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

"Madam, you're finally going to be Empress!" Liuli beamed, packing her trunks as she exclaimed with undisguised joy. "I knew it! You and His Majesty would have a happy ending."

Murong Xuewei stood before the bronze mirror, gazing at her reflection with a somewhat dazed look. The blood feud of her past life had been avenged in this one. Xiao Wanning's death had avenged the Murong family's blood feud, yet she felt no satisfaction as she had imagined.

"Liuli," she called softly, "what do you think, how about we leave the capital and live in Jiangnan?"

Liuli paused, then looked up in surprise. "Madam, what's wrong...?"

“I’m tired,” Murong Xuewei walked to the window, gazing at the distant palace walls. “I’ve completed my path of revenge. I don’t want to get involved in the conflicts of the capital anymore.”

"But Madam!" Liuli was on the verge of tears, "His Majesty's heart is truly devoted to you, how could you..."

Murong Xuewei turned around, looking at the anxious Liuli, a bitter smile appearing on her lips. "I know his feelings. But Liuli, think about it, does a bloodthirsty avenger really deserve to be the empress of this world?"

“Madam, you’re being too narrow-minded,” Liuli said, wiping away her tears. “Xiao Wanning deserved all that! Besides, the young master is still so young; he needs his father.”

Murong Xuewei's eyes softened at the mention of the child. She went into the inner room and gently stroked the sleeping child's face. This hard-won child had endured so much suffering to survive. If she left, he would lose his father at such a young age...

“I can’t bear to part with him either,” Murong Xuewei whispered, “but Liuli, do you know what it means to be Empress? You have to manage the entire harem and deal with so many concubines… I’m afraid I’ll lose who I am now.”

Liuli was stunned; she had never imagined that the Madam would have such concerns. In her heart, the Madam had always been such a strong and decisive person.

“Moreover,” Murong Xuewei continued, “Gu Ye is the emperor now, and sooner or later he will take concubines, and I…” Her voice grew softer and softer, hiding unspeakable bitterness.

"Madam!" Liuli exclaimed anxiously, "His Majesty disregarded the opposition of the court officials for your sake, how could he..."

Before he could finish speaking, a eunuch's shrill voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived!"

Murong Xuewei's expression hardened, and she quickly walked to the bronze mirror to tidy her appearance. She knew this decision couldn't be made lightly. For the sake of her child, for Gu Ye, and for herself, she needed to think it over carefully.

Gu Ye strode in, his face still showing signs of fatigue, yet a gentle smile remained. His gaze swept over the slightly disheveled trunks and boxes in the room, and his brow furrowed slightly. "Packing things?"

“Yes, it’s time to move into the palace,” Murong Xuewei forced a smile. “We need to prepare some everyday items.”

Gu Ye approached her, his long, slender fingers gently stroking her cheek. "I heard you've been cooped up in your room all day. Is something on your mind?"

Murong Xuewei avoided his intense gaze. "No, I'm just... a little tired."

"Xuewei," Gu Ye's voice lowered, "if you're unwilling, I won't force you."

These words were like a sharp sword, piercing straight into Murong Xuewei's heart. She looked up and met Gu Ye's worried gaze, suddenly feeling a pang of heartache. This man, despite being the emperor, still thought of her in every way.

The next day, Murong Xuewei prepared a bowl of sweet soup and carried it to Gu Ye. When she arrived at the door of the Imperial Study, she heard arguing coming from inside.

"Your Majesty, Princess Xiao is a princess of the previous dynasty! She and you are a match made in heaven!" Sun Yuanzhang, the Vice Minister of Rites, knelt before the emperor, tears streaming down his face. "Moreover, if it weren't for Princess Xiao risking her life to save you that day, how could Your Majesty have..."

"Shut up!" Gu Ye interrupted sharply, his dragon eyes flashing with cold light.

Murong Xuewei stood in the corridor outside the palace. A spring breeze brought a slight chill. She slightly tightened her grip on her sleeves, her eyes somewhat unfocused. The scene from that night replayed in her mind—the flickering torches, the clanging of swords, Gu Ye nearly losing his life in prison. If it weren't for Xiao Sining...

“Madam,” Liuli said, looking at her with concern, “please don’t listen here. These ministers are just spouting nonsense!”

Murong Xuewei shook her head, signaling Liuli to be quiet. Inside the hall, the debate continued.

"Your Majesty," Minister of War Zhang Wei stepped forward and said loudly, "Princess Xiao comes from a noble family, is well-educated and reasonable, and has also saved the emperor's life. If Your Majesty is willing to take her as a concubine, it will not only win over the remnants of the previous dynasty, but also demonstrate Your Majesty's magnanimity. Therefore, we will certainly support making Lady Murong Empress."

"Heh," Gu Ye chuckled coldly, "What a clever scheme. Since when did it become your place to rule my harem?"

Zhang Wei, neither servile nor arrogant, said: "Your Majesty, the establishment of an empress is a matter of great importance to the nation, concerning the very stability of the country. We, your subjects..."

"Enough!" Gu Ye abruptly stood up, his dragon robes fluttering. "Since you've brought up gratitude, then I'll have a proper talk with you all today!" He descended the steps, his voice growing increasingly sharp. "When I was down on my luck, who bet all their wealth on me? Who braved a hail of arrows to deliver provisions when the enemy besieged the city? And who guarded me day and night, never abandoning me when I was gravely wounded?"

The courtiers in the hall fell silent, as if trembling with fear.

"I remember, why didn't any of you mention noble family background back then?" Gu Ye's gaze swept across the assembled officials like lightning. "Now that I have the throne, you're all starting to tell me how to choose an empress?"

Outside the hall, Murong Xuewei felt a surge of warmth upon hearing these words. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard a clear and gentle voice behind her.

"Your Majesty, please wait."

Murong Xuewei turned around and saw Xiao Sining standing not far away. She was dressed in a simple dress, with a beautiful face and an indescribable air of nobility between her brows.

“Princess Xiao, Second Princess.” Murong Xuewei called out, forcing herself to remain calm.

Xiao Sining stepped forward and suddenly curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty need not worry. I have not taken a single word of what those court officials said to heart."

"The Second Princess called you 'Your Majesty' too early."

“No, I didn’t. I know Gu Ye is deeply in love with you, and I know what they’re up to,” Xiao Sining said with a bitter smile. “They just want to use my status to play a role in the palace.” She raised her head and looked directly into Murong Xuewei’s eyes. “But in my life, I, Xiao Sining, have never thought of competing with anyone for anything. I truly love Gu Ye, and I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish.”

As she spoke, Xiao Sining knelt down with a thud.

"Get up quickly." Murong Xuewei hurriedly helped Xiao Sining up.

Xiao Sining broke free from Murong Xuewei and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, I fell in love with Gu Ye the first time I saw him. I even defied my sister for him. Please, Your Majesty, take me in for my sincere feelings for Gu Ye, even if it means serving him as a servant."

Murong Xuewei's heart skipped a beat. She released Xiao Sining's hand and said slowly, "I've already said I can't make this decision. I'm just a person without a formal status."

"No, you can do it. Just talk to Gu Ye, and he'll definitely agree."

Murong Xuewei looked at Xiao Sining in surprise, "Do you know what you're saying? Are you asking me to beg Gu Ye to take you into the palace?"