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

Xiao Yang arrived at the entrance of Qian's Hot Pot Restaurant in a horse-drawn carriage and stopped.

He looked around at the Qianjia Hot Pot restaurant.

Qianjia Hot Pot Restaurant is a five-story wooden loft, and it was packed with people at the moment.

A long queue formed at the entrance.

Xiao Yang was somewhat surprised when he saw this scene.

"Business is so good here!"

Fu Yao nodded: "That's right. The prices here aren't expensive. The first floor is for ordinary people to use in the main hall, so the prices here are cheaper. The private rooms and VIP seats upstairs are more expensive, but even though they are more expensive, they are still about the same price as ordinary restaurants."

"Because of its unique flavor, this hot pot restaurant is always packed with customers. Anyone who comes to Kyoto will definitely order from Qianjia Hot Pot..."

Xiao Yang nodded: "As expected of my royal brother, he can do everything to the best of his ability... Even when he runs a restaurant, he manages to make it unique. This ability is indeed not something that just anyone can have."

Fu Yao smiled and nodded, then looked at Xiao Yang.

Seeing Fu Yao's gaze, Xiao Yang asked in confusion, "Fu Yao, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Your Highness, I just can't see how much you've changed!"

Xiao Yang asked with some confusion, "Changes? What changes?"

Fu Yao said to Xiao Yang, "It's about your attitude towards the King of Mobei..."

Xiao Yang nodded: "Of course... If you follow him, you will definitely be convinced by his abilities... He is really extraordinary."

Fu Yao nodded: "That's right!"

As soon as they arrived at the door, a friendly waiter called out loudly, "Honored guests! Welcome!"

Fuyao replied, "It's a private room, arranged by the manager."

Upon hearing this, the waiter immediately invited them over with even greater enthusiasm.

This is an old-fashioned elevator that leads upstairs; it would be more accurate to describe it as a human-powered ladder.

After all, this elevator was pulled by manpower using a set of wheels.

Xiao Yang felt like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, but since there were outsiders present, he didn't say anything.

After the elevator smoothly reached the fifth floor.

There were dedicated waiters on the fifth floor who invited us in.

Unlike the bustling ground floor, going up to the fifth floor feels like entering a completely different place.

It was unusually quiet here.

Xiao Yang didn't know how they did it.

As I passed through the various private rooms, I was struck by the unparalleled quiet.

I can't hear anything from inside.

I don't know how they did it.

Led by the waiter, we walked to a private room at the very back.

I knocked gently on the door, and it opened.

There's also an entrance hall here, so even if you stand at the door, you can't see the people inside the private room.

It's clear that they take privacy very seriously here.

In particular, unless it is arranged by prior agreement, it is impossible to go up to the fifth floor.

Even if an ordinary person wanted to give way, they wouldn't be able to get up if the elevator wasn't allowed to be used.

After entering the house, Xiao Yang thought that everyone was waiting for him.

As a result, he came alone.

He glanced at the waiter in the private room with a puzzled look: "King Anyang, please wait a moment. King Mobei and Manager Qian are having tea over there. I will go and inform them right away."

Xiao Yang nodded very politely.

He stood there respectfully, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent.

A short while later, Xiao Ce and Qian Dafang arrived.

"Brother...why have you come?" Xiao Yang said excitedly when he saw Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yang, "Tell me, why did I come? It's because I was worried about you."

Xiao Yang smiled and then said, "My imperial brother is still the best..."

Upon hearing Xiao Yang's slightly coquettish words, Xiao Ce immediately rolled his eyes.

As he spoke, Xiao Yang greeted Qian Dafang again.

Despite his large business, Qian Dafang is not arrogant at all.

Upon seeing Xiao Yang, one should kneel down and pay respects.

Seeing this, Xiao Yang was startled and quickly stopped him: "No...no...no...Boss Qian, you are my brother's friend, so you are my friend too...I can't accept this..."

Seeing that Qian Dafang was still being polite, Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "Alright, enough with the pretense... Aren't you hungry? Please sit down."

