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

As dawn broke, the Forbidden City was still shrouded in a hazy morning mist, its walls and glazed tiles appearing and disappearing in the fog. The gates of the Kunning Palace slowly opened, and Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a magnificent bright yellow phoenix robe, walked out with steady steps. The phoenixes embroidered in gold thread on the robe were lifelike, as if they were about to take flight at any moment. Their eyes, adorned with rubies, shimmered captivatingly in the dim light. The pearl curtains hanging from her phoenix crown swayed gently with her movements, making subtle sounds that reflected her solemn expression.

"Xiao Tao, A Zhu, go and invite Yong Qi, Qing Er, and Consort Ling here. Tell them I have important matters to discuss with you," Xiao Yanzi instructed softly, her voice carrying an undeniable authority.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Xiao Tao and A Zhu replied hastily and left.

Little Swallow stood in the courtyard, gazing at the gradually brightening sky, her heart filled with worry. The news of Princess Hejing's disappearance was like a boulder, stirring up a thousand waves in her heart. Her hand unconsciously tightened around the jade pendant at her waist, a token of love given to her by Hongli, which she would instinctively clutch whenever she felt uneasy.

"Where exactly is Princess Hejing being hidden by the remnants of Ulihak's gang? What exactly are they planning to do?" Xiao Yanzi muttered to herself, her brows furrowed and her eyes revealing a hint of anxiety.

Before long, Yongqi, Qing'er, and Consort Ling arrived in a hurry. Yongqi was dressed in a moon-white robe with a blue belt around his waist, looking very dashing; Qing'er wore a light pink qipao embroidered with delicate orchids, which made her look even more gentle and charming; Consort Ling wore a light purple palace dress, looking anxious, with traces of tears still in her eyes.

"Yongqi, Qing'er, Consort Ling, please have a seat," Xiao Yanzi greeted, forcing a smile on her face.

After the three were seated, Yongqi spoke first: "Your Majesty, I am aware of Princess Hejing's disappearance. I will do everything in my power to bring Princess Hejing back safely." His eyes were firm, revealing a youthful passion and sense of responsibility.

Qing'er quickly added, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go with you. The more people there are, the more strength we will have." Her voice was clear and melodious, but it also carried a hint of anxiety.

Consort Ling wiped away her tears and said, "Your Majesty, Princess Hejing has been lively and adorable since she was a child. Now that she has gone missing, I am truly worried about her. Please give your orders, Your Majesty, and I will do anything you ask."

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly and said, "I know you all care about Princess Hejing. This time, the remnants of the Ulihak gang came with great force, not only provoking war on the border, but also causing so much trouble in the capital. Princess Hejing was captured by them, and they must be using her as leverage to threaten the Emperor and the court."

"Then what should we do?" Yongqi asked anxiously, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yanzi said, "Yongqi, go and contact General Zhaohui, and tell him to hold the border firmly and not give the enemy any opportunity. At the same time, keep an eye out for any Ulihak remnants within the army. Qing'er, go and contact Prince Hongzhou, and tell him to speed up the investigation of the Ulihak remnants' strongholds outside the capital, and find out their troop deployment and action plans. Consort Ling, you stay in the palace and take good care of Xiao Yanzi and the other concubines, and make sure there is no more trouble in the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the three replied in unison.

After they left, Xiao Yanzi took a deep breath and said to Su Peisheng beside her, "Su Peisheng, go and investigate the situation of Consort Na and Granny Rong again. Granny Rong's condition suddenly worsened, and Consort Na was in a hurry to send her out of the palace. There must be something fishy about this."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will take care of it immediately." Su Peisheng quickly withdrew.

Meanwhile, in an abandoned Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital, Princess Hejing was imprisoned in a dark and damp secret room. She wore a light blue cheongsam that was torn and disheveled, and her hair was also a little messy, but her eyes revealed stubbornness and resentment.

"You bunch of scoundrels, let me out! My father and mother will not let you get away with this!" Princess Hejing shouted angrily, pounding on the prison door with both hands.

A man in black walked over and sneered, "Hmph, stop shouting. You're our hostage now. If you behave, we might spare your life."

