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

Meanwhile, in a dense forest outside the city, Jia Yi, mounted on horseback, grinned as he gazed at the distant capital city, where smoke curled from its chimneys.

"Well done."

He felt extremely relieved, as if a stone that had been pressing down on him for many years had finally been removed.

In the depths of a dark alley in the capital city, several "White Lotus Cultists" dressed in black looked at each other, completely bewildered.

"We...we didn't do anything!"

"How could someone just die? And they're saying we killed him?!"

They were completely bewildered, yet they had been thrust into the spotlight—becoming the most unjust scapegoats in this grand drama.

Moreover, their target is none other than the Prince Zhongshun, who has turned Jiangnan upside down this time!

The people of Jiangnan were displaced, their families destroyed, and their lives ruined. Behind this massive wave of "converting rice paddies into mulberry fields" was the dark hand of that noble prince, who was pushing things along.

Prince Zhongshun had something to hide—he feared that his private army would be no match for Jia Yi's loyal and brave camp.

So, they expanded the army! They trained the troops! They needed money!

Where does the money come from?

Naturally, the money would have to be taken from the Zhen family, who depended on him!

The Zhen family was cornered and had no choice but to grit their teeth, uproot the rice in their thousands of acres of fertile land, plant mulberry trees, raise silkworms and weave silk, and desperately try to make money to fill this bottomless pit.

A single government decree destroyed countless farmers' livelihoods, but they couldn't care less.

At this moment, Jia Yi was leisurely returning to his Qin State Duke's mansion, his steps unhurried, as if the sky falling had nothing to do with him.

But as soon as he stepped through the door, Xia Shouzhong was already pacing anxiously in the hall, sweat beading on his forehead and his eyes practically blazing with anger.

"My goodness! Your Excellency, the Duke, you've finally returned!"

Xia Shouzhong rushed forward, grabbed Jia Yi's sleeve, and dragged him outside. "The Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty have been waiting for you for ages! They've practically burned incense three times in the palace!"

Jia Yi looked completely bewildered, letting him pull him along: "Oh dear, Eunuch, you look so anxious! Has the palace been flooded? Or has the throne been stolen?"

The carriage sped along, the street scenes outside the window rushing past. Xia Shouzhong lowered his voice, his face grave:

"A secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard... has been discovered that a spy from the White Lotus Cult has infiltrated the Jiangnan camp."

Jia Yi raised an eyebrow and replied casually, "Oh? No wonder the news is so tight."

He then gave a lazy smile: "But what does this have to do with me? I'm not some high-powered detective from the Ministry of Justice, why would I investigate a case?"

In everyone's eyes, wasn't he just a dim-witted, pleasure-seeking playboy duke?

Sending him on an errand? Isn't that like using a pig in a hot pot, a chaotic mess?

Upon hearing this, Xia Shouzhong immediately lowered his head and pretended to be deaf and dumb, keeping his eyes down and his mind focused—I didn't hear anything! Not a single word entered my ears!

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the carriage had already stopped in front of the palace gate.

Xia Shouzhong led Jia Yi, taking three steps at a time, straight to the Emperor Emeritus's bedroom.

"Your humble servant pays respects to the Emperor Emeritus and Your Majesty."

The hall was brightly lit, and Emperor Yuankang and the retired emperor sat at the head of the table, their expressions calm. Wu Ci'en and Zhao Youting had been waiting to the side, their faces seemingly composed, but their hearts were pounding.

Emperor Yuankang rose, his voice not loud, yet sharp as a drawn blade:

"Now that the Duke of Qin has arrived, let's get down to business."

"The death of Jia Zhen of Ningguo Mansion has brought to light a big fish hiding in the shadows."

"The intelligence is conclusive—this person is in the Jiangnan camp."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the hall suddenly tightened.

Mark Chao and Cien Wu exchanged a glance and breathed a sigh of relief.

What they feared most was that the emperor would suddenly decide to purge the officialdom in Jiangnan.

But their account books in Jiangnan can't withstand scrutiny! If thoroughly investigated, their entire family will be in deep trouble!

