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

That night, a torrential downpour began.

In Ning Qingyun's room, a slender figure slumped helplessly before the desk, clutching an unfinished suicide note in her hand. Xiao Cui stood to the side, coldly watching the figure on the ground gradually come to a standstill.

"Reporting to the Holy Maiden, Miss Ning... has died by poisoning herself." Xiao Cui returned to the Holy Maiden's palace to report.

Ning Feng, who was reviewing memorials, didn't even lift her eyelids upon hearing this: "Have someone spread the word that she couldn't accept being stripped of her position as a prospective saintess, became depressed, and ultimately committed suicide."

“Yes.” Xiao Cui hesitated for a moment, “but… Miss Ning wrote half a letter before she died, in which she mentioned you…”

"Give it to me." Ning Feng then looked up.

Xiao Cui presented the blood-stained letter. Ning Feng glanced at it, then suddenly laughed: "Interesting, she was thinking of exposing me even in death." With that, she threw the letter into the candlelight.

"Pass on my order: summon all the important officials of Nanzhao to court tomorrow." Ning Feng stood up, looking at the heavy rain outside the window. "It's time to let them know... who truly should be in control of Nanzhao."

The following morning, at the Nanzhao court.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present." Ning Feng stood below the throne, bowing respectfully. "The celestial phenomena observed during the sacrificial rites indicate that this is an opportune time for our Nanzhao to expand its territory. I request permission to send troops to Daqi."

"How dare you!" Minister of War Yang Mingde abruptly stepped forward. "The Great Qi and our country have maintained friendly relations for generations. This action by the Holy Maiden violates ancestral rules!"

Ning Feng coldly looked at Yang Mingde: "Lord Yang, it's true that we've been on friendly terms for generations, but the Great Qi is no longer the Great Qi of the past. Their internal turmoil presents a golden opportunity for our Nanzhao to expand."

“Your Excellency is mistaken,” said Li Yang, Minister of Rites, who also stepped forward. “Taking advantage of someone in distress violates the principles of benevolence and righteousness of our Nanzhao Kingdom.”

Ning Feng smiled sarcastically: "The Way of Benevolence and Righteousness? Lord Li, have you forgotten how the Great Qi seized three border cities from our country ten years ago?"

“That was an old story from the time of the late emperor…” Li Yang wanted to argue.

"Enough!" Ning Feng's voice suddenly turned cold. "You two are so protective of Great Qi, could it be that you have some... ulterior motive with Great Qi?"

Upon hearing this, the two ministers immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

“Your Majesty,” General Ning Luo stepped forward at the opportune moment, “I believe the Holy Maiden’s words are absolutely correct. The Great Qi has indeed shown unusual activity recently; it would be better to strike first.”

The emperor pondered for a long time: "This matter is of great importance, and what my two ministers have said makes sense. Perhaps..."

"Your Majesty!" Ning Feng suddenly pulled a secret letter from her sleeve. "This is a message from our border spies. The Great Qi has been secretly mobilizing troops, intending to invade our country."

There was an uproar in the hall.

"In that case," the Emperor's eyes sharpened, "we will grant the Holy Maiden's request. Ning Luo will be appointed commander-in-chief, and troops will be dispatched on a chosen day."

After the court session, Yang Mingde and Li Yang looked ashen-faced. Ning Feng, however, curled her lips into a cold smile: "Utterly ignorant fools."

At the Holy Maiden's Residence, Ning Feng was reviewing the rosters of officials from various departments of the imperial court.

"Xiao Cui, find out all these people thoroughly," Ning Feng said, pointing to several names marked on the roster. "Pay special attention to their weaknesses and incriminating evidence."

“Yes,” Xiao Cui replied. “Holy Maiden, we have already placed our people in the residence of Li Yang of the Ministry of Rites.”

Ning Feng nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. How about Yang Mingde?"

"The Yang family has an only son serving on the border, who has already been appointed by General Ning..."

“No, don’t touch him yet.” Ning Feng stood up and walked to the window. “Let them think they’re still safe. By the way, what’s the name of that young vice minister in the Ministry of Revenue?”

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is Ning Bo."

“Ning Bo…” Ning Feng mused, “He is indeed a capable man. Send word that I, the Holy Maiden, will be going to pray for blessings tomorrow, and I request that he come to ‘protect me.’”

"What is the Holy Maiden going to do..."

"The court can't just rely on suppression," Ning Feng's eyes flashed with a shrewd light, "it also needs to know how to promote. Besides, Ning Bo's father-in-law is in charge of the armory..."

The following day, Ning Feng's prayer procession slowly made its way to the sacred temple on the outskirts of the city.

As expected, Ning Bo was already waiting in front of the temple. He was in his early thirties, with a handsome face and a composed demeanor.

