Isolated town in northern border region

After settling things off on the grasslands, Xiao Lie didn't rest; he immediately turned his attention to dealing with the Cui family.

Among the war orphans of the Snow Eagle tribe, several people identified the Cui family's caravan.

They witnessed the Cui family steward handing over chests of armor and swords to Agula.

Xiao Lie instructed Zhou Xun to record the testimonies of these witnesses one by one, have them sign and bind them into a book.

"Your Highness, shall we make our move now?"

Zhou Xun asked.

Xiao Lie shook his head.

"No rush, let the eldest prince make his move first."

"Thank you for making this trip again. You're the only one in my team who can do this job."

Zhou Xun raised the corners of his mouth arrogantly.

"The prince has many fierce generals under his command, but who else but me can do this kind of job that requires brains?"

Xiao Lie glanced at Zhou Xun with some surprise.

Wow! Are workplace PUA tactics really that effective on a proud and arrogant guy like Zhou Xun?

That very night, Zhou Xun, now brimming with energy, set off.

In just eight days, he traveled from the northern frontier to the capital and delivered the letter to the eldest prince.

When the eldest prince, Xiao Yu, received the letter, he was drinking alone in the Eastern Palace.

After reading the letter, he remained silent for a moment, then smiled.

"The Cui family...men, prepare the sedan chair!"

"This prince is going to the Cui residence."

As soon as Xiao Yu entered the Cui family's house, without saying a word, she threw the evidence that Xiao Lie had collected at the face of Cui Qi, the head of the Cui family.

Cui Qi flipped through the pages one by one, sweating profusely and turning pale.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this evidence alone is enough to warrant the execution of the entire Cui family!

"Your Highness, how did you obtain these...things?"

Xiao Yu picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip.

"Your Cui family is far too careless in handling this matter. How could you leave behind so much evidence in a deal that could lead to execution!"

"Fortunately, I had someone planted by Xiao Lie's side who quickly sent a message to remind me."

"Roughly speaking, Xiao Lie's memorial should arrive in about two days."

Cui Qi wiped away his sweat and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Fortunately, there's still room for maneuver."

"What advice does Your Highness have for me?"

"If you can save my Cui family from this dire situation, our entire family will follow your lead without question!"

Xiao Yu put down her teacup and tilted her head back.

"It's simple."

"Just throw out a scapegoat, and secretly give up some assets to shut Xiao Lie up."

"Xiao Lie is now supporting the five prefectures of the Northern Frontier on his own. He's so poor he's practically selling his pants. As long as the price is right, he won't hold on to it stubbornly."

"Once this period is over, I will make some arrangements so that your Cui family can change its name and continue to participate in the trade."

"However, besides your Cui family having to send someone, we also need to find someone of sufficient stature to take the blame for this matter."

Cui Qi's expression changed several times. As a seasoned politician, he immediately thought of someone.

"Your Highness, is the Second Prince Xiao Zhang worthy of the position?"

Cui Qi's idea was simple: the Second Prince Xiao Zhang was currently enjoying unparalleled popularity. If the blame were pinned on him, it would not only be plausible, but it would also help Xiao Yu eliminate a formidable rival in the struggle for the throne, killing two birds with one stone.

Surprisingly, upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's face not only showed no smile, but instead became increasingly serious.

"Patriarch Cui is truly a man of keen intellect!"

"However, are you sure this clumsy trick won't backfire?"

Cui Qi narrowed his eyes slightly, and instantly realized something. Then, the way he looked at Xiao Yu changed.

Originally, Xiao Yu was just a petty person who took advantage of a favor in Cui Qi's eyes, and even though he was a prince, he was not worthy of his attention.

Now that five kingdoms stand side by side, these aristocratic families have supported countless princes over the centuries.

But when Xiao Yu voiced his opposition to framing the Second Prince Xiao Zhang, Cui Qi finally took Xiao Yu seriously.

At the same time, another possibility came to Cui Qi's mind.

"In your opinion, Your Highness, this person of considerable importance is..."

Xiao Yu nodded.

"It is indeed I, the King!"

The next morning, the imperial court was in an uproar.

Cui Qi confessed his crimes in front of everyone in the main hall.

Cui Youyin, a collateral descendant of the Cui family, was a censor in the Ministry of War.

Treason and collusion with the enemy!

Furthermore, she insisted that she was coerced by the eldest prince, Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu stood in the center of the hall, his face calm and silent.

Emperor Xiao Mu of Chu sat on the dragon throne, his face ashen.

"Xiao Yu, do you have anything else to say?"

Xiao Yu knelt down.

"Father, your son is guilty!"

"Your subject was confused for a moment and did something wrong. Your subject is willing to bear all the blame, relinquish his title, and go to serve as a lowly soldier under the Prince of Ning in the Northern Frontier to atone for his sins."

An uproar erupted in the main hall.

He's stripping himself of his title? Going to the northern frontier to become a lowly soldier? Has the Crown Prince gone mad?

The Chu Emperor stared at Xiao Yu for a long time, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

"allow."

The news spread throughout the capital, and the people's attitudes subtly changed.

"Although the eldest prince made a mistake, his attitude in admitting it was quite sincere."

"Yes, it's not easy for a prince to relinquish his title and become a lowly soldier in the northern frontier."

Xiao Yu's reputation, ironically, turned around considerably from the ashes.

After the court session ended, Xiao Yu requested an audience with the Chu Emperor again, citing the reason that he wanted to "bid a final farewell to his father."

Only the father and son were in the imperial study.

Xiao Yu knelt on the ground, raised her head, and her eyes no longer held the previous dejection and panic, but only a resolute light.

"Father, I am going to the northern frontier not to atone for my sins, but only to share your burdens."

The Chu Emperor narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Xiao Lie's steel mill, cement plant, and trade market are all located in the northern border region."

"As long as these things exist, Xiao Lie's strength will grow day by day!"

"Your Majesty, I am going there ostensibly to atone for my sins, but in reality, I am gathering intelligence for you. I will investigate how Xiao Lie smelted steel and how he burned cement, and then send the information back to the capital."

The Chu Emperor tapped his fingers on the armrest.

"Aren't you afraid Xiao Lie will find out?"

Xiao Yu smiled.

"Father, rest assured, since I dared to go, I have already disregarded life and death!"

"Furthermore, if I were to unfortunately perish in the northern frontier, Xiao Lie would never be able to clear his name of the crime of massacring the imperial clan!"

The Chu Emperor stared at him for a long time, a long-lost tenderness flashing in his eyes.

"good!"

"Yu'er is so filial!"

"We must be careful on this journey. That Xiao Lie has somehow become cunning; his schemes and methods are far from simple!"

Xiao Yu kowtowed.

"Your subject understands."

No sooner had Xiao Yu left the capital than Cui Qi led a group of heads of minor aristocratic families to formally become disciples of the Second Prince, Xiao Zhang.

"His Highness's contribution to compiling history will benefit future generations!"

"The Second Prince is the future hope of the Great Chu!"

"The eldest prince, Xiao Yu, is nothing but a sinner!"

The praise grew louder and louder.

Sitting on the upper floor of the Literature Museum, Xiao Zhang listened to these flattering words, and a smile slowly appeared on his lips.

"The Cui family is quite sensible."

Unbeknownst to him, the news that the Cui family had become his disciples reached the ears of Emperor Xiao Mu of Chu that very day.

After hearing the secret report, the Chu Emperor remained silent for a long time before gently placing his teacup on the table.

"The Cui family... what a fine Cui family."

"Xiao Zhang? His power has grown to this extent?"

His voice was calm, but beneath that calm, a volcano of suspicion was ready to erupt at any moment.