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

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, spittle flying from his mouth:

"After three days and two nights of bloody battle, the enemy was routed! Finally—he personally charged into the enemy ranks and beheaded a Jin banner chief with a single stroke! The head was hung on the flagpole on the spot, terrifying thousands of soldiers to retreat!"

The entire room fell silent.

Even the wind has stopped.

Yingchun's hand trembled, the chopsticks fell to the ground, and her lips turned slightly pale: "Then...is he injured?"

In the past, Lai Da would never have paid any attention to her, this "wooden person," but things are different now.

He quickly smiled ingratiatingly, "Don't worry, Second Miss, everyone outside says that Third Master Yi is completely unharmed, as majestic as a god descending to earth!"

Madam Wang sat in the main seat, her face ashen, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

He had cursed Wang Ziteng a hundred times in his heart: Didn't I tell you to do it? How come he didn't die, but instead became a war god?

Grandmother Jia slowly set down her teacup, a glint of light flashing in her eyes. She asked in a deep voice, "Lai Da, explain yourself clearly—what exactly did Yi Ge'er do?"

How come even with an army of 10,000 pressing in, they still couldn't kill that brat Jia Yi?

"Yi-ge'er...you've really made something of yourself!"

Grandmother Jia murmured something, her eyes glazed over, as if she were seeing the spirited Jia Daishan of yesteryear.

They were equally sharp and ambitious, and equally young and promising.

She was startled—compared to her own pampered Baoyu, this Jia Yi was truly a dragon among men!

Yingchun's fingertips trembled slightly as she covered her lips, her eyes filled with panic.

Charging into an army of ten thousand to slay generals, the slightest mistake would mean certain death!

Brother... you must come back safely...

Lin Daiyu's eyes shone brightly, as if a flame had been ignited within them.

How to take the head of a general amidst a vast army?

That's a myth that only exists in storybooks!

But now, that myth was actually written by her own cousin!

Tan Chun's mouth remained open for a long time.

That silly cousin who used to sneak into Yingchun's room to steal snacks and get chased all over the yard by the nanny...

Now he's actually wielding a spear, leaping onto his horse, charging through enemy lines, and being granted titles and generalships?

The maids in the room were distracted, their eyes darting around.

Jia Yi is about to achieve great success!

If I could serve by his side, even as a personal concubine...

Even instant success is nothing more than this!

Jia Baoyu sat stiffly in the corner, watching his sisters' eyes light up as they kept calling out "Yi-ge'er".

It felt like a red-hot iron was pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He suddenly ripped the jade pendant off his neck, his knuckles turning white.

"What would I do with this damn thing!"

With a loud crash, the jade pendant shattered into pieces on the ground!

The room erupted in uproar.

The maids and servants frantically searched the floor for the broken pieces.

Grandmother Jia rushed over and hugged Baoyu tightly, tears streaming down her face.

"Are you trying to drive me crazy?! That's your manhood! Why are you smashing it?!"

Lin Daiyu gazed at Baoyu quietly, her eyes cold and icy.

Both are young masters of the Rongguo Mansion—

One fought bloody battles on the border to protect the land;

And the other one? All she does is throw tantrums, cry, and vie for attention…

Madam Wang's eyes were bloodshot, almost dripping blood.

It's all because of that Jia Yi!

If he hadn't made a name for himself, Baoyu wouldn't have been so upset that he smashed the jade!

Her nails dug into her palms, wishing she could grind that person a thousand miles away to dust!

"Grandma, Miss is back!"

An aged voice burst through the door.

Everyone was stunned.

Madam Wang's heart skipped a beat:

Yuan Chun...was she banished from the palace?

The curtain was lifted, and Jia Yuanchun, dressed in palace attire, slowly walked in.

His expression was calm, yet it couldn't hide the weariness of a seasoned traveler.

Upon seeing Grandmother Jia, his knees buckled and he was about to kneel down.

"My child!" Madam Wang grabbed her wrist. "Have you done something wrong? Why have you come back so suddenly?"

Jia Yuanchun felt a chill at her fingertips, and her heart sank a little.

Mother... she never cared about her as a person.

