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

Hongli gazed into the depths of Shadow Valley: "Although this trip was dangerous, we didn't come away empty-handed. Let's go back and carefully study the symbols on the walls we saw in the cave earlier; we're sure to find new clues!"

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Fourth Prince is right! Those symbols look strange; they might unlock the great secret of the Shadow Pavilion!"

Hongzhou chimed in, "Then let's hurry back, I can't wait."

Filled with new doubts and hopes, the three left Shadow Valley and embarked on their return journey. They knew that the struggle against the Shadow Pavilion was far from over, and many more challenges awaited them ahead.

Back at her lodgings, Little Swallow hurriedly took out paper and pen and began to copy the symbols in the cave from memory.

"Xiao Tao, hold these papers for me, don't let them move around," Xiao Yanzi called out.

Xiao Tao quickly came over to help: "Yes, Your Highness. This symbol looks really strange. Can you understand it, Your Highness?"

Little Swallow frowned: "I don't quite understand yet, but I think it must be related to some symbols we've seen before."

At this moment, Hongli walked in, looked at the symbols that Xiaoyanzi had copied, pondered for a moment and said, "Xiaoyanzi, look at these symbols, don't they look somewhat similar to those on the ancient book we saw in the library?"

Little Swallow compared them carefully: "It seems so! Fourth Prince, you are so observant."

Hongzhou teased from the side, "You two stop praising each other here and hurry up and study it properly. I'm getting anxious watching you."

Little Swallow rolled her eyes at him: "You, all you do is make sarcastic remarks."

Just then, Lin Yuhang walked in.

"Little sister, what are you all busy with?" Lin Yuhang asked.

Little Swallow said, "Brother, we are studying some symbols related to the Shadow Pavilion. These symbols may be the key to unlocking the truth."

Lin Yuhang looked at the symbols: "I'm also a little curious about these symbols. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Hongli said, "Brother Lin, if you have time, could you help us check the Prime Minister's library to see if there are any records of these symbols?"

Lin Yuhang nodded: "Okay, I'll go right away."

After Lin Yuhang left, Xiao Yanzi said to Hongli, "Fourth Prince, I always feel that we are getting closer and closer to the truth, but it's like there's a layer of fog between us."

Hongli held her hand: "Don't be afraid, Little Swallow. As long as we take it one step at a time, we will surely be able to dispel the fog."

Hongzhou watched them from the side, feeling a little uneasy, but he still forced himself to remain calm and said, "Yes, with the three of us here, how can we not solve this mystery?"

After a while, Lin Yuhang hurriedly returned.

“Sister, Fourth Prince, I found some similar symbols recorded in an ancient book, but they weren’t very detailed. However, the book mentioned a mysterious master who seemed to have a deep understanding of these symbols,” Lin Yuhang said.

Hongli's eyes lit up: "Did they mention where this expert is?"

Lin Yuhang shook his head: "No, they just said that his whereabouts are unpredictable and he is difficult to find."

Little Swallow was a little frustrated: "What should we do?"

Hongli comforted him, "Having this clue is already quite good. We can start with other aspects mentioned in this ancient book; perhaps we can find some traces of this master."

As they were talking, Su Peisheng arrived.

"Fourth Prince, the Emperor summons you and your wife to the palace," Su Peisheng said.

Xiao Yanzi and Hongli exchanged a glance, wondering what the Emperor wanted to discuss this time.

"Eunuch Su, do you know why His Majesty summoned you?" Hongli asked.

Su Peisheng replied respectfully, "This old servant is unaware, Fourth Prince. Your Highness, Your Highness should hurry to the palace and not keep His Majesty waiting."

“Alright, let’s go to the palace now,” Hongli said.

On the way to the palace, Xiao Yanzi said worriedly, "Fourth Prince, could it be that the Emperor is unhappy with our investigation of the Shadow Pavilion?"

Hongli said, "It shouldn't be. We have been working hard to find out the truth, and His Majesty also hopes to resolve the matter of the Shadow Pavilion as soon as possible."

