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

Chapter 505: Tracing the Old Mansion, the Mystery Gradually Emerges

The night in the Forbidden City was deep and silent, the moonlight like water spilling into the courtyard of the Shufangzhai. Xiao Yanzi lay in bed, tossing and turning, her mind constantly replaying Lin Xiaoyan's memorial tablet and the contents of that mysterious booklet. She knew that Lin Xiaoyan's death might be the key to unraveling these mysteries. Just as dawn broke, Xiao Yanzi got up, quickly washed, and put on a light blue qipao with a plain cloak over it, looking refreshed and neat. She took a deep breath, left her room, and headed towards the Yangxin Hall.

Along the way, the palace walls stood high and silent, with only the sound of her footsteps echoing on the stone path. When she arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the guards were about to stop her, but seeing her resolute expression, they announced her entry. After a short while, the Emperor's voice came from inside: "Let her in."

Little Swallow entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation and saw the Emperor sitting at his desk reviewing memorials. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown, his expression focused. Seeing Little Swallow enter, the Emperor put down his vermilion brush, looked up, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes: "Little Swallow, you've come to see me so early, is there something important?"

Xiao Yanzi stepped forward, curtsied slightly, then raised her head and looked at the Emperor with a firm gaze: "Your Majesty, I would like to visit General Lin's residence."

The Emperor frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "General Lin's residence? There was just a funeral there. What are you going there for? What if there's danger?"

Xiao Yanzi bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to tell the Emperor her true thoughts: "Your Majesty, as you know, Lin Xiaoyan and I have a special connection. I always feel that her death is related to what we are going through now. I want to go there to look for clues, and maybe I can uncover the conspiracy behind it."

The Emperor remained silent for a moment. He knew Xiao Yanzi's stubbornness and understood the importance of this matter to her. Finally, he nodded: "Alright, but you must be careful. I will send several guards to protect you secretly."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes, and she quickly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Don't worry, I will be careful."

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Yanzi returned to Shufangzhai, tidied herself up briefly, and then, under the covert escort of several guards, left the Forbidden City and headed towards General Lin's Mansion.

It was early morning, and the streets of the capital were gradually coming alive with the cries of vendors. Little Swallow, however, had no interest in appreciating the bustling scene; her heart was filled with anticipation and worry for General Lin's residence.

When she arrived at General Lin's mansion, she found the gates tightly shut, the stone lions at the entrance standing imposingly. She took a deep breath and knocked. After a short while, a man who appeared to be a steward opened the door, looking her up and down: "Miss, who are you? What brings you to the Lin residence?"

Little Swallow quickly said, "My name is Little Swallow. I heard about the recent changes at General Lin's mansion, so I came to visit."

The housekeeper frowned, about to refuse, when a familiar voice came from inside: "Let her in."

Xiao Yanzi was overjoyed and looked up to see a man in a dark blue robe walking out of the courtyard. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a handsome face; he was none other than Lin Xiaoyan's brother, Lin Yuxuan.

The butler stepped aside, and Xiao Yanzi entered the Lin residence. As soon as she entered the courtyard, a familiar scene rushed towards her: the rockery, the pond, the pavilions and terraces—everything was exactly the same as in her previous life. Her eyes welled up with tears, and those past memories surged into her mind like a tide.

Lin Yuxuan looked at Xiao Yanzi, a hint of doubt and surprise flashing in his eyes. He felt that this girl seemed familiar, especially her eyes, which were very much like his younger sister's.

"Miss, haven't we met somewhere before?" Lin Yuxuan couldn't help but ask.

Xiao Yanzi was slightly taken aback, then said, "Young Master Lin, I... I also feel very familiar with you, perhaps it's a connection from a past life."

Just then, a maid rushed over. Seeing Xiao Yanzi, her eyes widened, and the tray in her hands fell to the ground with a thud: "Miss... Miss? What happened to you..."

Looking at the familiar maid, Xiao Yanzi felt a pang of sadness and blurted out, "Cui'er, it's me."

Cui'er ran over excitedly and grabbed Xiao Yanzi's hand: "Miss, is it really you? You're not..."

Lin Yuxuan's doubts deepened as he watched this scene: "What's going on? Who are you? Why do you look exactly like my sister, even your voice is the same?"

