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

However, the soldiers of the "Jianrui Battalion" did not participate in the celebration. They were ordered by the emperor to sweep the entire city with ruthless methods—searching for the remaining members of the Situ family, confiscating their mansions and properties, and locking down and controlling officials and families who had close ties with the Situ family.

Before launching his rebellion, Situ Jing did not relocate all his clansmen, only taking a few core members with him. The men, women, and children of the Situ family who remained in the mansion at this moment, facing the ferocious "Jianrui Camp," were doomed from the start.

Blood stained the deep courtyard where the Situ family had lived for generations.

Meanwhile, certain powerful families and officials closely connected to the Situ family were also traced and purged one by one. The Xiao royal family had been operating for thousands of years, with spies and informants everywhere. These people's backgrounds had long been known, and their actions at this moment were precise and ruthless.

A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. And the crime of colluding with a traitor is one for which death is an unforgivable offense!

The wrath of an emperor can cause corpses to lie for miles around. This saying is no exaggeration.

Afternoon, in the courtyard of the library.

Xiao Anran pushed open the door and entered, only to see Feng Bao sweeping the courtyard.

"Where is Eunuch Su?" Xiao Anran asked.

"Reporting to the Princess, my adoptive father went into the library after returning and instructed that no one should disturb him," Feng Bao replied respectfully, his expression revealing his pride and excitement. Although he had not personally witnessed the great battle in the palace, various rumors had already spread, with the name "Su Mu" appearing frequently, making him, the adopted son, extremely proud.

"Mm." Xiao Anran nodded and sat down on the stone bench under the corridor.

"Princess, what exactly happened in the palace today?" Feng Bao finally couldn't contain her curiosity and asked in a low voice.

"The Situ family's rebellion has been quelled." Xiao Anran didn't want to say more, but considering that Feng Bao was Su Mu's adopted son, her attitude softened somewhat. At this moment, she genuinely admired Su Mu, and was therefore much more polite to his adopted son as well.

"Treason?!" Feng Bao's eyes widened, and he stammered, "Then...then Her Majesty the Empress..."

"Situ Wan has been deposed as Empress, her cultivation stripped, and she has been banished to the Cold Palace." Xiao Anran's tone was calm, yet it revealed the cruel truth. For the heinous crime of treason, the Empress was the first to bear the brunt. Xiao Anxun, out of consideration for their past marriage and for the sake of the Fifth Prince Xiao Jinghuan, spared her life, but deposing her as Empress, destroying her cultivation, and imprisoning her for life—what difference was there between that and death?

With the destruction of the Situ Wan family and her own destitution, Situ Wan could no longer even see her own son, her remaining years destined to be spent in despair and darkness. The future of the Fifth Prince, Xiao Jinghuan, was equally bleak—the royal family would never allow the descendant of a traitor and the son of a deposed empress to have any chance of inheriting the throne. To live peacefully as a member of the royal family was the best possible outcome for him.

"Then... who will be the new empress...?" Feng Bao asked cautiously.

"It should be Consort De," Xiao Anran speculated. Although the Tianwu Sect held back at crucial moments in the war, its early assistance could not be denied, and the Xiao family would still need the support of the Tianwu Sect in the future. Making Consort De Empress was the most reasonable political choice.

"Just as I expected!" Feng Bao's face lit up with even greater joy. His adoptive father had once served Consort De, and if Consort De became Empress, his adoptive father's status would surely rise accordingly!

He thought so, and so did the vast majority of people in the palace. Only a very few insiders knew that Consort De had long harbored resentment and dissatisfaction towards Su Mu.

As the two were talking, Cheng Ping'an and Yu Tian arrived together. They had come to deliver congratulatory gifts to their adoptive father—Su Mu had rendered outstanding service in protecting the emperor, and his reward would surely be generous; as his adopted sons, they should naturally be the first to offer their congratulations.

Compared to Feng Bao, Cheng Ping'an and Yu Tian were far more well-informed. Many experts from the Martial Arts Bureau had participated in the battle at dawn and brought back what they had seen and heard. They already knew that their adoptive father had personally killed Duanmu Ping, and while they were shocked, they were also incredibly proud.

