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

Little Swallow paced anxiously in the palace, awaiting news from Hongli. A short while later, Hongli returned, his face full of anger.

Little Swallow hurriedly went to greet him: "Your Majesty, how is the situation?"

Hongli said angrily, "Those dark figures ran extremely fast, and the guards couldn't catch up! There must be something strange about this fire; it must be the work of that mysterious organization!"

Little Swallow clenched her fists: "They are too arrogant! How dare they act so recklessly in the palace. Your Majesty, we cannot sit idly by and wait to die."

At this moment, Princess Hejing ran over, crying, "Father, Mother, the fire is so close to where I live, I'm so scared."

Little Swallow quickly hugged the princess: "Princess, don't be afraid, your mother is here."

Yongqi stepped forward as well: "Father, I think there might be some accomplices in the palace, otherwise how could they have set the fire so easily?"

Qing'er nodded and said, "Yongqi is right. Our top priority is to find the inside man, otherwise we will be unable to defend against it."

After thinking for a moment, Ertai said, "Could it be that Xiao Shunzi from before? His behavior was suspicious to begin with."

Consort Ling said softly, "But we also have no solid evidence, and we cannot convict him based on mere suspicion."

Hongzhou returned to the palace to report: "Your Majesty, I investigated outside the palace and found that some martial arts figures have been frequently visiting an inn in the capital recently, behaving suspiciously. I have sent people to keep an eye on them, and they will report back as soon as there is any movement."

Hongli said, "Hongzhou, you've worked hard on this matter. I think there must be some connection between what happens inside and outside the palace."

Xiao Yanzi suddenly thought, "Your Majesty, could the matter of the murals in the Shadow Pavilion also be related to this mysterious organization? Perhaps they want to use the secrets in the murals to achieve some kind of goal."

Hongli's eyes lit up: "The Empress's idea is not impossible. I have been thinking about it before. Perhaps there is a huge treasure or a power that can influence the situation in the palace hidden behind the mural, which is why they have gone to such lengths."

Yongqi asked curiously, "Father, what is so special about the murals in the Shadow Pavilion? I have only heard some rumors, but I do not know the details."

Hongli looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "The mural is said to be related to an ancient prophecy. If one can unravel its secrets, one can control the world. But this is just a legend. I have been searching for the truth."

Xiao Yanzi said, "No matter what, we must speed up the investigation into the whereabouts of that palace maid's family, and also Xiao Shunzi. We must find out if they are related to the mysterious organization."

So, Xiao Yanzi took Xiao Tao to interrogate the palace maid again. Xiao Yanzi said seriously, "If you don't confess, your family may never be found again. Think carefully, is the life of your family more important, or is protecting the person behind the scenes more important?"

The palace maid hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "Your Highness, I only know that the man in black seems to have connections with a court official. Every time he comes, he mentions the official or something, but I really don't know who he is."

Xiao Yanzi returned to the palace and told Hongli the news: "Your Majesty, it seems that there are many suspicious officials in the court. We must carefully investigate those officials who have connections with the martial arts world or have recently engaged in unusual behavior."

Hongli nodded: "I know what I'm doing. I'll have Su Peisheng secretly investigate the social circles of the ministers."

At this moment, in the Imperial Garden, Princess Hejing and Qing'er were playing. Princess Hejing whispered, "Sister Qing'er, I always feel that this palace is so scary now. It's like there are eyes watching us everywhere."

Qing'er comforted her, "Princess, don't be afraid. With your father, mother, and all of us here, nothing will happen."

But in the shadows, those eyes continued to observe everything, waiting for the next opportunity to strike. The atmosphere in the palace grew increasingly tense, with everyone acting cautiously, fearing they would be drawn into the vortex of this mysterious conspiracy.

Meanwhile, in an inn outside the palace, Hongzhou's men were closely monitoring the every move of those martial arts figures. One of them returned to report: "Your Highness, those people were having a secret conversation in the inn, discussing the layout of the palace, as if they were planning their next route into the palace."

Hongzhou sneered, "They won't succeed! I will wipe them out before they can act."

Xiao Yanzi wasn't idle in the palace either. She and Azhu were sorting through the items they had collected from the palace maids' quarters, hoping to find some useful clues. Suddenly, Azhu discovered a handkerchief embroidered with strange patterns.

Little Swallow picked up the handkerchief and examined it closely: "I've never seen this pattern before. Could it be the symbol of that mysterious organization?"

She took the handkerchief to Hongli and said, "Your Majesty, do you think this handkerchief could be a clue for our investigation?"

After examining it carefully, Hongli frowned: "I have never seen this pattern before. But I must find out its origin."

Thus, the investigation revolved around the handkerchief, with searches both inside and outside the palace proceeding simultaneously. The battle against the mysterious organization reached its climax. Could they, with these clues, uncover the true nature of the organization and safeguard the peace of the palace?

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