After Xiao Ce sat down, he had Gulimiza sit on one side of him, while Hu Yidao and Da Lei sat on the other side.

Qian Dafang and Xiao Yang sat down on either side of the two men.

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Yang's steward, Fu Yao, who was still standing to the side.

He then called out, "Xiao Yang, why are you making your butler stand? Sit down..."

Seeing that Fuyao was about to decline.

Xiao Yang quickly said, "Fuyao, you don't understand! My brother has a rule when eating hot pot: there are no distinctions of rank at the hot pot table."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Fu Yao, please sit down. Everyone here is one of us... Those who know me know that as long as you're one of us, there aren't many rules. Everyone is equal!"

Fuyao then sat down somewhat nervously.

As Xiao Ce spoke, he invited everyone to start eating.

Gulimiza had eaten with Xiao Ce a few times when they were in the Western Regions.

Although this hot pot wasn't as professional as it is now.

Xiao Ce then asked Xiao Yang, "How are you doing in the palace?"

Xiao Yang, who was still full of doubts, recounted everything that had happened after he entered the palace.

Xiao Ce was still somewhat surprised after hearing Xiao Wenqin's attitude.

He was even more puzzled after hearing about his mother, Consort Hui's, actions.

After Xiao Yang finished speaking, he asked Xiao Ce, "Brother, what do you think this is all about?"

"I don't think Xiao Wenqin is that cunning... After all, we all know that this throne was given to him by that scoundrel emperor..."

Xiao Ce's gaze sharpened as he said, "He's not a fool... so he must know this. That Xiao Wenqin is definitely not a good person!"

Seeing Xiao Yang staring at him, Xiao Ce asked, "Why are you looking at me like that, kid?"

Xiao Yang smiled and said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, I always thought you and Xiao Wenqin had a good relationship... I never expected that you..."

Before Xiao Yang could finish speaking, Xiao Ce interrupted, "Times have changed! And could your mother be being monitored?"

Xiao Yang nodded in agreement: "That's very possible...after all, those eunuchs and palace maids have been replaced...but if they were being monitored, they would be constantly by their side. Those eunuchs and palace maids also seem to be some kind of ruthless characters."

“I’ve been alone with my mother for a long time, and I’m absolutely certain that no one is watching me… She could hear me even if I say something, right? If she hears me say something… wouldn’t I know immediately?”

"However, he didn't say... so I think the possibility of him monitoring me is unlikely..."

After listening, Xiao Ce nodded: "It seems there's more to the story in Kyoto than meets the eye... Are there any other unusual occurrences?"

Xiao Yang was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "That's all! Brother, what should I do next?"

Xiao Ce asked Xiao Yang, "Did they mention anything about the northern desert?"

Xiao Yang was taken aback at first: "No, Your Highness, isn't the Northern Desert your territory? What's there to say..."

Then he slapped his forehead: "Brother, look at me. I forgot about this... To outsiders, the Northern Desert is my territory."

As he spoke, Xiao Yang said with a look of surprise, "Right, why didn't Xiao Wenqin come to ask me? Or is it that Xiao Wenqin doesn't trust what I say at all...? I can sense that he still thinks you're not a good-for-nothing..."

Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter. Whether he believes me or not is irrelevant. They can't get any information from the northern desert."

"He might not have come to his senses yet. If he comes to you with this, just use the same excuse, saying that the Turks are also eyeing us covetously... If he insists, just agree first. After you agree, will you still have the final say?"

Xiao Yang listened and nodded.

"So, should I stay here from now on?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "The dog emperor's funeral is less than seven days away. We'll see if the other princes make any moves then... Once the funeral is over, I'll have Nanxi send troops to make a show of it... Then I'll send you over!"

Xiao Yang asked, "Then, Your Majesty, what is the purpose of my visit?"

Xiao Ce said, "Firstly, it's to fulfill your filial duty..."

Before Xiao Ce could finish speaking, Xiao Yang cursed, "Brother, give it to that dog of an emperor? Forget it... What kind of filial piety is this... I wish I could tear his corpse to pieces..."

