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

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed almost palpable. Hongli sat on his dragon throne, clutching the scroll retrieved from the ancient tomb, his gaze deep and worried. Xiao Yanzi, dressed in magnificent empress attire, the jewels on her phoenix crown trembling slightly, betrayed her inner unease. She quietly approached Hongli, her gaze also falling upon the mysterious scroll.

"Your Majesty, although we have made some progress in uncovering the secret of this treasure, this mysterious organization will certainly not give up easily. What should we do next?" Xiao Yanzi asked softly, a hint of anxiety in her eyes.

Hongli frowned slightly and said slowly, "I am also thinking about this matter. This mysterious organization is extremely well hidden and unscrupulous. We must strengthen our vigilance and at the same time accelerate our research on the scroll to see if we can find more clues about the treasure and their conspiracy."

Just then, Su Peisheng hurriedly entered the hall, bowed, and reported: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the scholars of the Hanlin Academy request an audience, saying that they have made a new discovery about the scroll."

Hongli's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Summon them immediately!"

Several scholars from the Hanlin Academy filed in, their expressions solemn, each holding a sheet of paper that seemed to be recording important information. The leading scholar stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, after our day and night research, we have discovered that the patterns on this scroll not only point to a treasure but are also related to a mysterious power."

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi exchanged a glance, and Hongli quickly asked, "Oh? Tell me quickly, what kind of mysterious power is it?"

The scholar unfolded the paper in his hand, pointed to some symbols and words on it, and said, "Your Majesty, according to our research, this mysterious power seems to be related to an ancient form of witchcraft. Legend has it that those who possess this power can manipulate people's minds and even influence their life and death. The patterns on the murals and scrolls in the Shadow Pavilion may very well be the key to unlocking the seal of this mysterious power."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanzi was startled, and a worried expression appeared on her face: "So, if this mysterious organization obtains this power, wouldn't it be able to do whatever it wants? Then our palace and even the entire world will be plunged into a huge crisis."

Hongli's expression also turned very solemn. He clenched his fists and said, "We must not let them succeed! I will send more people to closely monitor the movements of all parties. Scholars, you must continue your in-depth research and find a solution as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the scholars replied in unison, and then withdrew.

Meanwhile, in the inner palace, the concubine's chambers were brightly lit. The concubine, dressed in a dark red nightgown, paced anxiously around the room. Rong Momo stood to the side, head bowed, not daring to utter a sound.

"Granny, how did things go? Did you get the scroll?" The concubine stopped and stared at Granny Rong with eyes like an eagle.

Rong Momo trembled, a troubled look on her face, and stammered, "Master, the palace is heavily guarded. The maids I sent could not get close to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, let alone steal the scroll."

Upon hearing this, Consort Na's face turned ashen. She slammed her hand on the table, making the teacups jump. "Useless! You can't even handle this small matter. What use are you?"

The old woman, Rong Momo, was so frightened that she immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly: "My lord, please calm your anger. This servant deserves to die. However, the Emperor and the Empress are guarding that scroll very closely, and there is really no way to get it."

Na Fei took a deep breath, tried to calm herself down, and slowly said, "Well, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on you. It seems we have to think of another way."

Just then, a slight noise came from outside the window. Both Consort Na and Granny Rong were startled and exchanged a glance. Granny Rong quickly went to the window, carefully lifted a corner of the curtain, and looked outside.

A dark figure flashed past with incredible speed. Rong Momo's expression changed drastically, and she exclaimed, "Master, an assassin!"

Na Fei's heart tightened, but she quickly calmed down and sneered, "Hmph, just in time. Perhaps this assassin is related to that mysterious organization. We'd like to see what they're up to."

The concubine and Rong Mama quietly opened the door and chased after the direction in which the shadowy figure had disappeared. They passed through a series of corridors and arrived at a secluded corner of the inner palace.

In front of an abandoned palace, the concubine and Rong Mama spotted the dark figure. The figure seemed to sense they were being followed and suddenly turned around. The concubine and Rong Mama looked closely and saw that the figure was masked, revealing only a pair of cold eyes.

"Who are you? Why have you infiltrated the inner palace?" the concubine demanded loudly, her voice trembling slightly.

