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

As dawn broke, the outline of the Forbidden City gradually became clear in the soft morning light. The frost on the glazed tiles had not yet dissipated, reflecting a cool light. Inside the Qianqing Palace, the candlelight still flickered, illuminating the solemn faces of Emperor Hongli and Xiao Yanzi. Hongli wore a black dragon robe, with a five-clawed golden dragon embroidered in gold thread winding along the cuffs and hem. The jade pendant at his waist swayed gently with his steps, making a crisp sound. Xiao Yanzi sat upright to one side, the phoenix embroidery on her bright yellow phoenix robe lifelike in the candlelight. The pearl on her phoenix crown trembled slightly, making her expression even more worried.

"Your Majesty, Gao Wuyong and Consort Na have not uttered a word since they were imprisoned." Su Peisheng stepped forward, bowed slightly, and spoke in a very low voice, breaking the silence in the hall.

Hongli frowned, a flash of anger in his eyes: "Hmph, it seems they won't admit defeat until they see the coffin. Intensify the interrogation; I refuse to believe we can't pry their mouths open." With that, he turned abruptly, put his hands behind his back, and strode to the window, gazing at the gradually brightening sky outside, pondering the complex situation.

Xiao Yanzi stood up, moved gracefully to Hongli's side, and said softly, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, Gao Wuyong and that concubine are so stubborn that they must have someone backing them up. Perhaps the remnants of Ulihak's faction have reached some kind of agreement with them, and they are hoping to escape this calamity." Her eyes revealed determination and worry, and her fingers unconsciously clenched her handkerchief.

Hongli nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "What the Empress says is very true. However, the war on the border is urgent, and I am unable to spare the time to wipe out these rebels in a short period of time." His tone was tinged with fatigue and helplessness as he raised his hand to rub his temples.

At this moment, footsteps sounded outside the door. Hongzhou strode into the hall, wearing a dark blue robe with a white jade belt around his waist. He looked hurried but could not hide his excitement: "Brother, sister-in-law, I have made a new discovery."

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi quickly turned around, their eyes full of anticipation: "Tell me quickly, what did you find?"

Hongzhou, slightly out of breath, said, "My friends in the martial arts world have learned that the remnants of Ulihak's gang have a secret stronghold in an abandoned Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital. They seem to have stockpiled a large amount of weapons and provisions there, and are likely preparing for a large-scale operation."

Little Swallow was startled and said, "What should we do? Their power is so great, we must take action as soon as possible." As she spoke, she subconsciously clenched her fist.

Hongli frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Hongzhou, this matter is of great importance and we must not act rashly. You should continue to send people to monitor them and find out their specific movements and troop deployments. I will draw some elite guards from the palace to act together with your friends from the martial arts world, and we must annihilate them in one fell swoop."

Hongzhou nodded and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will make the arrangements immediately." With that, he turned and hurriedly left.

Watching Hongzhou's departing figure, Hongli said to Xiaoyanzi, "Empress, you should also go back and rest early. These days, you have been overworked for the sake of the little princess and the affairs of the palace, and I am truly distressed by it." His eyes were full of tenderness and concern as he gently held Xiaoyanzi's hand.

Xiao Yanzi smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I am not tired. As long as we can eliminate these rebels as soon as possible and protect the palace and Xiao Yanzi, it is all worth it, no matter how hard it is." Her eyes shone with determination as she grasped Hongli's hand in return.

However, just as everyone was busily preparing for the operation to wipe out the remaining members of Ulihak's gang, a sudden change occurred in the palace. Rong Momo's condition suddenly worsened, and she fell into a deep coma. Imperial Physician Liu was sweating profusely, constantly preparing medicines, but to no avail.

"Imperial Physician Liu, how is Rong Mama?" Consort Na asked anxiously. She was dressed in a light purple cheongsam, her face was haggard, and her eyes were full of worry.

Imperial Physician Liu frowned slightly and said, "Your Highness, the poison that Rong Momo is suffering from is extremely strange. I have tried various methods, but I have been unable to stop the spread of the poison. Now, we can only leave it to fate."

