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

In Kunning Palace, Xiao Yanzi heard the news that Yongqi was hunting down the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion. She was extremely anxious. Her skirt fluttered with her hurried steps, and the phoenix embroidered in gold on her magnificent phoenix robe seemed about to take flight. She hurriedly instructed Xiao Tao and A Zhu to prepare a sedan chair. Her expression was anxious, and her usually bright eyes were now full of worry.

"Xiao Tao, hurry up!" Xiao Yanzi said, subconsciously adjusting her hair ornaments. Despite her inner turmoil, she maintained the composure of an empress. She turned to look at Consort Na and Consort Ling, who were still arguing, and frowned slightly. "You two go back to your palaces first. We'll discuss this matter later." Without waiting for their response, she hurriedly left Kunning Palace, surrounded by palace maids.

In the Imperial Garden, spring was in full bloom, with colorful flowers bursting forth in all their glory. A gentle breeze rustled the branches, carrying a sweet fragrance. But Xiao Yanzi had no heart to appreciate the beautiful scenery. Sitting in her sedan chair, she nervously clutched the hem of her dress, silently praying that Yongqi would successfully capture the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion, while also worrying about the complex situation within the palace.

Before long, the sedan chair stopped outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Xiao Yanzi hurriedly alighted and went straight into the hall. Hongli was discussing important matters with several ministers. Seeing Xiao Yanzi enter, they all bowed. Hongli raised his hand, gesturing for them to rise, and looked at Xiao Yanzi with concern: "Empress, has something happened?"

Xiao Yanzi quickly walked to Hongli's side, her expression solemn: "Your Majesty, Yongqi sent word that traces of the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion have been discovered in the capital, and he is currently pursuing them."

Upon hearing this, Hongli's expression changed slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Such a thing has happened? These remnants of the Shadow Pavilion are truly persistent." He turned to his ministers, "My esteemed ministers, how should we deal with this matter?"

An elderly minister stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that we should immediately send more troops to assist Prince Yongqi in the pursuit. We must wipe out these traitors in one fell swoop to prevent future troubles.”

Another minister frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, it is certainly important to send more troops, but the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion are cunning and treacherous. We must proceed with caution to avoid alerting them."

The group chatted animatedly, each offering their own opinion. Little Swallow listened quietly, but her mind was elsewhere. She recalled the various clues connected to the Shadow Pavilion and had a growing feeling that a larger conspiracy was lurking behind it all.

Just then, 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 said, "Send the message quickly!"

Yongqi strode into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, his clothes somewhat disheveled and his forehead covered in sweat, clearly having rushed there. Upon seeing everyone, he knelt on one knee: "Father, in the process of pursuing the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion, your son discovered some important clues."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Yongqi, stand up and speak slowly. What clues have you discovered?"

Yongqi stood up, took a deep breath, and said, "Your Majesty, I tracked the suspicious man to an abandoned mansion, where I discovered a secret stronghold of the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion. Moreover, I also captured a prisoner alive."

A hint of surprise flashed in Hongli's eyes: "You've captured him alive? Where is he now?"

Yongqi quickly replied, "Your subject has taken him back to the palace and is keeping him under strict guard. This man is very stubborn and initially refused to confess, but with a little manipulation, he finally revealed some important information."

Hongli frowned slightly: "What important information?"

Yongqi's expression was solemn: "He said that the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion infiltrated the capital this time in order to meet with an inside agent in the palace and carry out a shocking conspiracy. Moreover, this inside agent is in the inner palace."

These words shocked everyone. Xiao Yanzi's face turned pale instantly, and she instinctively covered her mouth: "How could this be... How could there be an inside agent of the Shadow Pavilion in the harem?"

Hongli's face also turned extremely ugly, his eyes filled with anger and vigilance: "Who on earth is so bold as to collude with the Shadow Pavilion? Yongqi, did you learn the identity of the mole from that person?"

Yongqi shook his head slightly: "Your subject asked, but he only said that this inside man has a noble status, and he didn't know who he was. However, he also mentioned a key piece of information, saying that the connection between the Shadow Pavilion and the inside man is related to a mysterious mural."

