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

In the springtime Forbidden City, sunlight filters through layers of palace walls, casting a warm yellow glow on the golden brick pavement. In the Imperial Garden, flowers bloom in profusion—red like fire, pink like the sunset, white like snow. A gentle breeze stirs the blossoms, causing petals to fall like snowflakes. Yet, amidst this serene beauty, a somber atmosphere pervades the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe, the golden phoenix embroidered on it shimmering in the sunlight, each feather seemingly poised to take flight, sat on a carved chaise longue. Her brows were furrowed, and she gently turned a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand—a gift from Empress Dowager Zhen Huan, meant to calm her mind when troubled. "Xiao Tao, A Zhu, it's been quite some time now, and we still haven't heard a single word about the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion," Xiao Yanzi asked anxiously, her eyes filled with worry.

Xiao Tao gently placed the teacup on the table, curtsied, and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Yongqi and Young Master Xiao have done their best to investigate, but the Shadow Pavilion is too well hidden. It will probably take some time to completely eradicate it."

Azhu nodded in agreement, "Yes, Your Majesty, please don't be too anxious. You should take care of yourself."

Xiao Yanzi sighed softly, put the prayer beads aside, stood up, and paced back and forth in the room: "How can I not be anxious? Xiao Xiao has just returned safely, and I'm afraid that the people from the Shadow Pavilion will cause some trouble again and hurt her."

Just then, a eunuch's shrill voice came from outside the door: "Prince Yongqi requests an audience with Her Majesty the Empress."

Upon hearing this, Little Swallow quickly said, "Let him in."

Yongqi strode into Kunning Palace, still wearing the outfit he wore when he went out, looking travel-worn. He knelt on one knee and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty."

Xiao Yanzi stepped forward and personally helped him up: "Yongqi, get up quickly, is there news from the Shadow Pavilion?"

Yongqi looked solemn and shook his head slightly: "Empress Mother, the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion are still nowhere to be found, but... I heard some rumors in the capital today."

"Rumors? What rumors?" Little Swallow asked anxiously.

Yongqi hesitated for a moment before saying, "I have heard that some people in the common people are talking about how the recent events in the palace are related to a mysterious prophet."

"A mysterious prophet?" Little Swallow frowned, her eyes full of doubt. "Who is this person?"

Yongqi continued, "It is said that this prophet can know the past and the future, and many people seek his guidance. Moreover, these people also say that this prophet seems to have intricate connections with the Shadow Pavilion."

Xiao Yanzi pondered for a moment and said, "This matter sounds very strange. Yongqi, have you sent someone to investigate the identity of this prophet?"

Yongqi nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I have already sent people to investigate, but so far there are no clues. However, I think this may be a breakthrough for us to find the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion."

Little Swallow nodded slightly: "Alright, you must be extra careful and find out exactly who this prophet is. If he is truly related to the Shadow Pavilion, we must not let him escape."

After accepting the order, Yongqi turned and left. Xiaoyanzi watched his departing figure, a vague sense of unease creeping into her heart.

A few days later, Yongqi came to Kunning Palace again, his face showing a hint of excitement: "Your Majesty, I have found out! The mysterious prophet lives in a Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes: "Really? That's wonderful! Yongqi, when are you planning to meet this prophet?"

Yongqi said, "Your subject plans to set off early tomorrow morning. However, your subject is worried that there may be a trap involved, so I would like to ask Your Majesty for permission to allow Young Master Xiao to go with me."

Little Swallow nodded quickly: "Of course, with Young Master Xiao's help, I can feel more at ease. You must be careful on your journey, and if you find any danger, come back immediately."

The next morning, as dawn broke, Yongqi and Xiao Yichen, dressed in plain clothes, rode away from the capital. Along the way, both men wore solemn expressions, their minds racing as they pondered the identity and purpose of the mysterious prophet.

The Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital was nestled in a secluded mountain forest, surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, resembling a fairyland. Yongqi and Xiao Yichen arrived at the temple, only to find the gate tightly closed, with a large lock hanging on it.

"Strange, why is this Taoist temple so deserted?" Yongqi frowned, a vague sense of foreboding creeping into his heart.

Xiao Yichen stepped forward and gently knocked on the door: "Is anyone home?"

