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

Murong Jin gave a faint laugh, "This concubine takes her leave."

Yang Ling nodded, then turned and continued walking forward.

Murong Jin watched his figure gradually disappear into the distance, took a deep breath, and then left.

After returning to the manor by carriage, Murong Jin went to her room to wash up.

As she changed her clothes and prepared to rest, Chunlan came in with ointment. "Miss, let me apply the ointment for you."

Murong Jin nodded, letting Chunlan apply the medicine for her, and casually asked, "Chunlan, how is my father doing lately?"

After Chunlan finished applying the medicine to Murong Jin, she handed the medicine bottle to her. Upon hearing Murong Jin's question, she paused for a moment, and a hint of panic flashed in her lowered eyes.

Murong Jin noticed her unusual expression and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

Chunlan bit her lower lip, pondered for a long time, and finally mustered up the courage to look up at Murong Jin, "Miss, Master is doing quite well lately."

Seeing her hesitant manner, Murong Jin guessed, "Just say what's on your mind, don't keep it bottled up."

Upon hearing this, Chunlan immediately knelt down and kowtowed three times, pleading, "Miss, Chunlan begs you not to send Chunlan away!"

Murong Jin was taken aback. "Get up first. What are you doing?"

Chunlan remained kneeling, glancing up at Murong Jin. "Miss, Chunlan doesn't want to leave you! Chunlan begs you, please don't send Chunlan away!"

"Alright, get up first, let's talk this out." Murong Jin helped Chunlan up.

Chunlan shook her head firmly, "Miss, I don't want to leave you!" As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks, making her look pitiful and endearing.

Murong Jin sighed, pulled her to sit down, and comforted her, "I didn't mean to send you away. I'm right here, aren't I?"

Chunlan sobbed a few times, then looked up at Murong Jin, "Miss, are you really not going to send me away?"

Murong Jin poked her rosy cheek with her index finger. "Silly girl, how could I bear to send you away? Hurry up and wipe your tears, otherwise the other maids will laugh at you again."

Upon hearing this, Chunlan hurriedly wiped away the tears on her face, "Oh." Then she lowered her head, not daring to meet Murong Jin's gaze, "Miss, don't worry, I won't leave you."

Seeing her nervous expression, Murong Jin couldn't help but chuckle, "I believe you."

Chunlan nodded, then suddenly remembered something, looked up at Murong Jin, and hesitated, "Miss, that...that..."

Murong Jin looked at her, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating, and smiled, "What's wrong?"

Chunlan gritted her teeth, "Miss, could you... perhaps... let Madam return to the Murong residence?"

Murong Jin raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you afraid of being punished by Madam?"

Upon hearing this, Chunlan hurriedly waved her hands, "No, no. Miss, Madam... Madam always bullies us! This servant is afraid..."

Murong Jin patted Chunlan's shoulder and said softly, "Don't worry, you are my personal maid, and Madam will not mistreat you. As for my father, you don't need to worry at all; he loves you all very much."

She knew why Chunlan had suddenly changed her attitude; it was because she also felt that Liu was being too harsh on her. But since Liu was an elder, Chunlan could only keep her grievances to herself.

Moreover, although Chunlan is Murong Sheng's daughter, she is only born out of wedlock, and Murong Sheng also took several concubines back then, so she has no advantage at all.

It is a sensitive time right now, and Murong Jin does not intend to let Murong Sheng know that she has a close relationship with Princess Rui, so as to avoid causing any complications.

Chunlan's eyes lit up when she heard Murong Jin's words, "Really?"

Murong Jin patted her head and smiled gently, "Of course it's true."

"I'm so happy! I never expected anything." Chunlan hugged Murong Jin excitedly, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Murong Jin chuckled and patted Chunlan's back. "Alright, let go now, my shoulder is injured."

Chunlan let go upon hearing this, saying, "I'm sorry, Miss, I didn't mean to."

Murong Jin smiled and shook his head, "You're not wrong, it was my oversight. I should have noticed sooner that you had something on your mind."

She knew Chunlan was loyal to her, but she never thought about why Chunlan was so preoccupied. After all, she was a clever and quick-witted maid who was usually well-behaved and sensible.

The fact that she suddenly showed such a pessimistic and desperate expression today must mean something happened.

Murong Jin pondered carefully what could have caused Chunlan to be so negative.

"Chunlan, are you hiding something from me?" Murong Jin asked tentatively.

Upon hearing this, Chunlan abruptly raised her head and quickly shook her head, "No."

Murong Jin narrowed his eyes and stared at her, as if trying to see through her thoughts.

Chunlan swallowed hard and lowered her head.

"Since there isn't one, then you're not allowed to let your imagination run wild."

Chunlan nodded upon hearing this, "Yes, I understand. Thank you for your concern, Miss."

Murong Jin smiled with satisfaction, then, as if remembering something, asked with a puzzled look, "By the way, how's the investigation of the matter I asked you to handle going?"

Upon hearing this, Chunlan immediately wiped the smile off her face and replied seriously, "It has been investigated. The Second Young Master has been in close contact with the Third Prince in secret, and even sent a lot of precious medicinal herbs to the Second Prince."

"Oh?" Murong Jin raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

Chunlan continued, "The second young master is on good terms with the fifth prince. Every time he goes to the capital, he visits the fifth prince and brings him valuable gifts."

"Heh, Murong Sheng is really willing to go all out." Murong Jin sneered. No wonder Yang Ling came to him before; it turned out that Murong Sheng had instructed him to do so.

"Miss, why do you think the Second Young Master would do this?" Chunlan asked, puzzled. The Murong family had been officials for generations, so there should be no reason for them to get involved in the struggle for the throne.

Murong Jin smiled slightly upon hearing this. "Who knows?"

Murong Sheng didn't want to get involved in the succession struggle, but unfortunately, he ran into Yang Ling. Or rather, Murong Sheng walked right into the line of fire.

"Miss, the second young master and the fourth young master are locked in the woodshed. We can't get them out. We're at our wits' end, that's why we've come to you for help." Chunlan said anxiously, her eyes reddening again.

Murong Jin frowned. "I will handle this matter."

Chunlan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "Thank you, Miss. Well... I'll take my leave now." With that, she bowed and withdrew.

Murong Jin gazed intently out the window. Yang Ling was indeed no simple man! She had actually taken advantage of Murong Sheng's guilt towards her to frame him.

She made note of this!

"Lingdang, send someone to find out where Yang Ling is now," Murong Jin instructed Lingdang.

The bell answered and then turned and left.

Murong Jin closed his eyes and rested on the soft pillow for a while. He had just woken up and his mind was still a mess. Before he could sort things out, he heard a knock on the door.

She opened her eyes and said calmly, "Come in."

Linglong pushed open the door and entered, respectfully curtsying to Murong Jin, "This servant greets the Princess."