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

Just as Xiao Cui was about to respond, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.

"Holy Maiden!" Ning Bo strode in, his face somewhat grim.

Ning Feng noticed his unusual expression and frowned slightly: "What's the panic? What happened?"

"I heard during court today that some ministers want to impeach the Holy Maiden..." Ning Bo hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Ning Feng glanced at him indifferently: "Oh? What did you say?"

"They say the Holy Maiden secretly sent people to infiltrate the Northern Army, intending to..." Ning Bo lowered his voice, "...to monitor the border troops."

"When has this Holy Maiden ever done such a thing?" Ning Feng sneered. "How interesting, I wonder which minister is so... good at making up stories?"

Ning Bo hesitated for a moment: "It's said that the evidence was provided by His Highness the Crown Prince."

“Dan’er?” Ning Feng walked to the window, her tone still calm. “He’s…worried quite a bit.”

"Holy Maiden, this matter..."

"It's alright," Ning Feng said, gazing at the peonies in the courtyard. "Since it's just a baseless rumor, what do I, the Holy Maiden, have to worry about?"

"But..."

“Ning Bo,” Ning Feng suddenly spoke, “do you think someone is too hasty when trying to hide something?”

Ning Bo was taken aback: "Does the Holy Maiden mean..."

"It's nothing," Ning Feng turned around, "You can go now. I, the Holy Maiden, am well aware of these matters."

After Ning Bo left, Xiao Cui asked with some worry, "Holy Maiden, is it really necessary..."

“Don’t worry,” Ning Feng said, gazing out the window. “Some people are so eager to dig up what’s hidden that they don’t realize… they might also give themselves away.”

The peonies in the courtyard swayed in the wind, their petals glistening with morning dew and shimmering in the sunlight.

The early spring wind still carried a chill, but the teahouses along the street were bustling with activity.

"Have you heard? The officials in the court are impeaching the Holy Maiden again," a merchant-looking man said in a low voice.

"Ah, that's right. They say she's going to interfere in border affairs, which is no small matter." A diner put down his teacup. "The Crown Prince has always been in charge of the Northern Border, so what's the Holy Maiden going to do..."

"Shh," the old man sitting in the corner quickly made a shushing gesture, "It's best not to discuss such things."

The noise in the teahouse subsided slightly, but hushed whispers still lingered. Pedestrians hurried along the street, and occasionally a carriage would pass by, kicking up a cloud of dust. At the alley entrance, the fortune teller rang his copper bell, shouting, "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed," a statement that carried a touch of irony.

Meanwhile, inside the Saintess's Palace.

“Holy Maiden,” Xiao Cui rushed in, “everyone outside is talking about you….”

Ning Feng gently set down her teacup. "Discussing whether this Holy Maiden intends to seize the Crown Prince's power?"

"Is the Holy Maiden really not going to explain anything?" Xiao Cui was still a little worried.

"An explanation?" Ning Feng chuckled lightly. "The more they explain, the more suspicious they seem. This Holy Maiden wants to see what kind of story they can come up with."

"But the ministers in the court who support the Holy Maiden are very anxious; several officials have already come to deliver their visiting cards this morning."

Ning Feng gently shook her head: "Tell them that this Holy Maiden is unwell these past few days and will not be receiving guests for the time being." She walked to the table, picked up a Buddhist scripture, and said, "Tell them to go about their business."

"Yes." Although Xiao Cui was puzzled, she still accepted the order and withdrew.

Ning Feng sat at the table, opening a Buddhist scripture, her expression so serene as if she were truly reciting it. The hall was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the clear chirping of birds drifted from afar.

For three consecutive days, the Holy Maiden's residence remained unusually quiet. Ning Feng spent her days chanting scriptures and praying to Buddha, remaining completely silent about the turmoil at court. This, however, made many ministers uneasy.

Early on the fourth day, Xiao Cui rushed in again: "Holy Maiden, the Crown Prince's side again..."

"What new story is this?" Ning Feng asked without looking up, continuing to write the scriptures in her hands.

