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

Kan Zongye then asked his family members, "By the way, have the Cai family members come over?"

After Kan Zongye spoke, Liu Xuan and Lin Shou asked curiously, "That's right! How are the Cai family? Have they decided to rebel against that good-for-nothing Xiao Ce?"

A family member nearby spoke up, "It seems they've arrived! As far as we know, it's the second branch of the Cai family! After the news of Cai Tianming's death spread, they also received news of Xiao Ce's offer of surrender. They heard that the eldest branch wanted revenge. Upon hearing about Xiao Ce's situation, the second branch immediately turned against him, killed all the eldest branch members, seized power, and then brought all of the Cai family's treasures to pledge their loyalty to Xiao Ce! However, we didn't see them on the way."

Lin Shou burst into laughter: "Cai Yong from the second branch? I always thought he was a smart man. At least smarter than his elder brother Cai Tianming! I never imagined he was just as stupid as his brother! He tried to curry favor with someone powerful, but ended up currying favor with a lackey, hahaha!"

Lin Shou's words caused the other family heads to burst into laughter.

Liu Xuan continued, "What if that good-for-nothing Xiao Ce takes Cai Yong's benefits and then goes back on his word and refuses to give us the Chanda Commandery?"

"What are you thinking, Patriarch Liu! Xiao Ce did make promises to us before, but it required us to fight on our own. Xiao Ce's goal was to make us fight each other so he could reap the benefits! If he doesn't want to give, then he doesn't want to! You must know that the person behind us now is the current Emperor!"

"Only the three of us received this message! What does that mean? It means the Cai family is no longer recognized by the Emperor. As for how the Cai family's Chanda County will be divided in the future, I think we are all native people of the northern deserts. We can talk about it slowly after that good-for-nothing Xiao Ce dies!"

Kan Zongye followed the group's analysis.

"Yes, yes, yes! Patriarch Kan, you've thought it through! From now on, the four prefectures of the Northern Desert will still have to listen to our three families!"

"Haha, you're right! You're right!"

While these powerful family heads were indulging in their self-indulgence...

Xiao Ce locked himself in his room at his residence and busied himself with his work.

A soft knock came from outside the door.

Hearing the commotion outside, Xiao Ce slowly put down the pen in his hand: "Come in!"

Those who come in are those who have come.

Before he could speak, Xiao Ce asked, "Have they all arrived?"

Qian Lai nodded respectfully: "Your Highness has arrived."

"Nobody saw it, right?"

Qian Lai said, "Besides me, there are several other gentlemen from the Twelve Fiends, but no one knows their identities."

Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction and said, "Alright, let's go see them!"

Qian Lai nodded respectfully.

Xiao Ce stayed in a side hall until late at night before returning.

Early the next morning.

Xiao Ce returned from his exercise early, and the seasonal girls helped him change his clothes.

Today he changed into a dark purple-red python robe.

Xiao Jiu reported from the side: "Your Highness, all the troops have already stationed outside the city. They will take turns entering the city to offer their congratulations."

"From the perspective of the prestigious families and powerful clans, according to the invitation list, not a single one is absent. They are all present!"

"The banquet for the upcoming national celebration is ready. As you instructed, keep everything simple!"

Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction.

"Where is the Princess? Have you gone to inform her?"

Xiao Jiu replied from the side, "The princess will be here soon."

Xiao Ce stood at the door for a short while before he saw Yin Pan'er and Nie Bing coming over.

I saw that Yin Pan'er was also dressed in gorgeous clothes today, which made her look even more beautiful.

As before, Nie Bing was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit.

However, her face seemed somewhat haggard, and she followed behind Yin Pan'er with a frosty expression.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Yin Pan'er stepped forward and bowed obediently to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce smiled and stepped forward to take Yin Pan'er's hand: "Didn't I say that there's no need for you to bow to me... My beloved concubine looks exceptionally beautiful today!"

Yin Pan'er blushed slightly: "Your Highness, please stop teasing me! By the way, where did you go last night? I wanted to come and talk to you about today's state banquet, but I didn't see you."

When he returned yesterday, the girl told Xiao Ce about it.

Yin Pan'er came last night, but after waiting for half an hour, she left when she saw that Xiao Ce had not returned.

Xiao Ce returned too late, so he didn't bother Yin Pan'er.

"Last night, I was doing something very important."

Seeing Yin Pan'er's curious expression, Xiao Ce didn't elaborate: "Pan'er, you'll find out soon enough."

Yin Pan'er was a very sensible woman, so Xiao Ce didn't ask.

She didn't investigate further.

Xiao Ce, holding Yin Pan'er's hand, said, "Alright! It's almost time. We have important things to do today."

Yin Pan'er said with a hint of doubt, "It's just eating and drinking, what's the big deal? To be honest, instead of spending time eating with those people, I'd rather do something practical for the people."

Xiao Ce revealed a meaningful smile: "You don't really think I invited them to dinner, do you?"

Seeing Xiao Ce's words, Yin Pan'er became even more puzzled and asked, "Not to invite them to dinner? Then what is it...?"

Xiao Ce smiled mysteriously and said, "You'll find out soon enough!"

After speaking, Xiao Ce gave Nie Bing a meaningful look.

