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

Chapter 114 Seeking the Truth Amidst a Thick Fog

Xiao Yanzi and Hongli continued to discuss countermeasures in the Prince's mansion.

Little Swallow asked anxiously, "Your Highness, who exactly is that mysterious person? Why would they frame the Prime Minister's residence like this?"

Hongli pondered, "My dear consort, this matter is definitely not simple. That person with the northern accent and the scar on his face must be the key clue. I have already ordered Fuheng to send more people to investigate, and I believe we will have news soon."

The primary consort of the Fucha clan approached and said softly, "Your Highness, I have sent people to search for the whereabouts of that hermit among the common people, but there has been no response yet."

Hongli nodded: "You've worked hard, my lady. If we can get the help of the hermit, the mystery of the ancient book may be solved, and we can also find out about the conspiracy of the Shadow Pavilion sooner."

Hongzhou entered the palace and said to Hongli, "Fourth Brother, I've heard some rumors outside that the Minister of Rites is colluding with some forces on the frontier. Could all of this be a conspiracy by them to disrupt the court?"

Hongli frowned: "Hongzhou, if this news is true, then we are in trouble. Border affairs are related to the stability of the country, and we must not let them succeed."

Xiao Yanzi asked doubtfully, "Your Highness, if they are truly colluding with forces on the frontier, is their goal merely to frame the Prime Minister's residence and prevent us from deciphering the ancient texts? Could they have even greater ambitions?"

Hongli said solemnly, "My beloved consort's concerns are quite valid. They may be trying to use the power of the Shadow Pavilion to stir up trouble in both the court and the border regions, so as to reap the benefits."

At the Prime Minister's residence, Lin Yuhang said to Madam Lin and Lin Yuxuan, "Mother, brother, we can't just wait for the Prince to rescue us. I plan to investigate Father's daily political dealings to see if we can find any clues."

Lin Yuxuan said, "Brother, I want to go too. Even though I'm young, I can still help."

Lin Yuhang patted his head: "Yuxuan, you stay home with Mom. It's dangerous outside. Your brother will go."

Madam Lin said with tears in her eyes, "Hang'er, you must be careful."

Niohuru Zhixi, accompanied by Rong Mama, arrived outside Hongli's study to request an audience with him. Upon seeing Hongli, Zhixi said softly, "Your Highness, I am deeply distressed by your recent efforts to manage the affairs of the Prime Minister's residence. I have prepared some nourishing soups for you to drink to help you recover."

Hongli smiled faintly and said, "You are too kind, my wife. I still have many matters to attend to. Let's leave the soup here for now."

Rong Momo watched Xiao Yanzi with unfriendly eyes. Xiao Yanzi pretended not to see her and said to Hongli, "Your Highness, I want to look at some ancient books. Maybe I can discover something new."

Hongli said, "My dear consort, that's fine. If you discover anything, please inform me immediately."

Little Swallow arrived at the place where the ancient books were stored and carefully examined them. Suddenly, she noticed that one page of the ancient book seemed to have been tampered with, with a small hidden mark. Little Swallow's heart skipped a beat, and she hurried to find Hongli.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, I've discovered something unusual about this ancient book. There's a hidden mark here, it looks like someone left it on purpose," Little Swallow said excitedly.

Hongli took the ancient book and his eyes sharpened: "Someone must be trying to send us some message, but what does this coded message mean?"

Fucha Fuheng rushed over and said, "Your Highness, we have found some evidence of collusion between the Minister of Rites and the forces on the frontier, but it is not conclusive enough. However, we have discovered that the Minister of Rites has recently been in close contact with a martial arts sect, which seems to have intricate connections with the Shadow Pavilion as well."

Hongli said, "Fuheng, continue digging deeper. I feel we are getting closer and closer to the truth."

Hongzhou said to Xiaoyanzi, "Xiaoyanzi, I always feel that there is an invisible hand controlling everything behind the scenes. We have to be careful, there may be more traps waiting for us."

Little Swallow nodded: "I know about Prince He. But for the sake of the Prime Minister's residence, and to uncover this conspiracy, we cannot back down."

At this moment, the person who went to find the hermit returned and reported: "Your Highness, we have found the hermit, but he is unwilling to come out of the mountains, saying that the troubles of the world are none of his business."

Hongli said, "I will personally visit him and persuade him. This ancient book is of great importance and cannot be abandoned so easily."

Xiao Yanzi, Hongli, and others went to the hermit's residence. Upon meeting the hermit, Hongli said sincerely, "Sir, I know that you are extraordinary, but the court is facing a great calamity. The Shadow Pavilion is full of conspiracies and schemes. If we cannot decipher the ancient book, I fear the world will be in chaos. If your talent can help me, it will be a blessing for the world."

The hermit pondered for a moment and sighed, "Your Highness, it's not that I'm unwilling, but the dangers involved are too great, and I fear I'll be drawn into it and never find peace."

Little Swallow said, "Sir, if you don't intervene, these innocent people will suffer even more, and the court will be thrown into turmoil. Can you bear to see the people displaced?"

Touched by Xiao Yanzi's words, the hermit finally nodded: "Fine, fine. I'll go with you."

Back at the palace, the hermit began studying the ancient texts. The others waited anxiously nearby.

After a long while, the hermit raised his head and slowly said, "What is recorded in this ancient book is the location of a huge treasure and a peerless martial arts technique. The Shadow Pavilion is trying to obtain it in order to dominate the world. Their framing of the Prime Minister's Mansion is to remove obstacles and take the treasure and martial arts manual for themselves."

Everyone was shocked. Hongli said, "I see. Then they will definitely do something even more outrageous next, and we must take precautions as soon as possible."

Little Swallow said, "Your Highness, let's rescue Lord Lin first, then gather our strength and fight the Shadow Pavilion to the death."

Hongzhou said, "Yes, we can't let them succeed. Although I have no chance with Xiaoyanzi, I will definitely fight alongside Fourth Brother in the face of this great cause."

After learning all this, Niohuru Zhixi felt uneasy. She said to Rong Mama, "Mama, this matter is getting out of hand. I'm really afraid that the Prince will be in danger."

Rong Momo said, "Princess, don't panic. This old servant thinks this might be an opportunity. If the Prince can successfully defeat the Shadow Pavilion, your position will be more secure."

The atmosphere inside and outside the palace was extremely tense. Various forces were secretly preparing, some for justice, others for personal gain. Amidst this thick fog of mystery, Xiao Yanzi and Hongli finally found a glimmer of truth. But the road ahead remained fraught with peril. Could they successfully rescue Lord Lin, stop the Shadow Pavilion's madness, and safeguard peace between the court and the martial world? Could their love blossom amidst this bloody trial? The gears of fate turned faster, everything was in constant flux, awaiting the next breathtaking moment. They could only forge ahead, charging into the unknown vortex of destiny. Whether the ending was glorious or tragic, it would become a significant chapter in the history of this legendary tale of the court and the martial world, to be celebrated or lamented by future generations.