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

Inside the Qianqing Palace, candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows on the walls and creating a solemn atmosphere. Hongli, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, frowned deeply, clutching an urgent frontier battle report tightly in his hand, radiating a chilling aura. He paced back and forth, his footsteps echoing in the empty hall, each step heavy, as if trying to unleash the anxieties and anger within him.

"These remnants of the Shadow Pavilion are so rampant, colluding with border forces in an attempt to shake the foundation of our Great Qing!" Hongli suddenly stopped and slammed the battle report heavily on the table, making a dull sound.

Su Peisheng, standing to the side, kept his head down, barely daring to breathe, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He knew all too well that the Emperor was in a fit of rage, and the slightest misstep could incur his wrath.

At that moment, soft footsteps sounded outside the hall, accompanied by the rustling of robes. Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a royal blue phoenix robe embroidered with lifelike golden phoenixes that seemed ready to take flight, entered the hall with light, graceful steps and a concerned expression. Seeing Hongli's angry face, Xiao Yanzi's heart tightened. She quickly walked to his side and gently took his hand.

"Your Majesty, please don't upset yourself. We'll work together to figure out how to deal with the border situation," Xiao Yanzi said softly, her eyes full of worry and concern. Her voice was like a gentle spring breeze, carrying a hint of warmth, trying to soothe the turmoil in Hongli's heart.

Hongli turned his head and looked at Xiaoyanzi. The anger in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by weariness and helplessness. He sighed softly and took Xiaoyanzi's hand: "My dear consort, the situation is critical now, and Fuheng is in trouble. How can I not be extremely anxious?"

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly, her gaze firm: "I understand Your Majesty's good intentions, but you are the ruler of a country, bearing the heavy responsibility of the people. You must take care of yourself." As she spoke, she gently straightened Hongli's slightly disheveled collar, her movements tender and considerate.

Just then, Su Peisheng cautiously spoke up: "Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort Zhen Huan requests an audience."

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

Zhen Huan, dressed in a deep purple qipao embroidered with golden peonies that shone with a regal radiance, walked steadily into the Qianqing Palace. Her expression was solemn, yet radiated composure. Upon seeing Hongli and Xiaoyanzi, Zhen Huan gave a slight bow: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Empress."

Hongli quickly stepped forward to help Zhen Huan up: "Mother, there's no need for such formalities. The situation on the border is tense right now, and I'm troubled by this matter."

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, her gaze falling on the battle report on the table: "I have heard about it. These remnants of the Shadow Pavilion are truly despicable. However, Your Majesty need not worry too much. Let us discuss this further."

Little Swallow quickly said, "What the Empress Dowager says is absolutely right. Let's think of a way together and we will definitely be able to solve Lord Fuheng's predicament."

The three sat around the table and began their discussion. Zhen Huan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty, I think we might as well break their alliance from within. The border forces are colluding with the Shadow Pavilion for nothing more than profit. We can send people to persuade them, offering them great rewards to sow discord among them."

Hongli frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "What Mother said makes sense, but how easy is it to do this? If we are not careful, we may end up making things worse."

Little Swallow's eyes darted around, and she suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I have an idea. Princess Hejing has many friends in the martial arts world. Perhaps we can ask her to help us find some martial arts heroes, infiltrate their ranks, and gather information. Then we can address the problem accordingly."

Hongli and Zhen Huan exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes. Hongli nodded slightly: "My dear consort, this plan is excellent. Princess Hejing's connections in the martial arts world may be of assistance to us."

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall. Yongqi rushed in, knelt on one knee, and said, "Father, Mother, Empress Dowager, I have important matters to report."

Hongli quickly said, "Yongqi, get up and speak. What happened?"

Yongqi stood up, his expression somewhat grave: "Father, I have just received news that someone in the palace seems to be secretly contacting remnants of the Shadow Pavilion and passing messages between them."

These words shocked everyone. Hongli's face instantly darkened: "Is this true? Yongqi, have you found out who did this?"

Yongqi shook his head slightly: "Not yet. I just received the news myself. At present, I only know that it is a eunuch in the palace, but his specific identity still needs further investigation."

A sharp glint flashed in Zhen Huan's eyes: "It seems that the hidden dangers in the palace have not been completely eliminated. Your Majesty, this matter must be investigated as soon as possible, and we must not allow them to cause any more trouble."

