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

Gu Ye smiled faintly: "Thank you for the reminder, sir."

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study was somber. Civil and military officials stood on both sides, but the Emperor was nowhere to be seen.

A moment later, the Empress and Xiao Wan Ning arrived together. Xiao Wan Ning was dressed in a bright yellow palace gown, almost identical to the Emperor's attire.

"His Majesty is unwell and needs to rest and recuperate," the Empress announced loudly, her voice brimming with barely concealed excitement. "I hereby appoint the Grand Chancellor to oversee the state affairs. Anyone who disobeys will be punished for treason!"

Before the words were finished, a minister knelt down and shouted, "This violates ancestral rules! It should be..."

Before he could finish speaking, an arrow shot from outside the palace pierced his throat. Blood splattered onto the white jade steps, a horrifying sight.

Xiao Wan remained expressionless, her gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the hall: "Does anyone else have any objections?"

The whole hall was silent.

The Left Chancellor stepped forward first: "Your Majesty, we respectfully obey your will."

Gu Ye and Prime Minister Su exchanged a glance, then stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we respectfully obey your will."

“Very good.” Xiao Wan Ning slowly walked down the steps. “Since none of you gentlemen have any objections, then I will not waste any more words. From this day forward, all memorials shall be submitted to me for my disposal. All ministries and departments shall continue to operate as usual. Anyone who disobeys…” She glanced meaningfully at the corpse on the ground.

It was late at night when Gu Ye left the palace. Gazing at the waning moon in the sky, his mind was filled with countless thoughts.

Now that Xiao Wanning is overseeing the country, the situation is even more complex. It seems that some matters should be put on the agenda.

Inside the general's mansion, Murong Xuewei was pacing back and forth in her study. Hearing the sound of horses' hooves, she hurried out to greet them.

"How is it?" she asked eagerly.

Just as Gu Ye was about to speak, Uncle Lin rushed over: "General, there's a secret report! The main force of the Zhenbei Army has suddenly been mobilized, seemingly heading towards the capital!"

"When was this news received?" Gu Ye's expression hardened.

“Just now,” Uncle Lin said in a deep voice, “and…” He glanced at Murong Xuewei, then hesitated.

“Speak,” Gu Ye said.

"The Zhennan Army is also making unusual movements," Uncle Lin said in a low voice. "I just received news that they seem to be..."

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from afar.

"General!" a soldier rushed into the courtyard. "The Zhennan Army has surrounded the General's Mansion!"

Gu Ye's expression changed: "Send the order down to the entire army to be on high alert." He turned to Murong Xuewei, "You immediately take the valuables from the manor and leave through the secret passage."

Murong Xuewei shook her head: "I'm not leaving."

"Listen to me." Gu Ye's voice was unusually stern. "How can I be at ease if anything happens to you?" He turned to Uncle Lin. "Prepare immediately. Make sure Madam leaves safely."

"My husband..." Murong Xuewei's eyes filled with tears, "Promise me you will stay safe."

Gu Ye nodded: "I promise you, I'll come find you after I've dealt with things here."

In the darkness, the general's mansion was brightly lit. The sound of orderly footsteps could already be heard in the distance. A bloody storm was about to break.

Gu Ye stood in front of the mansion gate, watching Murong Xuewei reluctantly follow Uncle Lin away, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He must fulfill his mission while protecting Murong Xuewei.

In the distance, the torches of the Zhennan Army had already illuminated the night sky crimson. Gu Ye gripped the sword at his waist, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The night was as dark as ink, and the torches outside the general's mansion illuminated half the sky.

Gu Ye stood before the gate of the mansion, with hundreds of fully armed soldiers behind him. In the distance, the outline of the Zhennan Army gradually appeared in the firelight. The leader of the army was Jiang Lingyun.

"General Gu," Jiang Lingyun rode forward, his voice tinged with amusement, "I hope my late-night visit hasn't disturbed your rest."

Gu Ye sneered, "Is Lord Jiang bringing me a midnight snack?"

"No." Jiang Lingyun took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his robes. "By order of the Emperor, we have come to search the General's Mansion. It has been reported that a wanted traitor is being held there."

"A wanted traitor?" Gu Ye raised an eyebrow. "This general would like to ask, who was it that slandered him before the emperor?"

Jiang Lingyun did not answer, but instead unfolded the imperial edict: "Gu Ye, your residence is harboring remnants of the previous dynasty, intending to rebel. I hereby order the confiscation of your general's residence. If you disobey, you will be punished for treason!"

Gu Ye looked around and saw that the Zhennan Army had completely surrounded the General's Mansion.

He calmly considered his options, hoping to buy some time so that Murong Xuewei could leave safely.

“Lord Jiang,” Gu Ye said solemnly, “I have always respected the royal family and been loyal to the court. If a search is necessary, I will certainly cooperate. However, it is the middle of the night, and the servants and women in the manor have already gone to bed. I would be so kind as to ask Lord Jiang to grant me this favor and come again tomorrow.”

"General, you jest," Jiang Lingyun sneered. "If we wait until tomorrow, some people will likely have vanished without a trace. Men! Search them!"

Chaos erupted within the general's mansion. Soldiers stormed into every courtyard, searching every corner.

Gu Ye stood still, but in his mind he was calculating the time.

According to the plan, Murong Xuewei should have already left through the secret passage.

Meanwhile, in a secluded cave on the outskirts of the city.

“Madam, we should go now,” Uncle Lin said anxiously.

Murong Xuewei stopped in her tracks: "Uncle Lin, you take Liuli and the others first. I still have things to do."

"Madam!" Uncle Lin said urgently, "The general specifically instructed that you must be escorted to safety."

“I know.” Murong Xuewei turned around, her eyes flashing with determination, “But I can’t just leave like this. My past life has taught me that running away solves nothing.”

"But......"

“No need to say more,” Murong Xuewei interrupted. “You take Yu Shu and the others to the Nanshan Villa first; I’ll be right back.”

After saying this, she took a jade pendant from her waist and handed it to Uncle Lin: "If I haven't arrived in three days, give this to my husband. He will understand."

Before Uncle Lin could persuade her any further, Murong Xuewei had already turned and disappeared into the night.

The Imperial Palace, Changchun Palace.

As Xiao Wan Ning was reviewing memorials, the Empress rushed in: "Xiao Wan Ning, you ordered Jiang Lingyun to lead troops to surround the General's Mansion?"

"What?" Xiao Wan Ning asked without looking up. "Is Her Majesty worried about Gu Ye, or about your shameful secret?"

The Empress's expression changed: "What do you mean?"

"What I mean, Your Majesty the Empress, isn't it perfectly clear to you?" Xiao Wan Ning finally raised her head, a cold glint in her eyes.

"You!" The Empress instinctively took a step back. "What exactly do you know?"

Xiao Wanning stood up and slowly walked to the Empress: "What you know isn't important, what's important is... when does the Empress intend to abdicate?"

"Abdicate?" the Empress snapped. "What are you saying?"

"His Majesty is seriously ill and needs to rest." Xiao Wan Ning smiled slightly. "At this time, the inner palace should rightfully be managed by the Empress. What does the Empress think?"

The Empress trembled violently: "How dare you!"

"What do I have to be afraid of?" Xiao Wan Ning sneered. "Guards!"

Several guards rushed into the hall. Xiao Wan Ning said calmly, "Send Her Majesty the Empress to the Qingjing Temple to recuperate."

"You can't do this!" the Empress struggled. "I am the Empress! If it weren't for me, Xiao Wan Ning wouldn't be where she is today..."

"In that case, I should thank you." Xiao Wanning turned around. "However, you're useless now."