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

As dawn broke, soft light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting a gentle golden glow on the gold-brick floor of the Kunning Palace. Little Swallow, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe, sat before a bronze mirror, letting Little Peach and Azhu comb her long, ink-black hair. In the mirror, her face remained radiant, but a lingering worry lingered in her eyes.

"Your Highness, you don't look too well today. Did you not sleep well last night?" Xiao Tao asked with concern as she gently tied her hair up.

Little Swallow sighed softly and rubbed her temples: "Ever since Xiaoxiao was kidnapped last time, I've been on edge, feeling that the turmoil in the palace is far from over."

Azhu chimed in, "Your Majesty is right. Those people from the Shadow Pavilion are despicable. Who knows what other tricks they'll pull next?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a eunuch's shrill voice came from outside the hall: "Prince Yongqi requests an audience with Her Majesty the Empress."

Little Swallow quickly got up and straightened her clothes: "Quickly invite him in."

Yongqi strode into Kunning Palace, still carrying the chill of the morning air. He wore a dark blue brocade robe with a bright yellow belt around his waist, making him look dashing and heroic. Upon seeing Xiaoyanzi, he immediately knelt on one knee: "Your subject greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Little Swallow waved her hand anxiously, "Yongqi, no need for formalities. You've come so early, is there any new news from the Shadow Pavilion?"

Yongqi stood up, his expression grave: "Your Majesty, I have been secretly investigating the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion recently, and I have discovered that they seem to be preparing some major operation. Although the specifics are not yet clear, all indications suggest that they still harbor treacherous intentions towards the palace."

Xiao Yanzi frowned and paced back and forth in the hall: "What should we do? We finally managed to save Xiao Xiao last time, do they want to use the same trick again?"

Yongqi shook his head slightly: "Your subject believes that their target this time is probably not just the little sister. The Shadow Pavilion is a powerful force with intricate conspiracies behind it, and we must not let our guard down."

As the two were talking, Consort Ling hurried in. She was dressed in a light pink qipao embroidered with delicate begonia flowers, looking gentle and charming. "Your Majesty the Empress, the Empress Dowager requests that you and Prince Yongqi go to Cining Palace, saying that there are important matters to discuss."

Little Swallow nodded slightly: "I understand, we'll head over now."

Inside the Cining Palace, incense smoke curled upwards. Zhen Huan sat regally in the main seat, her expression calm yet exuding a touch of majesty. She wore a deep purple palace gown embroidered with intricate peony patterns, which further accentuated her dignified and luxurious appearance. Seeing Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi enter, she slightly raised her hand, gesturing for them to sit down.

"I've heard that the Shadow Pavilion is making moves again?" Zhen Huan asked, her voice calm and unhurried.

Yongqi quickly reported the details of his investigation. After listening, Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "It seems that the Shadow Pavilion is determined to oppose the royal family. However, the more anxious they are, the more likely they are to reveal their weaknesses. What we need to do is remain calm and wait for the right opportunity."

Little Swallow said anxiously, "Your Majesty, we can't stay passive like this forever. If they really take action, it might be too late for us to react."

Zhen Huan smiled slightly, her gaze falling on Xiao Yanzi: "Empress, do not be anxious. I have already had Su Peisheng place spies in the palace to closely monitor the Shadow Pavilion's every move. Moreover, General Zhao Hui is also strengthening the defenses of the capital. If they dare to make any rash moves, I will make sure they never return."

Just then, Su Peisheng rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, an urgent report has come from the border. The enemy is making unusual movements on the border, and it seems that they are about to launch a large-scale invasion."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed. Hongli frowned: "Why is the enemy attacking again? Don't they know that my army is not to be trifled with?"

Zhen Huan's expression was grave: "It seems that we are beset by both internal and external troubles at the same time, and we must deal with them with caution. Your Majesty, do you think we should immediately summon the ministers to discuss countermeasures?"

Hongli nodded slightly: "Issue my decree to convene an imperial conference immediately in the Qianqing Palace to discuss how to deal with the enemy's invasion."

Inside the Qianqing Palace, the atmosphere was as heavy as the calm before a storm. The ministers, dressed in their court robes, stood solemnly on either side of the hall. Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his face grim: "My beloved ministers, the enemy is making unusual movements on the border, showing signs of invasion. Does anyone have any good strategies?"

An old minister stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent task is to send a large army to the border to strengthen defenses and prevent a surprise attack by the enemy."

Another minister shook his head in opposition: "No. The threat of the Shadow Pavilion within the capital has not yet been eliminated. If the army is transferred out of the capital, and the Shadow Pavilion takes the opportunity to cause trouble, the capital will be in danger."

The crowd argued back and forth, each offering their own opinion. Little Swallow listened quietly, her mind racing. Suddenly, she wondered if the enemy's invasion was related to the Shadow Pavilion's unusual activities.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say." Xiao Yanzi stepped forward and curtsied.

Hongli nodded slightly: "Your Majesty, please speak freely."

Xiao Yanzi cleared her throat: "I think that the enemy's invasion and the Shadow Pavilion's actions may not be a coincidence. Perhaps they have been colluding for a long time, wanting to work together from the inside and outside to disrupt the situation of our dynasty."

Everyone was startled upon hearing this. One minister questioned, "Your Majesty, this is merely your speculation; there is no evidence. How can you draw such a conclusion so easily?"

