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

Diliti's words caused an uproar among the audience.

Everyone started whispering among themselves.

Xiao Ce was also somewhat surprised upon hearing this, and his eyes began to scrutinize Xiao Dingbang.

Although Xiao Dingbang pretended to have a furrowed brow, it wasn't surprising to see him like that.

Xiao Ce vaguely guessed what was going on.

Xiao Xiangqing then feigned concern, saying, "Uncle... never mind, maybe we shouldn't say anything more... You... you promised me..."

Before Xiao Xiangqing could finish speaking, Diliti interrupted, "Eighth Prince, you saw it too. Second Prince, he insulted us like this. You can stand it, but I can't!"

Xiao Dingbang asked, "Diliti, what exactly happened at Yumen Pass?"

Watching them act, Xiao Ce quietly observed their performance.

Diliti said, "Your Majesty, the Yumen Pass Incident was entirely caused by a mutiny. Your King Xiao Dingshan, the commander of your state, allied with the garrison at Yumen Pass and approached our Western Regions Alliance, asking us to support them in establishing a kingdom at Yumen Pass, and then to join us in dividing up your Xiao Kingdom!"

"At that time, they had already begun to rebel and establish their own country. Our Western Regions Alliance has always maintained a very good relationship with the Xiao Kingdom! As the Second Prince said, I am also the Second Prince's uncle. My heart is naturally with you."

"Therefore, since we didn't know the situation in your country or what the internal situation of your Xiao Kingdom was like, we didn't inform you. We first pretended to reach an agreement with them. Then, we took the opportunity to launch an attack on them when they were passing through Yumen Pass."

"We helped you clear out the rebels, and we didn't know how many allied rebels King Zhenguo had. We just helped you occupy the Yumen Pass. So, we're not rebels at all. We entered the pass to defend the king and quell the rebellion!"

"If I hadn't stood against the majority in the Western Regions Alliance and eliminated those who wanted to betray your Xiao Kingdom, how could you be here criticizing us now?"

After hearing Dilit's words, Xiao Ce revealed a meaningful smile.

They really are shameless; they can truly turn black into white.

They're portraying the invasion as a pilgrimage to the capital to defend the emperor.

Xiao Dingbang looked at Xiao Xiangqing and asked, "Eighth Brother, are you aware of this matter?"

Xiao Xiangqing nodded: "Your Majesty, I understand!"

"Then why didn't you report this to me?"

Xiao Xiangqing cupped his hands and said, "Before, because the rebel king Xiao Dingshan was not dead, I was afraid that there would be other changes. Later, although the rebel king Xiao Dingshan died, the second prince returned, and he was helping the rebel king openly and secretly. I was afraid that the second prince might be colluding with the rebel king."

Diliti interrupted, "Your Majesty, I asked the Eighth Prince not to mention this for now. After all, I was afraid of unforeseen circumstances. I was planning to find an opportunity to tell Your Majesty after I arrived."

“However, the Second Prince has slandered us so much today. We cannot do good deeds and then be slandered by you! Moreover, seeing the Second Prince targeting us at every turn, I even suspect that this Second Prince has some kind of relationship with your traitorous king... He is so hostile towards us.”

Xiao Yang immediately retorted, "Bullshit! My hostility towards you stems entirely from your invasion of our country. Besides, you claim to be helping us, but is that really true? It's not just based on your words. You need to provide evidence!"

Diliti snorted coldly: "Even if I had evidence, I wouldn't give it to you. Your Majesty, I am naturally referring to evidence. I will present it all to you after this banquet."

Xiao Dingbang nodded in agreement: "Good! If it is true, as you say, then I will certainly thank you properly."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Yin Weiyong: "Prime Minister Yin, you should come over with us later."

At Xiao Ce's behest, Xiao Yang said, "Father, I also wish to participate."

Diliti spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty, anyone can participate. But it won't do if he comes. I have doubts about him, I strongly suspect that he is in cahoots with the traitorous king."

"You bastard, you betray your father!" Xiao Yang cursed loudly.

Xiao Dingbang rebuked from the side, "Second Prince, please watch your words. I will naturally judge who is right and who is wrong!"

Then, turning to Yin Weiyong, he said, "The entire group you organized, along with the people who received the delegation, will participate together."

