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

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

Little Swallow clenched her fists: "No matter what, I will find the villain who hurt Daddy!"

After a moment of contemplation, Hongli said to Xiaoyanzi and Hongzhou, "We now have two leads: the mysterious man's jade pendant and the water control project. I think we can split up. I will continue to investigate the origin of the jade pendant, and Hongzhou, you will conduct an in-depth investigation into the ministers who disagree with Lord Lin regarding the water control project."

Hongzhou nodded: "Okay, Fourth Brother. I'll take care of it right away."

Little Swallow asked anxiously, "What about me? What can I do?"

Hongli looked at her and said, "Little Swallow, you can't let your guard down even in the palace. Xiaolian must have a purpose in approaching you. You should try to get some information out of her; perhaps you can find new clues."

Little Swallow replied, "Okay, Fourth Prince, I understand."

Hongzhou turned and left to investigate the water control project. He first found some minor officials in the Ministry of Works and inquired about the situation at the time.

Hongzhou asked seriously, "Do you know which ministers have disputes with Lord Lin regarding the allocation of funds for the water control project?"

The clerk answered tremblingly, "Fifth Prince, I only know of Lord Li and Lord Wang. They both want to secure more funding for their cronies and have argued with Lord Lin many times."

Hongzhou frowned: "Where are Lord Li and Lord Wang now? I'm going to go and meet them."

The clerk hurriedly replied, "Lord Li is at his residence today, while Lord Wang should be on duty in the imperial court."

Hongzhou first went to Lord Li's residence. Upon seeing Lord Li, Hongzhou went straight to the point: "Lord Li, I have heard that you have many disagreements with Lord Lin regarding the water control project. Now that Lord Lin is poisoned and unconscious, do you know anything about it?"

Lord Li's expression changed: "Fifth Prince, these are all normal debates in the court. How could I poison Lord Lin? Fifth Prince, please don't wrong an innocent person!"

Hongzhou scrutinized him: "Then tell me, what were the details of the argument at that time? Was there anything unusual?"

Lord Li thought for a moment and said, "At the time, the only disagreement was over the allocation of funds. Lord Lin insisted on allocating the funds according to the needs of the project. Although we had our own selfish motives, we dared not do anything immoral. However, I once saw Lord Wang whispering with a mysterious person in a corner. The mysterious person looked suspicious. After that, Lord Wang's attitude towards Lord Lin became more and more aggressive."

Hongzhou's heart skipped a beat: "Oh? Did you get a clear look at that mysterious person?"

Lord Li shook his head: "I was far away at the time, and I only saw a man wearing a black robe. I couldn't see his face clearly."

Hongzhou asked a few more questions, then took his leave and went to the court to find Lord Wang. Upon seeing Lord Wang, Hongzhou said, "Lord Wang, I am currently investigating Lord Lin's poisoning. I heard that you had a conflict with Lord Lin over the water control project and that you had also been in contact with a mysterious person. What is going on?"

Lord Wang said in a panic, "Fifth Prince, this is absolutely not true! Someone must be framing me!"

Hongzhou sneered, "Lord Wang, if you have nothing to hide, why are you so flustered? You'd better tell the truth, or I, this prince, will not let you off easily!"

Sweat beaded on Lord Wang's forehead. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Fifth Prince, I... I did have contact with a mysterious man. That man said he would give me a large sum of money if I could get Lord Lin to make concessions on the water control project. But I only talked to him; I didn't agree to anything, much less poison Lord Lin!"

Hongzhou pressed further, "Who is that mysterious person? Do you know?"

Lord Wang said tremblingly, "I really don't know. He always covered his face and only said that he had a lot of power behind him, and told me not to ask any more questions."

Hongzhou had no choice but to let Lord Wang go for the time being and return to reunite with Hongli and Xiaoyanzi.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yanzi was dealing with Xiao Lian in the palace. She deliberately feigned worry and said, "Xiao Lian, there's no clue what's going on with my father, and I'm really worried. Have you heard anything in the palace?"

