Dream of the Red Chamber: After being exiled, I went on a killing spree in Liaodong.

The group of people, in their carriages and horses, headed straight for Ningrong Street. At the same time, they hurried to the Rongguo Mansion to deliver a visiting card.

When the invitation was delivered to Jia Zheng, he was sitting in his study, pinching his brow in worry.

The lady is still kneeling in the Buddhist hall to atone for her sins, and now that her sister-in-law has come to visit, how can she not be seen? If word gets out that the Rongguo Mansion is neglecting even its own relatives, where will they put their face?

After hesitating for a long time, he had no choice but to go to Rongqing Hall in person to ask Grandmother Jia for instructions.

"Let them come."

Grandmother Jia sat upright on the couch, not even lifting her eyelids, but her tone was as light as if she were choosing the flavor of today's dessert: "Go and arrange for Aunt Xue to go to the Buddhist hall for a visit. While you're at it—settle their whole family down; they can stay at Pear Fragrance Courtyard."

She paused, a barely perceptible glint in her eyes: "They've come all the way from Jinling, how can we let them arrive travel-worn and homeless? Our Jia family cannot lose face."

His eyes flashed, deep and unfathomable like an ancient well.

With Madam Wang gone, the Lai family collapsed, and the Rongguo Mansion, this dilapidated old house, is now entirely dependent on her personal savings to fill the gaps.

Now, the Xue family, with their walls built of gold bricks, have delivered themselves to our doorstep—

She wished she could build a golden bridge and move the Xue family's treasury into the backyard of the Rongguo Mansion!

At that very moment, the Xue family members, who had just turned into Ningrong Street, all shivered as if a snake's tongue had licked their spines.

"Wow! Isn't that Third Brother Yi's residence?!"

Xue Pan gasped in surprise, his eyes wide with shock, as he clung to the car window.

Inside the carriage, Xue Baochai and Aunt Xue both craned their necks to look over—

The vermilion gate had nine layers of walls, with soaring eaves that pierced the sky. More than ten armored guards stood solemnly before the gate, their sword sheaths gleaming coldly, exuding a palpable killing intent.

The Duke of Qin's mansion, which was actually converted from an old royal mansion, made the Rongguo Mansion next to it look like a cowering old dog.

"Madam, we have arrived at the Rongguo Mansion."

The driver reminded him in a low voice.

The two stepped off the carriage, and before they could even stand properly, Xue Pan scratched his head and muttered, "Strange... We're both from the same Duke's mansion, so why is there such a big difference? I wish our family could live in a house like this in the future."

The doorman was about to scold the country bumpkin for not knowing manners, but upon hearing the words "Brother Yi San," he immediately shut up and smiled obsequiously.

"Your Excellency may not know this, but the Duke of Qin's mansion was originally the former residence of the Prince of Qing, so its standards are naturally a cut above the rest."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhou Rui's wife came out to greet her, her face beaming with smiles. Gone was her former haughty demeanor—her master had been confined to the Buddhist hall, and she had long since lost her support.

"Please follow me, Madam. The lady of the house is already waiting behind us."

The atmosphere was somber as we walked through corridors and courtyards.

Aunt Xue knew perfectly well what was going on, but she didn't ask any more questions. She just clutched her handkerchief tightly.

At the entrance of the Buddhist temple, the two sisters met; one was emaciated, and the other wept uncontrollably.

"Sister...how did you get so thin!"

The sobbing had not yet stopped—

The weather over the capital city suddenly changed!

A rapid dispatch from the nine border regions, covering eight hundred li, arrived with incredible speed:

Smoke billows across the grasslands as the Mongol cavalry, numbering two hundred thousand, gathers its vanguard and is poised to strike!

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Yuankang held a battle report in his hand, his face ashen.

"Father, urgent reports from the nine border regions confirm that the Mongol invaders have come in full force, with cavalry constantly joining them along the way, and their total number may approach three hundred thousand!"

The retired emperor stood with his hands behind his back on the steps, his gaze piercing.

"How is Jia Yi's Loyal and Brave Camp doing? How is their training?"

"One hundred thousand elite troops are fully equipped and ready to go, with provisions and weapons readily available, awaiting only the order!"

