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

"Yang Ling, what are you doing here?" Yang Ningxin asked after a moment's pause.

Yang Ling said indifferently, "I was just passing by and heard that you were having a banquet, so I came to join in the fun."

Yang Ningxin frowned, glanced at Yang Ningshi behind her, and snorted coldly.

She hadn't expected that Yang Ling was still alive.

Little did she know that Yang Ling was risking his life to drug her.

If it weren't for Grandpa Yang's timely return, she might have died long ago, and wouldn't be standing here perfectly fine.

"Since you want to join in the fun, then come with me." Yang Ningxin turned and stepped into the mansion.

Yang Ling followed behind her, his handsome face clear as water.

"Miss," the maid hurried after Yang Ningxin, her brows furrowed, "Where are you taking him?"

Yang Ningxin pursed her pink lips slightly: "Second Uncle doesn't like him. After he returns to the manor this time, he will definitely go to Second Aunt and Third Aunt."

That third aunt is a brainless fool; she doesn't need to go to great lengths to please her, but the second aunt…

Second Aunt was intelligent and decisive, and even though Yang Qingshan doted on Yang Ling, he didn't dare to go too far.

"I don't care whether you really like him or not, there can be absolutely no mistakes today!" Yang Ningxin's eyes darkened, her tone conveying seriousness and warning.

The maid lowered her head and respectfully replied, "This servant understands."

……

The garden of the Yang family mansion is very spacious, planted with precious vegetation everywhere. Sunlight shines down, making the whole courtyard beautiful.

Yang Ling followed beside Yang Ningxin, her gaze calmly surveying the surrounding scenery.

Suddenly, a commotion reached my ears.

Several young girls surrounded a pretty girl as they walked toward Yang Ningxin and the others.

"Xin'er," Yang Xueyao chuckled softly, walking slowly towards Yang Ningxin, and said gently, "I think I just saw Ninth Brother?"

As soon as Yang Xueyao finished speaking, some young ladies and wives who were unaware of what had happened turned their gazes to Yang Ningxin.

Especially after seeing Yang Ling following Yang Ningxin, she was filled with jealousy.

They all knew that the Ninth Prince was a good-for-nothing, and that he had left home to travel for many years at the young age of sixteen. Therefore, they naturally did not take him seriously.

However, his appearance was so strikingly handsome that he inevitably attracted a group of beautiful women.

Such a person is destined to become a laughing stock in the entire capital and is incapable of inheriting the throne.

But now, this outstanding Ninth Prince has actually returned?

Moreover, he has been missing for years and has never even returned to the palace. Who can prove whether he is really a good-for-nothing?

Yang Ningxin looked up at Yang Xueyao, her indifferent expression unwavering, as if she were looking at a stranger.

“Yang Xueyao, our Yang family has no relation to your Yang family anymore. I don’t want to see you call me sister anymore.”

Yang Xueyao was taken aback, and a wronged look appeared on her face: "Xin'er, we are sisters after all. Just because Father married your mother, do you become so distant from me?"

Yang Ningxin's lips curled into a mocking smile, but she did not answer.

Yang Xueyao bit her lip: "My parents don't want to acknowledge me. I know I made a mistake back then, but I am still your sister. I just want to make amends. Don't look at me like that."

After saying this, she pretended to be sad as she wiped away her tears.

"Are you here to show off?" Yang Ningxin narrowed her eyes and glanced at Yang Xueyao indifferently.

Yang Xueyao was stunned. She clenched her fists and glared angrily at Yang Ningxin: "What nonsense are you talking about? I don't understand what you're saying!"

“Oh, I forgot,” Yang Ningxin suddenly realized, “You’ve never attended a banquet before, so you probably don’t know the rules. A banquet isn’t just about eating and drinking; it also includes all sorts of entertainment.”

"you……"

Yang Ningxin raised the corners of her lips slightly: "Every year before the banquet, there will be people performing songs and dances, so if you want to show off, I'm sorry, I can't stand it. As for what you said, believe it or not, it's up to you."

"..."

Yang Xueyao was so angry that she trembled all over.

Every year, besides celebrating the return of Old Master Yang, the most important part of the banquet is the selection ceremony for the imperial concubines, so the young ladies from each family compete to show off their charm.

But Yang Ningxin doesn't care about any of that.

She may be foolish, but she should know what these women are thinking.

Yang Xueyao stomped her foot angrily, then turned and left the place.

Yang Ling lowered her eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

"Ninth Brother, please don't misunderstand me." Yang Ningxin hurriedly explained when she saw Yang Ling's taciturn appearance.

“It’s alright,” Yang Ling shook her head. “Anyway, I’m not popular in the Yang family. It doesn’t matter how you treat me, as long as Grandma is happy.”

His grandmother had been incredibly kind to him, loving him even more than her own grandson, so he naturally couldn't bear to embarrass her.

“Ninth Brother,” Yang Ningxin pursed her lips, “I heard you’ve been wandering for five years. You’ve suffered a lot during those five years. It’s my fault…”

"You don't need to feel guilty. You saved my life, and that debt of gratitude is enough to make up for it."

Yang Ling smiled gently.

Five years ago, he encountered a group of robbers and planned to escape at all costs, but he was saved by Yang Ningxin and thus survived.

However, the Yang family did not help him at all, and even sent him out of the capital.

It's all his fault. If he hadn't tarnished the Yang family's reputation, Grandma wouldn't have lost her life.

“Ninth Brother,” Yang Ningxin sighed, “the Yang family will treat you well from now on, as long as you stay obediently in the Yang family.”

Yang Ling smiled slightly and said, "Mm."

"You go ahead and play. I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now." Yang Ningxin hurriedly left, leaving Yang Ling alone.

……

In a corner of the back garden, Old Madam Yang sat on a stone bench, leaning on her cane, her gaze fixed on the lake before her, lost in thought.

Although Madam Yang never went out, she knew everything that happened in the Yang family.

She heard many rumors, but they didn't affect her.

Madam Yang always believed that her ninth grandson would not turn out like that.

Until recently, she received news that her ninth grandson had returned home, and immediately sent people to the border to pick him up.

Unexpectedly, he not only did not return home, but also broke ties with the Yang family.

She couldn't understand why her beloved grandson would suddenly become estranged from the Yang family.

This distance caused her great pain...

"Madam," Lin Mama stepped forward with a teacup, smiling, "Look at the Ninth Prince and the Second Miss, they are a perfect match, a match made in heaven, a hundred times better than that Mu Ling."

Old Madam Yang sighed, her eyes filled with sorrow: "Granny Lin, do you think I've been bad to my ninth grandson? Yet he resents me and, disregarding the family's honor, has severed ties with the Yang family!"

"Madam," Lin Mama comforted, "Everyone says that the Ninth Prince is cowardly and afraid of trouble, but he is not cowardly or afraid of trouble. He just doesn't care about such things. Don't forget, the Second Miss's marriage was arranged by the Old Master. If the Second Miss hadn't broken off the engagement, the Ninth Prince and the Third Princess would have been married long ago."