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

A short while later, Xiao Dingbang arrived with several of his concubines.

Xiao Dingbang was followed by a group of concubines.

This is the first time Xiao Ce has ever seen such a complete list of imperial concubines since he transmigrated here.

The concubines sat down on either side of the emperor.

The closest to them were Consort Hui, Xiao Yang's mother, and Consort De, Xiao Xiangqing's mother.

Xiao Ce also wanted to find Consort Yun, the mother of the Thirteenth Prince, from among that group.

Based on the characteristics Xiao Yang had described, it wasn't difficult for Xiao Ce to find her. He quickly spotted a middle-aged woman who had a scholarly air about her, an elegant demeanor, and a quiet demeanor.

After the emperor arrived with a group of concubines, Diliti withdrew his gaze.

Actually, Xiao Ce had already guessed it after just one glance.

It was obvious that Xiao Xiangqing had told Diliti about him.

However, Xiao Ce didn't care at all. After all, he was going to be a hostage, so he naturally couldn't let Diliti go back alive.

So let him do whatever he wants.

After Xiao Dingbang took his place, the entire hall became much quieter.

Xiao Dingbang slowly stood up: "Today, the allied delegation from the Western Regions has come here, and I have specially prepared this banquet. I hope that you can reach a consensus with us in the future."

Diliti and his entourage stood up one after another: "Thank you, Your Majesty. We came here today hoping to resolve the issue of Yumen Pass through peace talks."

Diliti's attitude was no longer as arrogant as it had been at the city gate. On the contrary, it became somewhat obsequious.

Xiao Ce's intuition told him that they were definitely up to no good.

Xiao Dingbang was very satisfied with Dilit's attitude. He had also heard about what happened at the city gate earlier.

"Very well. Please take your seats, everyone. Let the banquet begin!"

As Siu Ting-pong announced the start of the banquet, palace maids and eunuchs served up dishes that looked delicious.

Each table also had a small pot of wine, Xiao Dingbang said with a proud look.

"Diliti, come and try this is the best wine in our Xiao Kingdom, Divine Intoxication! This wine is known as liquid gold in our Xiao Kingdom. You should try it."

After the palace maid beside Diliti filled his cup, Diliti drank it and his eyes lit up.

"Excellent wine! Your Majesty, is this your own brew? I have never seen such clear and strong wine before!"

Xiao Dingbang nodded: "That's right, of course it's brewed by us. However, the technique is extremely complex, so the price is very expensive. In the common people, ten taels of gold can't buy even one tael of wine. Although it's called Immortal Wine, it's also known as 'priceless wine'."

The people from the Western Regions nodded in approval.

As the dishes were served one after another, Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised.

They actually served a piece of frosting as a separate dish.

Although Xiao Ce didn't understand, it was clear that these people from the Western Regions had never seen sugar as white as snow or salt as fine as frost.

I am very interested in everything from fine salt and frosting sugar to these divine wines.

"Your Majesty, where did you get this snow-white frosting? And this fine salt! Did you refine it yourselves?"

Xiao Dingbang nodded and began to boast, "That's right, these are all made using our country's new technology! This frosting sugar and fine salt have countless health benefits..."

Xiao Dingbang, spitting as he spoke, recited the advertising slogans that Xiao Ce had bought to deceive people, and exaggerated the therapeutic effects.

Looking into Xiao Dingbang's eyes, he seemed to believe it without a doubt.

The Western Regions Alliance listened to Xiao Dingbang's words, their eyes darting around.

From their eyes, you could see their greed; they seemed to have their eyes on these things as well.

Xiao Ce had expected this meal to be full of tension.

However, the Western Regions Alliance seems to have changed its tactics and strategies, constantly pandering to and praising the emperor.

This made Xiao Dingbang extremely happy.

There seemed to be an unspoken agreement during the meal: apart from mentioning the border issue at the beginning, it was not brought up again.

After several rounds of drinks, Diliti said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Second Prince has made unparalleled achievements in the northern desert, defeating the Turks. It is conceivable that the Second Prince has many talented people under his command!"

"Today, here, we wonder if it would be permissible for our men to have a friendly spar with the Second Prince's men? To liven things up for everyone?"

When Xiao Yang saw that they were coming towards him, his eyes lit up with excitement.

After all, his subordinates were Xiao Ce's subordinates.

Each of Xiao Ce's men was capable of taking on a hundred men.

Aren't they just asking for trouble?

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce discreetly, as if asking a question.

Xiao Ce gestured to Xiao Yang not to rush.

The emperor, seated in the main seat, listened and then asked Xiao Yang.

"Second brother, how about it? Do you dare to accept the challenge?"

