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

Xing Shoulu nodded.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Ce left.

He rode his horse and said to Da Lei, "Da Lei..."

Before Xiao Ce could speak, Da Lei said with a hint of excitement, "Your Highness, leave it to me. I will send people to investigate and strengthen your defenses."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Why do you seem a little excited?"

Da Lei said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, do you remember what I said before? Since I started following you, I have never felt any pressure. You have already eliminated all threats. As a result, we have never realized our value... Now, just watch."

"I don't care if it's the Hidden Dragon Society or the Blood Nether Pavilion! Your Highness, I will definitely protect your safety!"

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded: "I believe you. Here's a plan, let's see if we can lure them over."

Da Lei listened to Xiao Ce's words with a curious expression.

Xiao Ce rode his horse and said, "Let's talk about it when we get back."

Da Lei nodded.

Back at Xiao Yang's residence, he had a chair brought out and sat down at the gate to take a nap.

As for Xiao Yang, he didn't care at all about those who died.

However, what bothered him was that Xiao Ce exuded a chilling killing intent when he left.

He wasn't allowed to come along then, fearing that Xiao Ce would take his anger out on him.

Hearing the sound of horses' hooves, Xiao Yang woke up with a start and saw Xiao Ce and Da Lei returning.

He stepped forward with a broad smile.

Xiao Ce glanced at him: "What are you up to?"

Xiao Yang gave an awkward smile: "Brother, are you alright? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Just stay put. Oh, and go find Qian Dafang for me," Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yang as he walked into the house.

Seeing that Xiao Ce didn't ignore him, Xiao Yang nodded and bowed, "No problem, Your Majesty, I'll go right away. Is there anything else you need?"

Xiao Ce was silent for a moment, then said to Xiao Yang, "Take some men and go to the Zhenguo King's Mansion."

Xiao Yang interrupted curiously, "Your Highness, why are you taking people to the Zhenguo King's Mansion?"

"Didn't the dog emperor say that the funeral arrangements could be carried out normally? At this critical juncture, who dares to handle things for the King of Zhen? You can go and set up the mourning hall first!" Xiao Ce said calmly.

Xiao Yang's expression turned grim as he listened: "Setting up the mourning hall, Your Majesty, didn't you say before that... isn't that important?"

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Yang's timid expression and asked, "Are you scared?"

He knew, of course, that even though the emperor had said so, if anyone were to step forward to handle the aftermath for the Prince of Zhen, it would inevitably displease the emperor.

Xiao Yang immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum: "Of course not, Your Majesty, what am I afraid of? Even if you asked me to die... I would go with you without hesitation! I'll go! I'll go right now! I'll make sure our Ninth Uncle leaves in glory!"

Xiao Ce did not stop him, but said to Xiao Yang, "Remember all the money spent, I will give you back every penny."

Xiao Yang quickly waved his hand: "Brother, you are being too polite. He is your ninth uncle, and he is also my ninth uncle! He has sacrificed so much for our Xiao Kingdom, so it is only right that I do the same."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce asked, "Aren't you afraid of being punished by that dog emperor?"

Xiao Yang scratched his head and chuckled, "I'm scared, a little scared, but I'll listen to my brother!"

Xiao Ce said, "When he comes to you, just say that you're not genuinely doing the funeral arrangements for Xiao Dingshan. You're just going along with his wishes. By doing this, you'll win over a group of military officers and some pedantic scholars. They will definitely praise you highly, and even the soldiers in the army will be grateful to you."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Yang was deeply moved: "Brother, so it turns out you did all this for me..."

Seeing that Xiao Yang had misunderstood, Xiao Ce quickly said, "You're overthinking it!"

He then said, "Alright, stop talking nonsense and go now."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Yang felt more confident and nodded vigorously.

"Fuyao, come with me! We must make sure Uncle Jiu leaves with honor!"

Fuyao, who was standing to one side, listened and followed.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce

He then took Da Lei back to the house.

Da Lei looked at Xiao Ce and said, "Your Highness, is this the plan you mentioned?"

Xiao Ce looked at Da Lei and nodded, realizing he had guessed something.

"It has to be you. You're much smarter than that Xiao Yang."

Da Lei said calmly, "Your Highness, your words were truly awful."

Xiao Ce laughed when he heard Da Lei say that.

"I'm going to use Uncle Nine's funeral as a pretext to go fishing!"

Da Lei nodded: "Then I'll go arrange it right away! But..."

Seeing Da Lei's hesitant expression, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "But what? You're afraid no one will dare to participate?"

Da Lei looked at Xiao Ce in astonishment: "Your Highness, you're amazing! How could you guess that?"

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "Someone will come eventually! Maybe we can even find out some inside information about Uncle Jiu's death through this incident."

Da Lei nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite: "I don't quite understand, but Your Highness, I don't need to understand. What do I need to do?"

