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

"Xuewei, take a rest." Murong Yuxuan watched as his sister's fingers trembled slightly as she flipped through the account books, and his heart ached as if it were being pricked by needles. He knew how stubborn she was, but how could he be at ease with her current frail and sickly appearance?

Murong Xuewei gently shook her head, staring stubbornly at the ledger as if trying to etch it into her heart. "No, I need to arrange these deals as soon as possible." Her voice was hoarse and weak, yet it conveyed an undeniable determination.

"Arrange what? Silly girl, we'll worry about it when you're better." Murong Yuxuan reached out to close the ledger, but Murong Xuewei avoided him.

“Brother,” Murong Xuewei raised her eyes, her gaze filled with bitterness and determination, “You know very well that this time… I might not be able to make it through.”

"Don't say such things!" Murong Yuxuan suddenly stood up, his face turning deathly pale, as if those words had drained all his strength. "You will get better! The Emperor and Zhang Jing are already on their way to Medicine King Valley; they will definitely be able to save you!"

Murong Xuewei felt even more heartbroken seeing his forced composure.

Murong Xuewei understood that her life was slipping away. This was due to the mysterious power of the contract, not poison or medicine. Even the first Valley Master of Medicine King Valley might not be able to do anything about it.

“I know you’re trying to comfort me, brother,” Murong Xuewei’s voice was soft, as soft as falling snow, “but some things must be guarded against. The business in Jiangnan cannot be disrupted; it’s the foundation of the Murong family. Look at this ledger,” she pointed to the densely packed numbers with her slender fingers, “this is…”

"Enough!" Murong Yuxuan slammed the ledger shut, almost shouting, "I don't want to hear it! You're my sister, your business is my business! No business, no accounts, is more important than your life!" His eyes reddened, tears welling up, but he stubbornly held them back.

Murong Xuewei felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart tightly, the pain almost suffocating her. "Brother..."

"Do you remember when we were little?" Murong Yuxuan's voice choked, as if he had returned to many years ago. "You always followed me around, carrying an account book bigger than yourself, saying you wanted to learn how to do business. You were only this tall back then," he gestured, his eyes full of affection, "Your father said that as a girl, you didn't need to worry about these things, but you wouldn't listen..."

“I remember,” Murong Xuewei smiled faintly, but tears silently streamed down her face, “Later, when I earned money for the first time, you took me to Zuixiangju and we ate red bean cakes for a whole month.” The red bean cakes from Zuixiangju were the sweetest taste in her memory, and also the most beautiful memories between her and her brother.

Murong Yuxuan nodded vigorously, tears finally welling up in her eyes. "Yes, so you must get better. We still need to go to Zuixiangju together, and we still need to eat red bean cakes together..."

Murong Xuewei reached out and tightly grasped her brother's hand, feeling the warmth of his palm and the purest form of kinship in the world. "Brother, that's precisely why I need to arrange all of this so carefully. What if... what if I really..."

"There's no 'what if'!" Murong Yuxuan interrupted her, pulling her into a tight embrace, just like when they were children, as if he wanted to meld her into his own body. "You'll be alright. You promised your mother you'd live well, you would..."

Scalding tears fell onto Murong Xuewei's face, burning her skin but also warming her heart. Leaning against her brother's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling his trembling body, she could no longer hold back her tears, which flowed uncontrollably.

As the sun set, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was quiet, save for the soft sobs that echoed in the air. Liuli entered carrying a bowl of medicine, saw this scene, and silently withdrew, tears blurring her vision. She knew how strong the Empress was, but even the strongest person has moments of vulnerability.

After a long while, Murong Xuewei finally lifted her head from her brother's embrace, looking at him with teary eyes, her voice hoarse: "Brother, I promise you, I will try my best to live. But..."

"No buts!" Murong Yuxuan gently wiped away the tears on her face. "You don't need to worry about anything, just focus on getting better."

Murong Xuewei looked at him, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes. "Then you must promise me that you'll let me explain the business in Jiangnan clearly. I know you can handle it, but there are some things that only I know best..."

Murong Yuxuan looked at her, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew how worried she was, and he also knew how stubborn she was.

He sighed softly and nodded. "Okay, go ahead."

A relieved smile appeared on Murong Xuewei's face. She picked up the ledger, her slender fingers trembling as she pointed to the numbers and began to explain each item one by one.

The dim candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, mirroring Murong Xuewei's fluctuating emotions. Her slender fingers pointed to the densely packed numbers in the ledger, meticulously explaining the business in Jiangnan to Murong Yuxuan, line by line.

“Brother Yuxuan, look at this,” Murong Xuewei pointed to one spot, her brows furrowing slightly, “This is the silk shop’s shipment record from last month. The quantity doesn’t match the accounts. I suspect…”

A violent cough suddenly struck, interrupting her words. Murong Xuewei clutched her chest, her body curling up as if she were coughing up her lungs.

Seeing this, Murong Yuxuan felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He quickly put down his teacup and gently patted his sister's back, trying to help her catch her breath. "Xuewei, don't talk anymore, rest for a while." His voice was full of worry and heartache.

"Cough cough... It's nothing," Murong Xuewei finally caught her breath, but her face was even paler. "I'm fine, brother. Remember, the manager of the silk shop is called Wang Fugui. He's greedy and cunning. You need to be careful..."

Murong Yuxuan's eyes reddened again as he watched her struggle to stay upright. He knew he couldn't persuade her; she was always so stubborn, and once she set her mind on something, she would definitely do it. He could only secretly give Liuli a wink.

Liuli understood immediately and quietly slipped out.

Murong Xuewei continued to explain the business matters, from the operation of the shop to the management of personnel, leaving no detail overlooked. It was as if she wanted to pour all her heart and soul into this, and to clarify all her concerns.

Murong Yuxuan listened attentively, silently taking notes while also considering how to handle the situation. He knew his sister's thoughts; she was making arrangements for her funeral.

“And,” Murong Xuewei’s voice trailed off, “that warehouse near the dock, it stores…”

Another violent coughing fit followed, even more intense and heart-wrenching than before. Murong Xuewei's body trembled, like a leaf in the wind, ready to fall at any moment.

Murong Yuxuan could no longer hold back. He pulled his sister into his arms and held her tightly, his voice trembling, "Xuewei, please stop, please stop..."

Just then, Liuli walked in carrying a small figure.

"Your Majesty, the little prince has woken up and is crying for you."

Murong Xuewei stiffened slightly upon hearing the child's voice, then slowly raised her head.

A beautifully sculpted little boy, with his large, dark eyes, was curiously observing her, reaching out his little hand and babbling, "Mother... Mother..."