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

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Ce walked in arm in arm, very warmly.

This scene left everyone watching dumbfounded; they didn't remember the two of them being this familiar!

Xiao Zhan was so enthusiastic because Bi Han had mentioned it beforehand.

However, Xiao Ce's overly enthusiastic manner made Bi Han feel that something was amiss.

They don't understand.

However, those who knew Xiao Ce well understood that every unusual action he took had a reason.

So, Xiao Ce's unusual behavior must have some purpose.

At this moment, Xiao Zhan didn't think anything of it. After entering the house, Xiao Ce asked the tea master who had been prepared to start brewing tea.

These tea masters were all trained among the twenty-four solar term girls in the Northern Desert Royal Palace.

Those seasonal girls all possessed a special skill, based on Xiao Ce's advice.

Some learned tea ceremony, others learned dancing, poetry...

In any case, each skill has its own specialty.

In the Northern Desert Royal Palace, the seasonal maidens have a special academy where they train all kinds of maidens.

Of course, the review process here is extremely strict.

After Xiao Ce had Xiao Zhan sit down, he said to Bi Han, "Lord Bi, please sit down as well."

Bi Han was somewhat surprised to see that Xiao Ce also recognized him, but he remained very calm, simply bowing and sitting down.

After they sat down, Xiao Ce waved his hand gently, and some people began to light incense, while others began to play the zither.

They worked in coordination with the tea master to prepare the tea.

It looks so elegant...it's really too elegant...

Xiao Ce then said to Xiao Zhan, "Ninth Brother, this is the only place we have. We'll just have to make do. If we were at the Northern Desert Prince's Mansion, I could have provided much better hospitality."

Xiao Zhan quickly said, "Brother, that's already very good! I'm actually a rather rough man, and I'm not very good at these refined things."

Xiao Ce chuckled and chimed in, "Haha, you'll get used to it. Actually, life's only once, so enjoy it while you can..."

Xiao Zhan smiled and nodded in agreement. Then the tea master placed the prepared tea in front of him.

After taking a closer sniff, his eyes brightened slightly.

"Brother, although I don't know much about tea, I can tell this tea is good just by smelling it!"

After smelling it, Bi Han's eyes widened.

"Your Highness, I wonder where this tea is from? It has such a wonderful fragrance. The aroma is so refreshing and invigorating..."

Xiao Ce said, "That's right. This tea was imported from India. Although the Northern Desert Royal Palace was desolate before, it was mostly mountainous. However, the climate there is extremely suitable for growing this tea. This is the first year of planting this tea, so it can be considered the first batch of tea. You guys are lucky; even I am drinking it for the first time."

Bi Han nodded repeatedly: "Your Highness truly has discerning eyes, being able to find such a good thing and spread it widely."

Xiao Ce refused to be flattered, smiling and waving his hand: "Compared to you, sir, I'm not that amazing... I've found dozens, even hundreds, of varieties of tea trees and had the people plant them. I'm subsidizing them all; only the varieties that can adapt here will be successful..."

Bi Han nodded: "Your Highness, it seems that you are indeed investing, but in the long run, once this tea can be mass-produced, it will definitely be an industry that can support the local people and even make them rich! Your Highness, you are truly brilliant! Absolutely brilliant."

"Haha, sir, you're too modest... Our local specialty isn't just tea; we also have workshops and mining operations... You've seen that along the way, haven't you? The entire Northern Desert Royal Palace is currently in dire need of rebuilding..."

Xiao Ce was also very talkative, and as they chatted, he ended up talking to Bi Han.

Bi Han originally didn't intend to speak, but Xiao Ce seemed to have no airs at all, and the two of them chatted and chatted until they actually started talking.

Because the topics Xiao Ce brought up were all things he was interested in.

Seeing that the topic had gone seriously off track, Xiao Zhan coughed lightly.

Bi Han only then realized that he had been led astray by Xiao Ce without anyone noticing, and he was even enjoying it.

