Chapter 58 058 I only wish her a peaceful and happy life for the rest of her days.

The eldest prince straightened up, seemingly not yet accepting the meaning behind these words. He listened blankly, not understanding what they meant. He was the son of his father and mother, and the eldest son of the Great Jin Dynasty. All the laws and regulations were on his side. This world had been his since childhood. He had not murdered his father to seize the throne. What was wrong with just playing around?

The word "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I" or "the Emperor") will eventually come out of his mouth.

It's Father making a mountain out of a molehill. Yes, Father is too old-fashioned. No, it's not Father's fault. He spoke of all this so easily today, someone must have been instigated and tempted, and perhaps even used some underhanded means.

The eldest prince looked down at the servants with a gloomy expression. The bloodstains on the ground evoked a strange, wicked light in his eyes. Suddenly, a light flashed before his eyes. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the sword lying on the ground. It had an immense attraction to it, tempting him to touch it.

An idea swirled in his mind: "As long as Father is gone, it will be a matter of course for him to ascend the throne. Yes, if Father is gone, with the right timing, location, and popular support, he will be above everyone else, and who would dare to make any comments?"

"Your Majesty!"

In a flash, Meng Qingshan drew his sword and aimed it at Emperor Mingkang's face. Everyone held their breath, watching helplessly as the broadsword of the Imperial Guard whistled past them and headed for the throne in the hall.

The clash of swords produced a piercing sound. The force of the impact knocked the First Prince's hand away, and the sword fell to the ground. The broadsword grazed Emperor Mingkang's ear and embedded itself in the wall, its hilt trembling slightly and emitting a low groan.

Dexi collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the scene before him.

Emperor Mingkang's pupils suddenly contracted as he looked at the eldest prince in disbelief. The eldest prince was already terrified, his hands raised listlessly. Emperor Mingkang was even more furious and got up to kick the eldest prince.

Emperor Mingkang's veins bulged, and then he kicked Dexi, who had rushed forward to beg for mercy for the eldest prince, away. He shouted in a powerful voice, "Meng Qingshan, issue the imperial edict!"

"I have been ordained by Heaven to rule over all lands, and I wish to bring peace and prosperity to the world so that the people may live in peace and happiness. I have always reflected on my own conduct and worked diligently to govern the country. However, the eldest prince is not ambitious, disregards ethics and reason, endangers the safety of the country, and inflicts suffering on the people. I am mindful of our kinship, but his behavior has become increasingly outrageous and has become intolerable to Heaven and Earth. Therefore, I have demoted him to a son of a concubine and imprisoned him in the eldest prince's residence, where he shall never see the light of day again."

"Ling Xiao, how dare you!" The Empress stood at the door, her phoenix eyes glaring, showing no sign of backing down.

Emperor Kang of Ming, whose personal name was Ling Xiao, had not been called by his name for a long time.

Inside the hall, you could hear a pin drop.

Dexi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly dismissed the maids and eunuchs, choosing another room to settle him in. Dexi took the opportunity to stand outside the hall, pretending to be deaf.

Looking at Meng Qingshan, who was being ordered by the Emperor to stand outside the door, he closed his eyes, unsure whether he was relieved or angry. If he hadn't intervened, things might have become simpler, but would they really have been simpler? And would they really have been a good thing?

The joy was followed only by fear and bewilderment.

Meng Qingshan gazed into the distance. A line of gray-white had emerged in the east. As the fog dissipated, the magnificent and imposing palace city was revealed. Red walls and black tiles, pavilions and towers, all were solemn and majestic, demonstrating the supreme power of the emperor.

Meng Qingshan listened to the fierce arguments, the eldest prince's cries and pleas, and the long silence that followed.

Finally, on the first day of the twenty-fourth year of the Yuanming era, as the morning light streamed through the window lattice.

The door opened, and Emperor Mingkang stepped out. The sunlight shone on the emperor's back, outlining his slightly hunched figure.

Meng Qingshan thought to himself, "His Majesty is already in his twilight years."

Everything was beyond his control, beyond his ability to maintain balance; turmoil had already begun, and trouble had arisen.

The palace suddenly became desolate, devoid of any New Year's joy. The Empress caught a cold and entrusted all palace affairs to the Consort Gui and Consort De for assistance.

On New Year's Eve, the eldest prince got drunk and fell down the steps, then stayed home to recuperate.

All the officials seemed to have caught wind of the occasion and paid their respects to the Second Prince. Even the Fourth Prince's residence sent gifts, but the Fourth Prince was not in the capital and no one even entered the gate.

Since the last incident, Emperor Mingkang has regarded Meng Qingshan as a confidant. The general, who came from a poor alley, is a mixture of ruthlessness and kindness, both righteous and evil. He has no affiliation with any party and only listens to him. He is currently Emperor Mingkang's favorite courtier.

