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

The night in the Forbidden City was deep and tranquil. In the stillness of the night, only the Qianqing Palace was brightly lit. Warm yellow candlelight flickered within the dragon-and-phoenix-carved palace, casting long shadows of Hongli and Xiaoyanzi on the golden brick floor. Hongli wore a solemn bright yellow dragon robe, the gold-embroidered dragon patterns gleaming in the candlelight, and the nine-dragon jade pendant at his waist radiating a gentle luster. His brow was furrowed, and he gripped a urgent military report from the frontier tightly in his hand, his long, slender fingers unconsciously tightening until his knuckles turned white.

"Your Majesty, the war on the frontier is becoming increasingly tense. Although General Zhao Hui is brave and skilled in battle, the enemy's forces are constantly reinforcing, and the supply of food and provisions is also facing difficulties." Hongli's voice was low and solemn, revealing deep worry. He slowly raised his head and looked into the distance, as if he could penetrate the layers of palace walls and see the smoke of gunpowder spreading on the frontier battlefield.

Little Swallow sat to one side, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe. Lifelike phoenixes were embroidered on the bright yellow silk, and the pearls and jade on her phoenix crown swayed gently with her movements, making a crisp sound. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, her eyes filled with concern and worry. She gently bit her lower lip, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, now we must deal with the crisis on the border and also eliminate the remnants of the Ulihak faction. What should we do?" Her voice was soft but firm, exuding an undeniable power.

At this moment, Su Peisheng hurriedly entered the hall, looking anxious and walking with a pace much faster than usual. He quickly walked up to Hongli, respectfully performed a deep bow, and said in a slightly trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Na requests an audience."

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi exchanged a glance, a hint of doubt flashing in their eyes. Xiaoyanzi frowned slightly, pondering to herself: Why is Consort Na requesting an audience at this time? Could it be that Rong Momo's condition has changed? Or is she finally planning to reveal something?

"Summon her in," Hongli said in a deep voice, his tone carrying the authority of a superior.

The concubine, dressed in a light pink qipao embroidered with delicate peony patterns, walked lightly yet with a hint of trepidation into the Qianqing Palace. She moved gracefully to Hongli and Xiaoyanzi, bowed slightly, and performed a standard palace curtsy, her voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty and Empress, I pay my respects."

"No need for formalities, Consort Na. What brings you here at this hour?" Hongli's voice was neither warm nor cold, his gaze sharp as he stared intently at Consort Na, trying to detect any unusual expression in her.

The concubine slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling with sobs: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Rong Momo... she's dying. Imperial Physician Liu says there's nothing that can be done. I can't bear to see her go like this, so I've come to beg Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress to allow me to send Rong Momo out of the palace and find a renowned doctor in the countryside to try again." As she spoke, she knelt on the ground with a thud, her eyes filled with pleading.

Xiao Yanzi looked at Consort Na, secretly pondering: Consort Na's actions were rather strange. Rong Momo had been poisoned and unconscious, and she had kept quiet about it until now, suddenly wanting to send her out of the palace. Could it be that she wanted to use this opportunity to release Rong Momo and destroy evidence? Thinking this, a faint smile appeared on her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes: "Consort Na, your deep affection for Rong Momo is evident to both the Emperor and me. However, the matter of Rong Momo's poisoning is of great importance. If something were to happen to her now, how would the Emperor and I explain ourselves to the world?"

Upon hearing this, the concubine's heart tightened, and she quickly said, "Your Majesty, I understand your concerns. However, Rong Momo raised me from childhood, and we were like mother and daughter. I really can't bear to see her die like this. I assure you, I will be careful and will not make any mistakes." As she spoke, she kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead already slightly red.

Hongli frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "That Consort, this matter is of great importance, and the Empress and I still need to discuss it. You should go back first, and we will send someone to inform you after we have discussed it and reached a conclusion."

Although the concubine was unwilling, she dared not disobey the imperial decree and could only bow again before slowly retreating. Watching the concubine's departing figure, Hongli said to Xiaoyanzi, "Empress, what do you think is the purpose of Concubine Na's visit?"

Xiao Yanzi shook her head slightly and said, "I can't figure it out either. But she is definitely involved in Rong Momo's poisoning. Now that she suddenly wants to send Rong Momo out of the palace, there must be a trick involved."

Just then, Hongzhou hurriedly entered the hall. He was wearing a dark blue robe with a white jade belt around his waist. He looked anxious but could not hide his excitement: "Brother, sister-in-law, I have important news."

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi quickly stood up, their eyes full of anticipation: "Tell me quickly, what news is there?"

Hongzhou, slightly out of breath, said, "My friends in the martial arts world have learned that the remnants of Ulihak's faction are preparing a large-scale operation in an abandoned Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital. They seem to be planning to take advantage of the tense border war and the court's inability to attend to other matters to launch a surprise attack and overthrow the court."

Little Swallow was startled and said, "What should we do? If their conspiracy succeeds, the world will be in chaos." As she spoke, she subconsciously clenched her fist.

Hongli frowned slightly, a resolute glint in his eyes: "We must not let their conspiracy succeed. Hongzhou, immediately gather your friends from the martial world and the elite guards in the palace, and prepare for battle. I will personally allocate troops to support General Zhaohui and ensure the stability of the border war. At the same time, we must wipe them out before the remnants of Ulihak can act."

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, this operation is of great importance, you must be extra careful. The remnants of Ulihak's gang might resort to desperate measures and attack people in the palace."

Xiao Yanzi smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will take good care of myself. But you, the border war is dangerous, you must return safely." Her eyes were full of tenderness and concern as she gently held Hongli's hand.

Hongli gently embraced Xiaoyanzi and said, "I promise you, I will return safely. Once I have resolved the border war and the remaining Ulihak forces, we can spend some quality time with Xiaoyanzi."

However, just as everyone was busily preparing countermeasures, an unexpected event occurred in the palace. Princess Hejing suddenly disappeared, plunging the entire palace into chaos.

"What? Princess Hejing has disappeared? What happened?" Xiao Yanzi asked anxiously. She was wearing a phoenix robe and pacing back and forth in Kunning Palace, her handkerchief crumpled in her hand.

Consort Ling, her face streaked with tears, sobbed, “Your Majesty, this afternoon, Princess Hejing said she wanted to take a walk in the Imperial Garden, so we accompanied her. But in the blink of an eye, the princess disappeared. We searched the entire Imperial Garden, but we couldn’t find her.”

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, pondering to herself: Princess Hejing has always been well-behaved and sensible, how could she suddenly disappear? Could it be the work of the remnants of Ulihak's gang? Thinking of this, she said to Su Peisheng: "Su Peisheng, immediately convey my decree, ordering all guards to search the palace thoroughly and find Princess Hejing."

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

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, Princess Hejing has been captured. What's the next step?" a man in black asked in a low voice.

The leader sneered, "Hmph, Princess Hejing is the Emperor's darling. With her as a hostage, the court won't dare to act rashly. We can use her as leverage to force the Emperor to agree to our conditions." A hint of smugness shone in his eyes as he toyed with a dagger in his hand.

"But what if the imperial court sends troops to attack us? How should we respond?" another man in black asked worriedly.

The leader frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "We have already laid numerous traps around the Taoist temple. If any of the imperial officials dare to come, we will make sure they don't return. At the same time, we will speed up preparations and launch a surprise attack as soon as the time is right."

Inside the palace, Xiao Yanzi and Hongli were still frantic with worry over Princess Hejing's disappearance. They knew the crisis was growing increasingly serious, and every step had to be taken with extreme caution, or they would face utter ruin. Would Princess Hejing return safely? 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…