Xiao Yang stood up: "I don't know what we should be competing in. After all, my truly capable subordinates are all in the Northern Desert, and I haven't brought them back. If you ask me to go and call them over now, it'll be too late."

After listening to Xiao Yang's words, Diliti's resolve grew even stronger.

His thinking was simple: he wanted to test what Xiao Xiangqing had said, that Xiao Yang was being controlled by Xiao Ce.

He had just tried to make eye contact with Xiao Ce, and he didn't think that Xiao Ce was really capable of manipulating Xiao Yang from behind the scenes.

Because Xiao Ce hadn't even dared to look him in the eye.

He thought he should give it a try, after all, what if this prince, who had just made an 'unparalleled contribution,' suffered a setback?

That would mean the entire Xiao Kingdom would lose face.

If Xiao Yang doesn't dare to accept the challenge, it will also be bad for the reputation of the Xiao Kingdom.

Therefore, Diliti's thinking was very simple.

Once he speaks, Xiao Yang will only have one path: only by accepting the challenge and achieving victory can Xiao Yang save face for the Xiao Kingdom.

Diliti replied to Xiao Yang, "A competition is nothing more than a martial arts contest. Let's let them compete in martial arts, how about it? Best two out of three. Second Prince, don't be modest. You must have some skilled fighters around you! Of course, if you don't want to lose, then surrendering is half the battle."

As they spoke, they burst into exaggerated laughter.

Xiao Yang glanced at Xiao Ce again, very discreetly.

Xiao Ce placed his hand under the table and made an "OK" gesture.

Xiao Yang immediately smiled and said excitedly, "Diliti, how about we just give up... To be honest, even though my true core elites aren't here, even if I send my guards to fight, you're no match for them. I don't want you to lose face."

"Haha, it's just a friendly spar, there's nothing shameful about it. Of course, if you know you're no match, you don't have to accept the challenge. We just wanted to make the banquet a bit more fun," Diliti said sarcastically.

"Fine... since you've offered yourselves your faces for me to slap... then I won't hold back. But, it's a deal, no getting angry." Xiao Yang's excited voice trembled slightly.

After all, if we're talking about competition, Xiao Ce's men are practically the kings of one-on-one duels.

Now Diliti is practically offering his face to be slapped.

Diliti cupped his hands and said to Xiao Dingbang, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Xiao Dingbang, on the other hand, was listening to many rumors about Xiao Yang. Now, he also wanted to see if Xiao Yang really had the strength.

"Since the second brother has agreed, then you two can have a competition. A competition can also be considered a friendly exchange..."

Xiao Yang said, "Father, my people are all outside the palace. I didn't bring them in. Are you still allowing me to go and call them over?"

Xiao Dingbang nodded and looked at Diliti: "You people from the Western Regions shouldn't have entered the palace either, right?"

Diliti cupped his hands in greeting: "Indeed, all our warriors are in the embassy. If Your Majesty permits, we will go and summon them."

Xiao Dingbang raised his hand in agreement as he spoke.

Xiao Yang then said to Xiao Ce, "Xiao Ce, go and call three people over for me."

Xiao Ce respectfully cupped his hands and looked at Xiao Dingbang.

Xiao Dingbang feigned concern and asked Xiao Yang, "Second brother, how should we send your elder brother?"

Xiao Yang cupped his hands and said, "Father, Xiao Ce knows my subordinates well, so let him make the selection."

Xiao Ce cupped his hands and said, "Father, what the Second Prince said is true... Your son is just about to get some fresh air."

Seeing that Xiao Ce had made the request himself, Xiao Dingbang agreed: "Alright, then go and come back quickly."

Seeing this, Xiao Xiangqing came out and said to Diliti, "Grand Preceptor Diliti, who are you looking for? I'll go and call them for you. After all, I know this place well, and it will be easier for me to come and go."

Diliti understood Xiao Xiangqing's implied meaning and nodded in agreement...

Xiao Dingbang agreed and let the two men go out.

Xiao Ce and Xiao Xiangqing bowed and left.

Xiao Xiangqing followed Xiao Ce as soon as he left.

"Xiao Ce, do you think you've already won?"

Xiao Ce glanced at Xiao Xiangqing.

Xiao Xiangqing said to Xiao Ce, "I know you have many capable people under your command! I've seen them myself! However, this competition was suggested by my uncle. You should know that I'm not the kind of person who seeks death."

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Xiangqing, who had a confident expression, and said, "You mean you're sure to win?"

Xiao Xiangqing smiled and said, "Otherwise what? I know what kind of people are under your command! I know all your trump cards. And how much do you know about mine?"