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

In the early morning, sunlight shone on the glazed tiles of the palace, but it could not penetrate Hongli's heavy heart. He summoned Xiaoyanzi, Hongzhou, Consort Ling, General Zhaohui, and others to the Imperial Study for a meeting.

Hongli spoke first, his voice deep yet authoritative: "I have pondered this all night. The Shadow Society must have had the assistance of skilled craftsmen to set up such an ingenious mechanism in the ancient temple. General Zhaohui, do you have any clues?"

General Zhao Hui stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, “Your Majesty, I have already sent people to investigate, but most of the talents in this field are hidden among the common people, and it will be difficult to find any news in the short term.”

Hongzhou frowned and said, "Your Majesty, I think that the Shadow Society must have been secretly preparing for many years, so there must be many officials protecting them. Although the previous account book recorded it, it was probably just the tip of the iceberg."

Little Swallow nodded in agreement: "Hongzhou is right! We have to find a way to expose those behind-the-scenes officials, otherwise we will never be able to guard against them."

Consort Ling whispered from the side, "Your Majesty, I think we can start with the merchants who have traded with the Shadow Society, and perhaps we can follow the clues to find the source."

Hongli nodded slightly: "Consort Ling's plan is feasible. Su Peisheng, go and arrange for people to secretly investigate merchants who have connections with the Shadow Society."

Su Peisheng replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this old servant obeys."

At this moment, Lin Yuxuan requested an audience. After entering the imperial study, he bowed to everyone and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Shadow Society is spreading rumors among the people, inciting them to believe that Your Majesty is colluding with the Shadow Society and plotting a rebellion."

Hongli slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Outrageous! How dare they slander me like this!"

Little Swallow also said angrily, "These people are too wicked. We have to quickly find a way to dispel the rumors, otherwise the public will be unsettled!"

Hongzhou calmly analyzed, "Your Majesty, this rumor is coming on strong, and we cannot simply refute it. I think we can hold a large-scale royal sacrificial ceremony to show the people Your Majesty's reverence for heaven and earth and the gods, and your loyalty to the country and the people. At the same time, it can also let the people see the majesty and justice of the court."

After a moment of thought, Hongli said, "Hongzhou's plan is good, but preparing for the sacrifice will take time, and during this period, the Shadow Society will definitely continue to cause trouble."

Lin Yuxuan said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead a small team to secretly investigate the source of the rumors among the people and bring the situation under control in advance."

Hongli looked at Lin Yuxuan with a hint of approval in his eyes: "Young Master Lin's courage is commendable. But you must be careful on your journey, as the Shadow Society is treacherous and cunning."

Lin Yuxuan said firmly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost."

Little Swallow instructed Lin Yuxuan, "Yuxuan, when you are in the common people, you must not reveal your identity. If you encounter danger, come back immediately."

Lin Yuxuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, sister, I'll take good care of myself."

After Lin Yuxuan left, Hongzhou said to Hongli, "Your Majesty, I have another concern. Since the Shadow Society was able to set up traps and mechanisms in the ancient temple, could there be other hidden dangers they have planted in the palace?"

Hongli's expression changed: "I actually overlooked this point. Su Peisheng, you immediately take people to conduct a thorough investigation of the entire palace, leaving no corner unchecked."

Su Peisheng quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this old servant will take care of it right away."

Xiao Yanzi said to Hongli, "Your Majesty, let me go and help too. I've been in the palace for a long time, so maybe I can discover something amiss."

Hongli nodded in agreement: "Very well, Xiao Yanzi, you and Consort Ling, together with the palace maids, should examine the place carefully."

Xiao Yanzi and Consort Ling, along with the palace maids, were searching around the palace. When they arrived at a secluded palace, Xiao Yanzi noticed that the floor tiles were slightly loose. She squatted down, examined them carefully, and said, "Consort Ling, look at these floor tiles; something seems amiss."

Consort Ling squatted down, looked at it, and said, "Something is not right. Someone, pry open these floor tiles and take a look."

The palace maids found tools, pried open the floor tiles, and discovered a small box underneath. Little Swallow opened the box; inside was a note with some strange symbols written on it.

Little Swallow asked in confusion, "What is this? I don't understand."

Consort Ling said, "Put the note away first, and then take it to the Emperor to see."

When Xiao Yanzi and Consort Ling arrived at the Imperial Study with the note, Hong Zhou saw it and said, "Your Majesty, this symbol seems to be an ancient code. I have seen similar ones in some martial arts secrets."

Hongli took the note, examined it carefully, and said, "It seems the palace has indeed been infiltrated by the Shadow Society. Hongzhou, do you have a way to decipher this code?"

Hongzhou shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I can only recognize that this is a code; the specific meaning will require some time to study."

At this time, Lin Yuxuan had obtained information from his investigation among the common people. After returning to the palace, he hurriedly reported to Hongli: "Your Majesty, I have found that this rumor originated from a small town outside the capital. There is a mysterious inn there, which seems to be a stronghold of the Shadow Society."

Hongli said, "Good! General Zhaohui, you lead your men to that small town with Young Master Lin, and capture everyone in that inn. You must find the mastermind behind the rumors."

General Zhao Hui and Lin Yuxuan responded in unison, "As you command!"

Even after General Zhao Hui and Lin Yuxuan departed, the search within the palace continued. Xiao Yanzi discovered a hidden door in a rockery in a garden. She summoned everyone, and they carefully opened the door, revealing a pungent odor.

Hongzhou covered his mouth and nose and said, "There might be something dangerous hidden behind this secret door."

The group carefully entered the secret door and found some tools and materials for making mechanisms, as well as some sketches of the Shadow Society's plans.

Looking at the sketches, Little Swallow exclaimed in surprise, "So they've been secretly plotting so many bad things all along!"

Hongli's eyes were icy: "I will definitely not let them go. Once General Zhaohui and Lin Yuxuan return, we will be able to further understand the Shadow Society's conspiracy, and then we will completely eradicate them!"

Meanwhile, in a small town outside the capital, General Zhao Hui and Lin Yuxuan, along with their soldiers, secretly surrounded the mysterious inn. A fierce battle is about to unfold in the town. Will they be able to successfully capture the inn and unravel the conspiracy behind the rumors? Will Xiao Yanzi and the others in the palace be able to find the Shadow Society's fatal weakness from the clues they discover? Everything is uncertain, and the gears of fate are turning faster, drawing everyone into a deeper vortex.

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