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

Murong Xuewei returned to her room at the inn and took out a set of clothes from her bundle. These were casual clothes she had specially prepared before coming to Jiangnan.

Murong Xuewei sat in front of the dressing table, looking at the alarm bell, recalling the time when she was reborn four years ago.

I was impulsive and reckless back then. Now, only four years later, I'm able to face things so calmly.

Liuli looked at Murong Xuewei with a worried expression, "Big sister..."

Murong Xuewei turned around and handed Liuli a porcelain bottle. Liuli looked at the object in her hand with curiosity.

"What is this, eldest sister?" Liuli gripped the porcelain bottle in her sleeve tightly.

"Wait." Murong Xuewei took out two small porcelain bottles from her sleeve. "Each of you take one. If you encounter danger, smash them on the ground."

Liuli took the porcelain bottle: "This is..."

“A sleeping potion,” Murong Xuewei said. “Zhang Jing gave it to me before he left. He said that when you’re caught in a trap, you always have to leave yourself a way out.”

“Don’t worry,” Murong Xuewei said softly. “Remember what I said. If anything changes, proceed according to plan immediately.”

She stepped forward, her gaze icy: "It's time to let Jiang Lingyun see what it means to reap what you sow."

"Big sister, please let us go with you."

Xiao Cui chimed in, "Yes, eldest sister, let's go together. More people means we can help each other."

“No,” Murong Xuewei shook her head. “It’s more important for you to stay outside. If… if things don’t go well, you can inform the Emperor in time.”

Liuli's eyes reddened: "You even prepared a letter, didn't you?"

“A letter is necessary,” Murong Xuewei said softly, “but not the kind you’re thinking of. Liuli, go and buy some spices.”

"spices?"

Murong Xuewei took out Zhang Jing's medicine bottle and shook it: "It needs to be the kind that can mask the smell of medicine. Since we're going into the manor, we should prepare some means of self-defense."

"I understand." Liuli wiped her eyes.

“Xiao Cui,” Murong Xuewei said again, “go take a walk around the city and see what rumors are circulating lately, especially about the capital and Nanzhao.”

Xiao Cui nodded: "Don't worry, big sister, I'll go right away."

"Big sister." Liuli looked at her, hesitant to speak.

“Go ahead.” Murong Xuewei turned and unfolded the paper. “Let me finish writing this letter first.”

Xiao Cui pulled Liu Li, who still wanted to say something, out the door. Only Murong Xue Wei remained in the room. She dipped her brush in ink and wrote on the paper: "Husband, if you see this letter..."

After thinking for a moment, she crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it away, then picked up a new one: "My husband, things have come to this, I have no other choice..."

Outside the window, dusk deepened. Murong Xuewei looked up at the darkening sky and said softly, "Jiang Lingyun, now that Xiao Wanning is dead, what exactly do you want? Are you really only after the Murong family's wealth?"

Murong Xuewei straightened her clothes and hid the medicine bottle Zhang Jing had given her in her sleeve.

Standing before the bronze mirror, she gently stroked the gold hairpin in her hair, a cold smile playing on her lips.

"It's been a long time since I've dressed up this formally," she said softly.

Liuli brought in the spices: "Eldest sister, everything is ready."

"Hmm." Murong Xuewei took the spice packet, sniffed it gently, and said, "The scent is just right."

Xiao Cui ran in too: "Big sister, everyone in the city is saying that Nanzhao and that bandit leader from the Murong family are colluding."

"So it was just as I guessed?" Murong Xuewei interrupted her. "Let's pack up and get ready to go home."

"Big sister, is there really no other choice?" Liuli asked nervously as she watched Murong Xuewei change her clothes.

While adjusting her clothes, Murong Xuewei said calmly, "Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to see him. Besides, my parents and uncles and aunts are still in his hands."

“But…” Liuli hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

“I know what you’re worried about.” Murong Xuewei looked up at herself in the bronze mirror, her eyes growing cold. “But since Jiang Lingyun dared to make a move in Jiangnan, he must have something to rely on. If we don’t go, it will only arouse suspicion.”

Xiao Cui, helping Murong Xue Wei tidy her hair, asked, "Big sister, won't it be dangerous for you to go?"

"Haven't we encountered enough dangers on our journey from the capital to here?" Murong Xuewei took out a medicine bottle from her sleeve. "Let's see what Jiang Lingyun really wants."

Liuli looked at the medicine bottle, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes: "I..."

