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

Chapter 111 Seeking the Truth Deeper in the Enigma

After embracing Hongli, Xiaoyanzi quickly composed herself.

Little Swallow said urgently, "Your Highness, although we won by a narrow margin this time, the Shadow Pavilion will definitely not let this go. We must pry useful clues out of that man in black as soon as possible."

Hongli nodded: "What my beloved consort says is absolutely right. I will arrange for someone to interrogate her immediately."

Consort Fucha, the primary consort, came forward with tears in her eyes: "Thank God you've returned safely. The Shadow Pavilion is so rampant, what will become of us in the future?"

Little Swallow comforted her, "Don't worry, sister. As long as we work together, we will definitely be able to wipe them out completely."

Hongzhou clutched his injured arm and forced a smile: "Fourth Brother, Little Swallow, it seems that the Shadow Pavilion's influence in the capital is deeply entrenched. We need to be careful."

When Niohuru Zhixi heard that they had escaped danger, she felt a mix of emotions. Rong Momo sneered from the side, "Hmph, they were lucky this time."

At the Prime Minister's residence, Lin Yuhang said to Xiao Yanzi, "Sister, during this trip to the Dark Gate, I feel like we only touched the tip of the iceberg of the Shadow Pavilion. The layout and the men in black there all seem to exude a mysterious aura, as if there is an even greater force controlling things behind the scenes."

Little Swallow pondered, "Brother, you're right. I have the same feeling. The secret of that mural may be more complex and profound than we imagine."

Lin Yuxuan asked curiously from the side, "Sister, what do we do next?"

Little Swallow patted his head: "Xuan'er, your sister will continue the investigation with the prince and the others. You must be good at home."

Xiao Tao said worriedly, "Miss, these times you've been in danger have really worried us."

Ah Zhu chimed in, "Yes, Miss, please take good care of yourself."

Imperial Noble Consort Zhen Huan summoned Hongli: "My son, although we have temporarily repelled the enemy, the hidden dangers remain. I believe that the minister behind Gao Wuyong is not the mastermind; there must be a bigger figure manipulating all of this."

Hongli respectfully replied, "Mother, I understand. I will definitely investigate thoroughly."

Su Peisheng reported to Hongli: "Your Highness, the captured men in black are very stubborn and refuse to say anything. However, this old servant discovered that they all have the same mark on their bodies, which looks like the mark of some kind of organization."

Hongli's eyes sharpened: "Continue investigating. I want to see what kind of mark this is and what it represents."

Fucha Fuheng came to discuss: "Your Highness, in my opinion, we can start with the underground forces in the capital. Perhaps the Shadow Pavilion is colluding with them, and we can find some clues through this."

Hongli said, "Fuheng, this plan is excellent. I'll trouble you to make the arrangements."

Little Swallow volunteered: "Your Highness, I would also like to go together. Perhaps I can find out some information among the common people."

Hongli hesitated and said, "My dear consort, this is too dangerous. You have just gone through a life-or-death battle."

Little Swallow said firmly, "Your Highness, it is precisely because of the danger that I must go. I cannot always hide in the back."

Hongzhou advised from the side, "Fourth Brother, let Xiaoyanzi go. She's clever, and with me protecting her, nothing will happen."

After a moment's thought, Hongli said helplessly, "Alright, my beloved consort, you must follow Hongzhou's arrangements in everything."

Xiao Yanzi and Hongzhou wandered through the alleys of the capital, asking around. They came to a dilapidated teahouse, where several people who looked like江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) were sitting.

Hong Zhou stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and asked, "Gentlemen, have you ever heard of any connection between the Shadow Pavilion and the underground forces in the capital?"

One of the burly men glanced at them and said disdainfully, "Who are you? Why are you asking about the Shadow Pavilion?"

Little Swallow hurriedly said, "Big brother, we are here to stop the Shadow Pavilion from doing evil. If you have any clues, please let us know."

The burly man sneered, "Hmph, the Shadow Pavilion is not someone you can mess with. They have a lot of power behind them, and it's said that they have connections with some big shots in the palace."

Xiao Yanzi and Hong Zhou exchanged a glance, both startled.

They pressed him for answers, but the big man remained silent.

After leaving the teahouse, Xiao Yanzi said, "Prince He, it seems that the problems within the palace are more serious than we thought. We must hurry back and tell the prince."

Hongzhou nodded: "Alright, let's not delay."

Back at the Prince's residence, Xiao Yanzi hurriedly said to Hongli, "Your Highness, we learned from the teahouse that the Shadow Pavilion may be colluding with powerful figures in the palace. What should we do?"

Hongli frowned: "I had a premonition. It seems that the palace needs to be thoroughly investigated."

When Consort Zhen Huan heard about this, she said to Hongli, "My son, we must be careful with this investigation, lest it cause turmoil in the palace."

Hongli said, "Mother, I know, but as long as the Shadow Pavilion is not eliminated, neither the palace nor the people will have peace."

At this moment, Lord Lin entered the palace to request an audience: "Your Highness, while sorting through old items in the Prime Minister's residence, I discovered an ancient book that seems to contain scattered records about the murals of the Shadow Pavilion. Perhaps it will be of use to Your Highness."

Hongli was overjoyed: "Lord Lin, this is a timely rain! Quickly bring it here."

Little Swallow stepped forward and, together with Hongli, flipped through the ancient book, where they saw some obscure and difficult-to-understand characters and patterns.

Little Swallow asked in confusion, "Your Highness, the contents of this are so difficult to understand; it seems to be some kind of ancient code."

Hongli pondered and said, "My dear consort, do not be impatient. We will study it slowly and surely we will be able to unravel its mysteries."

The group gathered around the ancient book, attempting to unravel its hidden secrets. However, undercurrents were swirling within the palace, with various factions observing from the shadows, waiting for their chance. Xiao Yanzi and Hongli struggled through this fog of mystery. Could they, with this single clue, uncover the truth behind the Shadow Pavilion? How would the power struggles within the palace affect their quest? Everything grew increasingly unsettling amidst this perplexing situation; an unknown storm seemed to be brewing, ready to sweep in at any moment and plunge them once again into the turbulent waves of fate.