Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

A few days later, at the Rongguo Mansion.

East Courtyard.

Sister Feng busied herself as she fastened Jia Lian's battle robe. Her gaze swept over the guards who had been waiting behind Jia Lian for a long time, ready to fight. She left the rest of her words unsaid and simply looked up at her man with eyes full of worry and tender affection.

Jia Lian also raised his hand to touch her face, smoothing away the tension in her skin caused by worry and reluctance under her eyes, before lowering his head to gently kiss her forehead.

"Remember what I told you, wait for me to come back."

After saying this, Jia Lian showed no further hesitation, mounted his horse, waved his hand, and led his personal guards away on horseback.

Tomorrow is the day when the two emperors, along with members of the imperial family and princes, will hunt at Tiewang Mountain.

Jia Lian eventually received Emperor Ningkang's order, commanding him to lead a portion of the firearms battalion to set up defensive lines on the east and south sides, ten miles away from Tiewang Mountain, to protect the safety of Tiewang Mountain.

This was both within Jia Lian's expectations and unexpected.

As expected, Emperor Ningkang's decision to leave the firearms battalion outside the city and give him this order made Jia Lian even more certain that Emperor Ningkang was indeed planning something at Tiewang Mountain.

Surprisingly, Emperor Ningkang did not intend to use him.

As the commander-in-chief, Jia Lian could easily see from Emperor Ningkang's arrangements that Emperor Ningkang intended for him to serve as an outer defensive line, blocking any reinforcements from the retired emperor that might appear from the east and south when he launched his rebellion.

His orders were that during the hunt at Tiewang Mountain, no suspicious person was allowed to enter the area without an imperial decree to threaten the safety of the two saints.

It is conceivable that there are also armed forces in the west and north, undertaking the same responsibilities.

Emperor Ningkang's arrangement made Jia Lian feel both worried and somewhat relieved.

He couldn't be there in person for such a significant event, and couldn't grasp the situation and its direction immediately, so naturally he felt uneasy.

He felt at ease because, even though he knew that Emperor Ningkang valued the firearms battalion under his command and had sent Dai Quan to inspect it on his behalf just two days ago, Emperor Ningkang still only allowed him to be responsible for defense on the outer perimeter, which showed Emperor Ningkang's confidence in him.

If Emperor Ningkang did not possess sufficient power, he would never have allowed his several thousand soldiers, several thousand muskets, and three hundred cannons to serve merely as gatekeepers.

Feng Jie watched Jia Lian and the twenty or thirty riders behind him leave, her worry clearly visible in her eyes.

In fact, since Jia Lian took over, it has been common for him to go out on official business, and it is not uncommon for him to be away for a year or two at a time.

Logically speaking, she shouldn't be too worried about someone who's only been away for about half a month, and is still in the capital region.

It's all that heartless person's fault.

In the two days leading up to his departure, he kept talking to her about random things and made many arrangements that seemed like "preparing for his funeral."

Even though he only took half of his personal guards with him, he didn't take any of his personal attendants, and he even asked her to take good care of the house.

Sister Feng is not stupid.

Jia Lian's unusual behavior naturally made her sense something unusual in the air.

Over the years, Jia Lian has often been able to foresee things, which has made her completely trust his judgment!

She knew that Jia Lian would not do this without a reason.

Thinking back to what Jia Lian had told her, that he controlled military power in the central government and that he would definitely not be able to stand aside in the event of any earth-shattering incident, she felt extremely frightened.

But she was clever. Since Jia Lian hadn't explained it to her explicitly, she pretended not to understand and even complained that Jia Lian was being cryptic. On the surface, she also seemed impatient with his instructions.

Now, seeing Jia Lian depart, she could no longer hide her feelings.

She raised her embroidered handkerchief to wipe the moisture from her eyes, then Feng Jie's expression turned serious. Looking at her and Jia Lian's trusted confidants around her, she said in a deep voice:

"Don't think that just because the Marquis is not at home, you can slack off just because no one is watching you."

