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

Xiao Ce meant it sincerely.

After all, titles like Crown Prince or Emperor are meaningless.

Only what you hold tightly in your hand is real.

Moreover, the position of Crown Prince is a target for criticism, as there are many hidden forces in the capital.

Therefore, pushing Xiao Yang in front could also help him block bullets.

By controlling Xiao Yang, he could avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Hearing this, Xiao Yang was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly: "Royal brother... I dare not... The position of Crown Prince is yours... It will always be yours... I dare not covet it, I swear! I swear!"

Xiao Ce stepped forward and helped him up, not out of pity for him.

When the man kowtowed, it was absolutely genuine; he just kept kowtowing repeatedly.

If we go back with an injured head, we'll have to waste some time arguing.

"What I'm saying is true! Just tell me whether you want it or not! Tell the truth! This is an order!"

Xiao Yang tentatively replied, "Want???"

Looking at Xiao Ce's gloomy face and listening to his words, she gradually smiled.

He then realized that Xiao Ce was not testing him.

His voice hardened: "Yes!"

Xiao Ce smiled faintly and stood up: "Since you want to, you'll listen to me from now on. Can you do that?"

Xiao Yang said with a fawning expression, "Brother, don't worry. Even if I become emperor, I'll still be your dog."

Xiao Ce smiled and ignored him.

Instead, they turned their attention to one side of the city gate.

Then, a Xie Zhi dressed in a black hooded robe emerged, accompanied by a giant-like figure named Fan Gang Ashina.

Judging from his appearance, he must have been persuaded.

His body was as big as a small mountain, not only tall but also robust.

With that physique, if he were born in later generations, Shaquille O'Neal in the NBA would only be considered a junior.

Before long, the Xie Zhi brought over Fan Gang Ashina.

The Xie Zhi bowed respectfully, and Fan Gang Ashina walked over and asked Xiao Ce.

"Is what you promised my father true?"

Xiao Ce nodded. Xie Zhi had mentioned this before: as long as Fan Gang Ashina protected Xiao Ce for one day, the Ashina tribe would be safe for one day.

Xiao Ce nodded: "Of course, as long as you stay by my side, I guarantee they will have no worries about food and clothing. Of course, all of this is on the premise that they don't play any tricks and behave themselves."

Fan Gang Ashina listened to Xiao Ce's words, put one hand on his chest, and knelt on one knee.

"King of the Northern Desert, as long as you keep your promise, I will be loyal to you from now on."

Xiao Ce stepped forward and patted the head of the big fool, Fan Gang Ashina: "Fan Gang, as long as you do a good job, I will make sure they live peacefully here. And perhaps, one day, we can even send them back to your Turkic tribes!"

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Fan Gang Ashina's eyes lit up, and he asked expectantly, "Really?"

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "I, Xiao Ce, have never broken my word!"

Fan Gang Ashina's gaze became much more determined at this moment.

Xiao Ce turned to look at Yin Pan'er, who looked reluctant: "Pan'er, the five prefectures of Mobei are now in your hands."

With a determined look in her eyes, Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, rest assured. Even if it costs me everything, I will help you protect all of this."

Looking at Yin Pan'er's resolute expression, Xiao Ce subconsciously pinched her cheek: "Don't say such silly things, I just want you to live well!"

Yin Pan'er blushed instantly at Xiao Ce's action.

Xiao Ce didn't send anyone else to see him off; he had already told Yin Pan'er everything he needed to say.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they got into the car and the group set off.

Watching Xiao Yang timidly follow beside the carriage, taking small, hesitant steps to keep up.

Xiao Ce then said to Xiao Yang, "Get in the car!"

Xiao Yang respectfully jumped onto the carriage and entered the carriage. He then knelt respectfully in front of Xiao Ce, not daring to utter a sound.

Xiao Ce didn't tell him to get up, and said calmly, "Do you know why we're going this time?"

Xiao Yang nodded first, then shook his head pitifully and asked, "Brother, shall we go back to the capital?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "That's right, let's go back to the capital. Didn't Xiao Dingbang ask you to take me back to the capital and then have me frame the King of Zhen? Go and tell the emperor that you have taken me back and that Xing Daorong has driven the Turks away! They are now providing disaster relief."

Xiao Yang's face showed increasing confusion: "Brother, are you really going to do this? Isn't doing this just walking into a trap? Also, are you really willing to accuse Uncle Jiu?"

Xiao Ce said, "I will tell you how to do it next. As long as you cooperate well, the position of Crown Prince that I promised you is not just empty words. During your time here, you should have seen my abilities."

Xiao Yang nodded repeatedly as he listened: "Royal brother, I was blind before! I understand now, royal brother, I will listen to you... even if it means killing Father."

Xiao Ce chuckled and said, "You brat, do you have some kind of obsession with killing the emperor...?"

