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

“You are the legitimate daughter of the Mu family. If you want to leave, no one can stop you. You don’t need to worry about those old fogies in the Mu family making things difficult for you,” Yang Ling smiled and raised her eyes. “Wherever you want to go, I can take you.”

Mu Ya lowered her eyes, concealing the emotions within them.

This is something the Mu family often says to Mu Qingge.

Unfortunately, Mu Qingge didn't appreciate it.

Muya did not speak.

Unbeknownst to her, her silence led Yang Ling to misunderstand, thinking that she was reluctant to leave the Mu family.

“Mu Ya,” Yang Ling walked up to her, gently took her hand, and said in a gentle tone, “If you are bullied in the Mu family, remember to come back to me. I will always stand behind you.”

Mu Ya raised her head and looked at him: "Ninth Prince, do you... really like me?"

It was a silly question, but Muya had to ask it, or she would miss a golden opportunity!

“Of course,” Yang Ling affirmed.

Mu Ya smiled faintly, "Alright, when you ascend the throne, you shall marry me. I am willing to be your only wife."

Yang Ling was stunned.

He never expected that Mu Ya would say such a thing.

“You don’t have to agree right away,” Mu Ya added when she saw him staring blankly. “It’s too early to say now. I’ll take a six-month vacation first. Plus, I need to spend more time on my parents’ affairs, so… wait six months for me.”

After hearing this, Yang Ling finally realized what was going on and a relieved smile appeared on her face: "Okay."

Mu Ya turned around and walked towards the courtyard. Just as she stepped out of the door, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yang Ling with a resolute gaze.

"Your Highness, I don't ask you to love me, because I believe that one day you will understand my feelings. But I hope you can promise me one thing."

"what's up?"

"I hope that if I am ever in danger in the future, you can protect me. I am afraid of dying."

Muya is not heartless.

Compared to Mu Qingge, Mu Ya lived a more carefree life, but after meeting Yang Ling, she changed her mind.

Perhaps she was too tired from her past and present lives, and Muya hoped to get some rest and enjoy the most beautiful things in life.

“Muya…”

Mu Ya smiled faintly, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile.

“Don’t worry, if I’m in danger, even if you don’t save me, I’ll pull you down with me. So don’t be touched or feel like you owe me anything,” Mu Ya patted Yang Ling’s shoulder. “We’re friends, helping each other is only right, don’t you think?”

She dared not tell Yang Ling that if that day ever came, she would rather die than be a burden to anyone.

Yang Ling took a deep breath and nodded: "Mm."

Mu Ya finally breathed a sigh of relief, and she waved her little fist with a smile: "Then I'm off!"

After saying that, Muya ran ahead like a rabbit taking off running.

Even after the girl disappeared from Yang Ling's sight, a faint smile remained on his face for a long time.

"Your Highness."

A guard quickly stepped forward: "Where are you going?"

"I want to leave the palace."

The guard was taken aback: "Didn't you just return to the capital? Why are you leaving again so soon?"

“Oh, I forgot to mention to my father that I was going to the border. He has already sent someone to deliver the message, so I plan to set off for the border immediately.”

"Your Highness..." the guard hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

His Highness has always been decisive, so why did he consult His Majesty this time? Could it be that His Highness suffered some loss at the hands of the Mu family?

"What?" Yang Ling frowned and asked.

"Uh...it's nothing." The guard chuckled awkwardly. "I'll prepare a carriage for you right away."

Yang Ling nodded.

Without thinking further, he got into the carriage.

……

Royal study room.

Chu Yifeng sat upright on the dragon throne, his handsome face cold and his expression serious, as if he were carefully reviewing memorials.

Suddenly, a voice announcing something came from outside the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, the Thirteenth Prince requests an audience."

Chu Yifeng stopped writing, turned his gaze to the outside of the imperial study, and slowly said indifferently, "Let him in."

"Yes."

As soon as he finished speaking, a gust of wind swept by, and then a woman in red appeared in front of Chu Yifeng.

His face was adorned with a devilish smile, and his peach blossom eyes shone with a captivating light that made one unable to resist falling for him.

"Brother," he said with a grin, walking up to Chu Yifeng, "Are you busy? How about I keep you company for a chat?"

Chu Yifeng glanced at him, then picked up the cinnabar pen and continued writing on the memorial.

"Tsk tsk, Your Majesty, what are you keeping these memorials for?" Yang Ling said, hands on his hips. "They're all nonsense. You review them every year. Besides the nonsense, can you tell me a story?"

"Not interested in."

Chu Yifeng's voice remained indifferent.

"Hey," Yang Ling pouted in dissatisfaction, "We haven't seen each other for so long, and you're not even going to tell me a story?"

"No!" Chu Yifeng refused without hesitation.

This younger brother has always loved pestering him to tell stories since he was little, but all the stories he told were made up to deceive people.

However, over the years, he had become so annoyed by his younger brother that he simply didn't want to pay any attention to him.

"Brother, that's not fair of you," Yang Ling glared at him. "I made a special trip to see you, and this is how you treat your brother?"

"I'm very busy. Just say what you need to say."

"..."

Yang Ling almost vomited blood. His gaze swept over the mountain of memorials piled up on Chu Yifeng's desk, and he felt even more aggrieved.

This elder brother is a complete workaholic! He's always buried in his work, and there's no time for him to play.

"Alright, since you're so busy, I won't delay any longer." Yang Ling shrugged. "I've come to say goodbye. After I leave, please arrange for someone to propose marriage to the Mu family. Uncle Mu has already agreed."

"..."

Chu Yifeng raised his head and looked at Yang Ling with surprise.

He truly hadn't expected that the second uncle of the Mu family would agree to this marriage.

After all, everyone could see that Mu Ya was arrogant and domineering. If she married into the Nanxian family, she would probably suffer a lot of grievances.

"You want me to marry Mu Ya?" Chu Yifeng frowned.

Yang Ling sighed, "Second Uncle Mu is a good man. He wouldn't let Mu Ya suffer, and besides..."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Actually, Muya is quite special to you. Although she seems fierce on the surface, she is actually very worried about you. Don't be fooled by her usual sternness towards me. In fact, after spending so much time with her, she has never hurt me. Whoever marries a girl like her is lucky."

Chu Yifeng narrowed his eyes slightly.

That delicate and pretty face appeared in his mind.

“Mu Ya has a flaw; she doesn’t understand the relationship between men and women, so… I can’t force her to get married,” Yang Ling said with a wry smile. “But I see her good points. If she marries into the Nanxian family, she can bring good fortune to Nanxian.”

"I believe that Muya will not be Nanxian's lucky star, but only a source of trouble."