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

Inside a side hall of Kunning Palace, candlelight flickered, illuminating the tense faces of everyone present. Xiao Yanzi sat upright on a carved pearwood chair, her phoenix robe dignified and luxurious. The gold-embroidered phoenix seemed poised to take flight in the candlelight, but she had no time to appreciate her own splendor; her mind was preoccupied with the matter of the concubine's antidote. Her fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the armrest, her expression anxious yet forcedly composed, her gaze fixed on the concubine's tightly closed door.

"I wonder how things are going with Physician Liu. If that concubine doesn't wake up soon, this lead will truly be lost." Xiao Yanzi murmured softly, her brows furrowed, her voice filled with worry. Beside her, Consort Ling, dressed in a light pink qipao embroidered with delicate peonies, looked even more graceful and charming. She gently patted Xiao Yanzi's hand, comforting her, "Your Majesty, Physician Liu's medical skills are superb; he will surely cure her. Please don't be too anxious; take care of yourself."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Physician Liu emerged with slightly weary steps. Xiao Yanzi and Consort Ling quickly rose to greet him. Xiao Yanzi anxiously asked, "Physician Liu, how is the Consort? Has she woken up?" Physician Liu bowed, a look of relief on his face. "Your Majesty," he replied, "the poison inflicted on the Consort has been neutralized, but she is still extremely weak and will likely need some time to fully recover."

Xiao Yanzi breathed a sigh of relief, her tense nerves finally relaxing a little: "Thank goodness, it's good that he's awake. Physician Liu, thanks to you this time, I will reward you handsomely." Physician Liu quickly waved his hand: "Your Majesty is too kind, this is only my duty."

The group entered the room and saw that the concubine's face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color. She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with confusion and fear. Seeing Xiao Yanzi, her lips trembled slightly; she wanted to speak, but her voice was so weak it was almost inaudible. Xiao Yanzi walked to the bedside and whispered, "Concubine, don't speak yet. Rest well. Once you're feeling better, tell me everything you know." The concubine nodded slightly, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes.

A few days later, Consort Na's complexion improved slightly, and Xiao Yanzi came to her palace again. "Consort Na, now you should tell me the truth about the Shadow Pavilion." Xiao Yanzi's expression was serious as she sat upright on a chair by the bed, looking directly at Consort Na. Consort Na lowered her head, not daring to look Xiao Yanzi in the eye, her voice choked with sobs: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Back then, the people from the Shadow Pavilion found me and threatened me with the lives of my family. I was confused for a moment and made a terrible mistake."

"What exactly did they ask you to do? And who else is their accomplice?" Xiao Yanzi pressed, her eyes radiating an undeniable authority. The concubine bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "They instructed me to keep an eye on the Emperor and the princes' every move and to pass on important information. As for the other accomplices, I truly don't know. They act with extreme caution, always maintaining a single-line of communication."

Xiao Yanzi frowned: "Besides the one I discovered before, are there any other letters you used to communicate with them?" Consort Na shook her head slightly: "No, after each message was delivered, they would have me burn the letters so that no trace would be left."

Xiao Yanzi pondered for a moment, then asked, "You met a man in black with a black token hanging from his waist in the Imperial Garden. Who was he? What did you give him?" The concubine's expression tightened, and a hint of fear flashed in her eyes: "Your Majesty, that man was from the Shadow Pavilion. I gave him a blueprint of the palace's defense layout."

"How dare you!" Little Swallow stood up abruptly, the hem of her phoenix robe fluttering with her movement. "Do you know that your actions almost caused a great disaster? The palace's defense arrangements are a secret; how could they be so easily leaked?" The concubine was so frightened that she immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die a thousand deaths. Please spare my life, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yanzi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down: "Get up. I will not pursue your crime for now. But you must assist me in completely exposing the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy and atone for your crimes." Consort Na nodded repeatedly: "Your Majesty, I will do my best and obey your orders."

Just then, Xiao Tao hurried in: "Your Majesty, Prince Yongqi requests an audience, saying he has important news." Xiao Yanzi was slightly taken aback, and quickly said: "Quickly, invite him in."

Yongqi strode into the palace, dressed in a sharp outfit that made him look dashing, though his expression betrayed a mixture of weariness and excitement. Upon seeing Xiaoyanzi, he knelt on one knee: "Empress Mother, following Father's orders, your son investigated the Shadow Pavilion's strongholds according to the map of their secret locations. In one of these strongholds, we discovered some letters and secret orders related to the succession to the throne."