Seeing Xiao Yang's anxious expression, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "When I said 'filial piety,' I meant it for your mother... not for that dog of an emperor. In the next few days, try to find another opportunity to contact your mother. If she still ignores you, then there's nothing more you can do. Staying here too long might get you into trouble..."

"Originally, it seemed like you still had some chance if they started fighting. However, judging from their behavior, it's clear they don't want to fight. So, what's likely to happen next is a split, followed by each taking over a territory."

"If a fight doesn't break out, there's no point in it for you. However, your trip wasn't in vain. Your ability to travel a thousand miles to attend a funeral has earned you high praise from both officials and common people... This proves that your trip wasn't wasted..."

"Do you want to be emperor someday?"

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce and chuckled, "Big brother, if you want to be the one, I definitely won't... but if you don't want to be the one, it's not impossible for me to take the role."

Listening to Xiao Yang's words, Xiao Ce thought, "This kid has really learned to talk; he's quite articulate about it..."

"From now on, just do as I say and try your best to be a good son and a good older brother. Specifically, follow my instructions... remember to cultivate a certain persona..."

"Your current situation is actually quite similar to the initial relationship between Siu Ting-pong and Siu Ting-shan..."

Xiao Yang gave a bitter smile and said, "Brother, is that a kind word?"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "Of course! At least now, the people still believe that Uncle Jiu did not rebel... Such a positive image. Anyway, you do it, and I'll have Qian Dafang help you build momentum in the public opinion."

Qian Dafang patted his chest and said, "Your Highness, leave this to me. I will arrange everything perfectly for you!"

Xiao Yang felt a bit apprehensive at this moment.

"Brother, tell me, if I gain everyone's favor here, and everyone says I'm good... do you think... the emperor might become wary of me... and perhaps even try to kill me?"

Upon hearing Xiao Yang's words, Xiao Ce subconsciously burst out laughing: "Hahaha, you kid, you've really improved again! You even know how to avoid suspicion and keep a low profile now... You know, before you were the kind of person who was afraid your farts wouldn't be loud enough! Not bad, not bad! You've improved, you've improved!"

When Xiao Yang heard Xiao Ce say this, he smiled awkwardly, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt that what Xiao Ce said was not wrong, that was exactly the case.

"Brother, I've followed you for so long. If I can't even learn something this simple, you won't think much of me, won't you?"

Xiao Ce nodded with a smile, then said, "That's right! But this time, you don't need to avoid suspicion... I deliberately put you in the spotlight!"

Xiao Yang's eyes widened after hearing this, his face full of embarrassment, clearly not understanding what Xiao Ce meant.

"Brother, what do you mean by this?"

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yang, "What do you mean? Didn't you understand?"

Xiao Yang nodded. At this moment, he admitted that he didn't understand, but he didn't pretend to.

Xiao Ce said, "I did this to build momentum for you. It was Xiao Wenqin who invited you back. Among all the princes outside, Xiao Wenqin summoned so many princes, but none of them returned. You are the only one who came back!"

“You’re not only the only one who returned! Moreover, you wield power! In fact, you could say you have the greatest military power. Previously, you were also the emperor’s favorite. Doesn’t that make you loyal and righteous?”

"When the time comes, do whatever they ask you to do... even if they ask you to suppress those rebels, you can just agree on the surface."

Xiao Yang nodded, though he had some doubts, he didn't interrupt.

"Once you agree, there's no need to fight. Just use the excuse of an unavoidable division to negotiate! At that time, both ministers and common people will praise you."

"What I want is for someone to be unable to resist taking action against you! Once they do, then you've truly made the right trip! You'll definitely be on the side of justice! No matter what you do then, no one will say a word... Even if you go and become a mercenary, no one will criticize you!"

"Of course, even if no one lays a hand on you, you've still gained some fame. When you leave, you'll have a good reputation, so the trip won't have been in vain!"

"Brother, haven't you always opposed my rebellion? Are you trying to make me rebel now?"