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

Xiao Wan Ning led the way, and the two walked towards the altar one after the other. Behind the altar was a stone wall, which was carved with intricate patterns.

Xiao Wan Ning pressed the mechanism, and the stone wall slowly slid open, revealing a downward staircase.

"Is this the entrance to the underground palace?" Murong Xuewei asked.

"What, scared?" Xiao Wan Ning turned around, a mocking smile on her lips.

Murong Xuewei didn't answer and walked straight in. The stairs wound downwards, and the torches on both sides cast long shadows of them.

"Speak," Xiao Wanning said after walking for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, "Where is the secret mark?"

Murong Xuewei stopped in her tracks: "No rush. I need to see my child first."

"You!" A flash of anger crossed Xiao Wan's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "Fine, come with me."

After several turns, the view suddenly opened up. It was a huge underground palace, illuminated by countless torches, as bright as day.

“This is…” Murong Xuewei looked around and found that the palace walls were covered with strange runes.

“The sacred temple of the Nanzhao Kingdom,” Xiao Wanning said softly, “or more accurately, a replica of the sacred temple.”

Murong Xuewei was startled: "So you really are..."

“That’s right,” Xiao Wan Ning turned around, her eyes flashing with an unusual light, “I am the Holy Maiden of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Fifteen years ago, the real Xiao Wan Ning died in an accident, and I took her place.”

"Why?"

"In search of a sacred relic," Xiao Wan gazed at the altar in the center of the palace, "a legendary relic capable of bringing the dead back to life."

Just then, the cry of a baby came from behind the altar.

"Child!" Murong Xuewei's heart trembled, and she was about to rush over.

"Halt!" Xiao Wanning shouted sharply. "Don't think I don't know; you informed Gu Ye long ago. The palace is probably in complete chaos by now, isn't it?"

Murong Xuewei stopped in her tracks: "Since you knew that, why did you bring me along?"

Xiao Wan Ning suddenly smiled: "Because I need you too. The hidden marks on the secret passage map are actually the key to opening the sacred relic box. And this key can only be activated by the bloodline of the High Priest."

"The High Priest's bloodline?" Murong Xuewei was taken aback. "You mean..."

“That’s right, your mother was the last High Priest of the Nanzhao Kingdom,” Xiao Wan Ning said slowly. “The accident fifteen years ago was actually a conspiracy. What we’re looking for is your Murong family.”

Murong Xuewei felt her mind was in complete chaos. No wonder her mother had always insisted she keep the jade pendant safe; no wonder Xiao Wanning had schemed so hard to deal with the Murong family...

Just then, the ground suddenly shook.

"Not good!" Xiao Wanning's expression changed drastically. "They've broken in!"

“Madam!” Liuli’s voice came from the passageway.

Seeing an opportunity, Murong Xuewei rushed towards the altar. Xiao Wanning tried to stop her, but was blocked by hidden stakes that suddenly emerged from the ground.

"Xiao Wanning!" Gu Ye's voice rang out at the entrance of the passage, "Release my wife and children!"

Looking at the soldiers surging in from all directions, Xiao Wanning suddenly burst into laughter: "You think you've won just like that?"

She took out a jade pendant from her bosom, the very one she had stolen from the Murong family years ago: "Since that's the case, then let this underground palace be our common burial ground!"

Before she could finish speaking, she slammed the jade pendant to the ground.

"No!" Murong Xuewei exclaimed in alarm, but it was too late.

With a crisp cracking sound, the entire underground palace began to shake violently. Stones kept falling from the ceiling, and it looked like it was about to collapse.

"Xuewei!" Gu Ye flew forward and hugged his wife and child tightly.

"Hurry up!" Liuli led the way.

Xiao Wan Ning watched their departing figures, a bitter smile appearing on her lips: "In the end..."

With a loud crash, the top of the underground palace collapsed.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events. When the smoke cleared, the entrance to the underground palace was completely sealed off.

“Xiao Wanning!” Murong Xuewei held the child, looking at the thick stone wall, unsure of what to say.

Gu Ye pulled his wife into his arms: "It's over."

Murong Xuewei shook her head: "No, this is only the beginning." She looked at the child in her arms, "One day, the truth will come to light."

