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

Murong Xuewei said softly, "With envoys from all over the world arriving, the court will surely be bustling with activity on the day of the enthronement ceremony."

“Your Majesty is right,” Liuli said knowingly. “This servant has heard that the envoys from various countries have brought quite a few people with them.”

“The more people there are,” Gu Ye’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, “the more opportunities they have to tamper with things. Minister Zhang, what about the Court of Imperial Sacrifices…”

“Your Majesty,” Zhang Jingdao said, “I have investigated. Recently, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices has indeed seen several unfamiliar faces, all saying they have been transferred from various regions to help prepare for the grand ceremony.”

Murong Xuewei, carrying Yan'er, walked to the window: "The origins of these people..."

“Everything is very clean,” Zhang Jing shook his head. “We can’t find any problems.”

Gu Ye sneered: "The biggest problem is that we can't find any problems."

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

“Xuan.”

The Vice Minister of Rites quickly entered the hall, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the accommodations for the envoys from various countries have been arranged. However..."

"Just what?"

"The Nanzhao envoy said their king had another batch of congratulatory gifts on the way and requested that a few more guest rooms be prepared."

Murong Xuewei and Gu Ye exchanged a glance. Nanzhao was taking this opportunity to plant even more people in their ranks.

"Granted," Gu Ye said calmly. "However..." He looked at Zhang Jing, "I'll have to trouble you to take good care of these new guests, Zhang Aiqing."

Zhang Jing accepted the order and left. Liuli leaned closer to Murong Xuewei and whispered, "Your Majesty, should we have Lan'er help investigate as well?"

“No need,” Murong Xuewei said softly. “Now is not the time for her to show herself.”

Just then, a gust of wind blew by, and Yan'er sneezed in Murong Xuewei's arms.

Gu Ye immediately stepped forward: "It's getting cold, take Yan'er back." He turned to the guard, "Go and summon the imperial physician."

“No need.” Murong Xuewei stopped him. “Yan’er is fine, it’s just…” She looked out the window at the sky, “The autumn wind is blowing.”

Gu Ye understood. Autumn was a time when various illnesses were prone to flare up. If someone were to poison the palace at this time…

“Actually,” Murong Xuewei said thoughtfully, “the people we should be most wary of right now are not outsiders.”

Gu Ye's gaze sharpened: "You mean..."

"The imperial kitchens and the Imperial Hospital in the palace," Murong Xuewei said softly, "these are places where lives can be taken."

Gu Ye's eyes flickered slightly: "Minister Zhang, have there been any changes in the staffing of the Imperial Kitchen and the Imperial Hospital?"

"Your Majesty," Zhang Jingdao reported, "the Imperial Hospital has nothing unusual. However, the Imperial Kitchen..."

"how?"

"Several imperial chefs arrived the other day, said to be specifically preparing the banquet for the enthronement ceremony." Zhang Jing paused, "Their identities have all been verified; they are renowned chefs from various regions."

Murong Xuewei carried Yan'er to the table and gently set down her teacup: "A reputation that's too great actually makes one more suspicious."

“Your Majesty is right,” Liuli interjected. “The arrival of these imperial chefs is suspicious, as they arrived right before the grand ceremony.”

Gu Ye pondered for a moment: "Minister Zhang, go and investigate who these imperial chefs associate with. Also..."

"Your Majesty!" Hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside, and a eunuch rushed in. "Envoys from various countries request an audience!"

"At this time?" Murong Xuewei frowned slightly.

"They said..." the eunuch gasped, "that it was their first time in the capital and they wanted to go out and see the sights and experience the local customs and culture."

Gu Ye looked at Murong Xuewei: "It seems they can't wait any longer."

"How about..." Murong Xuewei's lips curled slightly, "...that they wait a little longer?"

Gu Ye understood her meaning and turned to the eunuch: "Tell the envoys from various countries that I will have dinner first, and ask them to wait a moment."

After the eunuch withdrew, Murong Xuewei said, "Coming to see me so suddenly at this hour, I'm afraid..."

"I'm afraid they're already impatient to test the waters." Gu Ye picked up where Murong Xuewei left off, a cold glint in his eyes.

