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

As dawn broke, the faint morning light struggled to pierce through the thick clouds, scattering across the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, yet failing to dispel the tense gloom that permeated the palace. Inside the Kunning Palace, candlelight still flickered, mingling with the faint light filtering in from the windows, illuminating Xiao Yanzi's tired yet resolute face. She wore a solemn bright yellow phoenix robe, with phoenixes embroidered in gold thread spreading their wings as if about to take flight at the hem. The Empress's phoenix crown was placed squarely on her head, the jewels swaying slightly, further highlighting the solemnity in her eyes.

"Su Peisheng, is there any new news from the front lines?" Xiao Yanzi stood by the window, her back to the hall, her voice steady but unable to hide her anxiety.

Su Peisheng hurried in, bowed respectfully, and stepped forward to reply, "Your Majesty, the border war is still tense. Although General Zhaohui is fighting hard, the enemy's offensive is fierce, and we urgently need reinforcements."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, sighed softly, and turned to walk slowly: "The remnants of the Ulihak faction have not been eliminated, and the border war continues. I am really worried." Her hand unconsciously touched a jade pendant she wore at her waist, a gift from Hongli, which seemed to allow her to draw strength from it.

Just then, Consort Ling rushed in, looking slightly flustered: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! News has come from the Prime Minister's residence that although Young Master Lin's injuries have improved, he is still unconscious, and the Prime Minister's wife has also fallen ill from excessive worry."

"What?" Little Swallow stopped abruptly, her eyes filled with worry. "Su Peisheng, prepare a sedan chair immediately. I am going to the Prime Minister's residence to visit him."

"Your Majesty, the situation outside the palace is unclear and there may be danger. It would be more appropriate to send someone else." Consort Ling hurriedly advised, her eyes full of concern.

Xiao Yanzi shook her head slightly, her eyes resolute: "Young Master Lin was murdered while investigating clues, and the Prime Minister's wife has fallen ill from worry. How can I not go? Besides, as the Empress, I cannot back down at this time." With that, she raised her hand to adjust her phoenix crown and strode out.

The entourage proceeded in a grand procession towards the Prime Minister's residence. The streets were deserted, and the people seemed to sense the impending storm, most keeping their doors and windows tightly shut. At the gates of the residence, the guards, upon seeing the Empress's carriage, immediately knelt in salute. Xiao Yanzi strode in, heading straight for Lin Yuhang's room.

The room reeked of medicine. Lin Yuhang lay pale on the bed, his breath weak. The Prime Minister's wife sat by the bed, looking haggard. When she saw Xiao Yanzi enter, she struggled to get up and bow.

"Madam, there's no need for such formality." Little Swallow quickly stepped forward to support her. "How is Young Master Lin doing now?"

The Prime Minister's wife's eyes reddened, and her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Physician Liu said that although his injuries were serious, he is out of danger. However, it is still unknown when he will wake up. It's all my fault as a useless mother. I have also fallen ill and have not been able to take good care of him."

Xiao Yanzi gently patted the Prime Minister's wife's hand and comforted her, "Madam, please don't blame yourself. Young Master Lin is a lucky man and will surely recover soon. You should also take care of yourself. When Young Master Lin wakes up, he will still need your care."

At this moment, Lin Yuxuan ran in from outside. When he saw Xiao Yanzi, his eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty the Empress."

Little Swallow smiled and patted his head: "Yu Xuan, be good, your brother will get better. You must be sensible and help take care of Mother."

Lin Yuxuan nodded vigorously: "I will, Your Majesty. I pray for my brother every day, hoping he will wake up soon."

From the moment Xiao Yanzi entered the Prime Minister's residence, a furtive figure lurked in a corner, spying on her. After she left, this person quickly slipped out of the residence and headed towards a secluded house in the capital.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Garden, Little Swallow was playing with Princess Hejing, Yongqi, and Qing'er. Little Swallow wore a pink jacket and had two cute little braids, flitting among the flowers like a cheerful little deer.

"Sister Hejing, Brother Yongqi, come and chase me!" she shouted with a laugh as she ran.

Princess Hejing, dressed in a light purple palace gown, chased after her with a smile: "Little Swallow, slow down, don't fall."

Yongqi and Qing'er laughed beside them, their eyes always following Little Swallow. However, they didn't notice that from the flower bushes not far away, a pair of eyes were coldly watching everything.

"Princess, Little Princess, it's time to return to the palace. It's getting late," a palace maid stepped forward and gently reminded her.

Little Swallow reluctantly stopped: "So fast? I haven't had enough fun yet."

Princess Hejing took Little Swallow's hand and said, "Let's play again next time. Let's go back first, otherwise Her Majesty the Empress will worry."

After they left, the figure in the flower bushes slowly stood up; it was none other than Rong Momo. She looked in the direction they had gone, a cold smile playing on her lips, and muttered under her breath, "Hmph, let's see how long you can be so smug."

Back at the palace, as soon as Xiao Yanzi stepped into Kunning Palace, Su Peisheng rushed up to her in a panic: "Your Majesty, the Emperor has returned to the palace and is currently in Qianqing Palace summoning his ministers to discuss important matters."

Little Swallow was overjoyed and quickly said, "I'll go right away."

Inside the Qianqing Palace, the atmosphere was heavy. Emperor Hongli, dressed in his dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, his face stern. Below him, a group of ministers stood on either side, each with a different expression.

"Your Majesty, the situation on the border is critical. If reinforcements are not sent soon, General Zhaohui may not be able to hold out," a minister said with concern.

