Chapter 96: What Gifts Have You Prepared for This Prince?

Chapter 96: What Gifts Have You Prepared for This Prince?

Kan Zongye turned to ask the family members beside him, “By the way, have the Cai family members arrived?”

After Kan Zongye spoke, Liu Xuan and Lin Shou asked curiously, “Right! How about the Cai family? Did they turn against that waste Xiao Ce?”

A family member nearby said, “It seems they came! From what we know, it was the second branch of the Cai family! The news of Cai Tianming’s death reached them, and they received Xiao Ce’s surrender message. We heard the main branch wanted revenge. But the second branch, upon hearing about Xiao Ce’s situation, immediately betrayed the main branch, killed them all to seize power, and then brought all the Cai family treasures to pledge loyalty to Xiao Ce! However, we didn’t see them on the road.”

Lin Shou burst into loud laughter upon hearing this, “Cai Yong from the second branch? I always thought he was a smart man. At least smarter than his elder brother Cai Tianming! Who would have thought he’s as stupid as his brother! Trying to cling to a powerful figure, but ended up clinging to a dog’s leg, hahaha!”

Lin Shou’s words made the other Family Heads laugh heartily.

Liu Xuan chimed in, “If that waste Xiao Ce takes Cai Yong’s offerings and then goes back on his word, not giving Chandu County to us, what should we do?”

“Family Head Liu, what are you thinking! Earlier, Xiao Ce did promise us, but we also need to fight for it ourselves. Xiao Ce’s goal is to make us fight each other. He wants to profit from our conflict! If he doesn’t give it, then he doesn’t! Remember, the person backing us now is the current Emperor!”

“Only our three families received the news this time! What does that mean? It means the Cai family is no longer recognized by the Emperor. As for how to divide Chandu County later, I think, after all, we are all native Northern Desert people. After that waste Xiao Ce dies, we can discuss it slowly!”

Kan Zongye analyzed along with the others.

“Yes, yes, yes! Family Head Kan, you think thoroughly! In the future, the Four Northern Desert Prefectures should still listen to our three families!”

“Haha, well said! Well said!”

While these Noble Clan heads were immersed in their self-satisfaction,

Xiao Ce, in his residence, shut himself in his room again, busy working.

A soft knocking sound came from outside the door.

Hearing the noise outside, Xiao Ce slowly put down the pen in his hand, “Enter!”

The one who entered was Qian Lai.

Before he could speak, Xiao Ce asked, “Are they all here?”

Qian Lai nodded respectfully, “Prince, they have all arrived.”

“Did anyone see them?”

Qian Lai said, “Besides me and a few of the Twelve Fiends masters, no one knows their identity.”

Xiao Ce nodded with satisfaction, “Good, let’s go, take me to see them!”

Qian Lai nodded respectfully.

Xiao Ce went to a side hall and did not return until late at night.

Early the next morning.

Xiao Ce returned early from his exercise, and the Solar Term Maidens helped him change clothes.

Today, he changed into a dark crimson python robe.

Xiao Jiu reported beside him, “Prince, all the troops are stationed outside the city. They will enter the city in turns later to congratulate you.”

“As for the Prominent Families from the invitation list, not a single one is absent. All have arrived!”

“The upcoming ‘Enfeoffment’ banquet is ready. As you instructed, everything is kept simple!”

Xiao Ce nodded with satisfaction.

“And the Princess Consort? Have you notified her?”

Xiao Jiu answered beside him, “The Princess Consort will come over shortly.”

Xiao Ce stood at the door and waited only a moment before seeing Yin Pan’er and Nie Bing approaching.

He saw that Yin Pan’er was also dressed in splendid attire today, making her look even more beautiful.

Nie Bing was dressed as before, in a tight-fitting martial attire.

However, her face seemed somewhat haggard, and she still wore a frosty expression, following behind Yin Pan’er.

“Greetings, Prince.” Yin Pan’er stepped forward and obediently bowed to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce smiled and stepped forward to take Yin Pan’er’s hand, “Didn’t This Prince say? There’s no need for formalities with This Prince… Today, my beloved consort looks exceptionally beautiful and charming!”

Yin Pan’er’s face slightly flushed, “Prince, don’t tease me! By the way, where did you go last night? I wanted to come see you to discuss today’s ‘Enfeoffment’ banquet, but I didn’t find you.”

When he returned yesterday, the Solar Term Maidens had told Xiao Ce.

Yin Pan’er had come last night but left after waiting half an hour when Xiao Ce didn’t return.

Xiao Ce returned too late and didn’t want to disturb Yin Pan’er.

“Last night, This Prince was engaged in a major affair.”

Seeing Yin Pan’er’s curious look, Xiao Ce did not elaborate, “Pan’er, you’ll know shortly.”

Yin Pan’er was a woman who knew her place. Since Xiao Ce didn’t explain, she didn’t press further.

Holding Yin Pan’er’s hand, Xiao Ce said, “Alright! It’s about time. We have important matters to attend to today.”

With a hint of confusion, Yin Pan’er said, “It’s just eating and drinking, what’s so important? To be honest, having a meal with those people, I’d rather spend the time doing something practical for the common people.”

Xiao Ce showed a meaningful smile, “You don’t really think I invited them here just for a meal, do you?”

Seeing Xiao Ce say this, Yin Pan’er grew even more puzzled, “Not to eat? Then what…”

Xiao Ce smiled mysteriously, “You’ll find out soon!”