After a long while, the door slowly opened, and a young Taoist boy peeked out, looking at them and asking, "What brings you two benefactors?"

Yongqi said, "We have heard that there is a prophet here, so we have come to pay him a visit."

The young Taoist boy frowned slightly: "You're looking for my master? He's already gone on a pilgrimage, and we don't know when he'll be back."

Yongqi and Xiao Yichen exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat disappointed. Yongqi asked unwillingly, "Then do you know where your master has gone? We have something important to ask of you."

The young Taoist boy shook his head: "My master's whereabouts are always unpredictable when he travels, and I don't know where he goes either."

Xiao Yichen took out a silver ingot from his pocket and handed it to the young Taoist boy: "Young Taoist boy, think carefully again, did your master leave any words?"

The young Taoist looked at the silver, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes, but he finally took the silver and said, "Actually, before Master left, he left a letter, saying that if any distinguished guests came to visit, he should give them this letter."

Yongqi and Xiao Yichen were overjoyed and quickly said, "Bring the letter here."

The young Taoist boy turned and went into the temple. A moment later, he came out with a letter. Yongqi took the letter, opened it, and his face instantly turned extremely ugly.

"What's wrong? What did the letter say?" Xiao Yichen asked anxiously.

Yongqi handed the letter to Xiao Yichen, who took it and read: "If you want to save Little Princess, quickly bring the fragments of the Dark Shadow Pavilion murals to the dilapidated temple in the west of the city at noon tomorrow. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences."

After reading the letter, Xiao Yichen's expression turned very serious: "This is clearly a trap set by the Shadow Pavilion. They want to use us to obtain the fragments of the mural."

Yongqi gritted his teeth: "Whether it's a trap or not, I can't stand idly by for the safety of my little sister."

Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Yongqi, we must not act rashly in this matter. This is very likely a conspiracy by the Shadow Pavilion. Since they dare to set a trap so openly, they must be very confident. We must consider this carefully."

Yongqi frowned and paced back and forth in front of the Taoist temple: "Then, in Young Master Xiao's opinion, what should we do?"

Xiao Yichen said, "Let's return to the capital first and inform the Empress and the Emperor about this matter to hear their opinions. At the same time, we can also secretly investigate the situation of the dilapidated temple in the west of the city to see if there is an ambush."

Yongqi nodded slightly: "That's the only way."

The two rode back to the capital and immediately went to Kunning Palace. After hearing Yongqi's report, Xiao Yanzi's face turned deathly pale: "Those despicable Shadow Pavilion members are using Xiaoxiao to threaten us again!"

Upon learning of this, Hongli immediately rushed to Kunning Palace. He sat in a chair, his expression solemn, a hint of anger in his eyes: "These treacherous officials, I will never let them go!"

Empress Dowager Zhen Huan arrived shortly afterward. She sat to the side, listening quietly to the discussions of the crowd. After a long while, she slowly said, "This matter should not be acted upon rashly. I believe that the purpose of the Shadow Pavilion is probably not just the fragments of the murals."

Little Swallow asked anxiously, "Your Majesty, what do you mean...?"

Empress Dowager Zhen Huan frowned slightly: "They probably want to use this opportunity to completely overthrow the court and let the person they support ascend the throne."

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this. Yongqi said, "No matter what their schemes are, we cannot let them succeed. Your subject is willing to lead the guards to the ruined temple in the west of the city and fight them to the death."

Hongli waved his hand: "We must not be rash. This matter needs to be carefully considered. We need to come up with a foolproof plan that can both rescue Xiaoxiao and wipe out the Shadow Pavilion in one fell swoop."

The group sat together and discussed for a long time before finally devising a detailed plan.

At noon the next day, outside the dilapidated temple in the west of the city, Yongqi led a group of guards and cautiously approached. The temple gate was tightly closed, and all around was silent except for the whistling of the wind.

Yongqi made a gesture, and the guards immediately dispersed, surrounding the dilapidated temple. Yongqi and Xiao Yichen slowly walked to the front of the temple and forcefully pushed open the door.

With a creak, the door slowly opened, releasing a musty, old smell. Inside the dilapidated temple, it was dark and filled with an eerie atmosphere.

