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

Little Swallow said firmly, "Fourth Prince is right! I will never let the murderer who hurt Father get away with it!"

Hongzhou looked at them, pondered for a moment, and then spoke: "This 'Shadow of the Night' might be an organization or gang, but what is this secret of the court? Could it be related to recent political decisions?"

Hongli nodded: "Hongzhou's words make sense. We need to investigate what major events have recently occurred in the court and whether we have offended any powerful figures."

Little Swallow was extremely anxious: "Then let's start now! I'll go ask my elder brother. He often moves around in the imperial court, so maybe he knows something."

After saying that, Xiao Yanzi hurried off to find Lin Yuhang. Upon seeing Lin Yuhang, Xiao Yanzi asked anxiously, "Big brother, do you know if anything unusual has happened in the court recently? Or has Father had any disputes with anyone?"

Lin Yuhang frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Sister, I heard that Father is in charge of funding a water control project, and it seems that he had some disagreements with some ministers about the allocation of funds. But I don't know exactly which ministers they were."

Little Swallow's eyes lit up: "The water control project? Could this be the key? I have to tell the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince right away."

Xiao Yanzi hurriedly returned and informed Hongli and Hongzhou of the situation. Hongzhou said, "The water control project involves many interests. If someone were to target Lord Lin for personal gain, it would be understandable. We might as well check the relevant files at the Ministry of Works."

The three arrived at the Ministry of Works, only to find the official in charge of the files stammering and refusing to cooperate. Hongli's eyes turned cold: "As an official of the court, why are you obstructing our investigation? Are you involved in this conspiracy?"

The official knelt down with a thud: "Fourth Prince, please forgive me! I was only acting under orders. Someone has been secretly threatening me, saying that if I dare to let anyone see the files, my whole family will be in danger!"

Little Swallow said angrily, "Who is it? Who dares to be so bold?"

The official said, trembling, "I really don't know, I only know that it was a mysterious person wearing a mask."

Hongzhou helped the official up: "Get up. If you can provide some useful clues, we will ensure the safety of your whole family."

The official hesitated for a moment and said, "I only remember that the mysterious man had a unique jade pendant with a strange flower engraved on it."

Hongli's heart skipped a beat: "A jade pendant? This might be an important clue. Let's go back to the palace first and have Su Peisheng investigate the origin of this jade pendant."

Upon returning to the palace, Su Peisheng received his orders and departed. At this time, Imperial Noble Consort Zhen Huan, having heard of this matter, came to visit him.

Zhen Huan looked at Hongli and said, "My son, this matter is becoming increasingly complicated. You must be careful and cautious. Don't give the people behind the scenes any opportunity to take advantage of you, and don't implicate Lin Xiaoyan."

Hongli respectfully said, "Mother, rest assured, I will be careful. However, the forces behind this conspiracy seem to be not to be underestimated."

Xiao Yanzi chimed in, "Your Highness, I will definitely work with the Fourth Prince to find out the truth!"

Zhen Huan nodded slightly: "Lin Xiaoyan, don't be impulsive. In this palace, one wrong step leads to another."

Meanwhile, Zhixi and Rong Mama also learned that Hongli and the others were investigating the clues. Zhixi said with some worry, "Mama, what if they really find something?"

Rong Momo said fiercely, "Don't be afraid, Madam! This old servant will definitely find a way to stop them. That Lord Lin has been poisoned and won't live much longer. Once he dies, the clues will be cut off."

Zhixi frowned: "No! If another person dies, things will only get worse. We need to think of another way."

Rong Momo's eyes lit up: "My lady, I've got an idea. We can plant someone by Xiao Yanzi's side to keep track of their movements and then secretly sabotage their investigation."

Zhixi nodded: "That's the only way. Granny, I'm leaving this matter to you. Please be careful."

Rong Momo accepted the order and left. She found a palace maid and quietly instructed her, "Go and get close to Lin Xiaoyan, pretend to be on good terms with her, and report her every move to me. If you do a good job, you will be rewarded handsomely."

The palace maid nodded quickly: "Yes, Granny."

One day, Xiao Yanzi was taking a stroll in the palace garden when a palace maid approached her and said with a smile, "Miss Lin, are you here alone? The flowers in this garden are in full bloom, look how beautiful they are."

