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

As dusk settled, the Forbidden City was shrouded in twilight, as if veiled by a mysterious curtain, concealing the untold secrets and struggles within the palace. Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, candlelight flickered, and Hongli and Xiaoyanzi faced a pile of letters and account books salvaged from an abandoned residence, their brows furrowed and expressions grave.

“Your Majesty, although these letters mention collusion, they do not clearly identify who the traitor is.” Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, her eyes filled with anxiety and doubt. She pointed to the letters on the table with her finger. “The person behind this is meticulous and extremely cautious.”

Hongli picked up a letter and examined it closely, his face growing increasingly grim: "Hmph, no matter how well they hide, I will definitely find them. These letters and ledgers must contain clues that we haven't yet discovered." His eyes revealed determination and resolve, as if they could pierce through the layers of fog and strike at the enemy's vitals.

Just then, Su Peisheng rushed in, his steps hurried and his expression panicked: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, news has come from the Imperial Household Department that the missing silk shop owner has been found, but..." He paused slightly, a hint of hesitation on his face.

"But what? Speak quickly!" Hongli's voice was deep and authoritative, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.

Su Peisheng immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, the silk shop owner is dead. His body was found in a desolate wilderness outside the capital. He died a gruesome death, clearly murdered to silence him."

Xiao Yanzi's heart skipped a beat, and a hint of anger flashed across her face: "These people are too vicious. They will stop at nothing to cover up their crimes." She subconsciously clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, but she felt no pain at all.

Hongli snorted coldly: "It seems that our investigation has made them feel threatened like never before. Su Peisheng, pass down the order to intensify the investigation of suspicious persons in the capital, especially those who have had dealings with spice shops and silk shops. Do not let a single one of them get away."

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

Xiao Yanzi raised her head and looked at Hongli: "Your Majesty, although we have evidence now, the clues have gone cold. What should we do?" Her eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness. In this turbulent court struggle, she felt so powerless for the first time.

After a moment of contemplation, Hongli slowly said, "I think we can start with those martial arts figures who have had connections with the Shadow Pavilion. They are well-informed in the martial arts world and may know some things that we don't."

Xiao Yanzi's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty, what you say makes sense. However, the people in the martial arts world are a mixed bag, so how can we find reliable people?" She tilted her head slightly, her eyes full of expectation, hoping that Hongli could provide a feasible solution.

Hongli smiled slightly: "I also have some informants in the martial arts world, perhaps they can be of help. I will send someone to contact them right away." His smile carried a hint of confidence, as if everything was under his control.

Meanwhile, in Consort Na's palace, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was hard to breathe. Consort Na, dressed in a magnificent pink cheongsam, sat in the main seat, her face so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

"Granny, how could that silk shop owner be dead? Didn't they say they had arranged for people to protect him?" Consort Na asked coldly, her voice trembling slightly.

Rong Momo hurriedly stepped forward, lowered her head, and said cautiously, "Your Highness, this old servant doesn't know what happened. Those people were incompetent, and he was actually silenced." Her voice was tinged with fear, afraid that the concubine would take her anger out on her.

Consort Na slammed her hand on the table in anger: "Useless! A bunch of useless people! Now the evidence has been taken away, and the silk shop owner is dead. What are we going to do?" A hint of panic was revealed in her eyes, and her usual dignified and elegant demeanor had long since disappeared.

After a moment of contemplation, Rong Momo slowly said, "Your Majesty, the only option we can have now is to try to steal back the evidence, or..." She paused slightly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes, "we might as well go all the way and find an opportunity to get rid of the Emperor and the Empress."

Consort Na's face changed: "Granny, are you crazy? This is a capital offense!" Her voice was filled with fear. Although she was full of resentment towards Xiao Yanzi and Hongli, she still hesitated to do such a rebellious thing.

Rong Momo sneered, "Your Highness, we have no way out now. If we don't do this, we'll all die once they find out the truth." There was a hint of determination in her voice, as if she had already made up her mind.

