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

Chapter 510: Dawn Breaks, Hope Begins to Bloom

Inside the Shufangzhai, the candlelight flickered, casting three weary yet determined figures on the walls. Xiao Yanzi took the long whip from her waist and casually placed it on the table with a dull "snap." She plopped down in a chair, rubbing her cheeks vigorously with both hands, and sighed deeply, "Tonight was truly a close call. Who was that masked man?" As she spoke, she looked up, her eyes filled with doubt, at Yongqi and Erkang.

Yongqi walked to the table, poured three cups of tea, handed one to Xiaoyanzi and one to Erkang, and then picked up a cup for himself. After taking a sip, he said, "Whoever he is, at least he helped us tonight. However, the clues to the library have run dry. What should we do next?" He frowned slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his face full of worry.

Erkang placed the dagger on the table, pulled up a chair and sat down. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Since the Shadow Pavilion is colluding with the court forces, we might as well start from within the court. Perhaps we can find new clues." His eyes were bright, revealing composure and wisdom, and one hand unconsciously stroked his chin.

Xiao Yanzi's eyes lit up, and she suddenly stood up, clapping her hands: "That's right! Consort Shen said before that the Empress's behavior was strange, maybe the Empress is related to the Shadow Pavilion! Let's start by investigating the people around the Empress." She was so excited that her face turned red, and she spoke very quickly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Yongqi looked worried and stepped forward to grab Xiaoyanzi's arm: "Xiaoyanzi, the Empress is not someone to be trifled with. The people around her are definitely tight-lipped. How can we investigate? What if we alert them..." His brows furrowed into a deep frown, his eyes full of concern and worry.

Little Swallow waved her hand dismissively, breaking free from Yongqi's grasp: "What's there to be afraid of! We'll just be careful. I don't believe she can keep all her secrets completely hidden." She put her hands on her hips, raised her chin slightly, and looked fearless.

The three discussed for a long time until the first light of dawn appeared outside the window, before returning to their rooms to rest.

At dawn, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, illuminating the courtyard of Shufangzhai. Xiao Yanzi rose early, changed into a light blue qipao, and simply tied her hair up with a jade hairpin. She paced back and forth in the courtyard, occasionally glancing towards the palace gates, pondering how to approach the Empress's entourage.

At this moment, Yongqi and Erkang also came out. Yongqi was wearing a dark blue robe with a moon-white belt around his waist, looking neat and tidy. Erkang, on the other hand, was dressed in a black outfit, which made him look even more dashing.

"Yongqi, Erkang, I've made up my mind. Let's start with the palace maids around the Empress. Those maids are with the Empress every day, they must know a lot of things," Xiaoyanzi said eagerly as she stepped forward.

Yongqi nodded in agreement: "Okay, but we need to find out which palace maid by the Empress's side is the easiest to approach." As he spoke, he straightened his cuffs.

Erkang added, "I'll go to the Imperial Household Department and ask around to see if I can find a breakthrough." He patted the money pouch at his waist, as if he already had an idea.

Just as they were preparing to act, a young eunuch hurriedly entered Shufangzhai: "Miss Xiaoyanzi, the Emperor summons you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation immediately."

Xiao Yanzi was startled. She exchanged a glance with Yongqi and Erkang, and then said, "Okay, I'll go right away."

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor sat solemnly on his dragon throne. Upon seeing Xiao Yanzi enter, he slightly raised his hand, gesturing for her to dispense with formalities.

"Little Swallow, I have already sent people to investigate what Consort Shen said yesterday. The Empress's recent behavior is indeed suspicious, and I suspect she is connected to the undercurrents in the capital," the Emperor said slowly, his eyes revealing both authority and worry.

Xiao Yanzi stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am also planning to investigate this matter. I think we can start with the palace maids around the Empress; perhaps we can find some clues."

The Emperor nodded slightly: "Hmm, you are meticulous. I grant you permission to investigate. However, you must not alert the enemy. If you discover anything, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty." After bowing, Xiao Yanzi left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Yanzi went straight to the Imperial Household Department. As soon as she arrived at the entrance, she saw Er Kang coming out from inside.

"Erkang, have you found out anything?" Xiaoyanzi asked anxiously.

Erkang laughed and said, "You're absolutely right. There's a palace maid named Cui'er by the Empress's side. A few days ago, she got into a fight with a little eunuch from the Imperial Household Department and was fined her monthly wages. She's still upset. We can start with her."

Little Swallow's eyes lit up: "Great! Let's go find her now."

The two arrived near Kunning Palace and found a secluded corner to wait for Cui'er to appear. A short while later, a girl dressed in a pink palace maid's uniform emerged carrying a bucket of water. She looked dejected and muttered something under her breath.

Little Swallow quickly stepped forward and said softly, "Miss, may I speak to you in private?"

Cui'er looked at her warily: "Who are you? What do you want with me?"

Little Swallow took out a silver ingot from her bosom and handed it to Cui'er: "Don't be nervous, Miss. We just want to ask you a few questions. Consider this silver as a reward."

Cui'er looked at the silver, hesitated for a moment, and finally took it: "Alright, what do you want to ask?"

"We'd like to know if the Empress has done anything unusual lately? Or has she been in contact with any mysterious people?" Xiao Yanzi asked in a low voice.

