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

Chapter 503: Undercurrents Surge, Fog Thickens

The night was as thick as ink. Under its cloak, the Forbidden City resembled a lurking beast, seemingly calm yet subtly revealing an underlying unease. Inside the Shufangzhai, Xiao Yanzi lay on her bed, tossing and turning. The image of the mysterious figure in black, and his martial arts techniques similar to those of an assassin, kept replaying in her mind. Her heart was shrouded in a fog, filled with doubt and worry.

"Who exactly is this shadowy figure? And what is his relationship with today's assassin?" Xiao Yanzi pondered to herself. "Could it really be sent by the Empress and Rong Momo? But why would they do such a thing?"

Just as Xiao Yanzi was lost in thought, a slight breeze suddenly came from outside the window, like someone sighing softly. Xiao Yanzi sat up alertly, pricking up her ears to listen carefully. Her hand unconsciously gripped the long whip on the bedside table, her eyes revealing a hint of tension and vigilance.

"Who is it?" Little Swallow whispered, her voice ringing out loudly in the quiet room.

However, only silence answered her. Little Swallow hesitated for a moment, then finally decided to get out of bed and check. She quietly put on her shoes, picked up her long whip, and cautiously walked towards the window. As she approached the window, she heard the faint sound of wind again, seemingly coming from the garden outside.

Little Swallow took a deep breath, abruptly opened the window, and looked outside. The moonlight, like water, spilled across the garden, turning it into a silvery white expanse. In a corner of the garden, she seemed to see a blurry figure flash by.

"Stop!" Little Swallow shouted, and without hesitation, she jumped out of the window and chased after the figure.

In the garden, the flowers and grasses swayed gently in the breeze, making a rustling sound. A little swallow, holding a long whip, darted swiftly among the flowers, her eyes fixed on the figure ahead. The figure ran very fast, sometimes hiding behind a tree, sometimes disappearing into the flowers, as if deliberately leading her deeper.

"Don't run!" Little Swallow shouted as she chased after her, her anger and doubt growing stronger.

Just as Xiao Yanzi was about to catch up with the figure, suddenly, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Startled, Xiao Yanzi instinctively turned around, her long whip already lashing out.

"Little Swallow, it's me!" a familiar voice rang out.

Little Swallow looked closely and saw that it was Yongqi. He was dressed in dark clothes, holding a sword in his hand, and his face showed a hint of anxiety and worry.

"Yongqi, what brings you here?" Xiaoyanzi breathed a sigh of relief and put down the long whip in her hand.

"I heard you shouting and was worried you were in danger, so I rushed over," Yongqi said, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

Little Swallow shook her head and said, "I'm fine. I just saw a dark figure chasing after me."

"A shadowy figure?" Yongqi frowned, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. "Where is it?"

Little Swallow pointed ahead and said, "It was right there. It was just here a moment ago, but I don't know how it disappeared."

Yongqi looked around and said, "Be careful, he might still be nearby."

Just then, Erkang and Ziwei rushed over. Erkang held a long sword, his eyes sharp, cautiously observing the surroundings. Ziwei, on the other hand, wore a light purple nightgown, her face showing a hint of worry and anxiety.

"Little Swallow, Yongqi, are you alright?" Ziwei asked, her eyes revealing a hint of concern.

Little Swallow shook her head and said, "We're fine. We just saw a dark figure chasing us."

Er Kang frowned and said, "It seems this matter is getting more and more complicated. This shadowy figure is very likely related to the assassin from today, so we need to be careful."

Yongqi nodded and said, "That's right, we can't let our guard down. Ziwei, you should go back to your room first; it's dangerous here."

Ziwei hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'm not going back. I want to stay with you."

Erkang looked at Ziwei, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and worry, and said, "Alright, then stay close to us and don't wander off."

Ziwei nodded and said, "I understand."

The four searched the garden but found no trace of the dark figure. Little Swallow was somewhat disappointed; she knew the figure had likely escaped.

"Alright, let's go back first," Yongqi said, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Everyone should be on high alert tonight, just in case."

Everyone nodded and headed towards Shufangzhai. Back in her room, Xiaoyanzi sat on the bed, her mind still racing. The image of the mysterious figure and the assassin from earlier that day kept replaying in her head. She knew this wasn't a coincidence; a huge conspiracy must be lurking behind it all.

"Yongqi, tell me, who exactly is this shadowy figure? And what is his relationship with the assassin from today?" Xiaoyanzi asked, her eyes revealing a hint of doubt and worry.

Yongqi sat down beside her, gently took her hand, and said, "I don't know either, but I'll find out the truth as soon as possible. Don't worry, I'm here, nothing will happen to you."

Xiao Yanzi looked at Yongqi, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She nodded and said, "I believe you."

Erkang and Ziwei sat to the side, watching them with a relieved smile on their faces. Erkang said, "If we all work together, we'll definitely be able to find out the truth."

Ziwei nodded and said, "Yes, we are family. No matter what difficulties we encounter, we must face them together."

Just then, a soft sound came from outside the window, as if someone was gently knocking on the window. Xiao Yanzi and the others stood up alertly, their eyes revealing a hint of tension and vigilance.

"Who is it?" Little Swallow whispered, already gripping the long whip in her hand.

However, only silence answered her. Little Swallow hesitated for a moment, then finally decided to open the window to look. When she opened the window, she found nothing outside.

"That's strange, I definitely heard a sound just now," Little Swallow said, frowning.

Yongqi walked to her side and said, "It's probably just the sound of the wind. Don't be too nervous. I'll stay here with you tonight. Call me anytime if anything happens."

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Alright, then you should get some rest too."