"No need to say anything more." Murong Xuewei carefully put away the medicine bottle. "My mind is made up."

Xiao Cui looked at Murong Xuewei with admiration and said, "Big Sister is so capable, even if there is danger, Big Sister will definitely be able to turn the situation around."

"You're all talk." Murong Xuewei picked up the powder box next to the bronze mirror. "Alright, come help me with my makeup."

Liuli quickly took the powder box: "Big sister, don't move, let me do it."

Half an hour later, Murong Xuewei stood in front of the bronze mirror. The woman in the mirror had light makeup and wore a moon-white casual dress. At first glance, she looked completely different from the noble and imposing empress she usually was.

“Let’s go.” Murong Xuewei straightened her clothes. “It’s time to meet Jiang Lingyun.”

The group left the inn and walked along the street towards the Murong residence. There were few pedestrians on the road, and the few who did pass by were in a hurry, as if afraid to linger for even a moment longer.

The Murong mansion was right in front of them, but the once-familiar vermilion gate now seemed utterly unfamiliar. The stone lions in front of the gate were still majestic, but the guards were no longer the familiar ones from before.

At the gates of the Murong residence, a guard's eyes flashed with surprise upon seeing Murong Xuewei, before he bowed and greeted her, "Miss Murong."

Is Lord Jiang present?

"In the main hall."

Murong Xuewei stepped over the threshold, her gaze sweeping over the plaque above the door. The once familiar mansion now felt strangely unfamiliar.

In the main hall, Jiang Lingyun was enjoying tea. Upon seeing Murong Xuewei enter, he immediately stood up: "Elder sister, you've finally arrived."

“Lord Jiang,” Murong Xuewei said coldly, “there’s no need for such pretense. Just state your demands.”

Jiang Lingyun was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Big sister, what are you saying? I..."

“I already said that,” Murong Xuewei interrupted him, “Just say what you have to say. I didn’t come here to reminisce.”

Jiang Lingyun smiled and sat down next to Murong Xuewei. "Why are you in such a hurry, eldest sister? We haven't seen each other for so long. Sit down and have a good chat."

She stepped forward slowly, her gaze sharp as a knife: "Where are my parents? Where are my uncle and aunt?"

"They're all resting quietly in the backyard." Jiang Lingyun's smile faded. "If eldest sister wants to see me, I'll..."

“No need.” Murong Xuewei sat down in the main seat. “You and I both know why I’ve come today. Tell me, what do you want?”

Jiang Lingyun glanced at Murong Xuewei's composed demeanor as she sat in the main seat, a shadow of malice flashing in his eyes. He slowly picked up his teacup, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Eldest sister is still as decisive and efficient as ever, unchanged."

"Is that so?" Murong Xuewei sneered. "People grow up. Take Lord Jiang, for example. Back in the capital, we were at loggerheads. I never expected to hear you call me 'elder sister' today."

Jiang Lingyun's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "Elder sister, you've misunderstood. That day in the capital..."

"Enough." Murong Xuewei interrupted him, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "Lord Jiang, I didn't come here today to hear your explanations. My parents and uncle and aunt are under your house arrest. Speak, what do you want?"

Liuli stood behind Murong Xuewei, nervously gripping the porcelain bottle in her sleeve. Xiao Cui also bit her lip secretly, staring intently at Jiang Lingyun.

“Why be so formal, elder sister?” Jiang Lingyun put down her teacup, her face regaining its refined smile. “I simply wish to ask you for a small favor.”

Murong Xuewei raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What kind of favor requires threatening my entire family's lives?"

“What you’re saying, elder sister…” Jiang Lingyun stood up and paced around the hall. “I simply wanted to ask you to write a letter to the Emperor.”

"A letter?" Murong Xuewei's eyes flashed. "What letter?"

Jiang Lingyun stopped and turned to look at Murong Xuewei, a ruthless glint in her eyes: "Please have my elder sister write a letter to the Emperor, saying that you are willing to voluntarily give me all of the Murong family's wealth."

Upon hearing this, both Liuli and Xiaocui's expressions changed. Murong Xuewei, however, remained calm, only slightly tightening her grip on the armrest: "That's it?"

"Of course not." Jiang Lingyun's smile gradually turned cold. "Eldest sister also needs to invite the Emperor to Jiangnan."

Murong Xuewei narrowed her eyes: "I see. Lord Jiang intends to..."

“Eldest sister is clever,” Jiang Lingyun interrupted her. “Once the Emperor arrives, I will naturally release your parents.”