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

Officials from the Imperial Household Department were busy checking accounts in the Shufangzhai, the abacus beads clicking away, but their lowered eyes betrayed a hint of unease. Xiao Yanzi and Hongli sat to the side, seemingly calm, but their eyes were actually fixed on their every move, not missing a single detail.

"Hmph, they really investigated very thoroughly!" Little Swallow finally couldn't help but speak, her tone full of sarcasm. "I've never seen the Imperial Household Department pay so much attention to the accounts of any palace before."

The head official of the Imperial Household Department's expression changed slightly, and he quickly explained, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This is indeed a routine matter, and it must be done according to the rules every month."

Hongli sneered, "Rules? I think you've been used as pawns without even realizing it!" Upon hearing this, the officials visibly froze, and the account books in their hands almost fell.

Just then, Xiao Dengzi rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Lord Lin Yuhang requests an audience!"

"Let him in quickly!" Hongli said immediately, a hint of expectation flashing in his eyes.

Lin Yuhang strode in, not even bothering to bow, and said urgently, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have just received news that those suspicious strangers seem to have a new trend; they are gathering in a courtyard in the west of the city!"

"The courtyard in the west of the city?" Little Swallow suddenly stood up. "Could it be related to the princess being arrested?"

“Very likely!” Lin Yuhang nodded. “I’ve already sent people to keep an eye on them, but I still haven’t figured out what they’re planning.”

"Immediately gather men and come with me to investigate!" Hongli stood up, his eyes resolute.

"Your Majesty, I'm going too!" Little Swallow said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Hongli looked at her, wanting to dissuade her, but seeing her resolute eyes, he could only nod helplessly: "Alright, but you must stay close to me and never take any risks!"

The group quickly made preparations and quietly left the palace, heading west of the city. Along the way, the sound of horses' hooves was rapid, and everyone's tension grew.

Soon, they arrived at the courtyard. The gate was tightly closed, and the surroundings were quiet, showing no signs of anything amiss. Hongli waved his hand, and the guards quickly surrounded the courtyard.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I'll go in and check the situation first," Lin Yuhang said in a low voice.

"Be careful," Hongli instructed.

Lin Yuhang nimbly jumped into the courtyard, and a moment later he climbed out over the wall, his expression grave: "Your Majesty, there are lights on in several rooms in the courtyard. I heard people talking inside, but I couldn't make out what they were saying."

"Whoever is inside, arrest them all!" Hongli ordered.

The guards quickly broke down the gate and rushed into the courtyard. The people inside were clearly startled by the sudden commotion, and after a moment of panic, several men in black, wielding sharp blades, rushed out.

"Protect the Emperor and Empress!" Lin Yuhang shouted, rushing forward to fight the men in black.

Not to be outdone, Xiao Yanzi drew her soft whip and joined the fray. Hongli, protected by his guards, steadily entered the courtyard, his sharp eyes surveying his surroundings.

"Who exactly are you people? Why are you acting so mysteriously in the capital?" Hongli asked sternly.

The men in black didn't answer, only fought back fiercely, each move ruthless. The battle reached a stalemate, when suddenly one of the men in black whistled, and the sound of horses' hooves came from not far away, as if reinforcements were on their way.

"Oh no, they have backup!" Lin Yuhang shouted. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, we must retreat!"

"Trying to leave? Not so easy!" Little Swallow shouted angrily, wielding her soft whip with great force, blocking several men in black who were trying to escape.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves grew closer in the distance. Hongli frowned and said, "Let's retreat first and discuss this further back at the palace!"

The group quickly evacuated and returned to the palace. Hongli immediately summoned Fulun, Erkang, and others to discuss countermeasures.

“This is very strange. These men in black are clearly organized and planned,” Furen said, his brow furrowed.

"And they seem to know we're investigating them, otherwise they wouldn't have had backup so quickly," Er Kang continued.

Little Swallow paced back and forth, then suddenly stopped: "I think there's a traitor among us! Otherwise, how could they always know our moves in advance?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned serious. Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "Regardless of whether there's a mole or not, we must speed up the investigation. Fu Lun, continue investigating the backgrounds of those strangers and see if you can find any connections between them and the palace; Er Kang, try to get the talk of that suspicious person we captured earlier; Lin Yuhang, continue keeping an eye on the courtyard in the west of the city, and report immediately if there's any movement!"

"Your Majesty, we obey!" the three replied in unison.

After everyone left, Xiao Yanzi sat wearily in a chair: "Your Majesty, when will this ever end? Why are there always so many conspiracies and schemes?"

Hongli walked to her side and gently took her hand: "Don't worry, with me here, I will definitely expose all these conspiracies and restore peace to the palace."

Just then, Xiao Zhuozi announced from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Wan Niang requests an audience."

"Wan Niang? What's she doing here?" Xiao Yanzi asked, puzzled.

"Let her in," Hongli said.

Wan Niang walked in, looking anxious: "Your Majesty, Empress, I...I have something important to say!"

"What is it? Tell me slowly," Little Swallow said.

"I heard... I heard that those people captured the princess to lure you out. They seem to have a bigger conspiracy!" Wan Niang said nervously.

"Lure us out?" Hongli's eyes sharpened. "What exactly do they want?"

“I’m not entirely sure either, but I’ve heard some rumors that it might be related to the Shadow Pavilion,” Wan Niang said.

"It's the Shadow Pavilion again!" Little Swallow gritted her teeth. "What tricks is the Shadow Pavilion up to this time?"

"It seems we have to start with the Shadow Pavilion lead and investigate thoroughly!" Hongli said, his eyes revealing a firm determination.

"Your Majesty, I'll investigate with you!" Little Swallow said. "This time, I absolutely will not let the Shadow Pavilion succeed again!"

Hongli looked at her and nodded: "Okay, let's do it together! No matter what difficulties we encounter, we must protect the palace and protect the princess."

Night had fallen, and the entire palace was shrouded in darkness, as if concealing countless secrets. Xiao Yanzi and Hongli knew that their challenges had only just begun, and the truth might lie hidden within this thick fog of mystery.

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