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

"Your Majesty, do not panic! The King of Zhen has arrived, and the rebels will surely be annihilated today!!"

"King of the Town! Act immediately!!"

……

The Emperor Emeritus's confidants immediately erupted in uproar, shouting in unison.

For a moment, even the bewildered Prince Yizhong was overshadowed and couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Yang Zhong sneered. Seeing that Prince Yizhong was still standing there, he immediately took ruthless action.

"Shut up!"

With a flash of light, blood spurted from the Emperor Emeritus's arm, revealing a deep wound that exposed bone!

"ah--!"

The retired emperor let out a bloodcurdling scream, a scream that tore at his heart.

This old emperor, who had lived a life of luxury and never suffered any hardship, was actually slashed, and blood gushed down his arm.

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the still-dripping steel knife in Yang Zhong's hand.

This person... is serious!

The civil and military officials were startled, and they all shut their mouths and even held their breath.

Only Emperor Yuankang's confidant, with barely suppressed excitement in his eyes, stared intently at Yang Zhong, as if watching a good show.

Emperor Yuankang was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth.

Why didn't they just cut him in the neck?!

Wouldn't it be easier to just end things with the retired emperor like this?

"Your Highness, please speak."

Yang Zhong sheathed his sword half a step and looked at Prince Yizhong with a deep gaze.

"Um."

Prince Yizhong nodded, then turned to Jia Yi and coldly questioned:

"Jia Yi, what do you mean by this?"

"Your queen is my own sister! Shouldn't you be on my side?"

These words caused an uproar throughout the court.

All the officials turned their heads in unison, staring at Jia Yi in shock—

His wife... is actually the daughter of the former crown prince?!

Holy crap!!!

A bombshell revelation has been dropped!

This web of relationships is even more mind-bending than a palace drama!

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Jia Yi sneered, showing no sign of backing down:

"Qing only has one younger brother, me."

"you……"

Prince Yizhong was furious and was about to retort when Yang Zhong coldly interrupted him:

"Alright, Your Highness."

"This kid is unreliable."

Yang Zhong saw through it at a glance—

Jia Yi had no intention of taking sides.

Prince Yizhong's face turned ashen, and he was so angry he felt like his chest was about to burst.

It was Jia Yi who personally promised to support his uprising that gave him the courage to act so quickly!

Now look what's happened, they've turned on him at the last minute and betrayed him!

It was like they shoved a hot pile of dog poop into his mouth!

I feel so nauseous I want to vomit!

But Emperor Yuankang's lips curled up into a smile.

Great! Excellent!

Jia Yi remained unmoved and refused to be won over; such loyalty is priceless!

You have rendered meritorious service in pacifying Shandong, and today you have rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor.

The title of Prince belongs to him without a doubt!

"Grandson, stop now."

The retired emperor clutched his wound, his face pale, his voice weak but firm:

"You can't turn this around."

"Grandpa, I had no choice."

Prince Yizhong laughed, a laugh that was both desolate and insane.

Back then, my father was the crown prince. His uprising failed, and he ended up committing suicide.

Now that he has embarked on the same path, how could Emperor Yuankang possibly spare his life?!

"Imperial Uncle, write the abdication edict."

His gaze was like a knife, piercing straight at Emperor Yuankang:

"Otherwise, I'll have Old Yang kill him!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire room held its breath.

The officials were all silent, none daring to utter a single word.

Yang Zhongxin understood immediately, and slightly lowered the weight of his broadsword—

The blade touched the retired emperor's neck and made a light cut.

"hiss--"

A scarlet line of blood appeared, the skin and flesh rolled back, a horrifying sight.

Everyone's heart skipped a beat.

Emperor Yuankang's eyes were dark and brooding as he stared intently at Prince Yizhong.

This beast actually used the Emperor's life as a bargaining chip!

That's someone who raised him with love and care since he was a child!

But just as everyone held their breath, Jia Yi made his move.

He moved with extremely light steps, shifting little by little to the side, his long sword concealed behind his sleeve, ready to strike.

Emperor Yuankang caught this scene out of the corner of his eye, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"How do you want me to write it?"

He looked away, his tone becoming calm, as if he were truly about to compromise.

In reality—

He's stalling for time.

To fight for Jia Yi's life, let's fight for a glimmer of hope.

The retired emperor was shocked and looked at his son in disbelief.

This emperor, who always held absolute power and was unyielding... was actually willing to exchange his throne for his life?

"His Majesty!!"

Emperor Yuankang's confidants were so anxious that they almost rushed forward.

Neither persuasion nor stopping can be done; all that's left is to frantically warn them with your eyes—

Abdicate? That's a death sentence!!

Throughout history, how many deposed emperors have met a peaceful end?

Prince Yizhong's eyes lit up, and a surge of joy welled up inside him:

"Write it according to the format of the edict from our grandfather when he passed the throne to our uncle!"

He laughed wildly, as if he could already see the dragon throne beckoning to him.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Xia Shouzhong hugged Emperor Yuankang tightly, his voice trembling:

"Once you abdicate, he will absolutely not spare your life!!"

Take Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, for example.

After his son ascended the throne, he was placed under house arrest in the Taiji Palace until his death!

If Emperor Yuankang were to abdicate, his fate would likely be no better—sooner or later, he would be condemned to death by the word "illness"!

"Shut up!"

"Uncle, if you don't write an abdication edict, the whole world will know—"

"Grandfather, it was because you coveted the throne that you met such a tragic end!"

Prince Yizhong spoke in a cold voice, without batting an eye, displaying utter shamelessness.

"you……"

Emperor Yuankang was so angry that his fingertips trembled, and he stared at him, almost speechless.

Just as tensions were about to rise—

"call out--!"

Jia Yi suddenly attacked, his long sword shooting out like lightning, aiming straight for Yang Zhong's throat!

"puff!!!"

The blade flashed past the retired emperor's shoulder and plunged deep into Yang Zhong's chest!

"I haven't... taken my revenge yet..."

Yang Zhong's eyes widened, his throat gurgled, and he finally collapsed to the ground with a thud.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!!"

Dai Quan collapsed to the ground, trembling violently, his fingers pointing shakily at the severed arm that lay in the pool of blood.

[Ding! The host has severed the Emperor Emeritus's right arm and gained 100,000 White-Spear Soldiers!]

That's right, that hand belonged to the retired emperor.

And all of this was within Jia Yi's calculations.

That last strike, if it had been just half an inch higher, would have avoided the Emperor Emeritus.

But he didn't do that.

The retired emperor is a pawn; his very existence is a source of trouble, detrimental to the Great Qian Dynasty, and a hidden danger for himself.

Could we kill the emperor directly? No. That would cause too much trouble and have endless consequences.

Now that Qin Keqing is pregnant, he only wants to stay by her side and live a peaceful life, and doesn't want to get involved in any more bloodshed.

So he chose to—cripple one of his arms.

The retired emperor was already very old. After losing blood from the severed arm, even if he didn't die, his body would be completely broken down.

"Take down Prince Yizhong for me!"

"Xia Shouzhong, quickly summon the imperial physician!"

Emperor Yuankang gave the order, but his gaze subtly swept towards Xia Shouzhong, and he winked meaningfully.

Don't rush.

It's not too late to bring the imperial physician after the Emperor Emeritus has passed away.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xia Shouzhong understood immediately, nodded emphatically, turned and ran, his steps hurried but not hasty.

Prince Yizhong stood there, stunned, staring at the retired emperor who only had one arm, his mind blank.