Lord Xu is the biological grandfather of the First Prince's principal wife.

Since he said that, it means there's nothing that can be done.

Lord Xu truly understood that there was no other way.

The main problem is that the Empress acted too quickly.

When the Ning family was completely taken into custody that day, he knew that the crown prince's ascension to the throne would be difficult.

He remained inactive, waiting for the outcome. The outcome was that General Zhang killed Xu Chong in the capital.

Yan Nanji led his troops back to the capital.

He certainly hoped that the Xu family could produce an empress, but he was even more afraid that hundreds of members of the Xu family would be killed.

He bowed his head now, for he was still a subject. If he resisted to the death, he would only face certain death.

He's old. He might not care about his own life, but he can't bear to leave his family with so many members.

Mainly, he genuinely didn't believe the eldest prince could turn things around from where they were. The Ning family was powerful, but the eldest prince wasn't some exceptionally gifted genius...

I can only say, I wasn't destined for it...

Inside the Hall of Joyful Longevity, the eldest prince was imprisoned. No matter how much he struggled, no one released him before a day had passed.

The guards outside were the Imperial Guards, and one of them shouted angrily, "I am the Crown Prince! I am the Crown Prince appointed by His Majesty! How dare you imprison me?"

Unfortunately, it was no use; the people guarding him were all the guards who hadn't gone to Meng Haijiang.

They didn't witness firsthand how the late emperor established him, so even if they had doubts, they wouldn't care.

So even if the eldest prince shouted until his throat was hoarse, no one paid any attention.

He wasn't even given any food that day.

The closer the time came, the more nervous he became, pacing back and forth like a donkey pulling a millstone.

Finally, the time came to release him, and he was eagerly led to the Beichen Palace by the guards.

"Have you thought it through?" Yan Nangui asked.

"Your Majesty, this is disobedience! This is betrayal! Father Emperor dotes on you so much, how could you treat him like this!"

"It seems he hasn't made up his mind yet." Yan Nangui said calmly, "Someone, send the eldest prince to the outskirts of the capital. Just send him to the villa where Prince Shun used to live. Keep a close eye on him and take good care of him, lest he do something rash and try to kill himself."

"Empress! Yan Nangui! You are plotting a rebellion! Father will not let you get away with this!" the eldest prince cried as he was dragged out.

Unfortunately, although he has been made crown prince, he doesn't have many personal guards around him yet, and everything has happened so quickly.

"The Crown Prince failed in his duty to protect the Emperor, and is arrogant and unfilial; he is hereby confined to the outskirts of the capital. Consort Ning failed in her duty to her son, instigating the Crown Prince to be unfilial to his father; she is hereby sentenced to death. The Ning family harbors treacherous ambitions, encouraging the Crown Prince to plot rebellion. All male members of the Ning family's main branch are beheaded, and the female members are exiled. Collateral branches are dismissed from their posts and driven out of the capital. The Crown Prince and all his entourage have been imprisoned. They will be thoroughly investigated, convicted, and executed immediately." Yan Nangui said calmly.

If you want to change the world, you can't do it without killing.

Shuanzi agreed and went to deliver the imperial decree.

Jiang Xiang said cautiously, "Your Majesty, should we wait a bit before sending the Ning family away... this is not good for your reputation."

“It doesn’t matter. What I’ve done has earned me a good reputation? I don’t care about reputation,” Yan Nangui said.

"yes."

The Ning family was suddenly purged, and the disaster of their property being confiscated and their clan exterminated struck.

A family that had enjoyed glory for several dynasties and for a hundred years collapsed just like that.

They were overjoyed when they heard that the eldest prince had been made crown prince, but it was all too short-lived.

At this point, who wouldn't know that this was the Empress's scheme? It's hateful that they underestimated the Empress.

Knowing she had no children, I was wary, but not this much.

Now that we're at their mercy, it's too late to say anything.

