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

Murong Xuewei looked at Xiao Sining kneeling on the ground, her gaze growing cold. The sweet soup in her hand had long since gone cold.

"Second Princess, please rise." Murong Xuewei took a step back. "I will not agree to such a thing."

Xiao Sining raised her head, a hint of disbelief appearing on her beautiful face. "Why? Doesn't Your Majesty fear..." She paused, her voice gradually taking on a sharp edge, "...aren't you afraid of the ministers' opposition?"

The spring breeze suddenly turned fierce, making the wind chimes on the corridor tinkle. Murong Xuewei looked at the woman before her, who had once been so noble and ethereal in her eyes, and suddenly smiled.

"Is the Second Princess threatening me?"

“Your Majesty misunderstands,” Xiao Sining slowly stood up, brushing the dust off her skirt. “I was merely reminding Your Majesty that the court officials all hope to see an empress of equal social standing. Moreover…” She slightly raised her chin, a hint of arrogance flashing in her eyes, “I am a princess of the previous dynasty.”

Liuli couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward, angrily shouting, "You!"

Murong Xuewei gently stopped Liuli, looking calmly at Xiao Sining: "So? Is the Second Princess trying to tell me that your status is higher than mine?"

“Your Majesty, why speak so harshly?” Xiao Sining sighed. “I simply believe that if we can coexist peacefully, it will benefit both Your Majesty and His Majesty. Otherwise…” She glanced meaningfully towards the Imperial Study, “those ministers will likely not let this go so easily.”

"Heh," Murong Xuewei sneered, "The Second Princess is indeed a clever woman. It's just a pity..." She took a step forward, her voice suddenly lowering, "You underestimate Gu Ye, and you underestimate me too much."

Xiao Sining's expression changed slightly: "What do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean?" Murong Xuewei handed the now-cold sweet soup to Liuli. "Since the Second Princess is so clever, why don't you think carefully about why Gu Ye said those things in court?"

Xiao Sining was taken aback.

"Furthermore," Murong Xuewei turned to leave, then stopped, "Since the Second Princess considers herself noble, why does she resort to such despicable acts as threatening others?"

"You!" Xiao Sining's face turned pale.

"Your Majesty, please wait," Xiao Sining suddenly raised her voice, "Do you really think that with your background, you can secure that position?"

Murong Xuewei continued walking, saying calmly, "Then we'll see whether the Second Princess's status is more important, or..." She paused meaningfully, "...Gu Ye's feelings are more important."

Watching Murong Xuewei's departing figure, Xiao Sining clenched her fists, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.

Liuli followed behind Murong Xuewei, glanced at the sweet soup in her hand, and whispered, "Madam, this soup..."

"Pour it out," Murong Xuewei said softly, "It's already cold."

Liuli looked at her mistress's aloof profile, hesitant to speak. She knew that the lady was referring to more than just the soup.

As dusk settled, Murong Xuewei sat alone in the courtyard, watching the last rays of sunset fade away. She had already sent Liuli to rest; she needed some time alone.

“What are you thinking about?”

A familiar voice came from behind her; Murong Xuewei knew it was Gu Ye without turning around. She pursed her lips and said softly, "It's nothing."

Gu Ye sat down beside her, his gaze falling on the unlit lamp on the desk: "I heard you visited the Imperial Study today?"

Murong Xuewei's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly understood. How could anything that happened in the palace escape his notice?

"Hmm," she responded faintly, "I meant to bring you a bowl of sweet soup, but I overheard some things I shouldn't have."

Gu Ye turned to look at her, his gaze softening: "So you just poured the soup out?"

Murong Xuewei was taken aback, not expecting him to know even this. She smiled wryly, "It's all cold now, I don't even know if you like it."

“I love everything you make.” Gu Ye took her hand, only to find it icy cold. He frowned and asked, “How long have you been sitting here?”

Murong Xuewei tried to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter. She sighed, "Gu Ye, those ministers are right. Xiao Sining is the most suitable candidate for Empress."

"What nonsense are you spouting now?" Gu Ye's voice suddenly turned stern.

“I’m not lying,” Murong Xuewei insisted stubbornly. “She was a princess of the previous dynasty, she…”

"Enough!" Gu Ye interrupted her. "When did it become anyone else's place to rule my harem? Besides..." He suddenly stood up and pulled Murong Xuewei into his arms, "Do you think I don't know what she said to you today?"

Murong Xuewei was startled: "You..."

"She dares to threaten you?" Gu Ye's voice was as cold as ice. "She has quite the nerve."

“No, it has nothing to do with her,” Murong Xuewei hurriedly said. “It was my own thought that if I were made empress, I fear the court…”

"How is the situation in court?" Gu Ye turned her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "Murong Xuewei, do you know why I said those things in court?"

Murong Xuewei's eyes flickered: "I..."

"Because I want everyone to know," Gu Ye said, enunciating each word clearly, "that this position belongs to no one but you."

The moonlight quietly spilled into the courtyard, bathing the two of them in a soft glow. Murong Xuewei looked into Gu Ye's resolute eyes, yet doubts still lingered in her heart: "But..."

“No buts,” Gu Ye interrupted her. “Do you know that when I decided to restore my kingdom, not a single official in the entire court believed in me? Yet I did it.” He paused, his voice suddenly softening. “As for making you my empress, I will do the same.”

Murong Xuewei felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and her eyes stung slightly: "You..."

"Alright," Gu Ye pulled her into his arms, "Don't overthink it. If you try to back down again, that will truly break my heart."

Murong Xuewei leaned against him, listening to his strong heartbeat, and suddenly remembered something: "By the way, why are you back so early today?"

“Of course I’m worried about you,” Gu Ye chuckled. “Besides, it’s the same whether the memorials from the Imperial Study are reviewed here or not.”

Murong Xuewei tilted her head slightly: "Then you..."

“Let’s dine here tonight,” Gu Ye said softly, looking at her slightly reddened eyes. “Let Liuli prepare it.”

“That won’t do,” Murong Xuewei hurriedly said, “You still have so much official business to attend to…”

Gu Ye interrupted her: "In this world, what could be more important than dining with your future empress?"

Murong Xuewei was speechless for a moment. Looking at Gu Ye's smiling eyes, a warm feeling welled up in her heart. Perhaps, she really had been overthinking things.

The moonlight deepened, and the courtyard grew quiet. Liuli hurried in carrying a candlestick, but upon seeing this scene, she quietly withdrew. She knew that the lady's concerns could not ultimately overcome His Majesty's sincere heart.

As dawn broke, the courtiers were already lined up in the Golden Palace, waiting. Gu Ye, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, strode into the hall with an imposing presence.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" the courtiers shouted in unison.

"Rise." Gu Ye sat on the dragon throne, his gaze piercing. "Today I announce something: effective immediately, Murong Xuewei is hereby appointed Empress."

A commotion erupted in the hall. Sun Yuanzhang, the Vice Minister of Rites, was the first to kneel: "Your Majesty, please reconsider! The Murong clan is of noble lineage..."

"Enough!" Gu Ye interrupted sharply. "My mind is made up. If anyone is dissatisfied, they may retire and return to their hometown now."

Before Sun Yuanzhang could speak again, Gu Ye coldly ordered, "Guards, dismiss Sun Yuanzhang from his post and investigate him!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

Prime Minister Su stepped forward: "I second that opinion. Your Majesty and Lady Murong have shared weal and woe; she is virtuous and talented, and deserves the position of Empress."

The Minister of Revenue also said, "I second that proposal."

Seeing this, the other ministers echoed, "We second that proposal!"

Gu Ye nodded in satisfaction: "Pass on the decree."