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

Chapter 494: A Bond of Love, A Renewed Marriage

Countless years have quietly passed within the red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City. The little swallow who once cheered and jumped for joy under the fireworks has grown into a graceful young woman. Yongqi, too, has matured and become a pillar of the court through the trials of time. This should have been a natural and beautiful royal story, but the gears of fate suddenly turned unexpectedly.

At that time, a rare epidemic suddenly broke out among the people, spreading rapidly and fiercely, plunging countless people into illness and panic within just a few days. The epidemic spread like wildfire, quickly engulfing the area surrounding the capital and even showing a tendency to spread into the capital itself. Emperor Hongli was extremely anxious and immediately summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures, but the epidemic was strange, and many prescriptions had no significant effect.

Upon hearing this, Little Swallow was extremely anxious. Having grown up in the palace and enjoyed all the luxuries, she also possessed a heart full of compassion. Seeing the suffering of the people outside the palace, she was restless and resolutely decided to secretly slip out of the palace disguised as a man, without telling anyone, to go to the plague-stricken area to find the root of the disease and a cure.

However, this journey was like throwing a stone into the sea. Little Swallow had spent many days traveling through the epidemic area, making many like-minded folk healers, but due to frequent contact with patients, she unfortunately contracted the disease and fell into a coma. The folk healers did their best to treat her, but the epidemic was severe and medicinal materials were scarce, leaving them helpless.

Meanwhile, the palace was thrown into chaos upon discovering that Little Swallow had gone missing. Hongli and Little Swallow were extremely anxious, sending people everywhere to search, but to no avail. Yongqi, upon learning of this, was frantic with worry and, disregarding everyone's objections, personally went out of the palace to search.

After searching diligently among the common people for many days, Yongqi finally found the unconscious Little Swallow in a simple clinic. He was extremely anxious and took Little Swallow back to the palace, summoning all the imperial physicians for a consultation. Thanks to the physicians' best efforts, Little Swallow was finally out of danger, but she was extremely weak due to the aftereffects of the epidemic.

After this experience, Little Swallow deeply felt how powerless she was in the face of the epidemic, despite her noble status as a princess. She knew that the power of the palace alone was far from enough to truly help the people. Therefore, after recovering, she expressed her feelings to Hongli and Little Swallow, deciding to give up her princess status and become an ordinary woman, going among the common people to learn medicine and help more people.

Although Emperor Hongli and Xiao Yanzi were heartbroken, seeing the determination in their daughter's eyes, they finally reluctantly agreed. And so, little Yanzi bid farewell to the palace, changed her name, and began her medical studies among the common people. She apprenticed herself to an old folk doctor, studying diligently day and night, from identifying herbs to researching medical principles, and then to clinical practice—every step was difficult yet steadfast.

Although Yongqi was worried about her, he respected Xiao Yanzi's decision. He often secretly left the palace after finishing his duties as a court official, posing as an ordinary scholar to stay by her side, helping her with her worries and overcoming one difficulty after another. During this time, their feelings for each other deepened through mutual support.

Years later, Little Swallow's medical skills had become highly accomplished, earning her widespread fame and saving countless lives. Meanwhile, Yongqi had distinguished himself in court, becoming a beloved prince. That year, when another epidemic struck, Little Swallow and Yongqi joined forces, one using her medical skills to heal and save lives, the other coordinating resources from all sides, ultimately successfully controlling the epidemic.

After the epidemic subsided, Hongli and Xiaoyanzi looked at the two who had become even more determined after going through hardships, and their hearts were filled with joy. They decided to hold a grand wedding for Xiaoyanzi and Yongqi, so that this love that transcended social status and tribulations could come to fruition.

On their wedding day, the Forbidden City was once again enveloped in a festive atmosphere. Red silk fluttered, the character for "double happiness" hung high, officials paid their respects, and the people cheered. Little Swallow, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, was breathtakingly beautiful, while Yongqi, in a python robe, was dignified and imposing. The two walked hand in hand into the hall, and amidst the blessings of the crowd, they pledged their lives to each other, continuing their legendary tale.