Chapter 501 Farewell to Father
Tong Xinzhen forged a letter, pretending that it was evidence of Ning Hanwang's private dealings with the ministers of Xingliang, and secretly reported it to Gu Mengzhen.
After a few days, the situation became more serious. Although Ning Hanwang tried his best to prove his innocence, he still could not dispel Gu Mengzhen's doubts.
Ning Yunxi's full moon was a day for the whole family to celebrate, but Ning Hanwang was exiled to Tongrou County and was forced to leave Beijing the same day without being allowed to stay. Many of the Ning clan's side branches were implicated, and almost none of them were spared.
Ning Hanwang walked out of the city gate in a state of panic. Before he had gone far, he heard a loud voice behind him shouting, "Father!"
Ning Hanwang recognized the voice and turned around to see. Sure enough, it was his eldest son who came to see him off.
"Fongzhe, slow down, don't fall."
Ning Fengzhe was anxious and staggered to his father.
"I am Ning Fengzhe, and I respectfully wish my father good health."
Afraid that his beloved son would fall, Ning Hanwang helped him up in time.
"Get down quickly."
After making sure his son was standing firmly, he carefully taught him the rules.
"Fengzhe's etiquette was wrong. Your father has been stripped of his title, demoted to the ninth rank, and banished to Tongrou County. You are just a lowly person, you cannot respectfully wish him good health, the most you can do is to show respect and wish him well."
Ning Fengzhe responded respectfully and bowed again.
"Yes, I know I was wrong, and I will correct it now."
"Father is well."
Ning Hanwang felt pity for his son and reached out to help him again.
"Okay, okay, no need to be so polite."
"Why did you come here alone? Did you forget that the emperor has ordered that the Ning and Mu families are not allowed to see you off?"
Ning Fengzhe touched his forehead and answered weakly.
"I knock my head and beg the emperor to allow me to see my father off."
Ning Hanwang then discovered the injury. He was shocked, heartbroken, and guilty.
"Good boy, why do you have to do this?"
He squatted down, stood at his level, and gently soothed his son's pain through the gauze.
"A few days ago, I misunderstood you and maybe cheated you. I thought you would be angry. Unexpectedly, not only did you not care, but you were hurt because of me. I was judging others by my own standards."
"You are so filial that your foolish father is really ashamed. I can only shamelessly beg for your forgiveness."
Ning Fengzhe's eyes were like fresh snow, pure and innocent, with a hint of innocence and ignorance of the world.
"Father's words are too serious for me to bear."
Intentionally or unintentionally, he began to quote.
"My son has a question, please help me, father."
Ning Hanwang was deeply moved and touched.
"Good boy, you say."
Ning Fengzhe asked in confusion.
"Zhenlang, who is it?"
The name was a bit special, and Ning Hanwang was slightly surprised.
"Zhenlang?"
"Who did you hear about this?"
Ning Fengzhe's eyes are simple, clear and translucent in color.
"It's mother."
"A few days ago, when I heard that my father had an accident, my mother was talking to me."
"That day, she asserted that the forged letter must have been done by Zhenlang."
"The child was eager to save his father, so he immediately asked, who is Zhenlang? The mother did not answer."
"Excuse me, father, who is Zhen Lang? I'm asking the Mu family to help me deal with that Zhen Lang. Can we rescue you and bring you back to Beijing?"
Based on his description, Ning Hanwang had some guesses.
"Could it be, Lord Tong, the Minister of Supervision?"
Ning Fengzhe gave his affirmation as it was natural.
"My mother often mentioned this person in private."
Ning Han's eyes dimmed and his heart was in turmoil.
"That's it."
He gritted his teeth secretly and endured the pain of emotional injury.
"It turns out that Madam..."
Ning Fengzhe acted pretentiously.
"It's good to know who it is. Father, wait a moment. I will rush to the Mu Mansion and beg them to help me."
Ning Hanwang quickly stopped his son.
"Bong-chul, slow down."
Ning Fengzhe stopped as he was told, turned around and stood respectfully.
"What do you want, father?"
Ning Han looked into the distance, and saw a deep haze.
"The Mu tribe will not save me."
Ning Fengzhe is hopeful and innocent.
"Don't worry, father. I will do my best to beg them."
Ning Hanwang shook his head slightly and instructed softly.
"Don't offend the Mu family because of me."
Ning Fengzhe looked confused.
"how you said that?"
Ning Hanwang responded patiently and continued to give instructions.
"You are still young and don't understand many things."
"Don't mention the word Zhenlang again, especially in front of the Mu family. Remember?"
Looking into his father's eyes, Ning Fengzhe was filled with deep affection and reluctance.
"My child will remember this. But why?"
Looking into his son's eyes, Ning Hanwang was overwhelmed with mixed emotions and was reluctant to leave.
"When you grow up, you will understand. Now, don't ask anything. Just pretend you know nothing."
Ning Fengzhe was heartbroken when he heard this.
"If I really do nothing, I'm afraid there will be no hope for my father to return to Beijing."
Ning Hanwang coaxed and promised, and comforted her with gentle words.
"How can I bear to leave you and Feng'er alone in the house? Father has his own way."
"Just trust me, stay well-fed and well-clothed, live a peaceful life, and wait for me to come back, okay?"
Ning Fengzhe calmed down a little.
"My father is always resourceful, I believe him."
Ning Hanwang smiled with relief.
"Well, Fengzhe is really sensible."
He paused for a moment, then made a request.
"I have one more thing I want to ask of you."
Ning Fengzhe lowered his eyes to show his fear.
"As my father tells me."
Ning Hanwang was calm and frank, confessing the secret deep in his heart.
"When I'm not around, please go to Nanjiao, Qihuaixuan, and help me take care of a girl."
"Her maiden name is Liu Yan, and she is a girl I rescued by chance at the border of Yuesheng. She has just reunited with her biological parents, and I am afraid that they will not get along well and that she will be deeply wronged. You are kind and reasonable, and with you mediating, your father can rest assured."
After saying this, he emphasized it.
"Remember, don't let your mother know."
Ning Fengzhe remained humble on the surface but sneered inwardly.
"What is the relationship between this Miss Liu and my father? How should I address her respectfully?"
Ning Hanwang did not give a direct answer as to what their relationship was, and only answered the latter.
"Just call her Aunt Liu."
Confirming the honorific was tantamount to confirming their secret relationship, and a hint of contempt quickly flashed across Ning Fengzhe's lips.
"Yes."
Ning Hanwang opened his heart and continued to speak frankly.
"There is a box of silver in Yanxiju's bedroom, and the key is hidden in the secret compartment of the closet. You can give her some silver from time to time as you see fit. If she refuses to accept it, you can keep it for yourself."
When Ning Fengzhe heard that there was money, his eyes lit up.
Xier now has more food to eat in the future.
"My child obeys."
To Ning Hanwang, his son at this time was like the first ray of sunshine after the winter frost and snow, which was particularly warm.
"Thank you."
Ning Fengzhe raised his hand and straightened Ning Hanwang's hair that was messed up by the wind, wiping away a trace of dejection for him.
"Father ordered me to do what he ordered. Why should we be so polite?"
Ning Hanwang was so moved that he wanted to cry.
"Well, Fengzhe is really good."
Feeling that tears were about to burst out, he said goodbye quickly, not wanting to appear weak in front of his son.
"I have to go now."
"It's getting late. You shouldn't be away from home for too long. Go back home quickly. Be careful on your way back. When you go out next time, remember to bring your servants with you."
Ning Fengzhe pretended to be tearful and said goodbye with tears.
"Yes."
"My son, I bid farewell to my father."