Free Web NovelChapter 247: Chapter 247: I Advise You, Don’t Waste Your Effort
Wei Ting, his face a mask of defiant arrogance, followed the Emperor out of the Golden Throne Hall with large strides.
Emperor Wu Su’s expression was chilling. He walked with such purpose that the palace attendants he passed all bowed their heads, held their breath, and scurried out of his way.
Once they reached the Diligent Governance Hall, Li Yuzong immediately led his attendants outside to stand guard.
Inside the hall, the Emperor and his subject exchanged a look.
Wei Ting lifted his robes and knelt. "Your General has been deeply offensive. I beg the Holy Emperor to forgive my transgressions."
Emperor Wu Su walked up the steps to the Dragon Chair and sat down, saying coolly, "Rise and speak."
Wei Ting stood up. Seeing the Emperor’s expression had returned to normal, he wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart still racing from the performance.
He asked, "How was my performance just now? Did I fool all those old codgers?"
Emperor Wu Su nodded in approval. "You were so convincing, We almost believed you."
He casually tossed over a document. "Although, listening to what General Wei said in court this morning, We suspect there was quite a bit of truth hidden in your words."
Wei Ting, quick and agile, caught it with a sweep of his arm.
He laughed. "Your Majesty is wise. My loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon for all of heaven and earth to see. Your Majesty would certainly never believe such theatrics."
In private, their relationship was nothing like the sharp antagonism others perceived.
Emperor Wu Su raised an eyebrow. "Take a look at this secret report."
Wei Ting opened it, and after a few glances, his smile vanished.
The secret report detailed the movements of the Fourth Prince of Xijin, who had come to Beili in secret.
"The Fourth Prince of Xijin has been in Lin’an for some time now, but he hasn’t made any moves. He just spends every day visiting the city’s famous restaurants and taverns."
Wei Ting asked, "What does Your Majesty think he’s here for?"
Emperor Wu Su replied, "Yu Wen Tianqing arrived with such fanfare and walks around the city without any deliberate attempt to hide his identity. This openness actually lessens people’s suspicions of him."
Wei Ting said, "The Old Emperor of Xijin is still hanging on by a thread, but he could pass away any day. Right now, Crown Prince Yu Wen Tiancheng is acting as regent in Xijin."
"His ambition is considerable. He wants to expand their territory and has sent men to launch sneak attacks on the Northern Border many times."
Of all the secret military reports Emperor Wu Su had handled, eight or nine out of ten detailed incidents stirred up by Xijin’s Crown Prince, Yu Wen Tiancheng.
He could no longer allow Xijin to cause trouble on their border. He had to extinguish the flame before it could grow into a fire.
However, half of this kindling was hidden in Lin’an. He had recalled Wei Ting to the capital for the precise purpose of adding fuel to this fire.
But at such a tense moment, the Fourth Prince of Xijin had arrived in Lin’an, yet made no suspicious moves.
Wei Ting said, "According to my investigation, this Yu Wen Tianqing’s mother, a concubine, died early. He’s an overlooked prince in the Xijin royal family who usually lives the life of a carefree wanderer."
Emperor Wu Su shook his head. "A true ’wild crane’ wouldn’t fly to the capital of an enemy nation. No matter what he’s here for..."
Wei Ting picked up the thread with tacit understanding. "...now that he’s here, we can’t let him leave so easily."
The two men had once been generals on the same side; some things didn’t need to be said aloud.
Countless Beili soldiers and citizens had died or been injured in the war between the two nations. A blood debt, of course, had to be paid in blood.
Emperor Wu Su asked, "Are there any leads on the spy Xijin planted in our court?"
Wei Ting’s brow furrowed. "This person is very cautious. They haven’t made any private attempts to contact my men these past few days."
A great general of Beili who held military power was now estranged from his emperor. Xijin would not miss this opportunity to win him over.
Emperor Wu Su said, "We have presented such excellent bait right before his eyes. We don’t believe he’d be willing to waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We will wait a few more days."
