Chapter 122 The Yang Family is Annihilated

Lord Yang realized that His Majesty's mobilization of such a large force, even involving the Dragon Guard, meant this matter would not end easily. He stormed back to his residence and, in a low voice, instructed his steward: "Quickly! Find a way to send someone out secretly to find the Marquis of Zhenbei, or a few other officials you know, and ask them to put in a good word for you with His Majesty!"

Just as the butler was about to respond, a slightly lazy and teasing voice suddenly came from above:

"Lord Yang, save your energy. I'm still here watching..."

Everyone looked up in shock and saw a white-clad boy wearing a half-mask sitting on the wall, swinging one leg and holding a gourd of wine in his hand.

"Today, let alone sending anyone out, not even a bird could fly out of your Yang residence alive."

Lord Yang was startled and pointed at the wall, shouting sternly, "You! Who are you? How dare you be so insolent here!"

Bai Xiao tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of wine, waving his hand impatiently: "Don't ask. Once you know my identity, you'll die. Just stay here and wait."

He tied the gourd back to his waist, clapped his hands, and spoke as casually as if he were discussing the weather:

"Waiting to die."

Bai Xiao couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing to look at the terrified expressions of the Yang family members below.

He shook his wine gourd and lazily suggested, "Hey old man Yang, don't just stand there. Tell your cook to prepare a good meal so you can be well-fed on your journey."

Lord Yang was so angry that he trembled all over: "You...you mustn't talk nonsense!"

Bai Xiao scoffed, "Nonsense? Your precious daughter committed a capital offense that threatens the very foundation of the nation while in the palace! She crossed the line that Yuwen Che absolutely cannot touch."

His eyes suddenly turned cold, and his tone was chilling: "Your Yang family can just wait to be uprooted."

Lord Yang was even more horrified when he heard him address the Emperor by his given name. He forced himself to ask, "Who...who exactly are you?!"

Bai Xiao impatiently picked at his ear: "None of your business. I'm here on orders to keep watch. You guys just stay put and don't pry into my business."

After he finished speaking, he ignored the Yang family members below who looked ashen-faced and started drinking again, as if he were just completing a routine task.

Pei Xuan returned to the outer hall of Guanju Palace and reported to Yuwen Che: "Your Majesty, Consort Shu and all the palace servants have been arrested and imprisoned in the dark. The Yang residence is also under strict guard, and no one has been allowed to enter or leave."

Yuwen Che stood with his hands behind his back by the window, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, "In your opinion, how should this be handled?"

Pei Xuan pondered for a moment and said, "Consort Shu plotted to harm the Empress, and her crime deserves to be punished. The Yang family... may be investigated and dealt with according to the law."

Yuwen Che turned around, his eyes icy: "The Yang family... failed to educate their daughter properly, allowing her to plot against the Empress and the imperial heir, and even harboring the ambition to support the young emperor and covet the throne. Their crimes are unforgivable."

He paused, then said, word by word, "By imperial decree, the entire Yang family shall be executed immediately, without trial."

Pei Xuan's heart skipped a beat. Although he knew the Yang family's crimes were serious, the execution of the entire family without trial was still extremely severe. He hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, what about... the Yang family's protégés and associates throughout the court and the country..."

Yuwen Che looked at him sharply: "Deal with them all at once, and wipe them out completely."

Pei Xuan wanted to advise further: "Your Majesty, you have many disciples. If you punish them all at once, wouldn't it implicate too many people? I fear it might cause turmoil in the court and among the people..."

Yuwen Che raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable chill: "Pei Xuan, remember this, a tamed dog often bites... the hardest."

His gaze shifted towards the inner chamber, his voice low and menacing: "The Second Prince is newly born, frail and sickly, and needs rest. I... absolutely cannot allow any potential danger, any opportunity, to reach him and the Empress. Do you understand?"

Pei Xuan sensed the absolute resolve in His Majesty's words, which left no room for the slightest risk. His heart tightened, and he said no more, clasping his hands in a deep voice, "Your subject understands! I will do it immediately!"

After Pei Xuan left to receive his orders, Li Dehai cautiously approached and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Second Prince and the Princess have just been born. Is it... is it somewhat inappropriate to start such a bloody conflict at this time? I fear it may be an ominous sign..."