“However, the defense of the capital is also of paramount importance. If too many troops are diverted, and Urihaq’s remaining followers take the opportunity to cause trouble, the consequences would be unimaginable,” another minister objected.

Everyone was arguing and talking at once. Just then, Little Swallow walked in, and everyone bowed to her.

"No need for formalities." Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his seriousness. "Empress, you've come at the right time. What are your thoughts on the border affairs?"

Xiao Yanzi bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the border war is urgent and reinforcements must be sent as soon as possible. As for the defense of the capital, troops can be transferred from other places to strengthen the defenses. At the same time, we must speed up the investigation into the remaining members of Ulihak's faction and not allow them any opportunity to take advantage of the situation."

Hongli nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "As the Empress says. Issue my decree to transfer 20,000 elite troops from the Jiangnan Camp to support the border at full speed. The defense of the capital will be the responsibility of the Nine Gates Commander, who will strengthen patrols and arrest any suspicious persons immediately."

"As you command," the ministers replied in unison.

After the court session ended, Hongli and Xiaoyanzi returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Only the two of them remained in the room. Hongli rubbed his temples wearily, and Xiaoyanzi stepped forward and gently massaged his shoulders: "Your Majesty, you've worked hard."

Hongli held her hand and said, "With you here, I feel much more at ease. However, the situation is complicated, and I am truly worried."

Little Swallow leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "We'll face this together, and we'll get through it. By the way, Your Majesty, Young Master Lin was seriously injured while investigating clues and is still unconscious."

Hongli frowned slightly: "I am already aware of this matter. Young Master Lin is a loyal and righteous man. When he wakes up, I will definitely reward him handsomely."

Just then, Su Peisheng hurriedly walked in: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Prince Hongzhou requests an audience."

"Quickly, invite him in," Hongli said.

Hongzhou walked in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have contacted some friends in the martial arts world, and they are willing to help track down the remaining members of Ulihak's gang."

"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Hongli's eyes. "Very good. I'll leave this matter to you. Please be careful."

Hongzhou nodded: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost. However, as far as I know, the remnants of Ulihak's faction have close ties with an inside agent in the palace. We must find this inside agent as soon as possible, otherwise, there will be endless troubles."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly: "This inside man is very well hidden. We have been investigating for a long time, but we still have no clue."

Hongzhou pondered for a moment and said, "Sister-in-law, I think we can start with the unusual events that have recently occurred in the palace; perhaps we can find some clues."

As the three were discussing the matter, a young eunuch suddenly rushed in, shouting in a panic, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, something terrible has happened! Little Princess has suddenly disappeared while playing in the Imperial Garden!"

"What?" Xiao Yanzi and Hongli stood up at the same time, their expressions changing drastically.

"What exactly happened?" Hongli asked sternly.

The young eunuch trembled with fear: "Your Majesty, this servant doesn't know either. Princess Hejing and the others said that the little princess was running ahead when she suddenly disappeared, and they didn't find anyone suspicious around her."

Little Swallow was extremely anxious and turned to leave, saying, "I'll go find it right away."

Hongli quickly pulled her back: "Empress, calm down. Su Peisheng, immediately summon all the guards and conduct a thorough search of the palace. We must find the little princess."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Peisheng hurriedly left.

Hongzhou also said, "Brother, sister-in-law, I will also go and help search."

In an instant, the entire palace was thrown into chaos. Guards ran everywhere, and palace maids and eunuchs rushed out to help search for Little Swallow. Little Swallow was frantic, searching the palace repeatedly, calling out, "Little Swallow, where are you?"

However, several hours passed, and there was still no trace of Little Swallow. Little Swallow collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face: "Little Swallow, where are you? You mustn't be hurt!"

Hongli stepped forward, helped Xiaoyanzi up, and comforted her, "Empress, don't worry too much. This little princess is blessed by heaven and will be alright. Let's search carefully again."

Just as everyone was extremely anxious, a guard rushed over: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, we have found some suspicious footprints near the Cold Palace, which seem to be heading towards the Cold Palace."

"The Cold Palace?" A glimmer of hope flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes. "Let's go, let's go see the Cold Palace."

The group headed towards the Cold Palace. The Cold Palace was desolate, overgrown with weeds, and the dilapidated palace looked particularly eerie in the cold wind. They cautiously entered, searching everywhere.

“Your Majesty, look here,” a guard said, pointing to a piece of cloth on the ground.

Little Swallow stepped forward, picked up the fabric, and saw that it was indeed from Little Swallow's clothes. "It must be Little Swallow, she's been here," Little Swallow said excitedly.

The group continued their search when suddenly, a faint sobbing sound came from a dilapidated palace. Little Swallow rushed over, pushed open the door, and saw Little Swallow huddled in a corner, her face streaked with tears.

"Little Swallow!" Little Swallow rushed over and hugged her tightly. "Are you alright? You scared Mother so much."

The little swallow cried and said, "Mother, I'm scared. A bad person brought me here and then left."

Hongli also came over and gently stroked Xiaoxiaoyanzi's head: "Don't be afraid, it's alright, your father and mother are here."

Everyone brought Little Swallow back to the palace. Hongli ordered a thorough investigation to find the mastermind. Little Swallow, carrying her baby, returned to Kunning Palace, but a feeling lingered that everything was connected to the remnants of Ulihak's gang, and that the hidden mole within the palace might soon strike again. A greater storm was quietly approaching…