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

Springtime in the Forbidden City is a riot of color, with intoxicating fragrance filling the Imperial Garden. Little Swallow, dressed in a pale pink Empress's gown embroidered with exquisite peonies outlined in gold thread, exudes unparalleled elegance. Adorned with a phoenix crown, its pearls shimmering, she strolls hand-in-hand with Little Swallow among the flowers. Little Swallow, in a light yellow qipao, is lively and adorable, her hair adorned with freshly picked flowers, hopping and skipping alongside Little Swallow.

"Empress Mother, these flowers smell so good! I want to pick some to put in my room." Little Swallow looked up, her eyes full of anticipation.

Little Swallow smiled and patted her head, "Okay, but you can't pick too many. We need to let these flowers stay here beautifully for everyone to see."

"Yes, Mother Empress," Little Swallow replied, and then carefully selected the flowers.

At this moment, Su Peisheng hurried over, stopped a short distance away, and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is waiting for you in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, saying that he has important matters to discuss with you."

Little Swallow frowned slightly, a sense of unease rising in her heart. She looked at Little Swallow and said, "Then you go back to your room first, and let Little Peach keep you company. Your mother will be right back."

"No, Mother Empress, I want to go with you." Little Swallow held onto Little Swallow's hand, refusing to let go.

Little Swallow squatted down and looked gently into her eyes. "Good girl, your mother is going to take care of some adult matters. Go back and wait for me obediently. I'll bring you some delicious pastries when I come back, okay?"

Little Swallow hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded, "Alright, Mother, you must come back soon."

Xiao Yanzi stood up and followed Su Peisheng toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Along the way, she wondered to herself what had happened.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hongli, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat on the dragon throne, his brows furrowed, holding a memorial in his hand. Seeing Xiaoyanzi enter, he slightly rose, gesturing for her to sit down.

"Empress, take a look at this." Hongli handed the memorial to Xiaoyanzi.

Little Swallow took the memorial and read it carefully. It turned out to be a report about a minister in the court who was forming cliques for personal gain. That minister was quite powerful in the court, and on the surface he was respectful to Hongli, but behind the scenes he was forming factions and trying to seek greater benefits.

"Your Majesty, I never expected this minister to be so bold as to pull such a stunt right under your nose," Xiao Yanzi said angrily, frowning.

Hongli sighed, "I never expected him to do such a thing. Over the years, I have entrusted him with important responsibilities, but he has betrayed my trust."

"So, what does the Emperor intend to do?" Little Swallow asked.

Hongli pondered for a moment, "I intend to first send people to investigate secretly and collect conclusive evidence, and then bring him to justice as a warning to others. However, this investigation must be carried out with caution, so as not to alert the enemy."

Xiao Yanzi nodded. "Your Majesty is right. However, I am worried that there may be other forces supporting him behind the scenes. We must be careful."

"The Empress is absolutely right. I will have Yongqi and Fucha Fuheng in charge of this matter. I trust them to handle things well," Hongli said.

Just then, Su Peisheng came in to report, "Your Majesty, Consort Na requests an audience."

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi exchanged a glance. Hongli frowned slightly and said, "Let her in."

The concubine, dressed in a royal blue qipao and adorned with a magnificent headdress, gracefully entered. After bowing to Hongli and Xiaoyanzi, a hint of barely perceptible smugness appeared on her face.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I have come today to report a matter," the concubine said.

"Oh? What do you want?" Hongli asked casually.

Consort Na looked at Xiao Yanzi and then said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that some people in the court have recently formed cliques for personal gain. Such disloyal and unjust acts are truly heartbreaking. I believe that Your Majesty should severely punish them to uphold justice in the court."

Xiao Yanzi looked at the concubine with some doubt in her heart. She usually opposed her, but today she suddenly came to care about the affairs of the court. She wondered what she was up to.

“What the concubine says is quite right. I have my own plans,” Hongli said.

The concubine then said, "Your Majesty, I have also heard that these people who form cliques for personal gain are colluding with some underworld forces. This is a matter of national security. Your Majesty, you must investigate this thoroughly."

Hongli's eyes narrowed slightly. "Where did you learn this information?"

The concubine was slightly taken aback, and then said, "Your Majesty, I have only heard some rumors by chance and dare not conceal them from you, so I have come to report them."

