Starting with being handed over to the Imperial Concubine, building a family with a thousand-year hi

Xiao Anran was unwilling to say more, and Su Mu did not press her for details.

But he could guess why Xiao Anran returned to the library—most likely because of Xiao Yuanhou's dying wish.

If she were to remain in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. Furthermore, Xiao Yuanhou probably also hoped that this exceptionally talented granddaughter could... obtain some "opportunity" in the library.

Not long after Xiao Anran returned to her residence, Empress Situ Wan once again took the Fifth Prince Xiao Jinghuan back to visit her maternal clan.

This time, it was not Situ Wan who took the initiative to request to return home, but rather her father, Situ Lie, who sent a message through someone, saying that he missed his grandson and hoped that the Empress would bring the prince home for a visit.

Situ Wan's request was granted.

Deep within the Situ family mansion, in that secret-like hall, Situ Wan reunited with her father Situ Lie, her elder brother Situ Sheng, and her great-grandfather Situ Jing.

"Just as I expected." Situ Lie smiled brightly. "According to palace rules, the Empress should not leave the palace before the sacrificial festival. But since I have spoken, the Emperor will surely agree."

"Father, why is this?" Situ Wan asked, puzzled. "Our family has recently lost the Emperor's favor, and the Emperor has become increasingly distant from me. Why would he make an exception for me?"

"It's just because the Xiao royal family... dares not offend us again right now." A smile also appeared on Situ Sheng's face.

"Xiao Yuanhou suffered a severe blow in the Northwest. Although he may not be dead yet, he is not far from it," Situ Jing said calmly.

"What?!" Situ Wan's eyes widened. "I've heard a little about what happened in the Northwest. Great-grandfather... you went there too?"

"Yes, he hasn't been gone long." Situ Lie nodded. "How can I know for sure how Xiao Yuanhou's injuries are if I don't go there myself?"

"Did you find anything?" Situ Wan pressed. "What's the situation with that ruin?"

"Of course." Situ Sheng's face showed arrogance. "The various forces are mixed together, but with my great-grandfather in charge, my Situ family has finally gained the upper hand."

"The royal family sent many experts, so how could Xiao Yuanhou be so seriously injured?" Situ Wan asked again.

"Among all the forces, the Xiao royal family is the strongest. Besides Grandmaster Xiao Yuanhou, they have many other Grandmasters as well. Because of this, they became the target of everyone's attacks," Situ Lie explained. "At that time, the barbarians and several Grandmasters from the Northern Desert joined forces, with a barbarian Grandmaster leading the charge. 'God's Judgment' also got involved, surrounding Xiao Yuanhou. Seeing this, cultivators from other forces also took advantage of the royal family's misfortune. Under those circumstances, if Xiao Yuanhou hadn't fought to the death to cover their retreat, the royal family would probably have been completely wiped out."

"The Heavenly Martial Sect and the royal family have always been on good terms, why don't they offer any assistance?"

"The people from Tianwu Sect arrived too late to provide assistance."

"The Xiao royal family...this is their own fault!" Situ Sheng sneered. "If they hadn't always suppressed my Situ family, my clan might have been able to join forces with them, and we wouldn't be in such a sorry state."

"And then what? What treasures did each family obtain?"

"Beneath the fissure lies the legacy of an ancient sect," Situ Lie said. "Except for the Xiao royal family, all other families have made gains. The situation is chaotic, and it's difficult to know exactly who got what. Only one thing is certain—the Xiao royal family returned empty-handed."

Situ Sheng put down his teacup, his voice laced with sarcasm: "Before they could even open the secret treasure, they were ambushed and had no choice but to slink away."

Clearly, the Situ family was quite pleased with the Xiao imperial family's setback in the Northwest.

Situ Sheng, who was dismissed from his post, almost set off firecrackers to celebrate.

This should have been a family by marriage. If they had trusted each other, why would the Xiao royal family have ended up like this?

Since you've already acted unkindly, don't blame me for being unjust.