Yuwen Che glanced at him and asked in return, "Li Dehai, do you really think that the Yang family harbored such treasonous intentions, and that their protégés and associates throughout the court and the country would be completely unaware of it?"

Li Dehai hesitated for a moment before cautiously replying, "In my humble opinion... perhaps I am aware of this."

Yuwen Che nodded, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "Yes, they were aware of it, and may even have been involved, or at least tacitly approved and condoned it. Since that's the case, if I don't seize this opportunity today to uproot them completely..."

He paused, his voice carrying a chilling undertone: "Are we to wait until they've grown powerful and influential before threatening my son? Or are we to wait until my son is... killed by them in the future?"

He looked at Li Dehai, his eyes sharp as knives: "The more potential trouble I eliminate now, the less danger my son will face in the future. Do you understand this principle?"

Li Dehai sensed the deep protectiveness the Emperor held for the prince and princess in his words, and his heart skipped a beat. He quickly bowed and said, "This old servant... understands. Your Majesty is far-sighted, and this old servant was short-sighted."

Yuwen Che waved his hand, "For the sake of my children's absolutely safe future, I don't mind getting my hands stained with more blood and bearing the name of a tyrant."

Pei Xuan personally led a team of Dragon Guards, holding the imperial edict, and headed straight for the Yang residence, which was surrounded by a large crowd.

Bai Xiao, perched atop the wall, spotted them from afar. He stood up, dusted off his clothes, and waved his wine gourd at the ashen-faced Lord Yang in the courtyard, bidding him farewell with a touch of nonchalance:

"Old Yang, your time has come. Have a safe journey... Goodbye!"

Without waiting for the other party's reaction, he flashed a white shadow and used his lightness skill to glide across the rooftop as lightly as a white crane. In a few leaps, he disappeared from everyone's sight.

No sooner had he left than Pei Xuan arrived at the gate of the Yang residence with his men.

The deputy commander of the Longxiang Guard stepped forward and reported: "General, the Yang residence has been besieged for a long time, and no one has been able to enter or leave."

Pei Xuan nodded, expressionless, and unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, reading it aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Yang family has failed in its duty to educate its daughters, condoning Consort Yang's plot to harm the Empress and the Imperial Heir, and harboring rebellious intentions. The evidence against them is irrefutable, and they are unforgivable by Heaven and Earth! Therefore… the entire family shall be executed immediately! So be it—"

After the imperial edict was read, cries of agony and pleas for mercy filled the Yang residence.

Pei Xuan waved his hand indifferently: "Execute!"

The Dragon Guards charged into the mansion like wolves and tigers.

Chaos reigned within the Yang residence. Some tried to hide, while others desperately attempted to break out, but all their efforts were in vain against the elite Longxiang Guards.

Lord Yang's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He suddenly drew the sword that was decorated on the wall and pointed it at Pei Xuan: "Pei Xuan! I have some connections with your father! Tell me! What heinous crime has my daughter committed that His Majesty wants to exterminate my Yang family!"

Pei Xuan slowly drew his sword, its blade gleaming coldly. He said in a deep voice, "Alright, since Uncle Yang asked, I will tell you."

"The Consort Shu attempted to harm the Empress in the palace, indirectly causing the Empress to suffer a premature birth, postpartum hemorrhage, and dystocia! The Second Prince and the Princess almost lost their lives as a result! The Empress was also severely weakened and remains unconscious to this day! His Majesty is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation."

He stared at Lord Yang's face, which had turned deathly pale, and said, word by word, "The investigation revealed that Consort Shu intended to use all the power of your Yang family to support the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne, thus committing treason!"

“Uncle Yang,” Pei Xuan’s voice was icy, “do you think that the charges of plotting against the Empress Dowager and the imperial heir, plus treason, are enough to wipe out the Yang family?”

Lord Yang was struck dumb, his sword clattering to the ground. He collapsed, his face ashen, muttering, "She...she actually..."

"How foolish..."

Pei Xuan looked at him and finally said, "Uncle Yang, given His Majesty's methods, the fact that he has only punished your entire Yang family and core followers is already a sign of leniency, considering that the prince and princess have just been born and that he is unwilling to commit further bloodshed. Otherwise, the charge of treason alone would have been enough to exterminate your entire clan."

Having said that, he no longer looked at Lord Yang, who was lying paralyzed on the ground, and waved his hand to order: "Make your move...!"

Blood stained the courtyard of the Yang residence.