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

"Announce it," Gu Ye said in a deep voice.

Liu Mingde, the Minister of Rites, strode in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have just received the enthronement ceremony proceedings from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and I have found several discrepancies with ancestral regulations."

"Oh?" Gu Ye's eyes flickered. "Tell me about it."

"According to ancestral tradition, the enthronement ceremony should be held in a five-colored canopy, but the drawings from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices show seven colors. In addition, the incense used in the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is also different from usual," Liu Mingde explained in detail.

Upon hearing this, Murong Xuewei exchanged a glance with Gu Ye. These seemingly minor changes were precisely the easiest ways to conceal murderous intent.

“Minister Liu is right,” Gu Ye said calmly. “Issue my decree: have the Court of Imperial Sacrifices redraw the plans, following ancestral rules.”

After Liu Mingde left, Murong Xuewei said softly, "It seems there really are people from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. However..." A smile played on her lips, "Since they dared to tamper with the Court of Imperial Sacrifices' blueprints, they must have already investigated Liu Mingde's character."

“So they assume Liu Mingde will only follow the rules and will definitely report these violations of ancestral customs,” Gu Ye continued, “and once we revert to the ancestral customs…”

“That would play right into their hands.” Murong Xuewei stood up, holding Yan’er. “How about we have Zhang Jing investigate the personnel movements of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices…”

“Why not have him investigate Liu Mingde?” Gu Ye said, summoning a guard. “Tell Zhang Jing that there’s no need to investigate the Court of Imperial Sacrifices anymore; first check if any strangers have visited Liu Mingde’s residence recently.”

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Liuli rushed in: "Your Highness, the palace cooks said they found something unusual in a batch of seasonings that arrived this morning."

Murong Xuewei's expression hardened: "Who sent this as tribute?"

“It’s Jiangnan…” Before Liuli could finish speaking, Murong Xuewei had already stood up.

"It seems they're planning to attack from all directions," Murong Xuewei sneered. "First the blueprints of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, then the tribute spices, and now they're even tampering with the seasonings..."

"They're trying to muddy the waters," Gu Ye said, a cold glint in his eyes, "so that we can't figure out where the real danger lies."

“Your Majesty, Your Highness,” Liuli whispered, “this servant has discovered something else. This batch of seasonings was transported from a shop owned by the Murong family in Jiangnan.”

Murong Xuewei's eyes narrowed. She knew very well that her family's shop would never make such a mistake. This was clearly someone using the Murong family's name...

"It seems they want to incite suspicion against the Murong family among the court officials," Gu Ye said coldly, "which will give them a perfect excuse to oppose your becoming empress."

“This is a good opportunity,” Murong Xuewei suddenly said.

Gu Ye looked at her, his eyes filled with approval: "You mean..."

“Instead of hiding it, let’s play along.” Murong Xuewei’s lips curled into a smile. “Let the word get out that we’ve found a problem with the seasonings.”

"And then?" Liuli asked curiously.

“Then…” Murong Xuewei looked out the window, “I’ll have all the shopkeepers come and explain themselves. I want to see who dares to impersonate the Murong family.”

Gu Ye continued, "This way, we can not only find the traitor, but also shut up those ministers."

“However,” Murong Xuewei said softly, holding Yan’er, “since they dared to tamper with the seasonings, they must have expected us to investigate. So…”

"So this is just a prelude." Gu Ye's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "The real killing move is yet to come. Liuli, go and fetch Zhang Jing."

Just as Liuli was about to turn around, another announcement came from outside: "Your Majesty, an envoy from Nanzhao requests an audience."

Murong Xuewei and Gu Ye exchanged a glance. The arrival of the Nanzhao envoy at this time was likely not so simple.

"It seems this show will have to start sooner rather than later," Gu Ye said calmly. "Announce it."

A Nanzhao envoy, dressed in magnificent robes, strode into the hall, bowed, and said, "On behalf of the King of Nanzhao, I congratulate Your Majesty on your ascension to the throne."

