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

Little Swallow stared at the patterns and text in the ancient book and said with distress, "Your Highness, there are just too many variations of the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams. How long will it take to study them all?"

Hongli tapped the ancient book lightly with his finger and said patiently, "My beloved consort, don't be anxious. Look at the image of the Qian hexagram; it seems to echo the patterns on the spirit pearl. Perhaps that's the key."

Consort Fucha leaned closer to look and asked in confusion, "Your Highness, this Qian hexagram represents Heaven. Could it be related to the forces behind that mural?"

Hongli nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The conflicts between the court and the martial world may be just like the universe itself, hiding many mysteries."

Lin Yuhang pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, I have heard from the ancestors of the Prime Minister's family that the murals in the Shadow Pavilion appeared during a period of turmoil in the palace. Could it be related to the succession to the throne?"

Hongli's eyes sharpened, and he said, "Young Master Lin's words are not without reason. If that is true, then the conspiracy behind this is quite deep."

Little Swallow suddenly clapped her hands and said, "Oh dear, never mind all that! Let's find the connection between this spirit pearl, the jade pendant, and the ancient book first. Maybe if we solve this, the rest will fall into place!"

So everyone buried themselves in their studies again.

After a while, Little Swallow excitedly pointed to a spot on the ancient book and exclaimed, "Your Highness, look here! This pattern seems to match some of the lines on the jade pendant!"

Hongli hurriedly looked over, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and said, "My dear consort, you are so observant! It seems that this is indeed a crucial clue."

Consort Fucha also said happily, "That's great, there's finally some progress."

Lin Yuhang pondered and said, "But this is only part of it; we still need to explore the rest from the complex Five Elements and Eight Trigrams."

At this moment, Hongzhou hurriedly walked in and said, "Your Highness, something bad has happened! There seem to be more spies outside the mansion, and I've also spotted some suspicious people lurking around nearby, as if they're plotting something."

Hongli frowned and said, "The Minister of Rites will certainly not let this go. We need to speed things up."

Little Swallow stood up and said resolutely, "Your Highness, I'm going out to take a look. I can't keep being watched like this. I'm going to thwart their conspiracy!"

Hongli quickly grabbed her, saying, "My dear consort, you mustn't be reckless. It's too dangerous for you to go out. Let's think of another way."

Lord Lin said from the side, "Your Highness, I still have some connections in the court. Perhaps I can find someone to help us get out of this predicament of the Prime Minister's residence."

Hongli cupped his hands and said, "Then I'll leave it to Lord Lin."

After Lord Lin left, Xiao Yanzi sat back down at the table, muttering, "That annoying Minister of Rites always ruins our plans!"

Consort Fucha comforted her, "Little Swallow, don't be angry. As long as we uncover the secret, he won't be able to succeed."

Hongli continued studying the ancient texts, muttering to himself, "The principle of the five elements' mutual generation and restraint, and its connection to the spirit pearl and jade pendant, must contain details we haven't yet discovered..."

Inside the Prime Minister's residence, the group nervously searched for secrets within ancient texts, while outside, danger drew ever closer. The Minister of Rites' conspiracy, like a vast net, was slowly descending upon them. Could they find a way out of this perilous situation? Would they rely on the wisdom found in the ancient texts, or would there be another turning point?

This chapter is now complete. Stay tuned for the next chapter...