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

As she got up, her father added, "Remember, don't easily trust anyone. Even if..." He didn't finish his sentence, but Murong Xuewei already understood what her father meant.

Outside the Golden Palace, the morning sun was just rising. Prime Minister Su strode towards the Imperial Study, his face showing barely concealed worry. Along the way, he had mentally rehearsed countless times how to begin his speech.

"Your Majesty." Prime Minister Su bowed deeply upon entering. Gu Ye, who was reviewing memorials, put down his vermilion brush upon seeing Prime Minister Su.

"Minister Su, you've come so early, is there something important?" Gu Ye's voice was steady, but his gaze sharpened slightly.

Prime Minister Su straightened up, his expression solemn, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to discuss. Now that the borders are pacified and the rebellion in Jiangnan has been quelled, the court officials all believe it is time to hold a formal enthronement ceremony."

Gu Ye's eyes flickered slightly as he picked up his teacup and took a small sip. He understood Prime Minister Su's meaning, of course. Although he had taken control of the court, he had not yet formally ascended the throne. This was indeed likely to make the court officials uneasy.

"What does Minister Su think?" Gu Ye put down his teacup and looked intently at Prime Minister Su.

"Your Majesty," Prime Minister Su paused, then continued, "the enthronement ceremony is not only crucial to the stability of the nation, but also a declaration to the world of legitimacy. Moreover, I have heard that many forces on the borders are eyeing us covetously. If Your Majesty delays your enthronement, they may perceive it as..."

"I understand." Gu Ye gently waved his hand, interrupting Prime Minister Su. He stood up, put his hands behind his back, and looked out at the rising sun.

“However…” Gu Ye hesitated for a moment, “This matter is of great importance and requires careful arrangements. Minister Su, please go and make the preparations first. I will decide on the specific date.”

Seeing that Gu Ye had made up his mind, Prime Minister Su felt somewhat relieved and took his leave.

Gu Ye stood alone by the window, his gaze deep and unfathomable. After a moment, he summoned his personal eunuch: "Go and invite the Empress here."

Murong Xuewei arrived at the Imperial Study quickly. As soon as she entered, she noticed the solemnity in Gu Ye's expression.

"What happened?" Murong Xuewei walked to Gu Ye's side and asked softly.

Gu Ye turned to look at Murong Xuewei, his gaze softening slightly: "Prime Minister Su just said that the court officials wish to hold an enthronement ceremony."

Murong Xuewei was also taken aback upon hearing this. She certainly understood the importance of the coronation ceremony, but at the same time, she realized that once Gu Ye officially ascended the throne, there might be more resistance and danger.

"What do you think?" Gu Ye asked softly.

Murong Xuewei pondered for a moment: "The enthronement ceremony should indeed be held. Now that the matter in Jiangnan is settled, it's time for the whole world to know who truly owns the Great Qi empire."

Gu Ye gazed at Murong Xuewei and slowly nodded: "But..."

"Just what?"

"But I'm worried that once I ascend the throne, those dormant forces will become restless." Gu Ye's tone carried a hint of concern.

Murong Xuewei understood and said softly, "That's why we need to hold the coronation ceremony as soon as possible. Rather than letting them choose the timing, we should take the initiative."

“Actually, I'd prefer to handle these matters before the coronation ceremony.” Gu Ye stood up and walked to the window. “Sigh, I've already sent people to keep a close watch on Jiangnan. We'll know as soon as Xiao Wan Ning makes a move.”

Murong Xuewei watched Gu Ye's retreating figure: "Are you worried something might happen on the day of the coronation ceremony?"

“That’s right.” Gu Ye turned around. “This is the most sensitive time. If Xiao Wan Ning is going to make a move, she will definitely choose this time. So…”

Before he could finish speaking, a young eunuch's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites requests an audience."

"Let him in," Gu Ye said to Murong Xuewei. "You go back and rest first; I'll handle these matters."

Murong Xuewei stood up: "Then I'll go check on Yan'er."

Gu Ye nodded, watching Murong Xuewei's departing figure, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. At this moment, the Minister of Rites entered: "Your Majesty, the edict for the enthronement ceremony has been drafted; please review it."

"Give it to me." Gu Ye took the imperial edict and examined it carefully. With the grand ceremony imminent, no detail could be overlooked.

