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

The letter contained only a few simple words: "I want to see Xiao Qin, so I came to the ancient temple on the outskirts of the city alone."

"Master..." the young novice said, looking at the high priest's solemn expression, "Should we report this to the authorities?"

The high priest crumpled the letter into powder: "No need." He turned and walked towards the inner chamber. "You all take good care of your injuries; I'm going out for a while."

But just as he was about to leave, a familiar voice rang out from outside the door: "High Priest, where are you going?"

The high priest turned around and saw the crown prince standing in the doorway. He gave a slight bow and asked, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"

"Having heard about what happened in the palace today, I came to see the High Priest." The Crown Prince walked into the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the injured disciples. "These injuries... it seems Ning Feng didn't hold back."

The high priest was silent for a moment, then said, "If Your Highness has no urgent matters, I have other important business to attend to, so I will take my leave."

"It's about Xiao Qin, isn't it?" The Crown Prince sighed softly, taking a letter from his sleeve. "I just received this as well."

The high priest took it and saw that the contents were exactly the same as those he had received.

"It seems Ning Feng intends to lure us there separately," the Crown Prince said sharply. "If the High Priest goes alone, it will likely play right into her hands."

“But if we don’t go…” The high priest frowned, “Xiao Qin…”

"I've already had someone investigate; there are quite a few men lying in ambush around the ancient temple on the outskirts of the city," the Crown Prince said in a low voice. "Ning Feng's actions are not only to deal with the High Priest, but also to take this opportunity... to eliminate me."

The high priest seemed thoughtful: "What does Your Highness mean?"

"I do have a plan," the Crown Prince said, his eyes gleaming. "How about..."

His voice trailed off as he spoke in hushed tones with the high priest under the moonlight. The disciples in the courtyard, though curious, tactfully withdrew.

As night deepened, in an ancient temple on the outskirts of the city, Ning Feng looked down at Xiao Qin, who was tied to a pillar. This little girl, only thirteen years old, was the High Priest's most beloved disciple.

"Don't be afraid," Ning Feng gently stroked Xiao Qin's face, her voice soft, "As long as your great-grandfather cooperates obediently, I promise I won't hurt you."

Xiao Qin stubbornly turned her head away, remaining silent.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside. A cold glint flashed in Ning Feng's eyes: "They're here."

She gently patted Xiao Qin's face, then got up and walked towards the door. Moonlight shone through the cracks in the dilapidated door, casting a thin ray of light on the floor.

"High Priest, you've finally arrived." Ning Feng stood in the shadows, her voice tinged with amusement.

However, she was greeted by a series of hurried footsteps. More than a dozen men in black rushed in from all directions and surrounded the ancient temple.

Ning Feng's expression changed, and she dodged the incoming hidden weapon with a swift movement. Just then, a figure leaped down from the roof beam—it was the Crown Prince.

"Ning Feng, do you think I will grant your wish?" The Crown Prince sneered, pointing his long sword directly at Ning Feng.

"Your Highness..." Ning Feng's eyes were cold, "You've come too."

Before she could finish speaking, another figure emerged from the shadows—it was the High Priestess. She quickly walked to Xiao Qin's side and untied the ropes.

"Some people saw your men lying in ambush on the outskirts of the city and already guessed what tricks you were up to," the Crown Prince said coldly. "Ning Feng, surrender."

Ning Feng, instead of being surprised by these words, laughed: "Does Your Highness think I would surrender so easily?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of orderly footsteps sounded outside. The Crown Prince's expression changed as he recognized the distinctive gait of the Imperial Guards.

"His Majesty's personal guards?" The Crown Prince frowned, suddenly realizing something. "Ning Feng, you..."

Ning Feng elegantly straightened her clothes: "Your Highness, you're half right. I did intend to lure you here, but not to deal with you."

The commander of the Imperial Guards led his men into the ancient temple, kneeling on one knee: "By His Majesty's decree, the Crown Prince has colluded with rebels and intends to commit treason; he is to be arrested immediately!"

The Crown Prince coldly looked at Ning Feng: "You had prepared this secret report long ago, just waiting for me to fall into your trap?"

"Your Highness is wise." Ning Feng raised her chin. "Tell me, what would His Majesty think when he sees the Crown Prince leading troops to surround an ancient temple on the outskirts of the city in the dead of night, intending to assassinate the Holy Maiden?"

"You..." The crown prince gripped his sword tightly, "I did it to save people!"

"Unfortunately, those present now will only prove your intention to assassinate the Holy Maiden." Ning Feng looked around; the men in black had vanished sometime earlier. "As for the High Priest..."

She turned to look at the high priest, who was protecting Xiao Qin with a solemn expression.

"High Priest, you should understand that if you don't want anything to happen to the other disciples in the temple, you'd better cooperate." Ning Feng's voice was still gentle, but it carried an undeniable threat.

Looking at the situation before him, the Crown Prince understood immediately. This wasn't a rescue at all; it was clearly a trap set by Ning Feng, waiting for him to fall into it. And he had indeed fallen for it.

"Take them away!" the Imperial Guard commander ordered.

"Wait!" the high priest suddenly spoke up. "I can testify that His Highness the Crown Prince has indeed come to save my disciple."

Ning Feng chuckled lightly: "High Priest, are you sure you want to say that?"

"With the evidence you have now, it is not enough to convict the Crown Prince." The High Priest said calmly.

"Is that so?" Ning Feng slowly took out a secret letter from her sleeve. "Then how do you explain this correspondence between the Crown Prince and the rebels in the Northern Border?"

"Absurd!" the Crown Prince shouted. "This is clearly a forgery! When have I ever had any dealings with the rebels in the North?"

Ning Feng toyed with the letter in her hand, a mocking look in her eyes: "Does Your Highness think it's still meaningful to say these things now?"

She turned to the commander of the Imperial Guards: "This letter was found by me in the Crown Prince's residence. His Majesty has already seen it, which is why he sent you to arrest the person."

"If you're determined to find fault, you'll always find a pretext," the Crown Prince sneered. "Ning Feng, you underestimate your father. Do you think he'd believe such a clumsy trick?"

"Whether you're gullible or not, Your Highness will soon find out," Ning Feng smiled slightly. "Take him away."

The Imperial Guards stepped forward, but the Crown Prince remained fearless, straightening his back: "I'd like to see what crimes you can fabricate."

"Your Highness!" the high priest suddenly cried out, "Do not act rashly!"

Ning Feng gave the High Priest a meaningful look: "The High Priest is right. Your Highness should return to the palace first and explain to His Majesty in person."

At this moment, a troop of imperial guards had completely surrounded the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince looked around, knowing he would have no chance of escape tonight. But before leaving, he stared intently at Ning Feng: "I will definitely find out the truth."

Ning Feng remained noncommittal, simply saying, "Your Highness, please proceed. However..." Her gaze swept over the High Priest and Xiao Qin, "I hope Your Highness will consider this carefully; some lives cannot withstand your recklessness."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince stiffened. He understood the threat in Ning Feng's words, but ultimately said nothing more, allowing the Imperial Guards to escort him away from the ancient temple.

After the Crown Prince left, Ning Feng turned to the High Priest: "High Priest, you should be glad that your behavior tonight was quite wise."

The high priest, holding Xiao Qin, gave Ning Feng a deep look: "Holy Maiden, aren't you afraid of incurring public wrath by acting this way?"

"Public outrage?" Ning Feng chuckled. "High Priest, you overestimate your influence. Besides..." She paused meaningfully, "Some things should have been settled long ago."