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

Xiao Yang ignored him and left.

After returning to the inner palace, the emperor did not go to Consort Hui's palace, nor did he go to Consort De's palace.

Instead, he went straight to Consort Yun's palace.

Consort Yun was the mother of the thirteenth prince. Born into a scholarly family, she never competed for anything in the harem, so she had no real status.

His son was not in Kyoto most of the year, but studied at his mother's family's academy.

So Siu Ting-pong likes to come here when he's feeling down; it's a place to de-stress.

When Consort Yun saw Xiao Dingbang coming over, she bowed very politely.

She didn't say much, but quietly lit some incense for Xiao Dingbang and brewed him a cup of tea.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea."

Xiao Dingbang accepted the cup of tea with a look of enjoyment, took a sip, and let out a long sigh.

Seeing this, Consort Yun didn't say anything, but walked to a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) to the side.

He began to play the zither.

After the song ended, Siu Ting-pong looked thoroughly satisfied.

Upon seeing Consort Yun, he would play the zither.

Xiao Dingbang waved his hand and said, "Consort Yun, you don't need to bother. This place is one of the few precious havens I have..."

Consort Yun smiled faintly: "I am overjoyed that Your Majesty can find a moment of peace here."

Xiao Dingbang said to Consort Yun, "Aren't you curious about why I'm troubled?"

Consort Yun, still very proper and respectful, replied, "Your Majesty, you are busy with countless affairs of state every day. Since the women of the inner palace are not allowed to interfere in politics, I will do what I can to help."

Xiao Dingbang nodded in satisfaction: "Consort Yun, you do know that the empress dowagers shouldn't interfere in politics. Consort Hui and Consort De are always eager to speak well of their sons... Today, in court..."

Although Consort Yun said not to listen.

However, Xiao Dingbang recounted the events of the court to Consort Yun.

Consort Yun listened quietly from the side without offering any opinion.

"Consort Yun, tell me... whose opinion should I listen to?"

Consort Yun looked embarrassed: "Your Majesty, I am but a..."

Seeing that Consort Yun was still trying to refuse, Xiao Dingbang waved his hand: "I order you to speak. Now, don't think of yourself as my consort. Just think of yourself as a scholar. I want to see how all the scholars in the world view this matter."

Consort Yun looked up at Xiao Dingbang without any pretense: "Then I shall dare to say it! I believe that both princes have their reasons."

"First, there is the matter of the King of Zhen. I believe that, after all, he has passed away. It is not right to keep his body in the prison indefinitely, as he was His Majesty's younger brother. Now that the weather is gradually warming up, the body will likely decompose if left for a few more days. Therefore, I suggest that we bury the King of Zhen according to the normal rites."

"However, Your Majesty can say that you are considering the bond between brothers. The case involving the King of Zhen needs to be investigated further. If he is found guilty, then strip him of all his titles and have his crimes inscribed on his tombstone so that future generations of the royal family may be warned!"

"In this way, Your Majesty can appease the army, gain a reputation for benevolence and righteousness, and not only that, Your Majesty has not acted out of favoritism or perverted the law. It is a win-win solution."

Xiao Dingbang nodded in satisfaction. Beheading and dismemberment were nothing more than that; as Consort Yun had suggested, a monument should be erected. This would truly ensure his eternal infamy.

"Consort Yun, you truly are a scholar; what you say makes perfect sense! As for the two princes?"

Consort Yun bowed and said, "Your Majesty has done very well, letting Prime Minister Yin preside over the meeting and having the two princes assist him! As for the eldest prince, he was actually summoned by Your Majesty. Since he is mediocre and has neither talent nor ambition, I think Your Majesty should let him off the hook."

"We should take advantage of this time to let him show his face more. Let him participate in court affairs. Let those old ministers in the court know that he is an incompetent talent, and they will completely lose faith in him. Before, His Highness the First Prince had the help of the King of Zhen, but now that he has lost the King of Zhen's help, Xiao Ce has no one to guide him. Moreover, who knows, His Highness the First Prince might be of great use in the future?"

Hearing Yunfei say this, Xiao Dingbang immediately became interested: "Oh? What use is that good-for-nothing? I really can't find any redeeming qualities in him?"

Consort Yun said, “Your Majesty, didn’t the Western Regions come to negotiate peace this time? Your Majesty has no intention of starting a war. If the peace talks are successful but it’s just empty talk, they naturally won’t believe it! However, if we offer Xiao Ce, the eldest son of the legitimate wife and the King of Mobei, as a hostage, they will definitely be more convinced!”