But now—is it to prevent a mutiny? Or to maintain order?

Okay! I can accept this one!

Emperor Yuankang continued, "I have issued an edict ordering the Marquis of Yongyi in the Jiangnan Camp to seal off the camp under the pretext of 'Autumn Maneuvers,' prohibiting any soldiers from entering or leaving."

"At the same time, I order you—" He turned his gaze to Jia Yi, "to lead the Loyal and Brave Camp south immediately, to prevent the White Lotus Sect from inciting the army and triggering a mutiny!"

Mark Chao and Cien Wu nodded silently.

Having Jia Yi in charge is the perfect choice.

The Loyal and Brave Camp is the iron fist of the empire; anyone who sees it will tremble.

"As for the investigation—" Emperor Yuankang paused, "I'll leave it to Lin Ruhai."

"He happens to be your uncle, so he can also discipline you a bit while he's at it."

"Jia Yi, remember this: when you get to Jiangnan, listen to your uncle in everything!"

Upon hearing this, Mark Chao and Cien Wu felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders.

Who is Lin Ruhai?

A seasoned veteran among veterans, a living fossil of the Jiangnan officialdom!

They know the rules, how to behave appropriately, and won't actually overturn the table.

Let him investigate; it will both put on a show and protect their shady secrets.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

Emperor Yuankang smiled and looked at his two regents: "Chief Regent, Second Regent, what do you think?"

This wasn't a meeting that needed to be reported to them; it was only because the Emperor Emeritus said, "Let them hear it," that these two were invited to come and lend their support.

To put it bluntly, they were mouthpieces—secretly conveying the true intentions of the emperor and his son to the powerful figures in Jiangnan.

Mark Chao cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I have no objection."

Wu Ci'en followed closely behind, nodding vigorously.

"Very well!" Emperor Yuankang slammed his hand on the table. "Jia Yi, you shall set off immediately, prepare the army, and march south without delay!"

The retired emperor had already dispatched the Embroidered Uniform Guard to Yangzhou at full speed to inform Lin Ruhai to provide assistance.

Once the loyal and brave army arrives in Jiangnan, a dramatic and turbulent drama will officially begin.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Jia Yi bowed and accepted the order, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes that went unnoticed by anyone.

Jia Yi, who had just gotten married, was dragged out of his blissful marriage by a military order before the warmth of their wedding night had even faded.

The Loyal and Brave Camp was fully prepared, their iron armor gleaming in the morning dew, and the neighing of warhorses shattering the tranquility of the capital. He mounted his horse, not even bothering to glance back at the bridal chamber, and rode south, kicking up clouds of dust.

But secretly, he was overjoyed—last night, with a single stroke, that wolf Jia Zhen had breathed his last. From now on, no one would dare to lay a finger on his wife. This revenge was more satisfying than a wedding ceremony.

When the news reached Rongqing Hall, Qin Keqing was eating slowly with her chopsticks, her fingertips slightly cool, but her expression was calm as still water.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry." Xichun leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. "I got a talisman for Third Brother. He wears it close to his body, and evil spirits won't get in!"

Before she could finish speaking, Wang Xifeng strode over, put her arm around Qin Keqing's shoulder, and smiled broadly yet warmly: "That's right! Sister-in-law, don't worry, Yi-ge'er has the constitution of copper and iron, invulnerable to swords and spears, and impervious to all poisons! Who has ever seen him shed a drop of blood?"

The women in the room echoed her sentiments, their gazes softening with tenderness. Who wouldn't feel sorry for this bride? Yesterday she wore a red veil, today her beloved has gone to war; before the "three days" of their wedding had even passed, she was already on the battlefield.

Only Jia Baoyu sat in the corner, his eyes fixed on Qin Keqing's beautiful and ethereal face, as if he had been bewitched. But then he remembered that she was already Jia Yi's woman, and a wave of bitterness and resentment washed over him.

He lowered his voice, almost squeezing out the words through clenched teeth: "Such a celestial being... how could she be paired with that brute Jia Yi!"