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

Xiao Dingbang nodded in satisfaction, which made him think that Xiao Yang was very cautious.

"Indeed, Yang'er. It seems this trip to the northern desert has changed you quite a bit. Indeed, you need to be cautious. Go and find out more about it first."

"As for going to the northern desert, you don't need to even think about it. Don't worry, I will give you all the benefits of the four prefectures of the northern desert! Anyway, Xiao Ce is just a dog by your side."

Xiao Yang smiled and said, "Thank you, Father!"

Xiao Dingbang waved his hand: "You deserve all of this! If you handle the matter of the foreign tribes well this time, I will recommend you for the position of Crown Prince again, and no one will be able to stop me!"

Xiao Yang's eyes lit up noticeably when he heard about the position of Crown Prince.

"The position of Crown Prince? Didn't Father want to support the Eighth Prince?"

Xiao Dingbang listened and laughed, saying, "Yang'er, what are you thinking? I already told you. I only rely on him because his uncle is useful to me. Don't you know how much I value you? I value you more!"

Xiao Yang nodded heavily as he listened: "Father, I will not let you down!"

As he spoke, Xiao Yang suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Father, why did Xiao Dingshan suddenly commit suicide? What do you think is the reason behind this..."

Xiao Dingbang waved his hand and said, "Who cares about any conspiracies or tricks involved? As long as he's dead, that's enough. There's no need to worry about this."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the father and son returned home with a sense of accomplishment.

...

In the prison.

Xiao Ce sat cross-legged, and Xing Shoulu appeared at the prison door. After exchanging a few words with the guards at the door, he...

After the guard opened the cell door, he bowed and withdrew.

Seeing Xing Shoulu walk in, Xiao Ce looked up and said, "Lord Xing, am I right in following what you said?"

Xing Shoulu nodded in response to Xiao Ce's words: "Your Highness, thank you for the testimony and the line of reasoning you provided. I have completed the investigation into the case of the Prince of Zhen and have submitted the case file to His Majesty. Once His Majesty approves it, you can leave."

Just after Bat and his men left, news that several guards who were standing at Xiao Ce's door had been taken down reached Xing Shoulu's ears.

Upon hearing this, Xing Shoulu immediately came to interrogate Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce was very cooperative, telling Xing Shoulu everything he knew and even giving him guidance on how to handle the case.

Following Xiao Ce's advice, Xing Shoulu's investigation went very smoothly.

Xiao Ce nodded: "Are you sure Uncle Jiu committed suicide?"

Xing Shoulu nodded: "According to the autopsy results, that's the case!"

Xiao Ce frowned slightly and continued, "Did you interrogate the people who arrested me?"

Xing Shoulu nodded: "There are two groups of jailers in our prison. One group is led by Ma Su, and the other is led by Zhang Ba. The two groups usually don't get along, but in a place like the prison, I don't need them to be on good terms. So, I didn't stop them."

"This time, someone told Zhang Ba and his gang that Ma Su was going to lead men to assassinate the King of Zhen. Zhang Ba wanted to get rid of Ma Su, so he arranged for men to ambush him before capturing you."

“I have checked, and it is indeed as he said.”

Xiao Ce nodded upon hearing Xing Shoulu's words: "Lord Xing, have you asked who told Zhang Ba the news?"

Xing Shoulu nodded: "Zhang Ba didn't see him either, he just said it was a child?"

Xiao Ce asked with some doubt, "He believed what a child said?"

Xing Shoulu nodded: "Zhang Ba said that the child spoke very clearly and logically, not at all like a child..."

Before Xing Shoulu could finish speaking, an organization appeared in Xiao Ce's mind: "The Hidden Dragon Society."

Xing Shoulu noticed Xiao Ce's absent-mindedness and asked, "Your Highness, is something on your mind?"

Xiao Ce looked intently at Xing Shoulu: "Lord Xing, have you ever heard of the Hidden Dragon Society?"

Xing Shoulu did not answer directly. After pondering for a moment, he shook his head: "Never heard of it! What kind of organization is this?"

Seeing that he truly didn't know, Xiao Ce didn't continue.

"Before Uncle Nine died, did he see any unusual people? Or receive anything? He doesn't seem like someone who would commit suicide!"

Xing Shoulu's expression was not good: "Your Highness, I can only say that as far as we know, there are no such cases. However, as you also know, some truly capable people, like some of your subordinates, can sneak in silently. If they don't take anyone with them, it will be difficult for us to detect them. If they sneaked in here, spoke something with the King of Zhen, and then left, then we cannot rule it out!"

"However, that's all we can say, to the best of our knowledge!"

Xing Shoulu spoke very subtly, but Xiao Ce understood.

It's obvious that some people with special infiltration abilities are capable of infiltrating this area.

In summary, as Xing Shoulu just mentioned, it was a child who sought out Zhang Ba.

Little child, little page...

Xiao Ce only had one result in mind.

Those are members of the Hidden Dragon Society.

