The carefree sixth prince, my father respectfully invites me to ascend the throne.

After Mingyue accepted the jade pendant, she looked at Yang Ling with some doubt in her eyes.

"Your Highness, what are you planning this time?"

Seeing her puzzled look, Yang Ling smiled faintly.

"I have my own plans. You may go ahead."

Upon hearing this, Mingyue nodded and then got into the carriage.

After Mingyue left, Yang Ling had a faint smile on her lips.

It was already evening when everyone entered the city. As soon as they entered, Yang Ling's gaze turned to a corner not far away.

The person we were waiting for has come out; presumably, Mingyue has brought everything she needed.

Yang Ling waved to the people behind him, and then the guards led Yang Ling into an inn.

Yang Ling sat in the room and waited for a long time. Just when he was starting to get impatient, a voice suddenly rang out from outside the door.

"Your Highness, someone is here."

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling smiled and quickly stood up.

"come in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open, and a figure walked in from outside.

Yang Ling looked at the newcomer with a faint smile on her face.

The other party was a middle-aged man who paused slightly when he saw Yang Ling, but quickly bowed to her.

"Your Majesty Ninth Prince."

The middle-aged man bowed to Yang Ling, who quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"Lord Liu, get up quickly!"

Upon hearing Yang Ling's words, the middle-aged man smiled slightly.

Lord Liu looked at Yang Ling with a hint of excitement on his face. He never expected that the Ninth Prince would arrive so quickly.

"Lord Liu, there's no need to be so polite. We're all family."

Upon hearing this, Lord Liu's expression changed slightly.

"Your Highness, let's talk about business first."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Ling nodded.

……

Half an hour later, Lord Liu left the inn.

As he walked away, Yang Ling smiled slightly.

He has already taken the first step; now it's up to him to take over.

"Someone, prepare a set of casual clothes for me. I want to take a stroll around the city. Remember, don't let anyone know that I'm going out."

As soon as Yang Ling finished speaking, the person standing at the door left.

After the guard left, a faint smile appeared on Yang Ling's face.

After nightfall, Yang Ling changed into casual clothes and quietly left the inn.

……

Inside the Liu residence.

Lord Liu sat there, his expression somewhat grave.

"My lord, isn't what the Ninth Prince is doing a bit..."

Seeing that his master's expression was somewhat grave, the steward of the Liu family couldn't help but speak up, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by Master Liu.

"His Highness has his reasons for doing this, so you must not disturb him."

As soon as Lord Liu finished speaking, the steward nodded hurriedly. After all, this was all arranged by their master, and they naturally couldn't object to anything.

Lord Liu sat there, pondered for a long time, and then waved to the steward behind him.

After the steward left, Lord Liu frowned slightly. He hadn't expected the Ninth Prince to go to such lengths.

……

As night fell, the city was brightly lit.

As Yang Ling walked down the street, he was puzzled. The lights were so bright, so why were there so few pedestrians on the street?

He frowned slightly and looked at the inn not far away. The inn looked rather deserted, so he must know something.

When his gaze fell upon the inn, a smile appeared on his lips, and then he went straight into the inn.

When Yang Ling arrived at the inn, it was completely empty.

Yang Ling glanced around and frowned slightly. This place was far too eerie.

Just then, a voice came from behind.

"Sir, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

An old man's voice came from behind Yang Ling. When Yang Ling heard this, she smiled slightly.

"Bring me a pot of good wine, and some good dishes!"

Upon hearing Yang Ling's words, the waiter hurriedly went into the kitchen.

Yang Ling sat down at the table, looking at the unusually deserted inn, her doubts growing even stronger.

Just then, the waiter came out of the kitchen carrying a plate, with a faint smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, please use it with ease!"

As soon as he finished speaking and put his things away, he was about to leave when Yang Ling called him back.

Why is this city so desolate? There isn't a single pedestrian on the streets.

Upon hearing Yang Ling's words, the waiter glanced around and a smile appeared on his face.

"Sir, you may not know this, but there was a local tyrant in our city who colluded with the government and forbade the people from going out at dusk."

Before the waiter could finish speaking, Yang Ling interrupted him.

"Is there no one who can do anything about this?"

Yang Ling looked at the waiter with a puzzled expression, while the waiter gave a helpless smile.

"Sir, you don't know this, but the government officials and that bully are in cahoots. How could anyone possibly care?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Your inn looks rather deserted. Do you not get any customers at night?"

Upon hearing this, the waiter's expression turned somewhat serious.

"Pedestrians are not allowed on the street. We shop owners have to pay taxes every day, and it won't be long before we have to close down."

When Yang Ling heard this, he frowned slightly. He had not expected that the people on the border of Bingzhou lived such a miserable life.

Just then, the waiter suddenly stood up and looked towards the door.

Seeing the waiter's nervous expression, Yang Ling felt a little puzzled.

"what happened?"

"Please continue eating, sir. I have to go out for a bit."

Before Yang Ling could even speak, several constables walked in from outside the door.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw Yang Ling.

"How dare you! You're forbidden from wandering around the city at this time, yet you still dare to drink here. Do you have a death wish?"

"Gentlemen, this gentleman is visiting the city for the first time, so..."

Before the waiter could finish speaking, the official interrupted him.

"First time here? Do you think we're all blind? Your inn hasn't paid taxes for three days. If you don't pay today, you can forget about continuing to run your business here."

Upon hearing what those people said, the waiter quickly took out a handful of copper coins from his pocket and handed them to them.