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

The girls hoped to catch the eye of the crown prince, rise to prominence overnight, and live a life of luxury in phoenix coronet and embroidered robes.

The young noblemen, on the other hand, dreamed of climbing up to the Crown Prince's coattails, ensuring a bright future.

In an instant, the whole city was abuzz with excitement and people's hearts were in turmoil.

Yingchun and others were also making preparations in full swing.

But what they cared about was not Crown Prince Chen Yuan, but the rare poetry gathering itself.

As young ladies confined to their homes, they rarely venture out. Now that they have the opportunity to step outside their mansions and broaden their horizons, who wouldn't want to seize it?

In an instant, the lively poetry gathering hosted by the Crown Prince overshadowed the earth-shattering news of the Emperor Emeritus's severed arm.

Upon learning this, the retired emperor, who was recuperating in the palace, cursed inwardly:

My blood hasn't even dried yet, and you don't even bother to visit me?

They actually have the leisure to indulge in poetic musings and hold some ridiculous poetry gathering?!

He grew increasingly disgusted and angry with Crown Prince Chen Yuan the more he looked at him.

Just then, Dai Quan strode in, his expression grave.

When news of the Crown Prince's poetry gathering reached him, he sensed something was amiss.

The retired emperor is still recovering from serious injuries, and instead of focusing on stabilizing the situation, the crown prince is holding a grand literary gathering. What is he after?

There must be a hidden story.

He immediately sent people to investigate, and now there are finally results.

"Your Majesty, this poetry gathering was orchestrated by His Majesty behind the scenes."

Dai Quan reported this in a low voice.

"Um?"

"It's him?" The retired emperor frowned.

This unfilial son didn't take advantage of my bedridden state to deal with my men, but instead paved the way for the Crown Prince.

"The real purpose is to target the King of Qin's sister—Princess Yingchun."

"His Majesty wishes to use the poetry gathering as a pretext to arrange a marriage between the Crown Prince and Princess Yingchun."

Dai Quan continued.

"Heh..." The retired emperor's eyes suddenly turned cold. "A well-thought-out plan!"

If the Crown Prince marries Yingchun, he will have the support of the Qin King's lineage, making his position as heir apparent even more secure.

"How can I allow you to have everything go your way?"

He sneered, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Dai Quan, spread this news—spread it among the prince's harem!"

"Especially those concubines who have given birth to princes, don't leave any of them out!"

A sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Let your backyard catch fire, let's make it lively!

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Dai Quan understood immediately.

Emperor Yuankang wanted to use a marriage alliance to stabilize the throne for the crown prince.

The retired emperor insisted on ruining this game.

If Yingchun were to flirt with any of the princes, the Crown Prince would lose face, and Emperor Yuankang would also suffer a setback!

Dai Quan turned and left, quietly spreading the news throughout the inner palace.

Within half a day, rumors began to circulate.

Upon hearing the news, the mothers and concubines of each palace acted swiftly, summoning their respective princes to secretly discuss countermeasures.

The atmosphere inside Kunning Palace suddenly became tense.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

The personal female official rushed over, panting.

"All the palaces are already aware that the Crown Prince's poetry gathering is intended to welcome Princess Yingchun!"

"More importantly—His Highness Prince Liang also knows!"

She lowered her voice.

Prince Liang, Chen Yi, was only one month younger than the Crown Prince.

This one-month difference left him and his mother, Consort Wu, feeling resentful and longing for the Eastern Palace.

"What?!" The Empress suddenly stood up, her expression changing drastically.

She went to great lengths to keep the news under wraps, fearing any unforeseen complications, but...

The King of Liang still received the news!

"How exactly did it leak out?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"This servant does not know," the female official shook her head, "but... perhaps it doesn't matter."

"This poetry gathering was personally recommended by His Majesty, and His Majesty would certainly not allow Prince Liang to participate."

The Empress calmed herself down a bit.

As long as Emperor Yuankang remains in control, this matter will not escalate.