Although rumors were circulating in the palace that it was "Old Ancestor Xiao Yuanhou" who had turned the tide, everyone with discerning eyes knew that the mysterious eunuch Su Mu's achievements were by no means inferior! The attitude of the Imperial Martial Arts Bureau towards Cheng Ping'an and Yu Tian, ​​the two "adopted sons of Eunuch Su," had changed from ordinary care to trying to befriend them and even subtly currying favor.

The name Su Mu has become the hottest topic in the palace!

As evening fell, the doors of the library finally opened.

Su Mu walked out slowly, his expression calm and his aura restrained. After half a day of quiet cultivation and adjustment, he had completely refined the medicinal power of the Breaking Calamity Pill, dispelled all the remaining primordial spirit power of Duanmu Ping, and his soul injury had basically healed.

Several people were already waiting outside the door.

Besides Xiao Anran and his three adopted sons, there was also Emperor Xiao Anxun, Grand Eunuch Wei Zhongxian, and the newly appointed Grand Eunuch Li Lianying!

"Your subject pays respects..." Su Mu was about to perform the salute.

"No need for formalities, Eunuch Su!" Xiao Anxun quickly stepped forward, offering his hands in a gesture of respect, his gaze sincere and filled with reverence. "Today, it is I who should sincerely thank Eunuch Su!"

After saying this, the young emperor actually took a step back and bowed deeply to Su Mu!

A single bow from the emperor carries the weight of a thousand pounds!

"Your Majesty is too kind to me." Su Mu turned to the side, not accepting the full curtsy, his tone remaining calm.

He deserves this honor for his achievements today. If it weren't for him, the person standing here now would probably be a member of the Situ family.

"Eunuch Su, how is that senior's injury? Does he need the imperial physician or medicine?" Xiao Anxun straightened up and asked with concern. He knew that the expert who appeared this morning, impersonating Xiao Yuanhou, must have a close relationship with Su Mu. The other party had risked his life for the Xiao family and was even seriously injured by Situ Jing. As the emperor, he should naturally care about him.

"He was seriously injured and has left the palace to find a quiet place to recuperate." Su Mu said without changing his expression, downplaying the "injuries" of the silver puppet.

"I have prepared some holy medicine for healing and a small gift. I would be grateful if Eunuch Su could pass them on to you, senior," Xiao Anxun gestured.

Wei Zhongxian immediately presented Su Mu with a beautifully carved, heavy sandalwood box, bowing deeply.

"On behalf of my senior, I thank Your Majesty for your generous gift." Su Mu accepted the wooden box. It was quite heavy, and what was inside was certainly no ordinary item.

"Furthermore," Xiao Anxun said solemnly, "Eunuch Su is a master of martial arts, has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor, and has been instrumental in upholding the throne. His contributions are truly outstanding. Therefore, Su Mu is hereby promoted to—Loyal and Righteous Grand Eunuch, of the first rank, enjoying double salary, and granted a gold medal, allowing him to enter the palace to see the Emperor at any time!"

Loyal and Righteous Grand Eunuch!

This was the highest honorary title for eunuchs in the Great Qian Dynasty, ranking alongside the Grand Eunuch, but without any specific duties. It was a prestigious honorary title reserved for eunuchs who had made unparalleled contributions. Throughout history, very few people have ever received this title.

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great favor." Su Mu bowed again. Such a promotion, leaping several ranks from a fifth-rank steward to a first-rank official, is unprecedented in history.

"Congratulations, Eunuch Su (godfather)!" Xiao Anran, Wei Zhongxian, Li Lianying, and their three adopted sons offered their congratulations in unison. Their expressions varied, but envy and awe were universal.

"This place is simple and unpretentious. If Eunuch Su finds it inconvenient, I can choose another spacious palace..." Xiao Anxun added.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I have grown accustomed to the tranquility of this place, and the library contains a vast collection of books that I need to study diligently. I do not wish to move here for the time being," Su Mu politely declined.

"Very well." Xiao Anxun nodded, no longer insisting. He could tell that Su Mu preferred peace and quiet, and perhaps because that "senior" had connections with the library, he hadn't been given a position with real power. Everyone in the palace believed that Su Mu had a powerful backer, and this honor of "Loyal and Righteous Grand Eunuch" was both a reward for his service and a way of showing goodwill to that "powerful backer."

After chatting for a while, Xiao Anxun, along with Xiao Anran, Wei Zhongxian, and others, took their leave.