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

Yin Pan'er was slightly puzzled, but seeing Xiao Ce's calm expression, she felt a little more at ease.

He was then led by the hand by Xiao Ce and taken directly to his residence.

After spending this time together, Yin Pan'er gained a better understanding of Xiao Ce Li.

Although Xiao Ce sometimes spoke carelessly, he was still a very gentlemanly man.

Therefore, she felt a bit disgusted by Xiao Ce's affectionate behavior!

Yin Pan'er saw Xiao Ce bring him back to his palace.

She looked at Xiao Ce with an embarrassed and slightly shy expression.

"Your Highness, isn't this the wrong time?"

Xiao Ce found Yin Pan'er's expression somewhat amusing.

Although she occasionally appeared to be shrewd and capable.

However, she was still a girl after all.

In modern times, this would be considered reading.

Xiao Ce subconsciously pinched Yin Pan'er's nose and said, "What are you thinking about... I'll play you a piece of music..."

Realizing she had misunderstood, Yin Pan'er blushed even more, her face showing a hint of doubt: "Listen to music?"

Xiao Ce nodded.

When the girls saw Xiao Ce bringing Yin Pan'er over, they all bowed.

Yin Pan'er also heard that these seasonal girls were some of Xiao Ce's closest maids.

However, she didn't care too much. It was perfectly normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines in this dynasty.

Not to mention someone like Xiao Ce.

The first of the solar terms, Lichun, comes forward to serve.

Xiao Ce said to Li Chun, who had come up to him, "Li Chun, among all of you girls, whose music is the best?"

Lichun bowed to Xiao Ce and said, "Your Highness, it is Sister Jingzhe! She is proficient in all kinds of musical instruments!"

Xiao Ce nodded: "Have her come over, and when she does, bring a pipa with her."

Lichun listened and nodded respectfully.

A short while later, a very charming girl came up carrying a pipa.

After stepping forward, he bowed slightly to Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er.

Xiao Ce then asked the very bright and intelligent girl, "Jingzhe, get up. I heard you're most skilled in music!"

Jingzhe bowed humbly and said, "Your Highness, I only have a little knowledge of music. I dare not claim to be an expert! However, whatever piece of music Your Highness wishes to hear, I can play it for you..."

Seeing her politeness, Xiao Ce didn't waste time with her and said, "I don't know how to read sheet music! I'll hum the tune, and you can talk, okay?"

Jingzhe bowed and agreed.

She was somewhat puzzled; after all, what kind of melody could someone who couldn't even read sheet music possibly hum?

Jingzhe said that she had been busy for a while and had made preparations. She picked up her pipa and got ready.

Yin Pan'er stood to the side, completely bewildered as to what Xiao Ce was trying to do.

In Yin Pan'er's eyes, things were now extremely urgent.

Xiao Ce was still interested in listening to music?

However, seeing Xiao Ce's leisurely expression, Yin Pan'er suppressed her anxiety and sat patiently.

Seeing Jingzhe nod to him, it indicated that he was ready.

Xiao Ce then started humming.

The song he was humming was "Ambush from Ten Sides," and as for why he did it, it was simply because he had nothing better to do.

And this piece of music is just right for this occasion.

Xiao Ce hummed a tune, and Jingzhe's eyes lit up. She then began to play along.

Xiao Ce also pointed out its shortcomings.

To Jingzhe's surprise, Xiao Ce really didn't understand music.

However, Xiao Ce was always able to point out the problems with the playing.

Although Xiao Ce didn't understand it, she had listened to this piece of music quite a lot in her previous life.

In less than half an hour, with the cooperation of the two people...

The Awakening of Insects has already been able to play a complete version of Ambush from Ten Sides very smoothly!

Xiao Ce said to Jingzhe with satisfaction, "Very good, just as I just told you... you continue the discussion."

Jingzhe nodded at Xiao Ce with a face full of surprise, or even excitement.

Holding a pipa in her hands, her face beaming with excitement, she said, "Your Highness, where did you hear this pipa piece...? I can say that it is unprecedented, and perhaps it will never be surpassed!"

Yin Pan'er nodded in agreement, with a hint of anticipation: "Jingzhe, quickly play it again in its entirety."

At this moment, Yin Pan'er had completely lost her previous anxiety and was instead captivated by the piece of music with anticipation.

Xiao Ce then remembered that Yin Pan'er was once hailed as the most talented woman in the capital, one of the reasons being her mastery of music.

Jingzhe seemed a little nervous. However, Jingzhe was definitely the kind of person who was talented; after learning it several times, she played a complete piece in one go.

As soon as the music began, a rhythmic and melodious tune transported people into the vast river of history.

The music gradually quickened, shifting from melodious to urgent.

It's as if one can see a scene of a battlefield, with clashing swords and thunderous war drums.

Suddenly the sound became low and rapid, followed by a low murmur, then abruptly turned louder...

As the music grew more urgent, it seemed as if every string was plucked at the heartbeat, and an unknown danger was approaching step by step in the darkness, making the listener feel as if they were surrounded by despair.

As the tone constantly changes, it evokes a sense of dread and despair that comes from the very soul.

Just one song.

Playing the Awakening of Insects, tears welled in my eyes.

