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

Inside an abandoned temple on the outskirts of the city, dim light streamed through broken windowpanes, dust swirling in the shadows. Subdued men in black lay sprawled on the ground, while Yongqi and Fucha Fuheng, drenched in sweat, watched them warily. Hongli, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and surrounded by guards, walked grimly towards the men in black. Xiao Yanzi, in a light blue casual outfit, followed behind Hongli, her eyes filled with a mixture of determination and doubt.

"Speak! Who exactly is the mastermind behind this?" Hongli's voice was cold and authoritative, echoing in the empty temple.

However, the men in black merely glared fiercely at Hongli, remaining silent. One of them spat, "Kill me or torture me, it's up to you. You think we'd betray our master? Dream on!"

Fucha Fuheng frowned, stepped forward, drew his sword from his waist, and pressed it against the man in black's neck. "You'd better confess honestly, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

The man in black showed no fear and sneered, "If you have the guts, then kill me. I admit defeat in your hands today, but you'll never get anything out of me!"

Yongqi looked at the stubborn men in black with great anxiety. He turned to Hongli and said, "Father, these people are so stubborn that it will be difficult to get them to talk in a short time."

Hongli nodded slightly, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Take them all back to the Imperial Prison and interrogate them thoroughly. I refuse to believe they can hold out for long!"

"Yes, Father Emperor!" Yongqi and Fucha Fuheng responded in unison, and then directed the guards to escort the man in black back to the palace.

Upon returning to the palace, Hongli immediately summoned several important officials to discuss the matter in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Xiao Yanzi also insisted on staying in the hall, feeling that she could not remain uninvolved, as this attack was closely related to her.

The atmosphere inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was heavy. Everyone sat around the table, their faces solemn.

"My esteemed ministers, the men in black have now been captured, but they refuse to reveal who is behind them. What are your thoughts? Please share them," Hongli said, scanning the crowd.

A minister stood up, cupped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, in my opinion, these men in black are well-trained and are by no means ordinary江湖草莽 (jianghu caomang, meaning rough and unruly people). They must have powerful forces supporting them. Perhaps we can start by investigating the forces that have a grudge against the court.”

Another minister said, "Your Majesty, I still think that the concubine is highly suspicious. She acted too hastily after the attack, and her family has connections with some wicked people. Perhaps this attack is related to her."

Hongli frowned slightly and pondered for a moment. "I will continue to investigate the matter of that concubine. But there is no conclusive evidence yet, and we cannot convict her based on mere speculation."

Little Swallow listened to the crowd's discussion, pondering the matter. She recalled the concubine's usual hostility towards her, and her suspicious behavior after the attack at the hunting grounds, concluding that the concubine was indeed highly suspicious. However, she knew that this alone wasn't enough; she needed to find concrete evidence.

"Your Majesty," Xiao Yanzi said, "I think we can start by examining the black-clad men's equipment and martial arts. The weapons and techniques they use might provide some clues."

Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi and nodded slightly, "The Empress is right. Fuheng, you are in charge of investigating the origin of the black-clad man's weapons and martial arts, and see if you can find any clues."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Fucha Fuheng replied.

Just then, Su Peisheng hurriedly entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation and whispered a few words in Hongli's ear. Hongli's face instantly darkened further. "Bring her in."

A moment later, the concubine walked in tremblingly. She was dressed in a light purple cheongsam, and the jewels in her hair looked somewhat dull, with a hint of fear on her face.

"Your Majesty, I... I heard that Your Majesty is interrogating the man in black, and I am truly terrified. I have come to beg Your Majesty for forgiveness," the concubine said, kneeling on the ground, her voice trembling.

Hongli looked at the concubine, his eyes filled with suspicion and anger. "What crime have you committed? Speak, what is your relationship with these men in black?"

The concubine kowtowed repeatedly, "Your Majesty, I truly knew nothing! Although I have some disagreements with the Empress, I would never dare to commit such a treasonous act. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"

Xiao Yanzi looked at the concubine with some doubt in her heart. She felt that the concubine's behavior was a bit exaggerated, but she couldn't be sure if she was lying.

"You'd better tell me the truth. If I find out you're involved in this, I won't let you off easily!" Hongli roared.

The concubine turned pale with fright and nodded repeatedly, "Your Majesty, I really didn't participate. I'm willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty, I only ask that Your Majesty believe me."

Hongli snorted coldly, "I'll spare you this time. You may leave now. If I find anything suspicious about you again, you will be executed without mercy!"

The concubine felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude before hastily leaving.

“Your Majesty, Consort Na’s behavior is highly suspicious. We cannot let her off easily,” Xiao Yanzi said.

Hongli nodded. "I know. Empress, keep a close eye on her movements in the harem. If anything seems amiss, report it to me immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Little Swallow replied.

In the following days, Fuheng traveled extensively, investigating the origins of the black-clad man's weapons and martial arts. He visited major weapon workshops and martial arts schools in the capital and questioned many martial arts figures, but he still could not find any conclusive clues.

On this day, Fucha Fuheng was inquiring about the situation at a martial arts school when he suddenly overheard several martial arts practitioners discussing something nearby.

"Have you heard? A group of mysterious people have recently arrived at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion in the west of the city. They are acting strangely, as if they are plotting something big."

"Yes, I've heard about it too. Those people seem to be highly skilled in martial arts and very generous. I wonder what their background is."

Fucha Fuheng's heart skipped a beat, sensing that this might be related to the man in black. He immediately stepped forward, "Gentlemen, could you elaborate on the mysterious person from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion you just mentioned?"

