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

As dawn broke, the soft light filtered through the thick walls of the Forbidden City, scattering across the glazed tiles of the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, refracting a myriad of colors. However, this beautiful scene failed to dispel the gloom in Xiao Yanzi's heart. Since the remnants of Ulihak's forces had been wiped out, although the palace appeared peaceful on the surface, Xiao Yanzi always felt an undercurrent stirring within her, making her vaguely uneasy.

At this moment, Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a bright yellow phoenix robe, sat regally on the main seat of Kunning Palace. The golden phoenix embroidered on the robe was lifelike, as if it were about to take flight with her every move. She gently held a silk handkerchief in her hand, wiping the fine sweat from her forehead from time to time, her eyes revealing a trace of fatigue and worry.

"Xiao Tao, do you think there might be some conspiracy hidden behind this calm?" Xiao Yanzi asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Xiao Tao quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said with concern, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Those rebels have all been eliminated, so there's definitely nothing more to worry about. You should rest well and not overwork yourself." As she spoke, she picked up the teapot on the table and poured Xiao Yanzi a cup of hot tea. The steam rose gently, and the aroma of the tea filled the air.

A-Zhu chimed in, "Yes, Your Highness. You've been working tirelessly day and night for the sake of the palace; you should take a rest." She held a round fan in her hand and gently waved it, bringing a cool breeze to Xiao-Yan-Zi.

Xiao Yanzi sighed softly, put down the silk handkerchief in her hand, picked up the teacup, but only stared at the clear tea in the cup without drinking. "I always feel that things are not so simple. There may be other forces backing these remnants of Ulihak. Moreover, the concubine and Rong Mama have been missing for so long without any news. I am really worried."

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the hall, followed by Consort Ling and Qing'er entering. Consort Ling wore a light pink palace dress with delicate lotus flower patterns embroidered on the hem, making her appear gentle and charming. Qing'er wore a light blue cheongsam, simple and elegant, and her face carried a hint of solemnity.

"Your Majesty the Empress," the two greeted.

Little Swallow quickly got up and went to help them up: "Get up quickly, no need for formalities. You've come at the right time, I was just about to talk to you about something."

Consort Ling nodded slightly and said with concern, "Your Majesty, is something troubling you? Please give your orders, and your concubine and Qing'er will do our utmost."

Qing'er added, "Yes, Your Highness. If anything happens, don't bear it alone. Let's all think of a solution together."

Xiao Yanzi smiled slightly and looked at them gratefully: "You are all so thoughtful. I was thinking that although the remnants of Ulihak's gang have been wiped out, we still can't let our guard down when it comes to things in the palace. Especially the matter of that concubine and Rong Mama, I always feel that there is something hidden behind it."

Consort Ling frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, I also find this matter strange. Although that concubine and Rong Mama have sometimes gone too far in their actions, they shouldn't have disappeared into thin air. Could it be that someone deliberately hid them?"

Qing'er nodded in agreement: "I also think Consort Ling is right. Perhaps the person behind this is plotting something even bigger."

A hint of worry flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes: "No matter what, we must be careful. Consort Ling, you are well-liked in the harem, so pay close attention to the movements of the concubines in each palace and see if there is anything unusual. Qing'er, you are meticulous, so keep an eye on the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Kitchen for me, and don't let anyone with ill intentions have the opportunity to tamper with the food."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The two men accepted the order and left.

As soon as Xiao Yanzi sat down, Yongqi strode in. He was dressed in a dark blue robe with a white jade belt around his waist, looking dashing and heroic. However, his face showed some fatigue, clearly indicating that he had been busy dealing with post-war matters for a long time.

“Empress Mother,” Yongqi greeted.

Xiao Yanzi quickly stood up and looked Yongqi up and down: "Yongqi, you must be tired from your journey. How are the aftermath matters in the capital going?"

Yongqi nodded slightly: "Replying to Your Majesty, I have handled the aftermath in the capital properly as Your Majesty instructed. The wounded soldiers have also received proper medical treatment. However..." He hesitated, a hint of doubt on his face.

Little Swallow noticed Yongqi's unusual behavior and quickly asked, "What is it? Please tell me what's on your mind."

Yongqi sighed and said, "When I was clearing out the strongholds of the remaining Ulihak forces, I found some strange letters. Although these letters were not clearly signed, their contents seem to be related to certain forces within the palace."

Little Swallow's expression changed slightly: "Is that so? Where are these letters now?"

Yongqi took out a package wrapped in oiled paper from his bosom and handed it to you with both hands: "Your Majesty, these letters are all here. Your son dared not open them without permission, so I came to give them to you."

Xiao Yanzi took the package and carefully opened the oiled paper. Inside were several yellowed letters. Her eyes quickly scanned the contents of the letters, and her face grew increasingly gloomy: "Although the contents of these letters are cryptic, it is not difficult to see that someone is secretly colluding with the remnants of Ulihak's faction, intending to overthrow the court. Moreover, judging from some of the hints in the letters, this person's identity is probably not low."

Yongqi also looked indignant: "Empress Mother, I really can't understand how there could be such a wolf in sheep's clothing in this palace?"

