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

"Understood, sir." Cao Li lowered the carriage curtain and sat in the driver's seat.

He was somewhat moved. Other masters would have their guards risk their lives to protect them, but only their Crown Princess asked her guards to protect her.

However, if an assassin were to appear, these guards would indeed be a burden to the Crown Princess; they should just protect themselves and not cause trouble for their mistress.

"There have been people secretly watching the gate of the East Palace for the past few days. We killed four people with sniper rifles. Among them were members of the Serpent Spirit Society, people from the Northern Region, and two others who had no marks on their bodies." Cao Li told her about the events that had happened during this period while driving the carriage.

"It seems there are quite a few members of the Snake Spirit Society roaming around various countries." Nangong Wu's eyes turned cold.

If the Snake Spirits scattered across various countries knew that their strongholds had been destroyed, they would surely come!

But it's just in time for them to come.

The carriage slowly drove into the street.

Just as Cao Li had said, the imperial city was overcrowded, the carriages moved very slowly, and all sorts of noise filled the air.

Nangong Wu glanced out the small window; the street was crowded with people.

Seeing that she wouldn't be able to reach the Huo residence anytime soon, she leaned against the carriage wall and closed her eyes to rest.

After walking for a short while, a commotion suddenly broke out on the main street ahead.

"The envoy from the Northern Di Kingdom has arrived! Make way!" came a loud shout.

"An envoy from the Northern Di Kingdom!" Nangong Wu opened her eyes upon hearing this.

The last time it was Empress Su's birthday, the envoy sent by the Northern Di Kingdom was the Third Prince. I wonder who will be here this time.

"Your Highness, the Northern Di delegation has arrived. We need to move aside!" Cao Li's voice came through the curtain.

"Move aside and let them come over first," Nangong Wu said calmly.

"Yes." Cao Li pulled the carriage to the side.

People on the street stood on both sides, watching the envoy procession slowly approach from the south end of the street.

Nangong Wu thought of Bei Chenyan's hurried figure. Could he be rushing to greet the envoy?

From the other end of the street came the sound of horses' hooves and the creaking of wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs.

As the envoy's procession drew closer, Nangong Wu sat down by the carriage door, opened the curtain about half a foot wide, and saw the procession approaching.

Bei Chenyan was not seen; instead, the ceremonial guard of the Southern Qi Kingdom was leading the way.

Cao Li noticed her actions and told her the situation: "Your Highness, the envoy from the Northern Di Kingdom is actually the Crown Prince, and the Ministry of Rites came out to greet him."

Nangong Wu was taken aback. "Your Crown Prince didn't even come out of the city to greet you?"

The fact that a crown prince of a country came to attend his wedding was a great honor for him, yet this guy didn't even come out of the city to greet him.

"No, His Highness the Crown Prince said that sending the Minister of Rites to greet them is already a great honor for the Northern Di Kingdom," Cao Li said.

At this moment, a high-class imperial carriage slowly drove over. Nangong Wu glanced at it but could not see the people inside.

Cao Li continued, "Your Highness, I heard the Crown Prince mention that the Crown Prince of the Northern Di Kingdom came here to discuss the six cities that the Southern Qi Kingdom was forced to cede to the Northern Di Kingdom more than twenty years ago."

"Oh?" Nangong Wu seemed to have heard Bei Chenyan mention this before.

Although the Northern Di Kingdom has a vast territory, there is not much land suitable for human habitation. More than 20 years ago, the Northern Di Kingdom had been trying to seize the fertile lands of other countries.

However, the Northern Di Kingdom and the Western Yan Kingdom were separated by a natural barrier, so they could only try to seize the territory of the Southern Qi Kingdom.

"Because His Highness the Crown Prince and you have tied the knot, the Northern Di Kingdom is afraid and has proposed to reconcile with our Southern Qi Kingdom and restore diplomatic relations."

"But the barrier between the two countries is the six cities that the Northern Di Kingdom seized. If they want to make peace with our Southern Qi, they must first return those six cities." Cao Li explained the implications to her.

Nangong Wu pondered, feeling that things weren't so simple. They would have to make a good plan when they arrived at the Huo residence.

At this moment, the envoy's procession passed by, and Cao immediately swung the reins, causing the carriage to move forward.

After traveling for more than half an hour, the carriage finally came to a slow stop.

"Your Highness, we've arrived at the Huo residence!" Cao Li said through the carriage curtain.

Nangong Wu bent down and stepped out of the carriage. "Go back! Tell the Crown Prince that I will be staying at the Huo residence for the next few days, and he doesn't need to come and pick me up."

If I don't talk to him beforehand, he's probably going to come again tonight, even though I'm already very busy!

"Understood, Your subordinate." Cao Li cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

The guards at the gate were also from the Eastern Palace, but not Bei Chenyan's hundred personal guards. When they saw her arrive, both guards came forward to greet her.

"Your subordinate greets the Crown Princess."

"No need for formalities! Thank you for your hard work." Nangong Wu nodded slightly.

"It's no trouble at all." The guard quickly waved his hand and opened the door for her.

"Your Highness, please come in."

"Hmm." Nangong Wu stepped into the mansion.

She went to the courtyard where Nangong Xiao lived first.

"The princess has arrived!"

The people you encounter on the street are just people who are out strolling around with nothing to do.

"Are you settling in well here?" Nangong Wu asked.

"It's great. The people serving us are all sent by the Crown Prince. We eat well and sleep well," Li Hu said with a smile.

"That's good. You guys continue shopping. I'll go see my brother first." Nangong Wu smiled at them.

Arriving at Nangong Xiao's courtyard, I saw quite a few people there.

Nangong Hong, Su Siyan, Li Feng, Li Cheng, Li Zhan and more than a dozen others were present.

Everyone stood up when they saw her arrive.

"Sister Wang."

"The princess has arrived."

"Sit down, everyone. Since you're all here, I also have something to say to you," Nangong Wu said.

Nangong Xiao looked at her. "Didn't Father and the children come along?"

"Father is playing chess with His Majesty and may not be here for two days." Nangong Wu said, taking out a defense map of Yulong City that Beichen Yan had given her and placing it on a table.

"Let me tell you about the situation in Jade Dragon City, and we also need to make some arrangements."

Upon hearing this, everyone gathered around to look.

Nangong Wu pointed to the defense map and told them about the people Bei Chenyan had invited, as well as the defenses inside and outside Yulong City.

"Almost everyone Bei Chenyan invited has arrived! Ling Yangzi, remnants of the Serpent Spirit Society, and some Northern Region people hired at great expense—all of these people will appear on the wedding day. The wedding day will not be peaceful..."

After hearing her words, everyone's faces darkened.

"Nangong Chengkun came yesterday, presumably to probe the strength of our manor," Li Zhan said.

Nangong Xiao looked at the map and pondered for a while before speaking: "We broke away from the Western Yan Kingdom, became enemies with the Eastern Jin Kingdom, and the Southern Qi Kingdom severed ties with the Northern Di Kingdom because of the forced cession of six cities. None of these three great powers want us to have an easy time."

Upon hearing this, Su Siyan couldn't help but say, "So, these major powers might also be plotting something behind the scenes."

"Remove the 'maybe'," Li Zhan said. "The princess just said that Ling Yangzi and the Snake Spirit Society are up to something."

The royal families of these countries are wary of the princess's weapons. To them, it's like a sword hanging over their heads, ready to fall at any moment. Naturally, they don't want us to have an easy time, and if anyone wants to cause trouble, they will secretly fan the flames.