Xiao Yanzi was shocked: "Is this true? Quickly, bring me the letter." Yongqi took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Yanzi. Xiao Yanzi took the letter, unfolded it, and the contents made her face change drastically: "This...this Shadow Pavilion actually dares to support Hongshi to ascend the throne, what exactly is their purpose?"

Yongqi frowned slightly: "Your subject also finds this matter strange. Although Prince Hongshi is usually a bit arrogant, he would not collude with the Shadow Pavilion. I'm afraid there is a deeper conspiracy behind this."

Xiao Yanzi pondered for a moment and said, "No matter what, this matter must be reported to the Emperor immediately. Yongqi, you will come with me to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

The two arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where Hongli was discussing state affairs with several ministers. Upon seeing Xiaoyanzi and Yongqi enter, everyone bowed. Hongli gestured for them to rise, his gaze falling on Yongqi: "Yongqi, have you made a new discovery?"

Yongqi recounted the events in detail. Hongli took the letter, read it carefully, and his face grew increasingly grim: "What a Dark Shadow Pavilion! How dare they interfere in the succession to the throne of my royal family. Hongshi, he..." Hongli hesitated, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger.

At this moment, a minister stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter should not be taken lightly. Perhaps it is a trap deliberately set by the Shadow Pavilion to sow discord among the royal family."

Another minister nodded in agreement, saying, "I second that. Prince Hongshi has always been loyal and devoted; how could he have committed such a treasonous act?"

The crowd argued back and forth, each offering their own opinion. Little Swallow listened quietly, but her mind was elsewhere. She recalled her previous encounter with Hongshi; although he was somewhat impulsive, he still held Hongli in high esteem, making it hard to believe he would collude with the Shadow Pavilion.

“Your Majesty, I believe we cannot draw conclusions about this matter based solely on a few letters,” Xiao Yanzi said. “We might as well investigate Hongshi secretly to see if he really has any dealings with the Shadow Pavilion. At the same time, we should continue to intensify our efforts to hunt down the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion and we must not let their conspiracy succeed.”

Hongli nodded slightly: "The Empress is absolutely right. Yongqi, I'll leave this matter to you. Keep a close watch on Hongshi's every move, but don't alert him. Once you find solid evidence, report to me immediately."

After receiving the order, Yongqi turned and left. Hongli rubbed his temples, his face showing exhaustion: "When will there be peace in this palace?" Xiaoyanzi walked to Hongli's side and gently took his hand: "Your Majesty, don't overwork yourself. We'll face this together, and we'll get through this together."

A few days later, Yongqi came to the Hall of Mental Cultivation again, his expression solemn: "Father, I have noticed that Prince Hongshi's whereabouts have been very strange lately. He often goes out late at night, and he always looks flustered when he returns. I suspect that he may be colluding with the Shadow Pavilion."

Hongli's expression changed: "Is that so? It seems that this matter is most likely true. Yongqi, have you found out where he went?" Yongqi shook his head slightly: "Your Majesty, I sent people to follow him, but each time they lost them in a secluded alley. There seems to be some kind of trap there; once you get close, you lose your way."

Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "It seems that the Shadow Pavilion's stronghold is extremely well hidden. Continue to send people to investigate and find out where they are hiding. At the same time, strengthen the surveillance on Hongshi and make sure he doesn't escape."

After Yongqi agreed, he was about to leave when Su Peisheng hurriedly walked in: "Your Majesty, Princess Hejing requests an audience, saying she has urgent military information." Hongli was slightly taken aback: "Summon her quickly."

Princess Hejing, dressed in a neat riding outfit, her hair slightly disheveled, clearly had rushed here. She entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation and knelt on one knee: "Father, an urgent report has arrived from the border. Enemy troops are gathering at the border and seem to be preparing to invade again."

Upon hearing this, Hongli's expression changed drastically: "These enemy troops are truly incorrigible. Immediately issue my decree, ordering General Zhaohui to prepare for defense without the slightest negligence." Princess Hejing accepted the order and turned to leave.

Xiao Yanzi's heart tightened: "Your Majesty, with internal and external troubles attacking at the same time, what should we do?" Hongli's expression was solemn, but his eyes revealed determination: "No matter how great the difficulties we encounter, I will not back down. As for the internal troubles, I will definitely wipe out the Shadow Pavilion in one fell swoop; as for the external troubles, I will make sure that the enemy's army never returns!"

However, just as everyone was discussing countermeasures, shocking news came from Kunning Palace: Little Swallow had disappeared...