Little Swallow looked at her and said, "Who are you? I don't think I've seen you before."

The palace maid said obediently, "My name is Xiaolian, and I am a new palace maid. I have long heard of Miss Lin's great name, and seeing her today, I can confirm that she is indeed as beautiful and charming as the rumors say."

Little Swallow was amused by her: "You have such a sweet tongue."

Xiao Lian seized the opportunity to say, "Miss Lin, are you troubled by Lord Lin's affairs? If there is anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask."

Little Swallow's heart skipped a beat, and she became wary: "How do you know about my father?"

Xiao Lian quickly explained, "It's all over the palace, and everyone feels sorry for Miss Lin."

Little Swallow looked at her, half believing and half doubting: "Oh, I see. I don't have any clue either, I just hope to find the murderer as soon as possible."

Xiao Lian quickly chimed in, "Don't worry, Miss Lin, good people will be rewarded, and the murderer will definitely be brought to justice."

After parting ways with Xiaolian, Xiaoyanzi felt something was amiss. She went to Hongli and said, "Fourth Prince, I met a palace maid named Xiaolian in the garden. She approached me and was particularly concerned about my father's affairs. I find her suspicious."

Hongli pondered for a moment: "It seems our actions have been observed. Don't alert her yet. Continue to play along with her and see what her true purpose is."

Little Swallow nodded: "Okay, I understand. Fourth Prince, is there any progress in your investigation of the jade pendant?"

Hongli shook his head: "Not yet. Su Peisheng is inquiring everywhere, but the clues about this jade pendant are too vague and will take some time."

At this moment, Hongzhou also arrived and said, "I have also heard some rumors in the palace. It seems that someone is deliberately spreading rumors about Lord Lin, saying that he was corrupt and took bribes, which is why he suffered this retribution."

Little Swallow said angrily, "This must be the murderer's conspiracy! They want to ruin Father's reputation so that we have no way to investigate."

Hongli's eyes were firm: "No matter how they plot and scheme, as long as we find solid evidence, we can uncover the truth. Although the web of power struggles in the palace and the court is complex, we must not back down."

As the three were discussing, General Zhao Hui came to see them. General Zhao Hui looked grave and bowed to Hongli before saying, "Fourth Prince, I have received news that the unusual activity on the border seems to be related to some forces in the court. I suspect that Lord Lin's poisoning may also be related to this force."

Hongli frowned: "General, what makes you say that?"

General Zhao Hui said, "During my investigation of the border affairs, I discovered that some officials in the court are secretly colluding with suspicious figures on the frontier. They seem to be plotting some grand conspiracy. And the water control project that Lord Lin is in charge of might affect their plans, so..."

Hongzhou's eyes widened: "Could it be that they would go so far as to poison Lord Lin for their own conspiracy?"

General Zhao Hui nodded: "Very likely. Moreover, it seems that there are people from the inner palace secretly supporting this force."

Little Swallow exclaimed in surprise, "Someone from the harem? Could it be...?"

Hongli interrupted her, "Don't jump to conclusions. General Zhaohui, do you have any evidence?"

General Zhao Hui shook his head: "There is no conclusive evidence yet, only some clues pointing to it. I am continuing the investigation."

Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "This matter should not be publicized. General, continue your investigation and inform me of any news promptly. We will also expedite our investigation into Lord Lin's poisoning; the clues from both sides may corroborate each other."

General Zhao Hui accepted the order and left. Little Swallow said worriedly, "Fourth Prince, this matter is getting increasingly complicated, involving not only the court but also the harem. What should we do?"

Hongli held her hand and comforted her, "Little Swallow, don't be afraid. As long as we uphold justice and don't overlook any clues, we will surely be able to uncover this conspiracy."

Hongzhou chimed in, "Fourth Brother is right. I refuse to believe they can control everything in this palace and court!"

Unbeknownst to them, a hidden force was secretly laying an even larger trap, waiting for them to step into it. Meanwhile, Xiao Lian was also secretly observing Xiao Yanzi's every move, ready to report to Rong Momo at any moment. Amidst this dense fog of mystery, could Xiao Yanzi, Hongli, and Hongzhou uncover the conspiracy, save Lord Lin, and escape unscathed from the power struggles within the palace and the court?