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

After Lin Yuhang, Zhao Xuan, and the mysterious monk informed Hongli of the information they had learned from the man in black—that the mastermind was the Western Region sorcerer Ulihak, as well as the mysterious key and treasure vault—everyone realized the seriousness of the matter. Meanwhile, Xiao Yanzi's confrontation with Consort Na in the palace further solidified her resolve to thoroughly investigate the collusion between officials of the Imperial Household Department and the mysterious forces.

That morning, sunlight filtered through layers of gauze curtains, casting soft shadows into the sleeping quarters of Kunning Palace. Little Swallow, dressed in a magnificent bright yellow phoenix robe embroidered with exquisite phoenix patterns and wearing a phoenix crown, sat before her dressing table, while Rong Momo combed her long, black hair.

"Your Highness, do you think that Consort Fei was so arrogant yesterday? Could she be plotting something?" Rong Momo asked worriedly as she carefully combed her hair.

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes, and said, "That Consort has always been against me. This time, her relative is suspected of being related to a mysterious force, so she will naturally not let it go. Rong Mama, give the order to Xiao Tao and A Zhu to keep a close eye on that Consort's movements and report any suspicious activity immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Rong Momo replied, gently running the comb through her hair. "Your Majesty, please don't worry too much. His Majesty is wise, and Young Master Lin and the others are so capable. They will surely wipe out those rebels in one fell swoop."

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly, a tired smile on her face, and said, "I hope so. But the inner palace and the court are not peaceful, and as the empress, I am really worried."

Just then, Xiao Tao's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Consort Ling requests an audience."

Xiao Yanzi sat up slightly and said, "Summon."

Consort Ling, dressed in a light purple palace gown, entered the bedchamber with light steps. A hint of anxiety appeared on her face. Upon seeing Xiao Yanzi, she quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty the Empress, I pay my respects."

Xiao Yanzi slightly raised her hand, gesturing for Consort Ling to rise, and said, "Consort Ling, you seem to be in a hurry. Have you made any new discoveries?"

Consort Ling nodded, walked to Xiao Yanzi's side, and whispered, "Your Majesty, I sent people to secretly monitor that official of the Imperial Household Department, and they discovered that he has been in frequent contact with a mysterious man in black recently. Last night, the man in black went to his residence again and did not leave until dawn."

Xiao Yanzi's expression instantly turned serious. She gripped the handkerchief in her hand and said, "It seems this matter is indeed not simple. Consort Ling, do you know the identity of that man in black?"

Consort Ling shook her head and said, "I am still investigating, but the man in black is very cautious. He always appears with his face covered, making it difficult to see his appearance. However, I have already given orders for my spies to continue monitoring the situation, and I believe we will have news soon."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Consort Ling, you've done very well. This matter is of great importance, so we must be careful and not let them realize that we are investigating. Also, send someone to check the accounts of the officials in the Imperial Household Department to see if there is anything suspicious."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand," Consort Ling said, bowing slightly.

Meanwhile, in an inn in the capital, Lin Yuhang, Zhao Xuan, and the mysterious monk were discussing their next move in their room. Lin Yuhang, dressed in a dark blue robe, held a map in his hand, his brow furrowed, his eyes intently focused on several marks on the map.

“Brother Lin, this Western Regions sorcerer, Ulihak, is elusive and difficult to find. Moreover, we don’t even know where that mysterious treasure trove is.” Zhao Xuan said anxiously from the side.

Lin Yuhang nodded slightly and said, "Brother Zhao, I know this matter is fraught with difficulties. But we already have some clues. As long as we follow these clues, we will eventually find a breakthrough. Look, these are the trading companies that we know of that have close ties with the mysterious organization. We can start from here and see if we can find more information about Ulihak and the treasure vault."

The mysterious monk clasped his hands together, closed his eyes slightly, and after a moment slowly said, "Amitabha, benefactors, last night I observed the celestial phenomena and discovered a mysterious aura in the southeast direction of the capital, which may be related to that mysterious treasure trove. We might as well go and investigate."

Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes. Lin Yuhang said, "Since Master has noticed something, let's go check the southeast direction. Perhaps we can find some clues."

Zhao Xuan nodded and said, "Okay, let's pack up and set off as soon as possible."

Just as the three were about to leave the room, they suddenly heard a commotion outside. Lin Yuhang frowned slightly, signaling Zhao Xuan and the mysterious monk to hide first, while he quietly walked to the door and peeked out through the crack.

In the inn's lobby, a group of men dressed in black were surrounding a young man. The man held a long sword and looked around warily. Upon closer inspection, Lin Yuhang realized that the man was none other than Fucha Fuheng.

Lin Yuhang was startled. He knew that Fucha Fuheng was an important minister by Hongli's side and usually handled affairs in the palace. How could he be here and be surrounded by a group of men in black?

Lin Yuhang didn't have time to think. He quickly opened the door, drew his long sword from his waist, and shouted, "Stop!"

Upon hearing Lin Yuhang's voice, Zhao Xuan and the mysterious monk immediately rushed out of the room. Seeing Fucha Fuheng being surrounded by men in black, they joined the battle without hesitation.

Lin Yuhang brandished his longsword, the wind from it fierce, engaging in a fierce battle with the men in black. Zhao Xuan nimbly weaved through the group of men in black, his short knife occasionally piercing their vital points. The mysterious monk clasped his hands together, chanting incantations, and cast some mysterious spells, slowing down the men in black.

After a fierce battle, they finally defeated the man in black. Fucha Fuheng looked at Lin Yuhang and the others, paused for a moment, and then said, "Young Master Lin, Brother Zhao, Master, thank you for your help."

Lin Yuhang sheathed his longsword, stepped forward, and asked, "Lord Fuheng, what brings you here? Who are these men in black?"

Fucha Fuheng frowned slightly and said, "To be honest, I was ordered by the Emperor to secretly investigate some matters related to a mysterious force. I didn't expect to encounter these men in black here. They seem to want to stop my investigation."

Lin Yuhang nodded and said, "I see. Lord Fuheng, we are also investigating this matter. We have learned that the mastermind is a wizard from the Western Regions named Ulihak. He seems to be searching for a mysterious key, which is said to be able to open a treasure vault containing a huge secret."

Fucha Fuheng's expression changed slightly, and he said, "I didn't expect that the mastermind behind this was him. Young Master Lin, I also found some clues about this treasure vault during my investigation. Perhaps we can discuss it together."

Lin Yuhang nodded and said, "Okay, let's find a safe place and talk in detail."

So, Lin Yuhang, Zhao Xuan, the mysterious monk, and Fucha Fuheng arrived at a secluded room in the inn. They sat around a table and began to discuss their respective investigation progress.

Fucha Fuheng took out a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Lin Yuhang, saying, "Young Master Lin, this is a map I obtained during my investigation. It marks several locations that may be related to the treasure vault. Take a look."

Lin Yuhang took the note, examined it carefully, and said, "Lord Fuheng, one of these locations is exactly southeast of the capital, which matches the direction of the mysterious aura that Master detected last night when he observed the celestial phenomena. It seems that our investigation is on the right track."

Zhao Xuan leaned over to look at the map and said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go take a look. Maybe we can find that mysterious key."

The mysterious monk clasped his hands together and said, “Amitabha, benefactors, you must not be hasty. Since that treasure vault is so mysterious, it must be full of traps and mechanisms. We need to be fully prepared.”

Lin Yuhang nodded and said, "Master is right. Lord Fuheng, you have been in the palace for many years, do you know any ways to break through mechanisms and traps?"

Fucha Fuheng frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I have heard that there is an ancient book about mechanical arts in the palace library. Perhaps we can find some solutions from it. However, that ancient book is very precious and is difficult for ordinary people to borrow."

Lin Yuhang frowned slightly and said, "What should we do? If we don't have a way to break the mechanism, it might be dangerous if we go there rashly."

