The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Jia Lian's army moved very quickly, and the vanguard soon arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The remaining hundreds of guards in the Taihe Hall wanted to confront the army, but Geng Qiuming, who was being held in the central army, saw them and ordered his men from a distance to lay down their weapons, lest the flood wash away the Dragon King Temple and injure a family.

Well, the infantry battalion, the firearms battalion, and the guard battalion are all part of the Imperial Guard, so they can indeed be considered as one family.

At this time, the ministers were freed from their shackles, and many of them emerged.

The happiest people were none other than the Fourth Prince's supporters.

Seeing the countless troops behind Jia Lian, he felt incredibly at ease.

Glancing at those Third Master Party members whose faces were ashen, one felt a mixture of pity and mockery.

Just as they were about to approach Jia Lian to get closer to him, someone pulled them from behind. When they turned around, they saw that it was the Emperor Emeritus being helped out by an old eunuch.

Jia Lian breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the Third Prince's men did not resist.

He was just worried that the Third Prince would use his ministers (such as Prince Teng and his relatives) as a shield, and that it was a desperate struggle.

Jia Lian, who had prepared himself to witness bloodshed once again, felt somewhat uneasy seeing how easily the Third Prince's rebellion had been thwarted, wondering where things had gone wrong.

Just as he was about to enter the palace, he saw the Emperor Emeritus coming to greet him. He was taken aback for a moment, but he dismounted and said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, why have you come out?"

With Emperor Ningkang's permission, Jia Lian went to see the retired emperor.

At the old man's request, I later changed my address to "Grandpa Emperor," and I almost blurted it out.

His little slip of the tongue, however, pleased the Emperor Emeritus immensely.

Ignoring the old eunuch's support, he walked unsteadily to Jia Lian and said with a smile, "It's so stuffy in the palace, so I came out for a walk."

Jia Lian laughed and said, "It's good to walk around. When you're tired, I'll take you back."

The retired emperor frowned and said in a somewhat aggrieved tone, "Can we not go back?"

Jia Lian sighed, "I'm afraid that won't work; His Majesty will be displeased."

"But isn't he about to die from his illness?"

"The Emperor Emeritus is wrong. Who would curse their own son to die of illness?"

Jia Lian and the retired emperor, one old and one young, actually started chatting in front of the main gate of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, in front of hundreds of officials and thousands of soldiers.

Especially the Emperor Emeritus's tone and demeanor, how come he looked so much like a kind old rascal, begging his grandson who was in charge of the household affairs to let him go out and play more.
Even if he is your illegitimate grandson, you don't have to do this, do you?
The Third Prince is also your grandson, yet your attitude just now was quite different.
The ministers looked at each other, completely baffled by what they were seeing.

The retired emperor didn't care what the officials thought. He suddenly smiled confidently, glanced at the third prince who had walked out with the officials, and said with a smile:

"It's not that Grandfather is cursing your sixth uncle, it's just that some people are born rebellious and like to do things like killing their brothers and fathers. Grandfather can't do anything about it."

The retired emperor's tone was inexplicably smug.

Jia Lian's expression froze, and Princess Zhaoyang's face changed drastically.

Before Jia Lian could ask anything, an old palace maid covered in blood rushed in and threw herself at Jia Lian, saying, "Duke Rongguo, please go and save His Majesty!"

A large force is besieging the Daming Palace. Her Majesty the Empress sent us out to request reinforcements, and thankfully, we have found you.

Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang looked down and confirmed that it was a female official from Kunning Palace. They immediately disregarded everything else.

Princess Zhaoyang glared at the blank-faced Third Prince behind her, then immediately led her entourage toward the Daming Palace.

Jia Lian also took a deep breath and ordered, "Su Keguang and Fan Jin, you two stay here and protect the Emperor Emeritus."

No one is allowed to leave this place without my permission until I return.

"Feng Ziying, Liu Xianglian, you two take your men and come with me."

After saying this, Jia Lian was about to mount his horse.

The retired emperor grabbed him and said, "Life and death are predestined; there's no use in you going."

Why don't you stay and keep Grandpa Emperor company? Grandpa Emperor will make you the Crown Prince, okay?

"After your grandfather passes away, you will be the ruler of the Great Wei!"

The courtiers were once again in uproar.

No one could believe their ears.

What did they hear?
Wasn't it said that the Third Prince was the Crown Prince?

Although the Emperor Emeritus has not yet issued an edict, he did not deny what the Third Prince had said before.

The Third Prince led his men to rescue the Emperor Emeritus, and it was only natural that the Emperor Emeritus would agree to this; everyone could understand it.

But you've only just met Jia Lian, and he's brought so many soldiers with him. Instead of being suspicious, you're rushing to make him stay and keep you company, and even want him to be the crown prince. What's going on here?
What did they take the Third Prince for?
Behind him, the Third Prince clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug deep into his flesh.