As soon as Murong Xuewei arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she saw Yan'er playing with her wet nurse. When she saw her mother, the little one stretched out her tiny hand to her, babbling as she did so.

"Yan'er misses his mother?" Murong Xuewei held the child in her arms and gently kissed his little face. Yan'er blinked his big eyes, his chubby little hands grabbing his mother's clothes, and he laughed happily.

"Your Highness, the little prince has been so good today," the wet nurse said with a smile. "He drank his milk and then played by himself without fussing at all."

Murong Xuewei stroked her son's soft hair: "Is it because you know your father is going to ascend the throne that you're being a good boy?" Yan'er seemed to understand his mother's words and giggled.

"Your Majesty," Liuli entered, "the Ministry of Rites just sent someone to say that they need to prepare the phoenix robe you will wear to the enthronement ceremony."

Murong Xuewei nodded: "Let them in."

Several palace maids carried in a phoenix robe, led by Granny Wang, who was in charge of the inner palace. "Your Highness," she said, "this phoenix robe was specially ordered by His Majesty to be made. Please try it on."

Murong Xuewei handed Yan'er to the wet nurse and was about to speak when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.

Liuli hurriedly went out to check and quickly returned: "Your Highness, it was Lord Zhang who sent someone to deliver a message."

"Let him in." Murong Xuewei gestured for everyone to leave.

The messenger entered and knelt down: "Your Majesty, Lord Zhang sent me to report that suspicious personnel movements have been discovered in Jiangnan."

Murong Xuewei's expression hardened: "Is it Xiao Wanning's person?"

"According to our scouts, those people were dressed as Nanzhao people, but their behavior was strange, like..."

“It’s like they’re deliberately revealing their whereabouts,” Murong Xuewei interjected, her brows furrowed. This wasn’t Xiao Wan Ning’s style, unless…

“Liuli.” Murong Xuewei turned and instructed, “Go and tell His Majesty that I have important matters to discuss.”

"Your Majesty, His Majesty says he will be here soon," Liuli quickly returned to report.

At this moment, Yan'er stirred restlessly in his wet nurse's arms and reached out his little hand to his mother. Murong Xuewei walked over and gently touched her son's face: "Yan'er, be good, Mother will come to play with you again in a little while."

Gu Ye arrived quickly. Seeing that Yan'er was awake, he went over and kissed his son's forehead. When Yan'er saw his father, he giggled and clapped his little hands.

“I already know about the situation in Jiangnan.” Gu Ye turned to Murong Xuewei. “I’ve already sent shadow guards to keep an eye on those people’s movements.”

Murong Xuewei pondered, "I always felt this wasn't like Xiao Wanning's style. She's always been cautious and wouldn't expose her tracks so obviously."

"You mean..." Gu Ye's eyes darkened.

"She's probably trying to divert our attention," Murong Xuewei stated her guess. "The commotion in Jiangnan is too great, which makes it seem suspicious."

Gu Ye nodded: "That's what I think too. However, the enthronement ceremony cannot be postponed; some people in the court have already started discussing it."

“Then proceed as planned.” Murong Xuewei looked at Gu Ye, “but we need to increase security, especially…”

Before he could finish speaking, an urgent report came from outside: "Your Majesty, the General Who Guards the North requests an audience."

"Let him in," Gu Ye said in a deep voice.

The General of the Northern Garrison entered and reported: "Your Majesty, news has arrived from the northern border that spies from Nanzhao have been discovered sneaking towards the capital."

"Understood." Gu Ye waved for the General of the North to leave, then looked at Murong Xuewei. "It seems Xiao Wanning plans to make her move during the enthronement ceremony."

Murong Xuewei sneered, "She's certainly playing her cards right. But..." She paused, "...this might just be an opportunity."

Gu Ye understood her meaning: "You mean, take this opportunity to wipe them all out in one fell swoop?"

“That’s good.” Murong Xuewei nodded, “but it needs some proper preparation.”

Gu Ye pondered for a moment: "I will have Zhang Jing cooperate with the operation. As for the coronation ceremony..."

"Do what needs to be done," Murong Xuewei interrupted. "We can't let the court officials notice anything amiss."

At this moment, Yan'er yawned in her wet nurse's arms, her little face flushed, clearly sleepy. Murong Xuewei gestured for the wet nurse to take the child back to the bedroom to rest.