The mysterious monk clasped his hands together and said, "I do have a solution. I have some connections with a high-ranking monk in the palace; perhaps I can ask him to help me borrow that ancient book."

Lin Yuhang and Zhao Xuan exchanged a glance, a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes. Lin Yuhang said, "Then we'll have to trouble you, Master. We'll wait here for your news."

The mysterious monk nodded and said, "Alright, I will take care of it right away."

After saying this, the mysterious monk left the inn and headed to the palace.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Xiao Yanzi and Consort Ling were intensifying their investigation into the accounts of the Imperial Household Department officials. In a secluded room, they carefully examined the thick ledgers, trying to find anything suspicious.

Xiao Yanzi frowned, holding the account book in her hand and staring at the numbers on it. She said, "Consort Ling, look at these accounts. The amounts are huge, and the whereabouts are unknown. They are very suspicious."

Consort Ling nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I have also discovered this. These accounts all seem to be related to a mysterious trading company. I have already sent people to investigate this company, and I believe we will have news soon."

Little Swallow nodded slightly and said, "Okay, we must find out the details of this business as soon as possible. If it is really related to the mysterious forces, we must uproot it completely."

Just then, Xiao Tao hurriedly entered the secret room, curtsied in front of Xiao Yanzi, and said, "Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Na requests an audience."

Little Swallow frowned and said, "What is she doing here? Let her in."

A moment later, Consort Na, dressed in a magnificent red palace gown, strode into the secret chamber with haughty steps. She saw Xiao Yanzi and Consort Ling examining account books, paused slightly, then a disdainful smile appeared on her face as she said, "Your Majesty, what are you doing? Are you perhaps investigating the accounts of my relatives?"

Xiao Yanzi looked coldly at Consort Na and said, "Consort Na, there are indeed suspicious points in your relatives' accounts. As the Empress, I will naturally investigate to the end."

The concubine sneered and said, "Your Majesty, please don't wrong an innocent person. My relative has always been loyal and honest. How could he possibly be colluding with any mysterious force? You're deliberately targeting me, aren't you?"

Xiao Yanzi frowned and said, "Your Highness, I always insist on evidence when investigating cases. If your relative is innocent, I will naturally not wrong him. But if he is really related to the mysterious forces, I will never tolerate it."

The concubine's face turned extremely ugly. She gritted her teeth and said, "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid of causing chaos in the harem by being so aggressive?"

Xiao Yanzi stood up, looked at Consort Na with a firm gaze, and said, "Consort Na, as the Empress, I bear the heavy responsibility of maintaining the peace of the harem. If anyone dares to collude with mysterious forces and endanger the court, I will bring them to justice, even at the risk of chaos in the harem."

Consort Na felt a slight chill run down her spine when she saw Xiao Yanzi's determined gaze, but she still forced herself to remain calm and said, "Very well, Your Majesty, since you insist, then I will wait and see. But if you cannot find any evidence, do not blame me for being impolite."

After speaking, the concubine turned and left the secret chamber. Little Swallow watched the concubine's departing figure, her brows furrowing slightly. She pondered to herself, "It seems the concubine won't give up easily this time. I must speed up the investigation and find solid evidence to bring down the officials of the Imperial Household Department and the mysterious force in one fell swoop."

In the southeast of the capital, a mysterious valley hides a great secret. Lin Yuhang and his companions are unaware that they are about to face an unprecedented challenge... What secrets does the mysterious treasure vault hold? Will the mysterious key be found? Can Xiao Yanzi uncover the truth in the palace and defeat the concubine and the mysterious forces? Everything remains unknown, waiting for them to unravel the mystery.

Meanwhile, on the frontier battlefield, General Zhao Hui stood ready, prepared to face the next attack from the mysterious forces. The soldiers were in high spirits, firmly believing that under General Zhao Hui's leadership, they would defend the frontier and repel the enemy. But they were unaware that the mysterious forces were brewing a much larger conspiracy, and an even fiercer battle was imminent… In this crisis intertwined with the court and the martial world, everyone would face severe trials, and what would become of them?