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

After experiencing many twists and turns, Xiao Yanzi, Hongli, and Hongzhou's feelings and trust deepened, but they also knew that the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy was like a net, enveloping the palace.

That day, the three met in a secluded corner of the Imperial Garden. Hongzhou looked worried: "The Shadow Pavilion is too well hidden. Although we have some clues, every step we take seems to be met with immense resistance."

Little Swallow frowned: "But we can't back down! The secret of that mural must be revealed, otherwise the palace will never have peace."

Hongli nodded: "Little Swallow is right. I have sent people to keep a close eye on suspicious people who have been entering and leaving the palace recently, especially those who have connections with the border. General Zhaohui also sent word that he has found some clues on the border. It seems that a mysterious organization is frequently active and its connection with the palace is vague."

Hongzhou's eyes lit up: "Should we go to the frontier to find out?"

Hongli pondered for a moment: "No rush. If there is any unusual activity in the palace, we might fall into the enemy's trap of luring us away. Let's break through from within first."

Just then, Xiao Tao rushed over. "Madam, something terrible has happened! Lord Lin has been impeached for allegedly having ties with the Shadow Pavilion. He has been suspended from his duties and is under investigation. His residence has also been surrounded and searched by soldiers."

Little Swallow's face changed drastically: "What? This must be a setup! How could my father be related to the Shadow Pavilion?"

Hongli comforted her, "Little Swallow, don't panic. Let's go take a look."

The three rushed to the Prime Minister's residence, only to find chaos. Prime Minister Lin was being escorted away, his face calm but unable to hide a trace of worry.

"Dad!" Little Swallow rushed over.

When Lord Lin saw Xiao Yanzi, he said softly, "Yan'er, don't worry. I have a clear conscience and I will surely uncover the truth."

Xiao Yanzi turned to Hongli: "Fourth Prince, you must save my father."

Hongli said, "Lord Lin, I will definitely find out the truth. Do you know any clues?"

Lord Lin shook his head: "I only know that there have been a few people acting suspiciously outside the mansion recently, as if they are spying on me. I originally wanted to send someone to investigate, but I did not expect to suffer this misfortune."

At this moment, the Prime Minister's wife, Lin Yuhang, and Lin Yuxuan also gathered around. Lin Yuhang said, "Fourth Prince, someone must be plotting to harm my father. You must do justice for us."

Hongzhou observed the movements of the surrounding soldiers and said, "This search seems too rigorous, as if they are looking for something specific."

Xiao Yanzi suddenly thought, "Could it be an object related to the murals in the Shadow Pavilion? They want to use this to frame my father and then prevent us from exploring the secrets of the murals."

Hongli thought it made sense: "That's possible. Let's have the soldiers stop the search first, and then investigate slowly."

He turned to the leading officers and soldiers and said, "I am here. The matter of Lord Lin has not yet been settled. You must not wantonly damage the Prime Minister's residence. Everything will be dealt with after I have investigated the matter."

The officers and soldiers looked at each other, and after a moment's hesitation, the leader ordered a halt to the search.

The group returned inside and began discussing countermeasures. Ah Zhu brought over tea, her hands trembling slightly.

Lin Yuxuan held Xiao Yanzi's hand: "Sister, I'm so scared."

Little Swallow patted his head: "Xuan'er, don't be afraid, your sister is here."

Madam Lin sobbed softly, "Everything was fine, how could such a disaster have happened?"

Lin Yuhang said calmly, "Mother, don't cry. We need to think of a way. Fourth Prince, what do you think we should do next?"

Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "I will return to the palace first to see Father Emperor and report this matter. Hongzhou, you stay at the Prime Minister's residence and protect them. Xiaoyanzi, you come back to the palace with me. After all, you are now the Fujin (Prince Consort), and your words carry some weight."

Little Swallow nodded: "Okay."

On the way back to the palace, Xiao Yanzi was extremely anxious. "Fourth Prince, do you think Father will believe us?"

Hongli held her hand: "Don't worry. I will present the evidence and doubts one by one, and Father will definitely handle it fairly."

Upon arriving at the palace, Emperor Yongzheng was discussing state affairs with his ministers in the imperial study. Hongli and Xiaoyanzi requested an audience.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty." "Your concubine greets Your Majesty."

Yongzheng looked at them and asked, "What brings you here?"

Hongli reported the matter of the Prime Minister's residence in detail: "Father, I believe that Lord Lin has been framed, and this matter may be related to the Shadow Pavilion. They want to use this to disrupt the palace and prevent me and Xiaoyanzi from exploring the secrets of the Shadow Pavilion murals."

Emperor Yongzheng frowned: "Your word alone is not convincing. Do you have any evidence?"

Little Swallow hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, my father has always been loyal and devoted. How could he collude with the Shadow Pavilion? Someone must have framed him. Moreover, the soldiers searching the place were behaving strangely, as if they were looking for something specific. Isn't that very suspicious?"

Emperor Yongzheng pondered for a moment: "I will send someone to investigate this matter thoroughly. You may all leave now."

As Xiao Yanzi emerged from the Imperial Study, she looked somewhat dejected: "Fourth Prince, the Emperor doesn't seem to trust us very much."

