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

As dusk settled, the Nanzhao royal palace was brightly lit. From inside the crown prince's bedchamber came a suppressed roar.

"Absurd! Are these people plotting a rebellion?" The Crown Prince slammed the memorial in his hand to the ground. "What 'wise ruler will appear'? This is clearly an insinuation that I am unworthy!"

"Your Highness, please calm your anger," a middle-aged man who appeared to be a strategist said in a low voice. "The widespread discussion among the people isn't all bad news."

The crown prince looked at him coldly: "What do you mean by that?"

"The High Priest said that a wise ruler will appear. If the people can recognize that His Highness is the wise ruler..." the strategist said meaningfully.

The prince's eyes lit up: "You mean...?"

"Perhaps we could send some people to visit the towns and villages, offering a few words of advice when the time is right. His Highness has been diligent in governing and caring for the people lately, so this is a good opportunity..."

"Very well!" The Crown Prince slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "This matter is entrusted to you. Make sure the people know that the golden dragon celestial phenomenon was pointing directly at me!"

Inside the Holy Maiden's residence, Ning Feng chuckled softly after hearing the secret report.

“Holy Maiden,” Xiao Cui reported, “the Crown Prince has begun spreading rumors among the people that he is the enlightened ruler the High Priest spoke of.”

"They're in such a hurry to get into the trap," Ning Feng said, taking a sip of tea. "That saves us some trouble. Xiao Cui, go and arrange for a few people."

"What the saint means is..."

“Since the Crown Prince is so eager to be a wise ruler,” Ning Feng’s eyes flashed with a cold light, “then let’s give him a push. Spread some rumors that the Crown Prince has recently been courteous to scholars and considerate of the people’s plight.”

Xiao Cui's eyes lit up: "Yes, to make the Crown Prince even more convinced that he is the chosen one."

“That’s not all.” Ning Feng stood up and walked to the window. “Find some more people to refute this claim.”

"refute?"

“Yes.” Ning Feng turned around. “Let them say that the Crown Prince is unworthy of his position; how can he be a wise ruler? A wise ruler is chosen by Heaven; how can mortals presume to know?”

Xiao Cui suddenly realized: "In that case..."

"The more he faces doubt, the more the Crown Prince wants to prove himself," Ning Feng sneered. "The more eager he is to prove himself, the more likely he is to run into trouble."

"The Holy Maiden is truly wise!"

Ning Feng gazed at the flickering lights outside the window: "This holy maiden wants to see if this Crown Prince can climb out of the well of a wise ruler."

The sound of chanting sutras drifted from outside the hall; it was Xiao Qin reciting scriptures. Ning Feng listened to the melodious tone, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.

"The talk of a wise ruler is nothing more than a touchstone," she murmured. "Let these people be in chaos for now."

As night deepened, the lights of the Nanzhao royal palace remained on.

Ning Feng stood on high ground, gazing at the brightly lit Crown Prince's residence, a cold smile playing on her lips. Xiao Cui rushed over: "Holy Maiden, the news has spread. People are already talking about how the Crown Prince is unworthy of his position."

"What's the Crown Prince's reaction?" Ning Feng asked calmly.

"Just as the Holy Maiden predicted, the Crown Prince was furious and ordered the discovery of those who spread the rumors," Xiao Cui whispered. "He also said he wanted to prove to everyone that he was indeed the wise ruler the High Priest had spoken of."

Ning Feng turned around, her sleeve drawing an arc in the air: "Have Minister Du get ready; it's his turn to appear."

Inside Minister Du's residence, Minister Du was anxiously waiting. Upon seeing a servant enter and report that the Crown Prince had sent someone to invite him, he immediately rose to greet him.

"Lord Du," a strategist from the Crown Prince's side said with a smile as he entered, "the Crown Prince specifically sent me to consult you on a matter."

Minister Du quickly adopted a respectful posture: "What advice does Your Highness have for me?"

"I've heard that you possess a grand plan for the people's livelihood, one that can alleviate their suffering," the advisor said meaningfully. "His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to invite you to the palace for a detailed discussion."