After speaking, Xiao Ce gave a meaningful glance at Nie Bing.

Seeing Xiao Ce look at her, Nie Bing’s brows slightly furrowed, but perhaps due to a guilty conscience, she dared not meet his gaze.

…

This ‘Enfeoffment’ banquet was held by Xiao Ce in a square within the Northern Desert Prince’s Mansion.

This square could accommodate tens of thousands of people at once.

It was said that Bao An had it designed this way to feel like an Emperor.

The square was already set up.

The guests were seated in a circle around the square.

The position facing south at the northern end was arranged for Xiao Ce and the three major Prominent Families.

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

He originally wanted Nie Bing to sit as well, but Nie Bing absolutely refused.

Xiao Ce did not insist.

As time passed, people began to arrive.

The first to arrive was Kan Zongye, accompanied by his Madam and his four children.

After they came forward and paid respects, Xiao Jiu seated them in their assigned places according to the plan.

Following closely were Lin Shou and Liu Xuan.

They were all assigned their seats.

After they sat down, they noticed that more than half of the seats in their section were still empty.

Clearly, other families were also coming.

But they couldn’t think of anyone else in the Northern Desert who had the right to sit with them.

After all, the other Prominent Families were already seated one after another.

However, since Xiao Ce didn’t speak, they were all shrewd and no one asked.

After all, their simple thought was to finish this so-called ‘Enfeoffment’ banquet quickly and leave this place.

Once they left here, they would no longer be under Xiao Ce’s control and threat.

Looking at their expressions, Xiao Ce could discern a hint of contempt from their subconscious and micro-expressions.

“Family Heads, do you know which distinguished guests This Prince has invited for the remaining seats?” Xiao Ce said with a smile.

The three Family Heads looked at each other, but none spoke.

Seeing their silence, Xiao Ce said to Kan Zongye, “Family Head Kan, you guess first.”

Kan Zongye instinctively glanced at the other two families, then stood up and bowed respectfully, “Prince, this commoner does not know.”

Xiao Ce said smilingly, “This Prince wants you to guess!”

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

“Then this commoner will venture a guess, it is the Cai family!”

Upon hearing Kan Zongye’s words, Xiao Ce laughed and slapped the table, then said, “Haha, Family Head Kan, look. You said you didn’t know! You obviously knew, yet you are so modest!”

With that, Xiao Ce said to Xiao Jiu beside him, “Go and invite the Cai Family Head, Cai Yong, over!”

Xiao Jiu nodded, took a few steps forward, and announced, “Summon Cai Yong, Family Head Cai!”

Not long after, Cai Yong was seen approaching with a line of carriages.

There were over a hundred carriages.

Cai Yong, hunched over, shuffled quickly forward until he reached Xiao Ce.

“This commoner Cai Yong pays respects to the Prince! Congratulations to the King of Northern Desert. Long Live the King! Long Live, Long Live!”

Xiao Ce looked at Cai Yong and said, “If This Prince guesses correctly, you are from the second branch of the Cai family.”

Cai Yong remained prostrate on the ground, “Reporting to the Prince, this commoner is indeed so. This commoner’s elder brother Cai Tianming colluded with the Turkic tribe, a crime deserving death. The Prince, in your mercy, sent a letter, still wanting to give us a way out. But those of the main branch were deluded and wanted to lead troops in rebellion! Upon learning this, this commoner immediately acted on the Prince’s behalf, captured the rebels, and executed them all.”

“Furthermore, we seized three million taels of Gold, twenty million taels of Silver, and countless jewels and ornaments from the main branch! Everything has been confiscated, registered, and is all here! Please accept it, Prince!”

Xiao Ce was truly shocked. He thought Bao An was wealthy enough, but these Noble Clans were even richer.

“Good! So much wealth, and all of it squeezed from the people! Cai Yong, you have merit in quelling the rebellion! You are also a member of the Cai family. This Prince does not like collective punishment. This Prince appoints you as the Cai Family Head to continue leading the Cai family. What do you think?”

Cai Yong bowed and said, “Prince, I obey! I kneel and thank the Prince for your heavenly grace!”

Xiao Ce said, “Did you bring your family members?”

Cai Yong bowed, then waved, and a group of people came forward.

Seeing these people approach, a look of disdain flashed across the faces of Kan Zongye and the others.

The members of the Cai family’s second branch all knelt down, shouting “Long Live!”

Cai Yong continued, “Prince, today is your grand ‘Enfeoffment’ day. I heard of the Prince’s compassionate heart, taking in three hundred thousand Disaster Victims. I thought, the Prince lacks neither Gold nor Silver! In Chanda County, I urgently collected one million dan of provisions for the Prince’s Disaster Victims and soldiers to relieve their urgent needs!”

Hearing Cai Yong’s words, Xiao Ce said, “Excellent! Family Head Cai Yong, you are thoughtful. This Prince accepts your ‘Enfeoffment’ gift! Please, take your seat!”

Watching the Cai family members sit down, Xiao Ce turned his gaze to Kan Zongye and the others on the side, because they had all come empty-handed.

Kan Zongye and the others also looked uneasy!

Xiao Ce did not beat around the bush and asked bluntly, “Family Head Cai Yong has been so thoughtful. This Prince hasn’t asked you yet, what ‘Enfeoffment’ gifts have all the Family Heads prepared for This Prince?”