The "excellent bait," Wei Ting, replied, "Yes."
Emperor Wu Su’s fingers rested on the long table. "If he still hasn’t revealed himself, We will send them another grand gift."
What this grand gift was, Wei Ting did not yet know.
But he had understood the coded message Emperor Wu Su had tapped out on his desk that day.
Not only had he understood it, but he had also played his part well.
Over the past few days, the emperor and his subject had argued from the Diligent Governance Hall to Princess Qingyun’s wedding banquet, and again today, clashing in morning court.
With their official business concluded, Wei Ting grinned. "It’s not to boast, but throughout the entire court, I’m probably the only one who can withstand the immense pressure of confronting Your Majesty like that."
Emperor Wu Su glanced at him and asked in a flat tone, "The men from the Imperial Censorate say you’ve been running to the medical hall frequently these past few days. Is this also part of your improvisation?"
Wei Ting said, "It is."
But he quickly amended, "But not entirely."
He looked directly at the man on the throne. "Your Majesty, I truly do want to take a wife."
Who he wanted to marry was self-evident.
The light in Emperor Wu Su’s eyes shifted. "If We recall correctly, you’ve already been rejected twice."
Wei Ting gritted his teeth. "How does Your Majesty know she will keep rejecting me? What if, like Mr. Zhuge, she requires the sincerity of three visits before she’s willing to marry me?"
Emperor Wu Su thought of the report that had come back from Si Hai, detailing how Ji Qingwu had responded to Wei Ting on the day he sent the thousand-year-old orchid to the medical hall.
The corners of his lips curled up, and he made no effort to hide his good mood.
"We advise you not to waste your efforts. You should focus more on how to root out Xijin’s spy."
Just then, a knock came at the door of the Diligent Governance Hall.
Li Yuzong pushed the door open, hurried forward, and whispered something in the Emperor’s ear.
Emperor Wu Su’s eyes suddenly lit up.
But he raised an eyebrow and said, "What was that you said? You were so quiet, We couldn’t hear you clearly."
Li Yuzong’s eyes darted toward Wei Ting, who was standing below, and he immediately understood the Emperor’s intention.
He cleared his throat and announced in a loud voice, "The Empress Dowager has sent someone to ask if the Holy Emperor is free to join her for luncheon!"
Eunuch Li’s voice was louder than a great bell, his words echoing throughout the hall.
Wei Ting thought, ’No wonder the Emperor’s hearing is poor.’
He also found it strange. ’Since when were the Empress Dowager and the Emperor so close?’
Emperor Wu Su put on a puzzled look and asked in a clear voice, "It’s not the New Year or a festival. Why has the Empress Dowager suddenly taken it into her head to invite Us for a meal?"
Li Yuzong chuckled and boomed, "Holy Emperor, the two young ladies of the Ji Family came to the palace today! They plan to stay for a few days."
Wei Ting’s gaze froze, fixed directly on Eunuch Li.
’Ji Qingwu is in the palace, and she’s going to stay for a few days.’
’Just a few days ago, she told him she wanted to be with the one she loved forever and always.’
Li Yuzong continued, "The Empress Dowager also said that Your Majesty must be tired of eating from the Imperial Kitchen every day. This afternoon, the Fifth Missy will be showing off her skills in the Empress Dowager’s private kitchen, and she hopes Your Majesty will do her the honor of coming to have a taste."
Emperor Wu Su’s brow smoothed. "Excellent. Go and reply to the Empress Dowager. We will be there shortly."
Li Yuzong smiled and said, "Yes, this old servant will go at once." With that, he exited the hall.
Emperor Wu Su picked up a memorial, his peripheral vision catching Wei Ting still standing there, motionless. With a pleased expression, he said, "Our beloved minister, why have you not yet withdrawn?"
Wei Ting said, "...Your General... takes his leave."
This time, as Wei Ting walked out of the Diligent Governance Hall, there was no need to act at all.
