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

Xiao Ce rode his horse at breakneck speed.

This was the most enjoyable day he had ever had since he transmigrated, partly because he had escaped the den of wolves and tigers that was Kyoto.

On the other hand, speed always stimulates a person's adrenaline.

We arrived outside Pingshun City.

Although it is a city near Kyoto, it is noticeably much quieter than Kyoto.

A few people were coming and going at the city gate.

At the city gate, there was a tea stall and a special feeding trough for horses.

Xiao Ce led his horse to the tea stall.

An old man stepped forward and asked, "Young master, would you like to water your horse?"

Xiao Ce nodded, took out a piece of silver, handed it to the old man, and patted the horse's neck: "Give me some more good fodder to replenish my man's supplies."

The old man took the loose silver and said in surprise, "Young master, this is too much. You don't need this much."

Xiao Ce was in a good mood and waved his hand, saying, "The rest is just a reward!"

The old man bowed repeatedly to express his gratitude.

They got busy, putting hay in one trough and water in another.

Baoju ate with great pleasure.

Xiao Ce patted the horse's neck and said, "Good horse! You didn't let me down! Let me give you a name."

As he spoke, he circled the horse a few more times.

"How about I call you Batian?"

The horse snorted as it ate its fodder.

Clearly, they were not satisfied with the name.

Xiao Ce muttered to himself, "You don't like it? That's right, the name is too grand; you probably can't bear to carry it!"

As he spoke, he walked around the horses again.

When I got behind the horses, I looked in front of me.

A name flashed through his mind.

"Iron Egg!"

"From now on, you'll be called Tiedan (Iron Egg). This name means you have no weaknesses, and a humble name is easier to raise! What do you say?"

The stallion glanced at Xiao Ce and wagged its tail twice.

"You like it too, right? From now on, your name will be Tiedan!"

Xiao Ce patted Tie Dan's neck, listening to the rapid sound of horses' hooves behind him.

From a distance, a lone rider and a lone figure could be seen, raising a considerable amount of dust.

The person who arrived was Nie Bing.

After she rode closer on horseback...

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised.

After all, Nie Bing was always wearing a tight-fitting outfit, and when she was still, you really couldn't tell anything from it.

However, in this dynamic situation, there's really something special going on! They're keeping it all hidden.

Xiao Ce stood to the side next to Tie Dan, looked at Nie Bing whose face was pale, and said with a smile, "Miss Nie, you lost!"

Nie Bing's expression turned hostile. He dismounted and said sternly, "I lost! But were you swaying on horseback just now, pretending? Were you deliberately trying to trick me?"

Xiao Ce looked at Nie Bing meaningfully and said, "You overestimate yourself! I don't have time to put on this show for you! I was indeed not used to riding without stirrups earlier! However, once I have stirrups, as you said, I am a good rider!"

Nie Bing looked at the small leather stirrup and frowned slightly, saying, "This tiny thing has such a function?"

Seeing that she didn't believe him, Xiao Ce took the stirrups off Tie Dan and put them on Nie Bing's horse, gesturing for her to try them out.

Seeing Xiao Ce use it, Nie Bing put one foot in the stirrup, mounted the horse, and used it for a moment.

Nie Bing was quite surprised; this tiny thing actually had a significant effect on improving stability.

Xiao Ce said from the side, "With this, wouldn't it free up your hands? With your riding skills, wouldn't you be able to make some offensive moves... If one has stirrups and the other doesn't, and they fight, who do you think has a better chance of winning? So, wouldn't you say that this is a great weapon against the Turks?"

Nie Bing returned after riding around, his face grim. "I did lose. But where did you get this? Why didn't you report it to the Military Command sooner so that all of our Great Xiao's cavalry could use it... that way our cavalry wouldn't have been at a disadvantage in our constant battles against the Turks!"

Xiao Ce looked at Nie Bing with an expression of utter disbelief: "Miss Nie, are you naive or just plain stupid! Given how I've been ostracized in the capital, even if my suggestion were to work, they have countless ways to prevent this stirrup from being widely adopted! Or perhaps, they could simply keep the idea for themselves. Why should I hand over my invention to them and let them benefit from it?"

Nie Bing's eyes flashed coldly as he said, "In the end, you're still only doing this for your own selfish interests!"

Xiao Ce laughed: "I'm not a saint! Besides, you don't really think that our defeat against the Turks is due to our cavalry? How naive! Alright, I'm getting off topic! You lost. You won't go back on your promise to me, will you?"

As he spoke, Xiao Ce's gaze lingered openly on Nie Bing.

To be honest, Xiao Ce greatly admired Nie Bing's horsemanship.

Moreover, she's a martial arts practitioner, which must make her even more exciting.

Seeing Xiao Ce's undisguised expression, Nie Bing's killing intent intensified. She said to Xiao Ce, "Of course! I said I'd honor my bet! Do you want it now, or tonight?"