Xiao Lian comforted her, "Miss Lin, don't worry too much. Maybe things will turn around soon."

Little Swallow looked at her: "You said there would be a turning point, do you know something? Little Lian, you must tell me!"

Xiaolian quickly waved her hand: "Miss Lin, I really don't know. I just didn't want to see you so sad."

Little Swallow pretended to be disappointed and said, "Well, I thought you could help me."

Xiao Lian hesitated for a moment, then said, "Miss Lin, I heard... I heard that Lord Lin's poisoning might be because he knew some secrets he shouldn't have known."

Little Swallow's eyes lit up: "What secret? Tell me quickly!"

Xiao Lian quickly shut up again: "Miss Lin, I just heard it from someone else. I can't keep talking nonsense. If people find out, I'll be in big trouble."

Little Swallow said anxiously, "Little Lotus, tell me, I won't let anyone know it was you who said it. This is really important to me!"

Xiao Lian gritted her teeth: "Miss Lin, I heard that it seems to be related to some kind of organization. That organization is secretly controlling many things. It's possible that Lord Lin discovered their conspiracy, which is why he was poisoned."

Little Swallow was startled: "What organization? Is it called Dark Shadow?"

Xiao Lian looked at Xiao Yanzi in surprise: "Miss Lin, how did you know? I've only heard that it's a very mysterious organization, but I've never heard of its specific name."

Little Swallow realized she might have said too much and quickly covered it up, saying, "I was just guessing. I think this hidden force must have a name. Little Lotus, what else do you know?"

Xiao Lian shook her head: "Miss Lin, that's all I know."

Just then, Hongli returned. Xiaoyanzi quickly told him what Xiaolian had said.

Hongli frowned: "It seems the Dark Shadows are quite powerful; we need to be even more careful. Has Hongzhou made any discoveries?"

Just then, Hongzhou rushed over. He recounted what he had learned from Lord Li and Lord Wang.

Hongli pondered, "Could the mysterious person that Lord Wang mentioned be one of the people from the Dark Shadow? It seems we should start with this mysterious person, find him, and perhaps we can solve all these mysteries."

Hongzhou nodded: "Fourth Brother, I think so too. But this mysterious person is hard to find, how do we even begin?"

Little Swallow suddenly said, "Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, I have an idea. We can set a trap to lure this mysterious person out."

Hongli and Hongzhou asked in unison, "What kind of game?"

Little Swallow said, "We can deliberately spread the news that Lord Lin has woken up and knows the identity of the mastermind, and wants to make it public. That mysterious person will definitely get restless and come out to investigate the truth."

Hongli considered it for a moment: "Although this plan is risky, it is still a viable option. However, we must make thorough arrangements so that they do not realize that this is a trap."

Hongzhou said, "Fourth Brother, I'll arrange for men to lie in ambush around the area. Once the mysterious person appears, we'll take him down."

Hongli nodded: "Alright, let's do it that way. Xiaoyanzi, you continue to deal with Xiaolian and see if you can get more information from her."

Little Swallow replied, "Yes, Fourth Prince."

The group began preparing their scheme. However, they didn't expect that Xiao Lian would secretly report everything to Rong Mama, who in turn informed Zhi Xi. Zhi Xi was secretly delighted; she felt this was a perfect opportunity to capture Xiao Yanzi and the others in one fell swoop.

Zhixi said to Rong Mama, "Mama, they're trying to lure the mysterious person into a trap, so let's play along. We'll notify our people, and when the time comes, we'll not only deal with that mysterious person, but also make sure Xiaoyanzi and the others don't leave alive!"

Rong Momo smiled sinisterly, "Don't worry, Madam, this old servant will make the arrangements right away."

Amidst the power struggles of the palace and the court, Xiao Yanzi, Hongli, and Hongzhou are gradually falling into a trap meticulously laid by their enemies. Will they be able to detect the danger and successfully break free? And what ulterior motives does the Dark Shadow organization, lurking in the shadows, harbor?