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

The night in Kunning Palace was eerily quiet. Candlelight flickered between the window lattices, casting shadows that seemed ghostly. Xiao Yanzi tossed and turned on her bed, unable to sleep. The innocent smile of her little swallow and the small shoe left in the Imperial Garden kept flashing through her mind, and waves of heart-wrenching pain washed over her. She suddenly sat up, her disheveled hair slightly disheveled, the hem of her phoenix robe slightly open, revealing a moon-white undergarment.

"Xiao Tao, A Zhu, are you both asleep?" Xiao Yanzi called softly, her voice tinged with weariness and helplessness.

Upon hearing the noise, Xiao Tao and A Zhu rushed in from the outer room. Their clothes were disheveled, clearly indicating they had just been startled awake. "Your Majesty, is there anything you require?" Xiao Tao asked with concern, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Little Swallow sighed softly, "I really can't sleep. I feel uneasy all the time. Xiaoxiao was kidnapped. It must be because I, as her mother, didn't protect her well." As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, and tears glistened in the candlelight.

Azhu quickly stepped forward, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently held Xiaoyanzi's hand: "Your Majesty, please don't think like that. It's all the fault of those bad people. You have already done everything you could to find the princess."

As the three were talking, suddenly, they heard light footsteps outside the window, followed by hushed conversation. Little Swallow's expression sharpened; she immediately became alert: "Who's outside?"

Xiao Tao and A Zhu exchanged a glance, quickly picked up the candlestick from the bedside, and cautiously walked to the window. Xiao Tao slowly pushed open the window and saw Yong Qi and a man dressed in black standing outside. The man had a cold face, sharp eyes, and exuded a mysterious aura.

"Yongqi, what brings you here? And who is this...?" Xiaoyanzi looked at them with a puzzled expression.

Yongqi hurriedly entered the room and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, I am truly sorry to disturb you so late at night. This is Xiao Yichen, a chivalrous swordsman. He knows some important clues about the Shadow Pavilion."

Xiao Yichen removed the veil from his face, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "This humble subject, Xiao Yichen, greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Little Swallow quickly stood up, gesturing for them to rise as well: "Get up quickly, no need for formalities. Young Master Xiao, you said you have clues about the Shadow Pavilion? Tell us quickly."

Xiao Yichen nodded slightly, his expression solemn: "Your Majesty, I have heard in the martial world that the Shadow Pavilion has recently made a big move, which seems to be related to a mysterious figure. And this mysterious figure is very likely related to the princess's disappearance."

Little Swallow's heart tightened: "A mysterious figure? Who is it?"

Xiao Yichen hesitated for a moment before saying, "The identity of this person is not yet confirmed, but I have learned that people from the Shadow Pavilion have been frequently seen near an abandoned mansion on the outskirts of the capital recently. I suspect that they may be hiding the princess there."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes: "Really? Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry and save them!"

Yongqi quickly dissuaded her, "Your Majesty, we must not act rashly. That abandoned mansion must be full of traps and mechanisms. If we go there rashly, we may not only fail to rescue Little Sister, but we may also be in danger."

Little Swallow bit her lower lip and paced anxiously back and forth: "What should we do? Are we just going to stand by and watch Xiaoxiao suffer there?"

Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, please do not be hasty. I have been lurking near that mansion for several days and have gained some understanding of the situation inside. We can first formulate a detailed rescue plan and then act when the opportunity arises."

Xiao Yanzi nodded slightly: "Alright, then we'll do as Young Master Xiao says. Yongqi, quickly gather reliable guards and prepare for the rescue. Young Master Xiao, please take good care of us and provide us with more intelligence."

After receiving their orders, Yongqi and Xiao Yichen turned and left. Watching their departing figures, Xiao Yanzi secretly vowed, "Xiao Xiao, you must be safe and sound. Mother will definitely bring you back."

A few days later, Yongqi, accompanied by carefully selected guards, arrived at Kunning Palace with Xiao Yichen. The group sat around a table, on which lay a drawn map of an abandoned mansion.

“Empress Dowager, this is a map of the mansion drawn by Young Master Xiao. We have studied it for a long time and formulated a detailed rescue plan.” Yongqi pointed to the map and introduced it to Xiaoyanzi.

Little Swallow looked at the map carefully, her eyes filled with determination: "Okay, tell me in detail."

Yongqi pointed to several marks on the map and said, "This is the main gate of the mansion, which is the most heavily guarded. We can send a small team to feign an attack on the main gate to attract the enemy's attention. Meanwhile, Young Master Xiao and I will lead the main force to sneak in through the back gate of the mansion. The back gate is relatively less guarded, so we can take advantage of their unpreparedness and storm in."

