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

The eldest uncle hesitated for a moment, then said, "Actually, these secret passages and maps were originally entrusted to your grandfather for safekeeping. At the time... your grandfather did not want to get involved in the struggle for imperial power."

Murong Xuewei's expression hardened: "Then why...?"

"Merchants pursue profit, but they only seek a peaceful life," the eldest uncle sighed. "Your grandfather understood this principle well, which is why he always kept the family out of the fray. Even knowing Gu Ye's identity, he never brought up these secret passages."

Murong Yuxuan added from the side, "Father is right. The reason our Murong family is where we are today is because we know how to protect ourselves and not side with either side."

“Now…” Murong Xuewei looked at her uncle.

“Things are different now,” the eldest uncle said gravely. “Now that Xiao Wan Ning knows about these secret passages, she will never let this go. If she gets the map, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Murong Yuxuan spoke again: "Moreover, Xue Wei is now the Empress, and it's impossible for us to remain uninvolved."

“That’s why we have to tell you this.” The eldest uncle looked at Murong Xuewei. “This treasure map is related to the future of the Great Qi Dynasty. If it falls into Xiao Wanning’s hands…”

Murong Xuewei frowned: "How could Xiao Wanning know so much? She even knows the details of the map."

"This is also what I can't understand," my uncle said gravely. "Xiao Wanning has never had any contact with our family, so how does she know all this?"

Murong Yuxuan nodded in agreement: "Father is right. Even I have only gradually learned about these things in recent years."

"Could it be..." Murong Qingyu mused, "...that there's another traitor within the family?"

The aunt immediately tensed up: "How is this possible? The old servants in our household have been with us for decades, and the newcomers have all undergone rigorous selection..."

“No,” Murong Xuewei interrupted her aunt, “things are probably not that simple. Xiao Wanning not only knew about the existence of the secret passage, but also knew that the map was divided into three parts. Such details…”

Murong Xuewei suddenly remembered her previous life, when Jiang Lingyun came to Jiangnan to approach her. Could it be that Xiao Wanning knew about the map back then?

Murong Xuewei felt a chill run down her spine. If it was true, Xiao Wanning had started plotting so long ago. If she hadn't been reborn and escaped, the Murong family would probably have followed the same path as in her previous life.

Silence fell over the room for a moment.

"Could it be..." Murong Yuxuan suddenly spoke, "Xiao Wanning's identity is a mystery to begin with. If her identity in the Taichu Kingdom is false, then her true origins..."

Murong Xuewei's eyes darkened. Yes, who exactly is Xiao Wanning? How does she know these secrets?

"There's no use talking about this now," the eldest uncle interrupted the speculation. "The most important thing is to protect the map. Xuewei, do you think we should tell the Emperor about this?"

"You seem troubled." Gu Ye asked softly, noticing Murong Xuewei's silence after returning.

Murong Xuewei stopped by the window, gazing at the sky outside. "I want to take everyone back to the capital."

"What did your aunt say to you?" Gu Ye walked to her side, his gaze gentle yet probing.

Murong Xuewei turned to look at him, hesitated, and finally said only, "It's not safe in Jiangnan. I'm worried about my family. Especially my uncle, whose health isn't good..."

Gu Ye reached out and took her hand, noticing it was a little cold: "What are you afraid of?"

“No.” Murong Xuewei shook her head, forcing a smile. “I just feel that since Xiao Wanning dared to cause trouble in Jiangnan, she must have other plans. Taking her family back to the capital, at least under our noses…”

"You don't trust me?" Gu Ye suddenly asked.

Murong Xuewei paused for a moment, then shook her head: "No. I just..." She leaned into Gu Ye's arms, "I just don't want to lose anyone else."

Gu Ye put his arm around her, and after a moment of silence, said, "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

"real?"

"Hmm." Gu Ye gently patted her back. "You're right, it's safer to bring everyone back to the capital. But..." He pulled away slightly, looking into Murong Xuewei's eyes, "You really don't have anything to tell me?"

Murong Xuewei met his gaze for a moment, then ultimately looked away: "No. I was just... too worried."

Seeing her evasive gaze, Gu Ye didn't ask any more questions, but simply hugged her tighter.

At this moment, both were lost in their own thoughts. Murong Xuewei knew that some things couldn't be told him yet, at least not until she understood Xiao Wanning's true intentions...

"Pass down the order: depart for the capital first thing tomorrow morning." Gu Ye released Murong Xuewei and prepared to make the arrangements.

"Wait," Murong Xuewei tugged at his sleeve, "Let's leave tonight."

Gu Ye turned to look at her: "So soon?"

“I always feel…” Murong Xuewei hesitated, “I always feel that staying here for even a moment is not safe.”

Gu Ye gave her a deep look: "Okay, I'll go arrange it right away. You pack your things first."

After Gu Ye left, Murong Xuewei immediately summoned Liuli: "Go tell Uncle and the others that we're leaving tonight. Tell them..." She lowered her voice, "...to take everything they need."

Liuli accepted the order and left. Murong Xuewei walked to the window, gazing at the darkening sky, a strange unease creeping into her heart. Xiao Wanning knew so much about the secret passage; could it be...?

"Your Highness," Liuli hurried back, "My eldest uncle said everything is ready, but..."

"Just what?"

"My uncle said he wants to see you again, saying he has something important to discuss."

Murong Xuewei followed Liuli to her uncle's room.

"Wei'er." Master Murong and her aunt were already waiting for her. Her aunt pulled Murong Xuewei to sit down. "Wei'er, your uncle and I want to discuss something with you."

"Please speak, Aunt."

“Your uncle and I have discussed it, and we want to stay in Jiangnan,” Auntie said firmly.

"No!" Murong Xuewei suddenly stood up. "The situation in Jiangnan is unclear right now, and Xiao Wanning could..."

“Wei’er,” Master Murong interrupted her, “this is our foundation. Your aunt is right, business matters also need someone to manage them.”

"Is business more important or your life?" Murong Xuewei asked anxiously. "Uncle, don't forget how Jiang Lingyun treated you last time. Your injuries haven't fully healed..."

“Precisely because the injury hasn’t healed yet,” Auntie sighed. “The bumpy journey will only worsen the condition. Besides, it’s such a long way; how can we old bones endure it?”

“But staying here is even more dangerous!” Murong Xuewei knelt down. “Uncle, Aunt, please come with us. Once things have settled down in Jiangnan, I will personally escort you back.”

Her aunt helped her up: "Wei'er, we know you mean well. But your uncle and I have been under house arrest in the capital for most of our lives, and we really don't want to go back."

"you..."

"Wei'er," Master Murong said in a deep voice, "Besides, the Murong family's success today is based on integrity. With so many business matters to handle, if we simply walk away, how will we maintain our standing in Jiangnan in the future?"

"But..."

"Your Majesty!" Liuli called urgently from outside, "His Majesty said the carriages are ready."

Looking into the resolute eyes of her uncle and aunt, Murong Xuewei felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

Murong Xuewei still felt lingering fear when she thought about the violence Jiang Lingyun had committed against her uncle last time.

"Uncle, Aunt..." Just as she was about to try to persuade her again, she heard another burst of hurried footsteps outside.