Chapter 198 His entire life was spent burying his children.
"How long has it been drying?"
His Majesty put down the vermilion brush and pinched the space between his eyebrows.
Eunuch Tian immediately bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it has been almost an hour."
His Majesty already knew that Lord Yang had entered the palace.
Qin Daolin stood up from the small table beside him. "Your Majesty, I have finished writing."
His Majesty smiled. "Old Qin certainly doesn't offend anyone."
Qin Daolin smiled as well, "Your Majesty is better at using people than I am. My role is sufficient."
Your Majesty, "Since Elder Qin has said so, then let him be summoned."
Qin Daolin and Yang Gao passed each other by.
Qin Daolin clasped his hands together, while Yang Gao let out a barely audible "humph".
Qin Daolin glanced at him, smiled, and then strode out of the Hall of Diligent Governance.
He was demoted by the late emperor in the second year after the death of the former crown prince.
His Majesty is just a teenager.
Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.
He thought he would spend the rest of his life in that small place called Ding County.
His Majesty, however, secretly gave him a secret decree.
Yes, a secret decree.
The stolen grain belonging to the Cao family in Ding County had far-reaching consequences, even though it seemed that only a month had passed between the imperial decree and the arrests.
In reality, His Majesty has been secretly making preparations for three years!
It began the year His Majesty ascended the throne.
He knew that His Majesty wanted to purge the capital, and this insignificant little town was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
His Majesty is so young, yet his vision and ability to judge people are far superior to those of the late Emperor!
Surprisingly, the Meng family's affair was also part of His Majesty's plans.
Miss Meng's severe injuries were truly an accident.
This also made His Majesty see clearly that General Cheng, with his troops, harbored absolute ambition to expand his military power!
General Cheng colluded with Prince Bucha of Wule, and he wanted to send someone to kill Meng Shilan and sow discord between Meng Gong and His Majesty.
When the Ule invaded, they pretended to be weak and asked for reinforcements. His Majesty then sent the elderly Mengyushan to fight.
If Meng Yushan dies in battle, General Cheng will be able to annex the Northwest Army and command 380,000 troops!
His Majesty simply went with the flow.
At that time, Meng Yushan will lead the troops, and General He of Bianzhou will cover the rear, so that they can capture the traitors Cheng Liyuan and Wule in one fell swoop!
Now, all that's missing is a whisper in someone's ear.
Yang Gao, who was eager to protect his grandson, was the perfect candidate.
Qin Daolin's steps became much lighter as he walked along the palace path.
As a subject, what could be more gratifying than having a ruler who is devoted to the country and who listens to the truth from his subjects?
Although Your Majesty is young, you are very shrewd and have a strong hand.
However, there is still one thing he doesn't understand.
Compared to Your Majesty's wisdom, Prince Cheng Xiao Shu's actions, though seemingly harmless, will inevitably become a major calamity if left unchecked.
But His Majesty not only failed to restrain his behavior, but also acted as if he didn't see it.
Could it be that His Majesty has some other trick up his sleeve that he hasn't anticipated?
Qin Daolin shook his head and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "His Majesty is good in every way, the only bad thing is that he doesn't have a child."
A gentle spring breeze blew by, lifting Qin Daolin's official robe.
He served as an official his entire life, and his lifelong ambition was finally realized in his later years.
He promoted change, and even if he couldn't realize all of it in his lifetime, he would die without regret.
He believed that with His Majesty's power, peace and tranquility would eventually be achieved, and the officials and people of the world would be of one mind.
Seven days later.
Meng Yushan held his breath and finally arrived in the capital.
His daughter's death was a lifelong regret for him.
If he still fails to protect Lan'er, how can he face Lian'er in the afterlife?
"General, you need to take a break! If you collapse, Miss will truly have no one to support her!"
Guo Ziyu and Guo Fang each supported him on one side.
The three men were travel-worn and only had a personal guard of ten men with them.
Meng Yushan had a full beard and his snow-white hair was blown by the wind.
He clenched his fists tightly, his neck stiffening as he held on to his breath.
"I'm tough, I won't die, I'll go to the palace."
News of Meng Yushan's return to Beijing spread quickly.
Everyone was astonished. How old was Lord Meng! And he had only traveled a short time to get back; this was an extreme march!
Zhou Congxian was also surprised.
Ten days have passed since Meng Shilan was seriously injured. Guo Fan sent a message to the Northwest camp, and Meng Gong set off immediately upon receiving the message.
The back-and-forth split also takes five days!
This is happening day and night without stopping!
He gently held Meng Shilan's hand and said, "You see, although Lord Meng doesn't talk much, he cherishes you. Even at his age, he still marches at the limit."
"So many people are thinking of you, it's time to wake up."
"Mother!"
Danniang led Xiaopangxi in, and Xiaopangxi is now calling out "Mother" more and more fluently.
But his mother just couldn't respond to him.
"Mother!" Little Fatty let go of Dan Niang's hand and staggered to his mother's bedside.
His soft little hand grasped his mother's finger, and he called out again in his childish voice, "Mother."
He looked at his mother, who always smiled at him, but she wasn't smiling back. He turned around and looked at Dan Niang with some confusion.
Her clear, big eyes seemed to be saying, "Aunt Dan, why is Mother ignoring me?"
Dan Niang couldn't help but turn her head away and secretly wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Then she squatted down next to Little Fatty, "Fatty, Mommy is a little sleepy, can you call her a little more?"
