205: Those old friends

Since The Emperor had a plan, Tu Nan slowly voiced her conjecture.

"As far as I know, the palace hasn't held a ball in many years?"

"Hmm... no matter how cleverly it's packaged, the purpose of this matter seems to be to get you to have 'Children' as soon as possible."

Her voice paused slightly, as if she was weighing her words.

"Perhaps... it doesn't even have to be completed by you personally." She thought further based on yesterday's deduction.

"Your Majesty, can you give me some people? Otherwise, what can I do? Besides being a secretary and doing some analysis."

The Emperor listened, his expression unchanged. After one night, this person actually came directly to him asking for people?

Suddenly, his throat felt a little itchy. He merely coughed lightly, then forcefully suppressed it.

After a moment of silence, he spoke.

"People, I can give you. But what about the results? When will you give them to me?"

"Your Majesty, I don't even know what kind of people you'll give me, and the matter also..."

"Time."

"Three months!"

"One month."

The Emperor waved his hand, signaling the end of the topic.

***

When Tu Nan emerged from The Emperor's presence, she had three subordinates.

Two Males, one Female.

She would meet them in His Majesty's study tomorrow.

In addition, a scowling Peng Tianyu followed closely, and for a period of time, would be solely responsible for Tu Nan's safety.

"Within the Imperial Palace, we will follow you in three shifts, four people each time. If you need to leave the palace, it's best to say so in advance, and the entire team must accompany you."

He was fuming, yet had to be loyal to his duty.

Tu Nan appeared innocent; this was The Emperor's command, so she truly couldn't be blamed... Her steps weren't fast as she left the Imperial Study.

She had already decided who she would contact first.

It was a favor she owed—and a promise she was about to fulfill.

The Video Call request wasn't answered the first time.

Tu Nan patiently dialed a second time, and finally, it connected.

"Leader Zhuang, long time no see." She greeted him proactively.

A chubby man, drenched in sweat, appeared on the other end of the Video Call. It was Zhuang Qi, the leader of the Oasis Merchant Caravan who had once rescued Tu Nan on Sand Star.

He was sweating profusely, his face anxious, as he impatiently looked at the noble Female Beast who appeared on the other side of the Video Call. The more he looked, the more confused his expression became.

"You are..." He had a name in mind, but it shouldn't be her, that person shouldn't dare to Video Call him.

"Yes, I am Tu Nan. How have you been recently?"

"It really is you!" Zhuang Qi was greatly startled, his expression changing instantly, but after much hesitation, he gritted his teeth and advised.

"You... what are you doing showing up? Your warrant hasn't been revoked!"

"I'll just pretend I haven't seen you. Oh, if you get caught, it would just make Little Bear sad for nothing."

Tu Nan smiled slightly; Zhuang Qi had passed her first test.

Beyond a merchant's cunning and smoothness, he indeed possessed a peculiar kindness.

Perhaps this was the underlying character formed by the unique survival rules of the desert.

"Don't worry about me," Tu Nan said with elegant composure, showing no signs of concern.

"All that might just have been a dream many people participated in. My current identity is flawless; I am indeed a noble."

"How is that possible!" Zhuang Qi shook his head, looking at her reproachfully.

"Did you get involved with someone else again? Let me put it this way, Defense Minister McCoy knows all about this, he, he even came to me and asked!"

These were truly some names Tu Nan had almost forgotten.

"Oh, don't worry, he won't say anything." Tu Nan smiled mysteriously, pulling out her identity token to show Zhuang Qi.

"Look, Third-Class Female Official." She held the metal plaque forward, so Zhuang Qi could see it clearly.

"White Dragon Emblem, do you see it?"

"Personally bestowed by Your Majesty."

"And now I... live in the Imperial Palace... Shh."

Tu Nan signaled the person who almost jumped and hit the roof to calm down.

Zhuang Qi stared at the plaque, looking at it again and again, then touched his forehead to confirm he wasn't feverish, and plopped into a nearby chair.

"Then you came to me for what?"

"Leader Zhuang, this is both a repayment and an opportunity. Your situation isn't good, is it?"

Tu Nan was well aware of his recent situation; she had long ago entrusted Lance to keep an eye on Sand Star for her, mainly for the sake of a few old acquaintances who had helped her back then.

Recently, the Oasis Merchant Caravan had encountered several desert crises, seized upon by the First Merchant Team.

This, however, was a good opportunity for Tu Nan to gather manpower. A leader like Zhuang Qi, whose family had been merchants for generations, was exactly the talent she needed.

Whether for the development of her company or for the investigation she was about to undertake.

Lance or Lvhai were not suitable business talents.

Now, it's on the verge of dissolution.

And... Little Bear.

She had promised to take care of that child, but she couldn't do it before.

"It seems you're doing well. Yes, the Oasis Merchant Caravan is failing."

Zhuang Qi was very dejected; it was too difficult to reassemble a team once it had disbanded.

"Repayment or whatever... I didn't do much. Anyone you encountered at that time would have lent a hand anyway."

"No, the desert is vast, but it was you, and not just 'anyone,' who saved me."

"Don't rush to refuse. Even if you don't think for yourself, think about Little Bear."

Tu Nan thought of that sensible child.

Parents would always be moved by their Children's future, and indeed, Zhuang Qi immediately looked up.

"Yes, I promised his mother I would take care of him." Tu Nan was very gentle, "Even for this, you dare not agree?"

"The opportunity you mentioned is..."

"Have you heard of the company Spread?"

"I've heard of it. They don't have stores on Sand Star, but whoever can get their perfume, that's definitely the most sought-after hot item."

"It's mine."

Zhuang Qi suspected he heard wrong.

"I said, the company Spread, is mine." Tu Nan continued to slowly stun him.

"But if you nod now, it will also be your company."

She watched Zhuang Qi's face change repeatedly, finding it extremely amusing.

The Emperor's habit of watching others panic was indeed very reasonable; she was now starting to experience this pleasure too.

"Come be my general manager. We'll give you a small portion of shares, of course, for now it's on account, and later you can slowly pay to convert them into actual shares."

"I guess you don't have enough money right now."

Of course he didn't have enough money now, Zhuang Qi thought. But was that the point?

Spread is currently the most mysterious, most talked-about, and fastest-growing company, and this Female Beast actually told him it was hers?

How long had she been away from Sand Star?

What was her identity before that?

"How about it? Will you do it?" Tu Nan extended an olive branch.

Zhuang Qi wiped his face, shivered all over, and made up his mind.

"Yes!"

"Good, then come to the Capital City to see me. You can take over the matters on the way."

Tu Nan smiled cheerfully and immediately made arrangements for him.

Zhuang Qi nodded with difficulty.

This might be the biggest opportunity he would ever encounter in his life. Little Bear's... class ascension, might just depend on him taking this gamble!

"Time?" Tu Nan asked.

"Three days, I'll sell off my property here."

"One day."

Tu Nan smiled, pushing him a little.

"Leave your Sand Star property; it's not worth much. Boat tickets and everything needed for the journey, of course, can be reimbursed, charged to the company."

"Tomorrow night, a fast ship will pass by Sand Star. I'll have someone contact you."

"Bring Little Bear, and also Ken~ Bring all the guys who haven't left yet."

Tu Nan laughed happily.

"And Gaia, they're all familiar faces. Everyone together!"

Everyone, it's been a long time.

The Children must be very happy.