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

Xiao Yang nodded.

"So what do we do next?"

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Let's continue doing what we need to do! Don't worry about him. The people from the Western Regions Alliance will be here soon. Our capital will probably be bustling with activity very soon."

Xiao Yang nodded, waiting for Xiao Ce to say, "Brother, whatever you want to do, just tell me."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Alright, no need to rush. Since that Mr. Qianlong is taking a wait-and-see approach, we don't need to rush either."

...

For the next two days, everyone seemed to be busy with their own things.

Xiao Wenqin came to see Xiao Ce several times.

Xiao Yang rejected him several times, but Xiao Ce met with him once.

Xiao Wenqin's remarks were all about his literary insights.

Xiao Ce simply listened, rarely offering his opinion, and neither showed closeness nor distance.

Xiao Wenqin seemed to lose interest after visiting a few times.

After these incidents, Xiao Ce was also somewhat confused, unable to figure out what Xiao Wenqin was really up to.

According to the customs of the Xiao Kingdom, the body of the King of Zhen was laid to rest for five days.

He was then buried in the imperial mausoleum.

The intention was to lure out some people connected to the death of the town's king. However, the other party was very cautious, and nothing came of it.

However, Xiao Ce still said as expected that Xiao Yang had summoned the soul of the King of Zhen from those shamans.

And we received a lot of information.

Qian Dafang's ability to spread information is still top-notch.

The news spread not only among the common people that day, but even reached the emperor in the palace.

They summoned Xiao Yang to the palace that very night and questioned him about the matter.

Xiao Yang naturally denied it outright, saying that it was all just rumors circulating in the streets, and that those people were not shamans or wizards, but just random people he found to fool people.

The emperor did not suspect anything.

The delegation from the Western Regions Alliance was supposed to arrive within two days, but something unexpected happened.

They arrived on the third day.

To show respect and importance.

Yin Weiyong led a group of officials, along with four princes: Xiao Xiangqing, Xiao Yang, Xiao Ce, and Xiao Wenqin.

Xiao Wenqin wasn't originally supposed to be included, but the emperor's suggestion that he gain experience led to his temporary addition to the team.

At this moment, Xiao Xiangqing changed his previous low-key demeanor and looked arrogant.

It was as if these people who came were not an envoy, but his own people.

Some people at the door were grumbling: "Damn it, we've been waiting for an hour, and he still hasn't come. How can he be more arrogant than our father! Prime Minister Yin, I think they're just being rude. We can't be too polite to them..."

Upon seeing this, Xiao Xiangqing frowned slightly: "Second Prince, watch your words. You represent our Xiao Kingdom now. If your words provoke a war between our two countries, can you bear the consequences?"

Xiao Yang scoffed, "Hmph... Can you afford it? Take your pride out on me? So what if it's fighting? I can defeat the Turks, what's a little trouble with those small countries in the Western Regions? At worst, I'll personally lead the troops to fight!"

Xiao Xiangqing scoffed, "Look at you, putting on an act. Did you do that?"

As she spoke, Xiao Xiangqing looked at Xiao Ce.

"If I didn't hit him, then you must have! You..."

“Your Highnesses, this is not the place for you to quarrel. If you want to argue, you can find a secluded place and leave our delegation.” Yin Weiyong interrupted Xiao Yang before he could finish speaking.

Xiao Xiangqing cupped his hands and said, "Prime Minister Yin is right!"

Xiao Yang shrugged: "Prime Minister Yin, our delegation is here to receive them, not to fawn over them, right?"

Yin Weiyong said, "Of course, we must safeguard national interests!"

Xiao Yang said sarcastically, "That's good, Prime Minister Yin. Don't be like some people who are eager to be lapdogs, and then end up selling out the country."

Xiao Xiangqing pointed at Xiao Yang and said, "Xiao Yang, don't go too far!"

"They're here!" Before the two of them could start arguing, Xiao Wenqin pointed to one side and said.

A group of over a hundred people came along.

Yin Weiyong instructed, "Your Majesties, please refrain from arguing later. If you embarrass yourselves in front of outsiders... don't blame me for kicking you out of our ranks in front of His Majesty."

Everyone nodded.

A short while later, the Western Regions delegation arrived.

