Chapter 739: Accuse You of Treacherous Intent! (Request Subscription

Li Chen’s recent undercover visit was not meant to inspect any specific department, but rather to stroll casually around the various government offices and observe the daily conduct and morale of lower-ranking officials.

He knew well that on the imperial court, the only people he encountered were seasoned foxes like Zhao Wenyuan and Guo Po, men of high rank and deep cunning, skilled at reading the emperor’s intentions and reporting with flawless precision.

Yet the true efficiency and health of an empire often revealed itself in the mid- and lower-level officials who toiled out of sight.

Their work ethic, behavior, even their daily complaints and idle chatter, all truthfully reflected the court’s benefits, promotion pathways, and bureaucratic climate.

As emperor, he must not only care for his people, but also attend to these “minor clerks” who formed the very foundation of imperial rule.

Walking to the outskirts of the Ministry of Military Affairs, Li Chen did not enter, but paused at a distance to observe.

He watched officials coming and going in haste, listened to their occasional conversations, and absorbed the atmosphere.

He gave no orders and wished to disturb no one.

Yet just as he was about to leave, a sharp-eyed man spotted him.

The man was Wu Qi, a mid-level official in the Ministry of Military Affairs’ Selection Division.

He held another identity: his aunt was a favored imperial consort in the inner palace, much beloved by Li Chen.

Wu Qi saw Li Chen from afar, froze for a moment, then his face lit up with delight—he instinctively stepped forward to bow and offer greetings.

Li Chen saw him too, and before Wu Qi could speak, smiled and gently waved his hand, signaling him not to announce his presence, to simply carry on with his duties.

Wu Qi instantly understood: the emperor was on an undercover visit and wished to remain unnoticed.

He immediately composed himself, pretending not to have seen him, bowed respectfully, then turned away as if nothing had happened and returned to his work.

This quick wit and sense of propriety earned Li Chen’s silent approval.

After Li Chen and Lin Yue’e left the Ministry’s grounds, Wu Qi did not fully relax—he caught a flicker of a furtive shadow trailing the emperor.

He frowned, circled around quietly, seized the man, and looked closely—it was Xu Zifeng, an acquaintance.

“Captain Xu?” Wu Qi whispered, voice laced with suspicion and caution, “What are you sneaking behind His Majesty for? Are you secretly guarding the imperial person? But your guarding skills are terrible.”

There was no way around it—secretly tailing the emperor, acting so covertly—this could be interpreted as treason, punishable by decapitation!

Xu Zifeng, utterly absorbed in his surveillance, was startled when his friend grabbed him. Hearing Wu Qi offer him the excuse of “secret guard,” he coughed twice, feigned calm, and adopted a mysterious air: “Cough, cough—Officer Wu, some things you needn’t ask about.”

Wu Qi, seeing he wouldn’t speak, chose not to press further—they were good friends, after all. He clapped Xu on the shoulder and murmured, “Fine. Just be careful. Don’t end up causing trouble instead of guarding. Got time tonight? Same place, a drink?”

With that, he released him and stepped aside.

Xu Zifeng exhaled in relief and hurriedly resumed his silent tailing.

Li Chen’s next stop was the Ministry of Personnel.