With a warehouse full of supplies, I stood alone as king in this chaotic world, gun in hand.

"Uncle, you may not believe what I'm about to say, but that's the truth..."

Nangong Wu told him how Xuan Qingzi used magic to bind her fate and destiny with Zhou Shaorong, making her fall hopelessly in love with Zhou Shaorong, and how she was schemed against, used, and abused by the Zhou family.

"Uncle, it was only by chance that Runing survived. I met a master who helped me break the bond and escape the control of the Imperial Preceptor's evil magic, which made me realize my mistake and leave the Zhou family. Otherwise, I might still be imprisoned in the Zhou family now..."

As Nangong Wu finished speaking, she used a handkerchief to wipe away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes.

"The Imperial Advisor actually did these things to you?" Emperor Mingde was still somewhat incredulous. The Imperial Advisor didn't care about material possessions, so why would he use evil magic to harm people?

But then he felt that Nangong Wu had no reason to lie; as an orphan, she had no need to offend the Imperial Advisor.

"That's how it is. If you don't believe me, Uncle, you can send someone to investigate. After that expert helped me break the bond,..."

Unable to borrow my fortune, Zhou Shaorong reverted to his old sickly self, vomiting blood and fainting on the spot. The Imperial Advisor visited the Zhou family to examine Zhou Shaorong, and he regained consciousness.

What Nangong Wu said is true. As long as Emperor Mingde is willing to investigate, he will definitely be able to find out.

"I will definitely have someone investigate this matter." Emperor Mingde's gaze softened considerably.

"But the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion is closely related to the fate of the nation. No matter what the reason, you are guilty of bombing the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. However, considering that you helped me find corrupt officials and made great contributions, your merits and demerits will offset each other, and I will let you off this time."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Nangong Wu was surprised that Emperor Mingde did not punish her.

"May I ask, Uncle Emperor, did Xuan Qingzi come looking for you?"

"The Imperial Advisor didn't come. It was his eldest disciple who came to me and said that you blew up the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion and injured the Imperial Advisor." Emperor Mingde glared at her.

"Ru Ning, before his death, my uncle asked me to take good care of you, but you still got into trouble with the Zhou family. I feel guilty towards you."

As you know, I am the ruler of a country, and I have too many things to consider. You should be more restrained in your actions in the future. Or, if there is anything you need, you can tell me first. Don't do anything that puts me in a difficult position again.

Nangong Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was fortunate that he had asked about the situation first instead of blindly trusting the imperial advisor. Otherwise, his reign would have come to an end.

"I'm sorry to have worried you."

"I summoned you to the palace today not only for the matter of the Imperial Preceptor, but also for something else I want you to do for me..." Emperor Mingde suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Go and execute the Ming family for me."

Nangong Wu was shocked. "You're going to execute the Ming family?"

"Hmm." Emperor Mingde's face darkened again when he mentioned the Ming family. "The Ming family has been abusing their power by relying on the Empress Dowager. They have done nothing but committed many evil deeds. They are a bunch of parasites in the Western Yan Kingdom."

I originally intended to use the investigation of the national treasury as a pretext to eliminate the Ming family, but the Empress Dowager forced me to go on a hunger strike, so I had no choice but to release them first.

Hearing him say that he wanted to get rid of the Ming family should have been a happy thing, but Nangong Wu felt that it was a huge trap.

As an emperor, he has many ways to kill people, and he also has a "Shadow Blade" secret guard. Why would he need her to take action to kill a mere member of the Ming family?

Her brain went into overdrive, racing through a multitude of possibilities.

If she were to destroy the Ming family, the Empress Dowager would surely send people to investigate and force Emperor Mingde to give her an explanation.

At that time, will Emperor Mingde push her out and make her a scapegoat?

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

This is a huge pit; you absolutely must not jump in.

As for the Ming family, she wanted them dead, but she couldn't let Emperor Mingde have any leverage over them.

Emperor Mingde looked at her shifty eyes as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Don't overthink it. I just want to use the explosives you have to get rid of the Ming family. If I have someone else do it, the Empress Dowager will definitely suspect me first."

"So, you want to blow up the Ming Mansion with explosives, and then pin all the blame on the Snake Spirit Society?" Nangong Wu understood Emperor Mingde's intention. That way, even if the Empress Dowager had doubts, she couldn't blame him.

The emperor's scheme of using someone else to do his dirty work was truly masterful.

Emperor Mingde remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement, but his expression became somewhat unnatural as his thoughts were revealed to his face.

Nangong Wu shook her head. "No, if I do it, what if you discard me after you've served your purpose?"

"You silly girl, can't you speak more tactfully? Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Emperor Mingde glared at her again.

"Tch!" Nangong Wu scoffed inwardly, rolling her eyes inwardly. How many times throughout history have emperors discarded their useful tools after they had served their purpose?

"As long as you help me eliminate the Ming family, I will suppress the matter of the Imperial Preceptor. If it is true that the Imperial Preceptor used evil magic to borrow life, I will go against the will of the world to seek justice for you," Emperor Mingde promised.

"With you saying so, then I'll take the job." Nangong Wu agreed, "I'll get started tonight."

Even if we fall into a trap, we're not afraid. We'll wipe out the Ming family first.

"Ru Ning, I know what you're thinking. I also know that you've done a lot recently, but you haven't done anything to harm the Western Yan Kingdom. On the contrary, you've helped me get rid of those corrupt officials and scoundrels in the court, and solved my most troublesome problem." Emperor Mingde looked at her with a meaningful gaze.

"With you here, the Western Yan Kingdom will recover."

"I only want Xuan Qingzi's life." Since he had already said so much, Nangong Wu made her request.

Anyone can say nice things.

"I will have someone investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is true, I will stand by what I said before." Emperor Mingde finished speaking and waved his hand at her. "Go! I will await your news tonight."

"Ru Ning takes his leave."

When Nangong Wu left the palace, it was already quite late.

"Your Highness!" Li Zhan came forward and, seeing that she was alright, finally felt relieved.

"I'm fine." Nangong Wu walked towards the carriage.

Upon returning to the Prince's residence, they saw Bei Chenyan standing outside the gate, as if waiting for something.

"Why are you standing here?" Nangong Wu asked him.

Bei Chenyan looked her up and down. "I just got back too. I heard you went to the palace, and I was just about to go pick you up."

"The situation has changed. Let's go inside the manor and talk." Nangong Wu stepped into the manor.

On her way back to Zuimei Courtyard, she recounted her conversation with Emperor Mingde to him.

Bei Chenyan was also surprised after hearing this, "Emperor Mingde actually wants you to eliminate the Ming family?"

"Okay." Nangong Wu nodded. "We'll make our move tonight. First, we'll eliminate the Ming family, then we'll leave the city. Withdraw all your men back to the capital to help protect the Prince's Mansion."

"Okay, I'll go now." Bei Chenyan turned and left the palace again, knowing that she had a secret she didn't want anyone to know.