Chapter 6: When I Rule the World, I Will Give You a Lifetime of Prosperity

Chapter 6: When I Rule the World, I Will Give You a Lifetime of Prosperity

Xiao Ce saw that Xiao Dingshan seemed to have some doubts about him.

After all, the original host had been too cowardly before. His behavior in the Punishment Hall today was also too unusual.

However, Xiao Ce had already prepared his story, as long as he firmly insisted that he was Xiao Ce.

Who would think that he had traveled through time?

“Ninth Uncle, it’s just because I saw they were really getting desperate. This time, they even sent out Chancellor Yin’s beloved only daughter. If it failed this time, what would be next? It’s hard to imagine.”

“Over the years, thanks to Ninth Uncle’s protection, I could act foolish and play dumb, making everyone think I was a loser! Now, because of your protection, the Emperor has become suspicious of you, stripped you of your military power, and made you a leisurely old prince in the Capital.”

“Now, I’m not a child anymore. I can’t always hide under your wing! You have already helped me too, too much! You can’t protect me forever. I think it’s time I rely on myself. I can’t harm you anymore!”

Xiao Ce’s words directly dispelled Xiao Dingshan’s concerns. His expression softened slightly: “Silly child, protecting you was my promise to your mother. So, you want to volunteer to guard the border because you’re worried about my relationship with His Majesty? If that’s the case, it’s not necessary. This Prince may have lost his military power! But some influence remains! If I don’t nod, no one can touch you!”

Xiao Ce shook his head: “Ninth Uncle, I know you can protect me! But I cannot accept your protection without feeling guilty! I’ve thought about it for a long time. In the court, you are my only support. Now I’m surrounded by enemies. You also said that, according to the laws of Great Xiao, I will begin governing personally next year. The Emperor sees me as a thorn in his side, and the other princes see me as a sharp pain in their flesh.”

“This time their plot failed, next time they will definitely try to frame me even more desperately. Instead of that, it’s better to resign from the Crown Prince position myself and volunteer to guard the border! Stay away from the conflicts of the Imperial Court, build my own power in the borderlands, and wait for the right moment!”

“Actually, in the court, it’s not just the Second Prince. There’s also the Fourth Prince who has been lying low, and the ambitious Eighth Prince. They have all coveted the Crown Prince position for a long time. If I step aside now, the Crown Prince position will be empty, and they will surely fight fiercely for it. Wouldn’t it be better for me to reap the benefits from the border?”

Xiao Dingshan’s gaze grew much deeper: “Crown Prince, you’ve hidden yourself well! Not only did you fool the entire Great Xiao Kingdom, you even fooled this Prince.”

Xiao Ce gave a bitter smile: “Although you protected me, Ninth Uncle, you were often away fighting wars. To protect myself, I had to endure and hide my true self!”

Xiao Dingshan nodded, his face full of appreciation: “However, the borderlands are harsh, far from simple as you might imagine. Why choose the Northern Desert?”

“Ninth Uncle, first, only by going to the harshest place will they feel at ease.”

“Furthermore, the Turks frequently harass the Northern Desert border now, and the people there are suffering greatly! Only in a place of war is there a chance to achieve great deeds and win the people’s hearts! Also, I’ve endured for over ten years. The world thinks I’m a loser. I need to prove myself! A true man shouldn’t hide in the court and fight internal battles! He should go to the battlefield to prove his strength!”

“As long as I have military power and the people’s support, even if I don’t want to be Crown Prince, someone will put me on the throne!”

A flicker of fervor appeared in Xiao Dingshan’s eyes: “Good! You’re right. A true man should indeed fight on the battlefield and achieve great deeds. They use schemes and tricks, we’ll use our own abilities to tell the world who is the rightful Crown Prince!”

“Ninth Uncle, you support me?” Xiao Ce asked, somewhat surprised.

Xiao Dingshan nodded, his voice even trembling slightly: “This Prince always thought you were mediocre and talentless. If it were the old you, I would never have agreed. But, hearing your words today, you are truly Rou’er’s son! I believe in you. You will surely achieve great things.”

Xiao Ce cupped his hands respectfully: “Thank you, Ninth Uncle, for your support.”

Xiao Dingshan’s expression gradually softened: “But, don’t get your hopes up too high. It’s not certain you can go yet?”

Xiao Ce’s gaze was firm: “Ninth Uncle, don’t worry. If things go smoothly now, Yin Weiyong has already discussed it with the Emperor and the others! They’d love for me to die. If I resign from the Crown Prince position and volunteer to guard the border, they’ll be overjoyed!”

As soon as he finished speaking.

A servant from the Prince of Zhenguo’s Mansion came forward: “Your Highness, someone from the Prime Minister’s Mansion has come. They say there is an important matter and request the Crown Prince’s presence for a discussion!”

Xiao Dingshan nodded and waved his hand: “Understood, you may leave.”

The servant bowed and withdrew.

Xiao Ce smiled: “Ninth Uncle, see! Yin Weiyong must have succeeded.”

“Should I go with you?”

Xiao Ce shook his head: “Ninth Uncle, from now on, just watch me. You protected me when I was young. Now it’s my turn to protect you in your old age.”

