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

“Xue Wei is right,” Gu Ye interrupted him. “Xiao Si Ning may be ambitious, but she wouldn’t be this ruthless. Besides…” His gaze deepened, “If she wanted to harm someone, why go to such lengths to save them first and then harm them?”

Just then, Xiao Sining's voice came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, although I yearn for the position of Imperial Concubine, I would never gamble with the lives of the people."

Everyone turned to see Xiao Sining standing at the palace gate, her face deathly pale. She slowly walked in, her gaze fixed on Gu Ye: "Your Majesty, if you suspect me because of the border matter, you are free to send people to investigate. But please believe me, although I was unruly in the past, I have now reformed and would never do anything so heinous."

"This..." Gu Ye's expression was complicated. "It's not that I doubt you. It's just that the political situation is delicate right now, and there have been changes on the border. Making you a Noble Consort might be..."

Xiao Sining smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty need not say more. I understand." She bowed deeply, "I am willing to accept the title of Princess, but I only ask that Your Majesty allow me to remain in the capital to heal the people."

Gu Ye nodded: "Approved."

Xiao Sining stood up and looked at Murong Xuewei: "Your Majesty, I'm sorry. I was too stubborn before and caused you trouble."

Murong Xuewei shook her head: "You don't need to apologize." Murong Xuewei looked at Gu Ye; the most urgent task now was to rescue Brother Yuxuan and find out the truth.

"This humble woman is willing to do her utmost to assist," Xiao Sining said solemnly. "The symptoms of this plague are indeed abnormal, and this humble woman suspects..." She suddenly stopped.

"What do you suspect?" Gu Ye pressed.

“No need to investigate. This is not a plague,” Zhang Jing’s voice came from outside the hall.

Murong Xuewei looked at Zhang Jing in surprise. She hadn't seen Zhang Jing since Gu Ye's great victory over Prince An.

Gu Ye said that Zhang Jing doesn't like crowds. He helped Gu Ye before because of their agreement. After Gu Ye was safe, Zhang Jing went back to the small pharmacy to study medicine.

Why would Zhang Jing suddenly come to the main hall at this time?

Zhang Jing walked to the middle of the group: "I suspect this is an ancient poison formula. As far as I know, there's a similar recipe in the Gu poison of Southern Xinjiang; once poisoned, the symptoms are extremely similar to the plague."

Murong Xuewei's eyes sharpened: "Southern Frontier Gu poison?" She looked at Gu Ye, "Your Majesty, could it be...?"

"Nanzhao!" Gu Ye's eyes flashed coldly. "Issue an order that Zhang Long immediately lead troops to the border to find the Second Miss and rescue Young Master Murong. Furthermore..." He paused for a moment, "...secretly investigate every recent move of the Nanzhao Kingdom."

"Yes!" The eunuch accepted the order and left.

A moment of silence fell over the hall. After a long while, Murong Xuewei finally spoke: "Your Majesty, let me go to the border."

"No!" Gu Ye refused decisively. "It's too dangerous."

"But Yu Xuan..."

“Xuewei.” Gu Ye walked up to her. “It’s best for you to stay in the capital. I need your help to stabilize the court. Besides…” He lowered his voice, “Yan’er is still young; he can’t live without you.”

Murong Xuewei understood his meaning. If Nanzhao truly intervened in this matter, then they must have spies within the capital. If they were to take advantage of this vulnerability, the newly established Great Qi would likely face a great calamity.

"I also request to stay and assist," Xiao Sining volunteered.

Gu Ye nodded: "Alright. Right Prime Minister, immediately go to the Imperial Hospital to gather manpower to assist Xiao Sining in investigating this matter."

"As commanded."

As night deepened, the lights in the Imperial Study remained bright. A subtle yet powerful contest seemed to be quietly unfolding. And in this contest, everyone seemed to be harboring untold thoughts.

As Xiao Sining walked out of the imperial study, she turned back for a long look. Her eyes were complex, seemingly filled with worry, yet also concealing a certain determination.

Murong Xuewei stood by the window, gazing at the distant night sky. She knew that this border upheaval was likely just the beginning. And who was the true mastermind behind it all?

Gu Ye watched the two women's retreating figures, his gaze growing increasingly somber. He vaguely sensed that an even greater storm was brewing.

"Someone come here," he suddenly said. "Go and summon Zhang Jing. I have urgent business to discuss."

When Zhang Jing stepped into the imperial study, the candlelight flickered, casting long shadows on the wall.

"You've arrived." Gu Ye put down the memorial he was holding. "I need you to go to the border."

"Heh," Zhang Jing chuckled, "Don't you know my rules best?" He walked to the table, casually picked up a teacup, and said, "There's no need to discuss the matter of saving lives."

“Zhang Jing,” Gu Ye’s voice deepened, “this time is different. You’re best at dealing with the poisoning on the border. Besides…” He paused, “Murong Yuxuan is crucial to our plan.”

"So what?" Zhang Jing raised an eyebrow. "Just because he's your brother-in-law, I have to save him?"

What are your terms?

“Interesting,” Zhang Jing put down his teacup. “A ruler of a nation, willing to negotiate with a mere physician for the sake of a subject?”

Gu Ye looked directly at him: "Because you're not an ordinary doctor."

“Indeed,” Zhang Jing rarely smiled, “there are two things.” He paused, his eyes deep, “but I’ll owe you for now, we’ll talk about it when I get back. Remember, you owe me two favors.”

“Okay,” Gu Ye agreed readily, “when do we leave?”

"So soon?" Zhang Jing turned to leave. "Don't worry, I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning." He reached the door, then turned back. "But Gu Ye, are you sure Murong Yuxuan is worth this?"

Gu Ye didn't answer, but simply watched Zhang Jing leave. Only after he was gone did he breathe a sigh of relief, get up and walk to the window. Gazing at the Phoenix Palace in the night, a gentle smile unconsciously curved his lips.

Inside the Phoenix Palace, Murong Xuewei was gently rocking the cradle. Little Yan'er was fast asleep, her breathing long and even. In the candlelight, her profile looked much softer, and the little tune she was humming was gentle and melodious.

"Aren't you asleep yet?" Gu Ye's voice came from the doorway.

"Shh," Murong Xuewei turned her head and pointed to the cradle, "She just fell asleep."

Gu Ye approached and bent down to look at the little one in the swaddling clothes. Xiao Yan'er's little face was rosy, and she was sleeping soundly.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly.

A hint of a smile flashed in Murong Xuewei's eyes: "It reminds me of the first time I met you."

"The time you pushed Murong Lian into the water?"

"You still remember."

“Of course I remember,” Gu Ye chuckled. “The way you said ‘serves you right’ left a deep impression on me.”

“Back then,” Murong Xuewei’s voice suddenly turned cold, “you only wanted my family’s money.”

Gu Ye was taken aback: "Xue Wei..."

“I know,” Murong Xuewei interrupted him, “it’s all in the past.” She looked up at him, “But Gu Ye, sometimes I think, if only back then…”

"Don't think about it anymore," Gu Ye said, pulling her into his arms. "The important thing is now."