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

"Summon them in," Gu Ye said.

The head eunuch of the Imperial Wardrobe, accompanied by several palace maids, carefully carried two sets of magnificent robes into the hall. The dragon robe was made of bright yellow, with nine lifelike coiled dragons, every stitch exquisitely crafted. The phoenix robe was made of deep red brocade, with a phoenix embroidered in gold thread, its wings outstretched in a display of extraordinary opulence.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness," the Chief Steward of the Imperial Wardrobe bowed and said, "These are dragon and phoenix robes made according to ancestral rules. Please take a look."

Gu Ye glanced at it and asked, "Have you tried it on to see if it fits?"

"Your Majesty, it has been made according to Your Majesty and the Empress's measurements, and should..."

Before she could finish speaking, Murong Xuewei suddenly said, "The embroidery on the collar of this phoenix robe seems a bit off."

The head eunuch of the Imperial Wardrobe was taken aback and quickly stepped forward to check. Murong Xuewei pointed to the collar: "The gold thread here is loose."

"Your Highness has a keen eye." Upon closer inspection, the head eunuch indeed noticed a spot where the gold thread was slightly raised. "This servant will have it reinforced immediately."

“No need,” Murong Xuewei said calmly. “I think this phoenix robe is too elaborate; it would be better to make a simpler one.”

The courtiers were puzzled, but Gu Ye immediately understood her intention: "The Empress is right. This dragon robe looks far too ornate; let's remake it."

The Chief Steward of the Imperial Wardrobe received the order and withdrew. The Minister of Works stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the floor tiles in the Taiji Hall have all been replaced, and the jade steps have been repaired."

"Very good." Gu Ye nodded. "Have the Ministry of Works personnel take turns working day and night to ensure everything goes perfectly."

At this moment, Zhang Jing hurriedly entered the hall and whispered a few words in Gu Ye's ear. Gu Ye frowned slightly, then said, "My esteemed ministers, you may all withdraw for now. We can discuss any matters at tomorrow's morning court."

After the officials had left, Murong Xuewei walked to Gu Ye's side: "Did you find anything?"

“Those corpses were indeed spies from Nanzhao,” Gu Ye said in a deep voice, “but they seemed to be searching for something before they died.”

Murong Xuewei pondered, "Could it be...?"

"They're most likely after the treasure," Gu Ye continued. "It seems Xiao Wan Ning is trying to kill two birds with one stone."

"That's why she chose to make her move on the day of the coronation ceremony," Murong Xuewei sneered. "However, she underestimates us."

"Those dragon robes and phoenix robes just now..." Gu Ye gave Murong Xuewei a meaningful look.

Murong Xuewei nodded slightly: "This phoenix robe has clearly been tampered with. There must be something hidden under that loose gold thread."

“I’ve already had Zhang Jing check,” Gu Ye said. “But this reminded me that we need to have everything used for the ceremony checked.”

"They even have people in the Imperial Wardrobe." Murong Xuewei's eyes grew cold. "It seems Xiao Wanning has quite a few spies planted in the palace."

Liuli then said softly, "Your Majesty, should we ask Lan'er to come back and help?"

“No need,” Murong Xuewei shook her head. “Let her continue keeping watch outside. I’d like to see how many more rats will pop out.”

Just then, another announcement came from outside: "Your Majesty, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices requests an audience."

“Xuan.”

After the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices entered, he first performed a deep bow, and then said, "Your Majesty, the sacrificial vessels are all prepared, but..."

"Just what?"

"However, according to ancestral custom, the mirror to be used during the enthronement ceremony is missing."

Gu Ye and Murong Xuewei exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of wariness in each other's eyes. That mirror was a treasure passed down from the previous dynasty, said to be related to the royal treasure.

"When did you disappear?" Gu Ye asked.

"It was still there when we checked this morning, but when we went to check again this afternoon, it was gone." The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was sweating profusely. "I have already ordered a thorough investigation..."

"You may leave now," Gu Ye waved his hand. "I have my own plans for this matter."

After the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices left, Murong Xuewei pondered, "It seems their target really is the treasure. But..."

