At this point, there is no need to conceal it anymore, especially since Princess Jingning is not Emperor Jingxuan.

"They are descendants of King Nanyang, but not his sons."

Princess Jingning looked at Su Xiaoxiao in confusion: "Yes..."

Su Xiaoxiao confessed: "Grandson."

Princess Jingning was slightly surprised, but then understood: "That's right. King Nanyang has been dead for many years, how could he have a three-year-old son? I was confused and forgot this."

Or maybe she subconsciously hoped that her uncle, the Prince of Nanyang, was still alive.

Su Xiaoxiao said, "I wonder how much the princess knows about the Nanyang Palace being wiped out overnight."

Princess Jingning sighed and said, "I heard that he died of illness. The whole family was stricken by the plague and no one survived."

Su Xiaoxiao paused and said, "Let's just assume that the truth is true. There was a lucky person who survived and gave birth to Da Hu, Er Hu and Xiao Hu a few years later."

The two of them only briefly mentioned the truth about the Nanyang Palace.

Princess Jingning asked, "Is it Cousin Min?"

Xiao Min, the name of the little princess.

"Yes." Su Xiaoxiao replied.

"So now she is..."

"She's dead."

Princess Jingning hesitated to speak.

I probably wanted to ask how he died, but I probably guessed it.

Princess Jingning said, "So they were not adopted by your father, but brought by Wei Ting? Wei Ting went to Qingzhou to look for them, not for the so-called military token."

Su Xiaoxiao wondered, "You also know about the military token?"

Princess Jingning said softly, "I heard a little bit. It was my eldest brother who reported it."

Speaking of this, Su Xiaoxiao said calmly: "It's strange to say that His Majesty has never talked to Wei Ting. Is it because he can't take care of it, or he doesn't dare to take care of it?"

"Both." said Princess Jingning.

Emperor Jingxuan has been harassed by the White Lotus Sect recently.

At this critical juncture, if Wei Ting was punished for deceiving the emperor or hiding an army, then there would be one less powerful general to deal with the White Lotus Sect.

The biggest enemy is the White Lotus Sect.

Wei Ting is a minister, he has the evidence in his hand, is he still afraid that he can't be held accountable? Su Xiaoxiao looked at her sincerely: "The princess is very clear-minded."

Princess Jingning said expressionlessly, "No need to flatter me. I won't tell on you."

Su Xiaoxiao: "The princess is kind-hearted."

Princess Jingning: "I told you not to flatter me! I don't like it!"

Su Xiaoxiao's words were more sincere than the last: "It is my great fortune to have a friend like the princess."

Princess Jingning: ...Well, you could say a few more words about this.

She asked, "What are you going to do next? Keep it a secret? What if my father finds out—"

Su Xiaoxiao said calmly: "Everything will work out when the time comes. We'll talk about the future later."

Princess Jingning secretly felt that this girl was so bold that she even dared to tell such a lie, but on second thought, this was probably the only solution at the moment.

In fact, Princess Jingning still had many doubts in her mind, but she did not ask any further questions.

Su Xiaoxiao suddenly said, "Let's not talk about Xiaohu. Compared to Xiaohu, the princess's situation is more worrying."

Princess Jingning was surprised: "Me?"

Su Xiaoxiao nodded: "Princess, don't you think that the maid who was bitten by a poisonous snake today is suspicious? Why did she appear near the imperial garden with a poisonous snake?"

Princess Jingning pondered and said, "Do you suspect she is coming for me?"

Su Xiaoxiao did not deny it: "It just happened that Xiaohu disrupted my plan."

They both thought of the White Lotus Sect at the same time.

Princess Jingning said, "Last time, someone poisoned me, and my mother accidentally ate it. After that, my mother conducted a thorough investigation of the harem. She investigated all the suspicious people, but she didn't expect that there would be someone who slipped through the net."

Su Xiaoxiao said: "The White Lotus Sect's power has been able to take root in the harem to this extent. It is impossible for those believers and disciples outside to do so."

Princess Jingning frowned slightly: "You mean... someone from the royal family is helping the White Lotus Sect?"

Su Xiaoxiao hummed: "This person is of high status, Princess, please be careful next time."

"Hey! What are you two doing?!"

Princess Hui'an came over aggressively.

Although Su Xiaoxiao felt that it would be more appropriate to describe it as imposing and ambitious.

She has a willow waist as small as a palm, but she also has big breasts and a perky butt, a real beauty.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at her. Why did she look like she was here to catch someone having an affair? Princess Hui'an stood in front of the two of them with her hands on her hips: "What did you two say behind my back?"

Princess Jingning said calmly, "Do we need to tell you what we are talking about?"

Princess Hui'an's eyes widened as she said, "She, she, she is my little follower, so of course she has to tell me!"

Princess Jingning chuckled and said, "Your little follower? Did she agree?"

Princess Hui'an looked at Su Xiaoxiao fiercely.

Princess Jingning also looked at Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao was sandwiched between the two and blinked.

At this critical moment, Eunuch Cheng came over with a smile and said, "Doctor Su, you are here. The Queen Mother is calling you."

I have never thought that Eunuch Cheng is so cute! Xiaohu stayed in Yongshou Palace for the whole afternoon, and Emperor Jingxuan also came to sit for a while. He wanted to stay longer, but there were too many memorials, so he could only get close to the little guy another day.

When I left, Xiaohu was already fast asleep.

Looking at the cute little guy in her arms, the queen mother's eyes sparkled with tears: "I feel like I'm dreaming."

