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

The princess's assertiveness these past two days has probably already caught that person's attention.

"I understand!" Nangong Wu sneered inwardly.

Since they're after her, she'll stir up trouble in Kyoto and see how many big fish she can catch.

Not long after Li Feng left, Granny Feng returned, having changed into a silk dress she used to wear, and her complexion was not good.

"Princess, the stewards say they only recognize Nangong Qi as their master. Also, Eunuch Hu from His Majesty's side just arrived, conveying His Majesty's decree that you come to the palace..."

"Very good." Nangong Wu stood up.

It seems the Zhou and Liu families have entered the palace! Perhaps the Zhou family's case is so serious that even the emperor knows about it.

"Li'an, you and the nanny stay here and make sure to protect the two children. Li Shuang, come with me to the palace."

She couldn't send the two children into the space in front of them; they had to stay in the Prince's mansion for the time being.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness! I will definitely protect the two young masters," Li An said solemnly.

"Princess, I'll go prepare the carriage first." Li Shuang wanted to leave first.

Nangong Wu hurriedly called to her, "Go to the right side room and bring Qiao Yuan into the palace as well."

It's time to put this servant girl to good use!

Li Shuang was puzzled. Wasn't Qiao Yuan supposed to be staying at the dilapidated Hongyun Courtyard in the Zhou family? When did the princess bring her here?

But she didn't ask any more questions. She went to the right side room and carried away Qiao Yuan, who was still unconscious.

Nangong Wu covered her face with a veil and slowly walked towards the gate of the mansion.

She thought about the emperor she was about to meet. Since the original owner's parents died, the emperor had never inquired about her, and he couldn't believe that he didn't know what she had suffered in the Zhou family.

As they walked out of the palace gate, they saw the carriage they had ridden back that day already waiting outside.

This time, the driver was another Flying Feather Guard, and Li Shuang stood beside the carriage.

Upon seeing her emerge, the Flying Feather Guard hurriedly bowed and said, "Your subordinate, Li Cheng, greets the Princess!"

"No need for formalities." Nangong Wu nodded to him. "Let's go!"

"Princess, don't worry, Li Feng has already sent someone to find a wet nurse, so the two young masters won't go hungry," Li Shuang whispered to her as she helped her into the carriage.

"Mmm." Nangong Wu gave a soft "Mmm" and entered the carriage.

Fortunately, she had these loyal Flying Feather Guards; otherwise, she alone would have found it difficult to cope with the current predicament.

Qiao Yuan was found lying in a corner of the carriage, with a thick blanket still laid out in the middle.

The Prince's mansion is very large, and I was a little tired after walking out of Zuimei Courtyard.

She lay down to rest, knowing she would have a verbal battle to fight before entering the palace, so she needed to be well-rested.

"Princess, our people have received news that Zhou Zheng and his son, as well as Nangong Qi and Liu Zhizhen and his daughter, have all entered the palace, possibly because of what happened at the Duke of Wei's mansion. You must be careful!" Li Cheng said to her through the carriage curtain.

"I understand!" Nangong Wu sneered inwardly.

The Zhou family and Liu Yue'er did so many evil things to the original owner, yet they still had the nerve to go to the palace to see the emperor.

Did they give the emperor some kind of benefit?

The wheels rolled on, heading towards the palace.

Nangong Wu was thinking about the current situation in the imperial court.

The emperor had eight sons and three daughters. The crown prince born to the empress died young. There are now four adult princes, three of whom come from powerful maternal families.

The second, third, and fourth princes are all around the same age and have powerful backers, all eyeing the dragon throne covetously.

Perhaps, she could use the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince to suppress the Second Prince.

In any case, we'll see how things go after we meet the emperor.

The carriage traveled for about 15 minutes before stopping at the majestic palace gate.

After getting off the carriage, Nangong Wu instructed Li Cheng, "Wake that woman up and wait here. We might need her later."

"Understood!" Li Cheng replied.