Princess Hejing glared at him: "I won't listen to you! What exactly do you want?"

The man in black didn't answer and turned to leave. Princess Hejing leaned against the wall, her heart filled with grievance and fear. She thought of her father and mother, Yongqi, Qing'er, and other relatives and friends, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Inside the palace, Hongli was discussing border war with Fucha Fuheng in the Qianqing Palace. Hongli, dressed in a dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression solemn; Fucha Fuheng, dressed in official robes, stood respectfully to the side.

"Fuheng, the border war is now critical. How long can General Zhaohui's food and supplies last?" Hongli asked, his voice filled with fatigue and worry.

Fucha Fuheng bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, the food and fodder supplies can only last for half a month at most. If we do not receive reinforcements, the soldiers at the front may be in danger."

Hongli frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Immediately dispatch grain supplies from the area surrounding the capital and ensure they reach the front lines within ten days. At the same time, select elite troops from the capital's garrison to support General Zhaohui on the frontier."

"As you command," Fucha Fuheng replied.

At this moment, Su Peisheng hurriedly walked in: "Your Majesty, the Empress has sent me to report to you on the situation of Consort Na and Rong Mama."

Hongli sat up straight: "Speak."

Su Peisheng recounted everything Xiao Yanzi had told him. After listening, Hongli's face darkened: "That Consort Na and Rong Mama are indeed suspicious. Issue my decree to strengthen the surveillance on Consort Na, and Rong Mama cannot be let down either. If she is truly dying, bring her body back immediately; I will examine it myself."

"Yes, sir." Su Peisheng accepted the order and left.

In the afternoon, sunlight shone through the clouds onto the palaces of the Forbidden City, but failed to dispel the gloom that hung over the palace. Little Swallow paced back and forth in the Kunning Palace, her heart still heavy with worry for Princess Hejing. Just then, Little Peach rushed in: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived!"

Xiao Yanzi hurriedly went out to greet her, and saw Zhen Huan dressed in a deep purple palace gown and wearing a phoenix crown, walking slowly in surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs. Zhen Huan's face showed some worry, but her eyes revealed determination and composure.

"Your Majesty, I greet you," Xiao Yanzi said, bowing.

Zhen Huan quickly helped her up: "Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. I am already aware of Princess Hejing's disappearance. The situation is so tense now, we must find a way to rescue Princess Hejing as soon as possible."

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly: "What Your Majesty says is absolutely right. I have already sent Yongqi, Qing'er and Consort Ling to do some things, but the remnants of the Ulihak gang are too cunning, and I am really worried about Princess Hejing's safety."

Zhen Huan held Xiao Yanzi's hand and said, "Your Majesty, do not worry too much. I believe that Princess Hejing is blessed by Heaven and will surely return safely. Now, we must remain calm and not lose our composure."

As the two were talking, Hongzhou hurriedly walked in: "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty."

"Hongzhou, you've come at the right time. Do you have any news about Princess Hejing?" Xiaoyanzi asked anxiously.

Hongzhou shook his head slightly: "Not yet. However, I have already sent people to strengthen surveillance around the abandoned Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital. We have every move of the Ulihak remnants under our control. I have also discovered that they seem to be preparing for a large-scale operation, which will take place in the next few days."

Zhen Huan frowned slightly: "It seems they intend to launch a surprise attack while the border war is tense and the court is preoccupied. We must take action as soon as possible and not let them succeed."

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yanzi said, "Hongzhou, you will lead your friends from the martial arts world and the palace guards to launch a surprise attack on the abandoned Taoist temple late tomorrow night. You must rescue Princess Hejing and wipe out the remaining members of Ulihak's gang as quickly as possible."

Hongzhou nodded and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost."

As night fell, darkness enveloped the Forbidden City, with only the outlines of the palaces faintly visible in the moonlight. Little Swallow stood by the window of Kunning Palace, gazing at the night sky, silently praying for Princess Hejing's safe return and for the crisis to end soon. However, she knew the road ahead was fraught with unknowns and dangers, and every step had to be taken with extreme caution…