Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Proposing Marriage in Court, the One He Wants Is Her
Ji Qingwu nodded helplessly.
’I was the one who took the brunt of it, but it also meant the Emperor spent all his energy on me. How is that not a success in its own way?’
Ji Qingwu grabbed a plain robe and prepared to bathe. Jiu Jiu toddled after her on her short little legs into the bathing chamber, peeking around the edge of the privacy screen to watch.
Ji Qingwu’s face flushed with embarrassment. It seemed even bathing wasn’t off-limits from the little girl’s curious gaze.
Jiu Jiu cupped her little face in her hands, a sweet, innocent smile on her face. "Mama, you’re pretty even when you’re angry. Can you always be like this from now on?"
After her bath, her skin looking even fairer, Ji Qingwu slipped on a snow-white inner robe. She picked up a cloth to dry her hair, her eyes still dewy from the steam.
She asked with an amused smile, "Was there something wrong with how Mama was before?"
Jiu Jiu was small, but she understood a great deal.
She tilted her head. "I know you had to pretend to be someone else before, to protect me. But everyone likes you now, Mama. We’ll all protect you."
Jiu Jiu thought for a moment, then promised earnestly, "You can just be yourself, Mama."
’Things are different now,’ she thought. ’Even if I can’t protect her myself, I can call for backup!’
’Be myself...’
Struck by those two words, Ji Qingwu’s heart melted into a puddle.
She pulled the solid weight of the little girl into her arms and peppered her chubby cheeks with kisses.
Jiu Jiu wriggled in her mother’s soft, fragrant embrace, happier than she could say.
Seeing her daughter’s adorable smile, Ji Qingwu’s heart felt full, and all other worries were swept away.
*
「Early the next morning.」
After breakfast, Ji Qingwu took the Business Contract that Duan Mingfeng had delivered and went to the grain store to find Mi Zhenchuan, intending to go over the preparations for the medical hall’s opening.
Mi Zhenchuan’s eyes lit up when he saw the Business Contract in her hand. "Fifth Missy," he said, pleasantly surprised, "the most difficult step is already complete. You can leave the rest to me."
Ji Qingwu had full confidence in him. A thought occurred to her, and she asked, "Manager Mi, what about the last matter I entrusted to you? Have you and the clerks made any progress in finding wet nurses and experienced matrons?"
Mi Zhenchuan nodded. "I’ve already identified several reliable candidates. If you’re free today, I can have them come over for you to meet this afternoon."
Ji Qingwu hadn’t expected him to be so efficient. "Excellent," she said. "But first, Manager Mi, come with me to the restaurant."
The two headed toward the restaurant, planning to finalize the decor and layout for the renovation so that work could begin as soon as possible.
This was the most prosperous and bustling street in Lin’an. As they passed a teahouse, they could hear people excitedly discussing something.
Ji Qingwu caught a snippet of their conversation as she walked by.
The people on the street were surprisingly well-informed. The morning court session wasn’t even over, yet they had already heard the news of General Wei Ting’s return. They were gathered at a tea stall, discussing his great exploits on the frontier over the years.
They went on and on, praising General Wei’s resourcefulness—how he had feigned an injury to deceive Xijin’s spies, only to turn the tables and capture them all in one fell swoop.
Recalling the sight of Wei Ting in the palace just yesterday, Ji Qingwu’s steps faltered for a moment.
Mi Zhenchuan smiled. "Are you also interested in General Wei’s affairs, Fifth Missy? One of the experienced matrons I found for you actually worked for the Wei Family in the eastern part of the city for over a decade."
Ji Qingwu replied without a change in expression, "General Wei works hard to defend our borders. Like everyone else, I am simply grateful."
「Meanwhile, in the Golden Throne Hall.」
That day’s morning court session ran exceptionally long.
Wei Ting’s unannounced return to court had taken all the officials by surprise.
Seated high on the Golden Dragon throne, Emperor Wu Su observed the court officials’ reactions to Wei Ting’s appearance, his gaze veiled by the strings of jade beads that dangled from his crown.
