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

Jia Yi stood still, a slight smile playing on his lips, his gaze indifferent.

Before long, Niu Jizong replaced the 10,000 new recruits with a full 10,000 White Spear Soldiers—the elite of the elite, their spears like a forest, their killing intent soaring to the sky.

At this moment, Yingchun's courtyard was filled with laughter and joy.

The girls sat together, chatting and laughing, the scent of rouge mingling with their laughter in the spring breeze.

Only Granny Wu sat alone in the corner, her face stiff, not daring to utter a single word.

Why?

Ten female guards stood in a line, their eyes as cold as knives, fixed on her, as if if she dared to move, she would be pressed into the ground the next second.

She had intended to teach Yingchun as usual early in the morning, but as soon as she got up, she was so frightened by the murderous aura that she shrank back into her chair.

I held my breath, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.

She wailed inwardly: Your Majesty... I'm afraid I've messed up the task you assigned me! Jia Yi protects his sister like she's his own lifeblood, ten times more fiercely than you can imagine!

As the days went by, the Rongguo Mansion was in complete chaos.

Jia Yi is getting married!

"When you married me, you weren't this extravagant!" Wang Xifeng said, hands on her hips, watching the entire household bustling about, her tone dripping with jealousy.

Jia Lian rolled his eyes: "My third brother is a properly conferred Duke of Qin. How can I compare to him? Are you stupid?"

"Tch." Wang Xifeng curled her lip, thinking to herself: If only I had married Jia Yi back then, wouldn't I be a prominent Duchess now? Living a life of glory, with everyone calling her "Sister Feng"?

The retired emperor was also busy, sending gifts to the Rongguo Mansion one after another—pearls, coral trees, gold-threaded soft armor, thousand-year-old lingzhi mushrooms… all of which were the palace’s most treasured possessions.

Why?

Firstly, he valued Jia Yi as a pillar of support; secondly, he felt sorry for his granddaughter whom he couldn't acknowledge, so he could only make amends quietly in this way.

Not to be outdone, Emperor Yuankang sent gifts in a continuous stream, clearly telling the world: the person whom my Great Qian Dynasty favors the most is Jia Yi!

The capital city was instantly in an uproar.

Everyone in the streets and alleys was talking about it: "How come this fool Jia has suddenly become so popular? He's got mountains of rare treasures; the emperor is treating him like royalty!"

Finally, the wedding day arrived.

Jia Yi has officially begun his "puppet" mode.

One set of red tape after another, bowing to heaven, earth, and elders, a never-ending cycle of formalities.

If it weren't for wanting to give Qin Keqing a respectable and glamorous wedding, he would have already carried her over the wall and run away.

Those spoiled brats who usually waited to watch the show stared at him with wide eyes.

He cursed inwardly: "Damn it, why is this idiot Jia so well-behaved today? Not a bit of his usual wildness? He's not even being aggressive when he's drinking?"

After the ceremony was completed, Jia Yi finally led Qin Keqing back to the Rongguo Mansion, holding the red ribbon.

The entire capital city was like a festival.

The people lined the streets to welcome them, and their cheers shook the rooftops.

"Congratulations, Duke of Qin! May you have a long and happy marriage!"

"Wishing you a speedy delivery of your precious child! The more the merrier!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Eight in one go! The next generation of our Great Qian Dynasty depends on you!"

"Eight aren't enough, let's have ten more! Our Qian Dynasty's iron-fisted rule is as stable as Mount Tai!"

……

The waves of blessings grew louder and louder.

Qin Keqing, inside the sedan chair, felt her ears burning and her cheeks flushed red enough to bleed.

She gave birth to eight? Did she become a sow giving birth?

After the wedding ceremony, Qin Keqing was sent to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

Jia Yi was left behind to drink with the old foxes, the Four Kings and Eight Dukes.

Tonight's goal is clear—to get this war god drunk!

The crowd laughed innocently, but their eyes were frighteningly bright.

