Although the court and the martial sects have claimed to have nothing to do with each other, but how could that truly be possible,so the news quickly reached the ears of the highest ranked ministers, as well as the emperor.

"HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? " the new emperor roared, looking at the eunuch who informed him; as if he wanted to eat him at that moment.

The eunuch's already bent back seemed to get even lower to the ground, however as he bowed down trembling, he still forced himself to repeat the words he had just spoke.

"Your majesty, the spy reported that the Heavenly sect was massacred around three days ago. The only survivors were those that weren't there at the time".

The emperor, who had only just sat on the throne, lost an entire secretly cultivated force. No one knew that he was the one who had invested so much into the dying sect, helped it rise back into the ranks of a strong martial sect. He had used them to get rid of countless troublesome threats, many of which he feared because of their inhuman strength.

He wasn't an idiot. He had many ambitions to truly unify the empire, solely under his control, and the martial sects were one of them. He had spent over a decade dealing with the old hermits that trained in seclusion, as well as placing inconspicuous people among the ranks of many sects.

He wanted to use the Heavenly sect to slowly take control, but now he hears that all his efforts in that direction have been wasted. How could he not be furious?

The new emperor sat listlessly in his study, falling into a rare daze. He didn't need to think about the culprit. He had sent a few waves towards the last remaining daughter of the Dren family. Her death brought too many benefits, and letting her live was always a thorn in his side.

Firstly, she is far too powerful, individually. Such strength has already made him fearful. Secondly, the Dren family had many contacts, some were exiled, others quickly hunkered down in the officialdom, choosing to protect themselves, but they can still be used by her. The last is the Northern army. Although his father's loyal general took up its command after the Dren family's execution, but the army's loyalty to the last Dren general is far deeper than they show. If given the chance to rise up and rebel with her, majority of the army would follow without hesitation.

Now he lost the best weapon he can use to get rid of her, and she managed to do it herself.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"What sorcery did the Dren family use to create that infallible creature?" the new emperor sneered as he spoke.

The eunuch that was still bowing on his hands and knees, dared not speak. He knew that the emperors words were rhetorical. He simply tried to make himself as ignorable as possible, hoping not to suffer the emperors ire.

Of course if the emperor and the ministers heard the news, then the Princess could not be in the dark about the situation.

The princess was busy adding the last strokes to the new painting. She had asked one to describe Siraya's appearance, and although one wanted to embellish some parts; under the princess's solemn gaze, she honestly explained.

Now on the painting in front of her is a much different Siraya than she has ever known. She looked towards one who was standing beside her, asking her opinion about the likeness.

One quickly replied "It's about the same, your highness".

The princess didn't show any expression on her face, calmly saying "Well. Your injuries have yet to heal, go down and rest. There's no important matters for the time being, so make sure that you're fully healed before returning".

One could only accept the princess's proposal, flashing away at a much slower pace than normal.

The princess looked down at the painting in front of her. Seeing the woman she loved, taking on such an appearance tormented her, like a burning knife gouging at her heart, over and over.

How she wished to be by Siraya's side, to hold her, to comfort her, to whisper in her ears that "everything was alright" and "I'll always be there, as your personal shoulder to cry on".

But she knew that if any of those ministers, or her "dear" brothers figured out their relationship, she could easily be used as a weakness for Siraya. She would never allow herself to become Siraya's weakness, but the burning rage she felt was going to drive her mad.

Her eyes at this time were surprisingly consistent with the haggard woman in the painting. She couldn't let them go. Although she was weak in power, her network was not for nothing.

So a new problem arose in the capital. Rumours spread out seemingly in all directions, yet the source could never seem to be found. The rumours were all about the ministers that involved themselves with the former emperors scheme against the Dren family.

The princess didn't think of having the common people deal with them, they were just the push she needed. Public opinion has always been extremely important, after all, when dissatisfaction reaches many people, they can be known to use extreme methods. So the court takes quite a bit effort to maintain the stability of the lower class.

However it can also be used as a convenient tool in the hands of a political opponent, which is what the Princess wants. She spread some of the heinous crimes that those ministers' families had committed, including kidnapping, rape, murder. It isn't hard to find the crimes, after all, no one at their level is innocent.

She knew that these were not enough to have other ministers move, so she discreetly sent evidence of the major crimes that the emperor couldn't accept to the mansions of those who opposed the ministers.

All she needed to do now, was sit back and watch both sides fight each other. She didn't care who won, as long as they damaged each other's foundations, it would be much easier to clean them up once and for all, at a later date.