Chapter 152 The Death of the Empress

He waved his hand, signaling the chief of the guards to step back.

Following the orders, the chief of the guards swiftly disappeared into the darkness.

The former Emperor summoned Hong Gonggong.

“The Empress is to be executed!”

The former Emperor’s voice was low, pausing for a while before saying, “The Fifth Prince is to be executed!”

Hong Gonggong was startled, raising his head to look at the former Emperor. Seeing the firm expression on the former Emperor’s face, he realized it was not a pretense.

After all the years by the Emperor’s side, Hong Gonggong quickly regained his composure and respectfully replied, “Yes!”

It was not surprising that Hong Gonggong was shocked. After following the former Emperor for many years, he knew well that although the Emperor valued the Empress the most, he cared deeply for each of his children. Back then, when the Crown Prince rebelled, the former Emperor, extremely disappointed, had given him poisoned wine. After the Crown Prince’s death, the former Emperor had been despondent for a period. Now, he was directly taking action to have the Fifth Prince executed!

As Hong Gonggong was about to leave, he hesitated for a moment, summoning the courage to speak, “Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince is still young. Shouldn’t you reconsider…”

It was not that he wanted to overstep, but after serving the former Emperor for so many years, he feared that the former Emperor would feel remorse afterward, especially considering his current health.

Upon hearing this, the former Emperor’s expression turned somewhat helpless. He sighed and replied, “Although I promised to treat my brothers well, that was under the condition that they behaved themselves.”

“Although he is young, he is cunning. Back in the palace, under my protection, he secretly conspired with the Empress to harm me. I cannot let that go.”

“In that case, there’s no need for my son to be stained with his brothers’ blood!”

Upon hearing this, Hong Gonggong also sighed. In the royal family, conflicts among fathers, sons, and brothers were common. He could only hope that the former Emperor would come to terms with it.

As he turned to leave the hall, preparing to lead the former guards to apprehend someone, he saw the Fifth Prince covered in blood, stumbling towards him alone!

Hong Gonggong quickly stopped him, “Your Highness, what happened to you?”

The Fifth Prince looked up at Hong Gonggong, his face filled with fear and panic, as if he was about to cry, “Hong Gonggong, I accidentally overheard the Empress saying that she sent someone to harm the Emperor! When the Empress found out, she wanted to kill me. In the struggle to evade her, I accidentally stabbed the Empress with a dagger. I… I tried to check, and it seems like the Empress has no breath left…”

As the Fifth Prince spoke, he tightly grasped Hong Gonggong’s sleeve, his face pale, trembling uncontrollably.

“This… this…” Hong Gonggong was also at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.

After calming his emotions, Hong Gonggong said, “Your Highness, we need to seek the former Emperor’s judgment on this matter. Please release your grip, and let me inform him.”

Only then did the Fifth Prince let go, murmuring in a daze, “Okay.”

Hong Gonggong hurried inside and recounted the incident to the former Emperor.

The former Emperor furrowed his brow slightly and said, “Let him in.”

In the palace.

The Emperor had just sent someone to the Yun Xie palace to inform the former Emperor about the recent events and discuss how to deal with the Empress and the Fifth Prince. Shortly after, news arrived from the Yun Xie palace.

The Emperor handed the letter to Shu Yuwan, saying, “Take a look at this!”

Curiously, Shu Yuwan took the letter and read through it quickly, looking surprised as she glanced back at the Emperor, “This…”

The Emperor sneered, mocking, “The Fifth Prince truly has exceptional acting skills as always.”

Shu Yuwan said, “Since the former Emperor has spoken, we shouldn’t insist on taking his life.”

“No matter, Empress Xian is already dead, and that Zhao woman is also dead. Since the Emperor has ordered to confine the Fifth Prince t in the Yun Xie palace for life, he won’t be able to cause any trouble. Shu Yuwan fell silent, realizing there was little more to be done for now.

However, she would still find a way to eliminate the root of the problem!

Despite his young age, the Fifth Prince was already so cunning and ruthless. As he grew older, he would only become more dangerous. She didn’t want to leave a potential threat behind.

Back at the Kunde Palace, Shu Yuwan summoned Qing Dai and instructed, “Pass a message to Ayu to stay in Yun Xie palace and accompany the Fifth Prince.”

“Yes.” Currently, most of the external informants were under Qing Dai’s control.

Ayu was the one Shu Yuwan had warned the Emperor about when he was still in the Palace. The Emperor had placed people around the Fifth Prince. Given the Fifth Prince’s cautious nature, over the years, including many people sent by Shu Yuwan, only Ayu had gained some trust from the Fifth Prince.

Now, with everyone around the Fifth Prince likely scattered, Ayu’s presence would earn even more trust.

After arranging matters for the Fifth Prince, Shu Yuwan went to check on the two children.

As for the passing of Empress Xian, it didn’t cause much of a stir in the capital.

The former Emperor had abdicated, and the Peng family had fallen. In the eyes of the public, Empress Xian was already out of the picture! Moreover, the former Emperor didn’t hold the same affection for Empress Xian as he did for Empress Xiaoxian. After her death, she was hastily buried without any honors, not even entering the imperial tomb.

Upon hearing about the Empress’s fate, Shu Yuwan sighed and let it go.