Meng Jiangming watched Commander Meng lead the Duke of Ning away, and for the first time, he felt a sense of fear and despair.
He had never had such thoughts before because his father had always sheltered him from storms. Now that the sheltering figure was gone, he felt an unprecedented despair.
"Father..." Meng Jiangming chased after them and saw the Duke of Ning being suppressed by the imperial guards.
Commander Meng stepped in front of Meng Jiangming. Although respectful, his tone was laced with an indescribable sarcasm. "Young Master, if you delay the Duke of Ning's audience with His Majesty, this commander will have no choice but to report the truth."
Meng Jiangming's face turned pale upon hearing this. Commander Meng had made it clear that if the Emperor became angry, he would have to state that it was Meng Jiangming who caused the delay.
Since the Duke of Ning was now a prisoner, what he said was all that mattered, wasn't it?
Meng Jiangming glanced at Commander Meng and said slowly, "Commander Meng, today's events were merely a framing of my father. If certain individuals believe they can bring down the Duke of Ning's residence with this, they are gravely mistaken. To put it bluntly, my father has merit in supporting the current emperor. To put it nicely, the current Empress Dowager is my aunt. Commander Meng, who do you think has a greater chance of winning if this escalates?"
Commander Meng's expression changed, and after a long pause, he chuckled softly, "It seems this commander has underestimated you, Young Master. Is the time it takes for an incense stick to burn enough?"
Meng Jiangming cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Commander Meng."
Commander Meng snorted and said to his men, the imperial guards, "Wait outside."
"Father..." Meng Jiangming stepped forward, intending to untie his father.
The Duke of Ning looked at him and said slowly, "Jiangming, you have finally grown up."
Meng Jiangming was slightly stunned, his mouth tasting bitter. "Father, if I don't grow up now, I will truly be beyond salvation."
The Duke of Ning replied, "Things have not yet reached their worst. Jiangming, after I leave, you must go to the palace and seek the Empress Dowager's help."
Meng Jiangming nodded, "To be honest, Father, I was already planning to do so."
"Jiangming, do not place too much hope in the Empress Dowager. Although she hails from the Duke of Ning's residence, she is now the Empress Dowager. Even if the Duke of Ning's residence falls, she will still be the Empress Dowager."
"Father, I understand." How could Meng Jiangming not grasp this truth?
"If His Majesty sentences me, Jiangming, you must stay obediently within the Duke's residence. His Majesty will, out of respect for the Empress Dowager, ensure your safety."
Meng Jiangming trembled all over and looked at the Duke of Ning, asking, "And what about you, Father?"
"Don't worry about me. Having done so much, I am afraid I cannot escape unscathed."
"Father, no! I will definitely rescue you. You must hold on!"
The Duke of Ning shook his head. "Colluding with the enemy and treason are capital offenses!"
Meng Jiangming trembled, "Father, have you truly colluded with the enemy and committed treason?"
The Duke of Ning did not answer him, but Meng Jiangming could see the answer in his father's expression.
"Why, Father? That is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of kin!" Meng Jiangming asked with deep pain.
The Duke of Ning chuckled softly at this and did not reply. He only walked towards the outside, saying, "If the ruler wishes the minister to die, the minister must die. Must die..."
Meng Jiangming collapsed on the ground. The Duke of Ning's residence was truly finished.
However, he still held a glimmer of hope and went to the imperial palace.
The Empress Dowager summoned him. Seeing her, Meng Jiangming knelt down with a thud. "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, please save my father."
The Empress Dowager looked at Meng Jiangming and sighed, "Jiangming, it is not that this empress does not wish to save him, but that she is unable to. Colluding with the enemy and treason are crimes punishable by the extermination of nine generations of kin. Your father cannot escape death. This empress can only guarantee your survival."
Meng Jiangming slumped to the ground in disappointment and asked, "Is there truly no way at all?"
The Empress Dowager shook her head, "No, Jiangming. I am sorry, but this empress cannot help you."
Meng Jiangming walked out of the palace in a daze and returned to the Duke of Ning's residence. A servant hurried over and whispered a few words into his ear.
Meng Jiangming's expression changed, and he walked towards the back courtyard. Concubine Jiang, who was packing her belongings, looked at him with a changed expression. She smiled and said, "What is it, Young Master? Do you expect this concubine to perish with the Duke of Ning's residence?"
Meng Jiangming stepped forward, grabbed Concubine Jiang's collar, and asked coldly, "You wish to leave?"
"Why wouldn't I leave? Am I supposed to wait to share prosperity and hardship?" Concubine Jiang said dismissively.
Meng Jiangming narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Mother is already dead. It is not permissible for the residence to be without a mistress. Concubine Jiang, you shall remain to oversee the household affairs!"
Concubine Jiang sneered, "Oversee the household affairs? They are about to be charged with treason, punishable by the extermination of nine generations of kin. Am I to be buried with them?"
Meng Jiangming frowned at Concubine Jiang. Suddenly, Concubine Jiang's expression changed. He sneered and walked towards her step by step. "Father has not yet been convicted. How does Concubine Jiang know it will be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of kin? Also, buried with them? How does Concubine Jiang know Father will surely die?"
Concubine Jiang retreated a few steps, frightened. She explained, "I... I guessed."
"You guessed? Or do you actually know?" Meng Jiangming asked coldly, word by word.
Concubine Jiang tried to push Meng Jiangming away, but found she couldn't. She trembled, "Young Master, you..."
"Jiang Xiuyi, did you enter the Duke of Ning's residence with a purpose? Was your becoming Father's concubine also part of your plan? Speak..."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know..." Jiang Xiuyi tried to break free from Meng Jiangming, but it was futile.
"You don't know? Fine, then you can wait here to die!" Meng Jiangming walked out and shouted, "Meng Bei, watch her. Do not allow her to leave."
"Yes, Young Master." Meng Bei hid in the shadows.
Jiang Xiuyi knocked on the door, but it was locked, and she couldn't get out.
Meng Jiangming went to the study. "Meng Ying, Meng Lie."
Meng Ying and Meng Lie appeared before Meng Jiangming. "Young Master."
"The two of you are to keep a close eye on everyone in the residence. Report to me immediately if you notice anything unusual."
"Yes, Young Master."
Meng Jiangming stood up. He had a feeling that this was all orchestrated, intended to eradicate the Duke of Ning's residence.