“Welcome, Holy Maiden.” Ning Bo bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities." Ning Feng alighted from the carriage. "I've heard that Lord Ning is skilled in riding and archery?"

"I wouldn't presume to say that; I only know a little bit."

Ning Feng smiled slightly: "This holy maiden has recently been wanting to learn martial arts to strengthen her body. I wonder if Lord Ning would be willing to give her some pointers?"

Ning Bo was taken aback, then understood: "This...I am deeply honored."

After the prayers were finished, Ning Feng lingered in the temple under the pretext of asking, "Lord Ning, I heard your father-in-law is unwell?"

"Yes... my father is old and has been coughing up blood frequently lately."

“This holy maiden has some medicinal herbs here,” Ning Feng said, handing over a brocade pouch. “They might be useful to your father-in-law.”

Ning Bo accepted the brocade pouch, his expression complex: "The Holy Maiden's kindness is immense..."

"I will recommend worthy individuals regardless of personal relationships," Ning Feng said meaningfully, looking at him. "As long as Lord Ning is loyal to the country, this Holy Maiden will naturally not treat him unfairly."

Upon returning to the residence, Xiao Cui whispered, "Holy Maiden, Ning Bo has already accepted..."

“Very well,” Ning Feng sneered, “Let’s see what this Vice Minister of Revenue can do for us.”

A few days later, inside Ning Feng's Holy Maiden's Mansion.

"Holy Maiden," Xiao Cui rushed in, "news has come from Ningbo that the armory's accounts are somewhat...unusual."

Ning Feng put down the memorial in her hand: "Oh? Continue."

"For the past three years, a batch of weapons has gone missing from the armory every year. The records state that they are to be scrapped and destroyed, but..."

"But they weren't actually destroyed, were they?" Ning Feng stood up. "Have you found out where these weapons went?"

"It's said to have been shipped to the northern border."

A cold glint flashed in Ning Feng's eyes: "Yang Mingde...it seems you're not so clean after all. Xiao Cui, have Ning Bo continue the investigation, but be careful."

“Yes. By the way, Holy Maiden,” Xiao Cui lowered her voice, “Li Yang from the Ministry of Rites has been frequently visiting the Marquis of Anping’s residence recently…”

"Marquis Anping?" Ning Feng sneered. "That's interesting. Have someone keep an eye on them. This Holy Maiden wants to see what other dirt I can find on these ministers."

"It seems the Holy Maiden's methods for dealing with court officials are becoming increasingly..." Xiao Cui hesitated.

“Thanks to those years in the Primordial Kingdom,” a cold glint flashed in Ning Feng’s eyes, “I learned what ‘the art of rulership’ truly meant.”

"My lord, you have suffered..." Xiao Cui hesitated before speaking.

Ning Feng walked to the window, gazing at the peonies in full bloom in the courtyard: "Suffering, huh? You also think I was too cruel to those ministers?"

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare," Xiao Cui bowed her head. "It's just that the Crown Prince's faction submitted several more memorials impeaching the Holy Maiden in court today."

Ning Feng's eyes turned cold: "As expected, the Crown Prince couldn't wait to make a move against me as soon as Ning Qingyun got into trouble. It seems that while I was away from Nanzhao, the Crown Prince's reach has been quite extensive."

"His Highness the Crown Prince says there's a problem with the armory's accounts, and that it's because of you, Holy Maiden..."

“Heh,” Ning Feng sneered, “He’s clever enough to know to start here.” She walked to the table and opened a secret letter. “But since he wants to play, then this Holy Maiden will play along. Xiao Cui, bring me the list Ning Bo gave me.”

“Yes.” Xiao Cui handed over a confidential letter. “This is evidence of bribery accepted by the officials of the Crown Prince’s residence.”

Ning Feng glanced at the list, a cold smile playing on her lips: "So, even the high-ranking officials of the Crown Prince's residence aren't so incorruptible after all."

"The Holy Maiden is preparing..."

"Leave it for now." Ning Feng carefully put away the secret letter. "Let them fight until they're both severely weakened, then this Holy Maiden will..." She paused, her gaze turning icy, "...wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

"The visiting card sent by the Marquis of Anping's residence..."

“Since they want to bet on both sides,” Ning Feng said calmly, “let’s see what happens when they bet on the wrong side.”

The peonies in the courtyard swayed in the wind, their petals glistening with morning dew, shimmering coldly in the sunlight. Just like the chill in Ning Feng's eyes.

“By the way,” Ning Feng suddenly spoke up, “I heard that the Crown Prince has recently been trying to win over the generals in the northern border?”

"Yes. The Crown Prince seems to be trying to win over Yang Mingde."

"Interesting." A calculating glint flashed in Ning Feng's eyes. "Let Ning Bo continue his investigation. This Holy Maiden wants to see how much evidence this Crown Prince can find about me."