Chapter 163 He proposed marriage in court, and the person he had his eye on was her.

Ji Qingwu nodded helplessly.

She endured a beating herself, and the emperor used all his energy on her; how could that not be considered a success?

Ji Qingwu took a plain-colored outfit and prepared to take a bath. Qiuqiu followed her to the bathroom with her short legs and peered at the screen.

Being watched by the little girl meant he couldn't even skip his bath, and Ji Qingwu's face showed embarrassment.

Chiu Chiu cupped her little face in her hands and said with an innocent smile, "Even when Mother is angry, she is still beautiful. Mother, can you always look like this?"

After bathing, Ji Qingwu, whose skin was even whiter, put on her snow-white undergarment, picked up a handkerchief to dry her hair, her eyes still moist.

She asked, amused, "Wasn't Mother nice before?"

Chiu Chiu is small, but she knows a lot.

She tilted her head and said, "I know that Mother had to change her appearance to protect Qiuqiu, but now everyone likes Mother and we will all protect her."

After thinking for a moment, Chiu Chiu earnestly promised, "Mother can be herself."

Things are different now. Even if she can't protect them, she can call for reinforcements.

Be yourself...

Ji Qingwu, struck by those three words, softened completely.

She held the heavy little girl in her arms and kissed her little face repeatedly.

Chirp chirped and fluttered in her mother's sweet and soft arms, she was so happy.

Looking at his daughter's adorable smile, Ji Qingwu's heart was filled with joy, and all other emotions were swept away.

*

The next day, early in the morning.

After finishing breakfast, Ji Qingwu took the business contract that Duan Mingfeng had brought and went to the grain shop to find Mi Zhenchuan to explain the preparations for the opening of the clinic.

Seeing the business contract in her hand, Mi Zhenchuan said with delight, "Fifth Miss, the most difficult step has been completed. Leave the rest to me."

Ji Qingwu had nothing to worry about, but then he thought of something and asked, "Manager Mi, what progress have you made in asking me and the staff to find some wet nurses and women who have given birth?"

Mi Zhenchuan nodded: "I have already found a few reliable ones. If you are free today, I will invite them over, and we can meet this afternoon."

Ji Qingwu was surprised by his efficiency and said, "Of course, Manager Mi, please come with me to the restaurant first."

The two headed towards the restaurant, intending to finalize the renovation's decor and layout so that work could begin as soon as possible.

This street is the most bustling and lively in Lin'an. Passing by a teahouse, I heard people excitedly discussing something.

Ji Qingwu overheard it as he passed by.

The common people on the street were well-informed. Before the morning court session had even ended, they learned that General Wei Ting had returned to the capital and were discussing his great achievements on the border over the years at the tea stalls.

These people kept praising General Wei for his resourcefulness, for feigning injury to deceive Xi Jin's spies and instead capture them all.

Thinking of the scene of seeing Wei Ting again in the palace yesterday, Ji Qingwu paused slightly.

Mi Zhenchuan smiled and said, "Is Fifth Miss also interested in General Wei's affairs? One of the old women you asked me to find with experience in serving women in labor has been working for the Wei family in the east of the city for more than ten years."

Ji Qingwu said calmly, "General Wei has worked hard guarding the border, and I, like everyone else, am simply grateful."

On the other side, the Golden Palace.

Today's morning court session lasted an unusually long time.

Wei Ting's quiet return to court surprised all the officials.

Emperor Wusu, seated high on the golden dragon throne, surveyed the expressions of his courtiers upon seeing Wei Ting through the jade beads hanging from his crown.

Some are happy, some are sad.

Among them, the face of Grand Secretary Tao and another minister was visibly ashen.

The waters of the imperial court are starting to turn murky; even the big fish can no longer hide and will have to show themselves.

Emperor Wusu's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he said in a deep voice, "General Zhenbei has worked hard stationing troops in the northern border and has also wiped out a secret spy organization of Xijin. Do you have any reward you want?"

Wei Ting stepped forward, his refined demeanor enhanced by his official robes. He bowed and said, "Serving the country is my duty, and I dare not be arrogant. I have no desired reward; I will obey His Majesty's decree."

Emperor Wusu said, "General Wei is a man of unyielding integrity and a meritorious subject of Beili. So what if he is a little arrogant?"

His gaze fell on the crimson carpet that stretched all the way to the entrance of the palace.

He began, "After the banquet last night, Consort Wei mentioned that she wanted to find a suitable person for General Wei. She even prepared a list of several young ladies from noble families for me to see. I think they are quite good and a good match for you. What do you think, General Wei?"

This definitely happened last night.

In the past two years, Wei Liru has been paying attention to women who are both beautiful and intelligent.

Because Wei Ting left home for the border and was gone for six years, he did not marry. Wei Liru always worried about her brother's marriage.

Having finally waited for his return, she drafted a list overnight and sent it to the Emperor. Initially, Consort Wei was worried that she would displease the Emperor, but unexpectedly, she received a compliment.

Emperor Wusu raised his hand.

Li Yuzong took the paper from the emperor and handed it to Wei Ting, who was standing in the hall.

When Wei Ting first heard that Wei Liru was choosing a suitable woman for him to marry, he frowned almost imperceptibly, but his expression returned to normal once he held the paper in his hand.

Wei Ting glanced at the name on it, and the handwriting was indeed that of Consort Wei.

A smile still lingered at the corners of his mouth.

"I am deeply grateful to Your Majesty and Consort Wei for your concern for my marriage. However, I have not seen Consort Wei for many years and she is unaware that I already have someone I love."

Upon hearing that the powerful and influential General Wei had loudly proclaimed in the court that he already had someone he admired, the emperor was astonished.

Whispers began to circulate in the hall.

Emperor Wusu sat up straight, his expression shifting from casual to serious, and looked intently at Wei Ting.

Lu Juan noticed that the emperor's expression was off, and immediately stepped forward.

He said in a relaxed tone, "It's rare for General Wei to have a fleeting interest, but I wonder which young lady General Wei has taken a fancy to?"

Wei Ting smiled at him.

Lu Juan and Wei Ting had known each other since they were young, and he knew a little about this seemingly gentle and polite but actually cunning man.

Wei Ting's forced, insincere smile might cause trouble for some people.

He asked, "What are you laughing at, General Wei?"

Wei Ting cupped his hands in greeting and said, "This humble general is smiling because it seems so coincidental. The woman I have my eye on is none other than Lord Lu's wife's younger sister."

These words caused a great deal of commotion in the hall.

Why would Wei Ting take a liking to a woman from the Ji family?

It was common knowledge that Consort Wei and Empress Dowager Cining Palace had a long-standing feud, and the Wei family and the Ji family, as the maternal families, also disliked each other.

Lu Juan's expression froze. Among the unmarried daughters of the Ji family, Ji Qingyuan was the only one.

He said, "Qingyuan and General Wei are a suitable age."

Wei Ting said, "Who said that I have taken a liking to Ji Qingyuan?"

Lu Juan was startled: "General Wei is right..."

Wei Ting stopped smiling, lifted his official robe, and knelt on the ground.

He raised his voice and said, "Your Majesty, since Your Majesty wishes to bestow a marriage upon this humble general, the woman I wish to marry is—"