These days, Jia Yi practically lives in the camp, supervising training day and night, all for this battle.

"Order him to set off immediately!"

The retired emperor solemnly ordered, "Also, summon Prince Yizhong to come out of the city to see him off."

Emperor Yuankang was startled.

Prince Yizhong is the son of his deceased elder brother. After years of lying low, he is now going to meet Jia Yi.

Father... what are you planning to do?

But he immediately smiled and shook his head, giving up.

Now, Jia Yi is a trusted and fierce general whom he personally promoted and who is sworn to serve to the death.

What is there to fear?

At that moment, Jia Yi had just stepped into his home, his chopsticks not yet touching his rice bowl—

Urgent footsteps came from outside the door: "Your Excellency! The imperial edict has arrived—"

Before they could even sit down and eat a couple of bites of rice, the imperial edict arrived—they were to set out on the expedition immediately.

People from both the Ning and Rong families rushed to the Duke of Qin's mansion. Even the Xue family, who had just stepped inside and hadn't even had a chance to sit down, hurriedly came to see them off.

"Third Brother, please take good care of yourself!"

"Those Mongol barbarians are ruthless; don't hold back!"

"Third brother...you must come back safely..."

A group of girls stood around, their eyes red and their voices trembling.

"Third Master, please be careful!"

Qin Keqing knelt on the ground, her fingertips trembling slightly as she fastened the black iron buckles on Jia Yi's armor. A tear fell onto the cold breastplate, shattering into several pieces.

Jia Yi looked down at her and grinned, "Silly girl, how many times have I gone to war? And every time have I returned unscathed?"

After calming everyone down, he suddenly leaned close to Qin Keqing's ear and said in a low, husky voice, "When I return victorious, give me a son."

Qin Keqing trembled, her cheeks burning red. She only dared to let out a soft "hmm," as light as a leaf blown by the wind, almost inaudible.

"Yi-ge'er..." Jia She stood at the back of the crowd, his voice deepening, "Come back alive."

He stared at Jia Yi's retreating figure, his heart churning with turmoil—why was it that every time he wanted to make a move against his second brother, this kid would go to war? Was God deliberately stopping him?

Now they dare not act rashly, for fear that some censor might impeach them and offend them, causing their stubborn son to perish in the northern frontier.

"Let's go!"

Jia Yi mounted his horse, Red Hare neighed, and its iron hooves kicked up dust. His personal guards stood in formation, their swords and halberds like a forest, and they marched out of Ningrong Street in a grand procession.

*

Outside the capital city, at the end of the official road.

Prince Yizhong stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering in the wind. Beside him stood Crown Prince Chen Yuan, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

He knew that Jia Yi was the sharpest knife his grandfather was currently wielding.

But why was it this cousin who was sent off on this expedition? Could it be... that the tide of the throne is about to turn?

Prince Yizhong glanced at the Crown Prince, a slight smile playing on his lips, but remained silent.

With the Emperor Emeritus backing him up, the position of Crown Prince is practically guaranteed for him.

"Tap tap tap—"

The sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached, and the ground trembled slightly.

Jia Yi has arrived.

"Duke of Qin!" Prince Yizhong immediately put on a smile and strode forward to greet him.

"You?" Jia Yi reined in his horse, his brows furrowing slightly. "Why are you here to deliver it?"

The general's eyes turned cold, his murderous aura still lingering, and even the prince felt a chill run down his spine.

"My grandfather instructed me to come and see you off," Prince Yizhong hurriedly explained, his tone unusually humble.

Jia Yi's gaze swept past him and landed on the Crown Prince.

—The faction has been chosen, and we remain steadfast.

Crown Prince Chen Yuan watched this scene and sneered inwardly: This prince is usually as proud as a crane, but now he is fawning over a military man.

But he dared not laugh.

Jia Yi was a key pawn for his father to preserve his throne; he could not be touched, much less provoked.

"Duke of Qin!" The Crown Prince stepped forward and bowed deeply. "On behalf of all the people of the land, I thank you for leading the army! May you achieve a resounding victory, sweeping away all enemies and upholding the might of our Great Qian Dynasty!"