Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

Her voice was calm, which not only eased the soldiers' embarrassment but also demonstrated her composure. She smiled slightly and said:

"The soldiers are simply doing their duty and acting impartially. What crime have they committed? There's no need for this. Please rise."

This composed and unassuming demeanor drew a subtle hint of approval from Lin Feng.

This girl couldn't possibly be from an ordinary family...

He said no more, but stepped aside and gestured for her to enter: "Miss, please."

Xiaoyue nodded, then looked at Milong beside her.

"Sir, this is my personal bodyguard..."

Lin Feng glanced at Mi Long, then said to Xiao Yue, "You can wait downstairs. If the president confirms your identity after we meet, he can come up. Miss, is that alright?"

Lin Feng's answer was already very good...

Xiaoyue naturally had no other opinions and let Milong follow.

Then he calmly followed behind Lin Feng, passing through the gate that symbolized the center of power, leaving behind a group of guards who looked at each other in disbelief and lingering fear.

Mi Long followed at a distance, neither too close nor too far, until they reached the outside of the building before stopping to wait...

The government service center was spacious and bright, with gleaming floors, and staff in various uniforms hurried about...

Lin Feng led Xiao Yue through several security doors that required special permissions to open, and took a quiet private elevator directly to the presidential office area on the top floor.

The environment here is quieter, and the security is much tighter...

Lin Feng led Xiaoyue to a small, elegantly furnished, and highly private reception room.

The reception room is not large, but it offers an excellent view, overlooking Kyoto's bustling central avenue through huge floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Please have a seat, young lady. The president will be here shortly."

Lin Feng personally poured Xiaoyue a glass of warm water, his tone much gentler than when he was at the door, with a hint of inquiry.

"Thank you, Steward Lin." Xiaoyue bowed slightly, keenly discerning the other party's identity.

She sat quietly on the sofa, her hands folded on her knees, her posture dignified.

Time seemed to slow down, and Xiaoyue could clearly hear her slightly accelerated heartbeat...

Although he had seen a lot of the world working with Yin Pan'er, Yin Weiyong was still his former employer...

She didn't know how Prime Minister Yin would react when he saw her, or whether he would immediately recognize her as an inconspicuous little maid in the Prince's mansion.

Just a few minutes later, the door to the reception room was gently pushed open...

Yin Weiyong appeared at the door.

He looked older than Xiaoyue remembered; his temples were more gray, and his brows bore the weight of a long-held high position and an inescapable weariness...

However, when he saw the familiar yet somewhat weathered face on the sofa, his deep, insightful eyes widened suddenly!

Shock! Unbelievable! Ecstasy!

A deep-seated pain from the past surged up instantly!

“Xiao…Xiao Yue?!” Yin Weiyong’s voice trembled slightly.

He instinctively took a step forward, almost thinking he was hallucinating.

How could this maid, who had been by her daughter Pan'er's side since childhood like a shadow, suddenly appear here? So many years after her daughter's disappearance?

Could it be...

A thought he had longed for countless days and nights, yet dared not delve into, suddenly ignited his speculation like a wildfire...

"Xiaoyue! Is it really you?!" Yin Weiyong walked up to Xiaoyue in a few steps, his gaze intense, as if trying to see right through her!

His words began to stammer, "You...how did you get here? Pan'er...Pan'er, she..."

He paused, then hesitated, unable to bring himself to ask the next question, fearing a negative answer.

Xiaoyue quickly stood up.

Seeing the uncontrolled excitement and deep expectation in the eyes of this old man who once held the highest position in the government and now controls the lifeline of a country, I felt a pang of sadness in my heart.

Without hesitation, she curtsied and performed a standard old-fashioned royal court etiquette: "This servant, Xiaoyue, greets the Prime Minister... greets His Majesty the President!"

"Get up! Get up!" Yin Weiyong helped Xiaoyue up with his own hands, his voice urgent.

"No need for formalities! Tell me, is Pan'er... Pan'er... alright?" He tightened his fingers slightly, revealing his inner tension.

Xiaoyue was also somewhat moved by Yin Weiyong's current emotional state.

After all, at this moment, Yin Weiyong was behaving like an old father who had been missing his daughter for a long time.