Whoever can outdrink Jia Yi, the invincible warrior, can boast about it for thirty years without repeating themselves!

Jia Yi was fully aware of the situation and cooperated perfectly.

After a few drinks, he immediately started swaying, his tongue became tied, and he slumped in his chair, pretending to be drunk.

Everyone knew the truth but no one called it out.

Jia She grinned: "Yuanyang, help your Third Master back!"

"Yes!" Yuanyang responded and stepped forward, carefully helping Jia Yi.

As soon as the two turned through the moon gate, Jia Yi immediately straightened his back and walked with a steady, breezy gait.

Yuanyang covered her lips and chuckled softly, her eyes full of cunning.

"Let's go," Jia Yi said softly, his voice gentle yet authoritative. "Let's go home."

He gently pinched her cheek with his fingertips, with a hint of doting affection.

The group walked silently toward Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

"Miss, Miss! The young master is here!" Baozhu rushed into the house, her voice trembling.

Qin Keqing's heart trembled, her palms became sweaty, and she was unsure whether to sit or stand, her fingertips gripping the edge of her wedding dress tightly.

Footsteps approached from outside the door.

"Everyone, step back." Jia Yi's voice was deep and clear.

"Yes." The maids and servants filed out, and the door closed softly.

The flickering candlelight cast his tall, slender shadow.

He stepped forward and lifted her red veil with one hand.

In an instant, the lights were like mist, and the beauty was like a painting.

Qin Keqing lowered her eyes, her cheeks flushed, and her eyelashes trembled slightly, like a startled butterfly.

Jia Yi stared at her, his heart suddenly jolted.

At that moment, he finally understood.

Why would Jia Zhen be so insane for her, willing to bear eternal infamy just to possess her?

Jia Zhen was taken aback, his eyes momentarily glazed over.

A murderous intent surged within him—why not find a pretext to finish this guy off cleanly and decisively, so he wouldn't have any more wicked thoughts in the future?

Jia Yi's eyes turned cold, and he sneered inwardly: This kind of filthy scum is a menace even when alive, but it's better for him to be dead!

"My lord, my lord?"

Seeing him lost in thought, Qin Keqing gently waved her hand in front of his eyes, her voice as soft as spring water.

"Ah, I was daydreaming." Jia Yi snapped out of his reverie, a smile playing on his lips. He reached out and grasped her smooth, delicate hand. "Don't call me Duke anymore, it sounds too formal. Just call me Jia Yi, or... Third Master is fine too."

"Then I'll call you Third Master." Her eyes brightened, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Alright." He chuckled softly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Then let's—turn off the lights."

Before he finished speaking, he flicked his finger, and the candle went out with a "poof," plunging the room into an ambiguous, dim light.

After a night of passion, the first rays of dawn broke through the darkness.

As dawn broke, Jia Yi took Qin Keqing's hand and went to serve tea to Jia She and Madam Xing.

After the ceremony, he got straight to the point: "Father, Mother, I want to move out."

After saying that, without waiting for the other party's reaction, he turned around and left, pulling Qin Keqing away gracefully.

"Third Master..." On the way, Qin Keqing glanced back, her brows furrowing slightly. "Father-in-law doesn't look too good. Perhaps... I shouldn't move for now?"

"What are you afraid of?" Jia Yi chuckled, the warmth from his palm reassuring her. "He can't control me."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a dark figure leaped down from the roof with a whoosh, raising a cloud of dust – it was none other than a member of the Imperial Guard.

Qin Keqing and her two maids were so frightened that they all retreated, their beautiful faces turning pale.

Jia Yi pulled her into his arms and whispered, "Don't be afraid."

She leaned against his chest, her heartbeat gradually stabilizing.

"Report—My Lord!" The Imperial Guard knelt on one knee, his voice urgent, "A large number of famine victims from Jiangnan have appeared outside the capital! Among them... are remnants of the White Lotus Sect!"