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

Gu Ye pondered for a moment, then said to Uncle Lin, "Send people to continue the investigation; we must find conclusive evidence."

Uncle Lin responded and left, leaving Gu Ye and Murong Xuewei behind.

Murong Xuewei looked at Gu Ye, her eyes questioning. "General, do you think Xiao Wanning really intends to rebel?"

Gu Ye gently shook his head. "It's not certain yet. Xiao Wan Ning is always cautious, and investigating her will be extremely difficult. However..." He paused, seemingly weighing something, "I can use some personal connections to help you investigate."

A flicker of surprise crossed Murong Xuewei's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. She knew Gu Ye had his own secrets, but she had never inquired about them. Now that Gu Ye had offered to help, she couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.

"Thank you, General," Murong Xuewei said softly, a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

Looking into Murong Xuewei's eyes, Gu Ye felt a surge of complex emotions. He knew he had been hiding too much, but at this moment, all he wanted was to protect the woman before him.

Meanwhile, in the palace, the second princess, Xiao Sining, stormed into the emperor's bedchamber in a fit of rage.

"Brother! Why did you release Gu Ye?" Xiao Si Ning's voice was filled with obvious dissatisfaction and jealousy.

The Emperor frowned slightly, clearly displeased with his sister's rudeness. "Si Ning, do I need to explain my actions to you?"

Xiao Sining persisted, "But Your Majesty, Gu Ye clearly defied the imperial decree and returned to the capital without permission. How can such a person be easily forgiven?"

The Emperor sneered, "You think I don't know what you're thinking? Si Ning, you should settle down. I've already chosen a consort for you, so stop focusing your attention on Gu Ye."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Sining's face instantly turned pale. "Brother, you..."

"Enough!" the Emperor suddenly shouted sternly, "You are my sister, and moreover, a princess of the Great Zhou. Your marriage concerns matters of national importance, and you cannot act willfully. If there is a next time, don't blame me for disregarding our sibling bond!"

Xiao Si Ning was frightened by her brother's anger, tears welled up in her eyes, and she turned and ran out of the palace.

Feeling aggrieved, Xiao Sining unknowingly arrived at Xiao Wanning's palace.

"Si Ning, what's wrong?" Xiao Wan Ning looked at her tearful sister, her tone filled with concern.

Xiao Sining threw herself into her sister's arms and told her everything that had just happened. "Sister, my brother... he actually wants to choose a consort for me! I don't want to marry anyone else, I only want to marry Gu Ye!"

Xiao Wan Ning gently patted her younger sister's back, a cold glint in her eyes. "Si Ning, you must understand, in this palace, our fates are never in our own hands."

Xiao Sining looked up at her sister, her eyes blurry with tears, and asked, "What should I do?"

Xiao Wan Ning gently wiped away her sister's tears. "The most important thing now is to calm down. Gu Ye is already married to Murong Xue Wei, so you should think about your future."

Xiao Si Ning bit her lip, her eyes still filled with resentment. Xiao Wan Ning sighed, "Si Ning, promise your sister, don't do anything foolish again, okay?"

Xiao Sining nodded with a sense of grievance, but her obsession did not dissipate.

Back at the General's Mansion, Murong Xuewei was in her study examining various documents, trying to find any clues about Xiao Wanning's rebellion. However, after several days, she found nothing.

Just as Murong Xuewei was feeling frustrated, Gu Ye pushed open the door and entered.

"Xuewei, I have important news to tell you." Gu Ye's voice was tinged with excitement.

Murong Xuewei raised her head, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes. "Has the general found anything?"

Gu Ye nodded. "I received reliable information that Xiao Wan Ning's private army is hidden in a manor ten miles outside the city."

Upon hearing this, Murong Xuewei's eyes gleamed brightly. "Just as I thought! I knew Xiao Wanning wouldn't stay put." She paused, then asked, "How did the General learn of this?"

Gu Ye coughed slightly, looking a little embarrassed. "It was...it was Uncle Lin who told me to investigate."

Murong Xuewei glanced at Gu Ye thoughtfully, but did not ask any further questions.

She knew that everyone had their own secrets. As long as Gu Ye was on her side, nothing else mattered.

"How should we proceed?" Murong Xuewei asked, her eyes gleaming with wisdom.

Gu Ye pondered for a moment, "This matter cannot be rushed. We need more evidence before we can report to the Emperor."

Murong Xuewei nodded. "I understand. I will personally go to the palace to report this news to the Emperor."

Gu Ye said with some concern, "You need to be careful; Xiao Wan Ning wields considerable power in the palace."

Murong Xuewei smiled calmly, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

The next morning, Murong Xuewei went to the palace to request an audience. The Emperor was sitting idly in the Imperial Garden, watching the palace maids perform songs and dances.

"Your Majesty, I have important matters to report," Murong Xuewei said, bowing.

The Emperor glanced at her, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes. "What urgent matter brings you, Minister Murong?"

Murong Xuewei lowered her voice, "We've received information that Xiao Wanning has a private army hidden at her estate ten miles outside the city. I'm afraid..." She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already clear.

The emperor's face instantly darkened. He remained silent for a moment, then suddenly shouted sternly, "Guards! Immediately dispatch troops to the estate ten miles outside the city to thoroughly investigate this matter!"

Murong Xuewei secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but she knew this was just the beginning. The situation would inevitably become more complicated from here on out.

That evening, a solemn atmosphere prevailed throughout the palace. The imperial guards dispatched by the emperor had already quietly left the city and were heading towards the mysterious estate.

Murong Xuewei stood atop the high tower of the General's Mansion, gazing towards the direction beyond the city. She knew that after tonight, the situation would undergo a dramatic transformation.

Gu Ye came to her side and said softly, "Xuewei, no matter what happens, I will stand by your side."

Murong Xuewei turned to look at Gu Ye, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes. She knew how rare it was to have someone she could trust in this treacherous world.

However, just then, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence of the night. Uncle Lin rushed over, his face filled with anxiety.

"General, Madam, something terrible has happened!" Uncle Lin said, panting heavily.

Gu Ye and Murong Xuewei exchanged a glance, both seeing worry in each other's eyes.

"What happened?" Gu Ye asked in a deep voice.

Uncle Lin took a deep breath, "The Imperial Guards arrived at that manor, but... but they found nothing! The manor was empty, there was no trace of any private soldiers!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Xuewei's face instantly turned pale. She hadn't expected things to take such a turn.

Gu Ye clenched his fist, a sharp glint in his eyes. "It seems we've been set up."

Murong Xuewei bit her lip, her mind racing. She knew this mistake could be fatal. More importantly, she began to doubt everyone around her, including Gu Ye.

Just then, another guard rushed over. "General, Madam, the Emperor has issued an edict ordering you to enter the palace immediately to meet him!"