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

After the battle, the palace was in a state of chaos. Palace maids and eunuchs were busy cleaning up the battlefield, while the Imperial Guards strengthened their defenses. Xiao Yanzi, Hongli, Liu Qing, Liu Hong, and others gathered in the Hall of Mental Cultivation to discuss their next steps.

"Although we repelled the Shadow Pavilion this time, we still haven't obtained any crucial clues about them." Hongli frowned, his face serious.

"Your Majesty, that Chef Liu must know something, but unfortunately he got away," Liu Hong said with frustration.

"Yes, the situation was urgent, and we couldn't stop him." Liu Qing also looked remorseful.

Little Swallow comforted them, "You can't be blamed for this. It was so dangerous back then, it was already very difficult to break through the encirclement."

“My dear consort is right. The most urgent task is to find Chef Liu,” Hongli said.

"Your Majesty, we have already sent people to search inside and outside the palace, but so far there has been no news," a minister said.

"Keep searching! We must find him!" Hongli emphasized.

At this moment, Su Peisheng walked in, holding a letter in his hand: "Your Majesty, this was found while cleaning up the battlefield. It looks like it fell from the man in black."

Hongli took the letter, opened it, and his face turned extremely ugly: "This...this is the Shadow Pavilion's action plan! They've actually plotted an even bigger conspiracy!"

"Your Majesty, what does it say?" Little Swallow asked anxiously.

Hongli handed the letter to Xiaoyanzi, who was shocked after reading it: "They actually plan to take action at the palace banquet three days from now, and kidnap the Emperor and all the ministers!"

"These scoundrels are too arrogant!" Liu Hong clenched her fists in anger.

"It seems they weren't willing to give up after their last failure and planned this operation again," Liu Qing said.

"Your Majesty, we must find a way to stop them!" Little Swallow said.

"Of course I won't let them succeed!" Hongli said. "Issue my decree to strengthen security at palace banquets. All participants must undergo strict screening."

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

"Furthermore, we need to find a way to lure them out and wipe out the Shadow Pavilion in one fell swoop." A ruthless glint flashed in Hongli's eyes.

"Your Majesty, what are your plans?" Little Swallow asked.

Hongli smiled slightly: "We can turn the tables on them, pretend we don't know about their conspiracy, and hold the palace banquet as planned. Then, we can set up a trap at the banquet and capture them all when they show up."

"Your Majesty, this is too dangerous! If anything goes wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable!" a minister said worriedly.

"My mind is made up, this is how it will be done! All you have to do is make sure the preparations are done well and there are no mistakes!" Hongli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Although the ministers were worried, they could only obey the Emperor's orders.

"Little Swallow, you shouldn't participate in this operation; it's too dangerous." Hongli looked at Little Swallow, his eyes filled with concern.

“Your Majesty, how can I not participate? I also want to contribute to protecting the palace! Moreover, I also have a responsibility for the Shadow Pavilion’s affairs,” Xiao Yanzi said firmly.

“My beloved consort, I know you are brave, but this time is different. The Shadow Pavilion will surely have a well-thought-out plan, and we cannot let you take such a risk,” Hongli said.

"Your Majesty, I'm not afraid! Liu Qing, Liu Hong, and I work well together and will definitely be able to help," Xiao Yanzi said.

Seeing Xiao Yanzi's resolute eyes, Hongli knew he couldn't persuade her, so he could only say, "Alright, my beloved concubine, but you must obey my arrangements and must not act on your own."

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Little Swallow replied.

The palace was bustling with activity for the next few days. The Imperial Guards increased patrols and conducted a thorough inspection and preparation of the banquet venue. At the same time, all attendees were rigorously vetted to ensure no Shadow Pavilion spies had infiltrated.

Xiao Yanzi, Liu Qing, and Liu Hong were also busy, collecting clues about the Shadow Pavilion in hopes of finding more useful information.

"Princess, we've asked around a lot these past few days, but we still haven't found any new leads," Liu Qing said.

"It's alright, we can't give up, we must keep searching. The people of the Shadow Pavilion can't be without any flaws," Little Swallow said.

"Princess, who do you think is the mastermind behind the Shadow Pavilion?" Liu Hong asked.

“I’ve been thinking about this too. The Shadow Pavilion’s power is so vast, there must be a very powerful person pulling the strings behind the scenes,” Xiao Yanzi said.

"No matter who it is, we must find him and completely thwart the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy!" Liu Hong said.

Just then, Xiao Tao rushed in: "Princess, Princess Hejing has arrived and says she has something important to tell you."

Little Swallow was slightly taken aback: "Princess Hejing? Quickly, please invite her in."

Princess Hejing walked in, looking mysterious: "Your Majesty, I have discovered another suspicious person."

"Oh? Who is it? Tell me quickly." Little Swallow immediately perked up.

Princess Hejing leaned close to Xiaoyanzi's ear and whispered, "It was the Vice Minister of Rites. I saw him secretly meeting with a stranger yesterday. His behavior was very suspicious."

"The Vice Minister of Rites? He's a Vice Minister of Rites, how could he be related to the Shadow Pavilion?" Liu Qing said in surprise.

"Whether it's related or not, we have to investigate," Xiao Yanzi said. "Princess Hejing, thank you so much, you've been a great help."

"Hehe, I'm so happy to be able to help Her Majesty the Empress," Princess Hejing said. "I also want to do my part for the peace and tranquility of the palace."

"You're such a good child. But this is very dangerous. Don't go on any more dangerous trips by yourself, okay?" Little Swallow patted Princess Hejing's head.

"Yes, I will listen to Your Majesty the Empress," Princess Hejing said obediently.

After seeing Princess Hejing off, Xiao Yanzi immediately discussed with Liu Qing and Liu Hong how to investigate the Vice Minister of Rites.

"We need to find a way to get close to him and see what he's up to," said Xiao Yanzi.

“Gege, I think we can send someone to follow him and see who he’s been in contact with,” Liu Qing said.

"Okay, let's do it that way. Liu Qing, I'm leaving this to you. Be careful," Xiao Yanzi said.

"Yes, Princess!" After receiving the order, Liu Qing immediately went to arrange for people to follow the Vice Minister of Rites.

However, unbeknownst to them, the Vice Minister of Rites seemed to have noticed that someone was following him and had begun preparing countermeasures. All of this would bring even more unpredictability to the upcoming court banquet...

This chapter concludes here. Stay tuned for the next chapter.