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

Inside the imperial study, the candlelight flickered, casting long and short shadows of everyone present. Cui'er collapsed to the floor, tears and snot streaming down her face, her body trembling violently. Hongli sat on the dragon throne, dressed in a bright yellow robe embroidered with gold dragons, a jade belt cinching his waist, which accentuated his majesty. His brows were furrowed, his eyes filled with frost as he coldly stared at Cui'er, saying in a deep voice, "If you confess honestly, I might spare your family's lives, considering it's your first offense. But if you utter even a single lie, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Cui'er nodded hurriedly, her forehead thumping loudly as she kowtowed: "Your Majesty, spare my life! I'll tell you everything! The man in black claimed to be from the Shadow Pavilion. He approached me a few months ago, saying he knew my family owed a huge sum of money to gambling dens outside the palace. He threatened to kill my family if I didn't help them." As she spoke, she wiped away her tears with her dirty sleeve, her eyes filled with fear and despair.

Xiao Yanzi, dressed in a royal blue cheongsam with delicate peony patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, quickly stepped forward, squatted down, looked directly into Cui'er's eyes, and asked anxiously, "What exactly did they ask you to do? Is Princess Hejing in danger?" Her hands clenched unconsciously, her knuckles turned white, and her face was full of worry.

Cui'er sobbed, her voice trembling with tears, "They told me to keep an eye on things happening in the palace, especially anything related to the Empress and the murals in the Shadow Pavilion, and to report back immediately. They also said that if there was an opportunity, they should put a colorless and odorless drug in Princess Hejing's food to make her drowsy, making it easier for them to do their thing. But I haven't dared to do it yet, please, Your Majesty, spare my life!"

Upon hearing this, Hongli slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to shake. He roared, "How dare you! You dare to plot against Princess Hejing! Fuheng, immediately send men to shut down that gambling den and find out who's behind it. Also, ensure Princess Hejing's safety!"

Fucha Fuheng, dressed in a dark blue official robe with a warm jade pendant at his waist, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and accepted the order: "Your subject obeys the decree!" After saying that, he turned and left quickly, his hurried steps revealing his competence.

Xiao Yanzi stood up, her brows furrowed, and paced back and forth in the study, muttering to herself, "What exactly does the Shadow Pavilion want? Why are they keeping an eye on me and the murals?" She gently stroked her chin, her eyes filled with contemplation and doubt.

At this moment, Su Peisheng rushed in, looking flustered. He knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, something terrible has happened! We just received news that the abandoned Taoist temple in the western suburbs suddenly caught fire. The fire was fierce, and by the time the guards arrived, it had been reduced to ruins. No clues were left behind."

"What?" Hongli and Xiaoyanzi exclaimed in surprise at the same time. Hongli's face instantly turned ashen. He stood up abruptly, the hem of his dragon robe fluttering with the movement. "This is clearly someone deliberately destroying evidence. It seems they have already realized that we are investigating."

Little Swallow bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with resentment: "We finally got a clue, and it's all gone now. No, we can't just give up like this." Her eyes were filled with determination and stubbornness, as if she were declaring to the enemy in the shadows that she would never give up.

Just as everyone was lost in thought, the door to the Imperial Study was suddenly flung open, and Hong Zhou rushed in. He was dressed in a black outfit, with a sharp dagger at his waist. His hair was a little messy, and his forehead was covered in sweat, clearly indicating that he had run all the way here.

"Brother, sister-in-law, I heard that Cui'er has been arrested. Have you found out anything?" Hongzhou asked, panting heavily.

Hongli briefly recounted what Cui'er had told him. After listening, Hongzhou frowned deeply: "The Shadow Pavilion operates so mysteriously; there must be a bigger conspiracy behind it. I've also heard some rumors among the people recently, saying that a mysterious organization is secretly recruiting people and buying up large quantities of strange herbs and metals. Could this be related?"

Little Swallow's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "Really? Do you know where these mysterious organizations' strongholds are?" A look of anticipation appeared on her face, and her hands unconsciously clenched together.

Hongzhou shook his head, looking helpless: "It's still unclear. Those people are very cautious, and it took me a lot of effort to find out this information. However, I have already arranged for people to continue the investigation, and they will report back immediately as soon as there is any news."

As dusk settled, the sky outside the window turned a deep orange-red, as if stained with blood. The atmosphere in the Imperial Study grew increasingly tense. Everyone understood that the battle against the Shadow Pavilion had only just begun, and an even greater crisis might lie ahead.

"No matter what conspiracy the Shadow Pavilion has, I will not let them succeed." Hongli's voice was deep and firm, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable determination, as if he were declaring his will to the entire palace and even the world.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the window, followed by a guard rushing in and kneeling on the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Chuxiu Palace is on fire, and the fire has spread to the neighboring palaces. The guards are doing their best to put it out!"