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

The night deepened, and a few dark clouds obscured the starlight, shrouding the Anning Princess's residence in a deathly silence. Ning Feng's figure, like a ghost, silently moved through the darkness and left the princess's residence.

As soon as she stepped out of the mansion, Xiao Cui immediately came to greet her, her tone tinged with worry: "Holy Maiden, it's so late, why are you only coming out now? Have you... finished everything?"

Ning Feng stopped and glanced at Xiao Cui, a hint of impatience flashing in her eyes. "She's still as naive as ever, easily fooled by a casual promise."

"A vow? Holy Maiden, you made a vow?" Xiao Cui's voice suddenly became somewhat impatient.

Seeing that Ning Feng's expression was not good, Xiao Cui did not dare to ask any more questions and just silently followed behind her.

The two walked to a secluded corner, where Ning Feng stopped, turned around to look at Xiao Cui, and asked in an icy tone, "What...did you just say?"

Xiao Cui was startled by Ning Feng's imposing manner. She quickly lowered her head and cautiously repeated, "Holy Maiden, this servant... this servant was just worried about you..."

Ning Feng sneered and said, "Worried about me? Are you worried that I'll be fooled by that idiot Xiao Sining?"

Xiao Cui didn't dare to speak, but just lowered her head and listened silently.

“She’s nothing more than a stray dog ​​now, a helpless princess of a fallen kingdom,” Ning Feng said with disdain. “Who else can she rely on besides me? Who else can she trust besides me?”

Xiao Cui looked up at Ning Feng, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "But Holy Maiden, why...why did you make such a solemn oath just now to gain her trust? What if..."

“What if what?” Ning Feng interrupted Xiao Cui, her tone laced with sarcasm. “What if the oath comes true? You’re too naive. If oaths really could come true, would there still be so many unfaithful men in this world?” She sneered and continued, “It was just… a casual remark. Whether she believes it or not is irrelevant. The important thing is that she… has already fallen into my trap.”

Xiao Cui looked at Ning Feng with a sense of awe. She knew that the Holy Maiden was a woman of deep thoughts and ruthless methods, far beyond her comprehension.

"The Holy Maiden is wise," Xiao Cui said respectfully, bowing her head.

A smug smile crept onto Ning Feng's lips. She knew her plan was halfway to success. Now, she just had to wait and see the show.

"Let's go," Ning Feng turned and continued walking forward, her tone carrying a hint of impatience, "back to the manor."

Xiao Cui quickly followed, her mind still filled with doubt. She couldn't understand why the Holy Maiden would go to such lengths to deal with Murong Xuewei. Could it be... simply because she was the Empress of Great Qi, and killing her would disrupt the morale of the Great Qi army?

Or rather, what deeper reason is hidden behind this?

Xiao Cui dared not think too much; she knew that some things were beyond her control. She only needed to do her duty and obey the Holy Maiden's orders.

On a spring morning, sunlight streamed through the window lattices into Fengyi Palace, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of plum blossoms.

Liuli was carefully doing Murong Xuewei's hair and makeup. The comb in her hand moved through Murong Xuewei's long, flowing hair, making a soft rustling sound.

"Your Highness, would you like to wear a hairpin or a hair ornament today? How about this hairpin? It will make your complexion look rosy," Liuli said softly as she combed her hair. She had chosen an exquisite jade hairpin, intending to style Murong Xuewei's hair into an elegant updo.

Murong Xuewei looked at her slightly pale face in the mirror and gently shook her head. "No need, Liuli, just a quick comb will do. Today we're going to distribute porridge, not to attend a banquet, no need for such formalities." Her voice was soft, tinged with weariness. The toil and worry of the past few days had left her physically and mentally exhausted.

Liuli looked at Murong Xuewei, her eyes filled with worry. "Your Majesty, are you really going? This servant... this servant is worried that Xiao Sining might harm you." She hesitated for a moment before finally voicing her concerns. Xiao Sining's recent unusual behavior made her uneasy.

A cold glint flashed in Murong Xuewei's eyes. She knew Liuli's concerns were not unfounded. There had never been true peace between Xiao Sining and her. Moreover, with Gu Ye absent from court for an extended period and the political situation in turmoil, Xiao Sining's choice to approach her at this time must have ulterior motives.

“I know,” Murong Xuewei said firmly, looking at Liuli, “but I cannot refuse to go. Distributing porridge to relieve the people is a good thing, and as the Empress, I should set an example. Moreover…” She paused, a complex light flashing in her eyes, “I also want to see what tricks Xiao Sining is up to.”

Seeing the resolute look in Murong Xuewei's eyes, Liuli knew that further persuasion would be futile. She could only silently pray that the Empress would be safe and sound.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Liuli replied respectfully, bowing her head. She simply tied up Murong Xuewei's hair, securing it with a plain jade hairpin, and then helped her change into a simple dress.

Murong Xuewei looked at her plain reflection in the mirror and sighed softly. She knew that her trip today might... be a trap.

But she had to go; she wanted to see what Xiao Sining was up to.

“Let’s go,” Murong Xuewei stood up and said calmly, “to outside the city.”

Liuli quickly helped Murong Xuewei up and followed behind her as they walked out of Fengyi Palace.

Outside the city, the porridge distribution sheds had already been set up, and the steaming pots of porridge emitted an enticing aroma, attracting many ragged people to gather there.

Xiao Sining, dressed in plain white, stood before the pavilion with a gentle smile on her face, like a compassionate bodhisattva. Seeing Murong Xuewei's phoenix carriage slowly approaching, she quickly went to greet it.

"Your Majesty the Empress, you have arrived." Xiao Sining curtsied respectfully.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding people also knelt down to pay their respects. "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!"

Murong Xuewei looked at the people kneeling on the ground, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that these people were forced to beg here because of the hardships of life.

As the empress, she could only do her meager best to provide them with a bowl of hot porridge.

"Everyone, please rise," Murong Xuewei said gently but firmly. "No need for formalities. Today, I am just an ordinary porridge distributor, just like everyone else, helping those in need."

The people were deeply moved by these words and stood up to look at Murong Xuewei with gratitude.

Xiao Sining watched this scene, a barely perceptible sneer flashing in her eyes. She walked to Murong Xuewei's side and said, "Her Majesty the Empress is truly compassionate, condescending to personally distribute porridge to the people. It's truly...admirable!"

Murong Xuewei glanced at Xiao Sining and said calmly, "Your Highness is too kind. Without the people, where would the Great Qi be? As the Empress, it is only right that I do things for the people."

Xiao Si Ning's face was once again filled with smiles. She took Murong Xue Wei's hand and said affectionately, "Your Majesty the Empress is truly wise and righteous. This humble woman... is ashamed of my inferiority."

Murong Xuewei calmly withdrew her hand and said in a composed tone, "Princess, there's no need to be so polite. Let's start serving the porridge and not keep the people waiting any longer."

Xiao Sining nodded, then turned to the palace maids and guards behind her and instructed, "Let's begin."