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

Xiao Yanzi frowned and said to Hongli, "Your Majesty, this mysterious organization is so scheming. Who exactly are they? And why did they choose this time to attack the palace?"

Hongli's expression was solemn: "I am also pondering the reasons behind this. Judging from their style of doing things, their plan is meticulous and not something that was done hastily."

Hongzhou analyzed from the side: "Your Majesty, could it be that the remnants of those Jianghu forces that we suppressed before have joined forces with some people in the court who are dissatisfied with Your Majesty? They are trying to use the princess's matter to plunge the palace into chaos so that they can profit from it."

Little Swallow's eyes lit up: "What Prince Hongzhou said makes some sense. Let's start by investigating the court officials and see who has been behaving strangely recently."

Consort Ling arrived at this time to join the discussion. She said softly, "Your Majesty, I think we must be careful in this matter. If we conduct a large-scale investigation, it may cause chaos in the court and panic among the people."

Hongli nodded: "What Consort Ling said is very true. I intend to have Su Peisheng and Gao Wuyong secretly keep an eye on the correspondence and visitors of the ministers, so as not to alert them."

Xiao Yanzi then said, "Your Majesty, I would like to go and see the palace maid who was arrested. Perhaps we can pry some more clues out of her."

Hongli agreed: "Empress, you may try, but since that palace maid dared to attempt an assassination, she is probably very stubborn."

Xiao Yanzi arrived at the place where the palace maids were imprisoned. Upon seeing her, the maids immediately lowered their heads, their bodies trembling slightly. Xiao Yanzi said sternly, "If you reveal the mastermind behind this now, I might spare your life. Otherwise, I will make you wish you were dead!"

The palace maid bit her lip and after a long while said, "Your Highness, all I really know is that a man in black gave me a large sum of money and told me to do this. I know nothing else."

Little Swallow pressed on, "What are the distinguishing features of the man in black?"

The palace maid tried hard to recall: "He was completely wrapped in a black robe, and his voice seemed to be deliberately lowered. He only said that there would be a great reward if he succeeded, but if he failed, my whole family would be killed."

Feeling troubled, Xiao Yanzi returned to the palace to discuss the matter with Hongli and others. Yongqi, standing to the side, said, "Father, I think that although what this palace maid said may be true, we cannot believe it entirely. Perhaps she is hiding something and trying to buy time."

Qing'er chimed in, "Brother Yongqi is right. We might as well start with her family; perhaps we can force her to tell the truth."

Ertai said, "But wouldn't that be too cruel? What if her family members are also innocently implicated?"

Everyone fell into deep thought. Just then, Princess Hejing ran over, took Xiaoyanzi's hand, and said, "Empress Mother, I overheard the palace maids talking amongst themselves. They said that recently a little eunuch in the Imperial Kitchen has been acting suspiciously, as if he's passing on some message."

Little Swallow hurriedly asked, "Princess, do you know which eunuch it is?"

Princess Hejing shook her head: "I only overheard it once and didn't pay much attention. But Your Majesty, we can go to the Imperial Kitchen to ask."

Xiao Yanzi led everyone to the imperial kitchen and summoned the head eunuch. The head eunuch said in a panic, "Your Majesty, we servants have been doing our best and have not noticed anything unusual."

Little Swallow glanced around: "Are you sure? If there's even half a lie, I won't let you off easily. I've heard there's a little eunuch secretly passing messages; do you know who it is?"

The head eunuch thought for a moment and then suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I just remembered, a few days ago a new eunuch named Xiao Shunzi arrived. He's always sneaking around and doesn't really fit in."

Little Swallow immediately ordered, "Go and find Little Shunzi!"

Before long, Xiao Shunzi was brought in. As soon as he saw everyone, he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, and all my masters, I am innocent! I am just a newcomer and a little scared, which is why I seemed out of place. I did not pass on any message."

Yongqi stepped forward: "If you are truly innocent, why are you so flustered? You must be hiding something!"

Xiao Shunzi cried and said, "Brother, I am really scared. In this palace, you can lose your life if you are not careful. I just want to live a good life."

Xiao Yanzi looked at Xiao Shunzi, unable to tell if it was true or false. At this moment, Su Peisheng rushed over and whispered a few words in Hongli's ear. Hongli's expression changed: "Empress, Hongzhou, come with me."

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Su Peisheng said, "Your Majesty, this old servant has discovered that the palace maid's family suddenly disappeared a few days ago, as if they were deliberately hidden away."

Hongzhou exclaimed in surprise, "It seems that the person behind this is trying to cut off the palace maid's escape route, making her stubbornly refuse to tell the truth."

Xiao Yanzi said, "Then we must find the palace maid's family as soon as possible; that's the key."

Hongli pondered for a moment: "I have General Zhaohui expand the search area, not only in the capital, but also in the surrounding areas. Hongzhou, you continue to investigate the clues of that mysterious organization outside the palace. The Empress and I will stabilize the situation in the palace and must crush this conspiracy."

Hongzhou accepted the order and left. Xiaoyanzi said to Hongli, "Your Majesty, I am worried about the safety of Xiaoyanzi and the others. Although this assassination attempt failed, there is no guarantee that they will not try again."

Hongli comforted her, saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will send more people to protect them. I will also ask them to stay away from the palace for the time being, and we will talk about it again when things have calmed down."

However, just as everyone was investigating intensively, news arrived that a side hall in the palace had suddenly caught fire at night. The fire was fierce and seemed suspicious. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanzi was extremely anxious: "Your Majesty, this fire started too suddenly. Could it be that mysterious organization is up to its old tricks again?"

Hongli said, "I will go and take a look first. Empress, you stay in the palace and do not panic."

When Hongli arrived at the scene of the fire, flames soared into the sky and thick smoke billowed. Palace guards were fighting the blaze, and in the chaos, several dark figures appeared to be fleeing. Hongli shouted, "Chase them! Don't let them get away!"

But the dark figures quickly vanished into the night, leaving everyone bewildered and worried as they stared at the raging fire. Just how many more conspiracies and schemes did this mysterious organization hold? And could the palace weather this crisis unscathed?

This chapter concludes here. Stay tuned for the next chapter.