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

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the imperial study through the windows, but failed to dispel the somber atmosphere that permeated the room. Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his face grim, and the people standing below him also wore solemn expressions.

"These men in black were poisoned! They died the moment they opened their mouths. The Shadow Pavilion is far too cunning!" Hongli slammed his fist on the table in anger.

Erkang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Shadow Pavilion has gone to such lengths, which shows that their conspiracy must be very large. We must not let our guard down."

Little Swallow anxiously added, "Yes, Your Majesty! This Shadow Pavilion is so mysterious; who knows what tricks they'll pull next? Princess Hejing has already suffered so much this time; we can't let it happen again!"

Princess Hejing nodded slightly, still shaken, and said, "This was really close. I was imprisoned there by them, living in fear every day, not knowing if I would ever see Father Emperor and everyone again."

Hongli looked at Princess Hejing with heartache and said, "Hejing, you have suffered. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and wipe out the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy."

Lin Yuhang leaned back in his chair, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, since the Shadow Pavilion is so cautious, we might as well start from other aspects. Although Mr. Wu's research on symbols has made progress, it is not deep enough. Perhaps we can increase our manpower to assist him in his research, and maybe we can find more clues from the symbols."

Hongli nodded. "What Minister Lin said is absolutely right. Su Peisheng, go and convey my decree to bring more people who are proficient in esoteric arts and skilled in solving riddles into the palace to assist Wu Daozi in studying those symbols."

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

Xiao Yanzi suddenly thought of something and said, "Your Majesty, we might also find some clues in the rumors circulating among the people. Didn't Lin Yuxuan find out about the forest in the south of the city before? We can continue to inquire among the people and see if there are any other clues related to the Shadow Pavilion."

Hongli looked at Lin Yuhang and asked, "Minister Lin, how is the matter of your younger brother Lin Yuxuan gathering information among the common people progressing?"

Lin Yuhang replied, "Your Majesty, Yuxuan has been inquiring throughout the capital these past few days, but so far there have been no new important leads. However, he is diligent in his work, and I believe that as long as he persists, he will eventually make a discovery."

“Alright, have him keep an eye out. Also, give orders to post notices throughout the capital, encouraging the public to provide clues related to the Shadow Pavilion. Anyone who provides a true story will be richly rewarded,” Hongli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Lin Yuhang replied.

At this moment, Consort Ling entered the Imperial Study. She curtsied slightly and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Princess Hejing, I heard that Princess Hejing has returned safely, so I came to see you."

Xiao Yanzi smiled and took Consort Ling's hand, saying, "Consort Ling, Princess Hejing is alright now, don't worry. But that Shadow Pavilion is too despicable, we must find a way to bring them out."

Consort Ling nodded. "Yes, the Shadow Pavilion dared to be so audacious as to kidnap a princess. Your Majesty, I think we can also start with the inner palace. Perhaps those concubines can hear some news from outside the palace, after all, their families have quite a few connections in the capital."

Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "Consort Ling is right. Go and inform all the concubines in the palace to keep an eye out for any news related to the Shadow Pavilion in their families. If they find anything, report it immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will take care of it immediately," Consort Ling said.

Princess Hejing suddenly said, "Father, when I was imprisoned, I heard those people occasionally mention a term—'the full moon covenant.' I didn't hear it very clearly at the time, and I don't know if it has anything to do with the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy."

Hongli frowned. "The full moon pact? That sounds a bit strange. It seems this might be an important clue. Everyone should keep an eye out and see if we can find any information related to the 'full moon pact'."

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

Inside the Prime Minister's residence, Lin Yuxuan was in his room sorting through the various pieces of information he had gathered over the past few days. Although most of them were useless rumors, he still hadn't given up.

Lin Yuhang walked into the room, looked at his younger brother's focused expression, and said, "Yuxuan, you've worked hard. Have you made any new discoveries these past few days?"

Lin Yuxuan looked up, somewhat dejected, and said, "Brother, we still haven't found any useful clues. But I won't give up. The capital is so big, I refuse to believe we can't find any information related to the Shadow Pavilion."

Lin Yuhang patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Well done, Yuxuan. Your perseverance is rare. The Emperor has ordered notices to be posted in the capital to encourage people to provide clues. Perhaps new information will come soon."

Lin Yuxuan's eyes lit up. "Really? That's great! This will greatly increase our chances of finding clues about the Shadow Pavilion."

"Okay, keep an eye on what's happening among the people. By the way, have you ever heard of the term 'Full Moon Pact'?" Lin Yuhang asked.

Lin Yuxuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I've never heard of it. What does this mean? Is it related to the Shadow Pavilion?"

