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

Murong Xuewei stood in the courtyard of the General's Mansion, gazing at the distant horizon. The fiery sunset illuminated her slightly pale face.

Although Murong Xuewei knew that Gu Ye had rescued her uncle's family, she was struggling with how to thank him.

"Madam, General Gu has returned," Liuli reported from behind Murong Xuewei.

Murong Xuewei nodded slightly, took a deep breath, and walked towards the study.

Murong Xuewei pushed open the door and saw Gu Ye engrossed in writing at his desk, seemingly unaware of her arrival.

“General,” she called softly, “thank you for saving my uncle’s family.”

Gu Ye paused slightly, but didn't look up. "It was nothing, no need to thank me." His tone was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Murong Xuewei felt a pang of pain in her heart. She knew that Gu Ye was angry because of her previous estrangement.

But how could she explain it? Should she tell him that she might never be able to bear him children again?

Just as she hesitated whether to say anything more, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the courtyard.

"The imperial edict arrives——"

The shout was like a thunderclap, particularly jarring in the silent night.

Gu Ye suddenly raised his head and exchanged a glance with Murong Xuewei. At the same time, an ominous premonition rose in both of their hearts.

A palace eunuch, carrying a bright yellow imperial edict, hurried into the study.

Gu Ye and Murong Xuewei knelt down to receive the imperial decree.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, in consideration of the virtue and gentleness of the Second Princess Xiao Sining, hereby bestow upon General Gu Ye as his secondary wife to assist in the affairs of the General's residence. So be it."

After the imperial decree was read, the entire study fell into a deathly silence. Murong Xuewei felt a buzzing in her ears, as if a thousand horses were galloping past.

Murong Xuewei couldn't believe her ears. Could it be that the Emperor was going to bestow Xiao Sining upon Gu Ye as a secondary wife?

Gu Ye's face instantly turned ashen. He slowly stood up, his gaze fixed intently on the imperial edict. "Your subject will not accept the edict," he said in a low, firm voice.

The eunuch's face changed drastically. "General, this is His Majesty's decree!"

"I, Gu Ye, have only one wife, and that is Murong Xuewei," Gu Ye said resolutely. "Please inform His Majesty, Your Majesty, that I cannot comply."

Murong Xuewei was shocked; she hadn't expected Gu Ye to so resolutely refuse the imperial decree.

At that moment, she suddenly realized how foolish her previous decision had been.

She loves Gu Ye, and Gu Ye loves her deeply. Why should she distance herself from him just because she can't have children?

With a wave of his hand, the chief eunuch ordered a troop of imperial guards to suddenly storm into the general's mansion and, without a word, escort Gu Ye to the palace.

Murong Xuewei tried to stop them, but was stopped by several guards.

"Gu Ye!" she called out anxiously.

Gu Ye turned and looked at her, his eyes firm. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Murong Xuewei felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She knew that all of this was because Gu Ye had refused the imperial decree.

Murong Xuewei gritted her teeth and decided that she would save Gu Ye no matter what.

The atmosphere inside the palace hall was somber.

The Emperor sat high on his dragon throne, his gaze dark as he looked at Gu Ye, who was being pressed to the ground.

"Gu Ye, I have bestowed upon you the Second Princess as my secondary wife, which is an honor. How dare you defy this decree? Do you intend to rebel?" the Emperor roared.

Gu Ye raised his head, his gaze resolute. "Your Majesty," he said, "I dare not rebel. However, I already have a wife, Murong Xuewei, and do not wish to marry another. I humbly request Your Majesty to rescind your decree."

The Emperor sneered, "You, a mere subject, dare to disobey my decree? Guards, drag him away and behead him!"

The words had barely left her lips when a series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall. Xiao Sining rushed over and knelt before the hall, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! General Gu, he..."

The Emperor frowned. "Si Ning, this is a matter of great importance in the court. What are you doing here?"

Xiao Sining bit her lip. "Your Majesty, I...I've come to plead for General Gu." She turned to Gu Ye, a complex look flashing in her eyes. "General Gu, didn't you promise to marry me at Zuixiang Pavilion? Why are you going back on your word now?"

Gu Ye's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Xiao Si Ning to bring this up.

He was indeed drunk that day, but he absolutely did not agree to marry Xiao Sining.

"Please forgive me, Second Princess," Gu Ye said in a deep voice, "I spoke carelessly that day while drunk, and I shouldn't have taken it seriously. My heart belongs only to Murong Xuewei, and I have no other intentions."

Xiao Sining's face turned pale instantly, and a hurt look flashed in her eyes.

Upon seeing this, the Emperor was even more enraged. "You, Gu Ye, how dare you mock my sister! Guards, execute him immediately!"

Just at this critical moment, another commotion arose outside the hall.

Just then, Prime Minister Su arrived in a hurry with several ministers, who all knelt down to plead for his orders.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Prime Minister Su cried out. "General Gu is a pillar of the court, and the border still needs him to hold the fort. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

The Emperor frowned, about to speak, when he saw Xiao Wan Ning slowly approaching.

She bowed to the Emperor, but her gaze fell on Gu Ye, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Wan Ning spoke, her voice cold, “Gu Ye has shown no respect for the Emperor and openly defied the imperial decree. How can such a heinous crime be lightly forgiven? If he is not severely punished, how can we deter such scoundrels?”

Right Chancellor Su immediately retorted, "***This is a misconception. General Gu has fought for the country for many years and has made outstanding contributions. Now, with the border situation tense, General Gu is needed even more to maintain order. If General Gu were to be executed rashly, it would likely shake the morale of the army!"

Xiao Wan Ning sneered, "Lord Su, you are mistaken. Does Lord Su really think that a general's life is more important than the Emperor's dignity?"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense, with ministers from both sides sticking to their own arguments and arguing endlessly. The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his gaze shifting between light and shadow.

Just then, a clear voice came from outside the hall, "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Murong Xuewei, dressed in white, walk in with a determined expression. She first bowed to the Emperor, then quickly went to Gu Ye's side and took his hand.

“Your Majesty,” Murong Xuewei began, her voice clear and firm, “I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree. Gu Ye is my husband, and we are deeply in love; we do not wish to be separated. If Your Majesty insists on bestowing this marriage, I will have no choice but to die to prove my innocence.”

Gu Ye looked at Murong Xuewei, his eyes filled with emotion and love. He held her hand tightly, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

Upon seeing this, the Emperor's face darkened further. He had long harbored ill intentions towards Murong Xuewei, and now, seeing her and Gu Ye so affectionate, his heart burned with jealousy.

"Murong Xuewei," the Emperor said coldly, "do you know the consequences of disobeying an imperial decree?"

Murong Xuewei raised her head, her gaze firm. "I know. But I believe that His Majesty is a benevolent ruler and would not harm loyal ministers and generals for his own selfish reasons."

These words were perfectly worded, clearly stating the emperor's position while maintaining respect for him.

The emperor was speechless for a moment, unsure of how to respond.

Just then, Xiao Wanning suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."

The Emperor looked at her. "Oh? You can tell me tonight."