Female martial arts fanatics only love to fight, while men fight for their lives.

Blood relatives?

Xiao Zhengdu smiled and said, "You can't let him hear this, or he will be dragged out and beaten half to death. He is your Majesty's brother from the same mother, a close relative, and is different from me."

As he spoke, he patted his clothes and said, "But I have something important to report to the emperor now. If I saw her, it would be an accident... It's not my fault."

After he finished speaking, he took his people to the upper study to wait, but after waiting, Lou Xiao, who was rumored to have been accompanying the emperor, was nowhere to be seen.

He calmly bowed to the Queen, and after a "Stand Up" request, he did not expect that the Queen would immediately reveal his thoughts, "Are you here to look for her?"

Xiao Zhengdu was not flustered, and replied with a smile, "I am sorry for my poor behavior, Your Majesty."

Lou Xiao stayed in the palace for a long time and was not in the study to accompany the emperor. Where could he be?

These were not things he could ask.

The Queen sat in front of a high desk, her eyes swept across him lightly, Xiao Zhengdu only felt a chill, and quickly came to his senses and reported seriously,

"Your Majesty ordered me to sort out the affairs of the Ministry of Rites and examine the documents sent by various provinces to the capital to celebrate the emperor's birthday. The songs, dances and gifts presented by officials from various provinces appear to be fine, but..."

He paused, as if hesitating.

The Queen's voice was unremarkable. "Why are you so hesitant? What's the matter?"

Xiao Zhengdu raised his eyes but did not dare to look directly at the empress's face. He only stared at the pattern on the desk covered by the layers of brocade and said in a deep voice, "Forgive me for being frank, but now there are too many people entering the capital from all over the country, and it is difficult to identify them.

Your Majesty will celebrate the Longevity Festival with the people. Your Majesty should be the most important thing at this time. Your Majesty, please think twice!"

The road to the empress's throne is dangerous. The court is not completely stable now, especially since there are still remnants of evil doing evil in the dark...

"You have been with me for many years. If you really have any doubts about this, you shouldn't bring it up now." She had already made full preparations for her birthday, and talking about this would undoubtedly spoil her mood.

The Queen believed that her brother was clear about it.

But even so, it has to be said because there are other reasons.

"Nothing can be changed unless you give me a convincing enough reason." The Queen's voice was slightly cold, but she seemed to know something.

Xiao Zhengdu pursed his lips, lifted his robe, knelt in front of the desk, and replied, "Your Majesty, since you ascended the throne, I have been keeping an eye on the movements of the remnants of the former King Zheng. You know...

How can I let him go so easily! Yesterday, news came that the old servant of the former Zheng Wang's mother's family, who had gone south for more than ten years, returned to the capital from his hometown. "

Xiao Zhengdu paused, not hearing the Queen's scolding, and continued, "I suspect that the remnants of King Zheng have been secretly gathered in the capital, and even worse... she herself is among them!"

"In this case, what is their purpose? I beg Your Majesty to order a strict investigation of people entering and leaving the capital, and to catch all the remnants of the former King Zheng and eliminate them completely!"

The resounding words were filled with a bit of resentment, and one could hear the hatred that Xiao Zhengdu could hardly conceal.

The Queen groaned in silence, leaving Xiao Zhengdu kneeling still determined, his attitude unwavering.

After an unknown amount of silence, a voice that was hard to tell whether she was happy or angry finally came from behind the desk, "I know you hate her... but the actions of an old servant cannot be used as evidence to cause a big fuss.

King Zheng has been on the run for a long time and it is hard to find his whereabouts. How dare he show up in the capital now? Do you think the imperial army are all idiots? "

Xiao Zhengdu said hurriedly, "Even if she doesn't come, I am overthinking it. Your Majesty should also think more about the Holy Body. Ask people to investigate the people in the capital and increase patrols. The guards around you..."

He didn't dare to say more, and slowed down his tone, "I was too cautious, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

It seemed that King Youshan was worrying unnecessarily, but his worry was real. The Queen knew it, but she had her own considerations.

She simply instructed, "Get up. Why panic over such a small matter? If you have any doubts, just go and investigate."

As for her safety, she was very relieved.

"If it weren't for the former King Zheng's family's unscrupulous efforts to seize the throne, my biological mother wouldn't have died, and my brother's health would also be..." Xiao Zhengdu seemed to be choking with sobs, "Even if she wasn't here, I wouldn't want to let her dog slaves go..."

The Queen was not displeased by such harsh words, but instead had a slight smile on her face.

"You are the King of Youshan, why bother with slaves and servants? If she dares to come, she will not take the risk alone. She must be followed by thousands of troops. I am waiting, just in time to catch her in one fell swoop."

However, as a royal prince who failed in the fight for the throne, Prince Zheng is not a fool. If he was not absolutely sure, how could he dare to enter the capital directly?

So she wasn't worried. "Your seventeenth brother will be back soon. He wrote to say that he brought you a gift. Let Ji Heng send it back to you."

The Queen's biological brother, the seventeenth prince Xiao Zhengze, had been in poor health since childhood and was deeply loved and cherished by the Queen.

In the eyes of the Queen, Xiao Zhengdu and Xiao Zhengze are both her younger brothers, and they have had a good relationship since childhood.

——At least that's what it seems on the surface.

Xiao Zhengze was weak and had a bad temper when he was young, and he had not left the palace for a long time.

Ever since the dying Xiao Zhengdu was rescued by the Queen and kept by her side to be taught, he has often accompanied Xiao Zhengze. It was rare for that willful younger brother to have a playmate of the same age.

Both of them are her good brothers, and now they have grown up to the age where they can share her worries.

Xiao Zhengze followed her orders to investigate the whereabouts of the former King Zheng, and now he is rushing back to the capital. It must have been hard work for him.

Xiao Zhengdu was alert. He and that guy had disliked each other since childhood, so he was just pretending to be friendly in front of His Majesty. Why would he give him any gift?

Your Majesty did not mention it again, which meant that he was not allowed to interfere.

Xiao Zhengdu didn't care about the pursuit of the former King Zheng, as he had never been involved.

But now he wants to save face in front of His Majesty and not be a prince without real power, so he has to fight for this job.

If it weren't for Xiao Zhengze's willful behavior, he would be the one who got the task of investigating the whereabouts of King Zheng.

"Seventeenth brother has been away from Beijing for a long time, and I miss him. Unfortunately, he has never communicated with me, and I don't know if he is in good health." Prince Youshan acted very well, with worry in his eyes.

"It's good that he's back. When will he enter the capital? I'm going to the city gate to welcome him."

The Queen seemed to chuckle, "You can ask Ji Heng. This time I want him to stay in Beijing to recuperate. Someone else can do the job.

I told him not to be so stubborn, but he is stubborn. When you have time, please advise him on my behalf. His health is more important."

After saying that, he put his hand on his forehead and said, "Go, I'm tired."

Xiao Zhengdu had no choice but to bow and leave. Outside the study, Ji Heng was holding a gift box with a grape pattern, standing respectfully with her body lowered.

He stopped in front of her, and Ji Heng followed him.

Xiao Zhengdu looked up at the sky outside the palace wall, lamenting that he still could not become the candidate most valued by His Majesty.

After all, he is still not as good as Xiao Zhengze.