Xiao Yichen continued, "After entering the mansion, we split into two groups. One group, led by Prince Yongqi, went to find the princess's whereabouts; the other group, led by me, went to destroy the Shadow Pavilion's mechanisms to prevent them from escaping."

Little Swallow nodded slightly: "The plan sounds good, but we must be careful. This operation must succeed; failure is not an option."

As everyone was discussing, Xiao Tao hurried in: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived."

Everyone quickly rose to greet her. Supported by palace maids, Zhen Huan slowly entered Kunning Palace. She wore a deep purple cheongsam, appearing elegant and noble, but her face carried a hint of worry.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?" Little Swallow asked with concern.

Zhen Huan waved her hand slightly, gesturing for everyone to sit down: "I heard you were going to rescue Little Princess, and I was worried, so I came to check on you."

Little Swallow felt a warmth in her heart: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. We have already formulated a rescue plan and are just waiting for the right time to set off."

Zhen Huan looked at the map and pondered for a moment: "The plan is good, but we still need to be careful. The people of the Shadow Pavilion are cunning and treacherous, so we must not be careless. I will have Su Peisheng prepare to provide support in the palace. If we encounter any danger, we should send a signal immediately."

Xiao Yanzi rose and bowed: "Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty. I will certainly remember it."

Night fell, and the moonlight was as clear as water. Yongqi and Xiao Yichen led their guards quietly toward an abandoned mansion on the outskirts of the capital. Xiao Yanzi stood in the courtyard of Kunning Palace, gazing into the distance, silently praying.

"Xiao Tao, A Zhu, do you think Yong Qi and the others can successfully rescue Xiao Xiao?" Xiao Yanzi asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Xiao Tao and A Zhu exchanged a glance and said firmly, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Prince Yongqi and Young Master Xiao are so capable, they will definitely rescue the princess."

Time ticked by, and Xiao Yanzi's heart grew increasingly tense. Suddenly, a loud explosion came from afar, followed by shouts of battle.

"Oh no, it's a signal!" Little Swallow's expression changed drastically. "Little Peach, A-Zhu, prepare the sedan chair, we'll go to meet them immediately!"

Outside Kunning Palace, the sedan chairs that had been prepared were particularly conspicuous in the night. Xiao Yanzi, dressed in light night clothes with a black cloak over them, hurriedly boarded the sedan chair. Xiao Tao and A Zhu followed closely behind, sitting in another sedan chair.

The group hurried towards the abandoned mansion under the cover of night. When they arrived, they saw flames soaring into the sky and deafening shouts of battle filling the air. Yongqi and Xiao Yichen were engaged in a fierce battle with the members of the Shadow Pavilion.

"Yongqi!" Little Swallow shouted and jumped out of the sedan chair.

Hearing the shouts, Yongqi turned around: "Empress Mother, why are you here? It's dangerous here, you should go back quickly!"

Despite the danger, Little Swallow rushed into the battlefield, shouting, "No, I want to save Little with you!"

Just then, a dark figure rushed out of the courtyard, carrying a small figure in its arms. Little Swallow looked closely and saw that it was Little Swallow!

"Xiaoxiao!" Little Swallow rushed over without hesitation.

Upon seeing Xiao Yanzi, the shadowy figure quickened its pace, attempting to flee. Seeing this, Xiao Yichen immediately used his lightness skill to give chase. With a few leaps, he blocked the shadowy figure's path.

"Put the princess down!" Xiao Yichen shouted sternly.

The dark figure snorted coldly, tossed Little Swallow aside, and then engaged in a fierce battle with Xiao Yichen. Little Swallow rushed over and hugged Little Swallow tightly: "Little Swallow, are you alright?"

The little swallow opened its eyes, saw the little swallow, and burst into tears: "Mother, I'm scared..."

Little Swallow hugged Little Swallow tightly, tears welling up in her eyes: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Mother is here."

At this moment, Yongqi and his guards gradually gained the upper hand, subduing the members of the Shadow Pavilion one by one. Xiao Yichen also successfully defeated the shadow and captured him.

"Empress Mother, is the Princess alright?" Yongqi ran over and asked with concern.

Little Swallow wiped away her tears and smiled, saying, "Xiao Xiao is alright, thanks to you all."

When everyone returned to the palace, Hongli was already waiting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Seeing that Little Swallow had returned safely, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

"Xiaoxiao, let Father Emperor see if you are injured?" Hongli held Xiaoxiao Yanzi in his arms and carefully examined her.

Little Swallow shook her head: "Father, I'm fine, I just miss you all."

Everyone watched this heartwarming scene with joy. However, Xiao Yanzi knew that the matter of the Shadow Pavilion was not yet completely resolved, and an even greater crisis might be yet to come…