"First, naturally, we need to keep the King of Zhen under strict control. My safety is paramount! Second, keep a record of everyone who enters, and strictly control anyone acting suspiciously. If we don't have enough manpower..."

"Your Highness, rest assured, we have brought enough people. These things aren't about having a lot of people... too many people can easily lead to chaos! It's not about quantity, it's about quality!"

Da Lei then went to make the arrangements.

Although he left, he left behind Fan Gang Ashina.

Originally, Fan Gang Ashina had arranged this for Yin Weiyong.

Later, after Xiao Xiangqing failed once and came to admit defeat, Yin Weiyong ordered everyone to withdraw.

Xiao Yang asked Xiao Ce, and after Xiao Ce agreed, he withdrew the people.

Looking at the big, clumsy guy, Fan Gang Ashina, standing behind him, Xiao Ce still felt uneasy and insecure. He was afraid that this big, clumsy guy might hit him.

"Fan Gang, why don't you stand at the door?"

When Fan Gang Ashina heard Xiao Ce say this, he shook his head: "Have you ever seen any of the guards standing in front?"

Before Xiao Ce could speak, Fan Gang Ashina said, "You don't need to be afraid. As long as you keep your promise and don't harm my family, I will definitely protect you!"

Xiao Ce was genuinely surprised by what Fan Gang Ashina said.

Is this guy not stupid?

Xiao Ce looked into his sincere eyes and smiled, saying, "Alright, I'll believe you."

Just then, a guard ran over.

"Your Highness, a man named Qian Dafang is here looking for you. He says he has urgent business with you..."

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised; he arrived much faster than expected!

Judging by the time, Xiao Yang probably hasn't even made it to his place yet.

"Go and bring him here."

...

A short while later, Qian Dafang was brought over.

When Qian Dafang came over, his face was completely white, as if he had just been crying.

After Qian Dafang saw Xiao Ce, he didn't wait for Xiao Ce to speak.

He slapped himself and knelt down with a thud.

"Your Highness, I not only failed to complete the task you entrusted to me, but I also botched it up. Please punish me."

Upon hearing Qian Dafang's explanation, Xiao Ce understood what was going on.

Clearly, he had heard the news as well.

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "Boss Qian, this matter has nothing to do with you... I don't blame you."

Qian Dafang looked up at Xiao Ce with trepidation.

"I really don't blame you... If I really blamed you, I wouldn't have let Xiao Yang come looking for you. You didn't run into Xiao Yang, did you?"

Qian Dafang looked completely bewildered: "Your Highness, you sent the Second Prince to find me?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "That's good. Since you're here, that's good!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ce said to the guard, "Go tell Xiao Yang that Qian Dafang has arrived... Let's go and take care of Uncle Jiu's funeral arrangements first."

Xiao Ce was really afraid that Xiao Yang, that simpleton, would just keep waiting on the sidelines since he couldn't wait for Qian Dafang.

Qian Dafang had a bitter face and was trembling all over.

"Your Highness, it's all my fault... I'm useless... How could I let them kill so many people..."

Xiao Ce said to Qian Dafang, "Alright, the person is already dead... there's no point in talking about this anymore. Let's get down to business."

Qian Dafang nodded repeatedly: "Your Highness, you still trust me?"

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "No matter who was in this situation, the result would be the same. They came prepared!"

"I asked you to come here because I want your help."

Qian Dafang nodded: "Your Highness, you said... as long as it's within my power, I will do my best."

Xiao Ce said to Qian Dafang, "You can definitely do this."

Qian Dafang looked at Xiao Ce with curiosity.

Xiao Ce beckoned to Qian Dafang, and Qian Dafang came over.

Xiao Ce whispered, "I'll be handling the funeral arrangements for the Prince of Zhen immediately. You should send people to spread the news throughout the town..."

Qian Dafang listened and nodded repeatedly.

"Your Highness, is this all?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "Good. Be careful when you spread the news. Don't let anyone find out you're the source."

Qian Dafang nodded: "Your Highness, if I mess this up, you can cut off my head."

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "Don't resort to violence so easily. You are my friend! I treat my friends the best. Go and take care of this matter first. Also, I have already sent a letter to Mobei. A shipment of weapons will be transported over soon. You are responsible for getting it in for me. Is that alright?"

Qian Dafang nodded first, then asked with a puzzled look, "Arms? Your Highness, what are arms?"

"It's just some weapons!" Xiao Ce explained.

Qian Dafang nodded: "Your Highness, you can handle this matter by coming to me. I will definitely transport everything to you without missing a single one."

Xiao Ce nodded, then asked, "By the way, have you heard of the Blood Nether Pavilion?"

Qian Dafang was taken aback and shook his head: "What kind of organization is this?"

Seeing that Qian Dafang truly didn't know, Xiao Ce didn't continue the topic and told Qian Dafang to go about his business.

He was instructed to make sure the message he had given him was spread as quickly as possible.