Xiaoyue raised her head, tears welling in her eyes, and nodded vigorously, a genuine smile blooming on her face: "Don't worry, Your Majesty! Miss...the Princess is fine! Very fine! The Prince...the Prince is taking good care of Miss! Miss is in Kyoto now!"

"Your Highness?! Xiao Ce?!"

Yin Weiyong trembled violently, and his hand supporting Xiaoyue froze!

This news shocked him even more than seeing Xiaoyue in person!

Xiao Ce is back too?!

Moreover, not only was his daughter Pan'er alive, but Xiao Ce also found her and brought her back to the capital?!

An overwhelming joy swept over him like a tsunami, making even this political giant, who had weathered countless storms, feel dizzy and almost unable to stand.

"Yes! The Prince, along with the Princess and Commander Da Lei, have all returned!"

Xiaoyue answered affirmatively, then remembered Xiao Ce's instructions and relayed them: "The Prince and Princess are currently staying at the Golden Restaurant in the city. The Prince asked me to tell you that they need absolute secrecy for this trip and do not wish to disturb others. The Prince's intention is that if it is convenient for you, would you please condescend to come to the restaurant to meet them? If it is inconvenient for you today, the Prince will find another opportunity later, and I will lead the way for them to come and pay their respects to you."

"However, I'll still need you to pull some strings..."

"Would you deign to go to the restaurant?"

Yin Weiyong was stunned for a moment, then his face showed a mixture of amusement and deep respect and fear: "Nonsense! How can this be! Your Highness is going to make this old minister feel extremely uncomfortable..."

He waved his hands repeatedly, his tone resolute and solemn, leaving no room for doubt: "Your Highness is of noble birth and the pillar of our Xiao Kingdom! Now that he has returned to the country, how can I, a mere subject, be allowed to come and see him? Moreover, he is my son-in-law! Both in public and private matters, it should be I who pay my respects to Your Highness and Your Highness!"

Others may not understand, but doesn't he?

Xiao Ce was merely a prince in name only, but he was the ruler of the Xiao Kingdom, and not only the ruler of the Xiao Kingdom, but also the ruler of the entire East Asia...

As he spoke, his voice rose slightly with excitement: "Xiaoyue, I know! Where is the Prince now? Which room in the Golden Restaurant? I'll go right now! Immediately!"

As he spoke, he turned around, ready to make immediate travel arrangements. His eagerness was palpable, and he no longer cared about presidential dignity or official duties.

"Your Excellency!" Lin Feng quickly reminded him from the side. He understood Yin Weiyong's feelings, but it was his duty to speak up...

"There are too many people and too many eyes outside. If you go out like this, I'm afraid..."

Yin Weiyong paused, then instantly regained his composure.

Yes, what Xiao Ce wanted was "absolute secrecy"!

With him going out so ostentatiously, and countless eyes watching the presidential car as soon as it moves, how can he talk about secrecy?

"Lin Feng, you're right!" Yin Weiyong took a deep breath, his eyes flashing, and quickly made a decision.

"Prepare an inconspicuous set of casual clothes immediately, the most ordinary kind. Arrange one... no, two very ordinary black sedans, without any markings, and the drivers must be absolutely reliable! We'll take the west-side private lane to avoid all possible sight."

"Yes!" Lin Feng immediately accepted the order and acted swiftly like the wind.

Yin Weiyong then looked at Xiaoyue, a gentle smile and a hint of apology on his face: "Xiaoyue, please forgive my rudeness. I am truly... overjoyed! You should rest with Steward Lin for a while, I will change my clothes, and we will set off immediately!"

"This servant understands." Xiaoyue immediately showed a look of fear and trepidation, and was also moved by Yin Weiyong's sincere feelings for his daughter and the prince.

My worries have also lessened considerably.

I previously thought Yin Weiyong would become too powerful and hold sway over his troops...

In less than fifteen minutes, everything was ready!

Yin Weiyong changed into a dark gray, plain-made, and old-fashioned long gown, looking like an old scholar from a decent family but who was not particularly noticeable.

Lin Feng also changed into civilian clothes and personally drove one of the cars. The other car was driven by another absolutely reliable trusted bodyguard, with Xiaoyue and Milong sitting in the back seat.

