Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

"No need for such formalities, Minister Lu!"

Emperor Dehong hurriedly reached out to help him up, and Wang Fu, with great insight, nodded to him before stepping aside to wait.

After receiving feedback, he originally intended to casually meet with this meritorious soldier, reward him with some gold, silver, and official rank, and then let him go. However, upon seeing the jade pendant hanging from the man's waist, he suddenly stood up.

This action startled Wang Fu, who instinctively stepped forward to help the emperor while whispering a reminder to the emperor to be mindful of his dignity.

Emperor Dehong didn't give him a chance to speak, nor did he show any intention of sitting down. He kept his eyes fixed on the jade pendant and asked in a deep voice:

"Azure sky and blue sea, fish and dragons frolicking. Where did you get this fish and dragon pendant?"

"Is this what His Majesty is asking?"

Lu Xiao kept his head down, not knowing what expression Emperor Dehong was wearing. Judging from the emperor's voice, he was in low spirits and even seemed to be angry.

He explained with a smile:

"This was a gift from my wife when I was leaving my family on my way north to the capital."

"It is said that this jade pendant is an heirloom in her family, which has protected her for many years. This time, I hope that you will..."

"Lu Xiao, is your wife named Liu Xianya?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao abruptly looked up, ignoring Wang Fu's frantic glare, and stared directly at Emperor Dehong, exclaiming in surprise:

"Does Your Majesty still remember my wife?"

"How could I not remember?"

Emperor Dehong smiled wryly and waved his hand repeatedly to indicate that he did not need to be so reserved. At the same time, he instructed Wang Fu to close the palace doors and prevent anyone from approaching.

"That great fire back then gave me the opportunity to ascend the throne, but it also directly claimed the lives of my junior sister and her entire family!"

"Over the years, I have investigated thoroughly, both openly and secretly, and although I have uncovered some treacherous individuals, I have still been unable to find out who the murderer was who wanted to kill me and my junior sister's family!"

As he said this, he had already sat back down, his hands gripping the handrail so tightly that the veins on them were bulging.

Emperor Dehong, however, seemed oblivious and continued speaking with an emotion inappropriate for an emperor:

"I have been searching for her for many years, but there has been no news of her."

"Minister Lu, since your junior sister is your wife, do you know how she ended up in Yuyang County?"

Lu Xiao nodded, indicating that he was aware of the situation.

"Your Majesty, my wife frankly admits that it was the old servants in our household who risked their lives to protect her and pull her back from the fire. After that, she and the old servants depended on each other for survival."

"After arriving in Changyang County of Yuyang Prefecture, which is my hometown, I changed my name and eventually married my neighbor in the village."

"But he died in battle a few years later, and it was only recently that he and I finalized our marriage."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Dehong was choked with sobs.

If Wang Fu hadn't been there to help, he probably would have already lost his composure.

After taking a dozen or so breaths, he finally composed himself and sighed:

"It is I who have wronged my junior sister. I was completely unaware of the suffering she has endured over the years."

"Her choice suggests she deeply hates me and resents my failure to avenge her!"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became strange.

As Lu Xiao listened to the suppressed sobs, cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He feared that once the emperor calmed down, he would kill him to cover up what had happened that day.

However, when he heard the other person's unusual concern for Liu Xianya's recent situation, his eyes suddenly lit up:

"Your Majesty, if my wife knew that you intend to investigate the truth of what happened back then, she would be delighted. You don't need to be overly saddened."

"Actually, she also hopes you will investigate!"

Emperor Dehong was overjoyed, his heart bursting with happiness, and he couldn't wait to see his junior sister.

However, he quickly grasped the key point from the conversation:

"You've married my junior sister?"

Not yet, but it will be soon.

Lu Xiao nodded, then shook his head:

"Before entering the capital, my wife and I had already discussed marriage, but it was precisely because of this marriage that unpleasant memories were stirred up in her heart."

"She should have already been to Dongshan County, visited her parents-in-law, and is on her way to the capital."

"We plan to get married as soon as she gets home."

"What? Junior Sister is coming to the capital?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Dehong became extremely worried again and immediately ordered Wang Fu to arrange for someone to find his junior sister and prepare to secretly escort her back to Yuyang County.

But before Wang Fu could leave, he called the man back:

"No, let's just bring my junior sister directly to me after we find her."

"There is probably no place in the whole world safer than my side."

"At that time, I will personally officiate at your wedding!"

He was worried that his junior sister would be recognized by the murderer from back then if she joined the Imperial Capital, and thus meet with misfortune.

But on second thought, aside from the fact that being emperor wasn't very pleasant, his safety was absolutely guaranteed.

Lu Xiao thanked him on the spot and did not stop him.

Because of Liu Xianya, after making arrangements, Emperor Dehong looked forward to his junior sister's arrival, his eyes filled with joy.

He also became more amiable towards Lu Xiao:

"Go and prepare two stools. I want to sit and talk with Minister Lu... no, brother-in-law."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Dehong waved his hand repeatedly in response to Lu Xiao's gratitude:

"Just like my junior sister, you can call me senior brother, or elder brother as well."

"Now that things have come to this, my junior sister is my only family."

"Your humble servant would never dare!"

Lu Xiao almost rolled off the stool because of those words.

Seeing this, Emperor Dehong sighed helplessly and remained silent for a long time before saying that he could do as he pleased and that he could be addressed however he wanted.

It's enough to know about this relationship in your heart.

Coming to his senses, Emperor Dehong sighed:

"Since we're family, I won't hold back on some things."

"Good brother-in-law, you have won a brilliant victory for me and for the Great Zhou. I am delighted, and those wise men will surely be delighted as well. But as for your reward... it is not up to me alone."

"Don't you think it's ridiculous for an emperor to be like this?"

"Is it because of the Prime Minister?"

Lu Xiao dared not say anything about Zhou Kang at this time, whether it was good or bad; he could only guess at the reasons.

As expected, Emperor Dehong nodded:

"Seriously speaking, the Prime Minister can be considered my half-teacher. Without him, I would probably be impeached by civil and military officials every day, which would be disgraceful to the Emperor."

"I am grateful to him. Without him, the Great Zhou would not have been able to maintain the situation, let alone have the military strength to defend against four enemies!"

"But the Prime Minister... wields absolute power, taking over everything by relying on the late Emperor's will, even deciding my private life."

"Over the years, I have received memorials impeaching the Prime Minister every day, but the moment a memorial is submitted today, the person will be demoted, exiled, or even... executed for some reason, or even on trumped-up charges!"

"I am truly worried that one day he will even become dissatisfied with me and decide to replace me."

After saying that, he squinted at Lu Xiao:

"Tell me, how should I treat the Prime Minister?"