"Thank you for your trouble, Envoy." Gu Ye maintained a calm tone. "I wonder if there's anything else you wish to discuss besides offering congratulations?"

The envoy gave a meaningful smile: "Your Majesty is indeed insightful. There is indeed one more matter..."

"The King of Nanzhao, having heard that your country will be holding a coronation ceremony, has specially prepared a generous gift," the envoy said, clapping his hands.

Immediately, servants carried in a large mahogany chest. The envoy smiled and said, "This is a special incense from our country, used exclusively for the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven. The King said he hopes Your Majesty will accept it."

Gu Ye's eyes flickered slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, King of Nanzhao."

"These spices," the envoy continued, "need to be prepared three days in advance to release their best aroma. In my opinion, it would be better to send them to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices now..."

“The envoy is absolutely right,” Murong Xuewei suddenly spoke up, “but these spices are hard to come by, so we should have the imperial physician examine them first.”

The envoy's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Your Majesty is overthinking it. This spice is a tribute from our country; there will be no problem with it."

"Please forgive me, Your Excellency," Gu Ye said calmly. "This is an ancestral rule of our dynasty. Any item used for sacrificial rites to Heaven must first be examined by the imperial physician."

Just then, Zhang Jing strode in from outside: "Your Majesty, I have discovered..."

His words came to an abrupt halt as he saw the Nanzhao envoys inside the palace.

"Lord Zhang, your arrival is just in time," Gu Ye said. "I was just about to ask you to examine this tribute from Nanzhao."

Zhang Jing bowed and agreed, then stepped forward to examine the spices in the box carefully. Suddenly, his brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Murong Xuewei asked.

“Your Majesty,” Zhang Jing said in a deep voice, “this incense contains a peculiar medicinal herb. If it is burned during the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven…”

The envoy's expression changed drastically: "You're spouting nonsense! This is clearly..."

"What is it?" Gu Ye said calmly. "The envoy may wish to tell me."

The envoy's forehead was slightly sweaty, but he still forced himself to remain calm: "These spices are indeed a tribute from our country. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may have the imperial physician examine them in detail. However, the enthronement ceremony is imminent, and if this delays our preparations..."

"It's alright." Gu Ye glanced at Zhang Jing. "Minister Zhang, have your men examine him thoroughly."

Zhang Jing accepted the order and left. Just then, another report came from outside: "Your Majesty, the envoys from the Kingdom of Qu and the Western Regions have also arrived."

“Xuan.”

The envoys from both countries entered the palace one after the other. The envoy from Qu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Congratulations on Your Majesty's ascension to the throne. Our ruler has prepared precious treasures to celebrate this occasion."

The envoy from the Western Regions was not to be outdone: "Our country also has rare treasures prepared, hoping Your Majesty will accept them."

Murong Xuewei watched this scene from the side, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes. Envoys from various countries presented tributes one after another, ostensibly to offer congratulations, but in reality, they were all testing the new emperor's attitude.

"Thank you for your trouble, esteemed envoys," Gu Ye said. "You have traveled a long way, and I imagine you must be weary from your journey. Someone, escort you to the side hall to rest."

After the envoys had left, Murong Xuewei spoke, "Their arrival was very timely."

“Yes,” Gu Ye’s gaze deepened, “just in time for the coronation ceremony. Liuli, go and check the accommodations of the envoys from various countries, make sure…”

“Keep a close eye on the Nanzhao envoys,” Murong Xuewei continued. “Also, have someone secretly monitor whether they are in contact with each other.”

"These envoys..." Gu Ye mused, "They probably planned this all along."

Just then, Zhang Jing rushed back: "Your Majesty, there is indeed something unusual about the spices, but..."

"But what?"

"However, it will take some time to determine the exact composition."

Gu Ye nodded: "Then accept it according to the normal procedure. I want to see what tricks they're trying to play."