Dowager will find a way to find out the truth and clear Ziwei's name. You should go back and comfort Ziwei so she won't worry too much."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave." Yongqi bowed and turned to leave.

Xiao Yanzi turned around and said to Consort Ling, "Sister, you have many connections in the palace. Please keep an eye out for me and see if you can find out the source of this rumor."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best," Consort Ling replied with a slight bow.

Meanwhile, Hongli also learned of these rumors. He sat in the imperial study, holding a memorial about Minister Chen, his face grim.

"Su Peisheng, go and summon Minister Chen. I want to question him personally," Hongli said, slamming the memorial heavily on the table.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Su Peisheng replied hastily, then turned and hurriedly left.

Before long, Minister Chen arrived at the Imperial Study. He was dressed in his official robes, looked nervous, and knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head.

"Minister Chen, I ask you, what is the truth behind the rumors circulating in the court about your corruption and bribery?" Hongli asked, his eyes blazing.

Minister Chen immediately kowtowed, "Your Majesty, please understand! I have been utterly loyal to the court and have never engaged in any corruption or bribery. This is all malicious slander behind my back!"

Hongli frowned slightly. "If that's the case, do you have any evidence to prove your innocence?"

Minister Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, although I do not have direct evidence, I have always been an honest and upright official and have never committed any illegal or disorderly conduct. I beg Your Majesty to send someone to investigate, and I believe that you will be able to clear my name."

Hongli nodded. "Alright, I will send people to thoroughly investigate this matter. You may go back now. If you find any clues, report to me immediately."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I take my leave." Minister Chen kowtowed again, rose, and departed.

Meanwhile, in the Chen residence, Ziwei learned of the rumors circulating in the palace and was deeply saddened. She sat in her room, tears streaming down her face.

"Father, I've dragged you into this. If it weren't for my affair with Prince Yongqi, you wouldn't be suffering all this criticism," Ziwei said to Minister Chen, crying.

Minister Chen sighed, "Ziwei, this is not your fault. Those people can't stand to see our Chen family doing well, so they deliberately spread these rumors. Don't worry, your father will definitely find a way to clear our name."

Just then, the Chen family's steward rushed into the room. "Master, a eunuch has come from the palace. He says he is here on the Empress's orders to question Miss."

"Please come in quickly," Minister Chen said hastily.

A moment later, a eunuch entered, dressed in palace attire, carrying an imperial edict from the Empress.

"Miss Chen, Her Majesty the Empress has ordered me to ask you: Do you know who spread those rumors about you?" the eunuch asked after reading the imperial decree.

Ziwei wiped away her tears and said, "Eunuch, I don't know where these rumors came from. I truly love Prince Yongqi and have no ill intentions whatsoever. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."

The eunuch nodded. "Miss Chen, Her Majesty the Empress believes in you. However, the truth must be uncovered before the rumors can be quelled. If you have any leads, please inform Her Majesty the Empress at any time."

"Yes, I understand. Thank you, sir." Ziwei bowed slightly and said.

After the eunuch left, Ziwei secretly vowed to find the mastermind behind it all and clear her and Yongqi's names.

Meanwhile, in the palace, after some investigation, Xiao Yanzi and Consort Ling finally discovered some clues. It turned out that these rumors were all spreading from Consort Na's palace.

"It really was her! That Niohuru Zhixi, how dare she scheme behind my back!" Xiao Yanzi slammed her hand on the table in anger.

Consort Ling frowned slightly. "Your Majesty, that concubine's actions are likely due to jealousy of Prince Yongqi's marriage to Miss Ziwei. However, we only have some indirect evidence at the moment, which is insufficient to convict her."

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yanzi said, "No matter what, we must first present this evidence to the Emperor so that he knows the truth. As for that concubine, I will certainly not let her off easily."

So, Xiao Yanzi and Consort Ling, carrying the evidence they had collected, arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation. At this time, Hongli was troubled by the matter of Yongqi and Ziwei.

"Your Majesty, after investigation, Consort Ling and I discovered that all those rumors about Ziwei were orchestrated by that concubine behind the scenes," Xiao Yanzi said, presenting the evidence to Hongli.

After reviewing the evidence, Hongli's expression turned extremely grim. "This Niohuru Zhixi dares to stir up trouble in the palace. I will punish her severely."

“Your Majesty, that concubine’s actions not only ruined Yongqi and Ziwei’s marriage, but also disrupted the order of the palace. I beg Your Majesty to punish her severely,” Xiaoyanzi said.

Hongli nodded. "Very well, I will issue an edict to confine that concubine to her quarters for a month as punishment. As for Yongqi and Ziwei's marriage, I will reconsider."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiao Yanzi and Consort Ling bowed slightly, feeling somewhat gratified.

However, just when everyone thought things were about to calm down, another unexpected event occurred. It turned out that Minister Chen was impeached in court, accused of colluding with江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) forces and plotting a rebellion…

With this new crisis emerging, the atmosphere in the palace becomes even more tense. The marriage between Yongqi and Ziwei becomes even more uncertain. How will Xiaoyanzi and Hongli cope with this new challenge?