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

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, as news of victories arrived from the border war, the previously tense atmosphere eased slightly. However, the accusation that Consort Yu was colluding with the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion still weighed heavily on everyone's hearts. Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows, but it could not dispel the suspicion and unease that permeated the hall.

Hongli sat on the dragon throne, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe. The golden dragon embroidery on the robe shone brightly in the light, but his face was still gloomy, and his eyes were scrutinizing as he stared intently at Consort Yu and the palace maid kneeling on the ground.

"This matter is of great importance, and I will not tolerate it." Hongli's voice was deep and carried an unquestionable authority. "If what this palace maid says is true, Consort Yu, do you know the consequences?"

Consort Yu trembled slightly, raised her head, her eyes filled with grievance and anxiety: "Your Majesty, I swear to Heaven, this is absolutely not true. Someone must have deliberately framed me. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly." She clasped her hands in front of her, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her dress, causing the light blue cheongsam to wrinkle slightly with her movements.

Xiao Yanzi stood to the side, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe embroidered with phoenixes poised to take flight, which accentuated her graceful figure. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, her eyes filled with worry: "Your Majesty, I have known Consort Yu for a long time, and I know her character well. I find it hard to believe that she would do such a thing." As she spoke, she subconsciously took a step forward, her skirt swaying gently with her movement.

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, the jade ruyi in her hand gently tapping the ground, producing a crisp sound: "I also feel that this matter is full of doubts. The one-sided account of a palace maid is not credible. But since we have this clue, we cannot let it go easily and must investigate it thoroughly." Her expression was calm, but her eyes revealed shrewdness and wisdom, and the majesty accumulated over the years was fully revealed in this instant.

Seeing that everyone doubted her words, the palace maid became even more flustered. She moved forward on her knees and said urgently, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, everything I have said is true. Consort Yu has met secretly with people from the Shadow Pavilion many times and even wrote letters by hand, which I then delivered."

Yongqi stood behind Consort Yu, his face ashen, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force: "You insolent servant, don't you dare slander my mother! I've always treated you well by my side, why do you repay kindness with enmity?" His voice trembled slightly with anger, and veins bulged on his forehead.

The palace maid trembled with fear, lowered her head, and said in a tearful voice, "Fifth Prince, I dare not lie. It was the people from the Shadow Pavilion who threatened me, saying that if I didn't do as they said, they would kill my family. I had no choice!"

Hongli frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "First, imprison this palace maid and keep her under strict guard. Without my decree, no one is allowed to have contact with her."

Two guards stepped forward, grabbed the palace maid, and dragged her out. The maid cried and begged for mercy all the way, her voice gradually fading away outside the palace.

"Yongqi, take Consort Yu back first and let her rest well. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly." Hongli looked at Yongqi, his expression softening. "Don't be too anxious, I believe the truth will eventually come out."

Yongqi nodded slightly and helped Consort Yu up: "Thank you, Father Emperor. Mother, let's go back now."

Consort Yu bowed slightly, tears welling in her eyes: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I await Your Majesty's investigation to uncover the truth." With that, she slowly walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, supported by Yongqi.

After they left, Hongli rubbed his temples, looking exhausted. "There are so many troubles in this palace. The border war had just turned around, and now this mess has arisen internally."

Xiao Yanzi walked to Hongli's side and gently took his hand: "Your Majesty, don't overwork yourself. Since it has already happened, let's face it together. There will always be a way." Her voice was soft and reassuring.

Zhen Huan sighed softly, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task now is to stabilize the situation in the palace. Although there has been progress in the border war, we still cannot let our guard down. The hidden dangers within the palace must also be eliminated as soon as possible."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Mother is absolutely right. Yongqi has already made some progress in his investigation of this matter, and I intend to have him continue to investigate further. We must find out the real mastermind behind this."

Just then, Su Peisheng rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Majesty, Princess Hejing requests an audience, saying she has urgent business to discuss."

Hongli was slightly taken aback: "Send it quickly."

