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

"Have you found any information about the High Priest?" Ning Feng asked, flipping through the book in her hands.

“I’ve found it.” Xiao Cui put down her teacup. “The High Priestess’s ancestors were priests of the Nanzhao Kingdom for three generations. She entered the palace to serve the late emperor when she was ten years old, and has been there for over forty years. Over the years, countless court officials have tried to win her over, but she has remained unmoved.”

"Forty years..." Ning Feng sneered, "That's a tough nut to crack."

"Holy Maiden, should we consider other options?"

“No need.” Ning Feng closed the book. “The more someone is like that, the more we should try to win them over. The High Priest’s influence in Nanzhao is far greater than that of a military general like Zhao Wuji.”

"But she was utterly loyal to the Emperor..."

“Loyalty?” Ning Feng stood up, a cold glint in her eyes. “Even the most loyal heart will develop cracks in it.”

In the stillness of the night, Ning Feng stood before the altar, holding incense and candles. The high priest, dressed in white, stood with his back to her, arranging the offerings.

"Is the High Priest offering incense to the late Emperor?" Ning Feng stepped forward.

"Is there something wrong, Holy Maiden?" The High Priest asked without turning his head.

Ning Feng looked around: "I've heard that the High Priest can foresee destiny. I wonder what the fate of the Nanzhao Kingdom will be?"

“Why ask such a question when you already know the answer?” The High Priest turned around. “You and I both know that the Emperor’s health is declining day by day.”

Ning Feng's eyes flashed: "In that case, the High Priest should consider the future of Nanzhao even more."

"What do you want to say?"

"The Crown Prince is incompetent; if he ascends the throne, Nanzhao will surely perish." Ning Feng looked directly at the High Priest. "This holy maiden can make Nanzhao powerful."

The high priest sneered: "You?!"

Ning Feng took out a jade pendant from her sleeve: "This is a relic of the late emperor. Does the High Priest recognize it?"

The high priest took it and his expression changed drastically: "Where did you get this?"

“The important thing is not where it came from,” Ning Feng said slowly as she approached, “but why the late emperor left it to me.”

The high priest remained silent for a long time: "What do you need me to do?"

"Three days later, at the Heaven-worshiping ceremony, this Holy Maiden will require you to declare publicly that the fate of Nanzhao has run its course and a new ruler must ascend the throne."

"Do you know that this is the crime of deceiving the emperor?"

“What crime is there in following the will of Heaven?” Ning Feng turned and left. “It all depends on the High Priest’s choice.”

Under the clear moonlight, Ning Feng's figure gradually disappeared on the altar steps.

The high priest gripped the jade pendant tightly, his expression dark and unreadable.

The afternoon sun felt warm all over. Ning Feng lay on a rattan chair in the courtyard, holding a military book, when Xiao Cui rushed in.

"Holy Maiden, the High Priest has refused us. She says she is detached from worldly affairs and asks that you not disturb her."

Ning Feng sneered, "This old woman is even more troublesome than I imagined."

“Then we…”

“Investigate the High Priest’s background.” Ning Feng’s eyes turned cold. “She’s been in Nanzhao for forty years; there must be some dirt on her.”

Three days later, Xiao Cui brought news: "We found out that the High Priest has a granddaughter who is currently practicing Buddhism at a temple."

"Granddaughter?" Ning Feng raised an eyebrow.

"She is the High Priest's only relative. Ten years ago, the High Priest's son and daughter-in-law were assassinated, leaving only this granddaughter."

Ning Feng pondered, "She sent her granddaughter to the Buddhist temple for protection?"

"Yes. I heard that the High Priest visits the Buddhist temple every month."

Ning Feng stood up: "Let's go, let's go meet this young master."

In Ciyun Temple, a young nun of about fifteen or sixteen years old was feeding birds in the courtyard. She was dressed in a plain white monk's robe, with delicate features and a touch of innocence in her eyes.

"Young Master, what refined taste you have." Ning Feng strolled into the courtyard.

The young monk was startled, scattering grains of rice from his hands all over the ground: "Who are you, benefactor...?"

"I was just passing by and saw the temple gate was open, so I came in to take a look." Ning Feng smiled gently. "What are you doing, little monk?"

"Feed the birds." The young monk quickly picked up the scattered grains of rice. "They come at this time every day; if we don't feed them, they might go hungry."

Ning Feng smiled gently: "Little Master is truly compassionate."

"I wouldn't dare," the young monk said, bowing his head. "Master said that all living beings are equal, and birds are living beings too."

"Master?"

The young monk picked up the bowl that had fallen to the ground and said calmly, "I'm an orphan. A master found me and raised me for a while. Later, it seems the master had to go and do something, so he sent me to Ciyun Temple."

"It seems this master is actually a good person."

"Yes, after the master brought me here, it was my teacher who taught me to recite scriptures."

Ning Feng's eyes flashed: "I see. I wonder if Little Master misses Master?"

"Of course I want to," the young monk said, tears welling in his eyes. "But the master said that cultivators must sever the seven emotions and six desires. I... I shouldn't be thinking about it."

Ning Feng stepped forward and gently wiped away her tears: "Little Master is still young, it's only natural for her to feel longing."

“You’re right, benefactor.” The young monk smiled through his tears. “The master comes to see me every month; I’m already very content.”

"If you don't mind, you are welcome to have a meal at the temple," the young monk innocently invited.

"Then I'll trouble you." Ning Feng followed the young monk toward the meditation room.

Inside the dining room, the young monk clumsily brewed tea: "I rarely see outsiders, please forgive me, benefactor."

"It's alright." Ning Feng watched her young master's every move. "Does the young master know about his parents?"

The young monk paused, then said, "The master said my parents died young from illness. I've been here since I can remember."

"That master must treat you very well."

"Yes," the little master said, his eyes sparkling. "Every time the master comes, he brings me pastries and says that when I'm a little older, he'll take me out to see the world."

A calculating glint flashed in Ning Feng's eyes: "What if I, the Holy Maiden, would let you go out and take a look right now?"

"Holy...Holy Maiden?" The young monk jumped up in alarm. "You are the Holy Maiden of Nanzhao?"

"That's good." Ning Feng chuckled. "Would you be willing to return to the palace with me? And let the Grandmaster move in as well?"

"This...this isn't right," the young monk said, at a loss. "The master said I can't leave the temple at will."

"It's alright." Ning Feng took out a letter. "Give this to the master and say it's my will."

The young monk hesitated for a moment, but ultimately accepted the letter.

"Why didn't the Holy Maiden just arrest that young monk?" On the return journey in the carriage, Xiao Cui finally couldn't help but ask, "That way, wouldn't the High Priest be completely at your mercy?"

Ning Feng gently waved her feather fan: "That would actually backfire."

"What do you mean?"

“The High Priestess has deep roots in Nanzhao. If we force her, we'll only push her towards the Crown Prince,” Ning Feng said, looking out the window. “Besides, this little nun is truly naive; we can take advantage of her innocence.”

"You mean..."

"Just wait and see," Ning Feng sneered. "This letter will surely make the High Priest extremely uneasy."

"What did that letter say?"

"It's nothing more than me saying that I see my little master is indifferent to worldly affairs and want her to come to the palace for quiet cultivation." A cold glint flashed in Ning Feng's eyes. "The High Priest knows how naive her precious granddaughter is, and naturally understands what she will become once she enters the palace."

"But what if the High Priest doesn't allow her to enter the palace..."

"That means she has something to hide." Ning Feng curled her lips. "Why would an upright old priest conceal his identity and send his own granddaughter to be raised in a place like this?"