While the Duke factions didn't get what they want but cutting off the emperor right hand was also count as a victory. Without the second queen the power balance is tipping toward the Duke factions.

The Marquis factions have no choice but to accept this outcome. While they avoid losing the general life but having him stuck in the north where he loses his political power deal a huge blow toward them.

***In the Empress bedroom***

"Brother is it true that his majesty banishes that bitch's brother and son to the north?"

"Answer me honestly your majesty, were you the one who order this assassination?" The Duke ask calmly.

"What if I am?"

"Haaa, you should seek me for advice and help instead before you made such rash decision. Your majesty should never dirty your hand in this matter."

"And what happened? Your men fail three times. Now I'm free from that wench shadow. Without that slut seducing his majesty, he will only look at me." She said joyfully.

Despite her jealousy nature, her love toward the emperor was real. And the delusions that his majesty will finally love her if the second queen were to passed away made her took such extreme solution. She thought to herself "Without her, his majesty will only look at me."

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Without knowing that her actions would result in his majesty the emperor despises her more than anyone.

The Duke while thirst for power he couldn’t help but pity his sister. Knowing full well that the emperor is a cruel man who only married her due to their family power. He vows to himself that he would make their family power become powerful enough to overshadow the royal family and make his nephew the next emperor of the Empire.

So, he replaces all the first prince servants and teacher with his people instead so that he could groom his nephew to become the next Emperor.

But his followers are just scumbags and the opportunist who trying to use the prince for their own gains.

The empress learned later on that his majesty the emperor didn't share the same feeling she had towards him. She is hurt incredibly and as a result she lashed out on her children. While she didn't care about her daughter, she fed lies and her hatred for her husband and the Marquis family towards her son.

"My prince, you're the only one I have. You're going to become the next emperor soon. I'm going to make sure of it so you don't have to worry about anything."

He spoke innocently "Then what about brother? Where did he go? I want to play with him."

"NOOO, who told you that he's your brother? Remember HE'S YOUR ENEMY." She shouted loudly toward her son.

"You scare me mother!" he spoke with tears in his eyes.

"You're going to become the Emperor, I'll make sure of it. So, forget about that bitch's son. Repeat after me "I'm going to become the emperor!"

"I'm going to become the Emperor!" He spoke with tears in his eyes.

"Yes, that's right. You are my only hope. You are going to fulfill your mother's wish, right?"

"Yes, mother." He said meekly.

And so, she sows the seed of discord and hatred inside her son heart. This teaching and the way she teaches her son would later on suffer a huge consequence.