New Return of the Pearl: The Group's Pet Swallow Flies

There was a warm and joyful atmosphere in Shufangzhai, but the atmosphere in Qianqing Palace was cold and depressing.

It turned out that the Earl Xiao Zhihang, who had been conducting secret investigations, had returned from outside the palace and reported to the Emperor the information he had obtained over the years - most of the Japanese pirates who had brought disaster to the country and oppressed the people had been captured, but there were still many who had escaped and were difficult to capture.

The reason for this situation was that when Count Xiao Zhihang was catching the Japanese pirates, he accidentally revealed his true identity, which made the other party know his origins and became more cautious. Therefore, the Jianghu is calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging. After a decade of incubation, the Japanese pirates have become increasingly difficult to find.

Upon hearing this news, the Emperor could not help but feel angry and helpless. Although his intelligence network was already very powerful and could obtain a lot of important information, it still could not completely cover every corner and understand all the situations in the country. After all, the country had a large population, and it was almost impossible to know the details of everyone.

"Your Majesty, it was my negligence that caused the current situation. Please punish me."

Xiao Zhihang, who was wearing a gray gown, had a handsome figure and a weathered face. He knelt on the ground with a look of regret on his face, feeling quite guilty.

He had been running around non-stop for ten years just to capture those Japanese pirates who deserved to die, but his identity was accidentally exposed, making the task of capturing the pirates even more difficult. He felt deeply guilty and knelt on the ground as soon as he came back and asked the emperor for punishment.

The emperor rubbed his brows, a trace of fatigue on his face. Of course, he knew that Xiao Zhihang was not to blame for this, but he couldn't help but feel a little irritated. Those pirates were like a group of parasites, constantly harassing the coastal areas, and even hiding their identities in various parts of the country, causing trouble from time to time, which made people upset.

"My dear Minister Xiao, please get up. I know you have made many contributions to the court. You have volunteered to go to the rivers and lakes and among the people to capture Japanese pirates and bandits for ten years without interruption. You have paid too much for this and even missed the opportunity to grow up with Xiaoyanzi. How could I not know your hard work?" The emperor said slowly, with a hint of emotion in his tone.

Xiao Zhihang kowtowed and thanked him: "I dare not take credit for it. This is all my responsibility."

The emperor nodded and said, "You did a good job. Although the mission failed this time due to inaccurate information, it is not your fault. In the future, I will strengthen the construction of the intelligence network and strive to extend it to various villages and places. If we can understand everyone's background, then any conspiracy will be exposed."

Xiao Zhihang stood up, with a gleam of determination in his eyes: "Your Majesty, rest assured. As long as I, Xiao Zhihang, am here, I will never let those pirates and bandits take advantage of us again!"

The emperor nodded with satisfaction. He knew Xiao Zhihang's ability and loyalty very well, and believed that he would continue to serve the court and safeguard the country's security.

"Go see Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei. They live in Shufang now. They are missing you all the time."

After the important matters were said, the emperor showed a relaxed smile on his face, and his voice became softer: "These two girls, one is lively and lovely, the other is gentle and kind. They have grown up and become very outstanding. I like them very much." When the emperor mentioned the two girls, Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei, a warm current surged in his heart, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.

These two children are not only his pride, but also Xiao Zhihang's pride.

Xiao Zhihang listened quietly, with a trace of guilt and deep longing in his eyes. He hadn't seen Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei for a long time, and his concern for them grew day by day. He didn't know what they looked like now, and whether they were still as innocent as when they were children.

My daughters have grown up, but he can't witness their growth with his own eyes. This regret makes him feel like a knife in his heart. However, he does not regret his choice. For the sake of his country, he resolutely chooses to step into the rivers and lakes to catch those pirates who may endanger his country and the people, and gives up the opportunity to accompany his daughters to grow up.

But he knew that only when the country was stable could the people live and work in peace, and everything he did was worth it.

"Yes, I obey your command." Xiao Zhihang replied respectfully.

"By the way, where is your son Xiao Feng now?"

The emperor thought about it and couldn't help asking about Xiao Feng, who was so brave at such a young age.

Xiao Zhihang, who was about to leave, hesitated for a moment after hearing this, then turned back and replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, Feng'er chose to venture into the world alone, and during this period, he also met Princess Qing..."

"Oh? Qing'er? Isn't Qing'er in Mount Wutai? How did you meet Xiao Feng? What's going on?" The emperor was shocked when he heard this and couldn't help asking.

Xiao Zhihang pursed his lips and said helplessly: "In fact, I don't know much. It was probably a few years ago that Princess Qing accidentally became a disciple of a nun. After she had learned a lot, she secretly went down the mountain. Then, by chance, she met Feng'er. They agreed to travel the world together."

The emperor frowned, thought for a moment and then asked, "What happened next? Where did they go?"

Xiao Zhihang shook his head. "Feng'er only said that he and Princess Qing traveled to many places together, but I don't know where they went specifically."

The emperor nodded slightly, showing his understanding. He thought to himself that Qing'er and Xiao Feng's meeting did not seem to be accidental, and perhaps there were some unknown stories hidden in it. However, at this moment, he did not delve into it, so he did not know that Xiao Feng was about to kidnap his niece.

"Why has there been no news of Qing'er's departure from Mount Wutai?" The emperor thought for a moment and asked again.

Xiao Zhihang pondered for a moment, "Perhaps Princess Qing left a letter to the princess before she left, and the princess also supported Princess Qing's actions, but wanted to conceal it. After all, Princess Qing is alone in the world, and if the bad guys know about it, it would be bad, and it would also damage Princess Qing's reputation."

The emperor nodded and approved of this guess. "Well, since your son Xiao Feng and Qing'er are together, and I believe in Xiao Feng's character, I will order him to protect Qing'er. If there is any danger, return to the capital as soon as possible."

As he spoke, the emperor could not help but sigh, "Speaking of Qing'er, I think of Xiaoyanzi, that girl, who is always thinking about traveling around the world and doing good deeds.

I have always rejected her because she is too young. Now she is sixteen years old. She is almost the best in martial arts and almost invincible in the palace. She has also learned the true medical skills of a genius doctor. In the past ten years, she has discussed medicine with the imperial physician Chang many times, which made the old monster Chang Shou marvel. It seems that I can't hold Xiaoyanzi in any position.

Xiao Aiqing, as Xiao Yanzi's biological father, what do you think about her entering the martial arts world?"