Lin Yuhang told him what Princess Hejing had said, and Lin Yuxuan said after listening, "Brother, I think this is a very important clue. I'll go to a few more teahouses and restaurants tomorrow to inquire, maybe I can find out something."

"Okay, when you go out to inquire, be careful about your safety. The people of the Shadow Pavilion are ruthless, so don't expose yourself," Lin Yuhang instructed.

"Don't worry, brother, I'll be careful," Lin Yuxuan said.

Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Consort Ling was conveying Emperor Hongli's decrees to various palaces.

In Zhongcui Palace, Consort Ling said to a concubine, "Sister, His Majesty has decreed that we should keep an eye out for any news related to the Shadow Pavilion within our families. The Shadow Pavilion dared to kidnap Princess Hejing; their crimes are heinous. We must assist His Majesty in thoroughly investigating their conspiracy."

The concubine nodded. "Don't worry, Consort Ling. I'll write home right away and ask them to inquire carefully. If there's any news, I'll report it to the Emperor immediately."

Consort Ling then visited other palaces and conveyed the imperial decree to each one.

Outside the palace, some martial arts practitioners also heard the news that the emperor had offered a reward for information leading to the Shadow Pavilion.

A thug-looking man said to his companion, "Have you heard? The Emperor has offered a reward for clues about the Shadow Pavilion. If we can find them, we'll be rich!"

His companion scoffed, "You? Do you even know what kind of power the Shadow Pavilion is? Don't end up getting yourself into trouble instead of finding any clues."

The thug, however, was unconvinced. "Maybe I'll get lucky! I'll go ask around and find out."

The actions of these martial arts figures have added some variables to the search for clues about the Shadow Pavilion.

A few days later, Lin Yuxuan heard some rumors in a teahouse in the capital.

A storyteller was vividly recounting a tale: "Ladies and gentlemen, things haven't been peaceful in the capital lately! I've heard there's a mysterious force called the Shadow Pavilion, known for its secretive ways and wicked deeds. I've heard they'll be carrying out a major operation on the night of the full moon..."

Lin Yuxuan's heart skipped a beat. He quickly stepped forward, gave the storyteller some silver, and said, "Sir, you just said that the Shadow Pavilion has a major operation on the night of the full moon. Is that true? What else do you know? Could you tell me in detail?"

The storyteller glanced at the silver and said with a broad smile, "Sir, I heard this from someone else. It's said that the Shadow Pavilion holds some kind of ceremony every now and then on the night of the full moon. I don't know exactly what it is. However, I've heard that this ceremony is related to their grand conspiracy."

Lin Yuxuan pressed for more details, but the storyteller couldn't provide any more information.

Lin Yuxuan immediately returned to the Prime Minister's residence and told Lin Yuhang the news.

“Brother, I’ve found out that the Shadow Pavilion seems to be really related to the ‘Full Moon Pact.’ They hold a ceremony on the night of the full moon, and maybe this ceremony is the key to their conspiracy!” Lin Yuxuan said excitedly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuhang immediately went to the palace to report to Emperor Hongli.

In the imperial study, Lin Yuhang told Hongli the information that Lin Yuxuan had found out.

"Your Majesty, this 'Full Moon Pact' seems to be more than just a pact; it's very likely the key to the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy. Should we take action on the night of the full moon?" Lin Yuhang said.

Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "We cannot act rashly on this matter. Since the Shadow Pavilion is so cautious, their ritual must be meticulously planned. Let's investigate secretly first and see what they are planning to do on the night of the full moon."

"Yes, Your Majesty! Then how should we investigate secretly?" Lin Yuhang asked.

Hongli looked at Erkang and said, "Erkang, you are highly skilled in martial arts and have a meticulous mind. I hereby order you to lead a team of elite guards to secretly infiltrate the Shadow Pavilion's possible ceremony on the night of the full moon and secretly investigate the situation. Remember, you must be careful and not alert the enemy."

Erkang stepped forward and said firmly, "Your Majesty, rest assured! Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission."

Xiao Yanzi looked at Er Kang with some concern and said, "Er Kang, you must be careful! The people from the Shadow Pavilion are definitely very vigilant, so please don't take any risks."

Erkang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will be careful. I will definitely find out the secrets of the Shadow Pavilion and avenge Princess Hejing."

Princess Hejing also said, "Erkang, you must return safely. If anything happens to you, I..."

"Princess, rest assured, I will definitely return safely," Erkang said.

However, with the full moon approaching, will Erkang's guards be able to successfully infiltrate the Shadow Pavilion's ritual site? What astonishing secrets will they discover there? Has the Shadow Pavilion become aware of their actions and set new traps? End of this chapter. Stay tuned for the next chapter.