Some were pleased; others, troubled.
Mr. Tao and another minister, in particular, turned visibly ashen.
’The waters of the court are finally stirred,’ he thought. ’And the big fish can no longer stay hidden.’
A sharp glint flashed in Emperor Wu Su’s eyes. In a deep voice, he declared, "General Zhenbei, you have toiled diligently, commanding the troops at the Northern Border and eliminating a network of Xijin spies. Is there any reward you desire?"
Wei Ting stepped forward. Dressed in his official robes, he cut an even more distinguished figure. Bowing his head with clasped hands, he said, "Serving the nation is this general’s duty. I dare not claim any credit. I have no reward to ask for and will abide by Your Majesty’s command."
Emperor Wu Su replied, "General Wei, you are a man of unyielding integrity and a great hero to Beili. A little pride is more than justified."
His gaze drifted to the vermilion carpet that stretched all the way to the hall’s entrance.
He then said, "After the banquet last night, Princess Consort Wei mentioned she wished to find a suitable match for you. She even prepared a list of young ladies from prominent families for Us to review. We find them to be excellent candidates, and quite compatible with you. What are your thoughts, General Wei?"
This had indeed happened the previous night.
For the past two years, Wei Liru had been keeping an eye out for any young woman who was both beautiful and clever.
Her brother, Wei Ting, had left for the frontier six years ago and had yet to marry. Wei Liru had been constantly worried about his marital prospects.
Now that he had finally returned, she had stayed up all night drafting the list and sent it to the Emperor. At first, Princess Wei had been worried this would displease His Majesty, but to her surprise, he had praised her for it.
Emperor Wu Su gestured with his hand.
Li Yuzong took the paper from the Emperor and delivered it to Wei Ting, who stood waiting in the middle of the hall.
Upon first hearing that Wei Liru had selected marriage candidates for him, Wei Ting’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. By the time the paper was in his hand, however, his expression was once again composed.
Wei Ting glanced at the names on the paper; the handwriting was indeed his sister’s.
A faint smile remained on his lips.
"I am deeply grateful for the concern Your Majesty and Princess Wei have shown for my marriage," he said. "However, I have not seen my sister for many years. She is unaware that I already have someone in my heart."
The moment the highly sought-after General Wei, a man who held immense military power, declared before the entire court that his heart was already taken, the hall erupted in whispers.
Emperor Wu Su sat up straight. His nonchalant air vanished, replaced by a serious expression as he fixed a heavy gaze on Wei Ting.
Noticing the shift in the Emperor’s expression, Lu Juan immediately stepped forward.
He spoke in a lighthearted tone, "How rare, for General Wei’s ’iron tree’ to finally bloom. I wonder which family’s young lady has managed to catch your eye?"
Wei Ting merely smiled at him.
Lu Juan had known Wei Ting since their youth, so he had some understanding of this "smiling tiger" who appeared so gentle and courteous on the surface.
’When Wei Ting smiles like that—a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes—it means someone is about to suffer.’
He asked, "What are you smiling at, General?"
Wei Ting offered him a courteous salute. "I’m smiling because I find it quite a coincidence, Mr. Lu. The woman I’ve set my heart on is none other than your wife’s younger sister."
At this, the uproar in the hall grew even louder.
’Why would Wei Ting be interested in a woman from the Ji Family?’
It was common knowledge that Princess Wei and the Empress Dowager of Cining Palace had been at odds for years. Consequently, their respective clans, the Wei Family and the Ji Family, also held each other in mutual contempt.
Lu Juan’s expression froze. The only unmarried daughter of the Ji Family was Ji Qingyuan.
He said, "Qingyuan is indeed a suitable age for you, General."
Wei Ting countered, "And who said it was Ji Qingyuan I was interested in?"
A jolt went through Lu Juan. "General, you mean..."
The smile vanished from Wei Ting’s lips. He swept aside his official robes and knelt.
His voice rang out, "Your Majesty, since you wish to bestow a marriage upon me, then the one I wish to ask for is—"
