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

Chapter 136 We are just partners

Murong Xuewei held the pen but hesitated to put it down. She sighed and turned to look at the osmanthus tree outside.

New buds have sprouted on the treetops. "A year has passed, and there's still no news about my uncle's case. And here I am, feeling sad. Sigh!"

Uncle Lin stood outside Murong Xuewei's door, hesitated for a long time, and finally gently knocked on the door.

"Come in," came Murong Xuewei's cool voice from inside.

Uncle Lin pushed open the door and entered, only to see Murong Xuewei sitting by the window, holding a book in her hands, but her gaze was fixed on the plum blossoms outside the window, as if she was thinking about something.

“Young Madam,” Uncle Lin said respectfully, “this old servant has something to report.”

Murong Xuewei finally snapped out of her daze, put down her book, and turned to face Uncle Lin. A hint of weariness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her usual composure. "What is it?"

Uncle Lin took a deep breath and carefully began to speak, "It's about the general taking a concubine. The general... doesn't agree."

Upon hearing this, Murong Xuewei's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained calm. She said indifferently, "Since the general does not agree, then let it be."

Uncle Lin showed no sign of leaving. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Young Madam, if this old servant dares to ask, could you please try to persuade the General again?"

Murong Xuewei frowned slightly. She stared at Uncle Lin, as if trying to see through his thoughts. "Uncle Lin, why are you so insistent on this matter?"

Uncle Lin lowered his head, his tone tinged with worry, "Young Madam, you are wise. The General is not young, and having no children is truly detrimental to the family's succession. Moreover..." He paused, glancing cautiously at Murong Xuewei, "...the General's status is special; without an heir, I'm afraid..."

A flicker of pain crossed Murong Xuewei's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it. She knew that Uncle Lin was right. Since ancient times, there have been three unfilial acts, the greatest of which is having no offspring. Moreover, Gu Ye was a general of the dynasty. If he had no successor, he would probably be ridiculed.

“Alright,” Murong Xuewei took a deep breath, suppressing her discomfort, “I will talk to the general again.”

Upon hearing this, Uncle Lin smiled with satisfaction. He bowed respectfully and left the room.

Murong Xuewei watched Uncle Lin's departing figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Murong Xuewei knew that by doing this, she was hurting Gu Ye, and also hurting herself.

But for Gu Ye's future, she had no other choice.

"Gu Ye, forgive me," Murong Xuewei said softly in her heart, a resolute glint in her eyes.

A moment later, Murong Xuewei arrived at Gu Ye's study.

Murong Xuewei held the portraits in her hands, feeling uneasy.

Murong Xuewei stood outside the door, took a deep breath, and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in," Gu Ye's deep voice came from inside.

Murong Xuewei pushed open the door and entered, only to see Gu Ye sitting at his desk, reviewing a pile of official documents.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Murong Xuewei. His face lit up with joy, but when he saw the scroll in Murong Xuewei's hand, his brows furrowed and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

"What is it?" Gu Ye's tone was somewhat cold.

Murong Xuewei suppressed her unease and stepped forward, placing the portraits on the table in front of Gu Ye. "General, these are portraits of several respectable women. Please consider them again."

Gu Ye's face instantly darkened.

Gu Ye suddenly stood up and swept the portrait to the ground. "Murong Xuewei, what do you mean by this?"

Murong Xuewei was startled by Gu Ye's sudden outburst of anger, but she quickly calmed down.

Murong Xuewei forced a faint smile. "General, you are not young anymore, and having no children is truly detrimental to the family line. Perhaps..."

"Enough!" Gu Ye interrupted sharply, his eyes filled with anger and hurt. "Are you so eager to get rid of me?"

Murong Xuewei felt a pang of pain in her heart, but she remained calm on the surface. "General, you misunderstand. I was only thinking of the family."

Gu Ye sneered, "Family? You keep saying it's for the family, but what are you really thinking?" He moved closer to Murong Xuewei, his gaze intense, "You said you have someone you like, is that right? Is that person so good that they're worth sacrificing yourself for?"

Murong Xuewei was stung by Gu Ye's words, but she knew she couldn't back down. She forced back the pain in her heart and said calmly, "General, we are merely business partners. Why are you so angry?"

A hint of hurt flashed in Gu Ye's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anger.

Gu Ye turned around abruptly and strode toward the door.

"Gu Ye!" Murong Xuewei called out instinctively.

Gu Ye stopped, but didn't turn around. "Don't call me," his voice was low and cold. "Since you're so heartless, then don't blame me for being ruthless too." With that, he strode away and slammed the door shut.

Murong Xuewei watched Gu Ye's departing figure, her heart breaking. She knew that her words had deeply hurt Gu Ye.

But she had to do it for his future.

"I'm sorry, Gu Ye," she said silently in her heart, "I hope that one day you will understand my predicament."

As night falls, the bustling streets are brightly lit.

In front of Zuixiang Tower, a luxurious carriage slowly came to a stop.

Gu Ye stepped out of the car, his face grim, his eyes filled with pain and anger.

He strode into Zuixianglou, asked for a private room, and ordered several jugs of strong liquor.

After a few rounds of drinks, Gu Ye's eyes gradually became hazy, and Murong Xuewei's words kept replaying in his mind.

"I have someone I like."

"Our relationship is merely one of cooperation."

"General, these are portraits of several respectable men. Please choose one."

Every word was like a sharp knife, piercing Gu Ye's heart.

Gu Ye tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful of strong liquor, trying to numb his senses with alcohol.

Just then, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.

A graceful figure walked in; it was none other than the Second Princess, Xiao Sining.

“General Gu,” Xiao Sining said softly, “I never expected to meet you here.”

Gu Ye raised his head, his eyes blurry with drunkenness as he looked at Xiao Sining. Under the influence of alcohol, he vaguely saw the shadow of Murong Xuewei.

"Xuewei..." Gu Ye murmured to himself, reaching out to touch Xiao Sining's face.

Xiao Sining was overjoyed; it seemed she had come to the right place.

Xiao Sining gently approached Gu Ye and said softly, "General, you're drunk."

Just as Xiao Sining was about to lean against Gu Ye's chest, a familiar fragrance suddenly awakened Gu Ye's senses.

Gu Ye suddenly came to his senses and frowned when he saw that the person in front of him was Xiao Si Ning.

"Second Princess," Gu Ye said coldly, shoving Xiao Si Ning aside, "what are you doing here?"

Xiao Sining was taken aback, but forced a smile and said, "I heard the general was here, so I came to see him. Is something on your mind, general?"

Gu Ye sneered, "The Second Princess is meddling too much."

Undeterred, Xiao Sining continued, "General, is there some problem between you and Murong Xuewei? I heard..."

"Enough!" Gu Ye interrupted sharply, a flash of anger in his eyes. "Second Princess, please have some self-respect."

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open again.

A waiter rushed in and whispered a few words in Gu Ye's ear.

Gu Ye's face turned pale instantly.