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

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed almost palpable. Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his face grim, his hand gripping General Zhaohui's battle report tightly, his knuckles white from the pressure. Xiao Yanzi stood beside him, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe, yet oblivious to her own elegance; her delicate brows were furrowed, her eyes filled with worry. Princess Hejing paced back and forth in the hall, the butterfly embroidery on her pink qipao seeming to flutter away with her movements, yet unable to conceal her current anxiety.

"This enemy is so cunning! It's one thing to strengthen our defenses, but to put up such fierce resistance to General Zhao Hui's surprise attack is truly despicable!" Hongli slammed the battle report onto the table, making the teacup shake and almost spill the tea. His voice echoed in the hall, filled with uncontrollable anger.

Xiao Yanzi gently walked to Hongli's side, reached out, and gently took his hand, trying to soothe his emotions: "Your Majesty, don't get too upset. Now that the enemy is on guard, we can think of another way." Her voice was soft, but it was firm.

Princess Hejing stopped in her tracks, biting her lower lip, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Father, Mother, I refuse to believe they can remain completely undetected forever. I'll contact those chivalrous figures right now and have them devise ways to create even greater chaos within the enemy ranks." As she spoke, she clenched her fists, as if she could already see the dawn of victory.

Hongli nodded slightly, his expression softening somewhat: "Hejing, I entrust this matter to you. Make sure they act cautiously and not rashly, lest they alert the enemy." He looked at Princess Hejing, his eyes filled with both trust and worry.

Princess Hejing nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, Father Emperor, I will definitely tell them." After saying that, she turned and left in a hurry, her skirt catching a gust of wind.

Watching Princess Hejing's departing figure, Xiao Yanzi sighed softly: "I hope Hejing can successfully contact those heroes, and I also hope they can come up with a good solution."

Hongli pulled Xiaoyanzi into his arms and gently patted her back: "My beloved consort, I feel much more at ease with you by my side. No matter how great the difficulties we encounter, we will definitely overcome them."

As the two were talking, Su Peisheng rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Majesty, Prince Yongqi requests an audience, saying he has made an important discovery."

Upon hearing this, Hongli immediately sat up straight: "Send the message quickly!"

Yongqi strode into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, knelt on one knee, and said with undisguised excitement, "Father, after many days of investigation, I have finally found some key clues. The eunuch who colluded with the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion was actually instigated by... the personal maid of Consort Yu."

Upon hearing this, both Xiao Yanzi and Hongli were shocked. Xiao Yanzi's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief: "How could it be someone from Consort Yu's side? Consort Yu has always been gentle and kind, how could she..."

Hongli's expression also turned very ugly. He frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Yongqi, are you sure? This matter is of utmost importance. We must not wrong an innocent person."

Yongqi quickly said, "Father, I am certain. I have been following that palace maid for many days and discovered that she often meets with mysterious people outside the palace to pass on messages from inside. Moreover, I have also found letters between her and the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion." As he spoke, he took out a letter from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

Hongli took the letter, unfolded it, and read it. His face grew increasingly grim: "You audacious servant! How dare you commit such a treasonous act! Guards, immediately bring that palace maid to me. I want to interrogate her myself!"

Before long, the palace maid was brought into the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Her face was pale, and she was trembling all over. She knelt on the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty the Empress, spare my life! I was forced into this. It was all Consort Yu who ordered me to do it. I dare not disobey!"

Little Swallow looked at the kneeling palace maid, her eyes filled with anger: "Don't you dare make false accusations! How could Consort Yu do such a thing?"

The palace maid was so frightened that she kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead quickly swelling and turning red: "Your Majesty, this servant dares not lie. Consort Yu has always been jealous of your relationship with the Emperor, and is also worried that Prince Yongqi will not be able to inherit the throne. Therefore, she colluded with the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion, wanting to disrupt the court so that Prince Yongqi would have an opportunity..."

Upon hearing this, Yongqi's expression changed drastically: "You're talking nonsense! Mother isn't that kind of person, you must be lying!"

Hongli looked at the palace maid, his eyes filled with icy coldness: "If you dare to lie, I will make sure you die a horrible death!"

The palace maid was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground, crying out, "Your Majesty, every word I said is true! I dare not utter a single lie!"

Just then, Zhen Huan, supported by a palace maid, entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation. She wore a deep purple qipao embroidered with intricate gold patterns, appearing dignified and imposing. Seeing the scene inside the hall, Zhen Huan frowned slightly: "What's going on here?"

Hongli quickly stood up and said respectfully, "Mother, Yongqi has found out that the person who colluded with the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion was actually Consort Yu's personal maid. She also confessed that Consort Yu ordered her to do it."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan's expression changed slightly: "Is this really true? How could Consort Yu do such a foolish thing?"

Little Swallow quickly said, "Your Majesty, I feel there's something fishy about this. Consort Yu is usually very respectful to both me and the Emperor; she doesn't seem like the type to do such a thing."

Zhen Huan nodded slightly: "I also find this matter suspicious. We cannot completely trust what the palace maid says. However, now that we have a lead, we must investigate it thoroughly."

Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "Guards, bring Consort Yu here. I want to confront her face to face."

Before long, Consort Yu entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation accompanied by eunuchs. She was dressed in a light blue cheongsam and looked flustered. Upon seeing the people in the hall, she bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, Empress, and Empress Dowager, may I ask what brings you here?"

Hongli looked at Consort Yu with a serious expression: "Consort Yu, do you know your crime?"

Consort Yu looked bewildered: "Your Majesty, I do not know what crime I have committed. Please enlighten me."

Hongli threw the letter in front of Consort Yu: "Your maid colluded with the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion, passing on messages from within the palace, and even confessed that you ordered her to do it. What is your explanation?"

Consort Yu picked up the letter, and after reading it, her face turned deathly pale: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I am loyal to Your Majesty, how could I have done such a treasonous thing? Someone must have deliberately framed me."

Seeing this, the palace maid quickly said, "Your Highness, now that things have come to this, please stop making excuses. You said that as long as I work for you, you will give me wealth and honor, and that Prince Yongqi will take good care of me in the future. Have you forgotten?"

Consort Yu glared angrily at the palace maid: "You vile woman, how dare you frame me! When did I ever say such things?"

Just as everyone was arguing, a guard rushed in, knelt down and reported: "Your Majesty, an urgent report has arrived from the border!"

Hongli's expression hardened: "Bring it here quickly!"

A guard presented the battle report, which Hongli quickly began to read. His expression gradually softened, and a look of delight appeared in his eyes: "Excellent! The martial arts heroes summoned by Princess Hejing have successfully created chaos within the enemy ranks. General Zhaohui seized the opportunity to launch an attack, and the enemy has begun to crumble!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes: "Really? Your Majesty, that's wonderful!"

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to the news from the frontier, and they temporarily put aside their interrogation of Consort Yu. Hongli hurriedly said, "Issue my decree: order General Zhaohui to press on and wipe out the enemy forces!"

After receiving the order, the guard hurriedly left. Hongli turned to look at Consort Yu and said, "Let's put this matter aside for now. I will investigate it thoroughly once the border war has completely subsided."

Consort Yu breathed a slight sigh of relief and quickly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I believe the truth will surely come to light."

With the situation on the frontier taking a turn for the better, the atmosphere in the palace eased somewhat. But everyone knew this was only temporary peace; the real crisis might not yet be completely over…