When Nie Bing saw Xiao Ce glance at her, her brows furrowed slightly, but perhaps because she felt guilty, she didn't dare to meet Xiao Ce's gaze.

...

This time, Xiao Ce held the "Return to the Kingdom" banquet in a square within the Mobei Royal Palace.

This square can accommodate tens of thousands of people at the same time.

It is said that Bao An designed it this way to give people the feeling of an emperor.

The square has been prepared.

The guests sat in a circle around the square.

The seat facing south was where Xiao Ce and the three major families were seated.

After Xiao Ce sat down, Yin Pan'er sat to one side.

I wanted Nie Bing to do it, but she absolutely refused.

Xiao Ce did not insist.

As time went by, people started to come over one by one.

First to arrive were Kan Zongye, his first wife, and his four children.

After they came over to pay their respects, Xiao Jiu had them sit down in the agreed-upon seats.

Following closely behind were Lin Shou and Liu Xuan.

They were all assigned positions.

After they sat down, they found that more than half of the seats were still empty.

It was obvious that other families had also come.

However, they couldn't imagine that anyone in the northern desert was qualified to sit with them.

After all, other prominent families have already taken their seats one after another.

However, Xiao Ce did not speak, and they were all shrewd enough not to ask.

After all, what they were thinking was very simple: to attend this so-called "national banquet" as soon as possible and then leave this place.

Once they leave this place, they will no longer be subject to Xiao Ce's constraints and threats.

Looking at the expressions of these people, Xiao Ce could see a hint of disdain in their subconscious and micro-expressions.

"Esteemed family heads, do you know which distinguished guests I have invited to the remaining seats?" Xiao Ce said with a smile.

The three family heads looked at each other, but none of them spoke.

Seeing that they did not speak, Xiao Ce said to Kan Zongye, "Patriarch Kan, why don't you take a guess first?"

Kan Zongye glanced at the other two families subconsciously, then stood up, bowed respectfully, and replied, "Your Highness, this humble subject does not know."

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "I'll let you guess!"

Although Xiao Ce said it with a smile, everyone sensed a hint of threat in his voice.

"Then I dare to guess that it's a member of the Cai family!"

Upon hearing Kan Zongye's words, Xiao Ce laughed and slapped the table, then said, "Haha, Patriarch Kan, look! You still say you don't know! You clearly know, yet you're still so modest!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ce said to Xiao Jiu beside him, "Go and invite Cai Yong, the head of the Cai family, over here!"

Xiao Jiu nodded and took a few steps: "Summon Cai Yong, Head of the Cai Family!"

A short while later, Cai Yong arrived with a line of horse-drawn carriages.

There were hundreds of horse-drawn carriages.

Cai Yong, with his body hunched over, walked over in small, quick steps until he reached Xiao Ce.

"This humble subject, Cai Yong, pays his respects to Your Highness! I wish the King of the Northern Desert a long life, a long life, a long life!"

After looking at Cai Yong, Xiao Ce said, "If I'm not mistaken, you are from the second branch of the Cai family."

Cai Yong remained prostrate on the ground: "Your Highness, it is indeed me. My elder brother, Cai Tianming, colluded with the Turks, a crime deserving death. Your Highness was merciful and sent a letter, hoping to spare our lives. However, those from the eldest branch of the family remained obstinate and attempted to lead an army in rebellion! Upon learning of this, I immediately captured the traitors for Your Highness and executed them all."

"Furthermore, the main branch of the family was found to possess three million taels of gold, twenty million taels of silver, and countless pieces of jewelry! All their property has been confiscated, registered, and is here! Please accept this, Your Highness!"

Xiao Ce was genuinely shocked. He thought Bao An was rich enough, but he didn't expect these powerful noble families to be even richer.

"Good! You have so much money! This is all the hard-earned money of the people! Cai Yong, you have rendered meritorious service as a traitor! And since you are a member of the Cai family, I don't like the practice of collective punishment. I hereby appoint you as the head of the Cai family and allow you to continue to lead the Cai family. What do you think?"

Cai Yong bowed and said, "Your Highness, I obey! I kneel to thank Your Highness for your divine grace!"

Xiao Ce asked, "Did you bring your families?"

Cai Yong bowed, then gave a signal, and the group came over.

As these people approached, a look of disdain flashed across Kan Zongye's and his companions' faces.

The members of the second branch of the Cai family all knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Cai Yong continued, “Your Highness, today is your grand day of ‘returning to the kingdom.’ I’ve heard that Your Highness is kind-hearted and has taken in 300,000 disaster victims. I thought to myself, Your Highness has neither gold nor silver! In Chanda County, one million shi of grain has been urgently requisitioned to provide for Your Highness’s disaster victims and soldiers in their urgent need!”

Xiao Ce listened to Cai Yong's words and said, "Very well! Patriarch Cai Yong is very thoughtful. I will accept your 'welcoming the country' gift! Please, take a seat!"

After the Cai family members sat down, Xiao Ce looked at Kan Zongye and the others on the side, because they had all come empty-handed.

Kan Zongye and the others also looked grim!

Xiao Ce didn't mince words and asked directly, "Clan Head Cai Yong has gone to such lengths. I haven't even asked you yet, what 'welcoming gifts' have you clan heads prepared for me?"