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

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the flickering candlelight reflected the relieved expressions on everyone's faces. Little Swallow sat unharmed on Hongli's lap, her tiny hands tightly clutching the hem of his robe, as if afraid of being separated from her loved one again. Xiao Yanzi stood to the side, her eyes still red-rimmed, yet unable to conceal the joy of surviving such a ordeal. She gently stroked Little Swallow's hair, her magnificent phoenix robe gleaming in the candlelight, the golden phoenix embroidered on it seeming ready to take flight. But at this moment, her heart and eyes were filled only with her daughter in her arms.

"Xiaoxiao, you really scared everyone this time. You mustn't run around like that again." Xiaoyanzi's voice was gentle, with a hint of doting and lingering fear.

Little Swallow nodded vigorously, her big eyes still brimming with tears: "Mother, I know I was wrong. I will never leave you and Father again."

Hongli gently patted Xiaoxiaoyanzi's head, then turned his gaze to Yongqi and Xiao Yichen, his eyes full of praise: "Yongqi, Young Master Xiao, it is thanks to you that Xiaoxiaoyanzi returned safely this time. I will certainly reward you handsomely."

Yongqi immediately knelt down: "Father, this is the duty of your son and everyone else, and we dare not take credit." Xiao Yichen also clasped his hands in salute: "This humble subject has only done his bit. It is an honor for this humble subject to help the Empress find the princess."

As everyone was talking, Su Peisheng hurriedly walked in, looking slightly flustered: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Na requests an audience, saying she has important matters to report."

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly, exchanged a glance with Hongli, and a hint of doubt arose in her heart: "What is she doing here at this time? Let her in."

The concubine, dressed in a light blue qipao, looked haggard and walked unsteadily into the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Upon seeing Hongli and Xiaoyanzi, she knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I am guilty."

Hongli's expression was cold and stern: "That concubine, what crime have you committed? Stand up and speak."

The concubine refused to rise, her voice trembling with tears: "I was threatened by the people of the Shadow Pavilion and did many things that I was sorry for to the Emperor and the Empress. Now that the Shadow Pavilion is finished, I no longer want to hide it."

Little Swallow stepped forward and looked at the concubine: "Since you know you were wrong, tell me everything you know."

Consort Na nodded slightly and said slowly, "The true purpose of the Shadow Pavilion is not simply to support Hongshi to ascend the throne. There is a mysterious force behind them that attempts to overthrow the entire court and rebuild a new dynasty. The reason they have their eyes on the princess is to use her to threaten the Emperor and the Empress, forcing you to make concessions in court."

Hongli's face grew increasingly grim: "You audacious traitor! How dare you harbor such wolfish ambitions? Do you know who is the mastermind behind this mysterious force?"

The concubine shook her head: "I do not know. They act with extreme secrecy, and every time they contact me, it is through a masked man."

Xiao Yanzi pondered for a moment and then asked, "So what exactly did you give the people from the Shadow Pavilion when you met them in the Imperial Garden?"

The concubine bit her lower lip: "It's a list of the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of the various ministers in the palace. I... I was foolish and was used by them, almost causing a disaster."

Hongli glared at her angrily: "As a concubine, instead of sharing the burdens of the royal family, you have committed such a treasonous act. If it weren't for your voluntary confession today, I would not have let you off so easily!"

The concubine kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Your Majesty and Empress, I beg you to spare my life!"

Little Swallow sighed softly: "Get up. I will remember your sin for now. If you dare to have any disloyal thoughts again in the future, I will not forgive you."

Consort Na was overjoyed at being granted a pardon and was moved to tears: "Your Majesty and Empress are so grateful for your mercy in sparing my life. I will do my best to make up for my past mistakes in the future."

After the concubine withdrew, Hongli rubbed his temples and said wearily, "The matter of the Shadow Pavilion is finally over, but this mysterious force..."

Xiao Yanzi walked to Hongli's side and gently took his hand: "Your Majesty, no matter what difficulties we face, we will face them together. Now that Xiao Xiao has returned safely, it is a blessing in disguise."

Hongli nodded slightly, a resolute glint in his eyes: "You're right. I will never let these traitors' plots succeed."

A few days later, the palace returned to its usual tranquility. Little Swallow played with Little Swallow in the courtyard of Kunning Palace, the spring sunshine warming them both. Little Swallow, wearing a pink jacket embroidered with cute little rabbits, hopped and skipped after a butterfly, her laughter as clear and melodious as silver bells.

"Mother, look, that butterfly is so pretty!" Little Swallow excitedly pointed at the butterfly and turned to Little Swallow to say.