Hongli comforted him, "Don't be discouraged. We still have time to find evidence. Let's go to the library and see if we can find any clues about the connection between the Prime Minister's residence being framed and the Shadow Pavilion."

The two arrived at the library and split up to search. Suddenly, Xiao Yanzi discovered an ancient book that recorded some palace secrets and the collusion between martial arts forces.

"Fourth Prince, look at this! It mentions a mysterious organization that uses methods like framing important court officials to achieve its goals. Could it be the Shadow Pavilion?" Little Swallow said excitedly.

Hongli took the ancient book and read it carefully: "Very likely. It also mentions some special markings, like signs of their movements. We can use this to find clues."

Just then, Granny Rong led several palace maids into the library. "Oh, isn't this the Fourth Prince and his wife? What are they looking at here?"

Little Swallow looked at her warily: "Granny Rong, what we're looking at is none of your business. Don't disturb us here."

Rong Momo sneered, "Your Highness is mistaken. This library is part of the palace, and as a palace servant, I naturally have the right to be here. Are you perhaps looking at something you shouldn't be seeing?"

Hongli scolded, "Granny Rong, if you continue to cause trouble, I will not let you off easily."

Startled, Rong Momo shrank back and hurriedly left with her maid.

Little Swallow watched Rong Mama's retreating figure and said, "That Rong Mama is definitely up to no good. Maybe she's also connected to the Shadow Pavilion."

Hongli said, "Let's ignore her for now. Let's continue looking for clues."

They searched the library for a long time and made some discoveries, but still failed to find the key evidence.

Back at their lodgings, Hongzhou was already waiting for them.

"How is it? Any progress?" Hongzhou asked.

Hongli shook his head: "There are some clues, but not enough to prove Lord Lin's innocence."

Hongzhou said, "I also found some strange things at the Prime Minister's residence. Lord Lin's study seemed to have been ransacked, as if someone was looking for something."

Little Swallow's eyes lit up: "Could it be something related to the mark mentioned in that ancient book?"

The three decided to visit the Prime Minister's residence again. Upon arriving, they went straight to Lord Lin's study. After searching carefully, they found a small box in a hidden compartment behind a bookshelf, with strange symbols engraved on it.

“This symbol is somewhat similar to those mentioned in ancient books,” Hongli said.

Upon opening the box, one finds a letter. The contents of the letter are obscure and difficult to understand, but it mentions a name related to the frontier.

"Who is this person? Could they be someone colluding with the Shadow Pavilion?" Little Swallow asked疑惑地.

Hongzhou said, "In any case, we can start our investigation with this person."

Just then, a group of men in black suddenly burst into the Prime Minister's residence. The leader of the men in black shouted, "Hand over the goods!"

Hongli stood in front of Xiaoyanzi and asked, "Who are you people?"

The man in black sneered, "We are from the Shadow Pavilion. You've been meddling in other people's business; today is your death day."

Hongzhou angrily said, "What arrogance! You think you can be so presumptuous in front of us?"

Having said that, Hongzhou drew his sword and charged at the men in black, engaging them in combat. Hongli also joined the fight, while Xiaoyanzi, though highly skilled in martial arts, worried about their safety and waited for an opportunity to help.

"Fourth Prince, watch out on the left!" Little Swallow shouted.

Hongli dodged the attack from the man in black and thrust his sword back. Hongzhou was not to be outdone; his swordsmanship was fierce, and after a few rounds, a group of men in black fell.

But the men in black seemed to keep coming, and they gradually became outmatched.

"This can't go on. We need to find a way to break through," Hongli said.

Little Swallow suddenly thought, "We can break out from the backyard; there's a secret passage there that leads outside the palace."

The three fought their way back to the backyard. Once there, they found the entrance to the secret passage.

"You go first, I'll cover the rear," Hongzhou said.

Hongli pulled Xiaoyanzi into the secret passage: "Hongzhou, be careful."

After a brief but intense battle with the man in black, Hongzhou also slipped into the secret passage. The man in black pursued him relentlessly.

The secret passage was dark and damp, and the three proceeded cautiously. Suddenly, a fork in the road appeared ahead.

"Which way?" Little Swallow asked.

Hongli observed for a moment: "The left side. I sense an exit on the left."

They continued along the passage on the left and finally saw a glimmer of light. The exit was just ahead.

Emerging from the secret passage, they found themselves in a grove of trees on the outskirts of the capital.

"We're safe for now. But we can't let our guard down," Hongli said.

They rested for a while in the woods, discussing their next steps.

"We must find out the name on that letter. Also, we need to find evidence to prove Lord Lin's innocence as soon as possible," Xiao Yanzi said firmly.

Hongzhou looked at Xiaoyanzi and said, "Xiaoyanzi, don't worry. I will stay with you until the truth comes out."

Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi and said, "The three of us together will surely defeat the Shadow Pavilion and unravel all the mysteries."

At this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on them, as if foreshadowing that although their future path is full of hardships, hope lies ahead. Their friendship and determination, like this afterglow, shine with warmth and steadfastness in the face of adversity.