She didn't know why, she didn't know under what circumstances the song was composed.

Yin Pan'er, standing to one side, also looked eager.

Xiao Ce was stunned by what he saw. He was certain that none of them had ever heard of this piece of music before.

It seems I'll have to learn some music from Yin Pan'er in the future.

After learning music theory, I was able to write out the scores of those ancient melodies from my previous life.

Then these songs are used to create some 'stars'.

You should know that ancient literati and poets were very fond of this kind of thing, and they greatly admired these people.

Just then, a leader kept appearing at the door, waiting.

The music stopped.

Before the listeners could detach themselves from the music, Xiao Ce turned to the commanders at the door.

"come in!"

After these commanders appeared, they all bowed to Xiao Ce and began to report.

"Your Highness, the Heavenly Battalion has taken control of all one thousand Xing Family Army soldiers who were incorporated into the army!"

"Your Highness, the Earth Battalion has taken control of the thousand Xing Family Army soldiers and their commander!"

"Reporting to Your Highness, the Xuan-character Battalion has brought all one thousand Xing family soldiers under its command under control..."

...

After more than a dozen commanders appeared, they reported one by one.

Just then, Han Da came over with a grin.

Xiao Ce didn't even need to listen; he already guessed the outcome.

Xiao Ce asked Han Da, "Han Da, have you arrested Xing Daorong?"

Han Da cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness is wise. Xing Daorong and his cronies, a group of over a hundred people, have all been arrested. They have now been handed over to Mr. Xie Zhi for interrogation."

By now, Yin Pan'er had recovered from the shock of that piece of music.

I was shocked by a series of reports from the commander, and suddenly realized how ridiculous my previous worries were.

"Your Highness, how did you do that?"

Xiao Ce, with a contented expression, picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip.

She glanced at Han Da and said, "Han Da, you explain to the Princess!"

Han Da cupped his hands and said to Yin Pan'er, "Your Highness, the Prince's initial plan was to lure them in and then swallow up their entire army."

"However, if we have a direct confrontation, there will inevitably be casualties. As the prince said, 'Beans are boiled with beanstalks, and the beans weep in the pot. We are all born of the same root, so why should we fight each other?' We are all compatriots, so there is no need for us to kill each other. We should unite against external enemies."

"So, the prince pretended to hand over military power, thinking that he could infiltrate our army with his troops! However, they did not expect that every soldier of our Northern Desert Army swore with his life that he would be loyal to the prince alone for the rest of his life."

"Furthermore, they thought we only had a little over 20,000 defenders... They thought it would be easy to take over our 20,000 with just over 17,000 soldiers. But what they didn't know was that we had over 80,000 defenders here, but they had all disguised themselves as civilians beforehand. Just as their army was trying to seize control, we gave an order, and the soldiers disguised as civilians wrote down their disguises and joined the ranks!"

"In this way, they suddenly became a minority, and we controlled them without much effort."

"Not only that, we've also captured Yanmen Pass! We can send troops to occupy Maoming City at any time, if we wish!"

Yin Pan'er listened with a very interesting expression: "So, Xiao Yang, who was watching the song and dance performance, is now a lone commander?"

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded: "That's right! I originally thought of using them to attack the remnants of the Turks! However, after thinking it over, I think it's better to be cautious! If Xiao Yang comes to his senses and joins forces with the Turks, it will be quite troublesome! We've already got a winning situation, and if we squander it, it would be laughable!"

Yin Pan'er nodded, somewhat excitedly saying, "I'm looking forward to seeing how Xiao Yang reacts when he sees you tomorrow."

Xiao Ce smiled faintly: "I'm also looking forward to it!"

Then, Xiao Ce said to Han Da, "Han Da, have our men put on the uniforms of the Xing family army, then get the troop deployment token from Xing Daorong and go occupy Maoming City!"

Han Da nodded: "Yes, Your Highness... But what should we say if the city lord or county magistrate asks?"

Xiao Ce said, "Just tell them it's the Second Prince's order to make Maoming City the second line of defense! They wouldn't doubt it even if it was just a lowly county magistrate!"

Han Da clasped his hands in agreement.

Xiao Ce then dismissed everyone.

Yin Pan'er looked at Xiao Ce with admiration.

"Your Highness, what were you thinking with these plans?! I was worried about you!"

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "When do you think I've ever fought a battle unprepared? This is just the beginning. My real purpose is to use Xiao Yang to follow my cheap old man and get supplies, military provisions, money and food... He'll send them all to me when the time comes!"

Yin Pan'er's eyes were practically shooting stars at Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Alright, it's getting late... You should be able to get a good night's sleep tonight."

Yin Pan'er said with a big smile, "Of course!"

Then Yin Pan'er asked, "By the way, Your Highness, you mentioned that tune. Where did you hear it? Who composed it?"

Xiao Ce laughed and said nonsensically, "I heard it played for me by an immortal in my dream!"

Yin Pan'er asked with a hint of doubt, "An immortal!?"

Jingzhe listened with an expression of complete conviction: "No wonder! This piece is indeed extraordinary! I wonder, Your Highness, does this piece have a name?"

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course, this piece is famous! It's called 'Ambush from Ten Sides'!"