Nie Bing's straightforwardness surprised Xiao Ce.

"Since Miss Nie is so agreeable! At their marching speed, it will take them at least two more hours to arrive! Instead of waiting for them here, let's go now!"

Nie Bing looked into Xiao Ce's eyes, her heart filled with murderous intent, but she tried her best to appear calm: "I'll listen to you! However, this is the only time!"

Xiao Ce's smile widened.

After installing the stirrups, he said, "Hahaha, Miss Nie is indeed straightforward! However, once is never enough!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ce called out to the tea stall owner, "Boss, which is the best inn in Pingshun City?"

The old man at the tea stall bowed and said, "Reporting to you, young master, that is naturally the Yuelai Inn. It is the best in Pingshun City. After you enter the city, the tallest building you see is the Yuelai Inn."

Xiao Ce glanced at Nie Bing: "Haha, alright! Let's go to Yue Lai Inn then! Miss Nie Bing, what do you think?"

Nie Bing forced a smile: "I'll do whatever Your Highness says!"

"Then let's go! Miss Nie, you follow behind!"

With that, Xiao Ce mounted his horse and rode on it.

Nie Bing followed behind Xiao Ce, her murderous intent evident.

...

As Xiao Ce hummed a little tune, he entered Pingshun City without even needing to ask for directions.

In the distance, I could see a five-story wooden building.

From a distance, this building looks very impressive!

In ancient times, it would definitely be considered a five-star rating!

As soon as they reached the door, the waiter rushed out to greet them.

"Young master and young lady, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

Xiao Ce said, "Let's eat something first, then go find a place to stay!"

After saying that, Xiao Ce looked at Nie Bing with a smile and said, "Miss Nie, what do you think?"

Nie Bing maintained her icy expression: "I will do as Your Highness says. However, Your Highness should hurry. The main force should be arriving soon, and we'll be worried if we can't find Your Highness."

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Miss Nie, quick? I can't be quick! Don't worry, I'll just have a waiter send a message to the tea stall at the city gate later!"

Nie Bing looked slightly embarrassed and stopped talking nonsense.

"Let's eat and drink well first!" Xiao Ce said, then turned to the waiter and said, "Waiter, bring up all your best wine and dishes."

The waiter, seeing Xiao Ce dressed in fine silk robes, warmly welcomed him.

"Okay, sir!"

"Oh, and prepare the best room! Light some incense and have some hot water ready," Xiao Ce said to the waiter.

The waiter bowed and agreed to each request.

Although it was a very good meal.

However, as a modern person, Xiao Ce found the food here tasteless and bland.

"Miss Nie, why aren't you eating? Is it not to your liking?"

Nie Bing didn't touch a single bite, mainly because he was afraid that the food had been spiked.

"Your Highness, I have no appetite."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce grasped Nie Bing's hand.

Nie Bing instinctively wanted to dodge, but thinking of alerting the enemy, she didn't dare to refuse.

He could only let Xiao Ce rub his hands.

"Miss Nie, your hands are so cold! Are you feeling unwell? If you are, I wouldn't have been able to do this today!" Xiao Ce said, touching Nie Bing's slightly cold, smooth hands.

Nie Bing's face was stiff as she said, "Your Highness, no need. I don't want Pan'er to know. Let's hurry up."

"Hahaha, good! I understand, then let's go upstairs!" With that, Xiao Ce took Nie Bing's hand.

Seeing this, the waiter quickly stepped forward and greeted him: "Young master, the top-class room is ready for you. Please feel free to ask me for anything."

Xiao Ce smiled and said to the waiter, "Nothing more, just don't come in no matter what noise you hear!"

Hearing this, Nie Bing was secretly delighted: "It seems this has saved me a lot of trouble!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ce took out a piece of silver from his pocket and gave it to the waiter as a tip.

The waiter thanked him repeatedly, his face showing a knowing expression.

Upon reaching the entrance, Xiao Ce looked around.

He dismissed the waiter and went inside!

The incense in the room was already lit, and the smell was relaxing.

Once inside, the interior design was quite nice.

Behind one of the gauze curtains, there was a large bathtub, a double tub, with steam rising from it.

"Miss Nie, are you satisfied?"

Xiao Ce turned around and saw Nie Bing standing at the door with the door closed.

Hearing the noise, Nie Bing closed the door.

He locked the door and then turned around.

Nie Bing looked around and walked towards Xiao Ce.

"Your Highness, are you satisfied? I'm glad you are!"

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Haha, of course I'm satisfied!"

After Nie Bing walked up to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce naturally embraced Nie Bing's slender waist.

"Then, shall we play in the water together like mandarin ducks?"

The smile on Nie Bing's face vanished instantly!

His expression instantly changed, and he said sharply, "Hmph, you piece of trash! You think you can make me sleep with you? Dream on! Today I'll rid you of this scourge! I'll kill you, you piece of trash!"

A short dagger slipped from his sleeve.

"Suffer to death!"