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

The night was as dark as ink, thick and heavy, pressing down on every inch of the Forbidden City. The candlelight in Kunning Palace flickered precariously in the strong wind, as if it might be extinguished at any moment, reflecting Xiao Yanzi's anxious and unease. She wore a solemn bright yellow phoenix robe, the intricate embroidery and gold threads shimmering coldly in the leaping firelight. The phoenix pattern seemed to shrink in the oppressive atmosphere, losing its former liveliness.

"Xiao Tao, it's so late, why haven't we heard from Prince Hongzhou yet?" Xiao Yanzi's voice trembled slightly, with an undisguised urgency. She clutched a handkerchief tightly in her hand, her fingertips turning white from the force.

Xiao Tao also looked worried. She bowed slightly and replied softly, "Your Highness, the Prince and the others have gone on such a dangerous mission. They may still be negotiating. Please don't worry, wait a little longer. Perhaps we'll hear from them soon." As she spoke, she stepped forward and gently draped a cloak over Xiao Yanzi's shoulders, her eyes full of concern.

Xiao Yanzi sighed softly and paced back and forth in the room, each step heavy and slow. She glanced out the window every now and then, as if she could see through the thick darkness of the night everything happening in the abandoned Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital. The image of Princess Hejing being abducted kept flashing through her mind; her terrified eyes and helpless cries were like sharp knives piercing her heart.

"Princess Hejing, you must be safe and sound." Xiao Yanzi murmured to herself, her eyes slightly red and her voice choked with sobs.

Meanwhile, in an abandoned Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital, overgrown with weeds, the dilapidated walls looming in the night like lurking beasts. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, like a taut bowstring, a fierce battle about to erupt. Hong Zhou, dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, moved with agility, the sword at his waist gleaming coldly in the moonlight. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, were fixed on every movement within the temple, the rhythmic tapping of his riding whip against his palm a habitual gesture to calm his mind before battle.

"Brothers, listen up!" Hong Zhou lowered his voice and said to the martial arts heroes and palace guards beside him, "This operation must succeed, failure is not an option. We must rescue Princess Hejing and wipe out these rebels in one fell swoop!" His voice was deep yet full of power, spreading through the silent night sky, as firm as a resounding bell.

The crowd nodded in unison, their eyes gleaming with determination, and they gripped their weapons even tighter. Some held long swords, their blades sharp and gleaming; others carried bows and arrows on their backs, arrows nocked, ready to be released.

"Your Highness, rest assured! We will do our utmost!" a burly swordsman said in a low voice, his tone filled with heroic spirit.

Hongzhou nodded slightly, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his lips: "Alright, let's set off!" With a wave of his hand, the crowd surged silently toward the Taoist temple like a black tide.

Just as Hongzhou and his group were about to approach the Taoist temple, a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the night sky. It turned out that the spies of the remaining Ulihak gang had discovered their whereabouts.

"Oh no, we've been discovered!" Hong Zhou's expression changed. "Everyone, don't panic, attack according to plan!" He quickly drew his sword from his waist. The sword was drawn from its sheath with a crisp sound, and it gleamed with a cold light under the moonlight.

In an instant, a group of men in black surged out of the Taoist temple, wielding weapons and rushing towards Hongzhou and his companions. Under the moonlight, the glint of swords flashed, and the shouts of battle were deafening. Hongzhou brandished his sword, charging left and right as if entering an empty field. His swordsmanship was fierce, each strike accompanied by a whistling sound, keeping his enemies at bay.

"Princess Hejing, where are you?" Hongzhou shouted as he fought, his eyes searching anxiously through the chaotic crowd.

Inside the secret chamber of the Taoist temple, Princess Hejing heard the shouts of battle outside, and was both surprised and delighted. She knew that her father and mother must have sent people to rescue her.

"I'm here! Come and save me!" Princess Hejing pounded on the prison door, shouting loudly, her voice hoarse with excitement.

However, the secret chamber was well hidden, and the fighting outside was so intense that her cries were quickly drowned out. Princess Hejing was extremely anxious; her hands gripped the bars of the cell door tightly, her knuckles turning white, her eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

Back in the Forbidden City, the atmosphere in Kunning Palace grew even more somber. Xiao Yanzi continued pacing around the room, her steps becoming increasingly hurried, the handkerchief in her hand crumpled beyond recognition.

"Your Majesty, please sit down and have some tea and rest," A-Zhu said cautiously, holding a cup of hot tea, her eyes filled with worry.

Xiao Yanzi waved her hand without speaking. A barrage of terrifying thoughts kept flashing through her mind: What if Hongzhou and the others couldn't rescue Princess Hejing? What if they encountered danger? These thoughts tormented her like demons, making her restless and uneasy.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Little Swallow suddenly raised her head, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes.

"Your Highness, it's Eunuch Su!" Xiao Tao said hurriedly.

Su Peisheng hurriedly entered the house, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but his eyes were filled with excitement.

"Your Majesty, there is news of the Prince!" Su Peisheng said, slightly out of breath.

Little Swallow rushed forward and asked anxiously, "Tell me quickly, how are Hongzhou and the others? Has Princess Hejing been rescued?" She gripped Su Peisheng's arm tightly with both hands, her eyes full of expectation.

Su Peisheng bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, the Prince has already engaged in battle with the remnants of Ulihak's forces. There is still no news of whether Princess Hejing has been rescued, but the Prince's offensive is fierce, and we believe there will be results soon."

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly, her worries lessening somewhat. She took a deep breath and said, "Su Peisheng, continue to send people to keep an eye on things. Report back immediately if there's any news."

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

On the battlefield of the abandoned Taoist temple, the battle had entered a fierce stage. Although Hongzhou and his men fought bravely, the remnants of Ulihak's forces were numerous and held the advantage of terrain, resulting in a stalemate between the two sides.

"No, this can't go on!" Hongzhou thought to himself. "I must find Princess Hejing as soon as possible and end this battle." He looked around and found that the enemy's defenses were relatively weak in one place, so he decided to concentrate his forces and break through from there.

"Brothers, follow me!" Hongzhou shouted, leading a group of men to charge towards the enemy's weakest point. His sword flashed with power, and enemies fell one after another.

Finally, they broke through the enemy's defenses and arrived at the backyard of the Taoist temple. Hongzhou searched around for the location of the secret room when suddenly he heard a faint shout.

"I'm here! Help me!"

Hongzhou was overjoyed. He ran in the direction of the sound and finally found the secret room.

"Princess Hejing, don't be afraid, I'm here to save you!" Hongzhou shouted. He swung his sword and broke the lock on the secret chamber door, which slowly opened.

When Princess Hejing saw Hongzhou, tears welled up in her eyes: "Uncle, you've finally come!" She threw herself into Hongzhou's arms and burst into tears.

Hongzhou gently patted Princess Hejing's back and comforted her, "It's alright, it's nothing now. We'll take you home now."

Just then, a group of men in black surrounded them. The leader sneered, "Hmph, trying to rescue Princess Hejing? Not so easy!"

Hongzhou's face darkened. He shielded Princess Hejing behind him and said, "You have no way to escape today. If you know what's good for you, surrender now!" His eyes were resolute, and he raised his sword again.

Will Princess Hejing be able to return to the palace safely? Will Hongzhou and his men be able to completely defeat the remnants of Ulihak's forces? The night in the Forbidden City remains long and full of unknowns. Xiao Yanzi waits anxiously in the palace, each minute and second feeling infinitely stretched out. Her heart is filled with worry for her family and country, and also with anticipation of victory...