Upon hearing Yun Fei's words, Xiao Dingbang's expression instantly became incredibly complex.

"Consort Yun, this plan is brilliant. How come I didn't think of it when I was sent there as a hostage?"

Consort Yun said, "However, before that, Your Majesty needs to put on a show. It doesn't have to be about deep father-son affection. At least you need to make people think that you value him highly, otherwise the foreigners aren't stupid!"

Xiao Dingbang nodded repeatedly as he listened to Consort Yun's words: "Excellent! Excellent. Consort Yun, your words have enlightened me... Good! Good! Good!"

"Lu Banban, come here and proclaim my decree..."

"Inform the people that although the King of Zhen is dead, the evidence is insufficient to prove his guilt. I cannot bear to leave his body exposed in the imperial prison, so I order that his body be buried in the imperial mausoleum according to proper rites. However, this case still needs to be investigated further. If he is found guilty, I will decide on the punishment the following day."

Lu Banban bowed and agreed. "What about the matter of the First Prince Xiao Ce?"

Xiao Xiangqing said, "Go and have the second brother get the eldest brother out and take good care of him. Also, during this time, the morning court sessions will continue as usual!"

Lu Banban nodded.

As Xiao Xiangqing spoke, he embraced Consort Yun tightly: "Consort Yun, you have given me a brilliant idea this time. I will definitely reward you handsomely! Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Consort Yun lowered her head, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xiao Xiangqing said, "Consort Yun, speak your mind. I will not blame you. Whatever you want, as long as I can give it to you, I will not hesitate."

Consort Yun cupped her hands and said, "Your Majesty... I... I beg Your Majesty to grant the Thirteenth Prince a few more years, so that he may study at the academy a few more years. Your Majesty, you have also seen how dangerous the court is! The Thirteenth Prince has never stood in the court since childhood, I... I... I... I'm afraid..."

Hearing Yunfei's words, Xiao Xiangqing's face darkened: "Yunfei, what are you afraid of? Thirteen is my son. He is already sixteen years old. He can't stay in that academy forever. Moreover, Yunfei, your son with me must have unparalleled talent. In fact, among all the princes, I think Thirteen is the most intelligent! I also intend to let him ascend to the position of crown prince."

When Consort Yun heard this, she shuddered in fright.

She immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, please rescind your decree. The thirteenth prince is weak and not suitable to be the crown prince. Moreover, his personality will surely attract envy if he becomes the crown prince. I only have this one son. Please let him live a peaceful and uneventful life."

Xiao Xiangqing raised his hand: "Consort Yun, I understand what you mean. However, as a prince, he is certainly not someone who can live a mundane life! Don't worry, I have my own plans! Find another reward for him."

"By the way, I sent you to summon the Thirteenth Prince back a few days ago. Has he already set off?"

Consort Yun looked embarrassed: "They just happened to have a small test, and Thirteen wanted to take the test before coming back, as it would be a way to give him an account of his studies for this period of time! That's why it was delayed. Judging by the days, they should be setting off now."

Xiao Xiangqing nodded, then took Yunfei's hand: "Alright! Yunfei, I promise you. I will definitely hide Thirteen well! How could I not know that whoever is put on the throne of Crown Prince will become the target of everyone's criticism? I'm just letting Thirteen adapt to the court first, and then slowly build up his connections. I'm paving the way for him, understand?"

Consort Yun looked surprised: "What about the Second Prince and the Eighth Prince?"

Xiao Xiangqing shook his head: "Although the second prince has made great contributions this time, he is too extreme and too spoiled, so he is not suitable! As for the eighth prince, although he is relatively calm and intelligent, his mother is of a different race. I cannot allow the future emperor of Xiao Kingdom to have the blood of a different race in his body."

"Now, by praising them so much, I want them to willingly let themselves and their maternal clans pave the way for me and for our son."

Consort Yun listened, her face filled with emotion: "Your Majesty...you..."

Xiao Xiangqing raised his hand: "Alright, stop talking! If you don't fight or snatch, I'll give it to you!"

Consort Yun's eyes welled up with tears: "Your Majesty, however, I still hope Your Majesty will reconsider. Your Majesty still has many princes, all of whom..."