He couldn't help but feel that Xiao Ce was no ordinary person.

Xiao Ce always had a smiling expression and casually changed the subject.

At this moment, seeing Xiao Zhan cough lightly, he smiled and said, "I've gone off on a tangent... After talking so much nonsense, I still haven't asked Ninth Brother, what brings you all here from so far away? It must be something important."

Xiao Zhan nodded, not beating around the bush: "Brother, that's right! To be honest, I don't come here unless I have a reason. I really do have something quite serious to discuss with you this time."

"You know what happened in the Central Plains of Xiao Kingdom, right?"

Xiao Ce smiled, neither saying he knew nor that he didn't.

I only mentioned that I knew a little bit about it.

Xiao Zhan patiently explained the situation in the Central Plains, including the Slavic Empire's support for them and the sale of weapons.

He recounted everything, including the events involving the people of Fusang.

Xiao Ce listened very attentively. He actually knew everything about it, but the way he was behaving was something he had never heard before.

After Xiao Zhan finished explaining the situation over there.

Xiao Ce asked, "So, Ninth Brother, what brings you here this time? Just tell me, and if it's something I can help with... I'll definitely help you."

Seeing Xiao Ce's confident expression, Xiao Zhan smiled and said, "That's good, that's good... Then I'll get straight to the point. We were just thinking that you might be able to reach an agreement with the Slavs to temporarily stop fighting and allow them to pass through your area."

"Although we know perfectly well that these Slavs aren't exactly saints, but... when faced with two evils, choose the lesser. We'll definitely choose the lesser one..."

Xiao Ce already knew their purpose, but he still frowned deeply.

“This… Ninth Brother, I also want to help you, but it’s not that I, as your elder brother, won’t help you. To be honest, I really don’t want to fight them. After all, as I said, our Northern Desert Prince’s Mansion is in dire need of rebuilding, and everything needs to be done… We don’t want to get involved in a war that has no purpose.”

"So, we've already talked with those Slavic people. We were willing to cooperate with them... But, as you've seen along the way, those bastards went back on their word and ambushed us..."

"Taking advantage of our unpreparedness, they've almost conquered one-fifth of the Turkic territory. War is war, but that's not the worst part. Those damned bastards actually used all their artillery shells to turn this land upside down... For years, no plants will be able to grow on this land that's been bombed... Isn't this a tactic that's utterly suicidal?"

"If we hadn't come up with a surprising tactic this time, you wouldn't have needed to come. They could have easily crippled us!"

Xiao Zhan's expression turned extremely ugly after hearing this. He was indeed reckless, but he wasn't stupid.

Xiao Ce had laid so much groundwork; it was clear he intended to refuse.

"Brother, their actions are truly despicable... However, please consider the bigger picture. Those scoundrels may be despicable, but it wouldn't be bad if we used their abilities to attack the Fusang Kingdom..."

"Of course, brother, if you really don't want to... then I can't force you."

Xiao Ce still wore a troubled expression.

Then Bi Han gave Xiao Zhan a wink, and Xiao Zhan began to speak: "Brother, I was actually forced into this so-called emperor position... In truth, I know my own limitations. The reason I did this was to protect my own little territory... I also did it for the good of the people, to prevent those Japanese pirates from occupying our land..."

"Actually, I've seen a lot along the way, and I've realized that you are the one who truly deserves to be the master of Xiao Kingdom... Therefore, my request for you to make peace with the Slavs is also for the sake of the bigger picture! Brother, if you don't mind, we can cooperate. I'm even willing to follow your lead."

"After all, the current situation is truly heartbreaking... It pains me to see it like this. In fact, we all know very well that if we continue like this, whether it's Xiao Xiangqing, me, or even Xiao Tao who is supported by the Japanese, our Xiao Kingdom's empire will be destroyed sooner or later... As long as it's for the good of the Xiao Kingdom, I'll do anything."