The hatred in his heart was boundless, almost enough to annihilate the world!

Why, why does everyone have to betray me?!

Jia Lian paused in his mounting motion, a surge of emotions welling up within him.

At that moment, he knew that his heart was fluttering.

He saw the Emperor Emeritus's earnest pleading eyes, the complex and inexplicable gazes of the officials, and the shock and excitement on the faces of his own soldiers.

He gently pushed aside the retired emperor's aged arm and mounted his horse.

"I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness."

However, His Majesty is a wise ruler, and his kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain.

"I cannot ignore him."

After saying this, Jia Lian turned his horse around and rode away.

The large number of soldiers behind him could only temporarily conceal their madness and quickly catch up.

The officials were once again astonished.

It's incomprehensible that Jia Lian would refuse such an incredible opportunity.

May I ask, are there truly saints in this world?

If there is such a person, it must be the Duke of Rongguo.

Watching Jia Lian's tall figure ride away, the Emperor Emeritus felt a hint of regret, but more than anything, excitement.

As expected, my judgment was correct!
Compared to some heartless scoundrels, only he is worthy to be my good grandson!

The retired emperor turned around, not even glancing at the third prince, but inwardly sneering:

My dear grandson, I hope your men can be of some use.

Otherwise, how could my beloved grandson have returned to my side?
Supported by the old eunuch's arm, the retired emperor walked straight to the dragon throne in the main hall.

It was as if the thousands of soldiers inside and outside the palace were not guarding him, but rather his personal army, the emperor's own army.

……

When Jia Lian arrived at Daming Palace, the once familiar snow-white marble steps were now covered in bloodstains.

The fallen corpses of armored soldiers everywhere show that a brutal and bloody battle had taken place here.

The majestic palace doors were crooked and dilapidated.

Jia Lian and his close confidants cautiously pushed open the door and entered.

There were more and denser corpses inside than outside.

Jia Lian avoided the corpses and led his men forward.

He stopped in his tracks as soon as he stepped into the passageway.

The passageway was also littered with corpses.

The only difference was that it was on a nine-tiered platform in front of the corpse.

A wheelchair stood there quietly.

Emperor Ningkang's face remained as pale as when he was lying in bed.

He looked at Jia Lian, his gaze calm:
"Jia Lian, are you here to kill me too?"

Jia Lian's heart skipped a beat, and at that moment, his vision blurred.

In a daze, I saw Princess Zhaoyang next to the wheelchair, and several generals whose robes were stained with blood.

……

Jia Lian felt a little sorry for the retired emperor.

However, Jia Lian felt that it was not unjust for him to lose to Emperor Ningkang again.

After all, Emperor Ningkang deceived everyone this time. No, perhaps it shouldn't be called deceiving.

Jia Lian lowered his head and glanced at Emperor Ningkang's profile.

Still pale, filled with a sickly appearance.

Continue pushing the wheelchair forward.

Beside her, Princess Zhaoyang nudged Jia Lian with her elbow and asked in a low voice, "I heard that the Emperor Emeritus just said in front of everyone that he wants to make you the Crown Prince?"

"Um……"

"You refused?"

"Ah."

Princess Zhaoyang patted her chest, feeling quite relieved.

Jia Lian, however, was not as optimistic as her.

Whether he agreed or not, the retired emperor had once again put him in a precarious position, essentially setting him up for another ordeal.

However, Jia Lian glanced down at Emperor Ningkang again.

She's even willing to let him push her wheelchair, so she probably won't be too angry, right?
Before the wheelchair reached the Golden Hall, Emperor Ningkang glanced at the large number of armored soldiers and said indifferently, "What are you doing blocking so many people here? Disperse."

Jia Lian shouted at Su Keguang and the others, who were still somewhat stunned, "Didn't you hear His Majesty's decree? Get out of here now!"

"Yes……"

Su Keguang and others hurriedly ordered a retreat, thinking to themselves, "Didn't everyone say the emperor was going to die?"

Someone is trying to assassinate him.

Why did the general go there and then just push him out like that?
Does the general possess magic, granting life to whoever he saves?
The retired emperor was invited back to Chonghua Palace.

When he got back, he was completely distraught.

But no one dared to care about him at this time; everyone looked at Emperor Ningkang, who had sat back on the dragon throne, with some unease.

After a long stare, Emperor Ningkang asked, "I heard that while I was unconscious, you sent Prince Yun to invite the retired emperor out to take charge of the court and to respectfully request his restoration. Is this true?"

Emperor Ningkang's voice was also soft and calm.

But at that moment, the courtiers suddenly realized it.

At some point, the pressure exerted by Emperor Ningkang on them far surpassed that of the retired emperor.