Then he looked at Xing Shoulu, the head of the Penal Division.

"Lord Xing, why don't you join us?"

Speaking of the emperor, he dismissed everyone.

Xiao Yang didn't say anything more.

After he left the palace with Xiao Ce.

"Brother, if it weren't for your persuasion earlier... I would have given them a good scolding. Why did you stop me? We clearly won, but that Diliti changed the subject and no one cared about the competition anymore. We put in so much effort, didn't we win for nothing?"

Looking at Xiao Yang's indignant expression.

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "Originally, there was no prize involved in this competition, so winning would be a free win."

Looking at Xiao Ce's expression, Xiao Yang was somewhat surprised: "Brother, aren't you angry? They're still smearing the King of Zhen. This time, it's obvious they're going to throw all the blame on him... After all, the dead can't speak."

Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "What's there to be angry about? When the King of Zhen was still alive, would I care? Now that the King of Zhen is dead, death is the end! Let them jump around, they won't be able to for long! I'd like to see what kind of show they're putting on!"

"Besides, we don't need to rush. That dog emperor Xiao Dingshan just wants to smear the King of Zhen! Once he's used them up, they'll definitely turn on us for the sake of Yumen Pass's interests. After all, aren't all the counties and cities of Yumen Pass Xiao's territory? If we wait a while, they'll eventually turn on each other..."

Xiao Yang nodded and said, "Brother, you're right... So, what are we going to do next?"

Xiao Ce's gaze sharpened as he said, "There are naturally more important things to do next..."

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce expectantly and asked, "Brother, is there anything I can do for you?"

Xiao Ce beckoned to Xiao Yang and whispered a few words.

Xiao Yang listened intently, his eyes wide.

After listening, Xiao Yang stopped the carriage and hurriedly got off.

Xiao Ce looked at Da Lei, who was riding a horse to the side, looking preoccupied.

"Da Lei, come up here for a moment."

Da Lei nodded upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, then dismounted and boarded the carriage.

"Da Lei, did you see that instructor you mentioned just now?"

Da Lei shook his head: "Your Highness, no. I'm sorry to disappoint you. This time, it was all thanks to your own heroic efforts that we didn't lose the competition..."

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "What's there to be disappointed about? I knew you couldn't win. My actions are nothing special. To be honest, in the time we've been training together, even without a gun, that person is still no match for me."

Da Lei nodded: "Your Highness, you're right. You came to see me because..."

Xiao Ce said to Da Lei, "Go find Qian Dafang. This time, along with the weapons, Yan Jia has sent a team of one hundred men. You take over those men, then assemble our one hundred-man guard team, and select a team of ten men from them. Then, you will be in command and have them carry out the mission to capture the generals who are trusted confidants of the King of Zhen in the Western Regions delegation."

Da Lei nodded: "Yes, Your Highness. However, because that instructor is here... I'm afraid I might mess things up at a crucial moment..."

Xiao Ce patted Da Lei on the shoulder: "I believe in you. You don't need to be too nervous. They definitely value that instructor more than you! So, they won't let him make a move rashly."

"Besides, to be honest, I'm worried he won't show up. You should bring some special forces with you and equip them all with flintlock rifles. If that damn instructor dares to show his face, take him down in a second."

When Da Lei heard Xiao Ce say this, his eyes lit up immediately.

"Yes, that's right! How come I didn't think of that! Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness! I understand now!"

Hearing Da Lei's words, Xiao Ce asked in a daze, "What do you know?"

Da Lei said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, didn't you want me to use myself as bait to lure that person out?"

Xiao Ce paused for a moment, gave a wry smile, and then said, "You're really overthinking this. I didn't mean that. I just wanted you to go and capture those who betrayed Uncle Jiu! As for that instructor, I'm not too worried about him!"

After a pause, Xiao Ce said, "Don't even think about using yourself as bait. You're very important to me! It's not worth it at all. Go and use yourself as bait to lure that instructor out. Once I find out what really happened at Yumen Pass, I can take appropriate measures. So, first, bring me a few prisoners."

A look of gratitude flashed in Da Lei's eyes, and he nodded, saying, "Yes, Your Highness, I will do it right away."