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yanzi said, "Don't make this public for now. Let me discuss it with your father, the Emperor. Yongqi, continue your investigation in secret and see if you can find more clues."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yongqi accepted the order and left.

Watching Yongqi's departing figure, Xiaoyanzi secretly resolved to get to the bottom of this matter and not let those with ill intentions succeed in their schemes.

Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hongli was discussing border defense matters with Generals Hongzhou and Zhaohui. Hongli wore a black dragon robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns, which looked particularly majestic under the sunlight.

"Zhaohui, we must not let our guard down on the frontier. Although the remnants of the Ulihak forces have been wiped out, there is no guarantee they won't make a comeback." Hongli's voice was deep and powerful, his eyes revealing a firm resolve.

General Zhao Hui knelt on one knee and said loudly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to safeguard the peace of the border. I have already strengthened the border defenses, increased the number of troops, and arranged for sentries. If there is any disturbance, I will report to Your Majesty immediately."

Hongzhou also said, "Your Majesty, I will also keep a close eye on the movements in the martial arts world. Those remnants of the Ulihak gang have many informants in the martial arts world. I will find a way to wipe them out in one fell swoop and never give them a chance to cause trouble again."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Good, with the two of you here, I am at ease. However, we cannot be careless about matters within the palace. I have a feeling that there is an even bigger conspiracy waiting for us behind the scenes."

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

Hongli was slightly taken aback: "Summon them quickly."

Xiao Yanzi entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, bowed, and handed the letter that Yongqi had found to Hongli: "Your Majesty, this is a letter that Yongqi found when he was clearing out the strongholds of the remaining Ulihak forces. Please take a look."

Hongli took the letter and read it carefully, his expression growing increasingly grim: "Although the contents of these letters are cryptic, it is not difficult to see that someone is secretly colluding with the remnants of Ulihak's faction, intending to overthrow the court. Moreover, judging from some of the hints in the letters, this person's identity is probably not low."

Generals Hongzhou and Zhaohui also stepped forward, looked at the contents of the letter, and their expressions were equally solemn.

Hongzhou said angrily, "Your Majesty, this is outrageous! We must find this traitor, otherwise the court will never have peace."

General Zhao Hui also said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to conduct an investigation inside and outside the capital, and we must find out this traitor."

After pondering for a moment, Hongli said, "We must not rush into this matter. Since this traitor has been able to hide in the palace for so long, he must have his own methods. We cannot alert him; we must plan carefully."

Xiao Yanzi added, "Your Majesty is right. We can investigate secretly first to see if we can find more clues. At the same time, we must strengthen the palace's defenses to prevent this traitor from resorting to desperate measures."

After much discussion, the group finally devised a detailed investigation plan.

As night fell, the Forbidden City was shrouded in darkness. Little Swallow returned to Kunning Palace, sat by the window, and gazed at the bright moon outside, her mind filled with countless thoughts.

"Xiao Tao, do you think we can find this traitor?" Xiao Yanzi asked softly.

Xiao Tao walked to her side and gently took her hand: "Your Majesty, don't worry. The Emperor and all the princes are so wise and capable, they will surely find this traitor."

Little Swallow smiled slightly: "I hope so. Life in the palace is truly a constant source of worry."

Just then, a soft footstep sounded outside the hall. Xiao Tao looked warily towards the door: "Who's there?"

A palace maid entered, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty the Empress, Princess Hejing requests an audience."

Xiao Yanzi was slightly taken aback: "It's so late, what does Princess Hejing want with me? Summon her quickly."

Princess Hejing walked in, dressed in a light purple palace gown, her face showing some anxiety.

"Your Majesty," Princess Hejing greeted.

Little Swallow quickly got up and went to help her up: "Hejing, it's so late, why are you here? Did something happen?"

Princess Hejing hesitated for a moment and said, "Empress Mother, I...I heard that Father and you are investigating the traitor. I...I seem to know some clues."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes: "You know a clue? Tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

Princess Hejing took a deep breath and slowly said, "Your Majesty, a few days ago when I was taking a walk in the Imperial Garden, I overheard two palace maids talking. They said that a steward in the Imperial Household Department has been acting strangely lately, often sneaking out at night and keeping a very secretive whereabouts. I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but after hearing about this today, I feel that the steward is a bit suspicious."

Xiao Yanzi's expression changed slightly: "Is that so? What's the name of this manager?"

Princess Hejing shook her head: "I don't know his name either. However, I remember the two palace maids saying that he was the manager in charge of procurement at the Imperial Household Department."

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yanzi said, "Hejing, the clue you provided is very important. Go back first, and don't tell anyone about this. I will send someone to investigate."

Princess Hejing nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll head back now."

After Princess Hejing left, Xiaoyanzi said to Xiaotao, "Xiaotao, go and find Yongqi immediately, and tell him that I have something important to discuss with him."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Tao accepted the order and left.

Little Swallow gazed at the night outside the window, silently praying that this clue would be the key to uncovering the traitor's identity and restoring peace to the palace as soon as possible...