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

But even if Yang Ling wanted to do something more now, what could he do? He would be leaving the capital in just a few days.

If I use some more tricks, it's questionable whether Yang Ling will even make it to Liangzhou alive.

Thinking of this, Yang Shan stopped paying attention and walked straight into the Imperial Study.

When Emperor Liang saw the Crown Prince enter, his expression softened slightly, but his expression immediately changed upon seeing Yang Ling.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty." Yang Ling bowed respectfully, his voice neither humble nor arrogant, neither revealing his true feelings.

Emperor Liang snorted coldly and said, "Get up, both of you sit down and talk."

After the two were seated, Emperor Liang spoke, "I have heard about the matter. Yang Ling, tell me, what do you mean by this?"

Emperor Liang's face was grim, as if he would kill someone at any moment.

However, Yang Ling was not afraid at all, and her expression was unusually calm.

"Father, what could I possibly mean? These people introduced themselves as disciples of the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing this, Yang Shan immediately flew into a rage, jumping up from his chair and pointing at Yang Ling, shouting, "Yang Ling, what do you mean?"

Yang Ling sneered, "Your Highness, why are you in such a hurry? Could it be true?"

"You two shut up," Emperor Liang said coldly. How could he not know the whole story? He only had himself to blame for his son's haste.

"Let's drop this matter and deal with it as the rumored remnants of the White Lotus sect."

As soon as Emperor Liang uttered these words, Crown Prince Yang Shan's expression immediately improved. Yang Ling sneered inwardly, his last glimmer of hope completely gone.

"In that case, there's nothing more for me to do. I'll take my leave!"

Yang Ling stood up and bowed slightly, making Emperor Liang's expression even more unpleasant.

"Ninth Brother, have you lost all your manners?"

Yang Ling turned his head, sneered, and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right!"

Arrogant!

Yang Shan never expected Yang Ling to be so arrogant, actually saying such things in front of his father!

"enough."

Emperor Liang roared angrily, then said to Yang Shan, "Take care of the remnants of the White Lotus Rebellion as soon as possible, don't keep me waiting too long!"

After saying this, Emperor Liang turned and left.

Yang Shan glanced at Yang Ling with a gloomy expression, then followed Emperor Liang away.

"Respectfully seeing off Father Emperor." Yang Ling uttered a sentence indifferently, and only after Emperor Liang and Yang Shan left the imperial study did he sneer.

Emperor Liang, oh Emperor Liang, all of this is your own fault!

Yang Ling sneered inwardly and left on her own.

Three days later, Yang Ling had everything ready.

Since leaving the east gate of the capital with Yun'er, Yang Fu, and others, they haven't seen a single court official see them off.

Yang Ling felt nothing; after all, that's just how the world is.

But one day, I will come back in another way.

"We embark on this westward journey with lofty ambitions!"

At the city gate, Yang Ling sighed.

Yun'er, standing to the side, also looked on with longing.

In the original owner's memory, this was the first time she had ever traveled so far.

Seeing Yun'er's expectant look, Yang Ling smiled and said, "The mountains are high and the roads are long, do you really want to come with me, the prince?"

"Your Highness, do you perhaps think Yun'er is a burden to you?"

Yun'er said with a serious yet aggrieved expression.

Yang Ling was taken aback and sighed inwardly. Yun'er was so deeply in love with the original owner!

"How could that be! I'm overjoyed." Yang Ling smiled.

This journey to the west will certainly not be easy.

"Your Highness, all arrangements have been made by the princes along the way, so there is no need for you to worry."

The middle-aged man stood to the side, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Yang Ling glanced back and said, "I'm so grateful to Mr. Zhuge for everything!"

With a neigh, their tall, red horse neighed, and the group departed.

……

"Your Highness, everything has been arranged!"

The Crown Prince's Residence, Main Hall.

Hearing his subordinate's words, Yang Shan smiled slightly and said, "Yang Ling, don't blame me for being ruthless on your journey to Liangzhou!"

After saying that, he waved his hand, "Don't fail this time!"

"Your Highness, rest assured, I understand!" The retainer nodded and then left.

Yang Ling's journey westward was exceptionally difficult.

Liangzhou is located at the westernmost edge of the capital of the Great Liang Kingdom. It is a remote and treacherous place, and there are many bandits and thieves along the way, so even the official roads are difficult to travel.

"Your Highness, there is a bandit-infested area further ahead. These people have committed numerous atrocities. Should we send our men ahead to wipe them out?"

When Mr. Zhuge approached Yang Ling, he thought that if they could take this opportunity to wipe out these bandits, the Ninth Prince's reputation would definitely improve.

Upon hearing Mr. Zhuge's words, Yang Ling frowned slightly.

He had only managed to borrow a few hundred men from the King of Chu. If he were to go up the mountain to suppress the bandits, he would likely suffer enormous losses.

But he didn't want to miss such a good opportunity.

Just as Yang Ling was racking her brains, a hidden arrow suddenly shot over from afar.

Yang Ling felt a pang of panic, and then she heard Mr. Zhuge shout in alarm.

"Protect His Highness!"

Mr. Zhuge shouted loudly, and Yang Fu and the others immediately shielded Yang Ling behind them, gripping their long swords tightly and keeping their eyes fixed on their surroundings.

"咻咻~"

Just as the group was on high alert, countless arrows were immediately shot out from all around them.

Seeing the arrows flying towards her, Yun'er panicked.

"Your Highness~"

Yang Ling frowned slightly, and then saw the guards swing their long swords fiercely, blocking all the arrows.

"It seems some people still don't intend to let me go to Liangzhou easily!" Yang Ling's expression changed.

"Protect Yun'er well."

After saying that, he immediately drew his sword and went to the front of the group.

"Which gentleman secretly fired the arrow? Would you please come out and show yourself?"

Ahead lay a dense forest, and Yang Ling's voice carried not a trace of fear.

The archer snorted coldly upon hearing Yang Ling's words, and then saw more than a dozen figures emerge from the dense forest.

"Your Highness, my name is Huang Ba. I have come on the orders of our chieftain to invite you to come up the mountain for a short visit!"

Huang Ba looked coldly at Yang Ling, and then spoke directly.

Upon hearing this, Yang Fu immediately flew into a rage, gripping his long sword and pointing it at Huang Ba, shouting, "Your Highness is a prince, how dare you come up the mountain and associate with you!"

Yang Ling frowned as she looked at Huang Ba; this person shouldn't have been arranged by the Crown Prince.

"Yang Fu, don't be impulsive!" Yang Ling said softly, then waved for the others to leave.

Huang Ba and his men were immediately excited upon seeing this. If they could kidnap the prince, wouldn't that be...?

"Your Highness, you only have two choices: either die here, in this desolate wilderness where no one will come to collect your body, or come with us, where there may be a way to survive."

After Huang Ba finished speaking, he narrowed his eyes slightly. If Yang Ling dared to say no, he would order his men to rush up and hack these people to death.