Little Swallow smiled and nodded: "Yes, it's so beautiful. Little one, be careful not to fall."

At this moment, Xiao Tao hurried over: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has sent someone to invite you to Cining Palace, saying that she has important matters to discuss."

Little Swallow paused for a moment, then turned to Azhu and said, "Azhu, take good care of Xiaoxiao. I'll be right back."

Xiao Yanzi arrived at Cining Palace, where Zhen Huan was sitting on a carved chair, holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her expression calm. Seeing Xiao Yanzi enter, Zhen Huan slightly raised her hand: "Empress, you've arrived, please sit down."

Xiao Yanzi bowed and sat down next to Zhen Huan: "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

Zhen Huan sighed softly: "I have heard that there have been new developments in the border war. Although the enemy has temporarily retreated, they seem to be secretly gathering their forces, and I am afraid there will be another major battle soon."

Xiao Yanzi's heart tightened: "Is this true? Does the Emperor know about this?"

Zhen Huan nodded slightly: "His Majesty already knows and is discussing countermeasures with his ministers. I called you here so that you could persuade His Majesty not to overwork himself. The palace has finally settled down, and we can't afford any more trouble."

Little Swallow quickly replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I understand. When I return, I will certainly give the Emperor a good talking-to."

After leaving the Cining Palace, Xiao Yanzi went straight to the Yangxin Hall. Inside the Yangxin Hall, Hongli was discussing the war with several ministers, and the atmosphere was heavy.

"Your Majesty," a minister said, "I believe we should strengthen the border defenses and increase troop deployment to prevent the enemy from invading again."

Another minister shook his head: "No. The national treasury is empty now. If we send more troops, military expenditures will increase significantly, which will place a heavy burden on the people. I believe we should first send someone to negotiate with the enemy and strive for a peaceful resolution."

Everyone held their own opinion, and the argument dragged on. Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his brow furrowed, looking exhausted.

Xiao Yanzi quietly entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation and saw that everyone was arguing, so she stood quietly to the side. After everyone had calmed down for a while, she stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Your Excellencies, may I say a few words?"

Everyone bowed and greeted her: "Your Majesty the Empress."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Empress, what are your thoughts? Please speak freely."

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yanzi said, "I believe that while the war on the frontier is important, the lives of the people cannot be ignored. We can strengthen our defenses while sending an eloquent envoy to the enemy camp to negotiate. If the negotiations succeed, all will be well; if they fail, we will have sufficient defensive capabilities to cope."

Hongli nodded slightly: "The Empress is right. My dear ministers, what do you think?"

The ministers unanimously agreed. Therefore, it was decided that General Zhao Hui would be responsible for strengthening the border defenses, and that an experienced envoy would be dispatched to the enemy camp for negotiations.

However, the day after the envoy departed, another shocking piece of news came from the palace: Princess Hejing had gone missing...

Kunning Palace was instantly thrown into chaos. Xiao Yanzi was extremely anxious: "What on earth is going on? How could Princess Hejing have disappeared?"

Xiao Tao said anxiously, "Your Highness, according to Princess Hejing's maid, the princess said she was going for a walk in the Imperial Garden last night, and then she never came back. They searched the entire Imperial Garden, but they couldn't find any trace of the princess."

Xiao Yanzi immediately went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to inform Hongli of the matter. Upon learning of this, Hongli was furious: "Another disappearance! What on earth is going on in the palace? Immediately send people to investigate and find Princess Hejing as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing the news, Yongqi rushed over and said, "Father, Mother, I am willing to lead the guards to search for Sister Hejing with all my might."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Alright, Yongqi, I'll leave this matter to you. Be careful and make sure Princess Hejing is safe."

After receiving the order, Yongqi turned and left. Xiaoyanzi sat to the side, silently praying that Princess Hejing would return safely. Her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her phoenix robe, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety.

"Your Majesty, do you think Princess Hejing might have also been captured by the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion?" Xiao Yanzi asked softly.

Hongli frowned: "I also suspect that this matter is related to the Shadow Pavilion. It seems that the Shadow Pavilion's power is more stubborn than we imagined."

Just as everyone was extremely anxious, Su Peisheng rushed in: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, an urgent report has come from the border. The enemy has suddenly launched an attack, and General Zhaohui requests reinforcements!"

Hongli's expression changed drastically: "This enemy army is truly going too far! Immediately issue my decree, ordering the nearby garrison to rush to General Zhaohui's aid!"

Little Swallow felt a sudden dizziness and sighed inwardly: When will there be true peace in and around the palace?