Consort Na slumped to the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face: "Granny Rong, you absolutely cannot be hurt." Her voice was choked with sobs, filled with utter despair.

Meanwhile, in Kunning Palace, Xiao Yanzi also learned that Rong Momo's condition had worsened. She frowned slightly, pondering to herself: Rong Momo's poisoning was already shrouded in mystery, and now her condition has suddenly deteriorated. Could it be that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes? With this in mind, she decided to visit Rong Momo in person.

Xiao Yanzi, accompanied by Su Peisheng and several palace maids, arrived at Rong Mama's residence. A strong smell of medicine filled the room. Consort Na was sitting by the bed, holding Rong Mama's hand, weeping softly. Upon seeing Xiao Yanzi enter, Consort Na quickly rose and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I greet you."

Xiao Yanzi waved her hand and said, "No need for formalities. I already know about Rong Momo's condition. Has Physician Liu said when the antidote can be administered?" Her eyes were filled with concern as she walked to the bedside and looked at the unconscious Rong Momo.

The concubine shook her head slightly and said through tears, "Imperial Physician Liu said that this poison is too rare for him to cure. Your Majesty, you must save Rong Momo!" With that, she knelt down on the ground with a thud.

Xiao Yanzi quickly helped the concubine up and said, "Concubine, please get up. I will do my best to find a solution. However, the poisoning is strange. Do you know anything about how Rong Momo was poisoned?" Her eyes were fixed on the concubine, trying to find a clue in her expression.

The concubine paused slightly, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "Your Majesty, I truly know nothing. Rong Momo has always been loyal and devoted; I simply cannot imagine who would commit such a heinous act against her." As she spoke, she lowered her head, a barely perceptible hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, feeling increasingly suspicious. She smiled slightly and said, "Since that's the case, then Your Highness, don't be too anxious. Rong Momo is a lucky person, and perhaps there will be a turning point." After saying that, she turned to Su Peisheng and said, "Su Peisheng, convey my decree to have all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital come for a consultation and find a way to detoxify her."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Su Peisheng quickly withdrew.

After leaving Rong Momo's residence, Xiao Yanzi said to Su Peisheng, "Su Peisheng, send someone to secretly monitor that concubine. We can't let her every move slip by. She's definitely involved in Rong Momo's poisoning."

Su Peisheng nodded slightly and said, "This servant understands, I will take care of it immediately."

Meanwhile, in an abandoned Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital, the leader of Ulihak's remaining followers was discussing their next move with several of his men. The temple was dark and damp, with torches on the walls flickering weakly, illuminating their狰狞 (zhengning - ferocious/hideous) faces.

"Chief, our plan has been discovered by the imperial court. What should we do?" a man in black asked anxiously.

The leader snorted coldly, "What's there to be afraid of? The imperial court is currently preoccupied with the border wars and has no time to attend to us. As long as we act quickly enough, we still have a chance." A hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes as he toyed with a dagger in his hand.

“But the imperial court has already begun investigating Gao Wuyong and Consort Na. If they implicate us, we’ll be in danger,” another man in black said worriedly.

The leader frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Send someone to the palace to find a way to get rid of Gao Wuyong and that concubine. We absolutely cannot let them reveal our secret. As for that little princess, although she has been rescued, we still have other bargaining chips." As he spoke, a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"So what should we do next?" the man in black asked.

The leader stood up and paced back and forth in the Taoist temple: "Continue to prepare our plan and proceed as originally planned. Once the court's attention is drawn to the border war, we will launch a surprise attack and overthrow the court in one fell swoop." His voice was deep and firm, as if he could already see the dawn of victory.

Meanwhile, inside the palace, Xiao Yanzi and Hongli were racking their brains to figure out how to break free from their predicament. They knew that this battle of wits and intrigue had only just begun, and countless hardships and obstacles awaited them. Would Gao Wuyong and Consort Na reveal crucial clues? Could Rong Momo's poison be cured? Could the conspiracy of the remaining Ulihak faction be completely thwarted? Everything remained uncertain. A thick gloom still hung over the Forbidden City, waiting to be completely dispelled…