Princess Hejing, dressed in a pink qipao, the butterfly embroidery on the hem of her skirt seemed about to take flight with her hurried steps. She walked quickly into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, slightly out of breath: "Father, Mother, Empress Dowager, I just received news from the heroes that although the enemy army has been defeated, the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion seem to be showing signs of fleeing towards the capital."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. Hongli's expression hardened: "Is this true? Immediately issue my decree, ordering the garrison in the capital to strengthen their defenses and ensure that the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion are intercepted outside the capital."

Princess Hejing nodded quickly: "Your subject has already sent someone to deliver the message. However, those knights said that the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion might disguise themselves and infiltrate the capital, so we need to plan this carefully."

Little Swallow frowned: "What should we do? If they manage to sneak into the capital, they'll cause a huge uproar."

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Have the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites join forces to strengthen the checks on people entering and leaving the capital. The identity of everyone entering the city must be carefully verified. In addition, notify all the concubines in the palace to strengthen the security of the palace and not allow outsiders to enter or leave at will."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Do as Mother says. Hejing, continue to maintain contact with those heroes, and report to me immediately if there is any news."

After receiving the order, Princess Hejing hurriedly left. Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, everyone was engaged in a new round of discussions, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

A few days later, at the city gates of the capital, the guards stood solemnly, carefully checking everyone entering the city. The soldiers, clad in armor and wielding spears, scanned their surroundings warily.

"Halt! Show your pass!" a guard shouted, stopping a man wearing a straw hat.

The man paused slightly, then pulled a token from his pocket and handed it over. The guard took the token, examined it carefully, and then looked the man up and down: "What do you do? Why are you entering the city at this time?"

The man lowered his voice: "I'm a businessman, here in the capital to do some business."

The guard returned the token to the man and waved his hand, saying, "Go in, but be careful."

The man nodded slightly and strode into the city. However, he had only taken a few steps when two plainclothes guards quietly followed him.

It turned out that after learning that remnants of the Shadow Pavilion might have infiltrated the capital, Yongqi had arranged for plainclothes guards to secretly monitor the area near the city gates. He suspected that the man's behavior was somewhat suspicious.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Xiao Yanzi was handling harem affairs in Kunning Palace. Dressed in a phoenix robe, she sat upright in the main seat, her eyes focused intently on the account books in her hands.

"Your Majesty, the monthly accounts for each palace are here," Xiao Tao said respectfully, holding the account book.

Little Swallow nodded slightly, about to speak, when she suddenly heard a commotion outside. She frowned slightly: "What's going on outside?"

Azhu hurriedly ran out to check, and soon returned in a rush: "Your Majesty, Consort Na and Consort Ling have gotten into a fight and are coming this way."

Little Swallow sighed softly, "These two are arguing again."

As soon as she finished speaking, Consort Na and Consort Ling entered Kunning Palace. Consort Na, dressed in a purple qipao, looked arrogant and disdainful: "Your Majesty, you must do me justice. Consort Ling deliberately made things difficult for me and withheld my palace supplies."

Consort Ling, dressed in a light pink qipao, looked aggrieved: "Your Majesty, I did not receive any. It was allocated by the Imperial Household Department according to the rules, but that Consort insisted on an extra portion, which I truly could not fulfill."

Little Swallow looked at the two of them and shook her head slightly: "Alright, stop arguing. In this harem, we are all one family. Why quarrel over such a trivial matter?"

The concubine snorted coldly: "Family? Consort Ling is clearly targeting me on purpose."

Consort Ling, with tears in her eyes, said, "Your Majesty, please investigate. I truly did not do it."

Just as Xiao Yanzi was thinking about how to mediate, a palace maid rushed in: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Prince Yongqi has sent word that he has discovered traces of the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion in the capital, and he is currently pursuing them."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanzi's expression changed: "Is that so? Quickly, prepare the sedan chair; I must go see the Emperor." With that, she stood up, her skirt fluttering in the wind, leaving Consort Na and Consort Ling staring at each other in bewilderment…