“Then let them have a good ‘sightseeing’.” Murong Xuewei picked up Yan’er and gently coaxed the sleepy little one. “I remember the son of the Minister of Rites is quite idle. Why don’t we let him accompany the envoys from various countries?”

Gu Ye's lips curled slightly: "The son of the Minister of Rites may have a leisurely life, but I'm afraid he can't keep an eye on these people." He looked at Zhang Jing beside him, "Why don't you find a few of your capable subordinates to accompany the people from the Ministry of Rites?"

Zhang Jing nodded slightly: "Your Majesty, I understand. It just so happens that several new medical students have arrived at the Imperial Medical Academy, and they're currently looking for opportunities to practice."

Murong Xuewei chuckled upon hearing this: "Does Lord Zhang intend for them to have their sightseeing while he takes their pulses?"

"Your Majesty is too kind," Zhang Jing said without changing his expression. "I'm just worried that the envoys from various countries have come from afar and are tired from their journey. If any of them suffer from a headache or fever, we can take care of them promptly."

Just then, Liuli hurried in: "Your Majesty, I just heard that the envoy from Nanzhao seems particularly interested in visiting Zuixiangju."

Murong Xuewei's eyes flashed: "Oh? They do know about Zuixiangju."

“It’s time to let them see.” Gu Ye stood up, hands behind his back. “Let them see the prosperity of my Great Qi, and let them see…”

"Let's see who's behind this?" Murong Xuewei chimed in.

Gu Ye nodded: "Minister Zhang, go and make the arrangements. Remember, make sure they have a great time."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhang Jing withdrew to make the arrangements.

Watching Zhang Jing's departing figure, Liuli lowered her voice and said, "Your Highness, should we have the guards follow him?"

“Of course I’ll follow,” Murong Xuewei said softly, “but not with the envoy, but to keep an eye on the newly arrived imperial chefs.”

Gu Ye looked at Murong Xuewei: "Do you think there's something wrong with the imperial chef?"

“Intuition,” Murong Xuewei shook her head. “I just feel these envoys arrived too coincidentally, and the new imperial chef is even more suspicious. The people of Nanzhao have always operated in both open and covert ways. Since they're so eager to go to Zuixiangju…”

"There must be some hidden agenda," Gu Ye said thoughtfully. "Alright, let them get busy first."

As night deepened and the palace lanterns were lit, the envoys from various countries, though growing impatient, all feigned surprise and delight at the emperor and empress's high regard for them.

No one noticed that as they were chatting and laughing, preparing to set off for their trip, eyes in the shadows were already watching their every move.

"Your Majesty, the envoys from various countries are all ready," Zhang Jing reported. "I have also arranged for apprentices from the Imperial Medical Academy to accompany them."

"Yes." Gu Ye nodded. "Let Minister of Rites Chen Mingyuan personally lead the team."

Murong Xuewei glanced at Gu Ye and said softly, "Lord Chen hasn't been feeling well lately, why don't we send his son, Chen Hao? Young people with young people will liven things up a bit."

"Very well." Gu Ye's lips curled slightly. "As the Empress says."

Liuli whispered from the side, "Your Majesty, the envoys are already preparing to go to Zuixiangju first."

“Tell the manager to prepare well.” Murong Xuewei’s eyes flickered slightly. “However… that new courtesan at Zuixiangju…”

"The most beautiful courtesan?" Gu Ye raised an eyebrow.

"She's a newcomer from a few days ago," Murong Xuewei said thoughtfully. "Her name is Miaoyu, and she's said to be from Jiangnan."

"I will go and investigate immediately." Zhang Jing understood.

Just then, an announcement came from outside: "Your Majesty, an envoy from Nanzhao requests an audience."

Gu Ye and Murong Xuewei exchanged a glance: "Announce."

Li Yue, the envoy from Nanzhao, entered, bowed, and said, "Your humble servant has a request."

"explain."

"I've heard that the Imperial Medical Academy of the Great Qi Dynasty has superb medical skills. May I ask if it would be possible for the accompanying physicians to visit and learn from the Academy?" Li Yue asked respectfully.

Murong Xuewei's eyes flashed, and she said, "Nanzhao has always been known for its excellent medical skills, so why would they be interested in the Imperial Medical Academy of my Great Qi?"