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

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "There's nothing wrong with that. What I've mentioned all requires you to provide a large amount of money. Besides, you should have heard Qian Dahai say that I'm not short of money; I just want to make friends. Just remember this favor!"

Money has a price, but friendship is priceless, right?

Qian Dafang was a smart man and understood immediately: "Then thank you very much, Your Highness. You are right, friendship is priceless. In the future, Your Highness, please feel free to ask for anything you need. I, Qian, will support Your Highness even if it means going bankrupt."

Xiao Ce didn't stand on ceremony: "Fine, you said it! In the future, if there's any need, I won't be polite!"

Xiao Ce's thinking was simple. After all, in the northern desert, he had already begun to have them weave special silks and use unique dyeing techniques. These fabrics would naturally become a pillar industry in the future.

As long as the luxury goods industry thrives with ample funds, the demand for fabrics will be enormous.

As Xiao Ce said before, everyone says that pork is profitable, but you don't necessarily have to become a pork seller.

You can make money selling pig feed too.

Just as they were talking, the steward of Qian's Trading Company came over.

Behind him followed a man who was about 1.7 meters tall, with a ruthless yet shrewd expression.

This should be Commander Ma, who is in the imperial prison.

Commander Ma said, "Greetings, Boss Qian!"

Qian Dafang stepped forward with a smile: "Commander Ma, you're too kind, there's no need for such formalities!"

Commander Ma didn't beat around the bush and asked Qian Dafang, "Mr. Qian, what brings you here today?"

Qian Dafang looked at Xiao Ce and Da Lei beside him: "Commander Ma, I have two friends here who are old acquaintances of the King of Zhen. They have learned of the King of Zhen's misfortune and wish to see him. I hope Commander Ma can make the arrangements."

Commander Ma glanced at Xiao Ce and Da Lei, and without thinking, nodded: "Five hundred taels per person, for one hour only."

Qian Dafang subconsciously looked at Xiao Ce with a questioning gaze.

Xiao Ce nodded, an hour would be enough.

"Thank you, Commander Ma. No problem! I'll arrange for the steward to fetch the money for you right away!"

Commander Ma waved his hand and said, "Boss Qian, no rush. Let's do the same as before: get the work done first, then get paid!"

Qian Dafang nodded in agreement.

Commander Ma was a man of few words. After he finished speaking, he looked at Xiao Ce and Da Lei and said, "Gentlemen, please follow me."

Xiao Ce nodded and said to Qian Dafang, "Mr. Qian, you don't need to see me off."

After Commander Ma walked out, he said to Xiao Ce, "Follow me and don't say a word."

Xiao Ce and Da Lei nodded and followed behind Commander Ma on their horses.

...

At this moment, Xiao Dingbang in the palace was listening to the imperial physician's report.

"Is that good-for-nothing going to die?"

The imperial physician solemnly reported, "Your Majesty, it is true. His Highness is barely breathing, and his injuries are extremely severe. Although he has received treatment and his condition has not worsened, there has been no improvement either. I fear his chances of survival are slim."

"His Highness the Second Prince requests that His Majesty grant him some of the finest medicines from the Imperial Physicians' Palace. I wonder if His Majesty would be so kind as to bestow them upon him?"

Xiao Dingbang snorted coldly and waved his hand: "Giving it to that good-for-nothing is worse than feeding it to the dogs! It doesn't matter, that good-for-nothing is dead. Tell Second Brother that this good-for-nothing isn't of much use now. It doesn't matter!"

The imperial physician nodded: "Your Majesty obeys!"

Xiao Dingbang frowned slightly: "You may leave now!"

The imperial physician bowed.

Xiao Dingbang paced back and forth a few steps: "Eighth Brother has gone too far this time. First, send men to surround his mansion. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

The head eunuch said, "A foreign delegation is currently en route, and the Eighth Prince's uncle..."

Xiao Dingbang, his face dark, said to the chief eunuch, "Am I afraid of him? Let Xing Shoulu investigate first, and we'll talk after we have a conclusion. Xiao Xiangqing has become so arrogant because his uncle has gained power. You should know that Xiao Yang has just won a great victory. Although he is sensible and hasn't said anything, if I really don't punish Xiao Xiangqing, he will still harbor resentment."

The chief eunuch nodded: "Your Majesty is wise."

Xiao Dingbang was silent for a moment, then said to the chief eunuch, "Go and see Consort De."

...

After a while, Xiao Dingbang arrived at Consort De's residence.

Consort De bowed to Xiao Dingbang, who nodded in response.

He then said to Consort De, "Consort De, do you know why I have come here?"

Consort De bowed to Xiao Dingbang and said, "Your Majesty, I am unaware."

"Have you heard about what happened between the second and eighth brothers?" Xiao Dingbang asked coldly.

Consort De bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard some rumors."

Xiao Dingbang looked at Consort De with icy eyes: "Then what do you think?"

Consort De bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I dare not speak presumptuously! However, Xiang Qing is, after all, my own flesh and blood, and I am naturally willing to believe him."

Xiao Dingbang snorted coldly: "You believe what he said? You'd be telling that to a three-year-old, and they probably wouldn't believe it."

Consort De looked at Xiao Dingbang with a firm gaze and said, "Your Majesty, you are right. I dare to ask Your Majesty, do you think Xiao Xiangqing is a foolish person?"

Xiao Dingbang shook his head: "Of course not!"

Consort De said, "Then why would he fabricate something that even a three-year-old wouldn't believe? With Xiang Qing's intelligence, he could have easily fabricated a flawless 'lie,' but he didn't. Instead, he told such a flimsy story. Is it possible that what he said is the truth?"

Xiao Dingbang listened, then suddenly realized: "You mean, the Eighth Prince wasn't lying? The Second Prince was lying?!"

Consort De shook her head and said, "Of course not! Is it possible that Xiang Qing wasn't lying, and that the Second Prince didn't intend to lie either, but was simply manipulated?"

Xiao Dingbang's gaze sharpened as he looked at Consort De and said, "What do you mean?"

"Your Majesty, have you never doubted the eldest prince, Xiao Ce?" Consort De asked slowly.

Xiao Dingbang laughed out loud: "That good-for-nothing? What do you suspect about that good-for-nothing? Was Eighth Brother beaten up like this by that good-for-nothing Xiao Ce? Was Second Brother still controlled by that good-for-nothing Xiao Ce?"

Consort De nodded firmly.

Xiao Dingbang laughed even more exaggeratedly: "Hahaha, Consort De, you really will say anything for your son? There's also something new that you don't know yet."

Consort De looked at Xiao Dingbang with a puzzled expression.

Xiao Dingbang then asked, "Xiao Ce is on his deathbed and probably won't live more than a few days. I had the imperial physician examine him personally."

Then he looked at the head eunuch beside him and said, "You've been there too, haven't you?"

The head eunuch bowed to Consort De and said, "Your Highness, this old servant saw the First Prince with my own eyes. He was covered in wounds and on the verge of death. He is indeed nearing the end of his life."

Consort De listened with a disdainful expression and couldn't help but sneer: "Your Majesty, you've been deceived."