Yongqi smiled and said, "I'm fine, don't worry."

Erkang and Ziwei also stood up and said, "Then we'll go back first. Call us anytime if you need anything."

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Okay, you all be careful too."

After Erkang and Ziwei left, Xiaoyanzi lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. Her mind was filled with various speculations and worries. She knew this night was destined to be sleepless.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window into the room. Little Swallow rubbed her eyes and sat up. Her face showed signs of fatigue and weariness.

"Little Swallow, you're awake?" Yongqi said with a smile when he saw her wake up. "How did you sleep last night?"

Little Swallow shook her head and said, "I haven't slept well. I keep feeling like something's going to happen."

Yongqi walked to her side, gently patted her shoulder, and said, "Don't worry, everything will be alright. Today I'll go and inquire to see if I can find any clues about that assassin and the shadowy figure."

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Alright, you need to be careful too."

Yongqi smiled and said, "I understand. You rest here and wait for me to come back."

After Yongqi left, Xiaoyanzi got up, washed, and changed into clean clothes. Her heart was still filled with worry and doubt. She knew that danger could strike at any moment within the Forbidden City.

Just as Xiao Yanzi was about to leave, a palace maid suddenly rushed in. Her face showed a hint of tension and anxiety.

"Princess, something terrible has happened! The Emperor summons you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation," the palace maid said.

Xiao Yanzi was startled; she didn't know why the Emperor had summoned her to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to go anyway.

The atmosphere inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was somewhat tense. The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his face gloomy, his eyes revealing a hint of authority and displeasure. Little Swallow entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation and, seeing the Emperor's expression, her heart tightened.

"Little Swallow, do you know your crime?" the Emperor suddenly said, his voice deep and authoritative.

Xiao Yanzi was startled and immediately knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yanzi does not know what crime I have committed. Please enlighten me."

The Emperor looked at her, a hint of anger in his eyes, and said, "You caused such a big trouble at the Shang family mansion yesterday, and even injured an assassin. Do you know how much trouble this will bring to the court?"

Feeling wronged, Xiao Yanzi said, "Your Majesty, I only injured the assassin to protect everyone. Moreover, the assassin attacked first, and I had no choice but to do so."

The Emperor frowned and said, "Regardless, your actions this time were indeed somewhat reckless. The merchant has already submitted a memorial to the court, demanding severe punishment for the murderer. What do you think should be done about this?"

Xiao Yanzi was anxious and said, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yanzi is willing to take full responsibility. However, there must be a mastermind behind that assassin, and we cannot punish only him."

The Emperor looked at her, a hint of doubt in his eyes, and said, "What you say makes sense. Then tell me, how much do you know about this assassin?"

Xiao Yanzi recounted the events of yesterday in detail to the Emperor, including the assassin's martial arts techniques, attire, and the mysterious shadowy figure that appeared later. The Emperor frowned upon hearing this and said, "It seems this matter is indeed not simple. I will send people to investigate. You may return now. Remember, be careful in the future and avoid causing any more trouble."

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, Little Swallow has remembered."

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Yanzi still felt uneasy. She knew that although the Emperor hadn't punished her, the matter wasn't over. She had to find out the truth as soon as possible to clear her name.

"It seems I need to speed up my investigation," Xiao Yanzi thought to herself. "That mysterious figure must be a key clue. I must find him and uncover the truth behind all of this."

So, Little Swallow decided to return to the merchant's mansion to see if she could find any new clues. She knew that it was where it all began, and perhaps the answer lay there waiting for her to discover.

When Xiao Yanzi returned to the merchant's mansion, the owner of the mansion looked surprised and puzzled upon seeing her.

"Little Swallow, what brings you here again?" the shop owner asked.

Xiao Yanzi said, "I want to take another look at the place where the assassin did the attack yesterday. Maybe we can find some new clues."

The shop owner hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and said, "Alright, please come with me."

The shop owner led Little Swallow to the hall where the assassin had committed the attack the previous day. Everything in the hall had returned to normal, as if nothing had happened. Little Swallow carefully observed every corner of the hall, trying to find some clues.

Suddenly, her gaze fell upon a painting in the hall. It was a landscape painting, depicting a beautiful scene that brought joy. However, Little Swallow noticed some strange marks in the lower right corner of the painting.

"What is this?" Little Swallow stepped forward and carefully examined the marks in the painting.

The shop owner also came over and said, "This painting was just finished a couple of days ago. I don't know where these marks came from."

Little Swallow frowned and said, "These marks look like they were made by something, maybe it's related to an assassin."

So, Little Swallow carefully took the painting down and turned it over. On the back of the painting, she found some blurry writing.

"What are these characters?" Little Swallow exclaimed in surprise. "Could this be a clue left by the assassin?"

The shop owner also came over to take a look and said, "I don't know what these words are either. They look like some kind of code."

Xiao Yanzi felt a surge of excitement; she knew this might be an important clue. She carefully put the painting away and said, "Mr. Merchant, I'll take this painting with me now. I hope you don't mind."

The shop owner nodded and said, "Alright, I hope you can find out the truth soon."

After leaving the merchant's mansion, Xiao Yanzi was filled with anticipation. She knew that this painting might hold the key to uncovering the truth. She decided to return to Shufangzhai as soon as possible to carefully study the writing on the painting and see if she could find any useful information.

However, she was unaware that behind her, a pair of eyes were silently watching her every move. That person was none other than the mysterious shadowy figure from yesterday. A mysterious smile played on his lips, as if he were waiting for something.

"Little Swallow, do you think you can find out the truth?" the mysterious shadowy figure thought to himself. "This is just the beginning."