Hongli nodded. "I understand. You may leave now. I will handle this matter."

After bowing, Consort Na withdrew. Watching her departing figure, Xiao Yanzi said, "Your Majesty, I find Consort Na rather strange today. She usually opposes us, but today she suddenly came to inquire about court affairs and even mentioned the martial arts world. Could she be involved in this as well?"

Hongli frowned slightly. "I also find it a bit strange. However, we cannot draw conclusions without solid evidence. Empress, please keep a close eye on her movements in the harem."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Little Swallow replied.

In the days that followed, Yongqi and Fucha Fuheng began a secret investigation into the minister's factionalism and collusion with underworld forces. Disguised, they went deep into the countryside, interviewing many people connected to the minister and collecting considerable evidence.

Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Xiao Yanzi instructed Consort Ling, Qing'er, and others to keep an eye on Consort Na's every move. Consort Ling and Qing'er would report on Consort Na's situation to Xiao Yanzi every day, but they never discovered anything unusual.

On this day, Yongqi and Fucha Fuheng returned to the palace to report the investigation results to Hongli and Xiaoyanzi. Yongqi was dressed in civilian clothes, his face showing fatigue, but his eyes revealed determination. Fucha Fuheng, on the other hand, wore official robes and had a serious expression.

"Father, Your Majesty, we have confirmed that the minister was indeed colluding with some江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) forces. They were attempting to create chaos in the capital to profit from it. Moreover, we have also discovered that the concubine's family seems to have connections with these江湖 forces as well," Yongqi said.

Hongli's face instantly darkened. "How dare you! You dare to commit such a treasonous act. Fuheng, immediately send men to arrest that minister and the concubine's family. I want to interrogate them personally."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Fucha Fuheng accepted the order and left.

Soon, the minister and the concubine's family were both arrested and imprisoned. Hongli personally interrogated them in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, with Xiao Yanzi present.

"Do you know your crimes?" Hongli roared, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

The minister and the concubine's family knelt on the ground, trembling. The minister lowered his head, not daring to look Hongli in the eye, and said, "Your Majesty, I know my crime, please spare my life."

The concubine's family members also kowtowed and begged for mercy, saying, "Your Majesty, we were also misled by that minister and were confused for a moment."

Hongli snorted coldly, "Hmph, now that the evidence is conclusive, do you still want to deny it? I trusted you so much, yet you betrayed me in this way. It is truly unforgivable."

Just then, Consort Na, having learned the news, rushed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. She knelt before Hongli, tears streaming down her face, "Your Majesty, I had no idea they would do such a thing. I was kept in the dark. Your Majesty, I beg you, for the sake of my many years of service, spare my family."

Xiao Yanzi looked at the concubine with a pang of pity, but she also knew that this matter concerned the safety of the country and could not be easily let go.

“Your Highness, we’ll set aside your usual opposition to us for now. But your family has committed such a heinous crime. If they are not punished, how can we explain this to the world?” Little Swallow said.

The concubine looked at Xiao Yanzi with a flash of hatred in her eyes, but she quickly lowered her head and continued to cry and beg for mercy.

Hongli looked at the concubine, his heart filled with conflict. He felt a pang of pity for her years of service, but the law forbade him to break the rules for personal reasons.

"Consort Na, I will show leniency for your years of service. But your family must be punished accordingly. The minister is to be beheaded and his head displayed as a warning to others. Consort Na's family is to be exiled to the frontier and never be allowed to return to the capital." Hongli finally made his decision.

Upon hearing this, the concubine collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. She knew that her family would be leaving her from now on, and her status in the palace would plummet.

After this matter was resolved, the Forbidden City returned to peace. But Xiao Yanzi and Hongli knew that this peace was only temporary, and the struggles within the palace would never cease.

One day, Little Swallow was playing in the Imperial Garden when she accidentally fell and scraped her knee. She sat on the ground and started crying loudly. Consort Yu, who was nearby, heard the crying and rushed over.

Consort Yu knelt down, looking at Little Swallow with heartache, "Oh dear, my little princess, how could you be so careless? Don't cry, does it hurt?"

Little Swallow sobbed, "It hurts, Consort Yu, it hurts so much."

Consort Yu gently picked up Little Swallow and said, "Come on, Your Highness will take you to see Physician Liu so he can apply some medicine for you."