When the martial arts figures saw Fucha Fuheng's official robes, they were taken aback at first. Then one of them said, "Sir, we heard it from someone else. It is said that those people are from out of town, living in the upper rooms of Zuixianlou. They rarely go out, and we don't know what they are doing."

Fucha Fuheng nodded. "Thank you all. If you have any further information, please report it to the authorities immediately. You will be richly rewarded."

After saying this, Fucha Fuheng left the martial arts school and immediately returned to the palace to report to Hongli.

“Your Majesty, I heard some news at the martial arts school today. It is said that a group of mysterious people have come to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion in the west of the city. They are acting strangely and may be related to the Men in Black,” said Fucha Fuheng.

Upon hearing this, Hongli's eyes lit up. "Oh? Is that so? Fuheng, immediately take men to Zuixianlou to investigate and find out who those people are."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" After receiving the order, Fucha Fuheng immediately led a team of guards to Zuixianlou.

By the time they arrived at Zuixianlou, it was already getting late. Zuixianlou was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Fucha Fuheng, accompanied by his guards, entered Zuixianlou, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

Upon seeing Fucha Fuheng's official robes, the shopkeeper hurriedly came forward, "Sir, what brings you here..."

Fucha Fuheng glanced at the innkeeper. "I'm here to investigate some things. I heard that a group of mysterious outsiders came here and are staying in the main rooms. Where are they now?"

The shopkeeper's expression changed slightly. "Sir, these people do live here, but they rarely go out and don't allow themselves to be disturbed."

Fucha Fuheng frowned. "Take me to their room."

The innkeeper hesitated for a moment, but still led Fucha Fuheng and the others to the main room. Fucha Fuheng gestured for the guards to surround the room, then stepped forward and knocked on the door.

However, there was no response from inside the room. Fucha Fuheng's heart tightened, and he pushed open the door abruptly, only to find the room empty except for some simple luggage.

"Oh no, they got away!" Fucha Fuheng shouted angrily.

He immediately ordered a search of the room to see if they could find any clues. The guards searched the room carefully and finally found a note under the pillow.

Fucha Fuheng took the slip of paper, which contained some strange symbols and characters. He frowned and studied the contents of the slip of paper carefully, but he could not understand its meaning.

“Take this note back to the palace and let the scholars of the Hanlin Academy see if they can decipher these symbols and characters,” said Fucha Fuheng.

"Yes, sir!" a guard replied, then carefully put away the note.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Little Swallow was playing with Little Swallow in Kunning Palace. Little Swallow was dressed in a pink qipao, holding a rattle drum, and laughing happily.

"Empress Mother, do you think I'm pretty?" Little Swallow tilted her head and asked, looking at Little Swallow.

Little Swallow smiled and patted Little Swallow's head, "Our Little Swallow is the prettiest."

Just then, Consort Ling hurriedly entered Kunning Palace, her face showing some anxiety.

"Your Majesty, news has just arrived that Lord Fuheng discovered some suspicious people at Zuixianlou, but they have already escaped, leaving behind only a strange note," Consort Ling said.

Little Swallow frowned slightly. "A strange note? Take me to see it quickly."

So, Xiao Yanzi followed Consort Ling to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. At this time, Fucha Fuheng had also returned to the palace and was reporting the situation to Hongli.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I found a note at Zuixianlou with some strange symbols and characters written on it. I cannot understand its meaning," Fucha Fuheng said, handing the note to Hongli.

Hongli took the note, examined it carefully, and frowned. "The symbols and characters on this note are indeed strange. Immediately have the scholars of the Hanlin Academy decipher it and see what secrets are hidden behind it."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Peisheng immediately accepted the order and left.

A short while later, several scholars from the Hanlin Academy hurriedly arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation. They took the slip of paper and began to study it carefully.

After some discussion and research, a scholar finally spoke up: "Your Majesty, these symbols and characters seem to be an ancient code, and we need some time to decipher it. But judging from the current situation, the contents of this note may be related to a mysterious organization."

Hongli nodded. "Alright, solve it as soon as possible. I want to see what this mysterious organization is up to!"

Little Swallow listened with a heart full of worry. She knew that a huge conspiracy must be hidden behind this mysterious organization, and they had to uncover it as soon as possible in order to protect the peace of the palace.

In the days that followed, the scholars of the Hanlin Academy studied the secret message on the slip of paper day and night. Meanwhile, Xiao Yanzi and Hongli strengthened the palace's security to prevent any further incidents.

On this day, the scholars finally deciphered the secret message on the note. They hurriedly went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to report to Emperor Hongli.

"Your Majesty, we have deciphered the coded message on the note. It reads, 'Full moon night, ancient tomb in the suburbs, retrieve treasure and seek revenge,'" the scholar said.

Upon hearing this, Hongli and Xiaoyanzi exchanged a glance, both feeling a sense of foreboding.

"Ancient tombs in the suburbs? What does that mean? Does this mysterious organization plan to go to the ancient tombs in the suburbs on the night of the full moon to retrieve treasures and seek revenge?" Xiao Yanzi said with a frown.

Hongli frowned slightly. "No matter what their purpose is, I will not let them succeed. Fuheng, immediately send people to investigate the ancient tombs in the suburbs to find out what's going on. At the same time, strengthen the palace's defenses to prevent them from resorting to desperate measures."

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

However, unbeknownst to them, a far greater crisis was quietly approaching. The mysterious mastermind lurked in the shadows, watching their every move, waiting for the opportune moment... And Xiao Yanzi and Hongli would face even greater challenges. Could they unravel the mysteries and safeguard the safety of the palace and the nation?