The Duke of Ningguo, his hair disheveled, watched as his family members were led away like pigs and dogs. He cursed at the sky, "You vile woman Yan! You killed my family, murdered my children and grandchildren! You will die a horrible death! Your Majesty, open your eyes and see! Your empire is about to be taken away by the Yan family..."

Zhang Shaoyang's eyes flashed, and he kicked him in the chest.

The Duke of Ningguo was getting on in years; he couldn't withstand such a kick.

It immediately stopped working; even if he didn't die, he wouldn't be able to speak.

Someone laughed and said, "General Zhang did the right thing. What nonsense is this old geezer spouting?"

Zhang Shaoyang smiled and said, "Since you're busy..."

Inside the Jade Hibiscus Palace, Lin Lingyi watched in horror as the imperial guards arrived, and she stood to one side, tightly gripping her maid's hand.

She did try to win his favor too...

The maid comforted her, "Lingyi, don't be afraid. You don't have any children, and your status isn't high."

Lin Lingyi nodded, nodded frantically.

Ning Jiaoyun sat there, having already learned all the news.

No one brought her mourning clothes, so she could only wear plain clothes.

"I want to see the Empress. If I am not seen, I will not die," said Consort Ning.

The people who came exchanged glances, but one of them still went to find Yan Nangui.

Yan Nangui is nowhere to be seen: "Jiangxiang, go ahead. Tell her what she wants to know."

"Yes," Jiangxiang replied, then got up and went to Yufu Palace with the others.

Unable to see the Empress, Ning Jiaoyun protested: "I want to see the Empress!"

“Her Majesty the Empress is busy and has no time. She said that whatever you want to know, this servant will tell you,” Jiangxiang said.

"I want to see Yan return south! What grudge do I have against her that she would try to kill me like this?" Consort Ning's eyes were bloodshot.

"Her Majesty didn't say, but I think it's not because of any hatred. She doesn't really care about the schemes in the harem as long as they don't actually harm Her Majesty. The reason she wants to order your death is because of those words in the imperial edict."

"Is it fear? She's afraid that what she did will be despised by the world, isn't it?" Consort Ning sneered.

“What’s there to be afraid of? I asked Her Majesty, and she doesn’t care about her reputation. If she doesn’t care about her reputation, then what is there to be afraid of?” Jiangxiang looked at her.

"Your Majesty promised not to harm his offspring. If you don't die, how will the Crown Prince be free in the future?" Jiangxiang said.

Consort Ning was taken aback: "Freedom? My son is already under house arrest, how can he be free?"

“Therefore, the Ning family can no longer have power. You cannot live either. I know that Her Majesty will set him free and even grant him a title,” Jiangxiang said.

"Heh, I don't believe that."

“Why not believe it? You know Her Majesty’s temperament, don’t you? She won’t grant others’ wishes, but she will always grant His Majesty’s wishes,” Jiang Xiang said.

"To grant His Majesty's wish? What nonsense are you spouting? If it were to grant His Majesty's wish, then it would be my son who ascends the throne!" Ning Jiaoyun's face was contorted with rage.

“But the Sixth Prince is also His Majesty’s son. Consort Shu, there’s no need to say these things. What’s the use? Even if you’re unwilling to die, is there really no other way?” Jiang Xiang said.

"Yes, what can I do? It's a pity I've never been able to fight her in my entire life."

"Wasn't the late Empress defeated by you? Didn't Consort Jing gradually fall into that state because of you? In the past, our Lady didn't care or interfere. Now, what doesn't she know? Is your cooperation with Consort Ye going well?" Jiang Xiang asked.

“You…” Consort Ning was stunned for a moment.

“None of that matters anymore. His Majesty is gone, and the Empress is even less inclined to dwell on these past events. In truth, His Majesty has no legitimate son, and the princes born out of wedlock are vying for that position. Didn't they ever consider the possibility of death if they lost?” Jiangxiang asked.