The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 634

He had been waiting on this road all day, originally planning to ask Meng Qingyuan for help in person when he returned home in the afternoon, but he did not expect Meng Qingyuan to return so early today.

However, this is a good thing for him. The sooner he sees Meng Qingyuan, the sooner he might be able to get his son out of trouble.

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingyuan was immediately put in a difficult position. He was rather shy and couldn't stand this kind of situation.

"what happened?"

Seeing this, Meng Ji asked, somewhat puzzled.

"No big deal."

Meng Qingyuan didn't want his father to know, and didn't want to affect his father's mood because of this. After all, his father was about to represent the Ming Dynasty on a mission to the Western Regions, and how could he, as his son, hold him back?

When Meng Ji heard this, he didn't delve into it. He wanted his son to learn to be independent, so he shouldn't interfere in everything. After all, when he was gone, his son would have to face these people on his own.

"Then I won't ask anymore, but you must remember that you should treat those who are good to you even better, and you shouldn't be soft-hearted towards those who are not good to you. These people will not be grateful to you, they will only resent you."

Meng Ji looked at his son and said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingyuan's initial embarrassment vanished instantly.

“He led his men to besiege the Embroidered Uniform Guard and is now in the Imperial Prison. I am just an Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Southern Garrison Command; I have no say in the affairs of the Northern Garrison Command.”

As Meng Qingyuan spoke, he suddenly pulled on the horse's reins, and the horse immediately reared up. The man was terrified when he saw this, thinking that Meng Qingyuan was going to make the horse graze him, and he hurriedly dodged away.

As soon as the man stepped aside, Meng Qingyuan rode away.

The others nearby looked at him with schadenfreude.

"If you ask me, your son should spend some time in the Zhaoyu prison. You've spoiled him rotten. He's completely lawless in this area."

"Exactly! How dare he lead a group to besiege the Imperial Guards? Does he think he's Zhao Zilong?"

.....

Everyone chimed in, each adding their own insults.

In fact, his son offended more than just Meng Qingyuan; the residents in the neighborhood all disliked him.

When Meng Ji and his son Meng Qingyuan returned home, the woman felt even more sorrowful upon seeing Meng Ji, for she knew that Meng Wenxuan's visit meant his departure was not far off.

"Wenxuan, what brings you here today?"

As the woman spoke, she poured tea for Meng Ji.

"In two days, I will be representing the Ming Dynasty on a mission to the Western Regions. I don't know how long this trip will take, so I thought I'd come to see you two. You are the ones I'm most worried about."

Meng Ji took a sip of tea and said.

"Qingyuan, how have you been adjusting to life at the Southern Garrison these past two days?"

Meng Ji changed the subject.

"It's all good. My colleagues are very polite to me, though perhaps a little too polite. Oh, Father, Lord He gave me this a couple of days ago."

As he spoke, Meng Qingyuan jogged to his room and took out the pearl that He Er had given him.

Meng Ji took the pearl and looked at it.

"This is top-quality, worth at least one or two thousand taels. Lord He has really gone to great lengths."

Meng Ji said.

"Yes, Father, this is far too precious. Why would Lord He give me this for no reason? Should I return it?"

Meng Qingyuan asked.

Meng Ji shook his head.

"No need for that. Lord He gave you this not because of you or your father, but because of that official. Just accept it. When you go to Yun Gui Fang later, ask them to make a hairpin for your mother with this pearl."

As he spoke, Meng Ji returned the pearl to Meng Qingyuan.

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingyuan breathed a sigh of relief. He had been feeling uneasy about this matter for the past few days, but now, after hearing Meng Ji's words, he felt reassured.

"No need, you've given me quite a few hairpins over the years, Yun Gui Fang is too expensive."

"That's what the woman said."

Upon hearing this, Meng Ji grabbed the woman's right hand.

“Over the years, I’ve always felt that I haven’t been good enough to you. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be trapped in such a small courtyard. This pearl is just sitting there anyway, so it’s the most suitable to wear it on your head.”

"Yes, Mother, I have no use for it. Making it into a hairpin for you is the best way to make the most of it."

Meng Qingyuan chimed in from the side.

Over the years, he has often seen his parents being so affectionate, so he has gotten used to it and doesn't feel there's anything wrong with it.

"That `s a deal."

Seeing that the woman was about to say something, Meng Ji stopped her.

Hearing this, the woman smiled helplessly and did not insist any further.

"Dad, Mom, you two talk for a while, I'm going back to my room first."

Seeing his parents so affectionate, Meng Qingyuan wisely left.

As soon as Meng Qingyuan entered the room, the woman's smile vanished, replaced by a worried expression.

"If you go, will you never come back?"

The woman grasped Meng Ji's hand and asked.

Upon hearing this, Meng Ji was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Indeed, we can’t come back. The Ming Dynasty needs a reason to wage war against the Western Regions. I’ve told you about the Han envoys who went to the Western Regions before. What I’m doing now is no different from what those Han envoys did.”

Meng Ji sighed.

"Does it have to be you who goes?"

The woman pressed on, somewhat unwilling to give up.

"Anyone can go, but I want to go. I want to die to serve the Ming Dynasty so that I can be remembered in history and also secure a bright future for Qingyuan and my eldest son. However, this idea is indeed a bit selfish and does not take your feelings into consideration."

Meng Ji said with remorse.

“I knew it. When that sir mentioned it before, I knew it was you who wanted to go. Your temper has always been like this. I can’t change it, and I won’t stop you.”

As the woman spoke, she began to cover her face and weep, but she was afraid that her crying would be too loud and that Meng Qingyuan would hear it.