She took a deep breath, her voice as steady as a cold spring: "It was the Empress Dowager who granted me permission to return home to visit my family."

He paused, then continued, "Because of Yi Ge'er's great victory in Liaodong, His Majesty was overjoyed and specially conferred upon him the title of First-Class Loyal and Brave Earl."

"boom"--

The room was deathly silent for a moment, then erupted into chaos.

"A first-class earl?"

Grandmother Jia stood up shakily, her hands trembling like withered leaves in the autumn wind.

"Good! Good! Good!"

After three "okay"s, tears streamed down my face like a burst dam.

"My Jia family... finally has a man who can stand tall and proud again! After I die, I can face my ancestors with a clear conscience!"

But the next moment, she frowned: "But... why hasn't the imperial edict been delivered to our residence?"

She lowered her voice, "Last time, Feng San and other men didn't come. This time, is Feng Bo still absent?"

Everyone in the room held their breath.

This matter is rather strange.

Jia Yuanchun lowered her eyes and remained silent for a moment.

How should I start the conversation?

You can't exactly say, "The Emperor already knew that Jia Yi joined the army back then, but it was actually a scheme by your Rongguo Mansion to expel him!"

The emperor was furious, but considering only his merits, he did not implicate him, which was already the height of benevolence and righteousness...

Why would the Rongguo Mansion possibly bestow an imperial edict of commendation upon you?!

Outside the door, Jia She and Jia Zheng heard it clearly.

One of them was so happy that his face turned bright red, and he almost jumped up and cheered on the spot;

The other man's face was ashen, and the veins on the back of his hand, gripping the door frame, were bulging.

Why should I?!

Jia Yi is your son, Jia She, not my son, Jia Zheng!

If I had such a son, how could I worry about my family not prospering!

Inside the room, Grandmother Jia held Yuan Chun's hand tightly, refusing to let go: "Yuan Chun, what you said... is everything true?"

"Absolutely true." Jia Yuanchun nodded. "At this moment, the imperial edict is probably already on its way to Liaodong."

"Good! Good!" Grandmother Jia looked up and choked with sobs, as if she wanted to cry out all the pent-up frustration of the past few decades.

And at this moment—

Liaodong, at the end of the snow-covered plains.

Jia Yi rode back, followed by a long line of prisoners and captured battle flags and armor.

The cold wind whipped his cloak, fluttering it like the roar of a battle spirit.

He raised his hand to wipe the blood from his face, a slight smile playing on his lips.

In this battle, he did more than just survive.

He is someone whose name has been etched into the history books of the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Look! Those carts are piled high with the heads of Later Jin soldiers!"

"My God, General Jia has gone mad with killing!"

"That's right! All the border generals combined have probably killed more enemies than he did in this one battle!"

……

The onlookers chattered excitedly, their voices filled with amazement and admiration. Xiong Ke and his generals, however, stood rooted to the spot, their faces burning with shame, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

Want to refute? But can't open your mouth. What they said may be harsh, but it's all true!

Wu Sheng and the other five commanders stood tall, closely following behind Jia Yi. Although they were only fighting the final battle, they had still personally killed several Later Jin soldiers, thus earning some military merit.

"General Jia, you've worked hard!"

Xiong Ke steeled himself and stepped forward, his face plastered with a smile, his attitude unusually humble. Where was the arrogance he had displayed when they first met?

Jia Yi glanced at him and almost burst out laughing—So you're playing the fool now?

"It's nothing," he waved his hand dismissively, "it's just a few rotten cabbages."

Upon hearing this, Xiong Ke's face instantly turned ashen.

Rotten turnip? Then what are you? A spineless shrimp who can't even beat a rotten turnip?

"Heh...hehe." Xiong Keqian chuckled twice, his fingers trembling with embarrassment.

"I have already reported the great victory at Zhen'an Fort to the imperial court," he said, forcing a smile. "The imperial decree of promotion will surely arrive in a few days. General Jia, your future is bright. I would like to offer my congratulations in advance."

He paused, then smiled ingratiatingly, "I've prepared a banquet at Zuixianlou. I wonder if General Jia would be so kind as to join us? Let's... have a drink and reminisce."