The shadowy figure chuckled coldly, his voice low and hoarse: "Who I am is unimportant. I'm here to find someone."

"Who are you looking for?" the concubine asked warily.

“Niohuru Zhixi, that is you,” the shadowy figure said.

The concubine was startled, and a look of doubt appeared on her face: "What do you want with me? What is your purpose?"

The shadowy figure stepped forward, emanating a chilling aura: "I know you want that scroll, and I know you've long coveted the Empress's position. I can help you get everything you want, as long as you agree to cooperate with me."

The concubine's heart stirred, and a glint of greed flashed in her eyes, but she quickly calmed down and said, "Hmph, why should I believe you? You're nothing but a cowardly thief."

The shadowy figure chuckled, pulled a small bottle from his robes, and tossed it to the concubine: "This is a poison, colorless and odorless. If you put it in someone's food, it will kill them without them even realizing it. If you cooperate with me, I will give you more of this to help you get rid of the Empress and ascend to the throne."

The concubine took the small bottle, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes. Seeing this, Rong Mama quickly said, "Your Highness, you mustn't trust this person so easily. His origins are unknown; it might be a trap."

Na Fei gritted her teeth, finally hiding the small bottle in her bosom, and said, "Fine, I can cooperate with you. But you must first tell me who you are and why you want to help me?"

The shadowy figure paused slightly before saying, "I am from a mysterious organization. Our goal is the treasure and the mysterious power. The Queen and the Emperor will inevitably become obstacles for us, so I need your help to eliminate them."

Consort Na was overjoyed and said, "Alright, in that case, let's cooperate. But you must guarantee that after the matter is accomplished, I will obtain the position of Empress and a share of the treasure."

The shadowy figure nodded and said, "Alright, it's a deal. However, you must follow my instructions and not act rashly."

After speaking, the dark figure flashed and disappeared into the darkness. The concubine looked in the direction the figure had vanished, a smug smile on her face, but a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yanzi and Hongli also learned of the assassination attempt in the palace. Xiao Yanzi was startled and said, "Your Majesty, the assassination is suspicious. Could it be related to that mysterious organization? Or perhaps to that concubine?"

Hongli frowned slightly and said, "Very likely. I will send people to investigate this matter thoroughly. Empress, you must also be careful. The inner palace is currently rife with undercurrents and dangers."

Xiao Yanzi nodded and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will be careful. However, we must crack this mysterious organization and that concubine's conspiracy as soon as possible, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable."

Meanwhile, Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan made a new discovery in Beijing. Following some clues, they arrived at a mysterious underground organization's stronghold.

This hideout was tucked away in a small alley in the capital, surrounded by traps and mechanisms. Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan carefully avoided these traps and infiltrated the hideout.

The base was dark and damp, filled with a pungent odor. Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan gripped their weapons tightly, warily observing their surroundings.

Suddenly, they heard a conversation. Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan exchanged a glance and quietly moved closer to the direction from which the sound was coming.

They hid in a corner and watched several men in black talking. One of them said, "The higher-ups said we must get that scroll back. With that scroll, we can unlock the secrets of the treasure and its mysterious power, and then the world will be ours."

Another man in black said, "But the palace is heavily guarded. How can we get the scroll? Besides, Emperor Qianlong and the Empress are not easy to deal with."

The first man in black sneered and said, "Don't worry, we already have an inside man. That concubine has agreed to cooperate with us; she will find a way to help us get the scroll."

Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan were shocked upon hearing this. Lin Yuhang whispered, "Zhao Xuan, we must quickly inform the Emperor and Empress of this news."

Zhao Xuan nodded and said, "Okay, let's go quickly."

Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan carefully withdrew from the stronghold and then rushed back to the palace to report their discovery to Xiao Yanzi and Hongli.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanzi's face turned extremely ugly, and she said, "It really is that concubine! She actually colluded with the mysterious organization; her crime is truly unforgivable."

Hongli's face was also very gloomy. He clenched his fists and said, "Hmph, I will definitely not let her off easily. Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan, you have done well. Next, we will turn the tables and see what kind of conspiracy they have."

