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

"That's very good." Bei Chenyan knew that the abbot was worried and wanted to take the jade Buddha away himself.

Two monks walked in from outside the main hall, placed the jade Buddha in its place, closed the lid, and carried the box away.

"This old monk takes his leave!" Abbot Minghai clasped his hands together in farewell to Emperor Mingde and Beichen Yan, then turned and strode away.

"Now that the matter has been resolved, the birthday banquet shall continue." Emperor Mingde waved his hand and turned to walk up the imperial steps.

All the ministers stood up and returned to their seats.

The banquet resumed.

"Your Highness, please take a seat!" Nan Qi Chengkun was now seething with hatred for Bei Chenyan, but as the crown prince, he had to treat him with utmost courtesy.

Bei Chenyan walked to the imperial steps and, following proper etiquette, bowed to Emperor Mingde and Empress Su, saying, "The Crown Prince of Nanqi respectfully wishes Her Majesty the Empress a long and blessed birthday, may she live a thousand years!"

"The Crown Prince of Southern Qi is very thoughtful!" Emperor Mingde raised his hand.

Bei Chenyan's attendant stepped forward and handed over the gift box, which was accepted by a eunuch.

"The Crown Prince of Nanqi presented a thousand-year-old ginseng as a gift!"

"Your Highness, please take a seat." The eunuch invited Bei Chenyan to sit down, the seat next to Nangong Chengkun.

Next, the Prince of Ji of the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Third Prince of the Northern Di Kingdom presented their gifts.

"Mother, I want to go see that handsome uncle." Nangong Xi said to Nangong Wu, then suddenly walked out and stood in front of Bei Chen Yan, staring at his face.

"Xi'er, why did you run here?" Nangong Chengkun looked at Nangong Wu with some displeasure. How could the child be allowed to run around like this in such a situation?

"Xi'er..." Nangong Wu hadn't expected the girl to suddenly run away.

Huo Jing said, "Don't worry about her. No one in this palace dares to do anything to her."

Bei Chenyan smiled slightly and reached out to Xi'er, "Come here."

Nangong Xi walked around the corner of the table, approached him, and stared at his face.

"Sit here." Bei Chenyan took her small hand and made her sit with him.

Nangong Xi suddenly leaned close to his ear and whispered, "You're Daddy, aren't you?"

She remembered her father's unique scent, which she couldn't smell from a distance just now, but now she was certain.

"Yes, remember, this is a secret between us," Bei Chenyan whispered to her.

"Xi'er understands." Nangong Xi was very happy to see that it really was her father.

Seeing their close interaction, Nangong Chengkun was quite surprised, "I didn't expect His Highness the Crown Prince to like children so much."

Bei Chenyan glanced at him and said, "Princess Jinyu is so cute, anyone would like her."

Of course he likes his own daughter!

Nangong Chengkun felt disdain. He disliked Nangong Wu, and he disliked everyone in the Zhenyuan Prince's Mansion.

"Xi'er also likes His Highness the Crown Prince." Nangong Xi smiled sweetly at Bei Chenyan.

"Hmm, do you like grapes? I'll get you some." Bei Chenyan took the small plate of grapes, knowing that his daughter loved grapes the most.

"Xi'er likes it, can you peel it for me?" Nangong Xi said.

"Okay." Bei Chenyan picked a few grapes and peeled them for her.

So everyone in the hall saw the esteemed Crown Prince of Nanqi carefully peeling grapes for Nangong Xi.

The ministers all opened their eyes wide.

That domineering man who was so aggressive just now, who almost caused the Western Yan Kingdom to lose half of its territory, is actually peeling grapes for a four or five-year-old girl.

They looked at Nangong Wu, then at Bei Chenyan, and felt that there was something between them.

They all knew that the envoys from these countries had just arrived in the capital and had first visited the Prince of Zhenyuan's residence.

By this time, the gift-giving ceremony was over, and the wind instruments began to play. The courtesans filed in, and the ministers toasted each other, chatting and laughing. The hall was filled with a scene of peace and prosperity.

Nangong Wu looked at her daughter and Bei Chenyan, feeling very puzzled.

She knew her daughter's personality; most people wouldn't get close to her. She never expected her to get along so well with Bei Chenyan.

Huo Jing knew that Xi'er must have recognized Bei Chen Yan. He had raised all three children since they were babies, and Xi'er, in particular, was always clinging to him. Even though her face had changed, they were father and daughter by blood and knew each other well, so she could still recognize him.

"Xi'er is just a child, there's no need to worry about her."

"I understand." Nangong Wu was not afraid of what Bei Chenyan might do to the child.

"Father, the land of Jianggang Prefecture cannot be ceded to the Southern Qi Kingdom."

She planned to bring up the matter with Bei Chenyan when the banquet was almost over. If this man couldn't understand human language and insisted on taking the land in Jianggang Prefecture from her, then she would go to war with Nanqi.

"Don't rush into this," Huo Jing advised her.

A little over fifteen minutes later, the dance ended, and all the dancers withdrew.

Emperor Mingde raised his cup and said some more grand and dignified words, formally discussing the diplomatic relations between the six countries.

The third prince of the Northern Di Kingdom glanced at Nangong Wu, then stood up and said to Emperor Mingde:

"Your Majesty, we have come with sincere intentions to establish friendly relations with the Western Yan Kingdom. This prince is willing to form a marriage alliance with your country to solidify our diplomatic ties."

"Very well, that's exactly what I was thinking too." Emperor Mingde glanced at everyone in the hall. "I have two princesses who are of marriageable age. I wonder which one the Third Prince has taken a fancy to?"

If you feel that my two princesses are not suitable, then a princess or county princess from the imperial clan will also be acceptable. As long as you take a liking to one of them, I will bestow a marriage upon you.

The Third Prince immediately said, "I wish to marry into the Zhenyuan Prince's Mansion and become a live-in husband for Runing."

"What?! Marry into the Zhenyuan Prince's family?!"

The hall erupted in uproar, everyone wearing expressions of disbelief.

The third prince of a nation is actually going to be a live-in son-in-law, and his partner is Nangong Wu, who is divorced and has three children.

"It is said that the identity of the biological father of those three children is still unknown! Moreover, Princess Runing has a male favorite, with whom she has been for several years, but has not given him a formal title."

"What's the big deal? If Princess Runing is willing, I'm also willing to be a son-in-law who lives with her family."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Ji of the Eastern Jin Dynasty also stood up. "Your Majesty, I am also willing to marry into the Zhenyuan Prince's Mansion and become the son-in-law of the Princess of Runing. I will treat the three children as my own."

"I am also willing to marry into the Zhenyuan Prince's family. I beg Your Majesty to grant me this marriage."

The three princes from the three small countries also stood up, all expressing their willingness to become Nangong Wu's sons-in-law.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingde's face darkened.

He knew what these people were up to; they were definitely after the mysterious weapons in Nangong Wu's possession.

"Princess Runing, I am truly in love with you. Please give me a chance." Prince Ji expressed his affection for her.

"Princess Runing, look at me. If you are willing, I am willing to change my surname."

"Princess Runing, I am far more handsome than them. Choose me!"

Nangong Wu was speechless. Were these people out of their minds?

Nangong Xiao couldn't help but chuckle, "My sister is just too charming."

"Brother, are you even joking with me?" Nangong Wu rolled her eyes at him.

"Ru Ning, the princes of these five kingdoms all want to form marriage alliances with you. What do you think?" Emperor Mingde asked from his seat.