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

"Lord Du, please don't be alarmed. It's Ning Feng who has come to visit." She slowly walked into the candlelight.

Minister Du's pupils contracted slightly, and the lantern in his hand swayed gently. He subconsciously took a half step back, then forced himself to remain calm: "How could the Holy Maiden..." He stopped before finishing his sentence, his gaze warily scrutinizing Ning Feng.

"First, I must apologize to you, sir," Ning Feng said, bowing slightly. "This matter is of utmost importance, and I had no choice but to disturb your peaceful cultivation."

Minister Du frowned, clearly weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, he turned and pushed open the door: "Holy Maiden, please come in." His tone was calm, but his grip on the doorframe tightened slightly.

Ning Feng stepped into the room, her gaze sweeping over the shelves full of books: "Is Your Excellency reading the Spring and Autumn Annals at night?"

“Exactly.” Minister Du’s expression softened slightly, but the thought of the Holy Maiden’s strange visit late at night made him wary again: “The Holy Maiden has been in Taichu for many years. Now that she has returned to the country, does she still remember the meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals?” His voice was tinged with probing and doubt.

Ning Feng replied calmly, "The greater good is the greater good of the world."

"Does the Holy Maiden know how many princesses sent for political marriages in history have betrayed their countries? How many hostages have disloyalized their masters?" Minister Du's voice suddenly rose, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. "The Holy Maiden has been in Taichu for more than ten years. How can anyone believe that you still care about Nanzhao?" As he spoke, his fingers unconsciously tapped the table.

In the candlelight, Ning Feng's face remained calm: "Does my lord still remember three years ago when Nanzhao repeatedly offended Taichu and crossed its borders, only to be repeatedly defeated by Gu Ye?"

Minister Du paused, his brow furrowing deeply: "The sudden withdrawal of the Tai Chu army that time was indeed suspicious." His tone revealed confusion.

“That’s because I used the identity of the then-Primordial Emperor to send someone to notify the border generals in advance. I also had someone stop Gu Ye, who was still a general at the time. If it weren’t for me secretly sending messages to Nanzhao while I was in the Primordial Emperor’s country, with Gu Ye’s methods at the time, Nanzhao would probably have been incorporated into the current Great Qi territory by now,” Ning Feng said softly.

The anger in Minister Du's eyes gradually subsided, but a trace of worry resurfaced: "Even so," he paced to the window, then turned back, "the Holy Maiden has been away from the country for many years, and is probably out of touch with politics. Nanzhao is currently controlled by powerful ministers within the country, and surrounded by formidable enemies without. What it needs is a..." At this point, his voice carried a clear hesitation.

"A seasoned and prudent person, familiar with court politics?" Ning Feng continued, "You're right, sir. I am indeed not as knowledgeable about court politics as you gentlemen. But precisely because of this, I am more aware of the crisis facing Nanzhao."

She rose and walked to the window, her figure appearing exceptionally aloof in the moonlight: "Does Your Excellency know how long it took Gu Ye to rise from a general to the current emperor?"

Minister Du unconsciously clenched his sleeves.

"It's only been half a year," Ning Feng said, her thin lips barely moving. "Everyone knows that the Emperor of Taichu Kingdom was incompetent and foolish, spending his days indulging in beauty and pleasure. Taichu Kingdom had suffered under its emperor for a long time. Gu Ye, with the wealth of Murong Xuewei's family, treated the people like family, spending money and effort to help refugees and speak out for their grievances. Although Nanzhao is not as hopeless as Taichu Kingdom was, Nanzhao's power is fragmented, with various kings and nobles ruling their own territories. How much better is Nanzhao than Taichu Kingdom was back then?"

These words caused Minister Du's expression to change drastically. He turned around, stood with his hands behind his back, and remained silent for a long time.

As a high-ranking official in the court, he has watched Nanzhao decline step by step over the years, and his anxiety and sense of powerlessness have grown day by day.

