Chapter 553 Meng Ao is Seriously Ill

Oh, this person is about to die.

Wait... is this me?

Having just recovered from the sight of the eldest son's golden eyes, Meng Ao tried hard to suppress his surprise and looked up, meeting the king's tense jaw.

Meng Ao understood immediately; he hadn't misheard.

But he wasn't too surprised, after all, he knew his own body well.

"Your Majesty, I have come today to request my resignation."

Meng Ao met Ying Zheng's gaze sincerely, even though both the ruler and his subject knew that he had not come for this matter.

"My teeth are falling out and my hair is thinning; my strength is failing, and I fear I can no longer shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the military and the nation..."

Meng Ao's aged voice was like a pebble washed by the Wei River, carrying the weight of time.

Ying Zheng held the child in his arms, gazed at the old general's graying temples, and nodded slightly. "You have worked hard all these years, General. The Imperial Physician will be waiting at the General's residence immediately."

[Wow, you guys are so straightforward! You didn't even need to decline three times! You truly are the hearty men of Qin! I admire you!]

Hearing the eldest son's thoughts, Meng Ao smiled freely, "Thank you, Your Majesty. However, one's age is predetermined by fate. I have been able to assist three generations of Qin kings and witness Your Majesty's personal rule. I am already content and have no regrets in this life. Your Majesty need not worry about it."

[How can you say you have no regrets in this life? Even though you're already old, couldn't you live a little longer? Have some ambition!]

Meng Ao couldn't help but chuckle, his gaze towards Fusu now filled with affection.

"With the eldest son being benevolent and kind, Your Majesty has him on your side, and I have no worries that the Great Qin will not prosper."

Meng Ao smiled and expressed his feelings to Ying Zheng, but he would not reveal the special status of the eldest son.

【Good general! You see beyond appearances to the essence! Although I am handsome, I am truly kind at heart! With your discerning eye, I am even more reluctant to see you die, what should I do?】

Ying Zheng tightened his grip on Fusu's arm slightly; how could he bear to watch Qin's great general die like this?

"General, please take good care of yourself."

"I will accept it."

Meng Ao agreed. He was not afraid of death, but he did not seek it either. For the sake of Qin, for the Meng family, and for the expectations of the King and the eldest son, he would try his best to live as long as possible.

However, life and death are matters beyond human control.

Meng Ao resigned from all his official posts and returned home to recuperate. Not long after, he collapsed on a summer day filled with the chirping of cicadas.

On a sweltering afternoon, with cicadas chirping incessantly, the stone-paved streets of Xianyang shimmered with heat. Ying Zheng, carrying Fusu, entered the Meng residence through a side gate, seeking to avoid drawing attention.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Meng Wu, along with his two sons Meng Yi and Meng Tian, ​​waited early under the eaves.

Because Meng Ao is seriously ill, both father and son have been granted permission to return home to stay with him. But once they're there, it's unlikely they'll be able to leave anytime soon.

"Get up."

Noticing Fusu's curious gaze, Ying Zheng briefly introduced: "These are Meng Wu, Meng Yi, and Meng Tian, ​​the sons and grandsons of Meng Ao."

Fusu's gaze swept over the three men, finally settling on the Meng brothers.

[Strange, this looks familiar. Could this be fate guiding me to have a couple more henchmen?]

Upon suddenly hearing the eldest son's thoughts, the three people opposite him froze. Fortunately, Meng Ao had previously hinted that the eldest son was extraordinary, so they could barely hold on.

Ying Zheng's gaze swept over the three men, then three more appeared. So how exactly were they chosen? Were they high-ranking officials in the court?

After glancing at Meng Yi and Meng Tian, ​​is it possible to select capable ministers and fierce generals from this?

"I will go and see the general."

"only."

Meng Wu nodded, concealing his thoughts, and turned to greet the King of Qin and the eldest son as they entered the house.

"Why have Your Majesty and the eldest son come here in person?" Meng Ao struggled to sit up in bed, leaning against Meng Wu, and hurriedly said, "Quickly, carry the young master out, so he doesn't catch the illness."

"No!"

Fusu, who was already able to utter a few words, shook his head firmly, but was still handed over to Meng Yi, who was standing to the side, by Ying Zheng.

"I'm not leaving! I've come to visit the general!"

Meng Yi stiffened when he suddenly found a soft little bundle in his arms. Hearing his thoughts, he couldn't help but be moved, and his movements naturally slowed down.

Even the pale-faced Meng Ao on the bed couldn't help but smile. "Young Master, please go out and have some fun. I'm fine."

Am I a playful child? I...

"My lord, let me take you to see the horses." Not knowing where to take a child, Meng Yi's military mindset only led him to think of horses and weapons. Compared to those, horses seemed safer.

【I am! 】

"Walk!"

Fusu immediately changed his mind and patted Meng Yi's arm with his little hand.

[Giving my father and the general a space to whisper secrets—I'm so thoughtful!]

Watching Meng Yi carry the eldest son out, Meng Ao's smile deepened, and he turned to chat with the King of Qin for a long time.

“When people get old, they tend to reminisce about the past,” Meng Ao sighed, looking at the young king before him. “I know in my heart that this is the only place I can stay. With the King and the eldest son in Great Qin, I have nothing to worry about.”

"General, there's no need to say discouraging things. I have issued an edict to summon renowned physicians to examine you."

“There’s no need for such a fuss,” Meng Ao shook his head. “Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness, but I’m simply of age.”

Hearing the silvery laughter coming from outside, Meng Ao's eyes were somewhat unfocused. "I remember when I first met Your Majesty, Your Majesty already had the air of a tiger and wolf. At that time, I thought that Great Qin had gained another wise ruler. I never expected that in my twilight years, I would witness the birth of the eldest son. Great Qin is indeed blessed by Heaven."

Turning his head, he looked earnestly at the King of Qin again, "Your Majesty, I will not be able to see him, but I would like to say something today: I urge Your Majesty to properly guide the eldest son, for he is the hope for the continuation of Qin's strength."

Ying Zheng nodded seriously in response: "Fusu is a treasure of Qin, and he is my son."

...

Beside the stable, Fusu, nestled in Meng Yi's arms, watched the spirited horses inside, their excited movements causing Meng Yi to tense up, not daring to let go for a moment.

"..." Meng Yi felt something was off. Were they using him as a horse?

Fusu stretched out his small hand and pointed to the horses in the stable, "Go in!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Yi quickly took two steps back and explained to him in a serious tone, "The stables are dangerous, it's not suitable for you to go in, young master."

It would be better to treat him like a horse; he wouldn't mind at all.

[Letting you see but not touch is too much!]

This sentence feels even stranger. Shouldn't we remind the king to pay attention to the prince's education?

Meng Yi picked him up and put him on his neck: "Your subject is taking the young master to play."

He saw that fathers and sons in the countryside often played like this. Of course, he didn't want to take advantage of the eldest son. He just thought that the children were laughing very happily on the adults' shoulders. Perhaps the eldest son would be happy too?

Is this the air up there? I love it!

Upon guessing correctly, Meng Yi couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth slightly. He carefully supported his legs and back with both hands and started to jog.

The little bundle on her neck couldn't help but let out a silvery laugh.