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

"Your Highness, His Highness the Prince of Qin is waiting for you inside," the maid who led the way said before retreating.

Yang Ling stepped into the room.

Inside the room sat a man, tall and slender, dressed in a dark purple robe with a jade belt around his waist. He had a handsome face, elegant manners, and extraordinary demeanor, like a crane from the sky, captivating all who looked at him.

Yang Ling stood there staring at him for a while, her expression complicated.

Is this the King of Qin? He is indeed heroic and extraordinary, exactly as I imagined.

"You've arrived." The King of Qin put down his teacup, looked up at Yang Ling, and smiled gently, a smile as warm and captivating as spring water melting snow. "I heard you just returned to the capital not long ago. Are you feeling better?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have recovered. Thank you for your care." Yang Ling finished speaking, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and asked, "Your Highness summoned me to your residence today. Is there anything you wish to instruct me on?"

The King of Qin smiled and studied him for a while, then nodded and said, "You have indeed changed a lot; you are now more composed and wise than before."

"Your Highness is too kind," Yang Ling replied modestly.

The King of Qin smiled and nodded, gesturing for him to sit down, and had a maid serve him tea, his attitude extremely gentle.

Yang Ling lowered her eyes and drank her tea, remaining calm and composed.

"I summoned you to my residence today because I heard you were injured, and I specially invited you to visit you in your health," the King of Qin said slowly. "You lack servants, so I plan to send someone to transfer your personal servants here."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness," Yang Ling politely declined. "However, I am already used to them serving me, and I am afraid I would not be able to adapt if I were to change them abruptly."

The King of Qin frowned slightly: "Are you worried that they will slack off and neglect you?"

“No.” Yang Ling shook her head. “I just feel that they have been by my side for more than ten years, and we have a deep bond. I just can’t bear to separate them.”

"Would you be willing to let them stay by your side to serve you?" the King of Qin asked.

Yang Ling pondered for a moment: "If they are unwilling to leave, I will not force them."

The King of Qin nodded: "That would be best." He paused, as if remembering something, and reminded him, "You have a maid named Mozhu by your side. She is quite skilled in medicine. If needed, you can ask her for help."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Yang Ling cupped his hands in thanks. "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

"Very well, you may go now," the King of Qin nodded.

Yang Ling left Yunxiao Palace and went straight to the Imperial Study.

The emperor was engrossed in reviewing memorials when he heard that Yang Ling was requesting an audience, so he immediately summoned him.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Yang Ling knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully. "Long live Your Majesty!"

"Rise." The emperor closed his vermilion brush. "Why haven't you come to see me these past two days?"

"I have been unwell recently and it is not appropriate for me to disturb Your Majesty," Yang Ling replied respectfully, bowing his head.

"Oh, is it that serious?" The emperor raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Yang Ling pursed his lips and said, "I have fully recovered and need not trouble Your Majesty any further."

The emperor frowned and looked at him: "I heard you were assassinated last night. Are you alright?"

"I am fine."

"You don't need to hide it from me. I heard that you vomited blood and fainted in public, which terrified a group of imperial physicians. You'd better be careful and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Yes."

Yang Ling lowered her head and remained silent, and the emperor did not press her further.

"You've come to see me today, is there something to report?" the emperor asked, changing the subject.

"Yes." Yang Ling nodded. "I have come to the palace today to request Your Majesty to grant me a marriage."

The emperor was surprised and put down his vermilion brush: "A marriage decree? To which family's daughter?"

“Yang Jinxuan,” Yang Ling said frankly.

The emperor was slightly surprised: "Give it to the fourth prince?"

Yang Ling nodded: "That's right. Yang Jinxuan and I have already pledged our lives to each other, so I would like to request the imperial decree to grant us marriage."

The emperor was silent for a moment, then asked, "Your marriage was arranged by the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, and now it has been changed to your own idea?"

Yang Ling said, "This matter is indeed decided by the Empress Dowager and the Grandmother, but I feel that Yang Jinxuan is deeply in love with me, and I cannot disobey the imperial decree. Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty's grace."

"Since you two are in love, then I grant your request," the emperor said readily.

Of his three sons, all of them had wives and concubines except for the eldest son Yang Jinghui, the second son Yang Jingwen, and the youngest son Yang Jingxuan. Only this illegitimate son did not have a legal wife, but instead married a courtesan as his concubine.

The position of Yang Jinxuan's principal wife had been vacant for many years, causing unrest in the inner palace and much distress for the emperor.

Now that Yang Ling is willing to take Yang Jinxuan as a concubine, Yang Jingxuan naturally has no reason to object.

"Your Majesty is truly wise!" Yang Ling bowed and said.

Stop flattering me and tell me, when are you planning to hold your wedding banquet?

Yang Ling smiled slightly awkwardly: "I would like to wait until Yang Jinxuan has fully recovered before we hold the wedding ceremony. I hope to be there to witness his happiness and growth."

Yang Jinxuan was the emperor's most favored son, and Yang Ling wanted to give him an unforgettable wedding.

The emperor nodded: "Since you have this intention, I will grant your wish."

Yang Ling thanked the emperor for his great favor.

……

The following day, Yang Jinxuan was named the heir apparent, and Yang Ling moved to Qinghui Garden in the southeast direction.

Several peach trees were planted in the southeast corner, and Yang Ling would climb up the branches to enjoy them in his spare time.

Yang Jinxuan would notice this situation every time he came to visit him.

Yang Jinxuan was unhappy and ran to Yang Ling to complain: "Brother Ling, why were you hiding in the tree?"

Yang Ling glanced at him indifferently: "Why should I tell you?"

"Hmph, Brother A-Ling is so annoying!" Yang Jinxuan ran away angrily.

Yang Ling scoffed lightly and continued picking peaches. The peaches were ripe at this time of year, fragrant and tempting.

"Young Master." A young man dressed in black approached and reported respectfully, "I have investigated and found that all the people in the Prince of Qin's mansion have been removed. The Prince of Qin will no longer interfere in your marriage."

Yang Ling hummed in agreement: "I understand, you can go now."

After the young man in black left, Yang Ling picked up the letter on the table and looked at it.

He had long been aware that the King of Qin's men were secretly monitoring him.

However, the King of Qin's target was him, not his guards or maids, so Yang Ling was not worried about innocent people being implicated.

However, Yang Ling did not allow anyone to disturb their lives, so he instructed Mo Zhu to arrange for the people he brought to live in secluded courtyards, forbidding them from going out at will or trespassing into Qinghui Garden, otherwise they would be severely punished.

The news quickly spread throughout the entire Cloud Palace, shocking everyone.

It is truly baffling that Yang Ling would so blatantly expel the people planted by the King of Qin.

Yang Ling showed no fear of the King of Qin, and even seemed reckless, which made the emperor very uncomfortable.

He wanted to kill Yang Ling, but Yang Ling was like a stubborn rock rooted in the soil, unbreakable and impossible to shake.

"Father, I have something to report." Crown Prince Yang Jingyu walked in and bowed.

The emperor looked at him and asked gently, "Jingyu, what brings you to see your father?"

"Today, while practicing swordsmanship with Your Majesty, I suddenly thought of a brilliant move that I would like to present to Your Majesty." Yang Jingyu looked up, revealing a bright smile. "Would Your Majesty like to hear it?"