"With the acquisition of the relics, the strength of everyone will increase, except for the Xiao royal family, whose strength will decrease rather than increase." Situ Lie's eyes flashed, his expression shrewd. "When spring comes next year and the snow melts, the barbarians of the Northern Border, the Northern Desert, and even the demons of the Cangmang Mountains in the Western Frontier will probably all be restless. The Great Qian Dynasty... may really be about to change."

"A family without a Grandmaster is not worthy of being called royalty." Situ Sheng's words were icy.

"If my Situ family provides full support, surely we can preserve the Xiao family's empire?" Situ Wan asked tentatively.

If possible, she still did not want the Xiao family to perish—after all, her husband was the current emperor, and her son might succeed him in the future. As a woman, this was already the pinnacle.

"That depends on the Xiao imperial family, especially the emperor's attitude," Situ Sheng said. "Do you expect us to fight to the death, only to have them stab us in the back?"

"Wan'er, when you return to the palace this time, you can subtly hint at our clan's position to the Emperor and try to secure some practical benefits—including restoring your brother's military power and title. Let's see how the Emperor responds," Situ Lie instructed.

"My daughter understands."

After dinner, Situ Wan hurriedly returned to the palace with her son.

Upon returning to Fenghe Palace, she summoned the Grand Eunuch, Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian had received favors from the Situ family and had long-standing ties with the Empress's faction, so he could be considered reliable.

"Chief Steward Wei, has anything unusual happened at the Hall of Mental Cultivation lately?" Situ Wan asked directly.

Inquiring about forbidden areas within the palace was a grave taboo; if the emperor found out, one would be severely punished. Ordinary people would never dare to ask such questions.

"This old servant does not know." Wei Zhongxian, whose beard and hair were both white, shook his head. "The Hall of Mental Cultivation is a forbidden area of ​​the royal family, and no one may enter without a summons. The eunuchs there are all directly under the command of the royal family's top experts, and outsiders have difficulty getting close."

"There must be clues to everything. With Chief Steward Wei's abilities, I don't believe he would have been completely unaware." Situ Wan stared intently at the chief steward.

"Your Majesty, you are wise... This old servant can only deduce from a few clues that something major has indeed happened. As for what exactly it is, this old servant truly has no idea."

Wei Zhongxian was a cunning old fox; otherwise, he wouldn't have reached this position. He had long suspected that Xiao Yuanhou was likely dead, but he absolutely could not say it aloud.

He is not a grandmaster; if he makes a rash judgment, his life could be in danger if the royal family investigates.

Only when it is confirmed that Xiao Yuanhou is dead, and that the Situ family and the Empress are absolutely certain, will he dare to completely side with them.

In the past, he was loyal to the emperor and the royal family, but in the harem, he was more inclined to favor the empress.

The next choice depends on the situation.

"I understand. Thank you, Chief Steward Wei."

"This old servant takes his leave."

That night, Emperor Xiao Anxun arrived at the Fenghe Palace.

It has been more than three months since he last visited in person.

Situ Wan felt somewhat relieved—she had just returned from her maternal clan when the emperor arrived; perhaps this was a gesture of goodwill.

Remembering her father's instructions, she took the opportunity to make three requests to Xiao Anxun:

I. Restore Situ Sheng's military power and noble title;

Second, the fifth prince, Xiao Jinghuan, was appointed as the crown prince.

Third, Consort De was banished to the Cold Palace.

Situ Wan did not mention Su Mu of the library—in her opinion, without Xiao Yuanhou as a backer, that little eunuch could be easily eliminated.

However, she never expected that her three requests would not only be denied, but would also enrage the emperor.

After sternly rebuking the Empress, Xiao Anxun left the palace in less than an hour.

At that moment, Xiao Anxun almost wanted to depose the empress, but he restrained himself.

He knew that the Xiao imperial family needed to rely on the Situ family at this time, but as an emperor, how could he allow his maternal relatives to make such demands? If he agreed, how would he be any different from a puppet?

Of the three offers, Xiao Anxun could only consider the first one.

The court is in dire need of capable people, and Situ Sheng is indeed a talented individual. Restoring his military power is not out of the question.