Emperor Mingkang closed the memorials presented by Beigu and Dadi. Both of these uncivilized small countries had already shown their intention to submit, so they were no longer a threat. Turning his gaze back to the court, he noticed that there were too many officials who were merely occupying their positions without doing their jobs. He decided to take advantage of this imperial examination to select some honest and upright officials. Thinking of this, Emperor Mingkang asked, "Last time, when you visited the Huang residence, did you gain any insights?"

Meng Qingshan had also gone last time, but he was unaware that the Emperor was unaware of it. He then said dejectedly, "The art of Bagua is profound and extensive, and I am but a fool."

"Haha..." Emperor Mingkang hadn't laughed heartily for a long time, which made Dexi's mouth twitch. But he received a glare from Emperor Mingkang, and knowing that the emperor was still annoyed by him sending someone to look for the empress, he listlessly lowered his head again.

"It's alright. Lord Huang is skilled in the art of checks and balances. Besides, the Huang residence is not a dead place. If we are not careful, we will be trapped inside."

Taking the opportunity, Dexi flattered, "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and knows all kinds of mysterious arts. It must be difficult for me and General Meng."

Emperor Mingkang turned to Meng Qingshan and instructed, "Go and visit him again. Be sure to persuade him to come out and tell him that I have sent people to look for his granddaughter."

Hearing this, Meng Qingshan felt a bitter taste in his mouth, and he was at a loss for what to do. He had initially thought that Lord Huang's deep hostility towards him was because of the Fourth Prince, but now he realized that he deserved it.

Meng Qingshan accepted the order and went to visit the Huang residence. Before that, he returned to the Meng residence first. He was preoccupied with palace affairs, and there was also a suspicion that he had not seen her for half a month.

The closer one gets to home, the more timid one becomes; this perfectly describes his feelings at that moment.

The steward greeted him with a smile, "General, you've returned to your residence."

Meng Qingshan glanced at the butler, who was shrewd. "General, it's really unfortunate. Some time ago, Miss listened to your advice and stayed carefully in the manor. Only Miss Tang from next door came with her brother to express her gratitude. However, when Young Master Tang heard that you were not here, he returned to the manor. The two have not met. Miss Tang comes from time to time. Today is the first time Miss has gone out."

Meng Qingshan stopped in his tracks and asked, "Where did you go?"

The steward could only keep an eye on the young lady's situation in the mansion and couldn't inquire about his mistress's affairs. "The maid said the streets are lively, so we can just stroll around."

Who did you take with you when you went out?

"Jiang Yue and Jiang Zhao".

Meng Qingshan understood the situation, turned around and mounted her horse, ignoring the steward's stammering behind her. The steward watched the horse's tail swinging merrily and thought about what he had learned: Miss... was already packing her things.

We should probably move out.

Also... the old lady slipped out through the back door, and the old woman guarding the door secretly told him that he didn't know what to do and wanted to ask for some advice.

Meng Qingshan heard nothing. When he arrived at the Huang residence, he knocked on the door. A servant opened the door and, seeing that it was the same man who had come before, bowed to welcome him in, saying, "Lord Meng."

"I am here to pay my respects to Lord Huang by imperial decree."

The servant, mimicking the steward's mannerisms from last time, said, "Our master is in the inner courtyard, Lord Meng, please make your way."

Practice makes perfect. Meng Qingshan walked towards the backyard without any restrictions. Hearing the two people chatting happily ahead, his slightly anxious steps immediately stopped.

The grandfather and grandson played chess and sipped tea, enjoying themselves leisurely. Huang Pu complained, "I told you to come back, but you didn't. What's so good about the Meng family?"

“Grandfather!” Qingli was annoyed that her grandfather had emphasized this issue again, and explained, “Give me some time. Even if we move out, now is not a good time to return to the Huang residence.”

"Hmph! If you can't leave Meng Qingshan, just say so. Why make up so many excuses?"

Her grandfather was very perceptive, but he was a bit unreasonable in this matter. Qingli couldn't explain herself, so she said, "I'm already packing my things, and I'll be moving out in the next few days."

The packing was taking a little longer than usual. Some of the items were things Jiang Yue used to, and Qing Li told her to put them back in their original places. But then he felt that he wouldn't use the things she had used, so he hesitated and let some more days pass.

Qingli felt inexplicably irritated by the thought of how her indecisiveness had led to mistakes. But with her grandfather pushing her and leaving her with no way out, she made a decision in her heart.

Huang Pu knew her granddaughter's character well. She was just deeply involved. She was kind-hearted and her mind was deceived by the false affection that Meng Qingshan fabricated by taking advantage of the family's name. Huang Pu's granddaughter deserved to be noble and noble. No matter how good Meng Qingshan was, he was not a good match for her!

