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

"Uncle, you've seen it too, haven't you?" Prince Yizhong's lips curled up, his tone flippant. "This empire, you're not sitting on it very securely."

"Wouldn't it be better to simply retire to the inner palace and live out one's remaining years in peace?"

As he spoke, he strolled forward, his eyes revealing a playful, cat-and-mouse-like expression.

Emperor Yuankang stood rooted to the spot, his mind screaming: Jia Yi! Jia Yi! If he doesn't come soon, I'm done for!!!

At this moment, Jia Yi was sitting at a small tea stall outside the Prince Yizhong's mansion, slowly blowing on the steam and taking a sip of tea.

The Imperial Guards had already infiltrated the mansion and were secretly setting up surveillance.

He's not in a hurry—the time isn't right yet.

Inside the mansion, Prince Yizhong saw that Emperor Yuankang was still standing there motionless. His eyes flickered slightly, and his smile gradually turned cold.

"Uncle, do you really expect... to turn the tide?"

"If we write the imperial edict now, we can still end things with dignity."

"If you continue to remain obstinate—"

He narrowed his eyes, his voice suddenly dropping to a low hue, "Don't blame your nephew for being ruthless."

His gaze was like a knife, piercing straight to Emperor Yuankang's throat.

The retired emperor stood silently watching his grandson, his brows furrowed.

Where did this kid get the guts?

They really dare to force the emperor to abdicate in front of the entire court?!

Could it be... that he has already won over Jia Yi?

That ruthless character who's also his brother-in-law?!

The thought struck the retired emperor with a jolt—no wonder he was so fearless!

"Prince Yizhong!" Emperor Yuankang sneered. "With all the officials present, what use would it be if I wrote an abdication edict?"

"Everyone in the world knows that you seized the throne by usurpation!"

"Heh." Prince Yizhong chuckled and slowly scanned the entire room.

The civil and military officials felt a chill run down their spines, bowed their heads in unison, and even held their breath.

Who didn't take this seriously just now?

Now they're all scared.

"See that, Imperial Uncle?" Prince Yizhong laughed loudly. "These people don't dare utter a single word!"

Emperor Yuankang's face turned ashen as his gaze fell upon the hunched figure before him—Xia Shouzhong.

All the officials in the court are not as loyal as a single eunuch.

"Your Majesty, do not be afraid," Xia Shouzhong said tremulously, but his voice was as firm as iron. "If you wish to harm you, you shall first step over this old servant's corpse!"

Emperor Yuankang smiled bitterly, his eyes stinging with tears.

"Hmph!" Prince Yizhong had completely lost his patience. He snorted coldly and turned to Yang Zhong. "Old Yang, go and 'help' my uncle!"

Yang Zhong bowed and accepted the order, about to take a step—

Several dark figures suddenly darted out from the rooftop and sped away!

Jia Yi sat upright at the tea stall, his gaze suddenly fixed.

The Imperial Guards rushed out of the Prince's mansion—they've made their move!

He suddenly stood up, and the teacup fell to the ground and shattered.

In the next instant, his figure moved like lightning, rushing straight towards the mansion gate!

Dozens of Imperial Guards followed closely behind, their murderous aura filling the air!

"boom--!!!"

With a loud bang, the heavy vermilion gate of Prince Yizhong's mansion was smashed to pieces by a single punch!

Before the gatekeeper could react, his neck was broken, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to get up!

Jia Yi snatched the long sword and charged straight into the main hall, stepping over broken wood and bloodstains!

Wherever he goes, no one can stop him!

"Your Highness...Your Highness!!!"

A guard, his face covered in blood, stumbled and crawled into the hall, his voice trembling: "Jia Yi has broken in!!!"

"What?!"

Yang Zhong paused, turned around abruptly to look at Prince Yizhong, his face full of surprise and doubt.

Didn't they say Jia Yi had already submitted to us?!

"Are you sure?!" Prince Yizhong grabbed the guard, his eyes blazing as he stared intently at him. "You're saying... he's my brother-in-law?!"

"Absolutely true!" The guard nodded frantically, his teeth chattering. "It was Jia Yi! He broke down the door single-handedly, killing people like mowing grass! The brothers couldn't stop him at all!!!"

