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

Gu Ye's hand suddenly paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Yuncheng..."

“Yes,” Zhang Long lowered his voice, “and… the Murong family is in Yun City.”

Gu Ye abruptly stood up, the candlelight flickering violently with his sudden movement: "Send men to Yun City immediately! Find the Murong family before Prince An!"

"This..." Zhang Long hesitated, "But Your Majesty, the coronation ceremony is in three days, and you...

Gu Ye looked at the gradually brightening sky outside the window, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes.

As the new emperor, he shouldn't have acted rashly at this critical juncture. But the thought that Murong Xuewei might lose her family as a result caused him excruciating pain, as if his heart were being torn apart.

Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Prime Minister Su strode into the hall. "Urgent report from Yuncheng! Prince An has already surrounded the Murong residence with his troops!"

Gu Ye's eyes instantly turned cold: "Send down the order to mobilize the Imperial Guards. I will personally lead the troops to Yun City!"

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" Su Youlian hurriedly dissuaded him. "The court is still unstable, and your ascension to the throne is imminent. If you leave the capital, I'm afraid..."

"So you expect me to just stand by and watch the Murong family suffer?" Gu Ye's voice was filled with obvious anger.

The hall fell into silence.

After a long silence, Zhang Long stepped forward: "Your Majesty, allow me to go. I will lead elite troops to Yun City at top speed and rescue the Murong family before Prince An succeeds."

Gu Ye looked at his most trusted general and slowly nodded: "Good. You will immediately lead five thousand elite troops to Yun City. Remember, you must ensure the safety of the Murong family."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Just as Zhang Long was about to turn and leave, Gu Ye called him back: "Wait, let Liuli go with you too."

Liuli was a maid who had served Murong Xuewei for many years and was familiar with the Murong family. With her leading the way, a lot of time could be saved.

Meanwhile, at the Murong Manor in Yuncheng.

Madam Murong was tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard when she suddenly heard a commotion outside.

"Madam!" The steward rushed in, flustered. "It's terrible! A large army has suddenly appeared outside the city, carrying...carrying the banner of Prince An!"

Old Madam Murong's hand trembled, and the flowerpot she had just watered fell to the ground with a crisp sound: "What? Prince An?"

"Madam!" another maid rushed in, "The city gates have been sealed off! The streets are teeming with Prince An's troops!"

Old Madam Murong forced herself to remain calm: "Quickly, have everyone in the manor prepare to leave through the secret passage."

Unfortunately, it was too late. Before the people in the manor could even tidy up, a troop of soldiers had already stormed into the Murong residence. Leading them was none other than Prince An, a ferocious smile on his face.

"Old Madam Murong, it's been a long time since we last met," Prince An said ominously. "Your daughter, Murong Xuewei, did that traitor Gu Ye a great favor in the capital."

Madam Murong looked at him coldly: "Your Highness, the Murong family has been in business for generations and never participates in court intrigues."

"Indeed," Prince An sneered, "It's a pity your good daughter insisted on getting involved. Now, let me take good care of your Murong family for her."

With that, he waved his hand: "Arrest them all! I want to see if Gu Ye can really give up his kingdom for your Murong family!"

The entire Murong residence was thrown into chaos. Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar.

"Report!" A soldier rushed in, "Your Highness, a group of people has been spotted outside the city, carrying the new emperor's banner!"

Prince An's expression changed: "What? Gu Ye really dares to come?"

“It’s not Gu Ye,” the soldier replied, “it’s General Zhang leading his troops!”

Upon hearing this, Prince An breathed a sigh of relief: "So it was that brute Zhang Long. Send the order to guard the city gates at all costs, and absolutely not let them get close!"

Outside the city, Zhang Long's 5,000 elite troops had already formed ranks.

“General,” Liuli rode forward, “there is a secret passage in the backyard of the Murong residence that leads to the Willow River outside the city. If we could send troops to feign an attack on the main gate, perhaps we could…”

Zhang Long nodded: "Good idea. Could you lead some men to infiltrate the mansion through the secret passage?"

Liuli said firmly, "I am familiar with every corner of the Murong Manor."

"Very well," Zhang Long immediately ordered, "Pass down the order: the entire army prepares to launch an immediate attack on Yun City!"

Meanwhile, in the capital, Gu Ye was anxiously awaiting news. Every moment of waiting was agonizing for him. He knew that if anything happened to the Murong family, Murong Xuewei would hate him for the rest of her life.

"Your Majesty," said Right Chancellor Su cautiously, "regarding the enthronement ceremony..."

Gu Ye took a deep breath: "Everything is proceeding according to plan. However..." His eyes hardened, "If Zhang Long does not send back good news within three days, I will personally go to Yun City."

"This..." Prime Minister Su wanted to say something, but Gu Ye stopped him by raising his hand.

"My mind is made up." Gu Ye gazed in the direction of Yun City and murmured to himself, "Xue Wei, wait for me... This time, I will definitely not let you down."

As night deepened, the battle in Yuncheng intensified. Zhang Long's army laid out a tight encirclement outside the city, while Liuli led an elite detachment to quietly infiltrate the city.

Inside the Murong residence, Prince An was interrogating Old Madam Murong: "Speak! Where is Murong Xuewei now?"

Madam Murong remained silent. Just then, a shout of killing suddenly rang out from inside the mansion.

"Your Highness!" a soldier rushed in, flustered. "It's terrible! Enemy troops have entered the manor!"

Prince An was shocked: "What? How is this possible? The city gates were clearly..."

Before he could finish speaking, an arrow pierced the air and struck the soldier squarely in the throat.

In the darkness, Liuli's clear, cold voice rang out: "Prince An, do you still remember what my wife said? Offending the Murong family never ends well."

The moonlight was as clear as water, but the night sky over Yuncheng was illuminated crimson by the firelight. Shouts of battle echoed throughout the Murong mansion; Liuli's elite squad had already taken control of the east and north courtyards.

"Protect the Prince!" Prince An's personal guards drew their swords and surrounded him.

Prince An's face was grim as he stared intently at Liuli, who had emerged from the shadows: "The Murong family is truly formidable; they actually harbored such a hidden force."

Liu Li sneered, "Your Highness flatters me. My lady has long said that the Murong family of Yuncheng is her Achilles' heel; anyone who touches them dies."

"Arrogant!" Prince An laughed in fury. "I'd like to see how you few can save the entire Murong clan! Guards, kill them!"

Amidst the flashing swords and clashing blades, Liuli's figure moved like a ghost. Her mission was not to entangle with Prince An, but to take advantage of the chaos to rescue Old Madam Murong.

"Madam, come with me!" Liuli used her sword to knock aside two soldiers and came to Madam Murong's side.

Madam Murong shook her head: "My clansmen are still trapped in their respective courtyards; I cannot escape alone."

Just then, a deafening battle cry erupted outside the mansion. Zhang Long's army had launched a general offensive.

With a deafening crash, the city gate was smashed open. Before the defending soldiers could react, Zhang Long led his iron cavalry like a torrent into the city.

"General!" a scout galloped in to report, "Prince An has set up firearms in his residence, and I saw them transporting gunpowder to various locations!"

Zhang Long's eyes narrowed: "This madman wants to die with them! Pass down the order: advance at top speed! We absolutely cannot let them ignite the gunpowder!"