Their delegation, led by a group of about thirty people, was followed by a procession of several hundred.

The thirty people at the head were members of the mission.

They rode strong, tall horses, their postures upright, dressed in magnificent exotic costumes that fluttered in the wind, with jewel-encrusted scimitars at their waists.

Heads held high, faces etched with arrogance. They wore magnificent garments, the hems and cuffs embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread, shimmering in the sunlight.

Following the delegation was a guard of over a hundred men. These soldiers from the Western Regions appeared to have been handpicked; they were all over 1.8 meters tall, and their weapons gleamed coldly.

They marched in perfect unison, each step exuding the pride and arrogance of victors.

Looking at their spirited demeanor, Xiao Ce realized that he had underestimated this army from the Western Regions.

The members of the Western Regions delegation rode their horses, chatting and laughing, their arrogance evident on their faces.

The man at the head of the group, who appeared to be in his thirties, was likely the emperor of Uzbekistan, judging from his appearance.

This person is not simple...

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Xiangqing from the side, his eyes seemingly shining.

Like a simp, he's getting impatient...

Yin Weiyong led his team forward.

"Welcome, welcome to the guests from the Western Regions Alliance to our Great Xiao Kingdom!"

Upon hearing this, the leader of the Western Regions delegation, Diliti, smiled and said, "You must be Prime Minister Yin. I've heard so much about you!"

Although he was talking, they remained on horseback and showed no intention of dismounting.

He had a condescending and arrogant expression.

As he spoke, Diliti said to Xiao Xiangqing beside him, "Abbas, you're an adult now, and you've grown quite a bit taller."

After hearing Diliti's words, Xiao Xiangqing stepped forward and said, "Uncle, it's been so long since we last met. You must have grown taller. You must have had a long and tiring journey. Father has personally prepared a banquet for you and the members of the Western Regions Alliance delegation. Let's go into the city first."

Watching Xiao Xiangqing fawn over the Western Regions Alliance delegation like a lapdog, I guess Abbas must be Xiao Xiangqing's name in the Western Regions.

Xiao Yang kept rolling his eyes, and several times he wanted to complain, but Xiao Ce stopped him each time.

The reason is simple: the officials here are very unhappy with these people from the Western Regions Alliance.

Because these people from the Western Regions Alliance were arrogant and always acted condescendingly.

At that moment, they didn't even show basic manners.

Since Yin Weiyong, as the prime minister of the country, was personally welcoming them, they had no choice but to dismount to show their respect.

However, it seemed as if their buttocks were welded to the horse's back.

Diliti nodded as he listened to Xiao Xiangqing's words: "Is your father unwell?"

Xiao Xiangqing was stunned by Diliti's question: "No? Why do you say that, Uncle?"

"Why didn't your father come to pick up our delegation? Does he have some objections?" Dili asked, raising his head arrogantly.

Xiao Xiangqing bowed and scraped, saying, "Uncle, no..."

Yin Weiyong frowned slightly, not waiting for Xiao Xiangqing to finish speaking: "Your Majesty Diliti, you seem to be unfamiliar with the national conditions of our Xiao Kingdom. Our emperor only welcomes the monarchs of important allied and vassal states, the return of armies and generals who have made unparalleled contributions, the sacrifice of those who have rendered unparalleled service to the Xiao Kingdom, or the return of precious items symbolizing the royal family, and so on.

Yin Weiyong, as expected of the prime minister, was very tactful in his speech, even though he didn't say it explicitly.

But what he was really saying was, "You don't deserve it!"

Diliti, somewhat unconvinced, retorted, "What, Prime Minister Yin? Are you implying that we are not considered major states? I am also a monarch!"

Yin Weiyong smiled and said, "Your Majesty Diliti, you are joking. As I have said, the laws of Xiao Kingdom are all well-established. First of all, your relationship with us is that of a major ally! Secondly, it is that of a monarch."

"Your Western Regions kingdoms were merely tributary states that paid tribute to us before. Now, although you have formed an alliance, it is only an organization, not a country. Unless you allied kingdoms acknowledge that this Diliti is also your common monarch, then you are not an alliance, but a new country."

“If that’s the case, I can go with His Majesty to apply. Gentlemen, are you from several allied countries, or from one country?”

