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

Inside the Kunning Palace of the Imperial Palace, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy. Xiao Yanzi, dressed in magnificent empress's attire, her bright yellow phoenix robe embroidered with lifelike phoenixes, radiated an aura of majesty in the candlelight. Her brow was furrowed, and she clutched tightly in her hand the ledger recording suspicious transactions by officials of the Imperial Household Department; her eyes revealed a mixture of anxiety and determination.

"Consort Ling, how is the investigation of the businesses investigated by the officials of the Imperial Household Department going?" Xiao Yanzi raised her head and looked at Consort Ling, who also looked nervous.

Consort Ling bowed slightly, a hint of worry on her face: "Your Majesty, the people we sent to investigate have reported that the trading company, while ostensibly dealing in silk, is actually in close contact with some mysterious individuals. The items they trade are also quite mysterious, and their specifics are still unclear. However, it is certain that this trading company is colluding with these mysterious forces."

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly, a ruthless glint in her eyes: "It seems this matter is indeed not simple. That official from the Imperial Household Department dared to collude with a mysterious force and endanger the court. He must not be let off lightly. Consort Ling, continue to send people to keep a close watch. Report back immediately if there is any movement."

"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress," Consort Ling replied, a resolute glint in her eyes.

Just then, Rong Momo hurriedly entered the hall, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Princess Hejing and Little Swallow are requesting an audience outside the hall."

Xiao Yanzi paused for a moment, then her expression softened, and she said, "Let them in."

A moment later, Princess Hejing skipped in, holding Little Swallow's hand. Princess Hejing was still wearing her pink palace dress and exquisite hair ornaments, while Little Swallow wore a red jacket, her hair styled in two cute buns, and her face was filled with an innocent smile.

"Empress Mother!" Little Swallow saw Little Swallow and immediately let go of Princess Hejing's hand, running towards her.

Little Swallow quickly stood up, squatted down, and opened her arms to welcome Little Swallow. Little Swallow rushed into Little Swallow's arms, hugged her neck, and kissed her on the cheek: "Empress Mother, I missed you so much."

Little Swallow smiled gently and stroked Little Swallow's head: "My dear child, Your Majesty missed you too. Hejing, why are you here at this hour?"

Princess Hejing stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, Little Swallow and I were playing in the Imperial Garden when we heard that you had something on your mind, so we wanted to come and keep you company."

A warm feeling welled up in Xiao Yanzi's heart. Looking at Princess Hejing and Little Swallow, she said, "With you two by my side, I feel much better."

Little Swallow took out a paper crane folded from colored paper from her bosom and handed it to Little Swallow: "Empress Mother, this is a paper crane I folded for you. I hope you can be happy every day."

Little Swallow took the paper crane, her eyes slightly moist, and kissed Little Swallow's cheek: "Little Swallow is so good, Your Majesty likes her very much."

Princess Hejing looked at the account book in Xiaoyanzi's hand and asked curiously, "Empress Mother, what are you looking at?"

Xiao Yanzi paused for a moment, then placed the account book on the table beside her and said, "It's nothing, just some trivial matters in the harem. Hejing, you take Xiao Yanzi to play, Your Majesty still has some things to take care of."

Princess Hejing nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. Little Swallow, let's go play hide-and-seek in the side hall."

"Okay, okay!" Little Swallow clapped her hands happily, took Princess Hejing's hand, and skipped away from the main hall.

Watching their departing figures, Xiao Yanzi sighed softly, her eyes hardening again: "Granny Rong, go and call Su Peisheng here. I have something to ask him."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Rong Momo replied, turning and walking out of the main hall.

A moment later, Su Peisheng hurriedly entered Kunning Palace, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, did you summon this servant?"

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly and said, "Su Peisheng, you have been in the palace for many years and are well-informed. Do you know about the collusion between the Imperial Household Department and the mysterious forces?"

Su Peisheng paused slightly, a hint of hesitation on his face, before saying, "Your Majesty, I have also heard about it, but the inside story is too complicated for me to make any conclusions. However, I do know of an eunuch named Li Dequan in the Imperial Household Department. He has close ties with the suspected official, and perhaps we can find some clues from him."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Alright, go and find Li Dequan for me. I want to interrogate him myself. Remember, don't alert him."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand," Su Peisheng replied, then turned and hurriedly left Kunning Palace.

Meanwhile, in an inn in the capital, Lin Yuhang, Zhao Xuan, the mysterious monk, and Fucha Fuheng were engaged in a tense discussion. A table was set up in the inn's room, on which several maps and papers were spread out. The group sat around the table, their expressions serious.

Lin Yuhang, dressed in a dark blue robe, tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "Lord Fuheng, is it possible for the mysterious master to successfully borrow that ancient book about mechanical arts that you mentioned?"

Fucha Fuheng frowned slightly and said, "Young Master Lin, the mysterious master has connections with the high monks in the palace, so borrowing the ancient books should not be a problem. However, the treasure vault is full of traps, and even if we find a way to break through them, we cannot be careless."

Zhao Xuan nodded, a hint of worry on his face: "Brother Lin, Lord Fu Heng is right. Since that Western Region wizard Ulihak has set up such a tight mechanism to protect the treasure vault, he must have some unspeakable secret. Our trip there is likely to be fraught with danger."