Xiao Yang gave an awkward smile and scratched his head: "Brother, anyone who is your enemy is my enemy..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "Alright, stop flattering me. I'm not buying it. I know what kind of person you are. Don't think that just because we're back in the capital, you can deal with me. I can take care of you anywhere, understand?"

Xiao Yang shuddered, waving his hands and saying, "I dare not... I dare not... Your Majesty, those Ghost-Fearing Demons feed me poison every day. If I don't take the antidote for a few days, I'll feel like I'm dying. How could I dare..."

Hearing Xiao Yang's words, Xiao Ce nodded with a smile.

Xiao Ce had also heard about this poison. It was said that the "Ghosts' Sorrow" possessed a kind of poison that required the user to take an antidote periodically after ingestion. As long as the antidote was taken on time, there would be no problem. However, if the antidote was not taken, the user would suffer excruciating pain and die suddenly.

Xiao Ce later went with the Xie Zhi to confirm, and the Xie Zhi said it was just a scare tactic and there was no such poison at all.

Even the most skilled poison maker among the Twelve Fiends couldn't create it; in this world, there are only slow-acting poisons and acute poisons.

This poison has irreversible effects on the body after ingestion.

However, it's enough to bluff people.

Xiao Ce nodded: "It's good that you know. From now on, I will follow your instructions and actions... Remember that."

Xiao Yang nodded and listened respectfully.

...

Five days later, in the Imperial Palace of Kyoto.

Consort Hui then received a secret letter from Xiao Yang.

Consort Hui was overjoyed upon receiving this news.

Consort Hui had been in a very bad mood these days.

Since Xiao Xiangqing and his clan plotted to frame and imprison the Prince of Zhen, the Emperor has become much more affectionate towards Xiao Xiangqing and his mother, Consort De.

They neglected her, and she took the letter and went directly to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Xiangqing remained by Xiao Dingbang's side, accompanying him as he reviewed memorials.

A senior eunuch stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Hui requests an audience, saying she has important matters to report!"

Xiao Dingbang's hand, which was reviewing memorials, suddenly stopped.

Xiao Xiangqing, who was standing beside him, was very adept at handling things: "Father, since Consort Hui has important matters to attend to, I shall take my leave!"

Seeing this, Xiao Dingbang waved his hand and said, "Eighth Brother, no need. There's nothing you can't listen to. You know what your second brother did in the northern desert. If anything happens, you can help advise him."

Xiao Xiangqing nodded and said, "Father, Consort Hui has some reservations about your reliance on me. I think it would be best if I stepped down for now. If you need me in the future, please instruct me to come."

Xiao Dingbang's face darkened: "What, do you think I'm afraid of her? She's not happy yet. Haven't I favored the second prince enough? I've neglected you other princes, especially you, the eighth prince. Your literary and military talents are quite like mine when I was young. If it weren't for that incident with Xiao Dingshan, I wouldn't have discovered you yet."

Xiao Xiangqing said modestly, "Father, you flatter me. I have only been doing my best to share your burdens. This matter was entirely due to your wise and powerful decision. We and my maternal clan have only done what we could."

Xiao Dingbang nodded in satisfaction: "You are not arrogant or impatient, much better than the second son. I have supported the second son so much over the years, but he still hasn't amounted to much."

Then, he said to the chief eunuch who came over, "Go and call Consort Hui over."

The chief eunuch bowed and agreed.

A short while later, Consort Hui entered and a look of displeasure flashed across her face when she saw Xiao Xiangqing standing next to Xiao Dingbang.

However, he didn't show it, and respectfully followed Xiao Dingbang in bowing.

"Consort Hui, I heard you have something important to report? What is it? Could it be that the Second Prince needs military supplies and disaster relief grain again?" Xiao Dingbang said with a slight frown.

Before Consort Hui could speak, Xiao Dingbang continued, "If that's the case, tell the Second Prince that we finally managed to drive those disaster victims to that harsh land of the Four Northern Counties, and let them fend for themselves. I don't have enough surplus grain to feed them."

Seeing that Consort Hui remained silent, Xiao Dingbang continued, "Why aren't you saying anything? Is it because the Eighth Prince is here?"

Consort Hui naturally sensed the coldness in Xiao Dingbang's words.

"Your Majesty, of course not! With the Second Prince no longer here, the Eighth Prince is willing to step forward and share Your Majesty's burdens. I am overjoyed! We are all on the same side, so there is nothing to be ashamed of. It's just that Your Majesty was speaking earlier, and I was unable to interrupt."

Seeing this, Xiao Dingbang's expression softened considerably. He raised his hand and said, "I am pleased that you think this way. Let's get down to business. You must have come here because of the Second Prince. I have already given him a lot of supplies and military provisions. He won't ask for more, will he?"