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

"I want Daddy too!" Nangong Xi ran over and hugged Bei Chenyan's leg, her little mouth pouting as she started to cry, "I want Daddy, and I want Mommy too..."

Although Nangong Yu did not speak, he held Bei Chenyan tightly around the waist.

"Xi'er, don't cry." Bei Chenyan hugged the three children, his eyes also moist.

At that moment, he felt that even losing everything would be worthwhile.

Fortunately, he has been with us for more than four years, and the children are very close to him.

"Don't worry, Father will only be away for a while. He won't abandon you!"

His father wrote to him, instructing him to lead a royal envoy to celebrate the birthday of the Empress of Western Yan in the name of the Crown Prince, and to arrange a marriage between him and the royal family of Western Yan.

In his letter, Emperor Nanqi also said that Nangong Wu's weapons were too powerful, and that after he arrived in Xiyan, he must prepare generous gifts to visit the Zhenyuan Prince's Mansion, so that Nangong Wu would know that their Nanqi Kingdom would not be hostile to Xiyan, lest her cannons accidentally fall into their palace.

The implication is that the Southern Qi Emperor did not want to become the second emperor to be killed in an explosion.

"Alright, all of you go and write. Your grandfather and father have something to discuss." Huo Jing told the children to go and write.

"Go ahead and write! You must finish the task your father gave you today," Bei Chenyan coaxed the three children.

Nangong Xi gripped his hand tightly, "Father, how long will you be gone before you come back this time?"

"I'll be back soon. Father is just going on a long trip. I'll be back once I've finished my business and bring you gifts," Bei Chenyan said.

"Okay, it's a deal then." Nangong Xi let go of his hand only when she heard there was a gift.

Father always comes back from his trips, and he always brings them gifts. This time will be no different.

"It's a deal. Remember to write three hundred words today. If you do, Daddy will give you an extra gift," Bei Chenyan coaxed.

"We understand, we will definitely finish writing it."

The three children went back to writing.

"Your Highness, after the Empress's birthday celebration, I will return to Nanqi with the royal envoy and come back after dealing with matters there," Bei Chenyan said to Huo Jing.

His absence from the Southern Qi Kingdom for four years has given rise to inappropriate thoughts among some people, who want to re-establish his authority as crown prince.

"Although you've been with the children for several years, you've concealed your true identity from Wuwu, even your face is fake. When you tell the truth, Wuwu may not forgive you," Huo Jing said.

"If Nangong Wu refuses to forgive me, I will plead guilty to her with a bundle of thorns on my back." Bei Chenyan thought helplessly.

He had considered telling Nangong Wu everything, but he was afraid of being driven away by her, so he felt that staying with them like this was a good thing.

But now that things have come to this, he has to think about the future of his three children and fight for everything that is rightfully his.

His eyes were cold.

This time, he will no longer hold back, nor will he care about anything else.

Bei Chenyan left that afternoon.

Nangong Wu took her three children to see him off from the palace.

"Father!"

The three children held onto Bei Chenyan's hand tightly, reluctant to let him go.

Bei Chenyan and Nangong Wu had to coax the three children for a while before they finally let go.

"I'll be back in three months at most," Bei Chenyan said to Nangong Wu, then mounted his horse.

Goodbye, Father!

"Father is leaving. Remember to practice calligraphy and martial arts every day." Bei Chenyan gave the children a few more instructions, then spurred his horse and rode away.

The following morning, Nangong Wu went to the palace to see Emperor Mingde.

Just like last time, Emperor Mingde met her in the Imperial Study.

Nangong Wu looked at the door and sneered inwardly.

She had heard about everything that happened at yesterday's court meeting.

Knowing that her father and Nangong Xiao were hiding some things, but having people in the court who were close to her, Li Cheng had already told her everything.

Yu'er's title was revoked; the Crown Prince's men were used to replace Li Feng in an attempt to control the Zhenyuan Army; and taxes were increased by 30%.

She knew that the idea of ​​increasing taxes by 30% at once was Nangong Chengkun's.

Emperor Mingde became increasingly incompetent because of this crown prince. The visit of envoys from the three major and three minor countries made him arrogant and fearless.

The imperial edict, once posted yesterday, has already aroused dissatisfaction among the people of the city, sparking much discussion.

"Your Highness, you've arrived!" Eunuch Hu greeted her with a bow, his face beaming with his usual smile.

"Eunuch Hu," Nangong Wu called out, looking towards the door of the imperial study, "Is my royal uncle inside?"

"Yes, yes." Eunuch Hu hurriedly opened the door.

He had already received Emperor Mingde's instructions: if Nangong Wu arrived, let her come in directly.

Nangong Wu entered the imperial study and saw that Nangong Chengkun was also there. The two were talking about something when they saw someone come in and looked up.

Upon seeing that it was her, Nangong Chengkun stood aside.

"Ru Ning has arrived!" Emperor Mingde spoke first.

Nangong Wu stepped forward and bowed, "Ru Ning greets Imperial Uncle and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"No need for such formalities!" Emperor Mingde nodded to her.

"Sister Princess Runing, please sit down and let's talk!" Nangong Chengkun solicitously pulled out a chair for her.

"I won't sit," Nangong Wu shook her head, then looked at Emperor Mingde, "I wonder why my imperial uncle summoned Runing to the palace?"

"Runing! You should know that I have sent someone to replace Huo Lifeng in guarding Lindong Pass, right? This is an internal transfer within the Ministry of War, so don't overthink it." Emperor Mingde said with a smile.

"Ru Ning didn't think much of it. Matters in the court are left to my uncle, the Emperor, to decide," Nangong Wu thought with a cold smile.

Replacing her people with the Crown Prince's people and telling her not to overthink it? Does he think she's brain-dead?!

Now that the world is at peace and all the countries have come to pay tribute, he thought that these countries had already submitted to the Western Yan Kingdom and that there would be no more wars on the border. So he wanted to replace Huo Lifeng with a useless person so that he could control the Zhenyuan Army.

The beads on the abacus were almost hitting her face.

"And then there's Yu'er's matter. The child is still young. I'll grant him a title and a mansion when he grows up." Emperor Mingde seemed to be thinking of his child's future.

"Ru Ning understands. If my imperial uncle wanted me to enter the palace for these two matters, there would be no need!" Nangong Wu said calmly.

"Not entirely. I summoned you to the palace to discuss something with you..." Emperor Mingde said, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

"Uncle, please speak." Nangong Wu had already guessed the gist of it, so she didn't say what they expected: "As long as I can do it."

Nangong Chengkun poured her a cup of tea with great courtesy, "Sister Runing, please have a cup of tea first."

Nangong Wu looked at him; such unsolicited kindness must be suspicious. It seemed they were after something significant.

She took the teacup and waited for Emperor Mingde to speak.

Emperor Mingde considered his words carefully before speaking: "Runing! I know you have many powerful weapons, which is why other countries are wary of you."

Nangong Wu remained silent, a cold smile playing on her lips.

It turns out they also knew that what other countries feared was her weapons.

Seeing that she remained silent, Emperor Mingde had no choice but to speak again: "The Crown Prince and I are very curious about your weapon."