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

"Alright," Song Wanyi said softly, "Xuewei, don't worry. Your older brother is always reliable; nothing will happen."

Murong Qingyu chuckled and patted her sister's hand: "That's right, look at you, still so prone to worrying."

Gu Ye noticed Murong Xuewei's worry and said, "I will send people to protect Qingyu secretly. Besides, Zhang Jing might also send word."

Mentioning Zhang Jing brought Murong Xuewei a slight sense of relief, but she remained worried: "Big brother, you must be careful."

"I know," Murong Qingyu chuckled, "You're a mother now, and you still worry so much."

......

After seeing off Murong Qingyu's family and returning to Fengyi Palace, Murong Xuewei couldn't calm down.

"Your Highness," Liuli approached with a cup of tea, "are you worried about Lord Murong?"

Murong Xuewei looked out the window: "Liuli, don't you think this is too much of a coincidence?"

"My Lady is saying..."

"Jiang Lingyun went to Jiangnan, and then Zuixiangju caught fire." Murong Xuewei turned around, "And that note..."

"Does Your Highness think there's something wrong with the note?"

“It’s not just a feeling,” Murong Xuewei walked to the table, “there’s definitely something wrong. The handwriting is crooked, but the strokes are very steady.”

Liuli suddenly realized: "Was it done on purpose?"

“Yes,” Murong Xuewei stared at the teacup, “it’s like…like it’s reminding someone.”

"Your Majesty," Liuli hesitated, "should we tell the Emperor?"

Murong Xuewei shook her head: "Gu Ye knows what he's doing. The most important thing now is..." She paused, "to find out what the person behind this is really up to."

"Then Master Murong..."

“My elder brother has been operating in Jiangnan for many years, so he is indeed the most suitable person to investigate this matter,” Murong Xuewei sighed, “but…”

"Your Highness, don't worry," Liuli comforted her. "Didn't His Majesty say he would send people to protect the eldest son?"

Murong Xuewei looked at Liuli and suddenly asked, "Liuli, do you remember what Zhang Jing said at the border last time?"

Liuli was taken aback: "What did Lord Zhang say?"

“He said, ‘Living is more important than solving the case,’” Murong Xuewei said softly. “At the time, I thought he was being too cautious, but now that I think about it…”

"Your Majesty..."

Before he could finish speaking, footsteps sounded outside the hall, and Gu Ye strode in: "Xue Wei."

Liu Li curtsied and withdrew. Murong Xuewei looked up at Gu Ye and asked, "Why are you here so late?"

“I had someone check that note,” Gu Ye said, sitting down beside her. “The handwriting was definitely fake.”

Murong Xuewei nodded: "I noticed that too. And that phrase, 'a long-awaited rain after a drought'..."

"You also think there's a problem?"

“Hmm,” Murong Xuewei frowned, “Why ‘long drought’? Could it be…?”

Gu Ye grasped her hand: "Don't think too much, let's wait for Zhang Jing's news." He paused, then added, "I've already had people keeping an eye on Jiang Lingyun; he shouldn't be able to cause any trouble in Jiangnan."

"Gu Ye," Murong Xuewei suddenly said, "do you think this is a setup?"

"What's the meaning?"

"The fire at Zuixiangju, Jiang Lingyun's trip to Jiangnan, and this note..." Murong Xuewei looked at Gu Ye, "Could someone be waiting for us to walk right into their trap?"

"Walking into a trap?" Gu Ye's eyes narrowed. "You think someone's fishing for you?"

Murong Xuewei nodded: "It's too much of a coincidence. And..." She looked out the window at the moonlight, "...it has indeed been too peaceful since you ascended the throne."

“Your Majesty is right,” Liuli suddenly spoke up, “This servant also finds it strange. Especially after Xiao Wan Ning’s incident, there hasn’t been any major upheaval in the court.”

Gu Ye frowned slightly: "You mean, someone has been waiting for an opportunity?"

“It’s not just about waiting for an opportunity,” Murong Xuewei turned around, “they’ve probably been plotting all along.”

Liuli's face showed worry: "Then Lord Murong's departure..."

“Liuli,” Murong Xuewei suddenly asked, “are the bodyguards that Gu Ye arranged for us still around?”

“Yes,” Liuli nodded, “the secret guards have remained in place since the Emperor ascended the throne.”

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Murong Xuewei's eyes: "How many people?"

"Your Majesty, there are twelve people in total, divided into three groups taking turns on duty."

“Alright,” Murong Xuewei said in a deep voice, “Go and arrange for them to arrive in Jiangnan before my elder brother, and make sure they find out the truth behind the fire at Zuixiangju.”

Gu Ye looked at Murong Xuewei: "Whom do you suspect?"

“It’s still too early to say,” Murong Xuewei shook her head, “but in any case, we must ensure the safety of my family in Jiangnan first.” Turning to Liuli, she said, “Have the guards go to the old house in Jiangnan first. They must protect my parents, sister-in-law, and Linlin.”

As Liuli accepted the order and was about to leave, Murong Xuewei called out to her, "Wait."

"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"

“They must be very careful when they investigate,” Murong Xuewei said gravely, “especially…” she paused, “especially investigating who has been inquiring about Zuixiangju recently.”

Liuli nodded: "This servant understands."

After Liuli left, Gu Ye grasped Murong Xuewei's hand: "What are you worried about?"

“I was thinking about the phrase ‘a long-awaited rain after a drought,’” Murong Xuewei bit her lip, “Why use the word ‘long-awaited drought’…”

“You mean…?”

“Yes,” Murong Xuewei looked up, “this person must have been waiting for a long time. And…” Her expression suddenly changed, “Gu Ye, do you think it could be related to the border situation?”

Gu Ye's eyes flashed: "You mean Jiang Lingyun?"

“It’s not just him,” Murong Xuewei stood up and walked to the window, “Gu Ye, don’t you feel that everything seems to be heading in the same direction?”

"Which direction?"

"The plague on the border, Jiang Lingyun's whereabouts, and now the fire in Jiangnan..." Murong Xuewei turned to look at Gu Ye, "It's like a net, slowly tightening."

Gu Ye's expression hardened: "So that's why you sent the Liuli Sect's secret guards first?"

“Hmm,” Murong Xuewei nodded, “I have a feeling that this matter is not so simple. Especially…” She suddenly stopped.

"Especially what?"

Murong Xuewei shook her head: "Let's wait for news from the secret guards. I hope I'm just overthinking it."

Seeing her worried expression, Gu Ye stood up and walked to her side. "Don't worry, I've already had shadow guards secretly following Qingyu. Besides..." he said softly, "Isn't Zhang Jing still keeping an eye on things at the border?"

Murong Xuewei leaned on Gu Ye's shoulder: "Gu Ye, do you think this could be the beginning?"

"What begins?"

"Perhaps Xiao Wanning didn't die, but has been lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity."