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

Zhao was also engrossed in listening. When Yang Ling reminded her, she snapped out of her daze and quickly nodded, "Yes, she's gone."

The mother and son then headed towards the restaurant.

"Brother Yang," Qin Yi said, putting down his guzheng as he saw them return, and invited them in to sit down. "You've come at the right time; I was just about to have dinner."

Yang Ye chuckled and responded, then pushed Zhao Shi to sit down at the table.

"It's my treat today, so please don't be shy," Qin Yi said, pouring them a glass of water.

Zhao picked up the water and took a sip.

Yang Ling glanced around the private room and asked, "What are you all doing here?"

"We went shopping for clothes just now, and when we were paying, we ran into Brother Yang, who invited us to sit down and have a meal together," Qin Yi explained.

"Oh," Yang Ling replied, picking up her chopsticks to eat while observing the actions of the two people opposite her.

Qin Yi couldn't help but laugh when he saw Qin Yi's nonchalant expression.

Looking at the boy opposite him, Yang Yan sighed: This child has really grown up. But it is only because he has become sensible that he is willing to talk to him. Otherwise, how could he tolerate such rudeness?

"Brother Yang, I heard from Ayan that you've been unwell lately. Is it alright today?" Qin Yi asked gently.

Yang Yan shook his head and smiled, "I'm all better now. Thank you for your trouble, Prince Qin."

"That's good," Qin Yi smiled gently, then turned to Yang Ling, "Brother Yang, this is my younger brother, Qin Ming."

Yang Ling looked up at Qin Ming and saw that the other man's dark eyes were sparkling with a lively light, as if he liked him very much.

Yang Ling remained noncommittal, looked away, and continued eating.

"Brother Yang, I heard from Ayan that you have been researching medicines to treat the plague recently. Have you made any progress?" Qin Yi asked gently.

Yang Ling was taken aback, not expecting Qin Yi to know about this. He pursed his lips and replied, "We don't have any clues yet."

"You're too modest," Qin Ming suddenly interjected. "My brother is a doctor. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask my brother for help, and he will definitely help you."

Yang Ling glanced at him and snorted coldly, "No need for the young master to trouble himself."

Qin Ming's expression froze. He hadn't expected Yang Ling to be so disrespectful and actually refuse him.

Qin Yi glanced at Qin Ming and comforted him, "Ming, that's just Yang's personality. You don't need to pay him any mind."

Qin Ming forced a smile and looked down at the rice in his bowl.

Yang Yan glanced at Qin Ming, then said nothing more and buried his head in his food.

The three of them ate lunch in a sullen mood, and then Qin Yi said goodbye to Yang Yan and left.

Before leaving, Qin Ming gazed deeply at Yang Ling before following Qin Yi away.

Yang Ling touched his nose, as if he had done something wrong.

Yang Yan escorted Yang Ling home and instructed him, "Little brother, since you want to learn medicine, you must first study hard and learn to read and write. You should prepare for the exam these next few days."

Yang Ling responded and saw Yang Yan off. After returning to his room and locking the door, he sat cross-legged on the bed and closed his eyes to rest.

After finishing, Yang Ling washed up and went to bed.

That night, Yang Ling had a dream.

He dreamt of a bloody battle, with countless people lying in pools of blood.

A cavalry unit suddenly burst onto the battlefield, charging into battle and killing countless enemy soldiers.

Those men were clad in armor, brandishing swords, covered in blood, their faces contorted with rage and bloodlust.

They were in a bloodthirsty frenzy, cutting down one enemy after another, yet even more enemies still rushed towards them.

They were surrounded by enemy troops, and their chances of escape were slim.

At this moment, a slender young man in a blue robe ran over quickly, tore off a piece of cloth and held it in front of the crowd, then forcefully threw them all away.

He shouted, "Go! Survive!"

They ran for their lives and finally escaped the enemy's pursuit.

But the boy died under a hail of arrows from the pursuing soldiers.

Yang Ling opened her eyes and stared blankly at the familiar painting before her.

"You're awake?" Yang Yan called out with a smile from the side.

Yang Ling jumped up abruptly, lifted the curtain, glanced at the sky outside, and exclaimed in surprise, "It's already dawn?"

“Yes, I stayed with you all night,” Yang Yan said.

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling felt a pang of guilt.

He saw himself in his past life in his dream.

It turns out that he was once just as passionate in his past life, but that passion was gradually eroded by self-interest, and eventually he became numb and indifferent.

"What are you looking at?" Yang Yan asked, noticing Yang Ling staring blankly out the window. He leaned closer, puzzled.

The faint sounds of a noisy crowd could be heard outside the window. A large group of people could be seen gathered not far away, pointing at a certain spot and chattering about something.

Yang Yan frowned and instructed the driver, "Go and take a look."

The carriage slowly started moving, and Yang Yan peeked out.

A group of soldiers were seen escorting ten prison carts, each containing ten people.

Two of the prison vans contained an elderly couple and a young couple.

The old woman and the young couple were disheveled, dressed in tattered clothes, and covered in mud and grime.

The old woman held a seven- or eight-year-old child in her arms, nervously looking around, constantly praying, muttering something under her breath, her expression devout.

In the other three prison vans, apart from a six or seven-year-old boy, each was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl. They were all frail, pale, thin, and dressed in tattered clothes. Wisps of dust covered their cheeks, making them look pale and haggard.

Upon seeing this, Yang Yan's expression changed drastically, and he quickly lifted the curtain and slipped out.

He walked to one of the prison vans, looked at the girl inside through the fence, and his face showed worry and sorrow.

The girl noticed him too, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Yang Ling's eyes also welled up with tears, and she choked out, "Sister..."

Yang Jinxiu's body trembled, as if she had been greatly stimulated. She struggled to climb out, but the ropes of the cage were tied too tightly, and she could not break free at all.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here to save you!" Yang Ling cried out hoarsely, her eyes filled with intense hatred. "If anyone dares to hurt you, I'll wipe out the entire Dongyang County, leaving no one alive!"

Upon hearing his threatening words, Yang Jinxiu cried even harder and kept begging for mercy.

Yang Ling glared at her through gritted teeth, the image of her father's tragic death flashing through her mind, a sharp, cold glint in her eyes.

"Let me go!" Yang Jinxiu screamed. "Let me go!"

Hearing her shouts, the guards outside the cage immediately drew their swords and pressed them against Yang Jinxiu's neck.

Yang Jinxiu was so frightened that she dared not shout anymore. She huddled in the corner of the cage, her eyes filled with fear and despair.

Yang Ling took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his chest, turned to look at the head of the guards, and said in a deep voice, "I need to go to the palace to see the Emperor. Make way for me."

The head guard hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Please wait a moment, young master, while I go and inform him."

After the guards left, Yang Jinxiu sobbed, "Brother..."