"Just what?"

“That mirror is important, but it’s not the key to finding the treasure,” Murong Xuewei frowned. “Their stealing of the mirror seems more like…”

"A feint to the east while attacking in the west," Gu Ye continued, "The real target should be..."

Before she could finish speaking, a commotion arose outside. Liuli rushed in: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Yan'er..."

"What's wrong with Yan'er?" Murong Xuewei's expression changed.

"Someone just threw a fireball into Yan'er's bedchamber!" Liuli exclaimed urgently. "Luckily, the guards spotted it in time..."

Before Liuli could finish speaking, Murong Xuewei had already strode out. Gu Ye immediately stood up and ordered, "Summon Zhang Jing!"

Chaos reigned outside Fengyi Palace, with palace maids and eunuchs running around in all directions. Fortunately, the fire had been extinguished, only burning a corner of the palace exterior. Yan'er was held tightly in her wet nurse's arms, and upon seeing her parents, the little one giggled.

"Is anyone injured?" Gu Ye asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the fireball was thrown in from outside the palace. The guards spotted it quickly, and apart from some damaged decorations, no one was injured," the chief eunuch replied.

Murong Xuewei took Yan'er, examined her carefully, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that the child was safe and sound.

"Search!" Gu Ye ordered coldly, "Turn the entire palace upside down!"

At this moment, Zhang Jing rushed over: "Your Majesty, we just found this outside the palace."

Zhang Jing handed over a strip of cloth embroidered with a broken plum blossom. Gu Ye's eyes darkened: "This is..."

“The symbol of the Nanzhao royal family,” Murong Xuewei continued, “but this plum blossom…”

“It’s fake,” Zhang Jing said. “The plum blossom markings of the Nanzhao royal family always have an odd number of petals. This one, however, has six.”

Murong Xuewei sneered: "They deliberately left behind false clues to make us think it was the Nanzhao people who did it."

“Your Majesty is right,” Zhang Jing nodded. “Moreover, the recipe for that fireball isn’t one commonly used by the Nanzhao people.”

Gu Ye pondered for a moment: "Issue the decree: from this moment forward, double the guards at Fengyi Palace, and no one may approach without being summoned."

"Your Majesty," Murong Xuewei suddenly spoke, "I think we should turn the tables on them."

Gu Ye looked at her: "You mean...?"

“Since someone wants us to focus our attention on Nanzhao,” Murong Xuewei said, a cold glint in her eyes as she held Yan’er, “we might as well go along with them.”

Gu Ye immediately understood her intention: "You mean, deliberately leaking the news that we've already sent people to investigate the spies of Nanzhao?"

“That’s right.” Murong Xuewei nodded. “And then…”

Zhang Jing chimed in from the side, "Then we'll observe secretly and see who's pulling the strings behind all this."

“Lord Zhang is right.” Murong Xuewei looked at Gu Ye, “But this means the coronation ceremony…”

“It’s alright,” Gu Ye said in a deep voice. “The enthronement ceremony will proceed as planned. However…” He turned to Zhang Jing, “Go and check immediately to see if there have been any new recruits at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.”

Zhang Jing accepted the order and left. Murong Xuewei looked at Yan'er in her arms and whispered, "This matter is not simple. They're not just after the treasure, but also..."

"She's after the throne." Gu Ye continued, a cold glint in his eyes. "Xiao Wan Ning has played a ruthless move. She wants the secret of the treasure, and she also wants to cause trouble at the coronation ceremony."

“Your Majesty,” Liuli suddenly spoke, “this servant finds it rather strange.”

"explain."

"The timing of today's fireball was perfect, right after the Court of Imperial Sacrifices reported the mirror was missing," Liuli said, "as if it were an attempt to distract us."

Murong Xuewei's eyes lit up: "Liuli is right. They want us to focus all our energy on protecting Yan'er, so that they can have an opportunity..."

“Go find something else,” Gu Ye said thoughtfully. “It seems that the mirror really was just a decoy.”

Just then, another announcement came from outside: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites requests an audience!"