Chapter 247 I advise you, don't waste your time.

With an arrogant expression, Wei Ting followed the Emperor defiantly out of the Golden Palace.

Emperor Wusu's face was chilling, and he walked with a swagger. The palace servants who passed by all lowered their heads, held their breath, and turned away.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, Li Yuzong immediately led his men to retreat outside the hall to stand guard.

The emperor and his ministers in the hall exchanged a glance.

Wei Ting knelt down and said, "This humble general has been very offensive. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Emperor Wusu walked up the steps to the dragon throne and sat down, saying calmly, "Rise and answer."

Wei Ting stood up and looked up to see that the Emperor's expression had returned to normal. Still feeling lingering fear, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He asked, "How did I perform just now? Did I manage to fool those old fogies?"

Emperor Wusu nodded and praised, "I almost believed it myself."

He casually tossed a document aside and said, "I think General Wei might have hidden a lot of true feelings behind what he said at the morning court."

Wei Ting was agile and caught it with a swift movement.

He laughed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. My heart is as clear as the sun and moon and as verifiable as heaven and earth. Your Majesty will certainly not believe these empty words."

The two of them don't interact at all in private, unlike what outsiders might imagine, which is often described as a toxic relationship.

Emperor Wusu raised an eyebrow and said, "Take a look at this secret report."

After opening it, Wei Ting glanced at it a few times and then stopped smiling.

This secret report records the whereabouts of the fourth prince of Xijin in Beili.

"The Fourth Prince of Xijin has been in Lin'an for quite some time, but he hasn't made any moves. He just goes to the famous restaurants and taverns in Lin'an every day."

Wei Ting asked, "What does Your Majesty think he intends to do here?"

Emperor Wusu said, "Yuwen Tianqing came in such a grand manner, and he did not deliberately hide his identity when walking in the city. This openness has reduced people's suspicion of him."

Wei Ting said, "The old emperor of Xijin is still hanging on by a thread. He might pass away any day. Currently, Crown Prince Yuwen Tiancheng is the regent of Xijin."

“He has great ambitions and wants to expand his territory. He has sent people to raid the northern border many times before.”

Nine out of ten of the military intelligence reports that Emperor Wusu handled were caused by troubles instigated by Crown Prince Yuwen Tiancheng of Xijin.

He could no longer allow Xijin to cause trouble on the border between the two countries; he had to put out the fire before it even started.

However, half of this spark was still hidden in Lin'an. His transfer of Wei Ting back to the capital was precisely to add fuel to this spark.

But at such a tense moment, the fourth prince of Xijin arrived in Lin'an, yet did not make any suspicious moves.

Wei Ting said, "According to my investigation, Yuwen Tianqing is a neglected prince in the Xijin royal family because his mother died early. He usually lives a carefree life."

Emperor Wusu shook his head and said, "A true hermit would not fly to the capital of an enemy country, no matter what he wants to do there."

Wei Ting chimed in tacitly, "Now that he's here, we can't let him leave easily."

The two were former generals on the same side, so there was no need to say much to them.

The war between the two countries resulted in the deaths and injuries of countless soldiers and civilians in Northern Lebanon. This blood debt must, of course, be repaid in blood.

Emperor Wusu asked, "Have you made any progress on the spies that Xi Jin has planted in the court?"

Wei Ting frowned and said, "This person is very cautious. He hasn't had anyone contact me privately these past few days."

With the Northern Li general, who held military power, becoming increasingly alienated from the emperor, Xi Jin would not miss this opportunity to win him over.

Emperor Wusu said, "I have presented him with such good bait. I do not believe he would be willing to waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let's wait a few more days."

“Perfect bait,” Wei Ting said. “Yes.”

Emperor Wusu placed his fingers on the long table and said, "If they haven't given themselves away yet, I will give them another big gift."

Wei Ting was still unaware of what this generous gift was.

But Wei Ting understood the coded message Emperor Wusu tapped on his desk that day.

Not only did they understand it, but they also performed quite well.

In recent days, the emperor and his minister have been arguing from the Hall of Diligent Governance to Princess Qingyun's wedding banquet, and now they are bickering during the morning court session.

Having finished discussing official business, Wei Ting smiled and said, "Not to boast, but among all the officials in the court, I am the only one who could withstand such heavy pressure as confronting the Emperor."

Emperor Wusu glanced at him and asked in a flat tone, "The people from the Censorate said that you've been going to the clinic a lot these past few days? Is this also part of your own initiative?"

Wei Ting said, "That's right."

But he quickly changed his tune, saying, "Not entirely."

He looked directly at the person on the throne: "Your Majesty, this humble general truly wishes to take a wife."

Who he wants to marry is self-evident.

Emperor Wusu's gaze shifted, and he said, "If I remember correctly, you have already been rejected twice."

Wei Ting gritted his teeth and said, "How does Your Majesty know that she will keep refusing me? What if she is like Mr. Zhuge, and requires three visits to the thatched cottage before she will agree to marry me?"

Emperor Wusu pondered the news that had spread throughout the land: on the day Wei Ting delivered the Thousand-Year Orchid to the medical clinic, how Ji Qingwu had answered Wei Ting.

He smiled slightly, making no attempt to hide his good mood.

"I advise you not to waste your time. You should think more about how to find out Xi Jin's spies."

At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Li Yuzong pushed open the door, strode forward, walked to the emperor's ear, and whispered something.

Suddenly, Emperor Wusu's eyes lit up.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "What are you saying? You're speaking so softly, I didn't hear you."

Li Yuzong glanced at Wei Ting standing below and immediately understood the emperor's meaning.

He cleared his throat and called out loudly, "The Empress Dowager has sent someone to ask if His Majesty is free to have lunch together?"

Eunuch Li's voice, louder than a great bell, echoed throughout the hall.

Wei Ting thought to himself, "No wonder the Emperor has hearing problems."

But it also seemed strange that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had become so close.

Emperor Wusu feigned confusion and asked in a clear voice, "It's not a holiday, so why is the Empress Dowager so eager to invite me to dine with her?"

Li Yuzong chuckled and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, the two young ladies from the Ji family have come to the palace today and plan to stay for a while."

Wei Ting's gaze froze, fixed on Eunuch Li.

Ji Qingwu has entered the palace and will stay for a few more days.

Just a few days ago, she told him that she wanted to stay with her sweetheart for a long time.

Li Yuzong said, "The Empress Dowager also said that His Majesty is tired of eating the food from the Imperial Kitchen every day. At noon, the Fifth Miss will show off her skills in the Empress Dowager's small kitchen. Please do His Majesty the honor of coming and have a taste."

Emperor Wusu's eyebrows relaxed as he said, "That's right. Go and inform the Empress Dowager first. I'll be there shortly."

Li Yuzong smiled and said, "Yes, this old servant will go right away." Then he withdrew from the hall.

Emperor Wusu picked up a memorial, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Wei Ting still standing there motionless. He said with a pleased expression, "Why haven't you left the hall yet, my dear minister?"

Wei Ting said, "...This humble general takes his leave."

This time, Wei Ting didn't need to put on an act as he walked out of the Qin Zheng Hall.