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

Liuli reluctantly shut her mouth, but her gaze toward Xiao Sining was still full of hostility.

Just then, an old man walked over shakily. He bowed deeply to Murong Xuewei and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, I...I can testify for the Princess! That man just now...he's a local thug who often bullies us commoners because of his tall stature! Today, he must have been trying to steal steamed buns in the chaos, which is why...that's why he was so disrespectful to Your Majesty!"

Behind the old man followed several people, who nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Old Li is right! That man just now... he's a scoundrel!"

“He often bullies us, we…we are all afraid of him!”

"Today, thanks to Her Majesty the Empress and this young lady, we...we were able to escape his harassment!"

The people spoke one after another, testifying for Murong Xuewei and condemning the man's evil deeds.

Xiao Sining's expression turned somewhat ugly. She hadn't expected that someone would actually stand up to testify for Murong Xuewei.

She looked at Murong Xuewei, a sinister glint in her eyes. It seemed she had underestimated Murong Xuewei's influence.

Murong Xuewei looked at the people, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew these people didn't genuinely support her; they were merely stating the facts. But even so, she felt a sliver of comfort. At least, she wasn't alone and helpless.

She looked at Xiao Sining and said calmly, "It seems... it was all a misunderstanding. Let's continue serving the porridge."

Xiao Sining's face turned even uglier. She bit her lip, forced a smile, and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The porridge distribution continued until sunset, when the long queue gradually dispersed.

Murong Xuewei had just returned to Fengqi Palace when Xiao Yan'er, who was about to go to sleep, broke free from her wet nurse's embrace and rushed towards Murong Xuewei as soon as she saw her.

Murong Xuewei hugged Xiaoyan'er tightly, "Has Yan'er been naughty today?"

Little Yan'er waved her little hands, hugged Murong Xuewei's neck, and rested her little head on Murong Xuewei's shoulder, "Mother, be good."

Murong Xuewei hugged Xiaoyan'er tightly. The setting sun outside the window shone on Murong Xuewei, making her feel warm all over. She wished time could stand still at this moment.

Liuli brought in a bowl of bird's nest porridge and placed it gently on the table. "Your Majesty, you must be tired after a long day. Please have some porridge."

Murong Xuewei raised her head and smiled slightly at Liuli. "Alright."

She gently placed Xiaoyan'er on the bed, covered her with the blanket, then walked to the table, sat down, picked up the bowl of porridge, and slowly began to drink.

Although physically exhausted from distributing porridge all day, Murong Xuewei felt a sense of relief. Being able to do something for the people brought her comfort and satisfaction. Perhaps, this busy day also allowed her to temporarily forget her worries and anxieties.

However, this relief did not last long.

Just as Murong Xuewei put down the bowl of porridge, a sharp pain suddenly struck her, as if a thousand needles were piercing her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

"Your Majesty!" Upon seeing this, Liuli was shocked and quickly stepped forward to support Murong Xuewei.

Murong Xuewei's face turned pale instantly, large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, and her body trembled like a leaf in the wind, as if she might fall at any moment.

"Liuli..." Murong Xuewei had just uttered the name Liuli when she lost consciousness and collapsed into Liuli's arms.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Liuli cried out in panic, holding Murong Xuewei in her arms.

Soon, the imperial physician arrived at Fengqi Palace. He took Murong Xuewei's pulse, his expression grave.

Liuli asked anxiously, "Imperial Physician, how is Her Majesty...?"

The imperial physician pondered for a moment and then slowly said, "Her Majesty the Empress... was simply overworked and overwhelmed with worry, which led to a deficiency of qi and blood, causing her to... suddenly faint."

Liuli breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this. "Then...is Your Highness alright?"

The imperial physician nodded and said, "There's nothing serious. You just need to rest and recuperate. I will prescribe a formula to replenish your qi and blood. Your Majesty, take it as prescribed, and you will recover completely."

Liuli quickly thanked the imperial physician and then personally saw him out.

Inside the Phoenix Perch Palace, Murong Xuewei remained unconscious. Liuli stayed by her bedside, her heart filled with worry and heartache as she looked at her pale face.

She knew that the Empress's health was far more serious than the imperial physicians had said, but she dared not say it, nor could she say it. She could only pray silently in her heart that the Empress would recover soon.

In the stillness of the night, the Phoenix Perch Palace was utterly silent, save for the dim candlelight that crackled softly as it burned. Liuli sat beside Murong Xuewei's bed, one hand supporting her chin, the other gently tucking the blanket around her, her gaze tender as she watched her. Murong Xuewei's face remained pale, her breathing weak and shallow, as if it might stop at any moment.

Suddenly, Murong Xuewei's eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she slowly opened her eyes.

"Your Highness, you're awake!" Liuli exclaimed in surprise upon seeing this, and quickly got up to help Murong Xuewei sit up. "How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"

Murong Xuewei's consciousness was still somewhat hazy. She looked around blankly, and it took her a while to gradually come to her senses.

“Liuli…” Her voice was hoarse and weak, as if it were squeezed out from the depths of her throat, “I…I feel like I don’t have much time left.”

She paused, not continuing, but Liuli already understood what she meant.

"Your Majesty," Liuli's eyes reddened, tears welling up, but she held them back, "No, you will get better! The Emperor... the Emperor and Physician Zhang, they... they will definitely find a way to save you!"

Murong Xuewei looked at Liuli, a bitter smile flashing in her eyes. "Liuli, I know...you're trying to comfort me." Her voice was soft, as soft as a breeze. "I...I can feel...my life...slowly slipping away..."

"No! It can't be!" Liuli shook her head violently, tears finally streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, don't think such things! You...you will get better! You still have to watch the little prince grow up, you still...you still have to grow old with the Emperor..."

Murong Xuewei reached out and gently stroked Liuli's cheek, tenderly wiping away her tears. "Silly girl, why are you crying? Birth, aging, sickness, and death... it's all part of life. I... I'm... prepared..."

"No! Your Highness, please don't say that!" Liuli gripped Murong Xuewei's hand tightly, crying like a child, "You...you can't leave us! If you...if you leave, what will happen to the little prince? What will happen to the Emperor? What will happen to this servant...this servant..."

Murong Xuewei looked at Liuli, her heart filled with reluctance and helplessness. She knew that her days were numbered, and she... had to arrange her affairs as soon as possible.

“Liuli,” her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness, “you…you listen to me…”

She paused, then continued, "After I... after I leave, you... you should go to Qu Kingdom with Nangong Yifeng! Although he's a bit of a slacker, I believe he'll treat you well."

"No! Your Majesty, I don't want to hear this!" Liuli cried out, interrupting Murong Xuewei, "You...you will get better! You...you can't leave us..."

Murong Xuewei looked at Liuli, her eyes filled with helplessness. She knew Liuli's loyalty to her, but she really couldn't hold on any longer.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled, as if she had used up all her strength.

Inside the Phoenix Perch Palace, all was silent except for Liuli's weeping, which echoed in the night sky.