Prince Yizhong stood frozen in place, his mind reeling.

Impossible... He clearly promised me—

He promised to help me ascend the throne!

Why are they now wielding the butcher's knife and turning their attention to their own Crown Prince's palace?

Yang Zhong stared at Prince Yizhong's appearance, his heart jolted, and he instantly understood.

It turns out this idiot was completely screwed over by that fool Jia Yi!

He glanced at them resentfully, inwardly rolling his eyes—

How could someone as shrewd as the Crown Prince have given birth to such a good-for-nothing?

How could they possibly be defeated by someone who's universally acknowledged as an idiot?!

The retired emperor was also stunned, his eyes fixed on Prince Yizhong, his gaze filled with disbelief.

He thought that this grandson had already subdued Jia Yi, which is why he dared to take action to force the emperor to abdicate.

Looking at it now—it turns out they didn't manage to win over Jia Yi at all!

You haven't even won anyone over, what kind of rebellion are you talking about?

What a complete idiot!

Zhao Wuji and the others, who were kneeling on the ground, were completely bewildered.

Jia Yi is coming... Is it too late to turn the tide?

The officials, both civil and military, who had been bowing their heads, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Good heavens, Jia Yi arrived just in time!

"call--"

When Emperor Yuankang heard the news that Jia Yi had led his men to attack, his tense nerves finally relaxed.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

"Stop Jia Yi!"

"kill!!!"

……

The sounds of fighting were approaching the main hall, and the smell of blood was faintly seeping into the hall.

Everyone turned to look at the courtyard entrance.

Yang Zhong, however, was unwilling to give up.

His gaze darted back and forth between the retired emperor and Emperor Yuankang, his mind racing—

Taking one hostage might just turn the tide!

After a moment's deliberation, he set his sights on the Emperor Emeritus!

This old emperor holds an even more significant position; if we can control him, we might be able to turn the tide!

"What are you doing?!"

Seeing Yang Zhong rushing toward the Emperor Emeritus, Dai Quan hurriedly stepped in front of him to protect him.

"puff!"

With a single slash, Dai Quan collapsed to the ground, blood gushing out.

"Protect the Emperor!!"

"Protect the Emperor immediately!!!"

Dai Quan roared out despite the excruciating pain.

This shout startled everyone in the hall awake.

"The Emperor Emeritus!!"

"Release the thief!"

"If you harm the Emperor Emeritus in the slightest today, even the extermination of your entire clan wouldn't be enough to atone for it!!"

……

Those old ministers who were attached to the retired emperor could no longer sit still.

Whether Emperor Yuankang became emperor or not was of no concern to them.

But as long as the retired emperor is alive, no matter who ascends the throne, they remain as stable as Mount Tai.

So I just stood by and watched, ignoring the fact that it didn't concern me.

But now the Emperor Emeritus was being held at knifepoint, and they were almost scared to death!

Once the retired emperor gets into trouble and their powerful backer collapses, will they still have good days ahead?

The situation had already tilted in Emperor Yuankang's favor because of Jia Yi's arrival.

If the retired emperor were to cause trouble in front of the emperor again, wouldn't it be a simple matter of settling scores with them?

Emperor Yuankang stared at Yang Zhong holding the retired emperor hostage with a knife, and a hint of wild joy flashed in his eyes.

His mind screamed frantically: "Hurry up! Kill him!!!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I have come to your rescue!"

Before he could finish speaking, Jia Yi kicked open the palace door and strode in.

As soon as he entered, he saw this scene and then caught a glimpse of Emperor Yuankang desperately trying to wink at him.

He saw right through the other person's little scheme.

But he pretended to be bewildered and looked at Emperor Yuankang with a blank expression.

"Holy crap...this kid!!!"

Emperor Yuankang felt a lump in his throat and almost vomited blood.

He forgot—Jia Yi is an idiot!

That kind of subtle eye contact is so suggestive, it's impossible to understand it!

"Jia Yi! Save me!!!"

The retired emperor's neck was pressed against the cold blade, his legs trembled, and his eyes were filled with despair.

Upon seeing Jia Yi rush in, he grabbed at the last straw and shouted hoarsely.

"King of the State! Quickly save the Emperor Emeritus!!"