Minister Du understood immediately; the Crown Prince wanted to use this opportunity to prove his love for the people. He bowed and replied, "This humble official will certainly do his utmost to share Your Highness's burdens."

Late at night, in the Crown Prince's residence. After reviewing the plan presented by Minister Du, the Crown Prince was overjoyed: "Excellent! Let's do it this way. Issue the order, and it will be implemented tomorrow!"

The advisor, however, was somewhat worried: "Your Highness, shouldn't we reconsider this matter...?"

"What's there to discuss!" the Crown Prince interrupted, waving his hand. "Since some say I'm unworthy of my position, then I'll show them who the true wise ruler is!"

Just then, a commotion arose outside. A guard rushed in to report, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! A riot has broken out in the south of the city, and some people are shouting that they want to see the wise ruler!"

The crown prince was greatly alarmed upon hearing this: "What's going on?"

"They say they've come to welcome a wise ruler who is about to appear," the guard reported. "Now there are over a thousand people gathered, and the situation is getting out of control."

The Crown Prince immediately stood up: "Prepare the horses! I want to go and see for myself!"

The advisors tried to dissuade him, but the crown prince had already strode out.

Ning Feng stood in the shadows, watching the Crown Prince lead his men in a hurried rush towards the south of the city, a triumphant smile appearing on her lips.

However, at that moment, an unexpected person appeared.

"Stop!" The high priest suddenly appeared at the scene of the riot. "What are you all doing?!"

The crowd fell silent instantly. The high priest glanced at the newly arrived crown prince and said in a deep voice, "The will of Heaven cannot be forced. To speak ill of a wise ruler is a grave disrespect!"

The crown prince's expression changed; he realized he might have fallen into a trap. The high priest, however, had already turned and left, leaving only the words, "Your Highness, you should return."

Ning Feng stood at a distance, watching this unexpected scene, her eyes gradually turning cold. She hadn't expected the High Priest to intervene at this moment, disrupting her plans.

“It seems,” she murmured to herself, “that I, this saint, underestimated this high priest.”

Inside the Holy Maiden's residence, Ning Feng sat at her desk, her fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop. Xiao Cui stood cautiously to the side, not daring to utter a sound.

“The High Priest…” Ning Feng narrowed her eyes, “He’s an interesting character.”

"Holy Maiden, should we...?" Xiao Cui hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

Ning Feng raised her hand to stop him: "No need. Since he's chosen to step forward, let him continue his act." She got up and walked to the window. "Go and investigate what the High Priest has been doing all these years."

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

The High Priest's Residence.

"Why are you doing this?" Minister Du sat opposite the High Priest, his expression complex. "If you anger the Holy Maiden..."

The high priest lowered his eyes and sipped his tea, as if he hadn't heard him: "The tea's cold."

Minister Du sighed, "I know what you're worried about, but this time is different. The Holy Maiden..."

"Lord Du," the High Priest finally spoke, "do you still remember the great fire twenty years ago?"

Minister Du's expression changed drastically: "You mean...?"

“Some things should not be repeated.” The high priest put down his teacup, his gaze deep.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside. A young novice monk rushed in, panicked: "High Priest! Something terrible has happened! The Crown Prince's residence is on fire!"

The high priest abruptly stood up: "When did this happen?"

"Just now! The fire is huge, it's already spread to the backyard!"

Minister Du's expression changed drastically: "Could it be...?"

Before he could finish speaking, the high priest strode out: "Lord Du, come with me to take a look."

A large crowd had already gathered outside the Crown Prince's residence, and flames soared into the sky, illuminating half the heavens. The Crown Prince stood outside the gate, his face ashen.

"Your Highness!" When the high priest arrived, he saw several guards carrying a burned person out of the fire.

"High Priest..." The prince turned around, his eyes filled with rage, "This is no accident! Someone found a flammable substance in my bedchamber!"

The high priest glanced at the flammable materials and frowned.