The sky was beginning to lighten, a new day was about to begin. And everything that happened during this sleepless night would become a secret of history, forever buried beneath this imperial city...

Because of Xiao Wan Ning's death, the entire capital was thrown into chaos overnight, and the collapse of the underground palace left court officials and the people in a state of panic.

The next morning, after Gu Ye finished breakfast, he was about to go to the lobby to get some news when Murong Xuewei, holding the child in her arms, felt the dawn outside and felt that life was full of hope again.

Not long after, Gu Ye returned with a gloomy expression.

"The Emperor has passed away." Gu Ye pushed open the door, his expression solemn.

Murong Xuewei, holding the child, looked up and asked, "When did this happen?"

“Just now,” Gu Ye sat down next to his wife, “the court is in complete chaos.”

"With Xiao Wan Ning dead and the Emperor passing away..." A glint of light flashed in Murong Xue Wei's eyes. "Husband, this is a godsend."

Gu Ye remained silent. As a descendant of the previous dynasty, he had waited far too long for this day. But the thought of the potential carnage...

“My lord,” Murong Xuewei grasped his hand, “what are you still hesitating for? Are you going to just stand by and watch the court continue to decay?”

Just then, Liuli rushed in: "Madam, something terrible has happened! News has spread from the court that Prince An is to be made emperor!"

“Prince An?” Gu Ye frowned deeply. “He’s nothing but a muddle-headed and incompetent man.”

Murong Xuewei sneered: "It seems someone wants to support a puppet ruler."

“That’s not all,” Liuli lowered her voice, “I heard that Prince An has begun arresting dissidents. General Zhang…”

"What happened to General Zhang?" Gu Ye suddenly stood up.

"He's been arrested and thrown in jail."

A hush fell over the room. After a long while, Gu Ye said in a deep voice, "Pass down the order to have all the hidden agents prepare."

A hint of joy flashed in Murong Xuewei's eyes: "My husband has made up his mind?"

“Yes.” Gu Ye’s gaze was firm. “The court cannot be without a ruler for a single day. In that case, perhaps…”

"Guards!" a shout suddenly came from outside. "By order of Prince An, thoroughly investigate the General's residence!"

Gu Ye and Murong Xuewei exchanged a glance.

"Go through the back door," Gu Ye quickly ordered. "Liuli, you escort the madam and child to the estate outside the city first."

"What about your husband?" Murong Xuewei refused to let go.

"I'm going to the military camp in the south of the city," Gu Ye said solemnly. "I will bring troops to pick you up in three days."

“No,” Murong Xuewei said firmly, “I’ll go with you.”

"But the child..."

"Give it to Liuli," Murong Xuewei instructed. "Liuli, take the child and go outside the city to await our news."

Liu Li accepted the order and left. Murong Xuewei turned back to Gu Ye: "This time, I want to see you ascend to that position with my own eyes."

Gu Ye pulled his wife into his arms: "Promise me, no matter what happens, you must live."

The shouts outside grew closer. Murong Xuewei quickly changed into her close-fitting clothes and followed Gu Ye over the back wall.

The military camp in the south of the city was brightly lit. When Gu Ye rode up, the soldiers guarding the gate immediately recognized him.

“General!”

"Pass down the order," Gu Ye dismounted, his voice booming, "All troops prepare!"

The sound of orderly footsteps immediately filled the military camp. Squads of soldiers assembled in formation, the glint of swords flashing in the torchlight.

Standing on the high ground, Murong Xuewei looked down at the orderly military formation below, and an indescribable excitement welled up in her heart.

This time, they will finally fight openly and honestly.

Just then, a fast horse galloped in: "Report! Prince An has sent troops to surround the military camp!"

How many people?

"At least 30,000!"

Murong Xuewei's heart tightened. Although the military camp in the south of the city was elite, its strength was only 15,000 men.

"No need to panic," Gu Ye's voice remained calm. "Pass on my order: Prepare for a fight to the death!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their killing intent soaring to the heavens.

As Murong Xuewei watched her husband's figure in the firelight, she seemed to see the shadow of a wise and benevolent ruler.

“My lord,” she whispered, “this time, we will surely win.”