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

Back at the Saintess's residence, Xiao Cui had been waiting for a long time: "Saintess, did it go smoothly?"

"Minister Du is indeed as intelligent as the rumors say." Ning Feng took off her outer garment, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.

Xiao Cui asked with some worry, "Has he agreed to help?"

“A true strategist doesn’t make promises lightly.” Ning Feng walked to the window, gazing at the distant, faintly visible imperial palace. “But at least, he has made his choice.”

"So, what's next..."

"Send someone to keep an eye on Li Yang," Ning Feng's voice suddenly turned cold. "Since he wants to pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince, let him experience the price of betrayal."

"Yes." Xiao Cui accepted the order and withdrew.

Ning Feng sat alone at her desk, taking out a secret letter. The letter detailed the Crown Prince's recent activities, including his covert efforts to win over court officials. She slightly curled the corners of her lips: "Your Highness, do you think that winning over a few ministers guarantees victory?"

The next morning, the imperial city and its surroundings were shrouded in mist.

"Report!" A guard rushed into the Crown Prince's residence. "Your Highness, something has happened!"

The Crown Prince put down the memorial in his hand: "What's the matter with this panic?"

"The Li...Li family was found this morning..." the guard's voice trembled, "...all unconscious!"

The crown prince abruptly stood up: "What?"

"The doctor said it seems like he's been poisoned by some kind of strange poison," the guard whispered. "And all the documents in the manor are missing."

The Crown Prince's face turned ashen. Just then, another guard rushed in: "Your Highness, Minister Du requests an audience!"

"Minister Du?" The Crown Prince frowned. He had originally planned to visit Minister Du soon, but the other party had come first.

Soon, Minister Du entered the hall, led by guards. He appeared calm and composed, and bowed to the Crown Prince: "Your subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Minister Du, you may dispense with the formalities." The Crown Prince suppressed his unease. "I did not know you had come..."

"I heard that Lord Li's family has suddenly met with misfortune, so I have come to express my feelings to Your Highness," Minister Du said slowly.

The crown prince's heart tightened: "Oh? What are your thoughts?"

"In my opinion," Minister Du said, looking directly at the Crown Prince, "that at a time like this, it's best not to easily take sides."

The Crown Prince's expression changed drastically: "Minister Du, what is the meaning of this?"

“Those who flatter are the most useless.” Minister Du bowed and said, “Your subject takes his leave.”

Watching Minister Du's departing figure, the Crown Prince smashed the teacup in his hand. He never imagined that his meticulously planned scheme would be ruined overnight.

Meanwhile, inside the Saintess's Palace.

“Holy Maiden,” Ning Bo reported, bowing, “the people from the Li family have been sent to the estate outside the city to recuperate, and the documents have been prepared.”

Ning Feng put down the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand: "Send them to Minister Du for review." She paused, then added, "Tell him that this is evidence of bribes Li Yang has accepted over the years."

"Yes."

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow on Ning Feng's cool, aloof face. She murmured to herself, "This game of chess has only just begun."

"Holy Maiden," Xiao Cui brought in ginseng tea, "I've found out that General Zhao Wuji has been training troops at his camp outside the city these days."

Ning Feng stroked the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand: "Zhao Wuji...this person is not easy to deal with."

“Yes,” Xiao Cui sighed, “he was a general personally appointed by the late emperor and held military power for many years; even the crown prince didn’t dare to easily provoke him.”

“That’s not necessarily true.” Ning Feng stood up and walked to the wall where the map of Nanzhao hung. “Although Zhao Wuji holds a high position and great power, what he cares about most is actually his good-for-nothing son.”

"The Holy Maiden is referring to Zhao Ming?" Xiao Cui's eyes lit up. "Isn't he...?"

"To be a leisurely captain in the Crown Prince's residence," Ning Feng said with a slight smile. "The son of a great general, yet relegated to a lowly, insignificant official position—do you think Zhao Wuji will feel good about that?"

"Then we need to..."

"Go and make preparations," Ning Feng said, withdrawing her gaze. "Tomorrow, this Holy Maiden will be going to the main camp for an 'inspection.'"

Just as Xiao Cui was about to turn around, Ning Feng called out to her, "By the way, have someone investigate what gifts the Crown Prince has recently given to Zhao Wuji."

The next morning, the area outside the Nanzhao camp was bustling with noise.

"The Holy Maiden has arrived!"

Zhao Wuji hurriedly straightened his military uniform and strode out of the camp gate to greet the Holy Maiden: "This humble general pays his respects to the Holy Maiden."