"They say they found a secret letter from the Holy Maiden's Palace in the Northern Territory."

"Oh?" Ning Feng finally looked up, a faint smile playing on her lips. "It seems some people can't wait any longer."

"What is the Holy Maiden doing...?"

Ning Feng put down her calligraphy brush: "Tell me, what is the most taboo thing for a hunter when he is about to catch his prey?"

Xiao Cui was taken aback: "Is it...too hasty?"

“That’s right,” Ning Feng stood up and walked to the window. “Impatient people always leave clues.” She looked at the peonies still blooming in the courtyard. “Tell Ning Bo to continue the investigation, but…” She paused, “Don’t alert him.”

"The Holy Maiden means..."

"The net of Heaven is vast, its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it." Ning Feng turned around, a cold glint in her eyes. "Wait for them... to come to us."

It was evening, in the backyard of the Saintess's Palace.

“Aunt,” a young woman approached in the twilight, “are you really going to remain silent like this forever?”

Ning Feng looked at her niece, who was about the same age, and her tone softened considerably: "Why is Arou here to persuade me too?"

"Those ministers in the court, they are all..." Ning Rou hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

"Everyone's just watching and waiting?" Ning Feng chuckled. "What's wrong with that? Let them guess. The more they can't figure it out, the more... restless they'll become."

"But Auntie..."

"When I was in the Primordial Kingdom," Ning Feng said, gazing at the peonies in the twilight, "I learned a lesson. Sometimes, silence is more powerful than explanation."

Ning Rou sighed, "I heard that the Crown Prince has already started trying to win over important officials in the court."

"Oh?" A hint of a smile flashed in Ning Feng's eyes. "It seems he really can't wait. Arou, tell me, why would someone be in such a hurry to prove someone else's guilt?"

“It’s because…” Ning Rou seemed to have thought of something.

“Because he has something to hide,” Ning Feng said calmly. “Go and send a message to your mother, telling her that I am not feeling well these days and cannot visit her for the time being.”

"Auntie, what's wrong...?"

“Go back,” Ning Feng said, turning around. “Remember, try to stay home as much as possible these days.”

Watching Ning Rou's departing figure, the tenderness in Ning Feng's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a chill.

"Holy Maiden," Xiao Cui emerged from the hall, "should we send someone to keep an eye on Miss Ning?"

“No need,” Ning Feng said. “Arou won’t betray me. But as for the Crown Prince…” She paused, “some people’s patience is almost worn out.”

As night deepened, a light still shone within the Saintess's Palace.

“Holy Maiden,” Xiao Cui brought in ginseng tea, “you should rest now.”

Ning Feng put down the Buddhist scripture in her hand: "Has anything happened today?"

“There is some interesting news,” Xiao Cui said in a low voice, “I heard that Minister Li of the Ministry of Rites went to the Crown Prince’s residence today.”

“Li Yang?” Ning Feng chuckled. “He does… know how to read the wind.”

"Yes, the Holy Maiden has remained silent these past few days; Lord Li must be getting impatient."

Ning Feng stood up and walked to the window. The night breeze stirred the window curtains, and the distant sound of a water clock echoed. She suddenly spoke, "Have Ning Bo investigate something."

"What's up?"

"Investigate Li Yang's secret correspondence over the years," Ning Feng said calmly. "Since he wants to switch allegiances, then this Holy Maiden... should also give him a grand gift."

"Does the Holy Maiden intend to..."

“No rush,” Ning Feng turned around, “It’s almost dawn.”

Xiao Cui was stunned; it was only past 7 PM.

“You’re right, it’s time to rest.” Ning Feng walked back to her inner room. “By the way, if anyone comes to the Crown Prince’s residence tomorrow, just say that this Holy Maiden is chanting scriptures and will not receive any guests.”

"Yes."

After Xiao Cui left, Ning Feng stood before the candlelight, watching the flickering flame, and whispered:

"The Nanzhao Kingdom has been peaceful for so many years; it's time for a change."