As soon as Yin Weiyong, that old fox, uttered his watertight words, the envoys representing other countries behind Diliti chimed in, "Of course not... We are just an alliance organization. Our country still exists."

"That's right, all our countries are independent. We just elected Diliti of Uzbekistan as our leader."

"Furthermore, Prime Minister Yin, you are mistaken. Diliti is not the Emperor of Uz. He is the Grand Preceptor of Uz, not the Emperor."

Xiao Ce looked at the alliance members who were busy undermining each other and couldn't help but smile to himself, just as he had imagined.

The so-called alliance is a joke. Under Yin Weiyong's instigation, they just wanted to protect their own interests.

Even more unexpectedly, a major revelation was revealed.

I thought this Dilit was an emperor, but who knew he was just a national advisor.

Yin Weiyong also looked surprised and said, "I see! Mr. Diliti... you are just a national advisor. I am so sorry that I addressed you as Your Majesty just now. I am truly sorry."

Then Yin Weiyong said to Xiao Xiangqing, "Eighth Prince, how could you have delivered such an important message to the wrong person?"

Xiao Xiangqing looked equally embarrassed and asked Dilit a question.

Diliti also looked somewhat displeased. He glanced at the people behind him and then said, "Although I am the Grand Preceptor, all matters concerning Uzbekistan are decided by me. I have the final say in everything in Uzbekistan! You may call me Your Majesty, that's fine too."

Yin Weiyong smiled upon hearing this: "I see! So, Grand Preceptor Diliti, do you still need our Emperor to personally come to greet you? To be honest, your protocol is rather insufficient. It's not that we don't value you, but the country has its laws!"

Diliti, gripping the reins, gave a forced smile: "It's alright, to be honest. We don't care about these formalities! How you treat us is how we'll treat you in return. After all, you're the ones negotiating with us now, aren't you?"

Diliti's words were clearly threatening.

Before Yin Weiyong could speak, Diliti said to Xiao Xiangqing, "Abbas, lead the way."

Xiao Xiangqing nodded and bowed, then said to the officials beside him, "Why are you all blocking the road? Make way."

The officials didn't look at Xiao Xiangqing with friendly eyes.

These civil officials were all tough nuts to crack, handpicked by Yin Weiyong.

Although they cannot fight on the battlefield, they are not spineless.

They also saw the arrogance of these delegations and Xiao Xiangqing's spinelessness.

These people remained motionless.

Diliti raised his head slightly and then said to Yin Weiyong, "Prime Minister Yin, what do you mean by this? Does this mean you don't welcome us?"

Yin Weiyong said with a smile, "Grand Preceptor Diliti, we came here to welcome you. We originally had a ceremony planned, but seeing that you don't seem to want to do it, please proceed."

After saying this, Yin Weiyong waved his hand, and the officials around him dispersed.

Diliti then had one of his men dismount and let Xiao Xiangqing mount his horse to lead them into the city.

"Wait!" Yin Weiyong saw that the guards behind them were also about to enter the city, and quickly stopped them.

Diliti frowned slightly: "What is it now, Yin Weiyong?"

He changed his title from Yin Xiang to Yin Weiyong, which was enough to show his displeasure.

Yin Weiyong said to Diliti, "Grand Preceptor Diliti, according to the laws of our Xiao Kingdom, your accompanying guards must remove their armor, and the spears and other weapons they carry cannot be brought into the capital. At most, they can carry swords."

Diliti's eyes sharpened: "We don't have this rule in the Western Regions!"

Yin Weiyong's expression was resolute: "Our Xiao Kingdom has this rule, as the saying goes, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do!' Please cooperate!"

Diliti's gaze sharpened as he asked, "Yin Weiyong, are you targeting us?"

Xiao Xiangqing stepped forward: "Prime Minister Yin, this is an envoy highly valued by their father, and this rule..."

Seeing Xiao Xiangqing step forward and laugh it off, Yin Weiyong raised his voice several octaves.

"Your Highness, if you wish to make an exception, that is certainly possible. However, you must guarantee that any violent incidents that occur after they enter the city will be blamed on you!"

After being interrupted, Xiao Xiangqing's face immediately turned awkward.

Diliti said with a gloomy expression, "What if I insist on bringing him in?"