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

"Okay." Yang Ling nodded. "Then I'll take my leave."

After leaving Zuixianlou, Yang Ling went straight back to his residence.

The next morning, Yang Ling woke up, changed into a black outfit, and quietly led his bodyguards to a deserted house on the outskirts of the city.

As soon as Yang Ling lay in wait, he spotted five or six figures hiding on a rooftop not far away. It seemed that the person was the assassin sent by Master Chen, whom he had encountered the night before.

Sure enough, not long after, a group of guards rushed out and surrounded the house.

Soon, a group of soldiers arrived at the abandoned house and began fighting with the guards.

Yang Ling crossed her arms and watched the farce unfold.

Soon, the government troops were defeated and suffered heavy casualties; the remaining troops all fled.

Upon seeing this, the assassins sent by Master Chen immediately retreated.

Yang Ling snorted coldly, then leaped after him.

Master Chen's assassins were very skilled, but they were outnumbered and quickly escaped with injuries.

Yang Ling did not chase after them, but quickly returned to his residence because he needed to report the matter to Chen Jinyi.

When Chen Jinyi learned that Master Chen had hired assassins to deal with him, he was immediately enraged.

Chen Jinyi immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to thoroughly investigate the matter, and at the same time summoned heroes from all walks of life, vowing to eliminate this scourge, Master Chen.

"Young Master, what should we do now?" Zhao Hu asked, looking at the silent Yang Ling.

"We'll deal with whatever comes our way, no need to worry," Yang Ling said calmly, then took out a pill and handed it to Zhao Hu, "Eat this."

Although Zhao Hu was puzzled by what it was, he swallowed it without hesitation.

Yang Ling looked at him with satisfaction, then continued, "Zhao Hu, go and move the boxes from my room."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hu immediately went to Yang Ling's room, and soon, Yang Ling's wooden box appeared in Zhao Hu's hands.

Yang Ling opened the box and took out a black bodysuit and a mask. "Help me disguise myself like this."

Zhao Hu took the bodysuit and mask, and then put them on.

"Zhao Hu, go and inform Yang Qing to lead men to surround Master Chen's residence. Anyone who comes out must be captured. Although Yang Qing's martial arts skills aren't great, they're more than enough to distract Master Chen. As for the two of you, you're responsible for protecting Yang Qing," Yang Ling instructed. "Our target isn't just Master Chen, but also other members of the Chen family, especially those government officials. Understand?"

"Understood, subordinates." The three knelt down in unison and said in unison.

Yang Ling nodded. "Go and prepare. We'll depart in half an hour."

"Yes," the three replied in unison, and then went their separate ways.

Yang Ling then turned around and went back to her room to wash up and change.

After Yang Ling finished getting ready, Zhao Hu brought Yang Qing to find him.

"Young Prince." Yang Qing bowed respectfully to Yang Ling.

"Let's go." Yang Ling glanced at him indifferently. "Let's go and meet Master Chen."

"Yes," Yang Qing replied quickly.

Yang Ling mounted a horse and followed Yang Qing to Master Chen's residence.

Master Chen's mansion was luxuriously renovated and magnificent, which showed that he usually enjoyed life. No wonder Yang Ling had doubted Master Chen's identity before.

Yang Ling and Yang Qing rode their horses to the gate of Master Chen's mansion, where the guards stopped them, their attitude arrogant: "Hey, where did you come from, you brat? How dare you trespass on Master Chen's residence? Do you want to die?"

Yang Qing's face flushed red with anger. He was about to speak when Yang Ling suddenly pulled him back.

Yang Ling smiled slightly at the guard: "You've misunderstood. We've come to visit Master Chen."

The guard frowned. "Do you have a visiting card? Trespassing on Master Chen's residence without a visiting card is a capital offense! If you know what's good for you, get out of here, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Yang Ling raised an eyebrow. These people are really arrogant and conceited!

“That’s right, we’re here to see Master Chen. If you keep nagging, don’t blame me for being impolite,” Yang Qing roared, his eyes wide.

Seeing this, Yang Ling quickly tugged at Yang Qing's sleeve, signaling him not to act impulsively.

The guard was clearly startled and froze for a moment, unsure how to react.

Yang Ling glanced at the guard and said, "Please go in and inform them that an old friend has invited me."

The guard hesitated for a moment, but ultimately turned around and went inside to report to Master Chen.

Before long, the guards came out and said to Yang Ling and Yang Qing, "Fourth Master wants you to go in."

"Thank you." Yang Ling nodded to him, then stepped inside first.

Master Chen's study is located at the deepest part of the mansion. It looks ordinary, but it is actually heavily guarded and ordinary people cannot get close to it.

Yang Ling and Yang Qing cautiously walked into Master Chen's study while looking around.

The furnishings in Master Chen's study were very simple; almost every place was empty, and there was nothing to see.

Yang Ling walked around a rockery behind the screen and then saw Master Chen sitting at a table drinking tea.

"Fourth Master Chen, it's been a long time. How have you been?" Yang Ling said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Master Chen raised his head, carefully examined Yang Ling, and then chuckled: "So it's His Highness the Ninth Prince. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Master Chen's smile was insincere, but Yang Ling remained unaffected and said with a grin, "I wonder what brings Master Chen here today?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just think His Highness the Ninth Prince is an exceptionally intelligent and courageous young talent, so I couldn't help but want to make his acquaintance," Master Chen said with a smile.

"Hehe..." Yang Ling chuckled twice, "Thank you for the compliment, Fourth Master Chen."

"Why don't we sit down and talk?" Master Chen said, pointing to the chair next to him. "Your Highness, why don't you try my newly developed tea? It tastes quite good."

"Since Master Chen is so kind as to extend this invitation, then I shall gladly accept." Yang Ling sat down with a smile.

“Your Highness, please don’t be so formal. Let’s chat like friends today, without any awkwardness.” Master Chen smiled and invited Yang Ling to have some tea.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Yang Ling said, then picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Yes, this tea is indeed very good, with a refreshing and sweet aroma.

"I've heard that His Highness the Ninth Prince is extremely skilled in martial arts. I wonder if I could have a chance to learn from him?" Master Chen said with a smile, his eyes gleaming with calculating intent.

“Okay. But before that, I have another question to ask Master Chen.” Yang Ling put down her teacup and looked at Master Chen seriously.

"Please speak, Ninth Prince," Fourth Master Chen said calmly.

"Why would Fourth Master Chen plot to murder the Crown Princess?" Yang Ling said, enunciating each word clearly. "As far as I know, your Chen family has been loyal and virtuous for generations. How could you commit such a heinous crime?"

"Haha..." Master Chen laughed loudly, as if he had heard a joke.