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

Inside the Imperial Study, everyone was discussing the next steps of the plan, the atmosphere tense and oppressive.

Fu Lun stepped forward, his gaze resolute, and said, “Your Majesty, I have made arrangements both inside and outside the capital, and people are closely monitoring suspicious individuals and clues. However, the Shadow Pavilion’s influence is complex, making the investigation extremely difficult.”

Hongli frowned slightly. "Fulun, I know this matter is difficult, but Princess Hejing's life or death is uncertain. You must speed up the process."

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Furen replied.

Erkang then said, "Father, I think I'll go take another look around the abandoned warehouse in the west of the city tomorrow. Maybe I can find some new clues."

Xiao Yanzi looked at Er Kang with some worry, "Er Kang, it's too dangerous there, you must be careful! Those mysterious forces might still be lying in ambush nearby."

Erkang smiled confidently, "Princess, don't worry, I have martial arts skills and I will bring enough guards, so nothing will happen."

Lin Yuhang leaned back in his chair, pondering, and said, "Erkang, when you go there, pay attention to whether there are any unusual markings or sounds around. Since this warehouse is related to the Shadow Pavilion, there might be other hidden clues."

"Don't worry, Lord Lin, I will keep a close eye on it," Er Kang said.

At this moment, Wu Daozi was still immersed in his study of the symbols, muttering to himself from time to time, "These symbols... there must be some crucial part that I haven't discovered yet..."

Little Swallow couldn't help but walk over and ask, "Mr. Wu, how's the research on these symbols going? Any new progress?"

Wu Daozi raised his head, looking exhausted. "Gege, these symbols are too complex, and I can't fully decipher them yet. But I feel like I'm close to finding a breakthrough. Give me some more time."

Hongli walked over and patted Wu Daozi on the shoulder. "Mr. Wu, you've worked hard. Princess Hejing's safety depends entirely on these symbols. You must solve the mystery as soon as possible."

"This humble subject will certainly do his utmost!" Wu Daozi said.

Little Swallow watched everyone busy from the sidelines, feeling a little disappointed. She took Little Swallow's hand and said, "Sister, I really want to help. I don't want to just sit here and wait."

Little Swallow smiled and patted her head, "Little Swallow, you're a big help if you stay in the palace well. If you run off, your sister and Father Emperor will worry."

"But I'm really worried about Princess Hejing..." Little Swallow's eyes reddened.

Consort Ling walked over and said gently, "Little Swallow, you can help us keep an eye out for some small details in the palace. Maybe some of the things you see will become important clues."

Little Swallow's eyes lit up. "Really? Then I'll definitely observe carefully!"

Meanwhile, at the Prime Minister's residence, Lin Yuhang's younger brother, Lin Yuxuan, heard about Princess Hejing's disappearance and was extremely anxious.

He found Lin Yuhang and said, "Brother, Princess Hejing has gone missing, and I want to help. Please let me do something!"

Lin Yuhang looked at his younger brother with some helplessness, "Yuxuan, don't be impulsive. This matter is fraught with danger. Stay at home and don't cause us any trouble."

Lin Yuxuan said defiantly, "Brother, I'm 22 years old now, not a child anymore! I also want to do my part in finding Princess Hejing."

Lin Yuhang pondered for a moment, "Alright then, keep an eye out for rumors circulating among the common people in the capital. They might have some information about the Shadow Pavilion or some mysterious force."

"Okay! Don't worry, brother, I will definitely find out carefully!" Lin Yuxuan said excitedly.

Elsewhere in the palace, Su Peisheng was summoning palace maids and eunuchs to convey Hongli's decree.

"The Emperor has decreed that everyone should pay close attention to everything happening in the palace. If any clues are found related to Princess Hejing's whereabouts, or if any suspicious persons are seen, report it immediately!" Su Peisheng said loudly.

The palace maids Mingyue and Caixia exchanged a glance, and Mingyue said, "Eunuch Su, we will definitely keep a close eye on things. We hope to find Princess Hejing as soon as possible."

“Yes, Princess Hejing is so kind, she mustn’t be harmed,” Caixia agreed.

Xiao Dengzi and Xiao Zhuozi nodded quickly, "We'll be more careful too."

Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Empress Dowager Zhen Huan also learned of Princess Hejing's disappearance. She sat on her phoenix throne, her brows furrowed.

"How dare the Shadow Pavilion be so audacious as to even touch Princess Hejing? What conspiracy lies behind this?" Zhen Huan murmured to herself.

She summoned the nanny beside her and said, "Go and tell all the concubines to be careful these days. If there is any disturbance in the palace, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The old woman acknowledged the order and left.

In this tense atmosphere, Hongzhou and Dilireyao were also keeping a close eye on the progress of the matter.

Dilireyao said worriedly, "Your Highness, Princess Hejing has gone missing. What should we do? Will those mysterious forces make any other moves?"

Hongzhou embraced her and comforted her, "Don't worry, my beloved consort. Your brother and everyone else are searching diligently. We can't stand idly by either. I will secretly send people to keep an eye out for any news; it might be of some help."

"Your Highness, you must be careful," Dilire Yao said.

“I will. Princess Hejing is the apple of my brother’s eye, and I also hope that she can return safely,” Hongzhou said.

Time passed day by day, and Erkang, with his guards, searched the area near the abandoned warehouse in the west of the city every day, but made no new discoveries. Wu Daozi continued his arduous study of symbols, making slow progress. Lin Yuxuan inquired everywhere in the capital, but most of the information he received was useless rumor.

On this day, Erkang returned home disappointed once again. He walked into the imperial study, looking dejected.

"Your Majesty, I went to the vicinity of the warehouse again today, but I still haven't found any useful clues," Er Kang said.

Hongli's expression was solemn. "It's alright, Erkang, this isn't your fault. The Shadow Pavilion's power is too deeply hidden; we can't give up so easily."

Little Swallow said, "Don't we have any other options? Princess Hejing has been missing for far too long..."

Just then, Lin Yuxuan rushed to the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, Princess, I've heard some news!" Lin Yuxuan said breathlessly.

All eyes immediately turned to him, and Hongli asked eagerly, "What news? Speak quickly!"

Lin Yuxuan composed himself and said, "I heard from a street performer that mysterious people have been frequently appearing in a grove of trees in the south of the city lately. Their behavior is strange; they might be connected to the Shadow Pavilion!"

Erkang's eyes lit up. "Your Majesty, I will go to the woods south of the city to investigate tomorrow!"

Hongli nodded. "Alright, Erkang, take more men with you and be extremely careful. If it really is related to the Shadow Pavilion, we might be able to find clues about Princess Hejing."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Erkang said firmly.

Little Swallow looked at Erkang and said, "Erkang, you must be careful. We are all waiting for you to bring back good news."

"Don't worry, Princess!" Er Kang said.

However, what awaits Erkang in the woods south of the city? Will they be able to find clues about Princess Hejing there? What kind of traps will the Shadow Pavilion set? End of this chapter. Stay tuned for the next chapter.