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

Night fell over the capital, and beacon fires flickered on the city walls. News of Prince An's rebellion swept through every corner like a whirlwind, filling the court and the people with trepidation.

Gu Ye stood in the military tent, his gaze sharp as he swept it across the military map before him. Murong Xuewei stood quietly beside him, her slender fingers lightly tracing lines on the map.

"Prince An's choice to rebel at this time is no accident," she said, her voice calm and resolute. "He must have planned this all along."

Gu Ye walked to her side, and after a moment of silence, said, "Prince An has already taken control of the capital city and is currently mobilizing troops to launch an attack on my General's Mansion."

Murong Xuewei turned around and looked directly into Gu Ye's eyes: "What are you hesitating about? Now is the best time to raise an army." Her voice was firm and cold. "Prince An is ambitious; his rebellion is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a long-planned scheme."

A complex look flashed in Gu Ye's eyes. As the posthumous son of the previous emperor, he had endured for many years, waiting for just such an opportunity. But at this moment, looking at Murong Xuewei before him, a ripple stirred in his heart.

“You’re right,” Gu Ye took a deep breath, “but once we raise an army, there’s no turning back.”

Murong Xuewei sneered, "In this world, there is no way out. If Prince An succeeds, neither of us will escape death." She paused, then added, "Moreover, we both carry the burden of hatred we cannot let go of."

Gu Ye gazed at her profile, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew Murong Xuewei was right, but his initial desire to exploit her family's wealth now felt increasingly heavy.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Zhang Long rushed in, his expression grave: "General, Prince An's vanguard has begun searching the city for our people."

Gu Ye's eyes sharpened. He turned and walked to the desk, spreading out a map. "Send the order down to all departments to be on high alert." His voice was steady and powerful. "Send someone to contact Right Chancellor Su, and tell him the time is right."

Murong Xuewei walked over and pointed to several key locations on the map: "Prince An will definitely control these city gates first, cutting off our retreat. But what he doesn't know is that the underground passages can be our breakthrough point."

Gu Ye gave her an approving look: "You're right. Zhang Long, have the sentries keep a close watch on the movements at these city gates."

Suddenly, shouts of battle erupted outside. A soldier rushed in to report, "General! Prince An's men have attacked the rear!"

Just as Gu Ye was about to leave, Murong Xuewei grabbed him, saying, "Be careful, this might be a diversionary tactic."

Sure enough, no sooner had he finished speaking than another soldier ran in to report: "Something terrible has happened! A surprise force is approaching the General's Mansion from the west of the city!"

Gu Ye's gaze sharpened: "Just as I expected. Zhang Long, you take some men to handle the rear, I'll personally go and confront this surprise force."

Just as Gu Ye was about to leave, a cold arrow pierced the air. In the nick of time, a figure pounced out like lightning, pushing Gu Ye aside. The man fell to the ground, struck by the arrow; it was none other than Uncle Lin, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Uncle Lin!" Murong Xuewei exclaimed and quickly stepped forward.

Uncle Lin clutched his chest, blood gushing out: "General... be careful... Prince An... has sent... assassins..." After saying this, Uncle Lin closed his eyes forever.

Gu Ye's expression hardened: "Pass on my order: all troops, prepare for a counterattack!"

The sounds of fighting in the city grew louder and louder, and the general's mansion was in complete chaos. Just then, a bugle call sounded in the distance, followed by the sound of orderly footsteps.

"General!" a soldier ran up excitedly. "It's Right Chancellor Su! Right Chancellor Su has brought troops to help us!"

Gu Ye smiled slightly: "Alright! Pass down the order to proceed according to the plan we discussed earlier."

Murong Xuewei stood by the window, gazing at the gradually clearing sky, and murmured, "Chaos has begun; this empire will inevitably change hands."

As time went on, the battle intensified. Gu Ye's soldiers engaged in street fighting with Prince An's troops within the city, while Prime Minister Su led his troops to cut off Prince An's retreat. Seeing the situation was dire, Prince An hastily attempted to break out, but was intercepted by Gu Ye's well-prepared army.

"General! Prince An has escaped!" a soldier reported.

Gu Ye sneered, "Let him escape; he's already trapped."

Sure enough, not long after, another soldier came to report: "General, Prince An has been captured!"

The sounds of fighting in the city gradually subsided, replaced by cheers from the soldiers: "General Gu is mighty!"

"Support General Gu as king!"

"Long live General Gu!"

The calls rose and fell, and continued unabated.

Gu Ye stood on high ground, looking at the soldiers kneeling on the ground, but felt little joy. He turned to look at Murong Xuewei, only to see her gazing into the distance, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Xuewei..." Gu Ye called her softly.

Murong Xuewei wiped away her tears, turned around and curtsied to him: "Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Gu Ye felt a pang of pain in his heart and stepped forward to take her hand: "In front of you, I will always be Gu Ye."

Murong Xuewei forced a smile: "But from this day forward, you are the ruler of this world."

Just as Gu Ye was about to say something, another report came from outside: "Your Majesty, the Empress... has committed suicide..."

Gu Ye's expression hardened: "Why would the Ning family..."

Murong Xuewei sighed, "She probably felt that with the change of dynasty, she had no way out."

Gu Ye remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Send down the order to give Ning a proper burial."

Night fell, and the stars twinkled. Gu Ye stood atop the palace, gazing at the imperial city he had so longed for, his heart filled with complex emotions. He had finally fulfilled the late emperor's wish and reclaimed the empire that rightfully belonged to him. Yet, at this moment, he felt a sense of bewilderment.

Footsteps sounded behind her; it was Murong Xuewei.

"Are you leaving?" Gu Ye asked softly without turning around.

Murong Xuewei's voice choked slightly: "Yes. It's time to settle the score between us."

Gu Ye turned around abruptly: "Stay, okay? I know I used you before, but now..."

Murong Xuewei shook her head, interrupting him: "No, Gu Ye, you and I both know this is impossible. You are the emperor now; you have too many things to consider."

"But I love you!" Gu Ye almost shouted.

Murong Xuewei's tears finally fell: "I love you too. That's why I have to leave. I'm just a merchant's daughter; I might barely qualify as your general's wife, but as empress... As an emperor, you have too many responsibilities to bear."

Gu Ye wanted to chase after her, but Murong Xuewei raised her hand to stop him: "Let me go. Perhaps one day, when everything has settled, we can meet again."

After speaking, she turned and left, her back resolute. Gu Ye watched her gradually disappear into the night, his heart aching as if being torn apart. He knew she was right. As an emperor, he indeed had too many responsibilities to bear.

But at this moment, looking at this vast imperial city, he felt an unprecedented loneliness.

The distant sound of the water clock echoed, each beat striking his heart. This night was destined to be sleepless.

The morning bells of the capital had just rung when Zhang Long hurried to the Taiji Hall. Gu Ye was reviewing memorials from various regions, the candlelight on his desk illuminating his slightly weary face.

"Your Majesty, we have just received a secret report." The guard knelt on one knee, his voice grave. "Prince An has fled to Yun City."