Upon arriving at the palace, Emperor Yongzheng was strolling in the Imperial Garden with Imperial Noble Consort Zhen Huan.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty and Mother," Hongli said, bowing.

Little Swallow also bowed: "Greetings, Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort."

Yongzheng looked at them and said, "Hongli, Xiaoyanzi, have you made any progress in your investigation of the Shadow Pavilion?"

Hongli said, "Father, Xiaoyanzi and I discovered some strange symbols in Youying Valley. We are currently studying them and have found some related clues, but we have not yet fully figured them out."

Yongzheng nodded: "I know this matter is not simple. Recently, I have felt that something is amiss in the palace, as if the influence of the Shadow Pavilion has infiltrated my inner circle. You must speed up the investigation to ensure the peace of the palace."

Consort Zhen Huan said from the side, "Your Majesty, Hongli and Xiaoyanzi have already worked very hard. I believe they will soon find out the truth."

Emperor Yongzheng sighed slightly: "I hope so. I do not want this force to run rampant in the palace and disrupt the order of the court."

After leaving the palace, Xiao Yanzi said, "Fourth Prince, it seems that the Emperor is very worried about the Shadow Pavilion. We are under even more pressure now."

Hongli said, "This is also our responsibility. We cannot disappoint the Emperor, and we cannot let the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy succeed."

Back at their lodgings, they continued studying the symbols.

“Little Swallow, look at this symbol. It has appeared here many times. Could it represent a specific place or person?” Hongli said, pointing to a symbol.

Little Swallow thought for a while: "I've been thinking about this problem too. Maybe we can start with this symbol and re-examine the clues we've obtained."

Hongzhou watched them busy from the sidelines, feeling a little disappointed, but he didn't want to disturb them, so he just quietly helped out from the side.

"Do you think this mysterious expert might know where the headquarters of the Shadow Pavilion is?" Hong Zhou suddenly asked.

Little Swallow raised her head: "Very likely. If we can find him, we might be able to find the Shadow Pavilion's lair and destroy them in one fell swoop."

Hongli said, "But at present we know nothing about this master, only that he has studied these symbols. This is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

Just when they were in trouble, Ah-Zhu walked in.

“My lady, there’s a man outside who claims to be a recluse from the martial arts world. He says he knows something about the symbols you’re researching,” A-Zhu said.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanzi, Hongli, and Hongzhou immediately perked up.

"Quickly, invite him in!" Hongli said.

The reclusive martial artist walked in, looked at them, and said, "Esteemed guests, I have heard in the martial world that you are investigating the Shadow Pavilion, and I have also seen you studying these symbols. I happen to know a little about them."

Hongli asked, "Please tell me, sir, what is the deeper meaning of these symbols?"

The reclusive martial artist said, "These symbols are an ancient code of the Shadow Pavilion. They each represent a different location, person, or event. The combination of these symbols you see may point to a place related to the core secrets of the Shadow Pavilion."

Little Swallow asked eagerly, "Where is that?"

The reclusive martial artist smiled and said, "That place is called Lingxu Cave. It is said to hold the greatest secret of the Shadow Pavilion, but it is a dangerous place, and very few people come out alive."

Hongli frowned: "Lingxu Cave? I've never heard of that name before. Sir, why are you telling us this?"

The reclusive martial artist said, "I am a man of the martial world, and I cannot tolerate the Shadow Pavilion's evil deeds in the martial world and the imperial court. Although I cannot go there in person, I hope you can successfully thwart the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy and restore peace to the martial world and the imperial court."

Little Swallow said gratefully, "Thank you so much for your help, sir. We will definitely work hard."

The reclusive scholar nodded, then took his leave.

Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi and Hongzhou: "We definitely need to explore Lingxu Cave, but we must be fully prepared, after all, it is a dangerous place."

Hongzhou said, "That's right, we can't act rashly. Let's first take stock of our current equipment and manpower, and see what we're lacking."

Xiao Yanzi also said, "I can also go and discuss it with my brother to see if the Prime Minister's residence can provide some assistance."

So they began preparing to head to the Spirit Void Cave, a new adventure was about to unfold, and the secrets of the Shadow Pavilion seemed to be slowly beckoning them.