Xiao became fearful after the incident, and he initially discussed with Yuan and Chu the possibilities of deposing the emperor, but could not get them to go along with his plan. Xiao therefore acted on his own, associating with Emperor Houfei's attendants, and eventually getting one of them, Yang Yufu (楊玉夫), to kill Emperor Houfei while Emperor Houfei was asleep.
Xiao turned anxious after the incident, and he initially conversed with Yuan and Chu about the feasibility of overthrowing the emperor, but they refused to cooperate with his plan. Xiao thus proceeded independently, associating with Emperor Houfei's attendants, and eventually convincing one of them, Yang Yufu, to assassinate Emperor Houfei while the latter was asleep.