The concubine remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly, "Alright, Granny, I'll do as you say. However, we must be very careful and not reveal any flaws." A hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes; to protect her position and life, she decided to take a desperate gamble.

Meanwhile, in Kunning Palace, Xiao Yanzi was worried about Yongqi's injuries. Yongqi lay on the bed, his face pale, his forehead covered with fine beads of sweat. Physician Liu carefully changed his dressings, his expression grave.

"Doctor Liu, how is Yongqi's injury?" Xiao Yanzi asked anxiously, her eyes fixed on Doctor Liu, as if trying to find some comfort in his face.

Imperial Physician Liu frowned slightly and said slowly, "Your Majesty, although the Fifth Prince's injuries are not serious, he needs to be well cared for, otherwise it would be bad if he developed a chronic illness." There was a hint of worry in his voice; Yongqi's injuries were more serious than he had imagined.

Xiao Yanzi sighed softly, "That's good, that's good. Doctor Liu, thank you for your hard work. Please use the best medicine so that Yongqi can recover as soon as possible." She lowered her head slightly, her eyes full of heartache. Yongqi was the apple of her eye, and seeing him injured made her feel even worse than if she were injured herself.

Physician Liu quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will do my utmost." After saying this, he packed up his medicine box and withdrew.

Xiao Yanzi sat by Yongqi's bedside and gently held his hand: "Yongqi, you must get better soon. Your mother is still waiting for you to help find the traitor." Her voice was soft yet firm, as if she were giving Yongqi strength.

Yongqi slightly opened his eyes, saw Xiaoyanzi, and forced a smile: "Empress Mother, don't worry, I'm fine. Once I'm healed, I will definitely help you find the traitor and restore peace to the palace." Although his voice was weak, it was full of determination.

Xiao Yanzi gently patted Yongqi's head: "Silly child, you should take good care of your injuries. Leave everything else to your mother and father." Her eyes were full of tenderness. At this moment, she was just a mother who loved her child dearly.

Just then, Xiao Tao hurried in: "Your Majesty, Princess Hejing requests an audience."

Little Swallow was slightly taken aback, then said, "Please come in quickly."

Princess Hejing entered, bowed, and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, I've heard about Yongqi's injury and the murder of the silk shop owner. That traitor is utterly despicable." Her face was full of anger, and her small fists were clenched tightly, as if she wanted to knock the traitor down with a single punch.

Little Swallow nodded slightly: "Yes, this traitor is too well hidden and too ruthless. Hejing, you've come at the right time. I was just about to talk to you to see if I could find out any information about the Shadow Pavilion from your friends." A hint of expectation appeared in her eyes. Princess Hejing was lively and had made many friends in the martial arts world. Perhaps she could find some clues from them.

Princess Hejing quickly replied, "Your Majesty, don't worry, I'll contact my friends right away and ask them to help me find out." Her eyes were filled with determination; she was willing to do anything to help Xiaoyanzi and Yongqi.

Little Swallow smiled with relief: "Alright, thank you for your hard work, Hejing. Be careful in this matter and don't expose yourself easily." She gently patted Princess Hejing's hand, her eyes full of concern.

Princess Hejing nodded: "Your Majesty, I understand. I'll go and do it right away." With that, she hurriedly left Kunning Palace.

Night fell, and the Forbidden City was utterly silent, broken only by the occasional gong of the night watchman. Little Swallow lay in bed, unable to sleep. The series of events and the enemies lurking in the shadows kept replaying in her mind. She knew this battle was far from over; the real crisis might have only just begun… Gazing at the night sky outside the window, she silently prayed that everything would end soon and the palace would return to its former peace.

Suddenly, a slight noise came from outside the window. Little Swallow sat up alertly and called out, "Who's there?" But only silence answered her. Little Swallow's heart pounded; she realized that danger might be creeping in...