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

Ning Feng gracefully entered the imperial study, bowed slightly, and said, "Your Majesty."

The emperor, with his back to her, asked calmly, "What brings the Holy Maiden here so late at night?"

"I've heard that His Majesty has recently sent people to investigate the Crown Prince's case?" Ning Feng said with a faint smile.

The emperor turned around, his gaze sharp: "What, does the Holy Maiden think we shouldn't investigate?"

"I wouldn't dare," Ning Feng stepped forward slowly. "It's just that I'm worried that investigating further might only alert the enemy. Those who should be caught might not be caught, and those who should be killed might not be killed."

"Oh?" the emperor sneered. "Does the Holy Maiden mean she has already discovered something?"

Ning Feng took out a letter from her sleeve: "Your Majesty, please read this."

The emperor took the letter and unfolded it, his expression changing drastically. The letter detailed the Crown Prince's communication plan with the northern rebels, even specifying the exact time and place.

"This is......"

“Your Majesty,” Ning Feng said, “this is a secret report I just received today. Although the Crown Prince is under house arrest, his remaining followers are still active. If we don’t deal with them quickly…”

"Enough!" The emperor slammed the letter heavily on the table. "Ning Feng, do you really think I know nothing?"

Ning Feng's expression remained unchanged: "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

"Stop pretending!" the emperor said coldly. "You plotted to frame the crown prince and attempted to seize military power—weren't these your doing?"

"Heh..." Ning Feng suddenly laughed. "Since Your Majesty already knows, then this humble woman will no longer pretend." She raised her head, her eyes flashing with cold light. "But does Your Majesty think there's any point in saying all this now?"

"You..." The emperor was about to get angry when he suddenly felt dizzy and his body went limp, causing him to slump onto the dragon throne.

"Your Majesty?" Ning Feng stepped forward slowly, her tone teasing. "What's wrong?"

The emperor tried to rebuke her, but found himself utterly powerless. He stared intently at Ning Feng: "You... what have you done to me?"

“It’s nothing,” Ning Feng said, gently fiddling with her sleeve. “I just added a little something to His Majesty’s ginseng soup today.” She leaned closer to the emperor. “It’s a unique Gu poison from Nanzhao. Those who are poisoned will be paralyzed, but will not die immediately.”

"How dare you..." the emperor said with difficulty.

“Your Majesty, rest assured,” Ning Feng said gracefully, adjusting her clothes, “I will not let you die. After all, I still need you as a puppet to pave the way for my grand plan.”

The emperor's eyes were filled with rage, yet he could no longer even move a finger.

"Your Majesty, please rest well." Ning Feng turned and walked out. "From now on, I will leave the management of the court to you."

She walked to the door, then turned back and added, "By the way, don't worry, I will take good care of the Crown Prince."

The atmosphere at the morning court assembly was unusually heavy. The main hall was filled with whispers, and the civil and military officials stood on both sides, exchanging worried glances from time to time.

"My lords," Ning Feng said calmly, seated beneath the throne, "His Majesty is unwell and temporarily unable to govern. The affairs of Nanzhao cannot be delayed; I urge all ministers to continue serving the country."

“Your Highness,” Minister of War Zhao Wuji stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting, “when will His Majesty recover?”

Ning Feng gently shook her head: "The imperial physician said I need recuperation, but the exact time is still unknown." She paused, "Right now, there are many matters to attend to in the court, and we need the concerted efforts of all the ministers."

Just then, High Priest Yingyang stepped out from the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, you are mistaken."

Ning Feng narrowed her eyes: "What advice does the High Priest have?"

"His Majesty is ill, and the court cannot be without a ruler for even a day." The High Priest surveyed the assembled officials. "According to ancestral tradition, a prince should temporarily assume the reins of government. The Third Prince has reached adulthood and is perfectly suited to shoulder this responsibility."

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion among the court officials. Ning Feng gripped the thumb ring tightly, but her expression remained impassive: "The High Priest is right. However, the Third Prince is still too young; I fear he is ill-suited for such a great responsibility."

“Precisely because you are young, you need to gain more experience,” the High Priest insisted. “Furthermore, with us veteran ministers assisting you, there should be no mistakes.”

Ning Feng coldly looked at the High Priest: "The High Priest's concern for the Third Prince deeply moves me. However..." She stood up, "His Majesty has already issued an edict, appointing me to temporarily handle state affairs. Is the High Priest questioning His Majesty's decision?"

“Your Excellency is mistaken,” the High Priest said neither servilely nor arrogantly. “This old minister is merely acting in accordance with ancestral rules. If Your Excellency insists on acting as regent, I fear it will dishearten the court officials.”

The atmosphere in the hall immediately became tense. The assembled officials held their breath, watching this tense standoff unfold.

"Heh." Ning Feng suddenly laughed. "Since the High Priest says so, then this Holy Maiden shall ask the ministers present: who do you think should temporarily assume the reins of government?"

The ministers looked at each other, none daring to speak first.

At that moment, Minister Du stepped forward and said, "I believe that we should follow His Majesty's decree and allow Her Highness the Holy Maiden to temporarily handle state affairs."

"I second that proposal," several of Ning Feng's trusted ministers chimed in.

The High Priest observed all this coldly and slowly said, "It seems this old minister has worried unnecessarily. Since all the ministers support the Holy Maiden, then this old minister will say no more."

“Thank you for your understanding, High Priest.” Ning Feng smiled faintly. “Then please return to the palace to pray for His Majesty.”

The high priest gave Ning Feng a deep look, then turned and left. Ning Feng watched his retreating figure, her eyes flashing with cold light. She knew that this old fox wouldn't give up so easily.

Sure enough, that evening, Ning Feng received news that the High Priest had gone to the palace to visit the Emperor.

As the palace lanterns were lit, the high priest, led by a group of guards, entered the bedchamber. The bedchamber was unusually quiet, save for the hushed whispers of a few imperial physicians.

"How is His Majesty?" the high priest asked the imperial physician who was guarding the door.

The imperial physician hesitated for a moment, then said, "High Priest, His Majesty... His Majesty is completely limp and unable to speak."

The high priest frowned. "Let me in and take a look."

"This..." The imperial physician glanced hesitantly at the hall, "Her Highness the Holy Maiden has ordered that no one..."

"What?" the high priest interrupted coldly, "Even I am not allowed to visit His Majesty?"

Just then, Ning Feng's voice came from inside the hall: "High Priest, please come in."

The high priest entered the inner hall and saw the emperor lying on his dragon bed, his face pale and his eyes closed. Ning Feng sat beside him, peeling an apple.

"Your Majesty, what is this...?" The High Priest stepped forward quickly.

"Don't waste your energy." Ning Feng didn't even look up. "His Majesty can't hear or speak right now."

The high priest whirled around: "What did you do to His Majesty?"

"What have I done?" Ning Feng placed the apple on the table. "His Majesty clearly fell ill suddenly, so why is the High Priest trying to smear me?"

"Ning Feng!" the High Priest roared, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. Today in court, you targeted the Third Prince at every turn, and now..."

“High Priest,” Ning Feng interrupted him, “are you accusing me, the Holy Maiden, of plotting to murder the King?” She stood up, her eyes icy. “Do you have any evidence?”

The high priest stared intently at her: "You..."

“Slander without evidence is slander.” Ning Feng stepped forward slowly. “The High Priest is getting on in years and should rest. Why must he interfere in court affairs?”

"Are you threatening me?"