Xiao Dingshan laughed heartily upon hearing this: “You kid, you can barely take care of yourself… and you want to protect me. But, I appreciate the sentiment. Alright, hurry up and go. Remember to come find me if anything happens!”

Xiao Ce nodded heavily and left in the Prince of Zhenguo’s Mansion’s carriage.

This original host was quite pitiful too. In his large Temporary Palace for the Crown Prince, there wasn’t a single person he could trust.

The original host had tried to cultivate trusted followers before. But a servant was bribed, and because the servant refused, he was killed.

After that, the original host was so scared that he dismissed all the servants in the Crown Prince’s Temporary Palace.

The overly cautious Crown Prince did everything himself. He didn’t even have a servant to drive the carriage. He usually traveled on horseback, and handled his clothing, food, shelter, and travel all by himself. He really lived a stifling life!

…

In the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Yin Pan’er’s fair face was still somewhat pale.

After all, the Crown Prince had been too fierce last night, and she hadn’t fully recovered yet.

“Pan’er, are you sure you want to listen to that loser Xiao Ce? Actually, there’s still room to change things,” Yin Weiyong said with concern.

Yin Pan’er said: “Father, didn’t you already go and speak to His Majesty as the Crown Prince instructed?”

Yin Weiyong said: “I did tell them! But whether to marry you to him or not is my decision!”

Yin Pan’er, looking weary, said: “Father, your daughter is already his person. If he dares to resign from the Crown Prince position in the Imperial Court tomorrow and volunteer to guard the border, then I dare to marry him.”

Yin Weiyong said: “Aren’t you afraid he really is just a complete loser?”

Yin Pan’er shook her head: “Just the fact that he could fool the entire Great Xiao Kingdom into thinking he’s a loser is enough proof that he is not a loser.”

Yin Weiyong’s face looked troubled: “Pan’er, you don’t have to go to the Northern Desert with him then. If you stay in the Capital, it would be best if he can achieve great deeds at the border. If he dies in battle at the border, you won’t be affected.”

Before Yin Pan’er could speak, a servant’s voice came from outside the door.

“Prime Minister, the Crown Prince is waiting outside.”

Yin Weiyong looked at Yin Pan’er and asked: “Pan’er, do you want to step aside?”

Yin Pan’er shook her head: “Father, there’s no need.”

Yin Weiyong nodded and called towards the door: “Please show him in.”

A short while later, Xiao Ce walked in. Seeing the beautiful woman sitting to the side looking somewhat pale, his heart stirred.

Indeed, in his previous life, he was a successful entrepreneur surrounded by many beauties, but he had never seen a stunning beauty like Yin Pan’er with such charm.

“Greetings, Prime Minister. Greetings, Miss Yin.”

Yin Weiyong and Yin Pan’er stood up and bowed: “Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Xiao Ce waved his hand: “Chancellor Yin, no need for formalities. I will soon no longer be the Crown Prince.”

Yin Weiyong was somewhat surprised: “Your Highness, have you decided already? To really resign from the Crown Prince position?”

Xiao Ce sat down in a seat to the side: “Yes, I explained my situation to Miss Yin as well! Even if I were a true dragon in the Capital, I’d be a trapped dragon! Leaving the Capital, free from restraints, I would be like a dragon entering the sea!”

Hearing Xiao Ce say this, Yin Weiyong looked at him with a different eye.

However, he still couldn’t help but pour cold water: “Your Highness, the army stationed in the Northern Desert wilderness belongs to the Second Prince’s maternal uncle, Bao An. After you go there, won’t you still be restrained by Bao An?”

Xiao Ce looked utterly disdainful: “Bao An is a coward who fears death, only knows how to enjoy himself. He’s best at armchair strategies on paper. He has made the Northern Desert border defenses so weak that the Turks treat the Northern Desert Region like their own backyard, coming and going as they please! If I can’t deal with such a mediocre person, I shouldn’t go to the Northern Desert at all. I might as well wait here to die!”

In his previous life, as the head of a listed company, Xiao Ce naturally possessed an imposing aura.

When he spoke, he couldn’t help but exude the bearing of a superior.

Seeing the intimidating aura Xiao Ce emitted, Yin Weiyong felt it was not inferior even to the Emperor’s.

He couldn’t help but view him in a new light. “Your Highness, it seems you already have a complete plan?”

Xiao Ce nodded: “Yes! However, it’s not convenient to discuss it with you, Chancellor Yin! Just watch from here.”

Then he turned his head to look at Yin Pan’er: “Miss Yin, what I promised you last night, I have fulfilled them one by one!”

“Today, I give you another promise! Three years! Wait for me at most three years. In three years, when I rule the world, I will surely give you a lifetime of prosperity!”

Hearing Xiao Ce say this, Yin Weiyong’s heart trembled. He never expected the Crown Prince to be so audacious, daring to utter such rebellious words.

Yin Pan’er looked at the man before her, her heart stirred. What a line, ‘When I rule the world, I will give you a lifetime of prosperity.’

How arrogant, how proud.

Looking at this man whose heart held mountains and rivers, whose eyes held stars.

She stood up and said: “Your Highness, I, Yin Pan’er, am not the kind of person who can only share joys but not hardships. I will not wait for you here! Since I’ve chosen you, even if the road ahead is full of knives and flames, I will accompany you.”