Cui'er looked around to make sure no one was there, and then whispered, "The Empress has been acting very strangely lately. She often stays alone in her room at night and doesn't let anyone in. Once, I got up in the middle of the night to bring the Empress some snacks and saw a dark figure come out of her room. It was so fast that I didn't even see who it was."

Xiao Yanzi and Er Kang exchanged a glance, their hearts tightening.

"Did you hear what the Empress said in her room?" Erkang pressed.

Cui'er frowned and thought for a moment: "Once, I heard the Empress say something about the 'Shadow Pavilion' outside the door, and also said something about 'not letting them ruin the important matter.' I didn't hear anything else."

Xiao Yanzi was startled. It seemed their guess was correct; the Empress was indeed connected to the Shadow Pavilion.

"Thank you, young lady. If you find anything else, please let us know." Xiao Yanzi took out another silver ingot and handed it to Cui'er.

Cui'er nodded quickly, "Okay, if I know anything else, I'll definitely tell you." After saying that, she hurriedly left.

"Erkang, it seems we're one step closer to the truth," Xiaoyanzi said excitedly.

Erkang nodded: "That's right, but since the Empress is colluding with the Shadow Pavilion, she certainly won't let us find out the truth easily. We need to be even more careful."

The two returned to Shufangzhai and told Yongqi what had happened. After listening, Yongqi pondered for a moment and said, "Since the Empress and the Shadow Pavilion are plotting something big, they must have a next move. We must keep a close eye on the Empress's every move and find the Shadow Pavilion's hiding place as soon as possible."

Xiao Yanzi clenched her fists: "No matter what their schemes are, we will not let them succeed. I must avenge Lin Xiaoyan and uncover the truth behind this!" Her eyes were firm, as if she could already see the dawn of victory.

In the days that followed, Xiao Yanzi, Yongqi, and Erkang began an intense investigation. They inquired everywhere about the Shadow Pavilion, leaving no stone unturned. At the same time, they kept a close eye on the Empress's movements, hoping to find more clues.

One day, Yongqi overheard a conversation among some martial arts figures in a tavern in the capital, seemingly mentioning some clues about the Shadow Pavilion. He immediately returned to Shufangzhai and told Xiaoyanzi and Erkang the news.

“I heard that the Shadow Pavilion members often hang out in an abandoned mansion in the west of the city. Should we go and take a look?” Yongqi said.

Little Swallow immediately stood up: "Of course we have to go! Maybe we can find important clues about the Shadow Pavilion there."

The three quickly packed their things and headed towards the abandoned mansion in the west of the city. The sun shone brightly, and the streets were bustling with traffic, but they had no interest in appreciating the vibrant scene; only one thought occupied their minds—to uncover the secrets of the Shadow Pavilion.

Upon arriving at the abandoned house, she found the gate tightly shut, the yard overgrown with weeds, and filled with a gloomy atmosphere. Little Swallow cautiously pushed open the gate, and with a creak, the sound was particularly jarring in the silent yard.

"Be careful." Yongqi drew his longsword and walked ahead.

Erkang and Xiaoyanzi followed closely behind, and the three of them cautiously entered the courtyard. The houses in the courtyard were dilapidated, and most of the doors and windows were broken. They searched each room carefully, but found nothing.

Just as they were about to leave, Little Swallow suddenly noticed a hidden compartment in the wall of one of the rooms. Excitedly, she ran over, pushed the compartment open, and revealed a black booklet inside.

Xiao Yanzi picked up the booklet, flipped through it, and saw it filled with densely packed lists of Shadow Pavilion members, their action plans, and evidence of their collusion with the palace. Her hands trembled with excitement: "Yongqi, Erkang, look! This is the evidence we've been looking for!"

Yongqi and Erkang quickly gathered around, and upon seeing the contents of the booklet, they were both very excited.

“With this, we can expose the Queen and the Shadow Pavilion’s conspiracy!” Yongqi said.

Little Swallow gripped the booklet tightly: "That's right, we'll go see the Emperor now!"

The three of them hurried back to the palace with the booklet in hand. The sun was setting, and the evening glow painted half the sky red. They arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request an audience with the Emperor.

The Emperor's expression changed drastically when he saw the booklets in their hands. He carefully flipped through the booklets, his face growing increasingly grim with each reading.

"I never imagined that the Empress would actually collude with the Shadow Pavilion in an attempt to overthrow the court!" The Emperor angrily threw the booklet on the table. "Little Swallow, you have done a great service. I will severely punish the Empress and the Shadow Pavilion and restore peace to the court."

After bowing, Xiao Yanzi and the others left the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Stepping outside, Xiao Yanzi let out a long sigh of relief: "Finally, it's all coming to an end."

Yongqi held Xiaoyanzi's hand: "Yes, you've had a tough time these past few days."

Er Kang smiled and said, "From now on, we can finally live a peaceful life."

However, unbeknownst to them, this was merely the calm before the storm. Though the Shadow Pavilion and the Queen had fallen, a new crisis was brewing. In this turbulent court, what would become of their fate? And what deeper secrets did the mysterious Shadow Pavilion hold yet to be uncovered? Everything remained unknown, waiting for them to explore…