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

After receiving the order, Liu Qing quickly selected several clever subordinates to secretly follow the Vice Minister of Rites. In the past few days, the Vice Minister of Rites appeared to be doing everything as usual, attending court and returning home on time every day, without any unusual behavior.

"My lord, this Vice Minister of Rites doesn't seem particularly special. Could it be that Princess Hejing has mistaken him for someone else?" one of his subordinates couldn't help but ask.

Liu Qing frowned and said in a low voice, "Don't be careless. Keep an eye on things, and report any abnormalities immediately."

Another day passed, and after finishing his breakfast, the Vice Minister of Rites went out with a servant. Liu Qing and the others followed at a distance, and saw him arrive at a secluded manor on the outskirts of the city.

"This place is rarely visited by anyone. What is he doing here?" Liu Qing wondered, and signaled his men to approach cautiously.

After the Vice Minister of Rites entered the estate, Liu Qing and several of his men quietly scaled the wall and hid behind a woodshed to observe. A short while later, a man in black emerged from the woodshed and met the Vice Minister of Rites.

"How are the preparations going?" the man in black asked coldly.

"Everything is proceeding according to plan, and there will be no problems with the banquet arrangements," the Vice Minister of Rites said in a low voice.

"Hmph, you know the consequences if something goes wrong. The Shadow Pavilion isn't one you can easily betray," the man in black threatened.

"Yes, yes, I understand. But... the risk is quite high, and I can't skimp on the benefits I want after it's done." The Vice Minister of Rites smiled obsequiously, but a glint of greed flashed in his eyes.

Liu Qing, who was hiding to the side, felt a chill run down his spine. It seemed that the Vice Minister of Rites had indeed colluded with the Shadow Pavilion. He was thinking about how to send this message back when he suddenly heard a soft cough behind him.

"Who's there!" the man in black shouted alertly, and he and the Vice Minister of Rites quickly looked toward the woodshed.

Knowing they'd been exposed, Liu Qing gritted his teeth and led his men out. "You bunch of scoundrels, we've finally caught you red-handed!"

The man in black sneered, "Just you guys?" With that, he drew a dagger from his waist and confronted Liu Qing and the others.

"What exactly are you plotting? Speak up!" Liu Qing glared angrily at the Vice Minister of Rites.

"Hmph, you want me to speak? Dream on!" the Vice Minister of Rites shouted, his voice stern but his tone weak.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate when the man in black made the first move, lunging at Liu Qing. Liu Qing dodged to the side and retaliated with a punch. In an instant, the courtyard was filled with the clash of swords and the flash of fists as everyone engaged in a chaotic battle.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yanzi was anxiously waiting for news of Liu Qing in the palace.

"Liu Hong, Liu Qing has been gone for so long and hasn't come back yet. Could something have happened to him?" Xiao Yanzi paced back and forth in the room.

"Princess, don't be too anxious. Liu Qing is a steady and reliable person, there shouldn't be any problems. Let's wait a little longer." Although Liu Hong said this, she was also a little worried.

After a long while, a subordinate rushed in, his face covered in injuries. "Princess, something bad has happened! Brother Liu and his men have been discovered and are currently in a standoff with the thieves at the manor on the outskirts of the city!"

"What!" Little Swallow exclaimed, immediately standing up. "Let's go help!"

"Princess, this is too dangerous. We should report to the Emperor first and send the Imperial Guards to provide support," Liu Hong advised.

"It's too late! If anything happens to Liu Qing and the others, how can I explain it to them!" Xiao Yanzi was extremely anxious and didn't care about anything else. She took Liu Hong and several guards and rushed to the outskirts of the city.

By the time they arrived, Liu Qing and his men were already at a disadvantage. The man in black was highly skilled in martial arts, and Liu Qing and his men were all injured.

"Stop!" Little Swallow shouted, leading her people inside.

The man in black was slightly taken aback when he saw Xiao Yanzi and the others arrive. "Hmph, perfect timing, let's take care of them all at once!"

Little Swallow drew her sword and engaged the man in black in battle. Liu Hong, not to be outdone, joined the fight. The guards then surrounded the Vice Minister of Rites.

"You bunch of traitors to the court, today is your death day!" Little Swallow's swordsmanship was fierce, and every move was full of momentum.

The man in black was secretly surprised, not expecting the Empress to be so skilled in martial arts. However, he was experienced and for a time, he and Xiao Yanzi were evenly matched.

"Why did you collude with the Shadow Pavilion in an attempt to disrupt the palace banquet?" Little Swallow shouted as she hit her.

"Hmph, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. This world will belong to the Shadow Pavilion sooner or later!" the man in black sneered.

Just as the battle was raging, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from afar. Everyone turned to look and saw Hongli leading a troop of imperial guards approaching.

"Your Majesty!" Little Swallow was overjoyed.

Hongli's face was cold and stern as he shouted, "Take down all these traitors!"

The well-trained Imperial Guards quickly surrounded the man in black, the Vice Minister of Rites, and others. Seeing the situation was dire, the man in black tried to break through and escape, but was stopped by the guards around Hongli and subdued in a few moves.

"Your Majesty, let me interrogate this traitor!" said Xiao Yanzi.

Hongli nodded: "Alright, my beloved consort, you must find out their conspiracy."

Little Swallow walked up to the Vice Minister of Rites and said sternly, "Speak! What exactly is your plan at the banquet? Who is the mastermind behind the Shadow Pavilion?"

The Vice Minister of Rites lowered his head and remained silent.

"Hmph, you think you can escape this by not talking? If you don't confess, don't blame me for being impolite!" Little Swallow said angrily.

At this moment, the man in black suddenly burst into laughter: "Don't waste your energy, he won't tell. The Shadow Pavilion's plan is flawless, just you wait and see!"

"You!" Little Swallow gritted her teeth in anger.

Hongli stepped forward, looked at the men in black, and said, "I don't care what your plans are, but in this palace, and throughout the land, I will not allow any conspiracy to succeed. You will just wait to receive your due punishment!"

However, what no one knew was that the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy was far more complex than they imagined; even capturing these two was only the tip of the iceberg...

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