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

"Lead the way!" Gu Ye strode out, and the guards behind him quickly followed.

Under the moonlight, the group hurried through the corridors of the courtyard, heading towards the back mountain. Gu Ye's face grew increasingly gloomy; he had completely miscalculated Xiao Wan Ning's move.

"Your Majesty, it's just ahead." The guard leading the way pointed to a small path in the mountains.

Gu Ye looked up and indeed saw obvious hoofprints on the ground. He squatted down to examine the marks, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"Chase!"

The group followed the hoofprints, but the deeper they went, the fainter the tracks became. Finally, halfway up the mountain, all traces came to an abrupt end.

"Search!" Gu Ye ordered sternly.

The guards scattered, carefully searching every corner of the surrounding area. Lan'er led her men to carefully examine the mountain wall, looking for any possible secret passages.

A moment later, the guards returned and reported, "Your Majesty, we found nothing."

"Impossible!" Gu Ye slammed his hand on a nearby tree trunk. "She couldn't have just vanished into thin air!"

Lan'er hesitated before stepping forward: "Your Majesty, I believe... these traces were probably left intentionally by Xiao Wan Ning to lure us here."

Gu Ye was silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered, "So, Xiao Wan Ning is something else." He turned to look at the brightly lit villa below the mountain, "She deliberately set up a trap here to lure us away."

Under the moonlight, a cold glint flashed in Gu Ye's eyes. Xiao Wan Ning had slipped through his fingers once again, and this time, she took not only a person with her, but also the secret of the treasure map.

"Send word to block all roads leading out of the city," Gu Ye said in a deep voice. "Furthermore, investigate thoroughly any suspicious caravans and ships in the Jiangnan region during this period."

"Yes!"

Watching the guards hastily depart, Gu Ye stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes deep and unfathomable. This time, he had been careless.

When Gu Ye returned to the Murong residence covered in night dew, it was almost dawn.

The main hall was brightly lit, and Murong Xuewei, dressed in a moon-white long dress, was sitting in the main seat waiting. Seeing him enter, she immediately stood up and quickly went to greet him: "How was it?"

Gu Ye frowned slightly, noticing her worried expression. "She got away."

Murong Xuewei was taken aback, then sighed softly, "She was prepared all along?"

“Hmm.” Gu Ye sat down beside her. “Not only are there secret passages, but there’s also a trap set up in the back mountain.” He looked at Murong Xuewei. “She mentioned the treasure map before she left.”

Murong Xuewei's expression hardened. "What did she say?"

“She said…” Gu Ye paused, carefully observing Murong Xuewei’s expression, “that you must go to her yourself. Xuewei, this treasure map…”

“I don’t know much either,” Murong Xuewei shook her head, a complex look flashing in her eyes. “I just found some clues a few days ago while sorting through old things at home. I asked Liuli to investigate, but there’s been no news yet.”

Gu Ye was about to speak when he suddenly noticed that Murong Xuewei's face had turned pale. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Murong Xuewei waved her hand, but stumbled as she stood up. Gu Ye quickly caught her, "Are you injured?"

"I'm just a little tired..." Before Murong Xuewei could finish speaking, Gu Ye picked her up in his arms.

"Your Majesty!" she exclaimed.

"No need to push yourself." Gu Ye carried her into the inner room. "Your injuries haven't fully healed, and these past few days... Rest first, we'll talk about the rest tomorrow."

Murong Xuewei leaned against him and whispered, "Gu Ye, what is Xiao Wanning trying to stir up..."

"Shh," Gu Ye interrupted her, "Don't think about anything right now."

As Gu Ye gently placed her on the bed and was about to get up, Murong Xuewei grabbed his sleeve.

"You should rest for a while too," Murong Xuewei said, noticing his tired expression. "You've been busy since last night."

Gu Ye sat down by the bed and reached out to stroke her cheek. "I'm sorry to have worried you."

Murong Xuewei shook her head. "I was just wondering why Xiao Wanning insisted I go find her." She frowned. "What exactly does this treasure map mean to her..."

"Don't think about these things right now," Gu Ye interrupted her thoughts. "The most important thing is to recover from your injuries."

"I'm fine." Murong Xuewei struggled to get up. "The situation now..."

"Xuewei." Gu Ye pressed down on her shoulders, his tone serious, "If you fall, then you've fallen into Xiao Wanning's trap."

Murong Xuewei paused for a moment, then smiled wryly, "You're right. But..." She grasped Gu Ye's hand, "You have to promise me you won't hide anything from me."

Looking into her worried eyes, Gu Ye's heart softened. "Okay."

"real?"

"Mmm." Gu Ye leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I've sent people to investigate Xiao Wan Ning's whereabouts. You rest first. I'll let you know as soon as I have any news."

Murong Xuewei finally closed her eyes in relief. Gu Ye watched her gradually fall asleep, his eyes growing deeper.

Xiao Wan Ning said she wanted Murong Xue Wei to go find her in person. What exactly was her intention...?

As dawn broke, Murong Xuewei woke up and saw Gu Ye sitting at his desk reviewing documents.

"Awake?" Gu Ye put down the vermilion brush and walked to her bedside.

Murong Xuewei nodded, gazing at the morning light outside the window. "I've thought it through."

"What?"

"Regarding Xiao Wanning," Murong Xuewei said firmly, "she deliberately told me to go to her, simply to set a trap. This person is too cunning; she calculated every step carefully."

Gu Ye looked at her expression thoughtfully, "You mean..."

"She's definitely waiting for me to lose control and go to her," Murong Xuewei sneered. "If I really go, wouldn't that be playing right into her hands?"

So you plan to...

“I’m not going.” Murong Xuewei looked at Gu Ye. “Xiao Wanning is a master at using others’ strength against her. If I go to her, it’s like handing over a pawn she wants.”

Gu Ye nodded approvingly, "You're right. But..." He paused, "...about the treasure map..."

“Gu Ye.” Murong Xuewei interrupted him, “Since this treasure map is in my Murong family, there must be clues. Instead of investigating her trap, why not…” A sharp glint flashed in her eyes, “Start by investigating our home.”

You mean...

“I remember that my grandfather kept many secret boxes in his study before he passed away, maybe…” Murong Xuewei was speaking when Liuli’s voice suddenly came from outside.

"Your Highness! The First Madam says she needs to speak with you!"

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw her aunt and Liuli standing at the door waiting for her. Her aunt seemed to have something to tell her.

Murong Xuewei took the First Madam's hand. "Aunt, what brings you here? Is there something you need to see me about?"

The First Madam patted Murong Xuewei's hand. "Your eldest uncle said he needs to speak with you and wants you to come over."

Murong Xuewei turned to look at Gu Ye behind her, and Gu Ye nodded.

"Go for it!"

Murong Xuewei followed the First Madam all the way to Murong's eldest uncle's room.

Pushing open the door, Uncle Murong sat leaning against the bed, while Murong Yuxuan stood on a plate, looking at Murong Xuewei with a strange expression.

Uncle Murong looked at Murong Xuewei, "Wei'er! Just like when you were born, you were like a little cat. I can't believe that in the blink of an eye you're already the Empress of a nation."

Murong Xuewei stepped forward and tucked a blanket under Murong's armpits. "Uncle, Xuewei is all grown up now and can protect the Murong family."

Uncle Murong nodded in satisfaction. "I called you here today to talk to you about the treasure map."

"A treasure map?" Murong Xuewei looked at her uncle Murong with suspicion.