Two unremarkable black sedans silently drove out from a little-known private lane on the west side of the government center and merged into the busy traffic of Kyoto, without attracting anyone's attention.

After all, there are many similar cars coming and going here every day...

Inside the carriage, Yin Weiyong leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed, his emotions as turbulent and unsettled as the scenery rushing past the window.

Pan'er is still alive!

In fact, Xiao Ce had told him this more than once before, but he still harbored doubts in his heart.

At this very moment, they feared that their benefactor might be in this city!

This thought kept pounding in his heart, bringing immense joy, but also stirring up deep guilt and longing.

After Yin Pan'er disappeared, Xiao Ce said he was looking for her.

It wasn't that he didn't believe it; he used all his resources to search, but to no avail. This almost became an unhealable scar in his heart.

Later, Xiao Ce mentioned the West, and although Xiao Ce went there, he had already given up hope...

However, it's clear that there's nothing Xiao Ce can't do if he sets his mind to it...

Now, there is finally hope that this scar can heal.

Xiao Ce... the king he served, the man his daughter entrusted her life to, actually found Pan'er in the far west and brought her back safely!

This kindness and this ability filled the old minister's heart with indescribable gratitude and a deeper sense of awe.

Of course, he was also well aware that Xiao Ce's sudden return would inevitably bring about huge changes, and it also foreshadowed that the once quiet East Asia was about to be stirred up again.

He connected these events to recent occurrences in East Asia... perhaps they were all related...

The vehicle drove smoothly along the wide central avenue, through bustling streets, and finally stopped at a relatively quiet entrance behind the magnificent Golden Restaurant.

Lin Feng had already notified them in advance, and the hotel manager was waiting here personally, looking respectful and nervous.

"President...we've arrived," Lin Feng whispered a reminder.

Yin Weiyong opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and pushed open the car door.

Guided by Xiaoyue, the group took a private elevator directly to the luxury suite floor where Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er were located.

At the suite's door, Da Lei had already received the news...

Upon seeing Yin Weiyong's attire and aged appearance, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by deep respect. He bowed deeply and whispered, "Your Excellency!"

Yin Weiyong waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities, but his gaze was fixed intently on the tightly closed door.

The door opened silently.

It was Yin Pan'er who opened the door.

Eye to eye!

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Yin Pan'er stood inside the door, her face still stunningly beautiful. Time seemed to have left few traces, instead adding a touch of mature charm and a calmness that came with weathering the storms of life.

She looked at the old man outside the door, dressed in an old long gown and wearing a hat, his figure slightly hunched but his gaze intense. His beautiful eyes, so similar to hers, instantly filled with glistening tears, which silently streamed down his face like pearls from a broken string...

"Father..." A cry filled with endless longing, grievance, joy and sobs made Yin Weiyong tremble. He took off the hat that he had deliberately pulled down, revealing his wrinkled face full of excitement and disbelief!

He looked at his living daughter, the flesh and blood he thought he had long since passed away. The huge shock almost suffocated him, and his eyes instantly turned red!

"Pan...Pan'er?! My son!"

His voice was hoarse, choked with sobs. He could no longer care about the formalities between ruler and subject, the presidential decorum. He staggered forward, opening his arms to embrace his daughter, yet seemed afraid that this was just a fragile dream...

Just then, Xiao Ce appeared behind Yin Pan'er and gently supported her shoulder.

He looked at his father-in-law, who was so excited he could hardly contain himself, outside the door. A flicker of emotion crossed his deep eyes, and a gentle yet complex smile appeared on his face.

Xiao Ce, supporting Yin Pan'er, nodded slightly to Yin Weiyong, who was almost speechless with excitement outside the door. His voice was steady and carried a peculiar soothing power:

"Father-in-law, it's been a long time. Please come in and have a chat."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's voice, Yin Weiyong struggled to shift his gaze from his daughter's face to Xiao Ce.

Seeing that familiar face, and especially seeing Xiao Ce's determined gaze.

The fatherly affection surging in Yin Weiyong's heart was instantly overshadowed by a profound sense of awe.

He almost instinctively knelt down.