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

A chilling atmosphere permeated the streets and alleys of the capital. Outside the silk shop, the encirclement of men in black was impenetrable, their gleaming blades reflecting a cold light in the sunlight. General Zhao Hui's face was grim, his long sword gripped tightly, the blade trembling slightly as if gathering power for an imminent explosion. His gaze, sharp as torches, swept over the surrounding enemies, his composed aura becoming even more pronounced in the tense atmosphere.

"Brothers, today is the day to rid the court of this scourge! Do not be afraid!" General Zhao Hui's deep yet powerful voice echoed in the soldiers' ears, stirring their morale. The soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, their synchronized movements demonstrating their determination. Despite the ferocious enemy they faced, their eyes showed no fear.

The leader of the men in black let out a chilling laugh that echoed through the empty street, sending shivers down one's spine: "Zhao Hui, do you think you can stand against us with these few shrimps and crabs? Surrender obediently, and perhaps we can leave you with a whole corpse."

General Zhao Hui snorted coldly, his eyes full of disdain: "Don't be arrogant, today is your doomsday!" With that, he charged at the man in black, his long sword flashing in a sharp arc, creating a gust of wind.

The two sides instantly engaged in fierce combat, swords flashing and clashes flying, the shouts of battle deafening. General Zhao Hui was highly skilled in martial arts; his long sword moved like a dragon emerging from the sea, and wherever he went, the men in black fell. However, the men in black were numerous, surging forward like a tide, and the soldiers gradually found themselves in a desperate struggle.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Kunning Palace of the Forbidden City was equally heavy. Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe with gold-embroidered peonies blooming on the hem, could not dispel the worry on her face. She paced back and forth in the hall, each step filled with anxiety, her silk handkerchief unconsciously crumpled into a ball.

"Xiao Tao, it's been so long, why haven't we heard from General Zhao Hui yet?" Xiao Yanzi's voice was filled with obvious unease. She looked towards the palace gate again, as if hoping that this would bring good news.

Xiao Tao was equally worried. She bit her lower lip slightly, trying to comfort Xiao Yanzi: "Your Majesty, don't be too anxious. General Zhao Hui is highly skilled in martial arts and will surely return safely." But there was also a hint of tension in her eyes, and she kept glancing at the door.

Just then, Su Peisheng rushed in, looking flustered. Before he could even stand properly, he said urgently, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! General Zhaohui has been attacked at the silk shop and is surrounded by men in black!"

Xiao Yanzi's face turned deathly pale instantly, and the silk handkerchief in her hand slipped silently from her grasp: "How could this happen? Su Peisheng, quick, immediately issue an imperial decree ordering Yongqi to lead reinforcements to meet us!"

Su Peisheng quickly agreed and hurriedly left. Little Swallow was frantic with worry, pacing back and forth in the hall, muttering to herself, "General Zhaohui, you must be safe and sound..."

Outside the silk shop in the capital, the battle intensified. General Zhao Hui had several wounds, his clothes stained with blood, but his eyes remained resolute, and the attack of his long sword showed no sign of abating.

"General, we can't hold on much longer!" a soldier shouted anxiously, his voice filled with despair.

General Zhao Hui gritted his teeth: "No, we can't retreat! We must hold out until reinforcements arrive!" He brandished his long sword again and repelled several men in black.

Just when everyone was in dire straits, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly came from afar. General Zhao Hui was overjoyed and shouted, "Reinforcements have arrived! Brothers, give it your all!"

Yongqi, clad in silver armor and wielding a long spear, led his reinforcements into the battlefield like a tiger. His eyes were resolute, and the spear danced nimbly in his hands, causing the men in black to scatter wherever he went.

"Yongqi, you've finally arrived!" General Zhaohui breathed a sigh of relief, a smile of satisfaction spreading across his face.

Yongqi nodded in acknowledgment and said loudly, "General, we will fight side by side and wipe out these traitors today!"

Under the combined attack of Yongqi and General Zhaohui, the black-clad men's defenses gradually crumbled. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the leader of the black-clad men's eyes flashed with panic, and he turned to flee.