"Alright, thank you very much, Lord Xing." Xiao Ce cupped his hands and said to Xing Shoulu.

Xing Shoulu glanced at Xiao Ce: "Your Highness, please accept my condolences!"

Xiao Ce had expected to be very sad.

But it wasn't as sad as I had imagined.

After all, he had only met Xiao Dingshan a few times after he transmigrated, and he did have respect for this tough man.

If it were the original owner, the feelings would probably be even deeper.

However, regardless of the circumstances, Xiao Dingshan was one of the few 'own people' that Xiao Ce had encountered after his transmigration.

Therefore, Xiao Ce will definitely avenge him, and he will not let go of anyone who killed Xiao Dingshan.

This includes the dog emperor Xiao Dingbang and that Xiao Xiangqing, the two of them on the surface.

And those who do it behind the scenes!

His initial purpose in coming here was to save him, but now that Xiao Dingshan is dead, it seems his plans will have to change.

Xiao Ce looked at Xing Shoulu with a deep gaze and said, "Lord Xing, you have served as the director of the Punishment Department for so long. Do you believe that evil people will be punished?"

Xing Shoulu was stunned by Xiao Ce's abrupt question.

After a moment of silence, he shook his head with a wry smile: "I don't believe it! Although when I first took office, I made sure that everything under the law was in place! However, many things don't go as planned! For example, I know that the King of Zhen is a man of unyielding integrity, and he could not possibly be a traitor."

"However, based on the evidence from multiple sources, I still have to put him in jail!"

Xiao Ce felt the helplessness of Xing Shoulu.

His gaze sharpened as he said, "I believe it! What the king cannot do, I will do! I will make those evil people tremble with fear and live in constant terror!"

Xing Shoulu looked at Xiao Ce, wanting to say something.

However, the words stuck in my throat.

"Your Highness, you really don't need to get involved in this mess! The four prefectures of the northern desert are now under your control, and no one can deal with you on the frontier. But it's a different story here!"

Hearing Xing Shoulu's words, Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised: "Lord Xing, why do you say that?"

A smile flickered across Xing Shoulu's previously stern, square face: "Your Highness, rest assured. I am not one to gossip. There's no one around here now. His Majesty has ordered me to investigate the attacks on the Second Prince and the Eighth Prince."

“I discovered that His Highness the Second Prince was lying, and what the Eighth Prince said was true! You were the one who did it all.”

“Everyone in the capital knows about the Second Prince’s character and abilities! It’s unlikely that he did the achievements he mentioned. Based on my observations and what I’ve heard, it’s clear that you did all of this. Only you could have controlled the Second Prince and made him obey your every word.”

Xiao Ce listened to Xing Shoulu's analysis but didn't continue the conversation. He simply said, "I'm the kind of person who doesn't offend others unless they offend me. But if someone offends me, I will definitely retaliate! And I won't consider the consequences!"

Xing Shoulu listened and nodded, looking at Xiao Ce with appreciation, and then said, "The King of Zhen was right about you!"

After a pause, he continued, "Your Highness, if you need my help after we leave, I can assist you within the rules."

Xiao Ce cupped his hands and said, "Lord Xing, you can arrange some sentries. My days in the prison won't be peaceful. Since they framed me and put me in jail, they won't let me stay here in peace."

Xing Shoulu nodded: "I've already arranged for people here. In a moment, I'll have someone lock up your subordinate with you."

Xiao Ce cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you very much, Lord Xing."

...

At this moment, in Xiao Xiangqing's residence, he listened to a series of messages coming in one after another.

His face was not pretty.

He knew very well that the emperor's attention this time was entirely due to Xiao Dingshan.

Now that Xiao Dingshan is dead, he has lost his support.

What angered him even more was...

The emperor just sent word that the matter of him being beaten is now closed.

Xiao Yang decided not to pursue the matter further and told him not to either, thus ending the matter between them.

He was furious, after all, he was the one who got beaten up.

The only good news was that Xiao Ce had been imprisoned, according to news from the palace.

Xiao Ce will be released in a day or two. Even his mother sent a message telling him not to act rashly, saying that he was no match for Xiao Ce and that everything should wait for the foreign delegation to arrive.

He lay on the bed, groaning incessantly, "Xiao Ce, I won't let him get away with this!"

Gou An, who was also wrapped up tightly and covered in wounds, asked, "Your Highness, do you have any plans?"

Xiao Yang said coldly, "Did you send those assassins to go?"

Gou An nodded: "Your Highness, we've already searched. However, getting them to kill Xiao Ce in the imperial prison is quite difficult!"

Xiao Yang's face darkened. "Damn it... are you out of your mind? Why kill Xiao Ce? Even if that bastard Xiao Ce is in prison, we're probably no match for him."

With that, Xiao Yang's face turned cold as he said, "Let's go kill Yin Weiyong! As long as we kill Yin Weiyong, we can get the help of Master Qianlong. With Master Qianlong's help, we can manipulate Xiao Ce at will!"