"General, no need for formalities." Ning Feng alighted from the carriage, her gaze sweeping over the neatly lined-up soldiers. "I've heard of your strict military discipline, General, so I came to see for myself."

"You flatter me, Holy Maiden." Although Zhao Wuji appeared respectful, a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. This Holy Maiden, who had been away from the country for many years, had suddenly come to inspect the military camp; she must have ulterior motives.

Ning Feng, seemingly oblivious to his expression, continued, "I heard of your illustrious name back in the Primordial Era. Ten years ago, in that great battle, you single-handedly repelled the Primordial Army's 100,000-strong force, ensuring peace on the borders of Nanzhao."

A hint of smugness flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes: "You flatter me, Holy Maiden. This humble general is merely..."

"Unfortunately," Ning Feng suddenly changed the subject, "some people in the court are saying that the general is getting old and should step down."

Zhao Wuji's expression changed drastically: "Who?"

“General, there’s no need to be angry,” Ning Feng said softly. “I originally came to ask how Zhao Ming is doing at the Crown Prince’s residence lately.”

Zhao Wuji's body stiffened, and he stared intently at Ning Feng: "What does the Holy Maiden mean by this?"

"I heard that the Crown Prince recently gifted the general a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse?" Ning Feng smiled slightly. "I just wonder, is this gift a gift from the Crown Prince to a retiring veteran, or to a future...patron?"

A deathly silence fell over the tent. After a long while, Zhao Wuji said in a deep voice, "Please, Holy Maiden, come into the tent for a talk."

Inside the tent, Zhao Wuji personally poured tea, his tone a stark contrast to his earlier harshness: "Holy Maiden, what do you mean by that?"

“General, why ask when you already know the answer?” Ning Feng took the teacup. “The Crown Prince has recently been trying to win over court officials; you must have heard about it. That Akhal-Teke horse is a token of his loyalty.”

Zhao Wuji snorted coldly: "Is the Holy Maiden here to persuade me to take sides?"

"Choosing sides?" Ning Feng chuckled. "General, haven't you noticed that while the Crown Prince was sending you gifts, he was also secretly promoting his cronies into the army?"

Zhao Wuji's expression hardened.

"How many years has Zhao Ming served in the Crown Prince's residence?" Ning Feng asked slowly. "He's just a lowly captain, without even a chance for promotion. Does the general know why?"

“The Crown Prince…” Zhao Wuji clenched his fists.

"The Crown Prince is ostensibly trying to win over the General, but in reality, he's weakening the General's power," Ning Feng said, setting down her teacup. "Once the General relinquishes his military command, Zhao Ming's career will likely face even greater difficulties."

Zhao Wuji abruptly stood up: "What evidence does the Holy Maiden have?"

Ning Feng took out a secret letter from her sleeve: "This is a secret letter between the Crown Prince and the Minister of War. General, please take a look."

Zhao Wuji took the letter, his expression growing increasingly grim as he read. After a long silence, he asked in a low voice, "Why is the Holy Maiden telling me this?"

"General, you have guarded the border for many years and enjoy great prestige." Ning Feng looked directly at Zhao Wuji. "Although I have been away from the country for many years, I know that Nanzhao needs a pillar of talent like you, General."

"Could it be that the Holy Maiden intends to..."

"This holy maiden has no intention of vying for power," Ning Feng said solemnly, "I only wish to restore Nanzhao to its former glory. If the general is willing to assist, not only will Zhao Ming's future be promising, but he will also leave behind a glorious legacy for the Nanzhao kingdom."

Zhao Wuji fell into deep thought.

“If the general does not believe me,” Ning Feng continued, “he can send someone to check the list of key military positions recently transferred by the Crown Prince. I will take my leave now and return in three days to consult him.”

After Ning Feng left, Zhao Wuji immediately summoned his trusted aides: "Investigate the generals recently promoted by the Crown Prince. Make sure you find out the truth!"

Three days later, Ning Feng returned to the military camp. Zhao Wuji personally greeted her, his expression quite different from before.

“Holy Maiden,” he said solemnly, “this humble general is willing to die for you!”

Ning Feng helped Zhao Wuji up: "General, you flatter me. But I wonder if you have any good ideas?"

"In my humble opinion," Zhao Wuji lowered his voice, "we should first..."

Just then, a commotion arose outside the camp. Xiao Cui rushed in: "Holy Maiden, the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Ning Feng and Zhao Wuji exchanged a glance, a hint of coldness flashing in their eyes.

“Interesting,” Ning Feng said softly, “The Crown Prince’s arrival is perfectly timed.”