Xiao Yanzi knew she could no longer hide the truth. She took a deep breath and slowly said, "Young Master Lin, Cui'er, I know you must be very surprised. Actually, I am Lin Xiaoyan, but my current identity is Xiao Yanzi."

Lin Yuxuan and Cui'er were both stunned, staring at Xiao Yanzi in disbelief. Lin Yuxuan frowned, his eyes filled with confusion: "How is this possible? My sister is dead, how could you be her?"

Xiao Yanzi gave a wry smile and briefly recounted her experience of being transported to another world. Lin Yuxuan and Cui'er listened in stunned silence, speechless for a long time.

“Young Master Lin, I’ve come here to find out the cause of Xiao Yan’s death. I have a feeling that her death was not an accident, and there must be a conspiracy behind it,” Xiao Yanzi said solemnly.

Lin Yuxuan clenched his fist, a flash of anger in his eyes: "I also feel that there is something fishy about my sister's death. I have been investigating in secret since she passed away, but I have no clue. Since you are my sister's reincarnation, perhaps you can find some clues that we have overlooked."

As he spoke, Lin Yuxuan led Xiao Yanzi to Lin Xiaoyan's former room. Everything in the room remained exactly as it was—the furniture, the decorations, even a book on the table hadn't been moved.

Little Swallow entered the room, a familiar scent wafting towards her. She slowly walked to the bedside, sat down, and her gaze fell on a wooden box on the bedside table. She remembered that in her past life, this wooden box contained some important things.

She reached into the wooden box and opened it. Inside were some letters, jewelry, and a diary. Little Swallow picked up the diary, turned to the first page, and read: "Today, I saw that mysterious man again. His eyes frightened me..."

Xiao Yanzi's heart tightened, and she continued reading. The diary recorded Lin Xiaoyan's several meetings with the mysterious person, as well as her worries and fears. From the diary, it could be seen that this mysterious person seemed to be forcing Lin Xiaoyan to do things she didn't want to do.

"It seems this mysterious person is the key." Little Swallow looked up at Lin Yuxuan and said, "Young Master Lin, have you seen this mysterious person?"

Lin Yuxuan shook his head: "I've never seen him. My sister has never mentioned his identity to me either. However, I once found some strange footprints in my sister's room, which seemed to belong to a man."

Little Swallow stood up and looked around the room. Suddenly, she noticed a small hidden compartment in the wall next to the window. She went over, pressed it gently, and the compartment opened, revealing a note inside.

Little Swallow picked up the note, on which was written: "March 15th, dilapidated temple in the suburbs, see you there."

"March 15th, isn't that tomorrow?" Xiao Yanzi was startled. "It seems that this mysterious person arranged to meet Xiao Yan at the dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city. Perhaps, that's where the truth will be revealed."

Lin Yuxuan looked at the note with a solemn expression: "No matter who this mysterious person is, I will not let him go. Tomorrow, I will go with you."

Little Swallow nodded: "Okay, let's go together. But this must be kept a secret, and no one else can know."

After leaving General Lin's mansion, Xiao Yanzi returned to the Forbidden City. She knew danger was closing in, but she was fearless. To uncover the truth and protect those around her, she was willing to face any challenge.

Back at Shufangzhai, Yongqi, Erkang, and Ziwei were waiting for her. Seeing Xiaoyanzi return, Yongqi rushed to greet her: "Xiaoyanzi, where have you been? Why are you only coming back now?"

Xiao Yanzi told them about her trip to General Lin's mansion. Yongqi frowned: "A dilapidated temple in the suburbs? That's too dangerous. I'll go with you tomorrow."

Er Kang nodded and said, "I'll go too. More people means more strength."

Ziwei held Xiaoyanzi's hand and said, "I want to go too, but my martial arts skills are not good, and I'm afraid I'll be a burden to you."

Xiao Yanzi smiled and comforted her, "Ziwei, don't worry. You stay in the palace and keep an eye on things. If anything happens, let us know immediately."

The group discussed for a while and came up with a detailed plan. Little Swallow looked at her friends, her heart filled with emotion. She knew that no matter how many difficulties lay ahead, as long as they were there, she would be fearless.

Night fell, and darkness enveloped the Forbidden City. Little Swallow lay in bed, gazing at the bright moon outside her window, silently praying: May everything go smoothly tomorrow, may we uncover the conspiracy behind this, and restore peace to everyone. However, little did she know that a thrilling confrontation awaited them at the dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city the following day…