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

Xiao Wenqin, seeing Xiao Dingbang's murderous gaze, did not flinch. He bowed respectfully and replied, "Father, that's right. In public, my Ninth Uncle has made outstanding military achievements and is a pillar of the nation. In private, the King of Zhen is also my Ninth Uncle. Whether for public or private reasons, I must go to see him upon my return."

"Father, you yourself said that as long as there is no conviction, he is innocent. Father, do you know how the people have been commenting on this matter as I've come this far?"

Siu Ting-pong shook his head: "There probably isn't anything nice to say!"

Xiao Wenqin waved his hand: "No! After the people learned that Father Emperor had handled the funeral arrangements for the Prince of Zhen, they all praised Father Emperor for his magnanimity and said he was a wise ruler unseen throughout the ages. The people said that based on Father Emperor's actions, it was impossible for you to have framed the Prince of Zhen, as the rumors were circulating!"

"So whether it's the eldest brother or the second brother, what they're doing is trying to salvage Father's reputation. Our actions represent Father's attitude. If, upon my return, the first thing I do is to pay respects to the King of Zhen, everyone will surely think it's at Father's behest!"

"The people will feel that even if the King of Zhen did these things that wronged the Emperor, the Emperor still held a grudge and took care of his brotherhood by arranging his funeral. I believe that the people will change their tune."

Xiao Dingbang's expression shifted slightly: "What's wrong? Did the people have a lot of complaints about arresting the Prince of Zhen before?"

Xiao Wenqin nodded, just about to speak.

He was interrupted by Consort Yun's cough.

Xiao Dingbang looked at Consort Yun and said, "Alright, stop signaling him. No one around me dares to tell the truth. Let him tell the truth to me!"

After saying that, he turned to look at Xiao Wenqin: "If you have no worries, just say what you want to say."

Xiao Wenqin cupped his hands and said, "That's right. Before, whether it was the common people or the Confucian scholars, everyone had a lot of complaints. However, everyone said that Father Emperor had been deceived by the treacherous ministers around him. Everyone felt that no matter what, the King of Zhen had made great contributions to Xiao Kingdom. If there was no solid evidence, the King of Zhen should not have been imprisoned."

Siu Ting-pong naturally knew that his previous actions had been too radical.

However, Xiao Xiangqing had easily fooled him, and he was so focused on overthrowing the King of Zhen that he couldn't care less about anything else.

I did it on a whim, and although I knew afterwards that it was somewhat inappropriate.

But the emperor can only admit his mistakes and correct them, not admit them!

Now that the King of Zhen has been overthrown, he wouldn't mind if he could salvage some of his reputation as Xiao Wenqin suggested.

"Alright, you've said so much just to pay respects to the King of Zhen, so I'll grant you permission to go! Remember to come back early and have dinner with me!"

Xiao Wenqin cupped his hands in greeting: "Father Emperor is wise!"

He then left.

Watching Xiao Wenqin's departing figure, Xiao Dingbang thought, "He still has too much of a scholarly air about him!"

Consort Yun cupped her hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, is this not what you admire about him?"

Siu Ting-pong laughed heartily.

……

Inside the house, Xiao Ce prepared some solutions to address the predicament of the Xiao Kingdom.

He planned to make the emperor, Xiao Dingbang, anxious before letting Xiao Yang come up with the solutions.

After all, we should still help, because as the saying goes, when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Brother, are you busy?"

Xiao Ce didn't waste any words and let him in!

Xiao Yang poked his head in, a broad smile on his face.

Xiao Ce asked Xiao Yang, "What's making you so happy?"

Xiao Yang waved his hand: "Brother, Little Thirteen is back and is outside requesting an audience with you."

Xiao Ce frowned slightly, then searched his mind for the identity of Little Thirteen.

After thinking for a while, I had no memory of it.

"Little Thirteen?"

Xiao Yang was somewhat surprised: "Brother, don't you remember?"

Xiao Ce didn't pretend, after all, it wouldn't matter if Xiao Yang found out: "I don't remember, who was it?"

"Yunfei's son, the dog emperor's youngest son, is the only one among us brothers who has never bullied you."

Xiao Yang said this with a hint of embarrassment on his face.

After thinking for a while, Xiao Ce still had no memory of it.

