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

Chapter 267 Murong Xuewei is Gu Ye's Achilles' heel.

The dim light of the oil lamp illuminated the inner room of the courtyard. Xiao Wan Ning sat in the main seat, her slender fingers tapping the table absently, her eyes gloomy as she watched the two arguing.

“The border deployment is proceeding as planned,” Jiang Lingyun said respectfully, kneeling on one knee. “Although Zhang Jing has discovered some clues, he has been held back by our people. However…”

“Speak.” Xiao Wan Ning noticed his hesitation.

Jiang Lingyun looked up, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes: "Murong Yuxuan has escaped. He... he might have overheard something."

Xiao Wanning's fingers suddenly stopped, a cold glint flashing in her eyes: "What did you say?"

"Incompetent!" The Nanzhao envoy slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup jump. "You can't even handle something this simple, and you're wasting your time here!"

Xiao Wan Ning narrowed her eyes, her fingers gently tracing the teacup: "I recall that Nanzhao seems to have never taught you how to speak to me."

"Speak?" the envoy sneered, his voice laced with obvious contempt. "Do you think you're still that high and mighty tyrant? Don't forget, without Nanzhao, you wouldn't even have the right to stand here!"

The air in the room seemed to freeze instantly. Jiang Lingyun quietly tightened his grip on the dagger at his waist; he knew Xiao Wanning's temper all too well.

"Is that so?" Xiao Wan Ning slowly stood up, her fair face appearing exceptionally cold and beautiful in the candlelight. "Then why don't you go and tell Nan Zhao now to have someone else handle this matter?"

The envoy was startled by the murderous intent in her eyes and took a half step back. He then forced a smile and said, "You! Don't forget your place! Gu Ye is about to ascend the throne; we can't wait! Killing him and seizing the capital is the safest course of action..."

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of cold light appeared.

Jiang Lingyun's dagger pierced the envoy's heart with deadly precision. He whispered in the envoy's ear, "Who do you think you are to presume to order the princess around?"

The envoy stared wide-eyed at Jiang Lingyun in disbelief, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth: "You...you..."

Xiao Wan Ning turned and walked to the window, moonlight shining on her cool profile: "I don't need Nanzhao to teach me how to play a game of chess." She paused, then continued, "Jiang Lingyun."

"exist."

“Clean it up,” she said, gazing at the distant lights of the palace, her voice tinged with sarcasm, “Just say… he was devoted to Nanzhao, risking his life to assassinate Gu Ye, only to be killed instead.”

Jiang Lingyun wiped the dagger, a cold smile playing on her lips: "Yes."

“Also,” Xiao Wanning suddenly said, “send someone to keep an eye on Murong Xuewei. Gu Ye’s biggest weakness is that he cares about too many people.”

In the dimly lit interrogation room, the torchlight flickered on the walls. Qi Zheng was bound to a chair, yet his expression remained arrogant.

“I’ll give Lord Qi one more chance,” Zhang Jing said, strode up to Qi Zheng, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. “Are you really going to say nothing?”

"Heh," Qi Zheng chuckled dismissively, "Physician Zhang is so skilled at such a young age; he must have a master guiding him. However, some things are beyond your investigation. Gu Ye sending you here is just a waste of time."

Zhang Jing's eyes flickered slightly: "Is that so? Then surely Lord Qi should care about his family, shouldn't he?" He looked towards the door, "Bring them in."

The door opened, and a young woman was brought in. Qi Zheng's expression changed drastically, and he leaned forward abruptly: "Yuan'er? You...how did you get here? Who let you come back!"

"Father!" Qi Yuan rushed to Qi Zheng's side, tears streaming down her face. "Please, please, don't be so stubborn! Those people... those people are not good people at all!"

"Shut up!" Qi Zheng roared, his voice trembling noticeably. "What do you know! Get out of here! You have no idea how terrifying these people are..." He abruptly turned to Zhang Jing, "You! You're the one who sent her back?"

“No,” Zhang Jing said calmly, “it was those ‘partners’ you trust who sent her here.”

"What do you mean?" A hint of panic flashed in Qi Zheng's eyes.

“Father,” Qi Yuan sobbed, clutching her father’s hand tightly, “Last night…last night someone broke into the house. They…they said they would trade my life for your secret. They said they wanted you to see it with your own eyes…” She couldn’t continue, burying her face in her hands and weeping bitterly.

"What?!" Qi Zheng was stunned, his face turning deathly pale. "No...impossible! They promised me..."

"Agree?" Murong Yuxuan interrupted with a cold laugh. "Lord Qi, do you really think you're their partner? Do you think they'll let you take those secrets to your grave?"

"Shut up!" Qi Zheng shouted sharply, but his voice was clearly trembling. "You...you don't know..."

“We know far more than you imagine,” Zhang Jing said slowly. “For example, why did a plague suddenly break out on the border? Why did the antidote fail? Why was Murong Yuxuan imprisoned…”

"You!" Qi Zheng looked at Murong Yuxuan, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes. "You...you saw it?"

"What did you see?" Murong Yuxuan pressed on, "Did you see you in secret conversation with the envoy from Nanzhao, or did you see that masked person?"

Qi Zheng's face grew even paler: "You...you all..."

"Father!" Qi Yuan suddenly looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "Do you remember what Mother said before she died? She said you must always remember that the Qi family ancestors were all loyal and righteous men, who would rather die than submit..."

"Enough!" Qi Zheng roared, his voice choked with emotion, "Stop talking..."

"Have you forgotten?" Qi Yuan cried even harder. "You said you would let Mother rest in peace in the afterlife, but now... how can Mother rest in peace like this?"

Qi Zheng trembled all over, his guardedness finally replaced by pain and rage: "Beasts! They're all beasts! They promised me power, promised to protect the Qi family, and in the end..." He gave a bitter laugh, "...I became their weapon, and even dragged my family down with me..."

“Speak,” Zhang Jing said in a deep voice, “It’s not too late to tell the truth now.”

Qi Zheng closed his eyes, large tears rolling down his cheeks: "It's...it's Chen Mingde, the governor of Qingzhou. He sent someone to find me, saying...saying someone wants to deal with Gu Ye, and asking me to cooperate at the border."

"Tell me more about it."

“Last winter,” Qi Zheng said in a low voice, “Chen Mingde secretly came to see me, saying that some people in the court were dissatisfied with Gu Ye and wanted to make some preparations before he ascended the throne. I…I thought I had found a powerful patron and could protect the Qi family. Who knew…” He suddenly coughed violently.

"Father!" Qi Yuan hurriedly patted his back.

“I’ve only met Governor Chen,” Qi Zheng said, catching his breath. “I don’t know anything about the other people. But one night, I overheard them talking in private, saying that this matter wasn’t just targeting Gu Ye, but seemed… seemed to involve a bigger secret.”

Zhang Jing and Murong Yuxuan exchanged a glance, a hint of seriousness flashing in their eyes. This game was far more complex than they had imagined.

“There’s something else,” Qi Zheng suddenly said, his voice tinged with fear, “That day I heard them say that Nanzhao…”

"What happened to Nanzhao?" Zhang Jing pressed.

Before Qi Zheng could speak, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.