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

Inside the imperial study, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost suffocating. Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his gaze fixed on the doorway, as if news of Princess Hejing would arrive at any moment. Xiao Yanzi paced back and forth beside him, pausing every now and then to look out the window, her heart filled with anxiety.

Despite his frail health, Lin Yuhang insisted on participating in the search for Princess Hejing. He leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed, pondering possible clues.

"Your Majesty, Princess Hejing's disappearance must have been meticulously planned by those mysterious forces. The symbols they left behind may be a deliberate attempt to mislead us," Lin Yuhang said.

Hongli nodded slightly, "What Minister Lin said is absolutely right. But even if we know it's a trap, we must follow these clues to investigate further."

Little Swallow said anxiously, "But every minute and every second is precious now. The longer we don't find Princess Hejing, the greater the danger we face!"

At this moment, Su Peisheng hurriedly walked in and said, "Your Majesty, those involved in the Shadow Pavilion incident have been brought outside the palace to await Your Majesty's interrogation."

Hongli stood up. "Let's go and meet these people."

The group arrived at the temporary interrogation tent outside the palace, where they saw a group of people suspected of being connected with the Shadow Pavilion kneeling on the ground, all trembling with fear.

Hongli's gaze swept over the crowd with piercing intensity. "Do any of you know the whereabouts of Princess Hejing? If anyone tells the truth, I will be lenient with them. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Everyone looked at each other in shock, but no one answered.

Hongli was furious, "It seems you won't learn your lesson until you see the coffin! Su Peisheng, interrogate him thoroughly!"

Just as the interrogation reached a stalemate, a man who looked like a江湖人士 (jianghu figure, a person from the martial arts world) suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to talk, but I beg Your Majesty to spare my life!"

Hongli's eyes lit up. "Speak quickly! You know the consequences if you tell even half a lie!"

The man said in a trembling voice, "I once heard a mysterious person say that they captured an important figure in the palace, seemingly intending to use him to blackmail Your Majesty. As for where he is hidden, I truly have no idea!"

Little Swallow stepped forward and asked loudly, "Who is that mysterious person? Where did you see him?"

"I met him at a tavern in the capital. He was drunk and muttering these things. I only remember that he was tall and had a long scar on his face," the man said.

Lin Yuhang pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, it seems we should start our investigation with this mysterious man with the scar."

Hongli nodded. "Su Peisheng, immediately send people to inquire about this man with the scar on his face in the taverns of the capital. We must find him!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Peisheng accepted the order and left.

Meanwhile, Wu Daozi was in his study in the palace, diligently studying the symbols on Princess Hejing's handkerchief. He would sometimes scribble and draw on the paper, and sometimes shake his head and sigh.

“These symbols seem simple, but they contain great mystery. If we cannot decipher them as soon as possible, Princess Hejing may…” Wu Daozi muttered to himself.

Just then, Xiao Tao came in with a cup of tea. "Mr. Wu, please have some tea and take a break. Your body won't be able to handle studying like this all the time."

Wu Daozi waved his hand, "Thank you, young lady. Princess Hejing's life or death is still unknown, how can I rest? This symbol is related to the princess's safety, and I must find out about it as soon as possible."

Xiao Tao reluctantly put down the tea and left.

After a long while, Wu Daozi suddenly stood up excitedly, “I think I have some clues! These symbols, when put together, seem to point to a valley on the outskirts of the capital.”

Wu Daozi dared not delay and immediately took his discovery to see Hongli.

In the imperial study, Wu Daozi told Hongli and others about his discovery.

"Your Majesty, Princess, after careful study, I have determined that these symbols point to Sunset Valley on the outskirts of the capital. The terrain there is treacherous and sparsely populated; it is very likely the hiding place of a mysterious force," Wu Daozi said.

Little Swallow said excitedly, "Your Majesty, let's quickly send people to search Luoxia Valley! Princess Hejing might be there!"

Hongli hesitated, "Luoxia Valley has a complex terrain. If we go there rashly, we might fall into an enemy ambush."

Lin Yuhang said, "Your Majesty, we can send a small team of agile guards to scout ahead and find out the situation before making any further plans."

Hongli pondered for a moment, then said, "Very well, let it be as Minister Lin says. Su Peisheng, select a team of elite guards and have them secretly go to Luoxia Valley. They must be extremely careful and report back immediately if they have any news!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Peisheng accepted the order and went to select guards.

Little Swallow heard that a possible clue had been found, so she ran over too.

"Sister, Father Emperor, I also want to help find Princess Hejing!" Little Swallow said with a determined look.

Little Swallow crouched down and looked into Little Swallow's eyes. "Little Swallow, it's dangerous there. You can't go. You stay in the palace and wait for your sister and Father Emperor to bring Princess Hejing back."

Little Swallow pouted, feeling wronged, "But I also want to do something for Princess Hejing."

Hongli walked over and patted Little Swallow's head. "Little Swallow, your staying in the palace is the biggest help you can give us. Take good care of yourself and don't distract us, okay?"

Little Swallow nodded helplessly, "Alright, Father Emperor, I'll be good."

Soon, the guards selected by Su Peisheng set off for Luoxia Valley. Hongli, Xiaoyanzi, and others anxiously awaited news in the palace.

Several hours passed, and a guard hurriedly ran back to the palace.

"Your Majesty, Princess, we found some suspicious signs in Sunset Valley, but we couldn't find Princess Hejing. There were signs of a struggle there, as well as some strange symbols," the guard said.

Little Swallow asked anxiously, "Are there any other clues? Did you encounter any enemies?"

The guard shook his head. "Your Highness, we did not encounter any enemies. We also cannot understand those symbols; they seem to be more complex than those on the handkerchief."

Lin Yuhang said, "It seems the enemy is already on guard and deliberately left these traces to mislead us. Your Majesty, we cannot give up easily; we must continue searching for clues."

Hongli nodded. "Send the order to continue searching for Princess Hejing's whereabouts in and around the capital, leaving no suspicious place unchecked. At the same time, have Wu Daozi continue to study those newly discovered symbols."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the crowd replied in unison.

However, as time passed, Princess Hejing remained missing. A mysterious force seemed to lurk in the shadows, watching their every move; each step closer to the truth felt like entering a deeper fog. How would they find Princess Hejing next? What other schemes and tricks would those mysterious forces employ? End of this chapter. Stay tuned for the next installment.