Thus, Hongli and Xiaoyanzi began to devise a plan to counter the conspiracy of Consort Na and the mysterious organization. Meanwhile, deep within the palace, an even greater crisis was quietly approaching. Could Xiaoyanzi and Hongli avert this crisis and safeguard the peace of the palace and the realm? Everything remained uncertain, and they would face unprecedented challenges and trials…

In the days that followed, Xiao Yanzi remained outwardly calm, but secretly intensified her surveillance of Consort Na. She sent Xiao Tao and A Zhu to keep a close eye on Consort Na's every move, while also having Su Peisheng gather information throughout the palace.

Consort Na believed her collaboration with the mysterious organization was undetectable and began secretly preparing how to carry out her plan. She instructed Rong Momo to secretly collect poisons and sleeping potions in the palace, intending to find an opportunity to harm Xiao Yanzi.

Meanwhile, the mysterious organization is secretly plotting an even bigger operation. They plan to seize the scroll during an important court celebration, taking advantage of the chaos to eliminate Hongli and Xiaoyanzi.

On this day, the palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers in preparation for the upcoming celebration. Little Swallow, dressed in her magnificent empress's attire and wearing a phoenix crown, was escorted by palace maids and eunuchs to the celebration site.

On the way, Xiao Yanzi felt a vague unease. She always felt that a pair of eyes were watching her from the shadows, making her feel uncomfortable all over.

"Xiao Tao, do you feel anything is wrong?" Xiao Yanzi asked softly.

Xiao Tao looked around warily and said, "Your Highness, I also feel something is strange. The atmosphere today seems a bit different; I have a feeling something is about to happen."

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Be careful, stay alert."

Just then, a group of men in black suddenly rushed out of a nearby palace. They were armed and charged towards Xiao Yanzi and the others.

"Protect the Empress!" Xiao Tao shouted, drawing her dagger from her waist to prepare for battle.

The palace maids and eunuchs also grabbed whatever was around them, preparing to fight back. Little Swallow was startled, but quickly regained her composure. She shouted, "Don't panic! Stay calm!"

A fierce battle unfolded in the palace. The men in black were exceptionally ferocious, and the palace maids and eunuchs were gradually becoming overwhelmed. Just then, Hongli arrived with his guards.

"You audacious madman, how dare you cause trouble in the palace! Kill him!" Hongli shouted, brandishing his long sword and charging towards the man in black.

The guards followed closely behind, engaging in a fierce battle with the men in black. Seeing Hongli arrive, Xiao Yanzi was overjoyed and said, "Your Majesty, these men in black might be from a mysterious organization, and that concubine too—she's colluding with them!"

Hongli nodded and said, "I understand. Empress, you may leave now. I will take care of things here."

Little Swallow hesitated for a moment, but nodded nonetheless, and with the protection of Little Peach and A-Zhu, stepped aside.

The battle was extremely fierce. Although the man in black was fierce, he gradually became overwhelmed by the attacks of Hongli and his guards. Just then, Consort Na suddenly appeared, holding a small bottle in her hand, and threw it at Xiao Yanzi.

The little swallow was startled when it saw the small bottle flying towards it and quickly dodged to the side. The bottle smashed on the ground and shattered, releasing a pungent odor.

"Your Majesty, be careful, it's poisonous!" Xiao Tao shouted, covering her mouth and nose with her sleeve.

Little Swallow quickly covered her mouth and nose, her hatred for the concubine intensifying. She glared at the concubine and shouted, "Niohuru Zhixi, how dare you commit such a heinous act! Today I will not forgive you!"

The concubine sneered and said, "Hmph, what do you think you can do to me? As long as I get that scroll and become empress, this world will be mine!"

Just then, Hongli heard what the concubine said. He was furious and turned to rush towards her. The concubine was startled and quickly turned to run away.

Hongli pursued closely, while Xiaoyanzi, protected by Xiaotao and Azhu, followed. They passed through a series of corridors and arrived at a secluded palace.

The concubine stopped, looked at Hongli and Xiaoyanzi, and a crazy smile appeared on her face: "Haha, you think you can catch me? Today, it's either you or me who dies!"

After saying that, the concubine pulled a dagger from her bosom and stabbed at Xiao Yanzi...