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

Xiao Cui frowned as she watched, clenching her fists, but dared not speak rashly. She secretly glanced at Murong Xuewei, and seeing that her mistress's expression was normal, she felt even more uneasy.

“Young Master Shuang,” Murong Xuewei put down her teacup, her voice suddenly turning cold, a glint of icy light flashing in her eyes, “I spent two thousand taels to invite you here, not to watch you harass my maid. Besides…” She paused meaningfully, “Is this behavior truly instructive of your master?”

These words carried a deeper meaning, and a flicker of panic crossed Young Master Shuang's eyes, but it vanished in an instant. He feigned nonchalance and moved closer to Liuli, saying, "Miss, please don't be angry. Shuang'er simply feels that this young lady possesses an extraordinary air, quite like the talented scholar from Jiangnan..."

"Enough!" Murong Xuewei abruptly stood up, her teacup clinking against the table. "Get your master out here to speak. I've had enough of this clumsy performance."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly froze. Just then, a familiar, deep male voice came from outside the door: "As expected, you couldn't hide it from Miss Murong."

The curtain was gently lifted, making a rustling sound. A man dressed in a blue brocade robe walked in slowly, the moonlight streaming in from the window behind him, casting a soft halo around him.

“Nangong Yifeng?” Murong Xuewei’s eyes flashed, the coldness in her tone softening slightly. “So it’s you. No wonder this Young Master Shuang imitates your style in every way.”

Upon hearing the name, Liuli trembled slightly, her eyes darting away, unable to look towards the door. Nangong Yifeng's gaze lingered on her for a moment, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"Long time no see," Nangong Yifeng withdrew his gaze and smiled slightly at Murong Xuewei. "It's been half a year since we parted ways in Jiangnan. I just never expected to meet again in a place like this."

Murong Xuewei noticed the look in his eyes when he looked at Liuli, and understood immediately: "I must ask, why would the dignified King of Qu, Nangong Yifeng, open a brothel in Pingyao Prefecture? Could it be...?" She gave Liuli a meaningful look, "...that he's looking for someone?"

Nangong Yifeng's expression changed slightly, and he was about to speak when a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. He subconsciously took a step towards Liuli, as if to protect her, but this subtle movement was noticed by Murong Xuewei.

"Since you've come for the sake of this beauty," Murong Xuewei picked up her teacup, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, "why make such a fuss? When did Young Master Nangong learn to be so roundabout?"

Nangong Yifeng was taken aback by her words, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Liuli. A night breeze slipped in through the window, gently fluttering Liuli's clothes. He looked at her slender figure, a ripple stirring in his heart. He then casually looked away, but Murong Xuewei had taken in that fleeting moment of panic.

Liuli lowered her head, her ears already flushed red, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. She still remembered the danger of that rainy alley in Jiangnan, the figure that shielded her from an arrow, and the eyes that always gazed at her with tenderness. She secretly glanced at Nangong Yifeng, and her eyes met his gentle gaze. Her heart pounded like a drum, and she quickly lowered her head again.

Watching this scene, Xiao Cui couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. She had never seen her sister Liuli so shy before.

"Ahem," Nangong Yifeng coughed lightly, trying to remain calm as he changed the subject, though his tone carried a hint of awkwardness, "As for Miss Murong, instead of enjoying a life of luxury in the capital, why has she come to Pingyao Prefecture?"

His tone shifted, becoming somewhat sarcastic: "I've heard that His Majesty dotes on you, even consulting you on matters of state. Speaking of which, I remember you saying back in Jiangnan that you would never marry into the royal family, but I never expected..."

“Young Master Nangong,” Murong Xuewei interrupted him, a barely perceptible glint in her eyes, “there’s no need to bring up the past.”

Looking at her expression, Nangong Yifeng understood. He still remembered how this proud woman had clearly rejected him back in Jiangnan. Now, he thought, perhaps she already had someone else in her heart.

“I was being presumptuous,” he said with an apologetic smile. “I was just curious, what could possibly warrant Her Majesty the Empress making this trip in person? Could it be…?”

Murong Xuewei remained silent for a moment, a hint of worry appearing on her usually cool face: "It's about my eldest brother."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Yifeng's expression changed drastically. He and Murong Qingyu had some connection; he had received considerable help from her in the business world of Jiangnan.

"What happened to Brother Qingyu?" His tone became serious, and there was no longer any hint of joking from before.

Liuli also looked up, her eyes filled with worry. She still remembered how the eldest young master had taken care of her, bringing her little trinkets every time he came to the capital, treating her like a younger sister.

“Half a month ago,” Murong Xuewei said in a low voice, her fingers unconsciously tracing the teacup, “my elder brother was ambushed in Jiangnan and his whereabouts are unknown. I was originally in the capital preparing to set off after receiving the news, but then I learned of some clues in Pingyao Prefecture…”

Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke. Even with her composure, she couldn't hide her worry when the safety of her loved ones was mentioned.

"I see," Nangong Yifeng said thoughtfully, looking at Murong Xuewei's forced composure, a pang of pity rising in his heart. "No wonder you found your way here. In that case, Xiaoyao Tower is probably..."

“Exactly,” Murong Xuewei nodded, “I suspect this place is related to my elder brother’s disappearance.”

Nangong Yifeng pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked up, his gaze resolute: "Since it concerns Brother Qingyu, then I will naturally offer my assistance."

"Young Master Nangong is willing to help?" Murong Xuewei sized him up without making a sound.

“We’ve been friends for a while,” Nangong Yifeng said sincerely. “Besides, Brother Qingyu has treated me well. Moreover…” His gaze inadvertently swept over Liuli, and his voice softened, “I also have some informants in Jiangnan, who might be of help.”

Upon hearing this, Liuli recalled the crisis she had faced in Jiangnan, and a warmth filled her heart. If he hadn't sent people to rescue her in time, she probably would have already... Thinking of this, a blush rose on her face, but her eyes shone with gratitude.

“With Young Master Nangong’s assistance, that would be wonderful,” Murong Xuewei said with a smile, noticing the exchange between the two men. “I just wonder if Young Master Nangong can concentrate on his work? What if things turn out differently…”

She deliberately drew out her words, her gaze sweeping meaningfully between the two of them: "Distracted by someone again."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Yifeng was speechless, a blush creeping onto his handsome face. He stole a glance at Liuli, seeing her head bowed in embarrassment, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and his heart skipped a beat.

Liuli felt her face burning, even her ears turning bright red. She remembered the warmth of him holding her tightly in the rain that day, and her heart began to beat faster.

Even Young Master Shuang couldn't help but chuckle, quickly lowering his head to hide his amusement. Xiao Cui almost burst out laughing, secretly finding the two's embarrassed expressions amusing.

“Miss Murong is joking,” Nangong Yifeng said, forcing himself to remain calm. Though he was explaining, his eyes unconsciously drifted towards Liuli. “Finding people is the priority. I’ve already sent people to gather information…”

Before she could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, interrupting this tender moment. Nangong Yifeng's expression changed, and almost instinctively he stepped forward to block Liuli.

Murong Xuewei watched this scene, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. This man who had once been devoted to her clearly now held someone else in his heart. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but recall the person far away in the capital, a warm feeling welling up inside her.

But now is not the time to think about these things. Her smile faded, and her gaze gradually sharpened. The footsteps outside the door grew closer, and she wondered what changes they would bring next.