The whole family was brutally murdered? The ruthless heiress's eldest daughter went berserk aft

"General Gu, the princess is just being kind and thinking of you all," Steward Zhou from Xiao Wan Ning's residence replied with a smile, his attitude respectful, but unable to hide the arrogance in his tone.

"Please ask Steward Zhou to go back and tell the princess that I made myself very clear yesterday. If the princess really wants to protect Murong Lian, I have nothing to say. I can only say that the princess and I are not on the same side." Murong Xuewei's tone was firm and unwavering.

"Is Madam Murong disrespecting our princess?" The butler's smile gradually disappeared, and his tone became sharp.

"I dare not," Murong Xuewei said calmly, yet with an undeniable air of authority.

"General Gu! Don't you think about your own general's mansion?" Butler Zhou turned to look at Gu Ye.

With his hands behind his back, Gu Ye said in a righteous tone, "As a soldier, if I can't even protect my wife, what face do I have to say I can protect the people?"

Butler Zhou's face turned ashen, and he stormed off.

"Madam, won't this offend the princess?" Liuli asked with some concern.

"What's there to be afraid of? If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear." Murong Xuewei said calmly, showing no fear whatsoever.

A few days later, Murong Xuewei arrived at the shop and found that business had plummeted and the shop was deserted.

"What happened? Why is there suddenly no business?" Murong Xuewei asked the shopkeeper.

"Madam, I don't know what's going on, but the ladies who used to cooperate with us sent people a few days ago to say that they won't be coming to our house anymore. Have we offended someone?" The shopkeeper looked worried.

"Madam, this bastard is going too far!" Liuli was furious.

"It seems she's determined to kill me." Murong Xuewei sneered, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"In that case, let's avoid their sharp edge for now." Murong Xuewei decisively ordered, "All shops, close down!"

"Close the shop? Madam, this..." The shopkeeper looked troubled.

“Do as I say!” Murong Xuewei said firmly.

"Yes." The shopkeeper dared not disobey and had no choice but to comply.

"In addition, notify all shopkeepers to take out all their working capital and go outside the city to buy winter supplies," Murong Xuewei added.

"Madam, why is this?" Liuli asked, puzzled. "Closing the shop is one thing, but why are you buying so many things to keep warm?"

"A storm is brewing; this winter will likely be very cold." Murong Xuewei gazed at the gloomy sky outside the window, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.

When Murong Xuewei returned to the general's mansion, she happened to see the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict leaving.

Seeing Gu Ye's worried expression, Murong Xuewei stepped forward and asked, "General, what's wrong?"

Gu Ye frowned, remained silent, and handed the imperial edict to Murong Xuewei.

Murong Xuewei looked at the imperial edict with a puzzled expression. "This specifically requests my presence."

Gu Ye nodded. "The Emperor is capricious. It's probably not that simple that he wants you to enter the palace this time."

The palace was magnificent and brightly lit.

As soon as Murong Xuewei entered the palace, a palace maid dressed in pink stopped her and whispered, "Miss Murong, an older sister is looking for you."

Murong Xuewei looked at the palace maid with a puzzled expression. "Looking for me?"

Liuli stopped Murong Xuewei, saying warily, "Madam, you can't go. There will be another trap later."

"What does this sister you mentioned want with me?" Murong Xuewei asked calmly.

The palace maid took out a hairpin. Unlike ordinary hairpins, which are carved with flowers and plants, this hairpin was carved with a zither. "This, this servant does not know. You just said to show this to Madam, and Madam will go."

The moment Murong Xuewei saw the hairpin, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Take me there!"

Liuli pulled Murong Xuewei back, "Madam cannot go."

Murong Xuewei patted Liuli's hand, gave her a reassuring look, and followed the palace maid.

After turning left and right for quite a while, I finally saw the sister the palace maid had mentioned.

"Qin'er?" Liuli looked at the girl in front of her in surprise.

Then, standing protectively in front of Murong Xuewei, he asked, "Was it another one of ***'s who sent you to frame our lady?"

Qin'er ignored Liuli and looked at Murong Xuewei instead.

"Madam, time is short. You must be careful at today's banquet," Qin'er said in a low, urgent voice.

"Be careful? Be careful of what?" Murong Xuewei wondered, but remained outwardly calm.

"I don't have time to explain in detail. Don't trust anyone at today's banquet, and don't leave General Gu's side." After saying this, Qin'er hurriedly left.

Murong Xuewei's doubts deepened, but she also understood that this was not the time to press for answers.

Before Murong Xuewei could figure it out, a palace maid came to find her, saying that the banquet had already begun.

Liuli stood to the side, looking at Murong Xuewei with curiosity. "Madam, when did you and Qin'er become so close?"

"It's a secret, I can't tell you." Murong Xuewei smiled mischievously.

Liuli pouted, "Can't even this servant tell?"

Murong Xuewei smiled slightly, "The fewer people who know, the safer Qin'er will be."

It was Murong Xuewei's smile that stunned the emperor sitting on the throne.

"Minister Gu, I have heard that you recently killed Vice Minister Jiang's wife in a fit of rage for the sake of your young general's wife." The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, smiling on the surface, but there was no smile in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, that Murong Lian hired someone to kidnap my wife and even tried to kill her. I was merely doing what a husband should do," Gu Ye replied calmly and respectfully.

"Good, good, good!" The Emperor said three times. "When Lady Ling came to the palace last time, I only saw her briefly. I am really curious about what kind of woman could make General Gu so angry for her sake."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I am but a woman of delicate beauty, and I am unworthy of such praise," Murong Xue replied modestly as she rose from her seat.

"Haha, my dear minister, there's no need for modesty. Today is a family banquet, so there's no need for formalities." The Emperor addressed her as "my dear minister," but his eyes were fixed on Murong Xuewei. "How can such a beauty sit in such a simple seat! Little Li, go and fetch my golden phoenix throne for Lady Gu."

Murong Xuewei and Gu Ye exchanged a glance, a bad feeling creeping over them.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for the seat. However, it is a throne, not the Empress's throne, and I cannot accept it." Murong Xuewei bowed gracefully.

Ignoring the empress's ashen face sitting beside him, the emperor smiled and said, "The empress has a seat, so you can sit here as I have bestowed upon you."

Gu Ye nodded subtly to Murong Xuewei, gesturing for her to sit down first.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Murong Xuewei stood up, then sat down stiffly.

"Madam Gu, I have heard that you have made the Murong family business very successful. You are truly a woman who is just as capable as any man!" The Emperor looked at Murong Xuewei with admiration in his eyes.