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

A pile of memorials has been written, just waiting to stir up trouble.

"Third Master, the Rongguo Mansion next door has already started a lavish banquet."

Xue Baochai found Jia Yi and asked him softly.

"Yes, you've never done this before. How about we have a big celebration this time?"

Qin Keqing looked at him, her eyes filled with expectation.

"No need."

Jia Yi shook his head slightly.

"Why? Such a great event, it's not excessive to host a banquet."

The two looked puzzled.

The imperial court turned a blind eye to such joyous occasions.

"The retired emperor has just lost an arm, and now they're making such a fuss."

"I'm not afraid of being envied, but I'm afraid of being disliked."

Jia Yi knew perfectly well that the reason Jia Yuanchun was given to Emperor Yuankang as a concubine was probably because the retired emperor was deliberately using her as a pawn to disgust him and the emperor.

"That's true... Should we remind the Rongguo Mansion?"

Qin Keqing hesitated and said, "Tell them not to do it either."

"never mind."

Jia Yi scoffed.

"Those idiots are impossible to persuade. Save your energy."

When the news reached the palace, the retired emperor was not angry.

The one who truly lost his temper was Emperor Yuankang, who wished he could take his sword and raze the Rongguo Mansion to the ground.

I was already feeling uneasy because Jia Yuanchun was made a concubine.

The Rongguo Mansion is now indulging in extravagance, especially since their Ministry of Revenue owes them a large sum of money!

The national treasury of the Great Qian Dynasty is currently so empty that a horse could run across it; it is so poor that it is practically bankrupt.

Emperor Yuankang's gaze gradually fell on the old accounts that his father had lent out years ago.

"Xia Shouzhong".

"How are the preparations for the Crown Prince's poetry gathering going?"

He suddenly spoke.

"Back to Your Majesty, everything is fine."

"The invitation has been delivered to Princess Yingchun."

Xia Shouzhong's eyes twitched slightly as he answered.

In his view, it didn't matter whether others came to this poetry gathering or not.

As long as Yingchun is there, that's enough.

"very good."

Emperor Yuankang's lips curled up, unable to hide his smile.

Thinking that Jia Yi's sister would one day become the Crown Princess,

He immediately felt relieved.

"Go tell the Empress to make sure the Crown Prince is properly disciplined."

"It would be best if he and Yingchun fell in love at first sight."

Emperor Yuankang gave the instructions in a low voice.

These years of getting along have made him realize:

To improve your relationship with Jia Yi, you need to start with the next generation.

Jia Yi treated Yingchun like a precious gem, afraid of breaking her if he held her in his hands and melting her if he kept her in his mouth.

If Emperor Yuankang dared to bestow the marriage directly, Jia Yi would probably tear down the entire rift in the Imperial Study the next day and burn it as firewood.

That is why, in order to make Yingchun his daughter-in-law, Emperor Yuankang had the idea of ​​having Crown Prince Chen Yuan organize this poetry gathering.

To put it bluntly, it's just a blind date disguised as an elegant affair!

"yes!"

Xia Shouzhong responded with a smile.

Actually, he didn't need to say anything at all.

In recent days, the Empress has been summoning Crown Prince Chen Yuan to Kunning Palace every day. As soon as he enters the palace, he either tries on this jade-colored cloud-patterned robe or changes into that dark blue embroidered gold shirt, making it seem like a selection of imperial concubines.

"Mother, you don't actually have something important to tell me, do you?"

Crown Prince Chen Yuan looked at his mother with suspicion.

He had long wanted to hold a poetry gathering, but his father always thought it was a waste of time and refused to allow it.

She finally relented, but then she was summoned to Kunning Palace and made to try on clothes for three days straight.

As clever as he is, how could he not see through the trickery?

"Alright, since you've asked, your mother won't hide it from you."

The Empress's lips curved slightly, her smile gentle yet revealing her shrewdness. "Your father granted you permission to hold a poetry gathering, not for any romantic musings..."

