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

"Protect the people!" Gu Ye shouted and rushed forward first.

A fierce battle unfolded under the moonlight. Gu Ye's swordsmanship was superb, and he quickly dispatched two men in black. The other soldiers also fought bravely and finally subdued the remaining assassins.

Gu Ye rushed into the house and found Xiang Yang's parents huddled in a corner. Although they had suffered some minor injuries, they were relatively safe.

"Grandpas, are you alright?" Gu Ye asked with concern.

Xiangyang's father said, trembling, "Thank you, General, for saving my life. But...but our son..."

Gu Ye reassured them, "Don't worry, we'll protect your safety. Now, let's go back to the capital."

After ensuring the elderly people's safety, Gu Ye immediately sent people to escort them back to the capital. He himself stayed behind to deal with the scene, hoping to find some clues.

Just then, a soldier ran up and reported, "General, we found this on an assassin."

Gu Ye took the item handed to him by the soldier; it was an exquisite jade pendant. He examined it carefully, and his expression suddenly turned serious.

"This is..." Gu Ye murmured to himself, a hint of shock and anger flashing in his eyes.

He immediately ordered: "Strengthen security, we're returning to the capital tonight!"

When Gu Ye brought Xiangyang's parents back to the General's Mansion, it was already dawn.

Murong Xuewei had been waiting anxiously, and only when she saw Gu Ye return safely did she secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

"How is it?" Murong Xuewei asked anxiously.

Gu Ye briefly explained the situation, then took out the jade pendant and handed it to Murong Xuewei: "Take a look at this."

Murong Xuewei took the jade pendant and examined it carefully. Her expression became extremely solemn: "This is... something from the royal family?"

Gu Ye nodded and said in a low voice, "It seems our guess was right. Xiao Wan Ning's methods are indeed behind this."

Murong Xuewei pondered for a moment and said, "The blueprint that Xiangyang took away is very likely evidence of Xin You's collusion with the Nanzhao Kingdom. We must find Xiangyang as soon as possible."

Gu Ye agreed, "I've already arranged for people to search secretly. However, we must proceed with caution. Xiao Wan Ning is clearly also looking for him; we can't alert her."

Just then, Nangong Yifeng hurried over, a hint of excitement on his face: "I have news!"

Murong Xuewei and Gu Ye immediately turned to him, waiting for him to continue.

Nangong Yifeng lowered his voice and said, "I just received news that someone saw a person who looks a lot like Xiangyang near a dilapidated temple in the south of the city."

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

“We need to act quickly,” Gu Ye said, “but we can’t make a big fuss, or it will arouse suspicion.”

Murong Xuewei nodded in agreement: "We'll split up. Gu Ye, take a few trusted men to the south of the city to investigate. Nangong Yifeng, continue to keep an eye on news from the military camp. I'll stay here to protect Xiangyang's parents and also keep an eye on the palace's movements."

The three quickly split up. Murong Xuewei watched Gu Ye's departing figure, her heart filled with worry and anticipation. She knew they were getting closer to the truth, but at the same time, they were also approaching danger step by step.

Just then, Uncle Lin hurried over and whispered, "Madam, someone from the palace has arrived. They say the Emperor wishes to see General Gu."

Murong Xuewei's heart tightened; she knew this might be a trap. However, they had no choice but to take it one step at a time.

She said to Uncle Lin, "Send someone to inform Gu Ye immediately, and tell him to be careful. I'll deal with the people from the palace."

Murong Xuewei straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and prepared to face the impending storm.

Murong Xuewei knew that this game of power had entered its most crucial stage. One wrong move could lead to utter destruction.

"Is it the chief eunuch from the Emperor's side?" Murong Xuewei asked while adjusting her clothes.

A maid stood behind Murong Xuewei, helping her straighten her collar. "It's the Second Princess."

"The Second Princess?"

"Madam, the Second Princess can't wait any longer!" another maid reported breathlessly.

Murong Xuewei and Gu Ye exchanged a glance, a hint of wariness flashing in their eyes.

Xiao Sining could only come at this time, and only as a messenger.

"Go and invite the Second Princess in," Murong Xuewei ordered in a deep voice, while secretly squeezing Gu Ye's hand to signal him to be careful.

Before long, Xiao Sining, dressed in a magnificent palace gown, entered the courtyard, followed by several palace maids and eunuchs.

Xiao Wan Ning's gaze swept over Murong Xue Wei and Gu Ye, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Please forgive me for not welcoming Your Highness the Second Princess properly." Murong Xuewei stepped forward and bowed, a polite smile on her face, but in her heart she was secretly calculating the purpose of Xiao Sining's visit.

Xiao Sining waved her hand, a hint of impatience flashing in her eyes. "I am here on the orders of my imperial brother to summon General Gu to the palace for an audience with the Emperor immediately."

Murong Xuewei's heart tightened; she keenly sensed that things were probably not so simple.

As a princess, Xiao Sining's personal visit to deliver the imperial decree clearly indicates that the emperor has important matters to discuss with Gu Ye.

Murong Xuewei had to find a way to buy Gu Ye some time so that he could make preparations.

"It is far too much of an honor for us, my Second Princess, to personally deliver this decree," Murong Xuewei said calmly. "May I ask what His Majesty has summoned Gu Ye for?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Sining frowned slightly. "I don't know about that. My brother only sent me to deliver a message, ordering General Gu to enter the palace immediately."

Murong Xuewei secretly pondered this, and continued to probe, "As a member of the royal family, why would the Second Princess personally deliver a message? This is the duty of a eunuch."

Xiao Sining sensed the probing intent in Murong Xuewei's words and felt inwardly annoyed. Remembering her elder sister Xiao Wanning's instructions before leaving the palace, she became wary.

"Madam Murong, I am only responsible for conveying my elder brother's decree. As for why I came personally, that is not your concern." Xiao Sining's tone turned colder. "I want to see General Gu. Where is he?"

Seeing Xiao Sining's firm attitude, Murong Xuewei knew that asking any further questions would likely backfire.

Murong Xuewei smiled slightly and said, "Princess, please don't worry, the general is changing his clothes and will be here soon."

"Change clothes? Gu Ye, a military officer, rarely even takes a bath. Is it really true that he'd change clothes at this time?"

Murong Xuewei covered her mouth and laughed, "If the princess doesn't believe me, I'll take you to see for yourself."

Xiao Sining abruptly broke free from Murong Xuewei's grasp. "No need. I'll just wait here."

Murong Xuewei gave a wink to her servant.

"Please have a seat, Second Princess, and allow me to serve you a cup of tea." Murong Xuewei put on a hospitable demeanor, but secretly she was observing Xiao Sining's every move.

Xiao Sining waved her hand impatiently, "No need. I'm only here to deliver an imperial decree, not to be a guest." With that, she made a move to walk towards the inner room, "Does changing take so long? I'd better go and invite General Gu myself."

Murong Xuewei reacted swiftly, stepping in front of Xiao Sining. "Second Princess, please calm your anger. Your husband will be here soon. As a princess, how can you arbitrarily intrude into someone else's boudoir?"