The mysterious monk clasped his hands together, closed his eyes slightly, and chanted incantations. After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes and said, "Amitabha, benefactors, there is no need to worry too much. This humble monk believes that as long as we work together, we will surely overcome all difficulties. Moreover, that treasure vault may contain the key clues to uncover the conspiracy of the mysterious forces, and we cannot back down."

Lin Yuhang nodded slightly, a hint of determination in his eyes: "Master is right. We have come this far, we must not give up halfway. Lord Fuheng, you have been in the palace for many years, do you know the exact location of that treasure vault?"

Fucha Fuheng frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Young Master Lin, I'm not entirely sure of the exact location of that treasure vault. However, based on the clues I've obtained, it should be located in the valley southeast of the capital. But the terrain of that valley is complex, and it's said that many ferocious beasts roam there, so we must be extra careful."

Lin Yuhang nodded and said, "Alright, then we'll head to the valley as soon as the mysterious master borrows the ancient book. Before we set off, we need to make thorough preparations, including getting our weapons and rations ready."

Just then, there was a knock on the inn's door. Lin Yuhang frowned slightly and gestured for Zhao Xuan to open it. Zhao Xuan stood up, walked to the door, and carefully opened it. A man in a gray robe stood in the doorway, holding a letter in his hand.

"Excuse me, which one of you is Young Master Lin?" the man asked.

Zhao Xuan was slightly taken aback, then said, "I am Zhao Xuan. What business do you have with Young Master Lin?"

The man handed the letter to Zhao Xuan and said, "This is a letter that a mysterious master asked me to give to Young Master Lin."

Zhao Xuan took the letter, turned around and returned to the table, handing it to Lin Yuhang. Lin Yuhang took the letter, opened it, and a look of surprise appeared on his face: "It's a letter from the mysterious master. He said he has borrowed the ancient book and asked us to meet him at the dilapidated temple in the west of the city early tomorrow morning."

Fucha Fuheng nodded slightly and said, "Alright, let's get some rest tonight and set off early tomorrow morning."

Everyone nodded and went back to their rooms to rest.

A thin layer of mist hung in the air over the mysterious valley. The valley was filled with jagged rocks and dense forests, giving it an eerie and terrifying atmosphere. Deep within the valley, an ancient structure could be faintly seen – the legendary treasure trove.

A man dressed in a long black robe stood before the treasury, his face veiled except for a pair of cold eyes. Behind him stood a group of men in black, each armed and alert.

"Sir, Lin Yuhang and his men have already found their way here. What should we do?" A man in black stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

The man frowned slightly, a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes: "Hmph, they dare to come? Then let them never leave alive. Send word to activate the treasure vault's mechanisms and prepare to welcome them."

"Yes, sir," the man in black replied, then turned and hurriedly left.

The man looked into the distance, a slight sneer playing on his lips: "Lin Yuhang, I'd like to see just how capable you are."

Meanwhile, in the palace, Su Peisheng brought Li Dequan to Kunning Palace. Li Dequan, dressed in a gray eunuch's robe, looked nervous and uneasy. He entered the main hall and, upon seeing Xiao Yanzi, immediately knelt and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, this servant greets you."

Xiao Yanzi sat on the phoenix throne, looking at Li Dequan with icy eyes, and said, "Li Dequan, I ask you, what is your relationship with that official of the Imperial Household Department? How much do you know about his collusion with mysterious forces?"

Li Dequan trembled slightly, a look of fear on his face: "Your Majesty, this servant only has some acquaintance with that official and knows nothing about his collusion with the mysterious forces. Your Majesty, you must investigate this thoroughly."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, a hint of suspicion in her eyes: "Hmph, you'd better confess honestly, or don't blame me for being impolite. Consort Ling, have someone take him away and interrogate him thoroughly."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Consort Ling replied, gesturing to the guards beside her to take Li Dequan away.

After Li Dequan was taken away, Xiao Yanzi stood up and paced back and forth in the main hall. She knew that the conspiracy behind this was far more complicated than she had imagined, and she had to find out the truth as soon as possible, otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.

On the frontier battlefield, General Zhao Hui stood on the watchtower of his military camp, gazing at the enemy camp in the distance. At this time, darkness was gradually falling, and the enemy camp was brightly lit, with faint sounds of commotion emanating from within.

"General, the enemy seems to be preparing something. Should we increase our vigilance?" a lieutenant stepped forward and asked.

General Zhao Hui frowned slightly, a hint of vigilance in his eyes: "Yes, strengthen vigilance and closely monitor the enemy's movements. That mysterious force is cunning and treacherous; we cannot let our guard down."

"Yes, General," the lieutenant replied, turning and hurrying away.

General Zhao Hui looked at the enemy camp in the distance and prayed silently, hoping that Lin Yuhang and others could find out the truth as soon as possible, resolve the crisis, and allow the people on the frontier to live a peaceful life.

In this battle between the imperial court and the martial arts world, what challenges will Xiao Yanzi, Lin Yuhang, and their companions face? What secrets does that mysterious treasure vault hold? Will the Western Region wizard Ulihak's conspiracy succeed? Everything remains unknown, waiting for them to uncover the mysteries…