Xiao Xiangqing stopped Consort Yun from continuing, saying, "You don't need to worry about that. I know what I'm doing."

...

On the other side, Xiao Ce returned to Xiao Yang's residence after leaving Qian Dafang's place.

They saw Xiao Yang return with a beaming smile on his face.

"What are you so happy about, kid? Did the prince make you the crown prince?"

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce lying in the courtyard and subconsciously wiped his eyes.

"Your Majesty...Brother...when did you come out?"

Xiao Ce said, "During your morning court session? Why don't you want me to come out?"

Xiao Yang immediately shook his head like a rattle drum.

He then told Xiao Ce about what had happened in court that day.

Xiao Ce asked Xiao Yang, "Did you tell my cheap father-in-law about what happened in the Northern Desert?"

Xiao Yang shook his head repeatedly: "No...no! Royal brother, I wouldn't dare."

Xiao Ce nodded: "It seems that my father-in-law has found out some information. He actually openly helped the King of Zhen."

Xiao Yang said, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Yin must also know that the King of Zhen is your most important relative. That's why he came out to speak."

Xiao Ce smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, "When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. The person is dead! Even if we give Uncle Jiu a state funeral, what good will it do? What's the point? It's important to be alive. Once you're dead, you're just a stinking carcass... What's the use of burying him well? In the end, he'll just rot into a skeleton. So, it doesn't matter where he rots."

Xiao Yang's eyes widened as he asked, "Brother, do you mean you don't care how His Majesty disposes of the King of Zhen's body?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "The person is already dead, what's the use of all those things after death? You ancient people are still too feudal in your thinking. What's the use of beheading a dead person and dismembering him? However, my cheap father-in-law has made his stance clear and stopped being a coward, so you'll have less to worry about in the future."

Xiao Yang nodded, and then repeated the warning he had given outside the court.

Xiao Ce was quite satisfied with Xiao Yang's counterattack: "You've finally found some of the style you had when you bullied me back then. Good, keep it up. However, listening to what he said, it seems my guess was right. That Mr. Qianlong really has arrived? He's really persistent..."

Xiao Yang said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, should I send someone..."

Xiao Ce interrupted, "What can your men do? Never mind... I'll arrange for someone else."

Then Xiao Ce changed the subject: "By the way, in the court, did you find any other princes who were conspiring to kill me?"

Xiao Yang thought about it carefully for a moment, then shook his head: "Those bastards were hoping we'd beat them harder. They didn't even utter a sound..."

Xiao Yang paused and asked, "Brother, do you suspect that the people who assassinated you were princes from the palace?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "However, I can't think of that person?"

Xiao Yang asked Xiao Ce, "Brother, why did you exclude Xiao Xiangqing?"

Xiao Ce looked helpless: "Are you stupid... If Xiao Xiangqing has already sent someone to kill me, why is he wasting his breath in court?"

Just as the two were talking, Fu Yao, the steward of Xiao Yang's residence, rushed over.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, His Majesty has issued a decree! Go and receive the decree at once!"

Xiao Yang stared wide-eyed at Fu Yao and asked, "An imperial decree from the palace?"

Fu Yao nodded very affirmatively: "That's right, Your Highness... it was Concubine Lu who came in person."

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce with a questioning gaze.

Xiao Ce had no idea what the emperor was up to.

"Why don't you just go and receive the imperial decree?"

Xiao Yang nodded and hurriedly went out.

Xiao Ce kept his past very secret.

Lu Banban was at the door when Xiao Yang stepped forward with a smile and asked.

"Lu Banban, what wind blew you here?"

Lu Banban said with a smile, "Your Highness, this is a good thing."

He then gave a wink and said, "Kneel down and receive the imperial decree."

Xiao Yang thought it was good news and knelt down very quickly.

Lu Banban then recounted the emperor's decision to bury the body of the King of Zhen first.

He then instructed Xiao Yang to retrieve Xiao Ce from the prison and temporarily prevent him from returning to Mobei. He also instructed Xiao Ce to participate in the daily morning court sessions from now on.

Xiao Yang listened with a puzzled expression, and then received the imperial decree.

"Lu Banban, didn't you say it was good news? What kind of good news is this! What does Father Emperor mean by this? Does he want Xiao Ce to accuse Xiao Dingshan of a crime?"

Lu Banban smiled without saying a word: "Your Highness, this old servant does not know His Majesty's meaning."