"Who is it? Are we close?"

Xiao Yang didn't understand whether Xiao Ce had forgotten or was testing him.

“Brother, it’s normal that you don’t remember. Little Thirteen doesn’t usually live in the palace; he’s usually at the Guan family’s residence in Yinchuan. He’s been studying at the Guan family since he was a child! Now, he’s returned after completing his studies.”

“He always looks for you when he comes back, but we don’t know what you talk about. But you always manage to chat for a long time. Even though we haven’t seen each other for a long time, I always thought you two were very close. So I thought you would be happy to see him back.”

He scratched his head awkwardly, "I didn't expect that you had already forgotten, Your Majesty. Should I refuse him?"

Seeing this, Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "No need. Since you're here, go and see them."

Xiao Yang's words really piqued his curiosity.

After all, the original owner didn't seem to have many friends. Xiao Yang said that this Little Thirteen was a friend.

However, Xiao Ce felt that even if they had a good relationship...

If the relationship was truly very good, the original owner would definitely retain some of the memories.

However, Xiao Ce did not inherit this part of the memory, which suggests that the relationship between the two was not as good as rumored.

Since he's here, let's go and meet him.

As he spoke, Xiao Ce followed Xiao Yang out.

After we went outside, it was evening, and there were far fewer people in the mourning hall.

Inside the mourning hall stood a young man dressed in white, who was about 1.8 meters tall and quite eye-catching.

This must be the Xiao Wenqin that Xiao Yang mentioned.

Just then, Xiao Wenqin turned around.

Upon seeing Xiao Ce, he hurried forward, taking three steps at a time.

"Brother, brother! It's been so long... How are you?"

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Wenqin with a faint smile on his face and said, "I'm fine! You've grown taller. At first glance, I didn't recognize you."

In fact, Xiao Ce was completely unfamiliar with this person's image.

However, based on the information Xiao Yang provided, he still gave a sufficient response.

Xiao Wenqin scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, "Yes, Your Majesty, it's been more than five years since we last met."

Xiao Ce smiled faintly, appearing rather reserved.

Xiao Wenqin subconsciously looked at Xiao Yang: "Second brother, may I speak with the eldest prince alone?"

Xiao Yang glanced at Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce gave him a very subtle look.

"Alright, you two chat. I know you're close. But, thirteenth brother... you..."

Before Xiao Yang could finish speaking, Xiao Wenqin said with a smile, "Second brother, I know the rules... I won't say anything, we'll just talk about some books we both like."

Xiao Yang nodded and waved for Xiao Ce to take Xiao Wenqin away.

Xiao Ce did not take Xiao Wenqin to his residence, but instead to a reception room not far away.

After letting Xiao Wenqin sit down, he looked at Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce felt uneasy under Xiao Wenqin's gaze and asked, "Thirteenth Prince, why are you looking at me like that?"

“Brother, haven’t you always called me Little Thirteen? There’s no one around, so there’s no need to be so formal,” Xiao Wenqin said to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce nodded, feigning an embarrassed expression: "Your Highness, it's better to be clear about the distinctions."

He didn't show much enthusiasm.

Seeing this, Xiao Wenqin said, "Brother, I've heard some things about you. Now that I'm back, you don't need to be afraid... If it was Second Brother who coerced you into doing something, I will..."

Xiao Ce smiled but didn't respond.

Xiao Wenqin asked Xiao Ce, "Brother, you seem to have grown distant from me..."

Xiao Ce still smiled and said, "No, Your Highness, please don't mind. I was injured once when I was in the Northern Desert. So, my memories of many things from the past are not so clear... On the contrary, many things have begun to blur."

Xiao Wenqin asked with concern, "Brother, are you alright?"

Xiao Ce said with a wry smile, "I've just forgotten some things, but for me, forgetting those things from the past isn't so bad, is it?"

Xiao Wenqin listened with a look of empathy and said, "That's right, Your Majesty, you're right! Since the past is the past... let's forget about it together."

Then Xiao Wenqin said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, I knew it, why did you look at me like I was a stranger... But it doesn't matter, I'm back from Yinchuan now. We'll have plenty of opportunities to get to know each other again! We can get to know each other again."

Xiao Ce smiled faintly, remaining indifferent to Xiao Wenqin's enthusiasm.