After passing the emperor's path, she now enjoyed such open and honest family happiness, which she had never dared to even dream of before.

Her heart melted.

Even if she has to sacrifice her life, it's worth it.

"I know." Su Xiaoxiao said, "She won't tell anyone."

The Queen Mother sighed, "That child... has been very smart since childhood, but it's a pity that he was born in the Great Zhou Dynasty. If he was born in the Western Jin Dynasty..."

The Western Jin Dynasty had a female emperor, so both the princes and princesses had the potential to become the crown prince.

The Queen Mother held Xiaohu tightly in her arms until it was too late. If she didn't leave, she would be locked up in the palace.

Su Xiaoxiao first sent Xiaohu to the Imperial Observatory.

When Dahu and Erhu saw their stinky little brother coming back, they ran over and gave him a hug.

Qin Canglan, Wei Liulang, Su Cheng and Su Mo all breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that Xiaohu was safe and sound.

Su Mo asked: "However, how did Xiaohu stay there for a whole day without being discovered?"

Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed: "Didn't the supervisor tell you?"

Su Mo shook his head: "He just said Xiaohu is fine and went to sleep."

The supervisor was so sleepy, okay? He had worked so hard to make the elixir all night, and racked his brains to make up a story all morning. He was completely exhausted and didn't want to say a word to anyone.

Su Xiaoxiao cleared her throat: "It's nothing, it's just that Xiaohu... recognized a stranger as his father."

Su Mo: “…”

Wei Liulang: “…”

Emperor Jingxuan was immersed in the joy of recognizing his son, but he did not forget to investigate the matter of the palace maid releasing the poisonous snake.

A while ago it was poison, and now here comes the poisonous snake. The palace has almost been infiltrated by the White Lotus Sect like a sieve.

Emperor Jingxuan decided to conduct a thorough investigation of the entire palace and to eliminate all the hidden members of the White Lotus Sect.

It is not enough to rely solely on the Imperial Household Department. Last time, it was the Imperial Household Department that was in charge, but it failed to clean up thoroughly.

Emperor Jingxuan dispatched the Imperial Guard to cooperate with the Ministry of Justice in the investigation.

Su Cheng received a transfer order from the Imperial City Administration, appointing him to temporarily take over the position of deputy commander of the Imperial Guard.

There are four deputy commanders in the Imperial Guard. One was investigated and dealt with during the competition with Qin Jiang, and one died in Taolin a few days ago.

Su Cheng asked his father if he wanted to go.

Qin Canglan said: "This is a rare opportunity to gain experience, go ahead."

The implication is that it is not a lucrative job and there is no profit to be made.

Su Cheng: "Oh."

In order to prevent anyone from manipulating the situation behind the scenes, the location of the investigation was decided by drawing lots.

The first investigation location Su Cheng drew was the Empress Dowager's Zhaoyang Palace.

…

At dusk.

The imperial court's peace negotiation team had been waiting at the entrance of Taolin for a whole day.

General Leng's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and his son was still in the hands of the White Lotus Sect.

Leng Zhiruo also came, still dressed as a guard.

Xiao Chonghua sat in the main seat in the big tent, with Jing Yi standing behind him.

The old marquis was below him.

The old marquis and Xiao Chonghua were both very calm.

One is shrewd and calculating, the other is a master strategist, but they never show their emotions on their faces.

The Dali Temple Minister and the legal advisor walked in.

The two of them were not officials in the peace talks, they were only responsible for guarding the entrance.

The Dali Temple Minister cupped his hands and said, "Third Prince, there is still no movement from the White Lotus Sect."

General Leng frowned: "Has the letter of peace talks really been delivered to the White Lotus Sect?"

Xiao Chonghua said: "Jing Yi sent it personally, there can be no mistake."

Jing Yi glanced at General Leng. He had nothing to do with the Leng family, but Su Xiaoxiao's attitude in the woods also determined his attitude towards the Leng family today.

He said coldly: "You Leng family can go and deliver it once by yourselves."

General Leng is the elder and his official position is higher than Jing Yi. Jing Yi's words are really disrespectful to him.

But Jingyi is the young marquis and the cousin of the Third Prince, so General Leng cannot really bother with Jingyi.

The Dali Temple Minister tried to smooth things over: "There are multiple entrances to the peach forest. Should we go to other entrances to have a look?"

Xiao Chonghua said: "No need, our every move is under the surveillance of the White Lotus. If the White Lotus wanted to negotiate, they would have come here long ago."

The master couldn't help but ask, "So they don't plan to negotiate with the court?"

Xiao Chonghua was respectful to the wise and humble, and did not ignore his questions just because his master was of humble status: "It's just a warning to the court."

The master was flattered and immediately scolded: "You are just a White Lotus Sect, what a big deal!"

The old marquis said nothing from beginning to end.

Having led soldiers for so many years, he had long stopped getting involved in such meaningless verbal battles. He was too lazy to waste his breath on anyone except the old beast.

General Leng's eyes fell on the old marquis's back: "Marquis Su, your guard looks unfamiliar."

The old marquis took a sip of tea: "Yeah."

No further information.

So what if I don't know you? Is it illegal?

How many guards do I need to tell you about? Who do you think you are? Although the old marquis loves Su Cheng and his men very much, they are like a stinky stone that no one can chew in front of outsiders.

I saw the little cutie’s message saying that I must have my own laptop (for convenient typing), okay, I’ll buy it when I get my bonus this month.

The bonus is linked to monthly tickets, subscriptions, and updates. I will work hard on updates, but I can only rely on you for monthly tickets and subscriptions.

(End of this chapter)