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

"Yes, yes, yes! We resorted to this tactic to buy time until the King of Zhen came to our rescue!"

"Our loyalty is unwavering, heaven and earth bear witness, and we have no disloyalty whatsoever, Your Majesty!"

"The Great Qianlong Empire is our root; how dare we betray it!"

A group of people, each offering their own opinion, frantically tried to pat themselves on the back.

"Hmph." Emperor Yuankang sneered, his eyes sharp as knives. "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child? Drag him out and execute him!"

"Your Majesty, spare my life!"

"We made a mistake for a moment!"

"Your Majesty, please have mercy and give us another chance!"

The cries of agony rose and fell as the Imperial Guards dragged people out like wolves and tigers. Zhao Wuji and the others used their hands and feet, grabbing the ground and pulling at the walls, but they were ultimately dragged to the execution ground.

"Return to the palace!" Emperor Yuankang turned and coldly ordered, "Imprison Prince Yizhong in the imperial prison!"

"Place men to keep a close watch on him—if anything happens to him, leave no one alive in the entire prison!"

He cannot die now.

Emperor Yuankang wanted to use him as bait to lure out those rats hiding in the shadows who were colluding with the retired emperor.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xia Shouzhong bowed and accepted the order. He then turned around and arranged for his several godson sons to keep a close watch on the situation, never leaving it for a moment.

There can be no room for error.

The news spread like wildfire, instantly engulfing the entire capital city.

"My God! Prince Yizhong actually rebelled? The son of the late Crown Prince dares to do this?"

"I heard they were captured on the spot, their entire army wiped out, and it was only thanks to the King of Zhen who led the troops to quell the rebellion!"

"Jia Yi has now rendered a great service; won't the imperial court reward him handsomely?"

"Absolutely! We haven't even finished rewarding those who helped with the Shandong rebellion, and now this guy has come along to save the emperor! This guy's luck is simply incredible!"

The topic was hotly debated in the streets and alleys, with everyone feeling envious.

In the Loyal and Brave Camp, Wu Sheng and Niu Dahao's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing the news.

"Holy crap! Prince Yizhong really dares to make a move?!" Niu Dahao jumped up from his chair.

"According to the messenger, he set up a trap under the guise of the wedding," Wu Sheng said, his eyes narrowed and his tone playful. "He trapped the Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty on the spot and forced them to write an abdication edict."

"In the end, it was our prince who stepped in and turned the situation around."

Niu Dahao was so excited he clenched his fists: "A meritorious service in saving the emperor!! This is a feat that will be recorded in history! I'm so envious!"

Meanwhile, the entire Jia family gathered at the Prince of Zhenwang's Mansion.

When news of Prince Yizhong's rebellion spread, Grandmother Jia could no longer sit still, fearing that the turmoil in the court would implicate her family. She hurriedly led her entire household to seek refuge.

"I never imagined that a prince would commit such a treasonous act!" Jia Zheng slammed his fist on the table, rising to his feet with righteous indignation. "You've wasted your time studying the classics and are ashamed before your ancestors!"

Jia She, listening from the side, had almost gotten used to rolling his eyes.

You, Jia Lao Er, how dare you criticize others?

You've occupied Rongxi Hall all these years, how have you ever been worthy of our ancestors? What are you pretending to be so high and mighty for now!

Looking at Jia Zheng's sanctimonious appearance, Jia She sneered inwardly: Now that Yi-ge'er is back and holds military power, it's time for me to get serious.

In the past, whenever I wanted to take action, there was always one thing or another that stopped me.

This time—he refused to believe in evil spirits, and no one could stand in his way again!

"You can't see into someone's heart," he murmured. "Who can truly see through them?"

Grandmother Jia didn't care who sat on the dragon throne; she only cared about not having her peaceful days disturbed!

"Sister-in-law, isn't it said that pregnant women will show?"

"Why isn't there any sign of pregnancy in your belly?"

Xi Chun touched Qin Keqing's lower abdomen with her small hand, blinked her eyes, and asked a question.

"Hahaha--"

A group of girls in the side hall burst into laughter instantly.

Lin Daiyu extended her jade-like finger and gently poked her forehead:

"What kind of weird stuff does your little head hear all day?"

Qin Keqing smiled and pulled Xichun into her arms:

"Fourth sister, your sister-in-law has only been pregnant for a few days, how can she already have such a big belly?"

"Your future nephew is still young, but he's growing up quietly."

When she spoke of the child in her womb, her eyes softened, and her smile was as gentle as spring water.

His blissful expression made Lin Daiyu and the others itch with envy.

Upon hearing that Qin Keqing was pregnant, Jia Yi disregarded the imperial decree and rushed back to the capital day and night.

These days, he stays by her side every step of the way, taking meticulous care of her.

"The prince is back!"

Mandarin ducks rushed in, panting, to deliver the news.

The people in the side hall immediately helped Qin Keqing up and hurriedly moved her to the main hall.

Grandmother Jia also led a group of people to personally greet them at the door.

"Yi-ge'er, are you alright?"

Jia She glanced at the bloodstains on his son's clothes and his heart sank.

Xue Baochai and Qin Keqing's expressions changed drastically. They rushed over to him and checked him over to see if he was injured.

"Don't worry, I'm not hurt."

"This blood... belongs to the traitors."

Jia Yi gently stroked their hair, his tone tender yet revealing a calm composure born of ruthlessness.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"Yi-ge'er, what exactly happened with Prince Yizhong's rebellion this time?"

Grandmother Jia asked.

All eyes turned to Jia Yi.

Qin Keqing, Xue Baochai, and all the other women held their breath, eagerly waiting for him to continue.

Human beings are always curious, especially about such earth-shattering events!

Seeing their wide eyes, Jia Yi briefly recounted what had happened—

"Here's what happened..."

Before he finished speaking, everyone was already engrossed in listening.

The entire hall fell silent the moment they heard that he had severed the Emperor Emeritus’s arm with a single stroke!

Everyone stared at him, their mouths agape, dumbfounded.

"Yi-ge'er! Tell me... whose hand did you chop off?!"

Grandmother Jia's legs went weak, and she almost fell over. Fortunately, the maid beside her reacted quickly and caught her, preventing her from falling flat on her face.

"The retired emperor."

Jia Yi spoke casually, as if he had only broken off a tree branch.

"Madam... the... the Emperor Emeritus?!"

Jia She wiped away a cold sweat, his voice trembling.

Wang Xifeng swallowed hard and asked cautiously:

"Third Brother Yi, His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus... didn't they hold it against you?"

Qin Keqing and Xue Baochai held his hands tightly, their eyes filled with worry.

"I don't care."

"I saved two of their lives."

"His Majesty even said he would reward me handsomely."

Jia Yi patted the backs of the two beauties' hands and smiled reassuringly.

Grandmother Jia's eyes flickered slightly, and she immediately understood:

It seems the emperor is hoping the retired emperor will pass away soon...

"It's alright, it's alright!"

Wang Xifeng patted her prominent chest, as if to slap away all the fright.

Everyone finally felt relieved.

The Jia family was relieved.

But at the Imperial Hospital, all was shrouded in gloom and despair.

Not long ago, a group of the retired emperor's confidants risked their lives to send him to the Imperial Hospital.

He had been bleeding profusely on the way here and was already unconscious when he was brought in.

This terrified the imperial physicians, and the lackeys were also thrown into a panic.

In order to save the life of the retired emperor,

The imperial physicians used all their best skills, employing acupuncture and herbal medicine in turn, without daring to slack off in the slightest.