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

"Yang Ling, are you willing to be exiled to Liangzhou in the northwest to become a border king?"

Emperor Liang asked.

King Yang Yi of Chu sighed softly.

Having served in the imperial court for many years, he could tell at a glance that many things were suspicious.

Ninth Prince Yang Ling has always been cautious, yet he has suddenly encountered such a change, which must mean he is wronged.

She felt sorry for his humble origins, but since she had no power at the moment, all she could do was offer her support.

Now that they have done everything they could, Emperor Liang and the Crown Prince still refuse to give up. What will happen next is up to Yang Ling himself.

"Your Majesty, I am willing!"

Yang Ling tried hard to suppress her excitement.

He knew that people in this world would never understand his decision.

However, my major in university was geographical exploration in the Northwest region.

He has an intimate knowledge of the water sources, oases, valleys, weather, coal mines, and metal deposits in Northwest China.

If one could truly become a border king in that place, it would be like a fish in water.

Listen to what Yang Ling said.

King Yang Yi of Chu was somewhat disappointed.

It seems the Ninth Prince is ready to accept his fate.

Emperor Liang and Crown Prince Yang Shan were both somewhat surprised.

But then I thought about it again. Yang Ling grew up in the palace and had never even left the capital.

I'd only ever heard of the Northwest and Liangzhou before.

He probably never imagined that his decision would have such a profound impact on his life.

Crown Prince Yang Shan couldn't help but sneer.

Emperor Liang pondered for a moment and said, "Since that's the case, then you shall go to Liangzhou! However, you are going there as a border king to atone for your sins, and I will not give you a single coin or a single guard. The northwest is tens of thousands of miles away. Whether you can reach your destination and how long you can live depends on your own abilities!"

Yang Ling immediately bowed and said, "Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude! Your subject does not need any money or troops, only the Golden Token and the books bestowed upon you by Your Majesty. With your subject on the frontier, we will ensure that the barbarian horses do not cross the Jade Gate Pass!"

We will not let the Hu horses cross the Jade Gate Pass!

They speak with great ambition, but how will they deliver on that promise?

I'm afraid that if we get to Liangzhou, we won't even be able to save our own lives!

Crown Prince Yang Shan scoffed at this.

"Hmm, I hereby appoint you as the King of Xiliang, to guard the borders of the country! Proclaim this to the world immediately! Today is August 20th, I will give you ten days to prepare, after which you shall go to Liangzhou to atone for your sins!"

"Remember this! Once you go to Liangzhou, you must never return to the capital!"

After Emperor Liang finished speaking, he got up and left.

The chief eunuch announced the end of the court session.

Is he never to return to the capital?

Yang Ling watched the backs of Emperor Liang and the Crown Prince, pondering these words in his heart.

Even if I were begged, I wouldn't want to stay in this place right now.

However, after he went to Liangzhou, he rose to prominence and trained a million soldiers.

Whether or not they return to the capital is no longer up to them!

After leaving the palace, Yang Ling returned to his own residence.

Because of his humble origins, Yang Ling was unable to have his own residence in the palace like the Crown Prince or other princes.

His Ninth Prince's residence was located in a remote area, far from the bustling city.

The mansion's exterior was neither luxurious nor ostentatious, making it a quiet and pleasant place for Yang Ling, who preferred a low-key lifestyle.

Inside the mansion, the servants, led by the steward Yang Fu, were all restless and uneasy.

"His Royal Highness is back!"

Someone shouted.

The entire mansion erupted in chaos, as if a stone had been dropped into water.

"Your Highness!"

As soon as Yang Ling entered the room, she saw a girl dressed in green clothes looking at her with teary eyes.

Without saying a word, the girl ran over and threw herself into Yang Ling's arms.

The girl's name was Yun'er, an orphan whom the original owner of this body had picked up from a group of beggars.

She has been raised in the Ninth Prince's residence for seven or eight years.

She has grown from an innocent and adorable little girl into a graceful young woman.

In the household, she was responsible for accounting and management, serving as an assistant to the steward Yang Fu.

However, in front of Yang Ling, she still seemed like a little sister who would never grow up.

"Your Highness! I heard the Crown Prince was plotting against you! I thought you wouldn't be coming back!"

Yun'er leaned on Yang Ling's shoulder, crying as she spoke.

"Alright, alright, I'm back now, aren't I? Not only am I safe and sound, but Father Emperor is even going to bestow upon me the title of King!"

Yang Ling smiled and comforted her.

Make the king!

Yun'er was stunned when she heard this word.

Yang Fu, the steward who arrived from behind, was even more confused upon hearing this: "Your Highness, wasn't it said that the Crown Prince falsely accused you of insulting Consort Wang? Why would His Majesty..."

Yang Ling released Yun'er, looked at Yang Fu, and said, "Uncle Fu, have you ever heard of the Prince who guards the border?"

"Guarding the border?"

Yang Fu suddenly realized, but then his face darkened.

"Does His Majesty intend to send His Highness to guard the border at Yanmen Pass? Isn't that exile?"

he blurted out.

exile!

Upon hearing this, Yun'er became anxious again.

"Your Highness, how could this be? I've heard that in the past, when princes committed crimes, they were mostly imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court for several years! How come Your Highness is being exiled?"

Yang Ling shook her head and said, "Perhaps it's because of my mistakes that my father considers unforgivable! If I don't request exile, I'll die in the imperial prison!"

"How could that be! Your Highness was clearly framed!"

Yun'er looked aggrieved.

Yang Ling was also somewhat helpless, and looked at Yang Fu: "Uncle Fu, this time I am being exiled, not to Yanmen Pass."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fu's eyes lit up, and he said, "Not going to Yanmen Pass? Could it be Jingzhou or Yangzhou?"

Compared to the bitter cold of Bingzhou, Jingzhou and Yangzhou were practically paradise. Even as a border king, exile meant no danger to his life!

"No, I'm going to the Northwest, to Liangzhou!"

Yang Ling told the truth.

"Liangzhou, what kind of place is that?"

Yun'er had never traveled far from home and knew little about geography.

However, the old butler Yang Fu was stunned, as if struck by lightning.

"Liang...Liangzhou...that's a land rumored to be barren and infested with barbarians! His Majesty sending His Highness to Liangzhou is tantamount to sending His Highness to his death!"

Before his eyes, the fate of the Ninth Prince seemed to already appear.

Will they freeze to death, starve to death, or be killed by the barbarians' sabers?

The Ninth Prince went to Liangzhou, which was like a lamb entering a tiger's den; he would never return!

"Father has given me ten days to prepare! But he won't give me a single penny or a single guard! So we have to arrange everything ourselves."

"Uncle Fu, how much silver do you have left in the manor?"

Yang Ling asked.

"About a thousand taels left!"

Yun'er spoke first, answering.

One thousand taels?

Yang Ling was somewhat shocked.

It seems the original owner of this body really had a tough time.

The merchants in the capital were mostly wealthy, while he, as a prince, only had a thousand taels of silver left.

This amount of money isn't even enough for the travel expenses to Liangzhou.

"Uncle Fu, I remember that the Prince's residence has some properties in the capital. If we were to sell them all, how much silver could we get?"

Yang Ling asked again.

"Your Highness, are you... are you going to sell this mansion?"

Yang Fu found it hard to believe.

It seems His Highness himself is prepared never to return.

Was he really prepared to die in the yellow sands of the Northwest?

"Hmm! How much money can I exchange it for?"

Yang Ling nodded in confirmation.