Little Fatty tilted his head and called out again, "Mother."
But there was still no response.
He nestled into Danniang's arms, feeling somewhat aggrieved.
Zhou Congxian patted the back of her son's head. "Don't be sad, your mother will wake up soon after she's had enough sleep."
This road in the palace seems very, very far.
Meng Yushan walked slowly, his face expressionless.
Guo Ziyu and Guo Fang looked at each other, not knowing what the general and His Majesty had said.
This is what the general looked like when he came out of the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Even with the general returning in person, can't he get justice for the young lady?
The palace road was very quiet.
The palace servants who passed by in a hurry all bowed and then left in a hurry.
The three of them walked lightly, the soft rustling of their footsteps seeming to tug at their heartstrings.
Besides the carriage from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, there was another person at the palace gate whom I hadn't seen for many years.
Meng Yushan stopped in his tracks.
The person at the door leaned lazily against the armchair, resting their hands on their hips.
Xiao Xinru didn't say anything, she just looked at him with her chin raised.
Looking at her, Meng Yushang seemed to see that flamboyant and bright smile from thirty years ago.
He said slowly, "Let's go."
The closer she got, the colder Xiao Xinru's face became.
"Long time no see, Lord Meng."
Meng Yushan: "Your subject Meng Yushan greets Your Highness the Princess."
Xiao Xinru coldly glanced at him, "What, you don't even kneel before your former master who showed you kindness?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Yushan handed his cane to Guo Ziyu beside him, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt down.
"Your subject Meng Yushan greets Your Highness the Eldest Princess."
Xiao Xinru gave a soft "heh" before slowly speaking, "It seems the general and my emperor nephew had a good chat."
"We've known each other for thirty years, we're old friends. I'm giving you a special gift, General. Do you like it?"
Meng Yushan suddenly raised his head, "It was you who put Lan'er in danger!"
She smiled. "Yes! It's me. Why is the general so surprised?"
Meng Yushan's wrinkled face trembled uncontrollably.
"Why doesn't that child recognize His Highness...?"
Xiao Xinru's smile grew increasingly arrogant. "I did it on purpose!"
"So what if we don't know each other? As long as the surname is Meng, that's all that matters!"
Meng Yushan closed his eyes, his voice becoming hoarse.
"Your Highness's grudges can be dealt with by me; why harm innocent people?"
"Innocent people?"
A crack finally appeared in Xiao Xinru's expression.
Her voice was very soft, yet as cold as a chilling wind from hell, "Aren't Meng and Yun innocent?"
Meng Yuyun is Meng Yushan's eldest son and Xiao Xinru's lover.
"What promises did you make back then! Why didn't Meng Yuyun come back!"
"You're greedy and reckless! Your current position was obtained by stepping on your own flesh and blood!!"
Xiao Xinru wore a cold smile.
"Since you like these empty titles so much, I'll kindly grant you another great achievement: destroying the Ule. Wouldn't His Majesty bestow upon you a title of king of a different surname?"
"Trading a granddaughter with whom you have no affection for a military merit is such a good deal."
Guo Ziyu's face turned cold. "Your Highness, please watch your words!"
"I'm careful with my words?" Xiao Xinru laughed loudly.
She suddenly looked at him coldly, "He dares to do it but doesn't dare to admit it!"
“My father has already agreed to our marriage. He doesn’t need to be the prince consort. I am willing to marry him, and he can continue to be his little general.”
"What promises did you make before you left?"
"I'm waiting for him, I've been waiting forever! My wedding dress is all embroidered! I'll keep waiting for him!"
Why didn't he come back?
"Why!"
Xiao Xinru's neck veins bulged, and her eyes were bloodshot, as if the person in front of her was her enemy from ten lifetimes ago!
Meng Yushan gripped his cane tightly and slowly stood up without saying a word.
The elderly man lowered his head.
After a long while, he finally managed to move his feet with difficulty and slowly walked towards the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
His entire life was spent burying his children.
His first wife, five sons and one daughter, four daughters-in-law, six grandsons, and two granddaughters.
He had lost count of how many memorial halls the Meng family had set up.
The eldest son, Meng Yuyun, died in the Battle of Yumen in the sixteenth year of the Tianqi reign.
The second son, Meng Huaiyun, died in the Battle of Hangu Pass in the twentieth year of the Tianqi reign.
In October of the same year, as revenge by spies from the enemy country, his second daughter-in-law, third daughter-in-law, four grandsons, and two granddaughters died in the carriage during their journey.
The third son, Meng Tianyun, died in the Battle of Kinmen Pass in the twenty-seventh year of the Tianqi reign.
The fourth son, Meng Zhiyun, died in the Battle of Kinmen Pass in the twenty-seventh year of the Tianqi reign.
In June of the same year, his first wife, Zhuo, could not bear the grief of losing her four sons and passed away in sorrow.
In March of the following year, the 28th year of the Tianqi reign, the fourth daughter-in-law, deeply grieving, passed away due to illness.
His daughter, Meng Qinglian, died of illness in a dilapidated temple in July of the 28th year of the Qitian era.
In the 29th year of the Tianqi reign, his two grandsons succumbed to smallpox and died one after the other.
Meng Shuyun, the fifth son, died in battle at Tongtian Gorge in the thirtieth year of the Tianqi reign.
That concludes the discussion.
He was all alone.
He was the only one left in the entire Meng family, an old man who was still alive.
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