Consort Yu carried Little Swallow to the Imperial Hospital, where Physician Liu quickly treated Little Swallow's wounds. Little Swallow cried and called for her Empress Mother.

Upon hearing the news, Little Swallow rushed to the Imperial Hospital. Seeing Little Swallow injured, she felt a pang of heartache. "My darling, how could you be so careless? Let the Empress Dowager take a look."

When Little Swallow saw Little Swallow, she immediately rushed into her arms, "Empress Mother, it hurts so much, I promise I will never be naughty again."

Little Swallow gently patted her back, "It's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore. Doctor Liu has already treated your wound, it will be healed soon."

Physician Liu said from the side, "Your Majesty, the little princess's injury is just a superficial wound. After applying medicine and resting for a few days, she will be fine."

Little Swallow nodded. "That's good. Thank you, Physician Liu."

After treating Little Swallow's wounds, Little Swallow took her back to Kunning Palace. Along the way, Little Swallow held Little Swallow tightly, afraid that something else might happen.

"Empress Mother, I will be obedient from now on. I don't want to get hurt again," Little Swallow said.

Little Swallow smiled and patted her head. "Okay, our Little Swallow is the best. But even if you get hurt, it's okay, Your Majesty will always be by your side."

Back at Kunning Palace, Xiao Yanzi asked Xiao Tao to prepare Xiao Xiao Yanzi's favorite pastries to cheer her up. Seeing Xiao Xiao Yanzi eating the pastries with a smile on her face, Xiao Yanzi felt incredibly gratified.

Though the palace is rife with intrigue and strife, it also holds the warmth of family. Little Swallow and Hongli will continue to protect the palace and their family. No matter the difficulties and challenges they face in the future, they will stand together, inseparable. And Little Swallow, under their care, will grow up strong and healthy, becoming a kind and courageous person.

As time passed, everything in the palace seemed to be slowly getting back on track. However, Xiao Yanzi and Hongli knew in their hearts that the peace in the palace was only a facade, and the hidden crisis could erupt again at any time, and they would be ready to face new challenges at any moment...

A few days later, the Forbidden City hosted a grand royal hunting event. On this day, the sun shone brightly under a clear blue sky. Hongli, Xiaoyanzi, Yongqi, Princess Hejing, and other members of the royal family, along with some ministers, all dressed in hunting attire and riding fine horses, made their way to the hunting grounds in a grand procession.

Little Swallow was dressed in a smart black hunting outfit, looking dashing and spirited. She wore a black hat with a long feather adorning the brim. Riding a white steed, she stood out in the procession.

"Your Majesty, I must show off my skills in today's hunt and let everyone see my riding and archery abilities," Xiao Yanzi said with a smile to Hongli beside her.

Hongli looked at her, his eyes full of love. "Good, I look forward to seeing the Empress's wonderful performance. However, you must also be careful and not overexert yourself."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Little Swallow replied.

Upon arriving at the hunting grounds, everyone dispersed and began their hunt. Little Swallow rode her horse, weaving through the woods, searching for prey. Suddenly, she spotted a hare grazing in the grass ahead. Little Swallow's eyes lit up; she tightened the reins and spurred her horse forward.

She drew her bow and arrow from her waist, nocked the arrow, aimed at the hare, and released the bowstring. With a "whoosh," the arrow flew out like a bolt from a bow, striking the hare squarely. Little Swallow cheered excitedly, "I hit it! I hit it!"

At this moment, Yongqi rode over on horseback. "Your Majesty, your horsemanship and archery skills are still as amazing as ever."

Little Swallow laughed and said, "Haha, that's for sure. But it's all thanks to my fine horse."

Just then, a shout suddenly came from the woods, as if someone was in danger. Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi exchanged a glance and immediately spurred their horses toward the direction of the sound.

They arrived at an open area and saw a group of men in black surrounding Princess Hejing and several guards. Princess Hejing held a long sword, confronting the men in black, her face showing a hint of tension, but her eyes revealing determination.

"Who are you people? How dare you cause trouble in the royal hunting grounds!" Little Swallow shouted angrily.

The leader of the men in black looked at Xiao Yanzi and sneered, "Your Majesty, today is your death day."

With that, the man in black gave the order, and the group charged towards Xiao Yanzi, Yongqi, and the others. A fierce battle ensued...