Nangong Wu walked towards the palace, took out her token, and gave it to the imperial guards at the gate.

After checking the token and confirming its authenticity, the Imperial Guards returned it to her. "Princess Runing, His Majesty is in the Council Hall and requests that you go directly there!"

Nangong Wu nodded slightly, put away the token, and walked into the palace.

The Hall of State Affairs.

Zhou Zhenghe, Zhou Shaorong with his injured arm, Liu Zhizhen, the Minister of War, Liu Yue'er with her face wrapped in thick gauze, and Nangong Qi were also present.

"Princess Runing has arrived!" a high-pitched announcement rang out.

As Nangong Wu entered the main hall, she was met with several murderous gazes.

She ignored him and saw Emperor Mingde on the high seat, dressed in a dragon robe, with a dignified appearance, a short beard, sharp eyes, and an imposing presence.

"Ru Ning greets her Imperial Uncle!"

Following the palace etiquette and rules learned by the original owner, Nangong Wu bowed to the emperor.

"Ru Ning has arrived!" The emperor's majestic voice echoed from the imperial platform.

Nangong Wu removed her veil and knelt down, her voice choked with sobs, "It's because Runing is useless. Since Father passed away, I haven't been able to come to the palace to visit you."

"Your face..." The emperor saw the scar on her cheek and walked down the steps in shock to help her up.

Seeing her frail body, his face darkened. "It's because I haven't cared enough for you; you've suffered!"

These words caused everyone present to change their expressions.

Nangong Wu listened to the emperor's words, which suggests that he still had some pity for the original owner of the body and might be able to solve the problem through his help.

"Nangong Wu, you're pretending..." Liu Yue'er was about to speak when Liu Zhizhen stopped her and pulled her down to kneel down as well.

"Your Majesty! You must do justice for me!"

"Your Majesty, my face was slashed by Nangong Wu, and one of my ears was cut off. I'm afraid I'll never be able to face anyone again. Please, do me justice!" Liu Yue'er cried as she spoke.

The emperor had no choice but to ask Nangong Wu, "Runing, were you really responsible for the injuries to Zhou Shaorong and Liu Yue'er?"

"I did it!" Nangong Wu didn't deny it, pointing to her face. "Uncle, look at the scars on my face, it was Liu Yue'er who scratched me. Do you think I should have taken her life?"

"Really?" The emperor's reproach vanished instantly. "How dare she, the daughter of a mere minister?"

Liu Yue'er shrank back in fright. "Your Majesty, I did not. She has slandered me. I beg you to investigate thoroughly."

Zhou Shaorong also knelt down. Because his mouth was still swollen, he spoke with a slight lisp. "Your Majesty! Yue'er is kind-hearted and would never do anything to hurt anyone."

However, Nangong Wu, relying on the Flying Feather Guards, caused a scene at my wedding with Yue'er yesterday, even tearing off Yue'er's wedding dress and slashing her face.

That evening, she ordered the Flying Feather Guards to steal everything from the treasury of my humble residence. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and seek justice for me.

"Very well!" The emperor's face darkened with anger. "Then I will thoroughly investigate today and see who is lying."

"Ru Ning, you go first. You were perfectly fine before you married into the Zhou family, how did you become like this?"

"Uncle, Zhou Shaorong doesn't like me at all. The person he likes is this Liu Yue'er. He only married me for my dowry."

To seize my dowry, they hired someone to ruin my reputation, using this as a pretext to imprison me, demote me to a concubine, and give the position of principal wife to Liu Yue'er..."

"You're talking nonsense!" Zhou Shaorong coldly interrupted Nangong Wu's complaint, grabbing her wrist with his good left hand, his eyes flashing with malice. "Nangong Wu, if you don't want to be divorced by me, you'd better be in front of His Majesty..."

"Damn it! How dare you?" The emperor was so angry that he kicked him when he saw that he dared to threaten Nangong Wu to her face.