"Trying to run? Not so easy!" Yongqi reacted swiftly, his spear flashing out like lightning, striking the leader of the men in black squarely in the back. The leader of the men in black let out a scream and collapsed to the ground.

After the battle, Yongqi and General Zhaohui entered the silk shop. General Zhaohui picked up the letters and account books and said, "This evidence is crucial. With it, we are one step closer to finding the traitor."

Yongqi nodded slightly: "General, let's return to the palace immediately and present this evidence to Father Emperor and Mother Emperor."

Back in the Forbidden City, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his face grim. Xiao Yanzi stood anxiously to the side. Yongqi and General Zhaohui entered the hall and knelt to pay their respects.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, we have successfully completed our mission and obtained this evidence." General Zhao Hui presented the letters and account books with both hands.

Hongli took it and examined it carefully, his face growing increasingly grim: "Hmph, how dare these people! They actually dare to plot these schemes right under my nose."

Xiao Yanzi also stepped forward, looking at the letters with a furrowed brow: "Your Majesty, although these letters do not directly mention who the traitor is, judging from the information exchanged, the traitor's identity is probably already obvious."

Hongli nodded slightly: "I have also noticed this, but I need more evidence to confirm it. Yongqi, Zhaohui, you have worked hard this time."

Yongqi and General Zhaohui quickly expressed their gratitude. Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "Now that we have the evidence, we cannot alert the enemy. I have decided to first secretly investigate those who have dealings with the Shadow Pavilion and see if we can follow the clues to find the traitor."

Little Swallow nodded in agreement: "What Your Majesty says is absolutely right, but we still need to proceed with caution in this matter, so as not to alert the enemy."

Just then, Su Peisheng walked in: "Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort Zhen Huan requests an audience."

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

Zhen Huan entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, dressed in an elegant qipao, her expression solemn. Upon seeing the crowd, Zhen Huan gave a slight bow: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

Hongli quickly stood up and helped Zhen Huan up: "Mother, what brings you here?"

Zhen Huan glanced at the letters and account books on the table and slowly said, "I have heard about your investigation. It seems that this traitor is very well hidden and has probably infiltrated every corner of the palace. I have a plan that may lure the snake out of its hole."

Everyone looked at Zhen Huan, their eyes filled with anticipation. Zhen Huan smiled slightly and said, "We might as well spread the word that we found nothing at the silk shop, thus lowering the guard of the traitors. Then, we can secretly set a trap and wait for them to walk right into it."

Hongli pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Mother's plan is excellent. We will proceed as you say and make the arrangements immediately."

Thus, news began to circulate both inside and outside the palace that General Zhao Hui had returned empty-handed from the silk shop. Meanwhile, in Consort Na's palace, Consort Na and Granny Rong, upon hearing this news, wore smug smiles.

"Granny, it seems they're still in the dark," the concubine said coldly, a hint of smugness in her eyes.

Rong Momo laughed along, "Your Highness, now we can rest easy. As long as they can't find any evidence, they can't do anything to us."

However, unbeknownst to them, an invisible net had already been cast, and an inescapable fate awaited them...

In the days that followed, the palace appeared to have returned to its usual calm, but beneath the surface, undercurrents were swirling. Xiao Yanzi and Hongli, among others, carefully laid traps, meticulously considering every detail.

One day, Xiao Yanzi, dressed in an elegant palace gown, strolled in the Imperial Garden, seemingly leisurely, but in reality, it was part of a plan. Beside her were Xiao Tao and A Zhu, the three chatting and laughing, as if they were truly just enjoying the scenery.

"Your Majesty, do you think this plan will succeed?" Xiao Tao asked softly, a hint of worry in her eyes.

Little Swallow smiled slightly: "Don't worry, with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager's plans, we will definitely succeed. We just need to follow the plan."

Just then, footsteps sounded in the distance. Little Swallow's heart skipped a beat; she knew the fish might be about to take the bait…