Little Swallow smiled slightly: "What this gentleman says is correct; there is indeed no conclusive evidence at the moment. But let's consider it from another angle: if the enemy forces are colluding with the Shadow Pavilion, then what is their purpose?"

At this moment, Yongqi also stepped forward and said, "What Your Majesty says is not without reason. When I was investigating the Shadow Pavilion, I heard that they had close ties with the Jianghu forces, and among these Jianghu forces, there were quite a few that had connections with the enemy troops on the border."

Hongli's face grew increasingly grim: "If what you say is true, the situation is even more complicated. My dear ministers, this matter is of great importance, and we must come up with a solution as soon as possible."

Just as everyone was racking their brains, Su Peisheng rushed in again: "Your Majesty, the concubine requests an audience, saying she has important clues."

Hongli paused slightly, then said, "Let her in."

The concubine, dressed in a plain-colored Manchu dress and looking haggard, immediately knelt down after entering the Qianqing Palace: "Your Majesty and Empress, I pay my respects."

Hongli waved his hand: "Get up. You said you had an important clue. What exactly is it?"

Consort Na hesitated for a moment, then said, “Your Majesty, I have recently been thinking about some things concerning the Shadow Pavilion. When I had contact with people from the Shadow Pavilion before, I heard them mention a plan to create chaos in the palace and then take advantage of the chaos to install a puppet emperor on the throne. At the time, I just thought it was nonsense and didn’t pay any attention to it, but now that I think about it, they may really be plotting something.”

Hongli's expression changed drastically: "Is this true? Why are you only telling me now?"

The concubine trembled with fear: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die. I was afraid of being retaliated against by the Shadow Pavilion, so I dared not speak. But now the situation is critical, and I know this matter is of great importance, so I dare not hide it any longer."

Little Swallow quickly asked, "Do you know who this puppet emperor they're talking about is?"

Consort Na shook her head slightly: "Your Majesty, I really don't know. They are extremely cautious in their actions and have never revealed any relevant information."

Everyone fell silent upon hearing this. Hongli rubbed his temples and said, "It seems we must speed up the investigation. Yongqi, you continue to keep an eye on the Shadow Pavilion's movements; Empress, you are responsible for observing the words and actions of the concubines in the harem to see if you can find any clues; as for the border war, I will send General Zhaohui to deal with it."

After receiving their orders, everyone dispersed. Little Swallow returned to Kunning Palace, her heart still filled with unease. She knew a much greater storm was brewing, and she and Hongli must work together to protect this hard-won peace…

The afternoon sun shone brightly on the Imperial Garden, where flowers bloomed in profusion and grasses grew lush and green, but Little Swallow had no heart to appreciate the beauty. She strolled slowly along the garden path, with Little Peach and Azhu by her side.

"Your Majesty, please don't worry too much. Everything will be alright," Xiao Tao gently comforted her.

Little Swallow nodded slightly: "I hope so. But the matter of the Shadow Pavilion and the enemy is like a big stone weighing on my heart, and I just can't let it go."

Just then, they heard a commotion not far away. Little Swallow frowned: "Let's go see what's going on?"

The group hurried over and saw a group of palace maids and eunuchs gathered together, discussing something. Upon seeing Xiao Yanzi arrive, they immediately knelt down to pay their respects.

"Get up, what happened?" Little Swallow asked.

A young eunuch said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, we were sweeping in the garden when we suddenly found a strange package in the flower bushes. When we opened it, we found some letters related to the Shadow Pavilion."

Little Swallow was startled: "A letter? Quickly bring it to me so I can see it."

The young eunuch quickly handed the package to Xiao Yanzi. Xiao Yanzi opened the package, took out the letter inside, and read it carefully. The contents of the letter were shocking; it contained a detailed plan of the Shadow Pavilion colluding with the enemy army, as well as a list of their spies in the palace.

"This...how is this possible?" Little Swallow's face turned pale, and her hands trembled slightly.

Xiao Tao and A Zhu came over and read the contents of the letter. They were also terrified. "Your Majesty, what should we do?" A Zhu asked anxiously.

Little Swallow took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down: "Immediately present these letters to the Emperor. This matter is of utmost importance and we must take action as soon as possible."

The group hurried to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where Hongli was discussing border wars with several ministers. Upon seeing Xiaoyanzi enter, everyone bowed in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I have something urgent to report," Xiao Yanzi said, handing the package in her hand to Hongli.

Hongli took the package, opened the letter, and his face instantly turned ashen: "What a daring Shadow Pavilion! These spies must be eliminated immediately; their conspiracy must not be allowed to succeed."

A minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration. If we act rashly, we may alert the enemy."

Hongli pondered for a moment: "You are right. Here's what we'll do: first, secretly monitor these spies and keep track of their every move. When the time is right, we'll wipe them all out in one fell swoop. As for the border war, I will have General Zhaohui make full preparations to ensure that we defeat the enemy."

Xiao Yanzi said from the side, "Your Majesty, I think we can use these inside agents to send some false information to the Shadow Pavilion and make them panic."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Your Majesty's plan is excellent. Let's do it this way. We must make the Shadow Pavilion and the enemy pay the price for what they have done."

However, just when everyone thought everything was under control, an even greater crisis quietly descended...