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

Liuli suddenly realized: "Madam is really clever! In this way, we can keep track of a lot of the movements in the capital."

“That’s right.” Murong Xuewei stood up and walked to the window. “But this matter needs to be done slowly, not too hastily. Find a reliable person and have him infiltrate slowly, without arousing suspicion. Remember, never let anyone know that this restaurant has anything to do with me.”

Liuli nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Madam. I'll make the arrangements right away."

A few days later, Murong Xuewei decided to go out for a walk and take the opportunity to secretly check on the jewelry shops under her name.

"Madam, should we bring more people?" Liuli asked with some concern.

Murong Xuewei waved her hand: "No need, too many people will only attract attention. Just follow me. Remember, we're going shopping, not checking accounts."

The two traveled light and arrived at the most bustling street in the capital. Murong Xuewei's jewelry shop was on the street corner; the storefront was small, but the pieces were exceptionally exquisite.

Murong Xuewei was about to enter the store when she suddenly heard a familiar, sharp voice: "Oh, isn't this our General's wife? What, you can't wait to go shopping as soon as General Gu left?"

Murong Xuewei turned around and saw Xiao Sining standing not far away with several maids, their faces full of mockery.

"Second Princess," Murong Xuewei said with a slight bow, "I simply came out for a stroll to clear my head; I apologize for troubling you with your concern, Your Highness."

Xiao Sining scoffed, "Relax? I bet you're trying to sneak in some savings while Gu Ye's away." She sized Murong Xuewei up and down. "But with your pathetic appearance, you probably can't even afford the cheapest thing on this street, can you?"

Murong Xuewei was about to retort when Xiao Sining suddenly walked towards the jewelry shop, grabbed a gold hairpin from the counter, and said, "Look at this hairpin, it's of good quality. How much does the shopkeeper want?"

"Princess, this..." The shopkeeper's expression changed drastically, but he dared not say anything more.

Murong Xuewei was anxious, but she couldn't show it. She could only say softly, "Second Princess, this hairpin already belongs to someone..."

"What?" A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Xiao Sining's eyes. "Are you trying to snatch this from me, the princess? Oh, I forgot, how could a country girl like you afford something like this?"

Just as tensions were rising, a clear voice suddenly rang out: "Oh dear, isn't this the Second Princess? What, you've taken a fancy to this hairpin?"

Everyone turned around and saw a beautifully dressed young woman walking gracefully towards them.

"The eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion?" Xiao Sining's expression changed slightly.

The girl walked up to Murong Xuewei and affectionately took her arm: "You must be Sister Xuewei. I saw you from across the street and came over to say hello."

"Who are you?" Murong Xuewei looked at Su Anuan with a puzzled expression.

Su Anuan whispered in Murong Xuewei's ear, "I'm here to help you."

Murong Xuewei was taken aback for a moment, then understood and said in a cooperative tone, "Anuan, you've come at the perfect time."

The girl called A-Nuan turned to Xiao Si-Ning and said with a smile, "Second Princess, this hairpin is really beautiful. But..." She lowered her voice mysteriously, "I heard that the newly opened jewelry shop next door has an even better one, supposedly a treasure from the Western Regions."

A glint of greed flashed in Xiao Sining's eyes, but she quickly regained her haughty expression: "Hmph, this princess has no interest in these things." With that, she tossed the hairpin onto the counter and turned away.

After Xiao Sining left, Murong Xuewei breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your help, Miss. But... we don't seem to know each other?"

Anuan smiled playfully: "My name is Su Anuan, and I am the Prime Minister's daughter. I've long heard that the General's wife is both beautiful and talented, and seeing her today, I can confirm that her reputation is well-deserved."

Murong Xuewei smiled slightly: "You flatter me, Miss. May I ask why you are helping me?"

Su Anuan said mysteriously, "Because I find you interesting. All those wealthy ladies in the capital are either fighting over men or scheming against each other, but you... are different."

Murong Xuewei's heart stirred: "Miss, you are mistaken. I am merely a country girl; how can I compare to you noble ladies?"

Su Anuan waved her hand: "Come on, if you were really just a simple country girl, how could you have General Gu so infatuated? Besides..." She lowered her voice, "I know you're not simple."

Murong Xuewei was startled, but remained outwardly calm: "Miss, you jest. I am truly just an ordinary person."

Su Anuan smiled mysteriously: "Alright, stop pretending. My father always says that to establish yourself in the capital, you need to have your own skills. You must have some special abilities. Do you want me to teach you how to gain a foothold in this capital?"

Murong Xuewei was surprised, but also secretly relieved. It seemed that this young lady from the Prime Minister's mansion was no ordinary person.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss." Murong Xuewei smiled slightly. "Does Miss have time to go for a cup of tea together?"

Su Anuan nodded happily: "I couldn't be happier!"

The two found an elegant teahouse and booked a private room. As soon as they sat down, Su Anuan eagerly said, "Sister Xuewei, don't take offense, but I see that although you've married General Gu, you're constrained in every way in this capital. You need to learn to protect yourself."

Murong Xuewei smiled slightly: "What brilliant idea does Sister Anuan have?"

Su Anuan looked around and lowered her voice, saying, "Sister, you need to learn to use your advantages. You're a general's wife, and so beautiful; surely many people will be willing to help you. You need to learn to win people's hearts, otherwise, in this ruthless capital, you'll be killed sooner or later."

Murong Xuewei chuckled inwardly, but feigned sudden understanding: "I see. But... I'm an outsider, how would I know anyone?"

Su Anuan nodded thoughtfully, "What you said isn't wrong, but now that you know me, I'll help you."

Murong Xuewei's heart skipped a beat; this was a good opportunity. She feigned gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much, Sister Nuan. But... I'm afraid I'll be causing you trouble."

Su Anuan waved her hand: "Oh, what a hassle. We're friends. Besides..." She blinked, "I liked you the moment I saw you."

Murong Xuewei smiled without saying a word, but in her heart, she had already begun to make plans. This Su Anuan might become an important asset for her to gain a foothold in the capital.

Just as the two were chatting happily, they suddenly heard a commotion outside.

"What's going on?" Su Anuan asked, frowning.

The waiter rushed in, flustered: "Ladies, something terrible has happened! There's a fire on the street, and it looks like it started near the jewelry shop!"

Murong Xuewei was startled, her expression changing slightly. Su Anuan noticed her unusual behavior but didn't say anything, simply saying, "Let's go out and take a look."

The two rushed to the street, where they saw thick smoke billowing and flames shooting into the sky. Murong Xuewei was extremely anxious, but she couldn't show it. She could only feign concern and ask, "What can we do? Will the fire spread to other shops?"

Su Anuan glanced at her and said thoughtfully, "Don't worry, the government officials will come to put out the fire soon."

Sure enough, the government officials arrived shortly afterward. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the jewelry shop was completely destroyed.

Murong Xuewei stared at the charred building, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew this fire was no accident. Someone was warning her, or... testing her.

Su Anuan gently patted her shoulder: "Xuewei, don't worry. These kinds of things happen frequently in the capital. However..." She gave Murong Xuewei a meaningful look, "...some people might be in trouble."

Murong Xuewei's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Su Anuan had already seen through some of the clues. She forced a smile: "Yes, it's such a pity that such a good restaurant is being wasted."

Back at the General's Mansion, Murong Xuewei immediately summoned Liuli: "Go and investigate what happened with today's fire. Be careful not to let anyone find out."