Upon hearing the words "mysterious mural," Xiao Yanzi's heart skipped a beat. She and Hongli exchanged a glance, a knowing look flashing in their eyes. This mysterious mural was the key clue they had been searching for all along, and now it seemed that the conspiracy behind it was far more complex than they had imagined.

"It seems that the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy is closely related to the secrets of the murals we investigated earlier," Hongli said in a deep voice. "We must find out the truth as soon as possible and never let their conspiracy succeed."

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly: "Your Majesty, since this mole is in the inner palace, then we shall start our investigation from there. As the Empress, I will conduct a thorough investigation and will not let any suspicious person slip by."

Hongli frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "This matter should not be rushed, lest we alert the enemy. Empress, you should first observe the actions of the concubines in the harem discreetly, and report to me immediately if there is anything unusual."

After agreeing, Xiao Yanzi thought to herself: There are so many concubines in the harem, how easy would it be to find this mole? But for the sake of the peace of the palace, she had to do her best.

A few days later, Xiao Yanzi invited all the concubines to gather in the Imperial Garden under the pretext of holding a flower-viewing banquet. The Imperial Garden was a riot of color, filled with the fragrance of flowers. Palace maids moved about, setting out exquisite tea, snacks, and wine. The concubines, dressed in magnificent qipaos, laughed and chatted, or spoke in hushed tones, appearing outwardly peaceful. But Xiao Yanzi knew that beneath this tranquility, undercurrents might be surging.

Little Swallow wore a royal blue phoenix robe embroidered with lifelike phoenixes, and a phoenix crown on her head. Her hair ornaments swayed gently with her movements, making a crisp sound. She smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the concubines, but her eyes were subtly observing everyone's every move.

"Her Majesty the Empress's flower-viewing banquet today is truly ingenious. The flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming even more beautifully," Consort Ling said with a smile. She was dressed in a light pink qipao, which made her look gentle and charming.

Little Swallow smiled slightly: "I'm glad that Consort Ling likes it. In this spring season, all the flowers are in full bloom, which is a good time to appreciate them. It's nice for everyone to gather together and have some fun."

The concubine snorted coldly from the side: "Hmph, it's just a flower appreciation banquet, what's the big deal?" She was dressed in a purple cheongsam, her expression arrogant, with a hint of disdain in her eyes.

Xiao Yanzi glanced at Na Fei and thought to herself: Na Fei usually opposes me, and her behavior today is also a bit strange. Could she be an inside agent of the Shadow Pavilion? But based on this alone, I can't draw any conclusions.

Just then, Qing'er walked over. She was dressed in a white qipao embroidered with delicate orchids, which made her look fresh and refined: "Your Majesty, ladies, look at the peonies over there. They are blooming so beautifully."

Following Qing'er's pointing finger, everyone looked and saw a sea of ​​peonies—red, pink, white, and every color vying for attention, a breathtaking sight. The concubines exclaimed in admiration and walked towards the peony bushes.

Little Swallow followed the others, keeping an eye on her surroundings as she went. Suddenly, she noticed a palace maid hurrying past a flower bush, looking flustered, as if she were carrying something in her hand. Little Swallow's heart skipped a beat; she found the maid very suspicious, so she quietly followed her.

The palace maid, unaware that she was being followed, hurried to a secluded corner. After looking around, she handed what she was carrying to a eunuch. Just as she turned to leave, Little Swallow suddenly appeared: "Stop! What are you doing?"

The palace maids and eunuchs trembled with fear, their faces turning deathly pale. Turning around and seeing Xiao Yanzi, they immediately knelt and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, spare us!"

Little Swallow stepped forward and looked at them coldly: "Why are you sneaking around here? What are you carrying? Tell me the truth, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

The palace maid tremblingly pulled a letter from her bosom and handed it over: "Your Majesty, this...this is a secret letter. The concubine asked me to give it to this eunuch. I don't know what's written in it."

Xiao Yanzi took the letter, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart. She unfolded the letter and saw some strange symbols and coded language written on it, clearly a communication between the Shadow Pavilion and their inside agent.

"You dare to collude with the Shadow Pavilion!" Little Swallow said angrily. "Guards, take these two back to Kunning Palace. I want to interrogate them myself!"

After the palace maids and eunuchs were taken away, Xiao Yanzi remained deeply troubled. She knew that this was only the tip of the iceberg, and a greater crisis might be yet to come…