Hongli nodded heavily: "Yongqi, I'm entrusting this matter to you. You must find this traitor as soon as possible. I want him to pay the price for his actions!"

After receiving the order, Yongqi hurriedly left. The atmosphere in the Qianqing Palace grew increasingly heavy, and everyone felt a profound sense of unease.

Xiao Yanzi gently grasped Hongli's hand: "Your Majesty, don't worry too much, we will definitely get through this." Her eyes were full of determination and encouragement, trying to give Hongli strength.

Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi, a warm feeling welling up in his heart: "With you by my side, I have confidence. No matter what difficulties we encounter, we will face them together."

As darkness fell, night enveloped the entire Forbidden City. The candlelight in the Qianqing Palace grew ever brighter, yet it could not dispel the gloom in everyone's hearts. They knew that an even greater challenge was quietly approaching, and they must do everything in their power to protect this hard-won peace…

A few days later, Yongqi launched a secret investigation in the palace. Dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit with a sharp sword at his waist, he moved through every corner of the palace. His eyes were sharp, not missing a single detail, and he carefully observed the expressions and actions of every eunuch or palace maid he encountered.

That day, Yongqi came to the Imperial Garden, pretending to admire the scenery while secretly keeping an eye on his surroundings. Suddenly, he saw a young eunuch hurrying past behind a rockery, clutching a small package tightly in his hand. Yongqi's heart skipped a beat; he found the young eunuch highly suspicious and quietly followed him.

The young eunuch trotted to a secluded spot by the palace wall. After looking around, he handed the package to a man in black outside the wall. Just as he turned to leave, Yongqi suddenly appeared and shouted, "Halt!"

The young eunuch trembled with fear, his face turning deathly pale. He turned and saw Yongqi, then knelt on the ground with a thud: "Fifth Prince, spare me! Fifth Prince, spare me!"

Yongqi stepped forward and looked at him coldly: "Why did you collude with the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion? Tell the truth and you might get a lighter sentence."

The young eunuch trembled with fear and hurriedly said, "Fifth Prince, I was forced into this situation! They threatened to kill my family if I didn't help them pass on their message."

Yongqi frowned: "What messages did they all ask you to deliver?"

The young eunuch stammered, "They asked me about the troop deployment in the palace, as well as the whereabouts of the Emperor and the princes."

Yongqi was shocked. He hadn't expected the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion to be so rampant, even trying to inquire about the palace's troop deployment. He sneered, "Do you know what crime you're committing? Treason, an unforgivable offense!"

The young eunuch was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly: "Fifth Prince, I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong, please forgive me!"

Yongqi looked at him, feeling a pang of pity, but considering the potentially serious consequences of his actions, he hardened his heart and said, "You will come with me to see Father Emperor and await his judgment." With that, he ordered his men to take the young eunuch away.

Yongqi, accompanied by a young eunuch, arrived at the Qianqing Palace and reported the entire incident to Hongli in detail. Upon hearing this, Hongli's face darkened considerably: "You audacious wretch! How dare you commit such a treasonous act! Guards, drag him away and interrogate him thoroughly. Find out who is behind him!"

After the eunuch was dragged away, Hongli turned to Yongqi and said, "Yongqi, you did very well this time. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We still need to strengthen our vigilance and must not allow the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion to have any more opportunities."

Yongqi nodded and said, "Your subject understands, Your subject will do your best."

At this moment, Xiao Yanzi also walked in: "Your Majesty, Yongqi, I have just received news from Princess Hejing. She has found several reliable martial arts heroes who are willing to help infiltrate the alliance between the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion and the border forces."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Very good. This matter is of great importance. Be sure to instruct them to act with caution."

After Xiao Yanzi agreed, she added, "Your Majesty, I was thinking, could we also have General Zhao Hui create some illusions on the frontier to confuse the enemy and buy time for Princess Hejing's people?"

After pondering for a moment, Hongli said, "What my beloved consort says makes sense. I will immediately issue an edict to General Zhaohui."

As a series of countermeasures were implemented, a tense atmosphere permeated both inside and outside the palace. Everyone hoped that the crisis would be resolved soon and the palace could return to its former peace...