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

My grandfather lost his arm... and I've lost my throne... I'm afraid I won't even be able to save my life...

"Your Majesty! You absolutely cannot be harmed!"

"Quick! Stop the bleeding! Does anyone have any cloth? Even torn clothes will do!"

"King of Zhen! How dare you cut off the Emperor Emeritus's arm! You deserve to die!!"

"Your Majesty! Please punish this scoundrel severely to uphold justice!!"

The Emperor Emeritus's confidants were completely thrown into chaos. Some frantically pressed on their wounds, while others roared for Emperor Yuankang to punish Jia Yi.

At this moment, they wished they could tear Jia Yi to pieces!

If the retired emperor dies, their wealth and glory will vanish in an instant!

"How dare you!"

"Why would the King of Zhen intentionally injure the Emperor Emeritus? He was clearly anxious to save him!"

"Yes! He risked his life to protect the emperor, and you're slandering a loyal and virtuous man?!"

Emperor Yuankang's supporters immediately jumped out to counter, their insults deafening.

The two groups started arguing on the spot, spittle flying everywhere, and they almost came to blows.

Jia Yi watched coldly, a slight smile playing on his lips—dogs fighting, that's the most exciting thing.

"Father! Father! You must hold on!"

Emperor Yuankang pushed aside the crowd, rushed to the side of the retired emperor, his face filled with grief and tears streaming down his face.

But in his heart, he was already considering whether to personally deliver the final blow.

The dying Emperor Emeritus looked at the weeping Emperor Yuankang before him, his heart filled with turmoil.

So...my son is this filial?

If you had known this would happen, why did you cling to power so tightly in the first place?

If he had relinquished power earlier and lived a carefree life as a retired emperor, he wouldn't have ended up in this predicament!

"Your Majesty! Where is the imperial physician? Why hasn't he arrived yet?!"

Seeing the blood flowing continuously, the confidants finally became suspicious.

They began to suspect—no one had actually gone to summon the imperial physician!

"It will be soon," Emperor Yuankang said softly, his tone eerily calm.

"I have already ordered Xia Shouzhong to fetch the imperial physician."

Emperor Yuankang nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the retired emperor.

The once dignified old man's face was now deathly pale, and his breath was weak.

A barely concealed excitement flickered deep in Emperor Yuankang's eyes.

Finally... this old man is also nearing the end of his life.

He, the emperor, was finally about to truly seize power!

The retired emperor, who was almost moved to tears by Emperor Yuankang's "filial piety," caught a glimpse of ruthlessness and smugness in the other's eyes in that instant.

He immediately cursed in his mind—Damn it!

"Take me to the Imperial Hospital! Immediately!"

The retired emperor gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse but carrying an unquestionable command.

Imperial Physician?

Emperor Yuankang sent someone to summon him, but whether he would come or when he would come was anyone's guess.

He didn't want to die, much less die in this desolate, cold palace-like side hall!

"Quick! Lift it!"

"Your Majesty, please hold on!"

The group of trusted followers were terrified and dared not delay. They picked up the imperial carriage and rushed out, staggering but running with all their might.

Emperor Yuankang stood there, his face ashen, watching helplessly as the old figure was carried away by the crowd and quickly evacuated.

I was hoping to stall him until he died...

"What a pity."

He said in a low voice, his tone full of resentment.

That old codger's life is ridiculously tough.

It seems they've survived another ordeal.

Just as he was feeling frustrated, the Zhao family members, who were kneeling on the ground, were already crying.

"Your Majesty! Prince Yizhong's rebellion has absolutely nothing to do with our Zhao family!"

"Our Zhao family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and has never harbored any disloyalty!"

"We beg Your Majesty to make a wise judgment!"

Zhao Ling'er and her clansmen prostrated themselves on the ground, their foreheads turning red from the kowtows, tears streaming down their faces.

The more glorious the marriage was a month ago, the more desperate they are now.

"snort!"

Emperor Yuankang sneered, his eyes like knives.

"With Prince Yizhong rebelling, how can your Zhao family escape responsibility?"

"Guards—annihilate the entire Zhao clan!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his murderous intent surged.

He had been waiting for this day for far too long.

Zhao Youting used to be one step ahead of him in everything, and now, with this treason case, he can be completely uprooted!

Even if the retired emperor isn't going to die anytime soon, he still has to show those old ministers what's what—

From now on, anyone who dares to go against him should think twice before giving up their head!

"Ugh—Your Majesty, spare me!"

"We really had no idea!"

"Prince Yizhong, you deserve a terrible death! You caused our entire clan to be buried with you!"

The Zhao family members wailed and cried their hearts out as they were roughly dragged away by the Imperial Guards, their figures disappearing at the end of the palace road.

"Jia Yi, you've done a great job this time."

Emperor Yuankang turned around, patted Jia Yi's shoulder heavily, and spoke in a gentle, almost benevolent tone.

If this kid hadn't shown up in time and exposed the conspiracy, the situation would probably have completely spiraled out of control today.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

A glint of light flashed in Jia Yi's eyes, and he was overjoyed.

This reward is going to be huge.

If only there were a few more idiots like Prince Yizhong—they'd be so quick to throw their heads away!

Upon hearing this, Prince Yizhong, who was being held aside, turned red in the eyes and glared fiercely at Jia Yi.

"Jia Yi! You'll die a horrible death!"

"Your queen is my own sister!"

"Now that His Majesty knows her identity, will he still spare her life?!"

He roared like a trapped beast, spewing threats.

"If you had helped me back then, things wouldn't have come to this."

"Just you wait! Your wife is definitely going to die!"

"hehe."

Emperor Yuankang chuckled and glanced at him, his expression full of sarcasm.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you—I've known that girl's identity since the day I ascended the throne."

Sowing discord? You dare to play such tricks in front of me?

"Don't worry." He turned to Jia Yi, his tone sincere, "I've always treated you like my own nephew."

"If they really cared about Qin Keqing's background, they would have acted long ago. Why wait until now?"

He'd love to win over Jia Yi every day, so why would he cut off his own arm?

"Um."

Jia Yi nodded, his expression calm.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had long ago planted spies in the palace to monitor Emperor Yuankang's actions.

He knew that the emperor had never intended to kill Qin Keqing.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."

Jia Yi glanced one last time at the seemingly crazed Prince Yizhong, then turned and left, his back view calm and composed.

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician has arrived! The imperial physician is here!"

Xia Shouzhong rushed in, panting, followed by a royal physician whose face was flushed and who stumbled and almost fell.

Looking around, Xia Shouzhong was stunned to find that the Emperor Emeritus had vanished. His eyes were wide with astonishment.

He had specifically chosen a royal physician who specialized in treating women's illnesses—all so that the Emperor Emeritus would "accidentally" collapse. Who would have thought that the old man would simply vanish into thin air?

The imperial physician leaned against the wall behind him, panting heavily, his chest heaving as if he had just run three miles.

"The retired emperor has been carried to the Imperial Hospital," Emperor Yuankang said calmly.

"Huh? Oh... I see." Xia Shouzhong's face fell, and his heart sank. He gritted his teeth and thought to himself: How come I didn't die on the way!

Just as he was feeling annoyed, Emperor Yuankang turned his gaze and landed on Zhao Wuji and the others who were huddled in the corner, wishing they could disappear into the cracks between the bricks.

Just now, this group of people jumped out and forced him to step down, each one shouting louder than the last.

"Your Majesty, those were all delaying tactics by your humble servant. Please believe me!" Zhao Wuji looked up with a wry smile, a hint of flattery on his face.