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

Meanwhile, the attendants outside calmed down.

Sitting on the veranda, their eyes darted around, each pondering their future path.

The retired emperor has suffered such a severe blow; even if he survives, he will likely be on his last legs.

What will become of them from now on?

Is it too late to pledge allegiance to Emperor Yuankang now?

The retired emperor's confidants were plotting to bow down and pledge allegiance to Emperor Yuankang, unaware that Emperor Yuankang was already in the imperial study, secretly conspiring with Tang Shi on how to take advantage of the chaos caused by Prince Yizhong's rebellion to wipe them out in one fell swoop.

"Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard...we can't find any evidence of their crimes."

Tang Shi lowered his head, his tone full of embarrassment.

The people Emperor Yuankang wanted to remove were all former subordinates of the retired emperor.

What about the Tang Dynasty?

I was one of them once.

Why would they bother collecting dirt on me back then?

Now that his master wants him to provide evidence, isn't that asking him to fabricate something out of nothing?

"Are all of them so clean-shaven?"

Emperor Yuankang frowned, his eyes filled with suspicion.

Could it be that these people are truly incorruptible officials with nothing to their name?

Are you kidding me!

"Your Majesty, it's not that they are innocent... it's that no one investigated them at all back then."

Tang Shi forced himself to explain.

Emperor Yuankang stared at him for a few moments and instantly understood.

Among those in the same boat, who would dig their own grave?

"If there's no evidence, then go and 'find' it for me."

"I don't need irrefutable evidence, just a reason to kill!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze sharpened like a knife, radiating coldness.

These people had to fall. What was the cause of their deaths? It doesn't matter.

"yes!"

"Your Majesty, I will go immediately... fabricate—no, I mean, find evidence!"

Tang Shi felt bitter.

The civil service already disliked him, and with this latest move, he'll likely be condemned for eternity.

In later historical records, it was written: "The treacherous officials of the Tang Dynasty framed loyal and virtuous people," and even their descendants could not hold their heads high.

Watching his departing figure, Emperor Yuankang's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of satisfaction.

"Xia Shouzhong, how is things on Father's side?"

When the old emperor with the missing arm was mentioned, Emperor Yuankang's tone became somewhat subdued.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus is still not out of danger."

"The Imperial Medical Academy is doing everything it can to save him."

Xia Shouzhong paused, then lowered his voice:

"Should I... go and remind the imperial physicians?"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Emperor Yuankang paced back and forth in the hall, tapping his palms with his fingertips.

A moment later, a soft sigh escaped.

"never mind."

In the end, he didn't dare to make a move.

Once the accusation of patricide is confirmed, he will be drowned in public condemnation.

Besides, even if the old man survives, he will no longer be able to compete with him for power.

"Yes."

Xia Shouzhong bowed his head and obeyed, but secretly pondered to himself.

If I were to kill the retired emperor now, wouldn't I be able to surpass Dai Quan and become the number one eunuch in the inner court?

The opportunity was right in front of them, but their master withdrew from it!

Inside the Imperial Medical Academy.

A group of imperial physicians did their utmost and finally managed to snatch the Emperor Emeritus back from the clutches of death.

"How is the Emperor Emeritus?!"

"Is your injury stable? Can you hold on?"

The Emperor Emeritus's confidants swarmed around him, chattering amongst themselves.

"Rest assured, my lords!"

"The Emperor Emeritus is no longer in danger of death; he only needs to rest and recuperate."

The imperial physicians looked relaxed.

No more being forced to commit suicide – that's wonderful news!

"Okay! Okay!"

"As long as people are still alive, there's still room for maneuver!"

"Yes! As long as you're alive, there's hope!"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

What they feared most was the death of the retired emperor.

As long as they are alive, they still have time to cultivate relationships and try to win over Emperor Yuankang.

The news spread quickly, and all factions learned that the Emperor Emeritus had pulled through.

Upon hearing the news, Emperor Yuankang's confidants turned grim.

How much better it would be if the old emperor could just die today!

They can immediately purge the old party, make way for themselves, and rise to the top in one step!

Inside the Imperial Study.

After listening to the report, Emperor Yuankang simply nodded and then lowered his head to continue reviewing the memorials, as if everything was under his control.

Three days later.

The Tang Dynasty had already descended into madness.

In order to avoid being scolded or bleeding in the future, he went to great lengths to fabricate evidence.

Every confession and every "crime" was meticulously crafted to be flawless, leaving no room for doubt.

Meanwhile, the Emperor Emeritus's confidants also began to notice something amiss—the Embroidered Uniform Guards were making increasingly frequent moves.

"Guys, that bastard Tang Shi has been investigating us lately!"

"It seems... His Majesty has already made his move."

"The Emperor Emeritus is still unconscious; we can only rely on ourselves."

……

The faces of the crowd were grim.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard has been keeping a close watch on us lately, like flies that won't go away, it's incredibly annoying.

A sense of powerlessness welled up inside me, like a trapped beast cornered against a wall.

"We need to pull off a big heist right now so His Majesty won't have time to deal with us."

Xu Yuan stood up, his voice low but firm.

He was the most likely candidate to become the Grand Secretary, and the room fell silent as soon as he spoke.

"But Lord Xu, what could possibly distract His Majesty now?"

"Yes, His Majesty wouldn't easily let go at such a critical juncture."

"How about... we take action against Jia Yi?"

—As soon as the last person finished speaking, the room fell into dead silence.

Everyone turned their heads, looking at them as if they were looking at a fool.

To take action against Jia Yi?

Are you out of your mind?!

Who has had a good outcome with Jia Yi over the years?

Which one of them didn't end up with no trace of their remains?

This is called "the old man hanging himself"—he's tired of living!

"Isn't the Crown Prince organizing a poetry gathering? He's invited many scions of prominent families and young ladies from the capital."

Xu Yuan suddenly smiled, his eyes flashing slightly, "We can start from here."

Crown Prince Chen Yuan was the apple of Emperor Yuankang's eye.

Taking action against him is risky, but if done properly, it could be a way out.

It's better than provoking a mad dog like Jia Yi—that guy never leaves anyone alive when he strikes!

"Lord Xu, is there any other way?"

Someone hesitated before speaking.

Everyone knows that if the Crown Prince is implicated and things go wrong, it could mean the extermination of the entire family!

They'd rather endure the days in silence than gamble with their lives.

"Gentlemen, there is no way to retreat."

Xu Yuan glanced around, his tone suddenly turning cold, "Tang Shi's eyes have been on us the whole time. Do you really dare to say you're clean?"

"Once we catch you doing something wrong, you'll be executed immediately!"

"You all saw what happened to the Zhao family, didn't you? Heads were piled up everywhere at Caishikou, blood flowed like a river!"

Everyone's throat tightened, and they involuntarily swallowed.

Yes... the entire Zhao family was executed, not even the children were spared.

If they don't take action soon, they might be the next ones kneeling on the execution ground.

"Lord Xu, what should we do?"

Finally, someone bowed their head.

"The Crown Prince's poetry gathering was ostensibly for the sake of elegance, but in reality, it was a means to select a concubine."

Xu Yuan sneered, "If we disrupt the meeting and 'give' him another woman... ruining the Crown Prince's reputation, do you think His Majesty will still have time to investigate us?"

Emperor Yuankang was determined to mold Chen Yuan into the perfect crown prince in the eyes of the civil officials.

Then destroy him!

With him preoccupied with cleaning up his son's mess, how could he possibly have time to investigate the remnants of the old party?