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

The retired emperor was not idle either. With a wave of his sleeve, the Embroidered Uniform Guards scattered like black crows. He issued a secret order: thoroughly investigate the area within a hundred miles of the capital, dig three feet into the ground, and find out if there is a second private army!

In an instant, the political landscape of the capital city changed dramatically.

Everyone in the mansions of the powerful and wealthy felt insecure, and the atmosphere was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring.

Only the Ning and Rong families remained oblivious to the impending murderous intent, still living a life of decadence under the protection of their ancestors.

Shui Rong stood in the high pavilion of the mansion, looking towards the palace, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Jia Yi has probably really messed things up this time."

He muttered to himself, his eyes flashing slightly: "Otherwise, the Embroidered Uniform Guards wouldn't have suddenly mobilized in full force."

He gently traced the rim of the teacup with his fingertips and sighed softly, "It seems that all the covert operations... have been put on hold recently."

"Don't get caught in the crossfire, or you'll be under close surveillance."

Meanwhile, Jia Yi had already sped back to the capital with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, covered in dust and dew, his armor still on.

He knelt before the palace, his voice booming like thunder: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Retired Emperor!"

"Speak!" Emperor Yuankang practically roared. "Tell me everything from beginning to end, word for word!"

"yes!"

With his head held high and chest out, Jia Yi recounted his experiences in detail, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

When he uttered the words, "Those private soldiers were all raised by Prince Zhongshun"—

The hall was deathly silent.

Even the candlelight seemed to freeze for a moment.

The palace maids and eunuchs all felt a chill run down their spines, cursing inwardly, "We're doomed!" They had lived in constant fear for years, and now they were about to be swept into a monstrous wave!

Emperor Yuankang's gaze instantly fixed on the face of the retired emperor.

Look at your beloved son! He's practically built a private army! And he still acts all high and mighty!

The Emperor Emeritus's lips twitched, and he cursed Jia Yi's ancestors for eighteen generations in his mind—this idiot! How many times have I given you a look? Shut up!!!

"Cough cough!" He coughed twice, trying to remain calm. "My son, don't panic. Jia Yi... is not thinking clearly. Perhaps he has been deceived."

The words had barely left his mouth—

"Who's the fool?"

Jia Yi stood up abruptly, his eyes shining, his aura surging!

The system notification sound exploded in his mind:

[Ding! The host has angered the Emperor Emeritus by confronting authority, activating the hidden achievement—'Insubordination'! Reward: 10,000 Qi Family Army soldiers, immediately incorporated into the army!]

Jia Yi was secretly overjoyed, but outwardly he was even angrier: "Who are you calling stupid? Say it again if you dare!"

The Emperor Emeritus turned pale and hurriedly waved his hands, "I misspoke! I misspoke!"

But Jia Yi was not about to give up. He took a step forward and charged straight for the dragon throne!

"Protect the Emperor!!!"

Dai Quan screamed and lunged forward to stop him, but Jia Yi casually shoved him aside.

"Bang!"

The old eunuch fell face-first into the mud, his back cracking, and he screamed in agony, "Ouch—my old bones are broken!!! Quick, save the Emperor!!!"

The Han generals rushed forward and surrounded Jia Yi.

But everyone knows this guy is the "chosen one," and you can't mess with him with knives and guns, so you can only use your body to hug him and press him down with your hands and feet!

"Hold him down!"

"Put some effort into it!!!"

In an instant, the golden hall was thrown into chaos, dragon robes fluttered, and roars shook the beams.

And that golden light from the system was quietly enveloping Jia Yi—

The storm has only just begun.

Of course, Jia Yi didn't really intend to attack the Emperor Emeritus. His anger was only three parts real and seven parts acting, and he didn't use any force in his hands—who would take seriously an old man who was clinging to them and barely breathing?

But he continued to close in step by step.

His steps were steady, his aura sharp as a knife, each step feeling like it was treading on the heart. The retired emperor's face turned deathly pale, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

It wasn't until hundreds of imperial guards rushed in one after another, piled on top of each other and shoulder to shoulder, that they were able to barely surround him!

Actually, it wasn't a trap at all. It was clearly Jia Yi who, seeing the time was right, withdrew, letting them "subdue" him. If he was going to act, he had to make it believable.

"call--"

The retired emperor slumped down beside the dragon throne, panting heavily, his inner shirt soaked with cold sweat.

For a moment just now, I really thought I was about to pass away...

Emperor Yuankang and Xia Shouzhong stood aside, watching the retired emperor's disheveled appearance and Dai Quan kneeling and trembling, feeling extremely pleased!

What's this called? The emperor bows his head, the retired emperor is humiliated—what a spectacle!

"Alright, Jia Yi!" Emperor Yuankang cleared his throat, mimicking Niu Jizong's gentle and soft-spoken tone, and adopted a peacemaker's stance. "The Emperor Emeritus is old and his words are sometimes confused. It's not that I'm saying you're really stupid."

He paused, then added, "For my sake, please don't stoop to his level, okay?"

Upon hearing this, the retired emperor rolled his eyes on the spot.

Am I confused? You want my son to plead for me?

If he weren't still maintaining some semblance of dignity, he would have loved to rush up and kick this unfilial son a couple of times!

"Alright then." Jia Yi grinned and gracefully stepped down the stairs. "For His Majesty's sake, I won't hold it against you."

Upon hearing those words, Emperor Yuankang was overjoyed!

It worked! This was the first time he had mediated a dispute between high-ranking officials in the guise of an emperor, and he had actually succeeded!

He couldn't help but glance at the retired emperor out of the corner of his eye, his eyes brimming with smugness: See? People listen to me!

The retired emperor gritted his teeth.

Damn it, I'm an emperor too! How come I'm not even as good as a rebellious son now?

No, we can't lose!

We must win this game!

"Jia Yi!" he suddenly exclaimed, his voice rising, "You have rendered a great service this time, and I am very pleased."

"The empty palace across Ningrong Street is yours."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuankang's pupils contracted slightly.

That place... was originally prepared for King Chungshun!

Later, because it was too close to the Rongguo Mansion, and fearing that Jia Daishan would collude with Prince Zhongshun and threaten the position of the former crown prince, the construction was temporarily suspended and sealed off.

Now it's been directly given to Jia Yi?

Emperor Yuankang's heart skipped a beat—the old man was about to play a big game.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jia Yi bowed and expressed his gratitude, his brows and eyes relaxed.

No need to wait to move anymore? Upgrade your apartment right here on the spot?

Beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous!

"Alright, you may leave now." The retired emperor waved his hand, but his gaze subtly shifted to Emperor Yuankang.

He knew that the real contest was only just beginning.

Jia Yi understood immediately and turned to leave.

What happened next was no longer his concern.

The power struggle between father and son is in full swing, and as an outsider, it would be wise for him to be sensible.

But just as they stepped out of the palace gate, a slender figure suddenly emerged from behind a pillar.

"My lord! Wait for me!"

It is a zither.

She chased after him so fast that her hair was disheveled, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were wet as she stared at Jia Yi, full of resentment.

"What?" Jia Yi immediately tensed up, becoming extremely wary.

He'd watched plenty of palace dramas in his past life, so he was very familiar with this kind of plot!

On a dark night in the palace, an orphan girl blocks the way; nine out of ten are traps, and the remaining one is even more insidious!

They'll either set a trap or lure you into a snare; if things go wrong, they might accuse you of "tainting the harem" and end up with beheading and confiscation of your property.

He won't fall for it!

"My lord, my young lady wishes to see you," Baoqin said hurriedly.