In consideration of Prince Dai’s past glorious military achievements, the Emperor did not issue a decree to execute Prince Dai and Prince Yue. The two brothers were demoted to commoners and imprisoned for life in the Royal Mansion.

The entire family of Marquis Xuanping was executed in public display, but their extended family was not exterminated, simply because Marquis Xuanping did not have an extended family for the Emperor to eradicate.

Prince Han, who colluded with the Xiongnu, was granted a cup of poison in prison. As for the family of Marquis Wuping, the Xun family, their extended family was exterminated. The Xun family indeed had an extended family.

The Xun family has since disappeared from this world forever, and among the aristocratic families, the Xun family will no longer exist.

Among the four great aristocratic families in the capital, only the Xie family remains struggling to survive; the other three families have been removed by the Emperor.

The other aristocratic families, seeing how the Xun family and others were eliminated by the Emperor, were terrified. They wanted to resist but did not dare to. Compared to the four great families like the Xie family and the Xun family, they were insignificant. If they challenged the Emperor, their outcome could be even more tragic than that of the Xun and Wang families.

Although the Xie family is far from its former glory, it is still intact, which slightly comforts the other aristocratic families. They deceive themselves by reassuring that if the Xie family doesn’t fall, the aristocratic families will be safe.

Of course, if the once-leading Xie family falls, the fate of the remaining aristocratic families wouldn’t be any better. These families are also aware, but they cannot resist the Emperor’s exploitation. If they resist, they would die even faster. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

They quietly live with their tails tucked, knowing the Emperor won’t remove them quickly, but will rather eliminate them slowly, like boiling a frog in warm water. During this period, they can still arrange a future for their families.

These second-rate and lower aristocratic families only hope the Xie family can hold on a little longer. To help the Xie family endure, they have all pledged their allegiance to Prince Jing.

Prince Jing is the legitimate heir, and his maternal family is the leading aristocratic Xie family. As long as he ascends the throne in the future, these families may not only survive but might even rise to be elite families and wield great power.

Regarding the allegiance of these second-rate aristocratic families, Prince Jing outwardly rejects them. He doesn’t dare to get too close to these families at this time. If his father discovers that he is colluding with these families, he would be doomed.

Prince Jing is smart; he understands the Emperor has always wanted to eliminate the aristocratic families, to prevent them from controlling the court and reigning above the court and the common people.

He speculates that Prince Han’s collusion with the Xiongnu in the recent rebellion has his father’s involvement. To completely eliminate the Xun family, rebellion is the best opportunity.

Prince Jing inevitably recalls the incident where the Crown Prince and his uncle secretly smelted copper to forge weapons years ago. If his father wants to completely eradicate the Xie family and incite rebellion by the Crown Prince and his uncle, wouldn’t it be even better? This would provide a legitimate excuse to exterminate the extended Xie family, making them disappear forever. But his father did not do this; why?

He doesn’t believe his father has any affection for the Xie family, reluctant to exterminate them.

After carefully considering, Prince Jing concludes the Emperor deliberately keeps the Xie family. The reasons being: firstly, to appease all aristocratic families; secondly, to avoid being criticized by the world for being heartless.

The present Xie family is already a feeble camel, posing no threat to his father, but perfectly used by him to appease and intimidate other aristocratic families.

In the future, when he ascends the throne, it is best to maintain the Xie family in its current state.

Currently, only he, the fourth, and the eighth remain. However, his greatest opponent remains the fourth. As for the eighth, despite having some methods and abilities, he poses less of a threat compared to the fourth.

Next, focus entirely on dealing with the fourth. After cleaning up the fourth, remove the eighth as well.

Prince Jing doesn’t take Prince Wei seriously, unaware that he will soon be eliminated by Prince Wei.

The matter of Prince Dai, Prince Yue, and Prince Han colluding and rebelling is already settled, and the shadow cast over Great Zhou has dissipated.

Upon hearing that the new Modu Chanyu of the Xiongnu was killed by General Chu and the Xiongnu Royal Court was destroyed, with other tribes subjecting to Great Zhou, the citizens erupted in joy.

In recent days, citizens in many places across Great Zhou have spontaneously celebrated this event.

To the citizens, the rebellion by the princes was not too significant; the Xiongnu was their major concern. Now that their greatest worry is gone, they can finally sleep peacefully, no longer having to fear the Xiongnu invading southward into Great Zhou.

Returning to the palace, upon learning that Prince Dai and Prince Yue are not dead, Noble Princess Consort Rong breathed a sigh of relief. But when she discovered the family of Marquis Xuanping was executed, she fainted in grief.