"It is the King of Qin's sister—Yingchun."

She paused, her eyes shining, "If you can marry her, Jia Yi will naturally become your backer. With that Great Qian War God supporting you, who would dare to challenge your position as Crown Prince?"

"Mother, you mean... Jia Yi's sister?"

Crown Prince Chen Yuan's pupils contracted, and he instantly understood.

So that's what Father and Mother were planning!

No wonder he was suddenly granted permission to hold a poetry gathering!

"That's right." The Queen nodded.

"Then... is Father Emperor planning to bestow a marriage upon us?"

The crown prince's voice trembled with excitement.

"No."

The Empress gently shook her head.

"what?"

The prince was stunned, his mind going blank on the spot.

Not granting a marriage? What's going on?

"Do you think your father would dare to issue such a decree?"

The Empress chuckled lightly, "Jia Yi's temper is such that he even dared to push the late Emperor back then. If we really forced a marriage on him, he would probably chase your father all over the palace and beat him on the spot."

"So, Your Highness—"

Her tone was gentle but firm: "You'll have to take matters into your own hands and win that girl's heart firmly."

"Um!"

The crown prince nodded emphatically.

He also knew that Jia Yi was fearless and utterly indifferent.

If the Emperor were to force a marriage upon us, I might actually be beaten so badly that I would have to kneel down and change the imperial edict.

"Mother, what do you think of this outfit?"

The crown prince turned around and picked out a dark blue brocade robe with a floral pattern. He straightened his back and asked, "Is this handsome enough? Will it meet Yingchun's approval?"

"This one is also nice; it makes you look elegant and dignified."

The Empress examined it closely, then pointed to another moon-white embroidered bamboo robe, "How about trying that one? It has a stronger scholarly feel."

So the mother and son went back and forth in Kunning Palace, changing clothes, comparing and commenting, as if they were not choosing clothes, but strategizing, all for that one stunning appearance at the poetry gathering - they must strike once and for all and win over Yingchun!

Outside the palace walls.

"Excellent! These Yangzhou 'slender horses' are all handpicked!"

Xu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the group of demure and graceful women before him, a slow smile spreading across his lips.

The people are in place; all that's missing is the right opportunity.

The news from the Embroidered Uniform Guard was delivered to Wu Sheng almost simultaneously—the Yangzhou "slim horses" had entered the capital and were lying in wait.

"The opportunity has arrived!"

A sharp glint flashed in Wu Sheng's eyes.

As long as we seize this opportunity and help the Crown Prince eliminate potential threats, our achievements will be highly commendable.

A promotion of half a rank? That's the bare minimum!

"My lord, shall we make our move now?"

The guard's eyes lit up, and his breathing quickened.

If they pull off this job, the reward will be enough for them to live a life of luxury for several lifetimes!

"No rush."

Wu Sheng sneered and shook his head. "If we make a move now, those pedantic scholars will only play dumb and deny everything. Wouldn't we be wasting the prince's carefully laid plans?"

One word: Wait.

His gaze was deep and serious. "Let them make the first move, let things escalate to the surface—then we'll strike and wipe them all out!"

"You guys go and keep an eye on those Yangzhou slender horses."

"We'll move as soon as they move!"

"yes!"

The guards clasped their hands in acceptance of the order and quickly withdrew.

A team of shadowy figures quietly moved out, infiltrated the stronghold provided by the Imperial Guards, and kept a close eye on the group of beautiful snake women.

Meanwhile, the Embroidered Uniform Guards were not idle either; they had already sent men to infiltrate the villa where the Crown Prince was about to hold a poetry gathering.

Spring is coming, and we can't afford to make any mistakes.

Before the wind rises, the situation is already set.

What appears to be an elegant poetry gathering is actually fraught with undercurrents and deadly traps.

The young ladies and gentlemen from various families who received invitations to the poetry gathering were all eager to participate and secretly competed with each other.

There was only one goal—to make an appearance in front of Crown Prince Chen Yuan and gain a good impression.