Inside the Imperial Study—

"Father, I beg you, please allow me to attend my elder brother's poetry gathering!"

"Father, you know that I love to compose poems and write essays, and I am quite refined."

"It would be a real shame to miss this gathering of the city's most talented young people!"

Prince Liang, Chen Yi, looked on with anticipation, his eyes shining brightly.

Emperor Yuankang looked at him, his expression shifting slightly.

This son, besides Crown Prince Chen Yuan, was his most beloved.

Seeing Chen Yi's clear eyes and sincere feelings, Emperor Yuankang believed him—he genuinely wanted to meet those young heroes.

So he nodded in agreement.

"Fine, you go too."

He paused, his face darkening. "But if you dare cause trouble for your elder brother at the banquet, I will not let you off lightly!"

What he feared was nothing more than that this kid would take the opportunity to cause trouble and disrupt the situation.

"Don't worry!" King Liang grinned. "Why would your son offend my elder brother? Isn't it better to just enjoy the poetry gathering in peace?"

Who would bother to nitpick at Chen Yuan all the time?

The struggle for the position of crown prince is based on strategy, not on making a scene.

This time, as long as I can win Jia Yingchun's favor at the poetry gathering...

Isn't it wonderful?

He became the brother-in-law of King Jia Yi of Qin, and was only one step away from the position of Crown Prince!

"Very well." Emperor Yuankang waved his hand. "You may leave. I still have state affairs to attend to."

"Yes!" King Liang bowed and withdrew, his smugness barely concealed in his eyes.

When the news spread, the other princes couldn't sit still any longer and rushed to the imperial study, begging the emperor to grant them permission to attend the meeting.

The results of it?

I didn't get a single one.

Emperor Yuankang's expression was indifferent, and he didn't even bother to say another word.

Only then did everyone understand—

Some of the children are biological, while others are just there to make up the numbers.

No sooner had the Prince of Liang left than he turned into Consort Wu's palace.

"How did it go?" Consort Wu asked anxiously, "Did your father agree?"

"Mother, please rest assured." Prince Liang raised an eyebrow. "With your son in charge, what can't be accomplished?"

"You're such a smooth talker!" Consort Wu rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help but smile.

He turned and waved his hand: "Guards! Bring out all those newly made magnificent robes!"

"Let the prince try them on and see which outfit best suits his face. He must stun everyone at the poetry gathering and win over Jia Yingchun in one fell swoop!"

Looking at her son's handsome appearance, she was overjoyed.

He might not be able to charm countless young girls, but he could easily win over a young lady from a wealthy family.

"Alright!" King Liang readily agreed.

Meanwhile, inside the Kunning Palace.

"Smack—!!!"

Porcelain shards were scattered everywhere, leaving the floor in a mess.

The palace maids and eunuchs knelt in a row, their heads pressed to the ground, not daring to breathe.

The Empress was so angry that her chest heaved and her face turned ashen.

She was furious when she learned that Prince Liang, Chen Yi, had also been granted permission to participate in the poetry gathering.

"This is infuriating!"

He pounded on the armrest of the seat, his anger barely contained.

At this moment, the personal maid whispered, "Your Highness, perhaps... we should ask Consort Xiande to help His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Who?" The Queen turned her head sharply.

"Virtuous Consort".

The lady-in-waiting's voice was soft yet steady: "She is also from the Jia family, and is related to Yingchun by blood. If she were to choose the Crown Prince's clothing, she would surely be able to please him."

The Empress's pupils dilated, and she abruptly stood up.

"Yes! How could I have forgotten that!"

"Go immediately! Summon Consort Xiande here right now! We can't wait a moment longer!"

"Yes." The female official accepted the order and left.

The Empress stood in the hall, her gaze sharp as a knife.

He gritted his teeth and whispered, "Consort Wu, you just wait!"

"When my son ascends the throne, the first person he'll deal with will be you!"

It's bad enough that they stole the emperor's favor, but they even dared to try and seize the throne—

They're tired of living!