Seeing that Xiao Zhan had finally gotten to the point, Xiao Ce quickly chimed in, "Ninth Brother, if I still disagree after you put it that way, I'd be a bit of an animal! No problem, I'll listen to you! But don't mention blindly following my lead! I know my own limitations! I haven't even managed my own little plot of land well..."

Xiao Zhan was about to explain further, "It's not, Your Majesty, you..."

But after saying a couple of sentences, he came to his senses and realized that Xiao Ce had agreed.

"Brother, you mean... you agree... you agree to let the Slavs pass through!"

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "You've already said all that... if I still disagree, wouldn't I be a bit ungrateful? Besides, what you said makes sense, so for your sake, I should agree."

Xiao Ce's straightforwardness left Xiao Zhan and Bi Han somewhat bewildered, as they had originally planned to talk their way out of it when they arrived.

However, Xiao Zhan had prepared many words, but he only used one set of words before Xiao Ce agreed.

Xiao Zhan couldn't help but ask Xiao Ce, "Brother, I'm being blunt... please don't mind..."

Xiao Ce maintained his usual honest and harmless smile: "Just say what you want to say. You keep calling me 'Royal Brother,' you don't treat me like an outsider..."

Xiao Zhan glanced at Bi Han and saw that Bi Han did not stop him.

Xiao Zhan then asked, "Brother, why? Actually, we have absolutely no relationship. We haven't even exchanged a single word before... and you just agreed to this?"

Xiao Ce gave a wry smile at first, then began to act with a serious expression: "Ninth Brother, do you know? There are as many princes in the palace as there are princes who have bullied me, except for you! Although you've never spoken to me, you've never bullied me! In that respect, you surpass 99% of the people in the palace..."

"That's why I've always kept a grateful heart. I've always admired your personality; you can be so free on the battlefield, you can do so many things you want to do... I've always wanted to be your friend, but I've never had the chance!"

"But I was incredibly excited when you came to visit me this time. And your repeated use of 'Royal Brother' really made me feel the warmth of blood ties..."

...

Xiao Ce kept getting sentimental, and the person playing the zither beside him also cooperated with Xiao Ce's sentimental words, accompanied by very sentimental music.

"Ninth Brother, our country is now shattered, and the brothers of our Xiao family are scattered. If you can call me Imperial Brother, I am willing to risk my life for you! Just say the word, and I will hand over my Northern Desert Prince's Mansion to the Slavs without hesitation!"

"In this world, everything is fake. Although we are half-siblings, we both have the blood of the Xiao family flowing in our veins! I believe that my brothers are everything to me!"

As Xiao Ce spoke, he once again unleashed his talent as an orator.

If these words were said in normal circumstances, they would definitely sound very fake.

But in this situation, the emotions were also stirred.

These words were just right...

This made even the iron-willed Xiao Zhan's eyes redden.

Hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Zhan felt deep self-reproach and guilt.

“Brother…you’re right! Brotherly love is the only true bond! I’ve always believed that too…but some people don’t think so! To be honest, I came here before with ulterior motives. But at this moment, I truly acknowledge you as my elder brother! From the bottom of my heart!”

Upon hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Bi Han's face twitched.

Fortunately, Xiao Ce's personality seems to be similar to Xiao Zhan's.

"Good brother! Let's go have a good meal first. I've prepared something for you: authentic hot pot and the famous Immortal Wine. We'll drink until we drop..."

Xiao Zhan replied excitedly, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say, Big Brother."

Gulimiza watched the two walk out arm in arm, and she was a little confused.

Xiao Zhan has truly fallen in love; he's taken it seriously.

However, having been in contact with Xiao Ce for so long, Gulimiza believed that she understood Xiao Ce very well.

Xiao Ce is still acting at this moment.

Gulimiza had not yet revealed his true purpose.

This doesn't quite fit Xiao Ce's personality!

Gulimiza was quite clear about one thing: Xiao Ce was definitely planning to play the long game...