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

"Come here," she called to a trembling maid.

"This servant...this servant is here." The maid who was pointed at crawled over on her knees, trembling like a leaf.

"Hang this corpse outside the manor gates for a day. Let all the blind fools see the consequences of disrespecting this Holy Maiden." Ning Feng's lips curled into a cold smile. "Also, go tell everyone in the manor—this Holy Maiden loves to hear what people say, especially behind their backs. Let them...continue their gossip."

"Yes...yes..." The maid kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead bleeding from the impact. She knew this was the Holy Maiden warning everyone—anyone who dared to gossip behind someone's back would suffer a fate worse than death.

Ning Feng turned and walked into the inner room with a calm and elegant gait, as if nothing had happened.

The servants behind her didn't dare to look up until her figure disappeared, afraid that they might accidentally become the second steward. They didn't even dare to breathe too heavily, for fear of disturbing their mistress.

"Someone come here." She stopped in the courtyard.

“Holy Maiden.” Immediately, a trusted eunuch appeared behind her and bowed.

"Investigate who's behind these scoundrels." A murderous glint flashed in Ning Feng's eyes. "Since someone wants to play, then let's have some fun. This Holy Maiden is looking forward to... hearing their pleas for mercy."

As night deepened, outside the princess's mansion, the steward's corpse swayed in the wind. Passersby paled and quickened their pace. One by one, the lights in the mansion were lit, and all the servants fell silent, even their footsteps were soft. The mere thought of the scene from earlier that day sent shivers down their spines.

That night, everyone remembered—the new Holy Maiden was not someone anyone could offend. Those servants who had previously gossiped behind her back would tremble involuntarily at the mere mention of the word "Holy Maiden." For the first time, they witnessed that someone could truly kill as casually as stepping on an ant.

Under the hazy moonlight, Ning Feng pushed open the door, the air filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. She had just settled down on the soft couch when a gust of cold wind swept in, causing the candlelight to flicker.

"Master." A dark figure emerged from the shadows and knelt respectfully.

Ning Feng leaned lazily against the soft pillows, picked up her teacup and took a sip: "Any news from Murong Xuewei's side?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I personally witnessed Murong Xuewei overcome the seven trials of Medicine King Valley and obtain the antidote," the guard's voice was low. "She hasn't rested at all and is traveling day and night towards the capital."

"Oh?" Ning Feng put down her teacup, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes. "It seems she's in a hurry?"

“Indeed.” The guard hesitated for a moment. “Master, should we…”

A gust of wind rose outside, rattling the windowpanes. Ning Feng got up and walked to the window, gazing at the swaying figure of the osmanthus tree in the courtyard.

"Do you want anything? Should we intercept the antidote?" She finished the sentence for the guard, "What do you think?"

"Your subordinate has already made arrangements; all that's needed is a single command from you, Master..."

“No.” Ning Feng suddenly turned around, the moonlight reflecting on her face, outlining a strange smile. “Let her go back first.”

The candlelight, flickering in the wind, cast long shadows. The guard, somewhat puzzled, asked, "Why, Master..."

"What do you think," Ning Feng said, pacing to the guard and gently stroking the candlelight with her delicate hand, "is the most painful time for a person?"

Before the guard could answer, she continued, "It's when you see hope... and then watch it crumble before your eyes."

A few crows cawed outside the window, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Ning Feng's eyes flashed coldly: "Have Murong Xuewei take the antidote back, so she'll think she can save Gu Ye. I want to see..."

She walked to the table and tapped the surface lightly with her fingertips: "What would her expression be when she saw Gu Ye recover with hope, only to witness him slowly die...?"

"What does Master mean..." the guard seemed to understand.

"That antidote," Ning Feng's lips curled into a cruel smile, "is more than just a life-saving substance."

A gust of cold wind swept by, causing the candlelight to flicker violently, almost extinguishing it. The guard couldn't help but shiver: "Master's methods are truly ruthless."

“Ruthless?” Ning Feng chuckled. “This is just the beginning. I will make her taste what it feels like to watch her beloved die before her eyes. Just like back then…” Her voice trailed off, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes.

"Master..." The guard hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

"Alright." Ning Feng waved her hand and sat back down on the soft couch. "Keep an eye on her, and report back immediately if anything happens."

"Yes," the guard replied, his figure gradually disappearing into the night.

Ning Feng sat alone under the lamp, her fingers gently caressing the teacup. The candlelight flickered, casting a long shadow of her, like a demon ready to devour its prey.

"Murong Xuewei, oh Murong Xuewei..." she murmured softly, "You must be so happy now, right? You thought finding the medicine would save Gu Ye..."

The moonlight deepened outside the window, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms that mingled with the scent of sandalwood. Ning Feng gazed out the window, a flicker of anticipation and cruelty in her eyes: "I'm waiting... to see your despair. That will be... very interesting."

The night grew deeper, and the shadows of the osmanthus trees in the courtyard swayed as if dancing in anticipation of an upcoming spectacle. Ning Feng's laughter echoed in the room, sometimes clear and crisp, sometimes sinister, blending seamlessly with the night.

The moonlight was like water, and the shadows of the trees swayed gently. Murong Xuewei sat on her horse, one hand tightly gripping a jade bottle containing medicine, the other holding the reins, her brow furrowed. Every few moments, she would glance down at the jade bottle in her arms, fearing that this hard-won antidote might be lost in the slightest.

"Your Majesty!" A familiar voice came from behind.

Murong Xuewei reined in her horse and looked back, only to see Lan'er riding up hurriedly. In the moonlight, she could clearly see that Lan'er's clothes were disheveled and her face was still covered in undried blood.

"Lan'er?" Murong Xuewei's heart tightened, and she looked around warily. "How did you get here from the direction of Medicine King Valley? Has something happened in the palace?"

Lan'er dismounted and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty," she said, wiping the sweat from her brow, her voice grave, "we encountered several groups of assassins along the way, all after the antidote. If I hadn't received advance warning and intercepted them halfway, I fear..."

“Go on,” Murong Xuewei said in a low voice.

"Those assassins were all carrying deadly poison, as if they were determined to die together with each other." A hint of lingering fear flashed in Lan'er's eyes. "When I came down, I saw quite a few corpses on the mountain path. It seems... more than one group wanted this antidote."

Murong Xuewei sneered, "You think highly of me. These people..." Her gaze sharpened, "Are they from Nanzhao?"

“I’m not sure,” Lan’er said hesitantly, “but their fighting style does indeed resemble that of Nanzhao spies. However…”

"Just what?"

“But I find it strange,” Lan’er looked up at Murong Xuewei, “these people don’t seem to really want the antidote; it’s more like… they’re stalling for time.”

A night breeze ruffled Murong Xuewei's hair. Her expression hardened: "Get to the point."

"Your Majesty..." Lan'er gritted her teeth, "His Majesty's condition is not good. The imperial physician said that His Majesty may...not last more than a few days."

"What?!" Murong Xuewei's expression changed drastically, and she tightened her grip on the reins. It felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

"The Imperial Physicians are taking turns guarding him, but His Majesty's condition is still deteriorating." Lan'er's voice trembled. "Lord Zhang said that if the antidote isn't obtained in three more days..."

"Shut up!" Murong Xuewei interrupted sharply, her knuckles white from gripping her fists so tightly. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down: "Gu Ye... what exactly is the situation?"

"His Majesty began to have a fever yesterday and fell into a coma this morning," Lan'er whispered. "Lord Zhang said he's afraid..."