"Is anyone there?" Yongqi shouted.

However, there was no response from inside the dilapidated temple. Yongqi and Xiao Yichen exchanged a glance and cautiously entered the temple.

Suddenly, a sinister laugh echoed from inside the dilapidated temple: "You've finally arrived."

Yongqi and Xiao Yichen quickly looked around and saw a group of men in black slowly walking out from a corner of the dilapidated temple. The leader was a tall man with a black cloth covering his face, revealing only a pair of cold eyes.

"Are you from the Shadow Pavilion?" Yongqi asked sharply.

The man in black sneered, "That's right, since you're here, don't even think about leaving alive."

With that, the man in black waved his hand, and a group of men in black immediately rushed towards Yongqi and Xiao Yichen. Yongqi and Xiao Yichen immediately drew their swords and engaged in fierce combat with the men in black.

Outside the dilapidated temple, the guards, hearing the sounds of fighting inside, immediately rushed in. A chaotic battle ensued inside the temple, the shouts of battle deafening.

While fighting the men in black, Yongqi searched for Xiaoxiao's whereabouts. Suddenly, he heard a faint crying sound coming from the back hall of the dilapidated temple.

"Xiaoxiao!" Yongqi was overjoyed and immediately rushed towards the back hall.

In the back room, Xiaoxiao was tied to a chair, a cloth stuffed in her mouth, her face streaked with tears. Seeing Yongqi, a hint of joy appeared in her eyes: "Brother Yongqi, save me..."

Yongqi rushed over, untied Xiaoxiao's rope, and hugged her in his arms: "Xiaoxiao, don't be afraid, your brother Yongqi is here to save you."

Just then, the leader of the men in black suddenly appeared at the back door: "Trying to leave? Not so easy!"

Yongqi shielded Xiaoxiao behind him, glaring at the man in black: "What exactly do you want?"

The man in black sneered: "Hand over the fragments of the mural, or none of you will leave here alive."

Yongqi said, "Do you think I'll believe you? Even if I give you the fragments of the mural, you still won't let us go."

The man in black's face darkened: "Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite."

With that, the man in black lunged at Yongqi. Yongqi quickly grabbed Xiaoxiao and dodged to the side. The two engaged in a fierce struggle in the cramped back room.

Outside the dilapidated temple, Xiao Yichen and his guards gradually gained the upper hand, subduing most of the men in black. However, the leader of the men in black was extremely powerful, and Yongqi, after fighting him for several rounds, gradually began to find himself struggling.

Just as the man in black was about to stab Yongqi with his sword, Xiao Yichen suddenly rushed into the back room and blocked the man in black's attack with his sword.

"Brother Yongqi, are you alright?" Xiao Yichen asked.

Yongqi shook his head: "I'm fine, thank you, Young Master Xiao."

Seeing that things were going badly, the man in black turned to run away. Xiao Yichen and Yongqi immediately gave chase.

Outside the dilapidated temple, the two finally cornered the man in black. Looking at the surrounding guards, the man in black knew he had nowhere to escape. Suddenly, he pulled a bottle from his robes and smashed it on the ground.

"Oh no, it's sleeping gas!" Xiao Yichen shouted, quickly covering his mouth and nose.

However, it was too late. The smoke quickly spread, and everyone coughed, their eyes stinging and unable to open.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the man in black used his lightness skill to disappear from everyone's sight.

Yongqi and Xiao Yichen stared in the direction where the man in black had disappeared, their hearts filled with anger and resentment.

"Damn it, he got away!" Yongqi said through gritted teeth.

Xiao Yichen frowned slightly: "This person is so cunning. It seems that we will have to go through a lot of trouble if we want to completely eradicate the Shadow Pavilion."

Yongqi carried Xiaoxiao back to Kunning Palace. Xiaoyanzi was overjoyed to see Xiaoxiao return safely and cried tears of joy, holding Xiaoxiao tightly in her arms: "Xiaoxiao, you're finally back safe and sound. Your mother was so worried."

Xiao Xiao cried in Xiao Yanzi's arms, "Mother, I'm scared..."

Little Swallow gently patted the little back: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, with your mother here, I will never let you get hurt again."

However, Xiao Yanzi knew that this battle against the Shadow Pavilion was far from over...