Furthermore, if Qingli wants to erase her past, Meng Qingshan is the first person she needs to cut ties with.

Hesitation only leads to more trouble. Huang Pu was capable of harming anyone for the sake of his granddaughter.

Just then, the butler came running over, panting. He looked around but didn't see anyone. He was still half-asleep and couldn't relax.

"What is it?"

"This old servant would like to see if you and Miss would like more tea," the steward said. "Adding tea" was a pre-arranged code, indicating that an outsider had entered the mansion.

Huang Pu nodded and instructed Qing Li, "There is a small house in the capital that has been prepared for many days. Everything is ready. Don't take anything from the Meng family; leave it all to them."

Qingli didn't want her grandfather to be angry, so she nodded in agreement.

After seeing Qingli off, Huang Pu looked towards the entwined branches in the distance and said, "Come out."

A corner of his dark brocade robe was visible. Meng Qingshan looked at Huang Pu with cold eyes. Every word he uttered was provocative and scheming. As an elder, he was simply a treacherous and wicked person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

The steward, sweating profusely, explained in a low voice, "This old servant received a carrier pigeon from Chuzhou and made a mistake. The new servant at the gate is ignorant and stupid, so he let him in."

The servant was stupid, but he was really clever. He only came once and figured out the ins and outs of the Huang family.

Huang Pu snorted coldly. With his old bones, he leaned back in the rocking chair, covered himself with a brocade quilt, and looked at Meng Qingshan with a somewhat shameless expression. What could Meng Qingshan do to him?

Meng Qingshan was initially furious, but seeing the elderly man, who was over sixty, acting like a mischievous old child, saying one thing in public and another in private, and scrutinizing his features, which were exactly like those of a cunning young girl, his anger subsided, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Officials say the Fourth Prince is dull and boring; it seems you've got all the scheming in your hands."

Huang Pu was not swayed by his provocation. Although the Fourth Prince was dull, he was not rigid. The Second Princess was cheerful and outgoing. Qing Li was even more like him, with a good balance of activity and stillness, and she was not fussy about details. Such a good reputation had become a burden.

"Commander Meng is joking. I have rarely met the Fourth Prince and have no right to comment."

"I have only met Lord Huang two or three times, but we have had quite a few conversations."

So that's what he was waiting for.

Although we met only a few times, his actions left a deep impression on me, and his reputation was legendary.

"Lord Huang has been bedridden, and even His Majesty is concerned about him, yet he still cares about the well-being of the people. The imperial examinations in April await your leadership. It seems that I can now report to His Majesty that you have fully recovered."

"A casual chat is fine, but the college entrance examination concerns the lives of countless students across the country. I'm afraid I can't help you with that."

Huang Pu coughed twice intentionally, the sound was loud and clear, and he showed no signs of illness.

"You are a role model for students, and this matter is best left to you. His Majesty has already made his decision. We hope that you will turn a deaf ear to worldly affairs and focus on taking good care of your health."

In just a few words, Huang Pu sensed the sharpness in the tone. The speaker told him that the Emperor had ordered him to visit him several times, and that he knew there was no way to refuse the matter. The speaker also warned him not to get involved in other matters.

Decisive in his methods, exceptionally intelligent, and patient even when the timing is unfavorable, Huang Pu considered him a man destined for greatness.

No matter how you look at it, how can you so easily let go of more than a decade of separation from your loved ones?

Back in Taiyuan Prefecture, he sent people to search carefully and offered a high reward, yet they were still able to keep it a secret. The implications of this made him think deeply.

Meng Qingshan continued, "The Fourth Prince is in Chuzhou, but this matter concerns the capital. Everyone knows that the Fourth Prince's actions are of great importance, and someone must be able to secure a chance for the Fourth Prince to speak in the court."

Both sides are flesh and blood. Huang Pu has connections in the court, including some civil officials and censors. He is not close to the emperor, but he still underestimated him. No matter what, he would not exchange Qing Li for him!

That's downright treacherous, and Qingli's decision to bring out the wolf's den was absolutely correct.

"The Fourth Prince is doing this for the people of Chuzhou. Any official who cares about the common people will understand the implications. Lord Meng, you should ask yourself what your heart truly desires and not use your mind for crooked means."

Meng Qingshan snorted coldly, sat upright in his chair, and quietly calmed the irritation in his heart. Opposite him was the old fox, and in the Meng family was the little fox. He was currently sandwiched between the two, afraid to make any big moves, feeling both frustrated and helpless. The little fox wanted to run away, and the old fox was indignant. He really couldn't do anything.

After a long pause, Meng Qingshan made his decision. He placed his hands on his knees and said frankly, "I only wish her a peaceful and happy life for the rest of her days."

"Joy, only I can give!"