“But they’re wrong about one thing,” Ning Feng’s voice suddenly hardened, “Nanzhao is not a sick tiger, but a sleeping dragon. As long as we are of one mind, we can restore Nanzhao to its former glory.”

Minister Du slowly turned around, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes, but it quickly dimmed again: "What good plan does the Holy Maiden have?" His voice was filled with both expectation and hesitation.

After hearing Ning Feng's plan, Minister Du paced back and forth in the room. He would stop occasionally, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated; at other times, he would shake his head, as if struggling with his inner thoughts. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Since the Holy Maiden knows that I have read the Spring and Autumn Annals, she must know that the meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals lies in orthodoxy." His voice carried a final hesitation.

"Legitimate?" Ning Feng smiled slightly. "In your opinion, is it more legitimate for a powerful minister to control the court, or for the Holy Maiden to rule and revitalize the nation's prestige?"

These words struck Du Shangshu like a hammer blow, shattering his last remaining concerns. His expression gradually hardened, and he finally bowed deeply: "Your subject is willing to lend the Holy Maiden a hand." Though his voice was low, it was resounding.

A hint of joy flashed in Ning Feng's eyes: "With your help, sir, the restoration of Nanzhao is just around the corner."

The moonlight outside the window was bright, casting their shadows that gradually overlapped.

“Since Your Excellency is willing to help, Ning Feng is extremely grateful.” Ning Feng bowed deeply to Minister Du.

Minister Du helped her up, his expression worried: "While the Holy Maiden's plan is excellent,..." He chose his words carefully, "...the current situation in the court is complex; one wrong move could..."

"Is Your Excellency worried that I am acting too aggressively?" Ning Feng took over the conversation, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

Minister Du nodded: "The Holy Maiden is wise. This old minister has another concern. Currently, powerful ministers in the court wield considerable influence; if they..."

"What if they want to use me to seize power?" Ning Feng's eyes were clear. "Rest assured, my lord. I know that Nanzhao has been weak for many years and will not act rashly. Besides, Ning Feng's only wish in this life is to restore Nanzhao to its former glory."

Seeing that Minister Du's expression had softened slightly, Ning Feng took out a bundle from her sleeve: "I apologize for my intrusion in visiting today, but I have brought a small gift with me. I hope you will accept it."

Minister Du opened the bundle, revealing an antique-style book inside. When he saw the title, he gasped, "This...this is *The Secret Records of Hu Wen*?"

“Indeed,” Ning Feng said softly. “I heard that you have been searching for this book, sir.”

Minister Du's fingers trembled slightly: "This book is said to have been written by a clerk in the Imperial Library during the reign of Emperor Taizu, recording many secrets from the early days of the nation. However, it disappeared during the palace coup a hundred years ago, and somehow ended up with the Holy Maiden..."

"This book was once lost in the Taichu Kingdom and secretly kept by a collector," Ning Feng said slowly. "I went to great lengths to find it. Since you, my lord, are concerned about Nanzhao, I'm sure you can gain some inspiration from it."

Minister Du carefully turned the pages; the paper was yellowed, but the handwriting was still clear. A flicker of excitement crossed his eyes: "The Holy Maiden is very thoughtful."

"It's getting late, Ning Feng will take her leave." Ning Feng stood up, "I'll come to seek your guidance another day."

Minister Du personally escorted her to the door: "Please take care, Your Majesty."

After Ning Feng's figure disappeared into the night, Minister Du returned to his study and placed "The Secret Records of Hu Wen" on his desk. In the candlelight, his gaze deepened.

At the beginning of its founding, Emperor Taizu faced both internal and external troubles, yet ultimately ushered in the prosperous era of Nanzhao. Now, Nanzhao is weak and desperately needs a wise ruler to lead the country out of its predicament. Could this holy woman, who has been away from her country for many years, be that person?

He gently stroked the pages of the book, as if he could see a brand new Nanzhao slowly emerging.

“Perhaps…” he murmured to himself, “we should give her a chance.”