From this day forward, everyone better be alert and follow the rules. If anyone slacks off, neglects their duties, or acts recklessly and falls into my hands, don't blame me for not giving you a heads-up!

"Lin Zhixiao's wife, go and tell your husband that from today onwards, he must record all people entering and leaving the main gate, back gate, and all side gates of the mansion, and report this to me at the beginning of each evening (7-9 PM)."

Before leaving, Jia Lian instructed her to leave everything to the servants and not to go out unless absolutely necessary.

She knew Jia Lian was worried about her safety and the safety of the family. She had made up her mind to take good care of the house while Jia Lian was away.

……

Jia Lian had no idea that the seemingly simple-minded Sister Feng had already noticed something.

He did indeed make many preventative arrangements in both governments.

He was worried that if the matter at Tiewang Mountain escalated, it might attract the attention of various factions in the capital and threaten the safety of the two prefectures.

Of course, he also knew that if something major happened in the capital that affected the Jia family, the hundred or so servants of the Jia family and the personal guards he left behind would not be enough to protect them.

Therefore, he had informed the Military Command in advance, and with their assistance, he expected to be safe.

That's all.

Before the incident occurred, Jia Lian dared not make any overly obvious moves that might affect Emperor Ningkang's important affairs.

The next morning, the palace staff indeed followed the two emperors out of the palace and left the capital.

Accompanying them were almost all the royal family members, some princes and ministers and their sons, as well as their respective large numbers of followers and guards.

Along the way, banners covered the sky, a vast and mighty procession.

Jia Lian and his subordinates only opened the checkpoint to see off the main force when it passed through their defensive line.

As for how the various units settled down, set up camps, established defenses, and arranged hunting after the large number of troops arrived at Tiewang Mountain, that remains unknown.

Time passed silently.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and the hunting trip was about to end, but there was still no movement from Iron Net Mountain.

Just when Jia Lian almost thought that something had gone wrong and caused Emperor Ningkang to cancel the operation.

A shocking piece of news arrived:

The crown prince plotted a rebellion and raised troops to surround the Sage's Palace on Iron Net Mountain.

……

Iron Net Mountain.

As a mountain chosen by the royal family as a hunting ground, it boasts a superior geographical environment.

The mountains are high but gentle, and the forests are dense but not dangerous.

For decades, it has been managed by the royal family and is like a paradise.

However, in the early hours of this morning, the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses rang out in this secluded paradise reserved for royal hunting. A strong sense of killing intent, accompanied by the dawn, permeated the entire Iron Net Mountain and penetrated the hearts of all the nobles.

The once peaceful and tranquil royal hunting grounds were suddenly filled with unease.

Emperor Ningkang strode confidently to the palace of the retired emperor, only to be blocked by a general in golden armor and his men.

"How dare you!" Dai Quan shouted.

The golden-armored general was naturally not afraid of Dai Quan, but seeing that Emperor Ningkang's expression had also darkened and he was looking at him coldly, he couldn't help but show a bitter smile.

However, after glancing at the large number of heavily armored Imperial Guards who followed Emperor Ningkang, who immediately dispersed to "protect" the entire palace, he had no choice but to step forward.

"I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness. This humble general was ordered to protect the safety of the palace, and without the Emperor Emeritus's decree, I dared not let anyone in."

"Lord Zhongjing, how dare you! Do you dare to obstruct His Majesty?" Dai Quan rushed up to the golden-armored general, puffing out his beard and glaring. Judging from his posture, if it weren't for the hand on the sword at the general's waist, he would have slapped him long ago.

Emperor Ningkang waved his hand and then looked at Marquis Zhongjing, Shi Ding, and said, "I have received news that there are rebels at the foot of the mountain. The entire Iron Net Mountain is no longer safe."

I came to protect the Emperor Emeritus out of concern for his safety, but you obstructed me without cause.

"If this delays the Emperor Emeritus's evacuation, you, Shi Ding, cannot bear the consequences."

Facing Emperor Ningkang, whose tone was light but whose face was cold, Shi Ding felt immense pressure.