"Your Highness, I won't be staying here for long either. I'll leave after Uncle Jiu's funeral arrangements are finished!"

Xiao Wenqin nodded: "Brother, isn't your fiefdom in the northern desert? I can go with you then. Brother, don't worry, now that I'm back, I will definitely help you! Just like before."

Thus, Xiao Wenqin took the initiative, while Xiao Ce kept the conversation lukewarm.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Xiao Wenqin said, "Brother, it's getting late. Mother has arranged a banquet for dinner, so I must go back."

Xiao Ce nodded upon seeing this.

Xiao Wenqin stood up and looked at Xiao Ce, wanting to say something, but the words remained unspoken.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and left.

Watching Xiao Wenqin leave, Xiao Yang asked Xiao Ce, "Brother, what did he say to you?"

Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "They were just some trivial words. Do you think I have a good relationship with him?"

Xiao Yang nodded: "I suppose so. At least from our perspective, he's one of the few friends you have in the palace. Your Majesty, this lad is quite good, and he's gained the favor of the head of the Guan family in Yinchuan. It's said that he has a good relationship with the scholars of the Guan family in Yinchuan. If you get his help, it's equivalent to getting the support of ninety percent of the scholars in Xiao Kingdom."

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised: "I've heard that the best scholars in the world come from Yinchuan. I didn't expect this kid to have such great abilities..."

Xiao Yang nodded: "Moreover, both he and his mother, Consort Yun, are scholars... they have no ambition and have no desire for the throne."

Xiao Ce asked with some surprise, "Oh? You even know this? Did they just tell you?"

Xiao Yang nodded: "If they had ambition, they wouldn't have sent Xiao Wenqin to Yinchuan when he was young. Besides, none of the Guan family's sons have entered officialdom..."

Hearing what Xiao Yang said, Xiao Ce nodded: "Who cares... we'll be leaving soon. Whether he's a man or a ghost, time will tell."

Xiao Yang nodded.

Just then, Da Lei came over with a notebook.

"Your Highness, these are the people we have recorded. Please take a look."

After taking a look, Xiao Ce didn't find anything wrong.

They then had Xiao Yang watch from the side, but he also couldn't see anything wrong.

"Brother, are there no fish biting the bait?"

Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "Don't rush, it hasn't been that long."

As she spoke, she noticed Xiao Yang's exhausted expression and said, "You don't need to keep watch tonight."

Knowing Xiao Ce's personality, Xiao Yang didn't refuse and agreed immediately.

The next day.

Before the morning court session, news of the thirteenth prince's return spread among the officials.

However, no one showed anything, after all, the thirteenth prince had no foundation at all, and had no other support except for the support of the Guan family in Yinchuan.

Moreover, the thirteenth prince and Xiao Ce were getting very close. This made them hesitate.

After all, the emperor's attitude towards Xiao Ce was probably known to everyone.

After Lu Banban spoke about going to court.

After Xiao Wenqin gave him some pointers yesterday, Xiao Dingbang felt enlightened.

Xiao Dingbang then asked everyone, "Gentlemen, I asked you all to think about these problems all night yesterday. Now, how do you all think we can solve them?"

Everyone, look at me, and I'll look at you.

"Your Majesty, naturally we should first provide disaster relief to the affected areas!"

Xiao Dingbang snorted coldly: "What, do you think I don't know about disaster relief? However, you should know very well that every time the court provides disaster relief, less than one-tenth actually reaches the victims... If you ask them, they know nothing... Disaster relief is indeed necessary, but how can we provide relief to ensure that the relief food reaches the people?"

"Furthermore, with the continuous natural disasters and wars in recent years, the national treasury is also in dire need. Have you thought about how to solve this problem?"

After Siu Ting-pong raised the question, everyone lowered their heads and remained silent.

The practice of embezzling disaster relief grain is a long-standing tradition. It's not that officials want to embezzle it, but rather that local powerful families and influential figures force you to embezzle it. If you don't embezzle, they'll kill you.

They knew this method, and the emperor was well aware of it too. If even the emperor couldn't solve it, then naturally these officials couldn't either.

Everyone lowered their heads and remained silent.

Xiao Dingbang was silent for a moment: "None of you can do anything, but yesterday someone gave me several solutions!"