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

"But what?" Ning Feng's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty. "My dear sister, I understand men better than you do. Men all like gentle and kind women, and what do you have besides your background and beauty?" She paused, then continued, "Moreover, you should know your current situation better than I do."

Xiao Sining's body trembled slightly. Ning Feng's words were like a sharp needle, piercing her sore spot.

Although she now holds the title of princess, she is well past marriageable age and no one is interested in her. This is simply because she is a princess of a former dynasty, a princess of a fallen kingdom.

"What...what do you mean?" Xiao Sining's voice trembled slightly.

“My meaning is very clear,” Ning Feng said with a hint of pity in her voice. “You are no longer the second princess of the Taichu Kingdom. You are just a helpless princess of a fallen kingdom. Even if you hold the title of princess, who will marry you except Gu Ye?” She paused and continued, “If you don’t seize this opportunity, you may… never be able to get married again.”

Xiao Sining's face grew even paler. She bit her lip tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh. She knew Ning Feng was telling the truth. She had no other choice now.

"You...you can really help me get Gu Ye?" She raised her head, looking at Ning Feng with a hint of hope and a hint of despair in her eyes.

Ning Feng's lips curled into a smug smile once more. She knew she had successfully persuaded Xiao Si Ning.

“Of course,” her voice was gentle and seductive, “as long as you help me get rid of Murong Xuewei, I can help you get Gu Ye and become the Empress of Daqi.”

She paused, then continued, "Just imagine, at that time, you will be the most honored woman in the Great Qi, second only to the emperor, above all others. You can get whatever you want..."

Ning Feng's voice grew lower and softer, yet it lingered in Xiao Si Ning's ears like a spell, constantly tempting her and eroding her reason.

After Ning Feng left, Xiao Si Ning paced restlessly in her room, unable to sleep all night.

Xiao Sining tossed and turned in bed. The candle that had burned all night went out, and the morning light streaming through the window reflected the uncertain expression on her face.

Ning Feng's words were like a venomous snake, coiling around her heart and gnawing at her pride and reason.

Power, status, love... these things that were once within her reach are now out of reach.

She was unwilling to remain unknown and forgotten, a princess of a fallen kingdom. She longed for Gu Ye's love and to stand once again at the pinnacle of power.

"I can't lose to her!" Xiao Sining suddenly stopped, a ruthless glint in her eyes. But the thought of harming Murong Xuewei made her hesitate. It wasn't out of soft-heartedness, but out of concern and fear.

At night, the hooting of owls came from outside the window. Xiao Sining walked to the window and gently pushed it open a crack. A man in black landed silently in the courtyard; it was Ning Feng's trusted confidant.

"Princess, the Holy Maiden requests your presence," the man in black said in a low voice.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Sining followed the man in black and left the princess's residence.

When Ning Feng appeared again, she was dressed in a magnificent gown, exuding elegance and grace that seemed out of place in the darkness of the night. "It seems the Second Princess has made up her mind?" Ning Feng asked with a smile, her eyes gleaming with an all-knowing light.

"I..." Xiao Sining hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't bring herself to say it.

Ning Feng seemed to see through her thoughts. She walked to her side, gently patted her shoulder, and said in a soft but cold tone, "Good sister, what are you still hesitating about? You should know better than me that you have no way out. In this world, only the strong can survive, and only the winners can have everything."

"Murong Xuewei is now the Empress of Daqi, showered with love and affection. And you? A princess of the previous dynasty, a county princess past marriageable age and ignored by everyone. Do you really think Gu Ye would care about you?"

Xiao Sining's face turned pale instantly. She bit her lip and remained silent.

Ning Feng continued, "I know you've admired Gu Ye for many years, but what about him? Has he ever even glanced at you? His heart is only for Murong Xuewei; in his eyes, you mean nothing."

"You...you shut up!" Xiao Sining suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with anger and resentment. "I won't lose to her!"

"Then what do you plan to do?" Ning Feng pressed. "Continue to swallow your anger and watch her and Gu Ye be affectionate and intimate, watch her give birth to a prince and become the empress?"

Xiao Sining's breathing became rapid, and she clenched her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her flesh.

Ning Feng looked at her, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "I can help you, help you get Gu Ye, and become the true Empress of Da Qi." She paused, her tone becoming even more seductive, "As long as you're willing, I can give you everything you want."

"What...what should I do?" Xiao Sining's voice trembled, a resolute glint in her eyes.

Ning Feng leaned close to her ear and whispered her plan. Xiao Si Ning listened, her expression constantly changing. Finally, she took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay, I promise you."

She knew she had embarked on a path of no return, but in order to win Gu Ye's love and to reclaim everything that belonged to her, she was willing to pay any price.

On a spring afternoon, sunlight streamed through the window lattices into Fengyi Palace, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Murong Xuewei, dressed in her empress's everyday attire, was bent over her desk, reviewing memorials. The recent instability in the court had exhausted her, and Gu Ye's deteriorating health only added to her worries. But she knew she couldn't collapse; she was the Empress of Daqi, Gu Ye's wife, and she had to shoulder this responsibility.

"Your Majesty the Empress, Princess Anning requests an audience." A maid's voice rang out from outside the hall.

Murong Xuewei paused slightly as she reviewed the memorials, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. Xiao Sining? What was she doing here? Since Gu Ye ascended the throne, Xiao Sining had kept a low profile, rarely appearing in public, let alone taking the initiative to come to the palace to request an audience.

Although Murong Xuewei was unwilling to see Xiao Sining, considering the undercurrents in the court and the public, she decided to see her anyway, thinking it was better to avoid trouble.

"Let her in."

A moment later, Xiao Sining gracefully entered Fengyi Palace. Today, she was dressed in a light purple dress, appearing exceptionally gentle and delicate, a stark contrast to her usual haughty demeanor.

"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress." Xiao Sining performed a standard court etiquette, her tone respectful.

"Princess, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat," Murong Xuewei said calmly, though her gaze held a hint of scrutiny.

Xiao Sining thanked the emperor and sat down, but did not speak. She simply lowered her head and twisted the handkerchief in her hand, seemingly a little nervous.

Murong Xuewei was not in a hurry. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and waited quietly for Xiao Sining to speak.

"Your Majesty," after a long while, Xiao Sining finally raised her head and looked at Murong Xuewei, her eyes filled with an unfathomable emotion, "This humble woman...this humble woman has come today to...to apologize to Your Majesty."

Please excuse me?

Murong Xuewei sneered inwardly. What crime could Xiao Sining possibly commit against her? They had been rivals from the very beginning, vying for the love of the same man.

"Oh?" Murong Xuewei raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with sarcasm. "What crime has the princess committed?"