Zhao Dongsheng stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, there is absolutely no such thing."

We have all been tricked into coming here by Prince Zhongshun.

The retired emperor was also forcibly invited from Chonghua Palace by Prince Yun.

Prince Yun also sent troops to surround the main hall, forcing the officials to acknowledge the restoration of the retired emperor.

"Plop" sound.

King Chungshun lay on the ground, trembling.

Judging from the extent of his trembling, none of the ministers doubted that King Chungshun might have wet himself in fear, but his obesity and loose robes made it impossible to tell.

On the contrary, the third prince seemed to have resigned himself to his fate, standing motionless with his head down in front of the military officer.

His calm demeanor naturally caught the attention of Emperor Ningkang.

"What do you have to say?"

When Emperor Ningkang questioned him, the Third Prince immediately knelt down and said, "Your subject knows his crime."

Your Majesty, I only dared to ask you to take charge of the affairs of state because I saw that Your Majesty had been ill for a long time and I was worried that no one would be in charge of the affairs of state.

"If I had known that Father Emperor would suddenly recover from his illness today, I would absolutely not have dared to do such an absurd thing."

"Suddenly recovered from illness"—what a clever phrase.

Is this a veiled criticism that he's faking illness?

Emperor Ningkang was too lazy to ask any more questions, since the other party was too lazy to explain and seemed to be at the mercy of him.

When father and son reach this point, their bond is truly over.

“Prince Yun is unfilial and immoral, and plots to usurp the throne. He is hereby stripped of all his titles and emoluments and permanently imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court.”

The sons and wives of Prince Yun were all demoted to commoners and exiled to Lingnan.

The rest were all beheaded.

Let Prince Xiao oversee this matter.

"Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

The third prince prostrated himself on the ground and loudly expressed his gratitude.

Emperor Ningkang waved his hand, and immediately guards stepped forward and dragged the Third Prince away.

The Third Master's faction was devastated.

After dealing with the Third Prince, Emperor Ningkang turned to Prince Zhongshun and said, "You really are my good younger brother..."

King Chungshun's obese body suddenly began to tremble at an even higher frequency.

Jia Lian had no doubt that if things continued this way, perhaps Prince Zhongshun could lose weight.

“Remove Prince Chungshun from his positions as Prime Minister and Deputy Director of the Imperial Clan Court, reclaim all his imperial estates and villas, confine him to the Prince’s residence, and prohibit him from leaving without permission.”

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Majesty. Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Compared to the Third Prince, his punishment was much lighter.

It seems that his elder brother still cares for him. As long as he performs well in the future, he may have a chance to turn things around.

"Feng Sheng..."

Feng Sheng was one of the few who knelt down, and now he was very uneasy.

The Third Prince and Prince Zhongshun, one the emperor's son and the other his brother, were both blood relatives of the emperor and thus could still retain their lives.

I don't know myself...

Regret is useless now.

In fact, he had a chance to escape when he discovered that Emperor Ningkang had woken up.

After all, as the commander of the Imperial Guard and the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, even if Jia Lian had several thousand soldiers, he might not be able to capture him in the palace.

However, after much thought, he decided to accept the verdict honestly.

"Your Majesty, I know my crime and beg for your leniency..."

Emperor Ningkang gazed intently at the man who had followed him since his days as a prince, and after a long while, sighed:

"Go back and commit suicide. I will ensure the safety of your family, wife, and children."

Emperor Ningkang actually liked Feng Sheng very much; otherwise, he wouldn't have entrusted him with such an important task when Tiewangshan was so crucial.

If he could, he actually didn't want to kill him.

However, Feng Sheng had committed an unforgivable crime.

It was one thing to collude with the Third Prince and allow him to lead troops into the palace to stage a coup.

The soldiers he let in even besieged the Daming Palace.

If such a crime is not punished, how can we deter the officials?
Feng Sheng also heard the emperor's sigh, and for a moment, his regret was palpable.

Knowing that the emperor had shown leniency, he kowtowed three times deeply to him.
"I have failed Your Majesty's trust. If there is an afterlife, I would still be willing to be Your Majesty's subject!"

After saying that, he got up and went outside the hall.

Having dealt with the three ringleaders, Emperor Ningkang naturally wouldn't waste any more words on the remaining underlings; he would simply leave them to his subordinates to handle.

He looked at Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang and said without any emotion, "The Duke of Rongguo and the Princess have rendered meritorious service in saving the Emperor, and each shall be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold."

In addition, the eldest princess was appointed as the prime minister, and together with Shui Rong and Zhao Dongsheng, she was put in charge of major military and political affairs.

"Alright, I'm tired. Court is adjourned."

"Your Majesty, we respectfully bid you farewell! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

...(End of chapter)