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

After the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, the capital city seemed to have returned to its usual tranquility, but the tense atmosphere lurking in the shadows still lingered. In the streets and alleys, people gathered together, still discussing the thrilling scene from the ceremony, their faces filled with relief and lingering fear of surviving a disaster.

Inside Fuheng's residence, the atmosphere was heavy. Fuheng sat in his study, his brow furrowed, deep in thought as he stared at the map of the capital on the table. Several of his trusted subordinates stood beside him, their expressions also solemn, not daring to utter a sound.

"My lord, although we thwarted the Shadow Cult's assassination attempt at the sacrificial ceremony, Lord Sun boasted of their immense power before his death, which is truly worrying," a subordinate couldn't help but break the silence, speaking with a concerned expression.

Fu Heng nodded slightly, his hand unconsciously clenching into a fist: "Hmph, no matter how large they are, I will eradicate them completely and never give them another chance to cause trouble." His eyes were piercing, as if he could see through the map to find the Shadow Cult's hiding place.

"Sir, we've been tracking down the remnants of the Shadow Cult for the past few days, but they seem to have vanished into thin air. We're completely clueless," another subordinate sighed helplessly, scratching his head with a troubled expression.

Fu Heng stood up and paced back and forth in the study, his steps steady yet revealing a hint of urgency: "Continue to send more people to investigate those who have had dealings with Lord Sun, as well as all the hidden corners of the city, especially those abandoned houses and remote temples. We must not let any clue slip by."

"Yes, sir!" the men replied in unison, and hurriedly left after receiving their orders.

Meanwhile, in the inner palace, the Empress and Consort Ling were not idle either. The two sat in the pavilion in the garden, drinking tea and discussing the follow-up matters in hushed tones.

"Consort Ling, the Shadow Sect will not let this assassination attempt go unpunished. We must strengthen our defenses in the inner palace." The Empress gently placed her hand on the teacup, her brows furrowed, her eyes filled with worry.

Consort Ling nodded slightly, put down her teacup, and leaned forward slightly: "Your Majesty the Empress is absolutely right. I have already given orders to the palace maids and eunuchs to keep a close watch on the surroundings and to report immediately if they see any unfamiliar faces or suspicious persons."

"Yes, and also remind the guards not to slack off during patrols, but to be fully alert," the Empress added, her eyes revealing an undeniable seriousness.

Just then, a young eunuch rushed over, knelt down to pay his respects, and said in a somewhat panicked voice, "Your Majesty, Your Highness Consort Ling, something terrible has happened! A palace maid has fainted in the Imperial Garden, and some strange symbols have been found nearby. They look like the marks of the Shadow Cult."

Upon hearing this, both the Empress and Consort Ling's expressions changed.

"Quickly, take me to see this!" The Empress stood up and walked quickly toward the Imperial Garden. Consort Ling hurriedly followed, her skirt swaying rapidly with each step.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, they saw a group of palace maids and eunuchs gathered around a flowerbed. Seeing the Empress and Consort Ling arrive, they quickly made way. A palace maid lay on the ground, pale and unconscious. Beside her, on the ground, were indeed several crooked and eerie symbols.

"What...what's going on?" The Empress frowned as she looked at the symbol, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.

Consort Ling knelt down to examine the palace maid's condition, then stood up and shook her head: "It looks like she's been poisoned, but I've never seen this symbol before."

At this moment, an older eunuch stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard from the older generation that the Shadow Cult sometimes uses special symbols to transmit messages. Perhaps these are the symbols they left behind."

The Empress's expression grew increasingly grave: "Immediately summon the imperial physician to treat this palace maid; she must be brought back to consciousness. Also, send someone to inform Lord Fuheng to come and examine the symbol."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The little eunuch accepted the order and ran off.

Before long, Fuheng hurriedly arrived at the Imperial Garden. He first examined the symbols next to the palace maids, his brows furrowing even deeper. Then he asked the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs about the circumstances under which they discovered the symbols.

"Lord Fuheng, have you figured out the meaning behind this symbol?" the Empress asked anxiously.

Fu Heng shook his head slightly, stood up, and said with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty, this symbol is very strange, and I have not been able to figure it out for the time being. However, since it has appeared in this inner palace, the Shadow Sect must be trying to convey some important information through this action, or perhaps they are secretly plotting a new conspiracy."

"What should we do?" Consort Ling stamped her foot anxiously, her hands unconsciously twisting her handkerchief.

Fu Heng pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. I will first arrange for people to thoroughly search the Imperial Garden to see if there are any other clues. In addition, strengthen the guards of the inner palace to prevent the Shadow Cult from making any further moves. I will go back and study this symbol carefully, and try to decipher its meaning as soon as possible."

"Then I'll have to trouble Lord Fuheng," the Empress said with a slight bow, expressing her gratitude.

After bowing in greeting, Fuheng immediately began making arrangements. In an instant, the inner palace was bustling with activity. Palace maids and eunuchs carefully searched every corner of the Imperial Garden, while guards increased their patrols, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

In a secluded alley in the capital, inside a seemingly abandoned house, there was an unusual commotion. Several dark figures huddled together in the dimly lit room, conversing in hushed tones.

"This grand sacrificial ceremony has failed miserably, and Lord Sun has also been injured. The higher-ups are very dissatisfied." A hoarse voice said with a hint of resentment, slamming its hand heavily on the table as it spoke, causing the candlelight on the table to flicker.

"Hmph, we can't entirely blame ourselves. Who would have thought that Fu Heng would be so vigilant? But we didn't come away empty-handed. The symbols left in the Imperial Garden will give them a headache for a while." Another voice chuckled sinisterly, the laughter echoing in the eerie room, sending chills down one's spine.

"So what's the next step? We can't just sit here and wait," another voice asked anxiously.

"Don't rush. Follow the orders from above, continue to lie low, and wait for the right opportunity. That symbol will lead them in the wrong direction. When that time comes, we'll deliver the fatal blow," the leader of the shadowy figures said slowly, his eyes revealing cunning and ruthlessness.

Even after the sacrificial ceremony, the struggle between good and evil continued unabated, with both sides busily preparing for their next move. The entire capital seemed shrouded in gloom, and no one knew what thrilling stories would unfold next.

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