However, as a general who had been promoted by the retired emperor, he dared not disobey the retired emperor's orders.

So he knelt on one knee before Emperor Ningkang and said in a deep voice, "This humble general dares not obstruct Your Majesty."

However, the situation is still unclear. My orders are to defend the palace and not allow a single soldier to enter its area. I beg Your Majesty not to make things difficult for me.

If Your Majesty wishes to have an audience with the Emperor Emeritus, this humble general will naturally convey the request on Your Majesty's behalf...

Emperor Ningkang did not speak again, but Shi Ding, who was kneeling on the ground and dared not raise his head, knew that Emperor Ningkang's face must be terribly gloomy.

He couldn't help but feel worried about his own future and that of the historians.

Thinking about the possibilities, large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but he didn't dare to look up and wipe them away.

"In that case, you should go and issue the notification."

"Yes."

Shi Ding, who had finally received Emperor Ningkang's order, breathed a sigh of relief and immediately stood up to call a subordinate to deliver the message.

No sooner had he given the order than a large number of people emerged from the palace.

Immediately afterwards, the Emperor Emeritus's specially made four-wheeled dragon throne was pushed out by the combined efforts of four eunuchs.

Shi Ding felt relieved and quickly ordered his soldiers to make way, revealing the palace gates.

Upon seeing the retired emperor, Emperor Ningkang stepped forward as if no one else was there and said in a deep voice, "Your subject greets Your Majesty. Due to an emergency, your subject had no choice but to trespass into the palace. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Oh, what happened that made you so flustered?"

The retired emperor seemed to know nothing. Sitting on the dragon throne, he casually adjusted the dragon robe in front of him, speaking in a calm and nonchalant manner.

Emperor Ningkang said, "Your Majesty, I have just received news that the Imperial Guards and the large number of soldiers stationed at the foot of the mountain have suddenly rioted and are now marching up the mountain."

Your Majesty, I am concerned that the soldiers of the Imperial Guard stationed on the mountain will not be able to withstand the rebels. For Your Majesty's safety, I propose that I escort Your Majesty away before the rebels attack.

"Riot? Rebels?"

"Under the clear blue sky, in the capital region, where did these rebels come from, and what caused their uprising? Have you ascertained all of this?"

"The incident happened suddenly and the situation is still under investigation. However..."

Emperor Ningkang paused for a moment, clearly hesitant, but still turned back to give a signal.

Suddenly, a disheveled general in golden armor was pushed out.

He knelt down before the two emperors with a thud, and said in a low voice, "This humble officer, Tian Qu, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, greets the Emperor Emeritus."

Your Majesty, I was originally ordered to be stationed in the mountains. Yesterday evening, the Crown Prince suddenly came down the mountain with his personal guards, saying that he had prepared a special gift for the two emperors.

I dared not stop it.

Unexpectedly, at dawn, my soldiers learned that a large number of troops were moving up the mountain, all bearing the Crown Prince's banner and marching menacingly. Any soldiers who tried to stop them were attacked and killed.

"This humble servant dares not neglect his duty. On one hand, I ordered my soldiers to set up layers of defenses, and on the other hand, I immediately went up the mountain to report the news to Your Majesty."

The retired emperor glanced at Tian Qu and said indifferently, "According to what you're saying, it's the crown prince who raised an army in rebellion and intended to commit treason."

He was doing well as the crown prince, why would he commit such a treasonous act?

"This humble general dares not make a definitive statement. However... according to the reports from my soldiers, they say..."

"Speak!" the retired emperor suddenly shouted.

Tian Qu trembled and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Yes! The rebels are using the pretext of rescuing the emperor!"

They said that His Majesty harbored resentment towards the retired emperor because he was dissatisfied with the death of Consort Li and the rejection of the land reclamation policy. He planned to stage a coup during the hunting trip at Tiewang Mountain.

They also said that the Crown Prince was ordered by the Emperor Emeritus to descend the mountain and raise troops to defend the Emperor in his time of crisis…”