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

Chapter 648

At this moment, his dream became a reality, and Meng Qingyuan was extremely excited. However, he was not sure if the person in front of him was the one he was looking for.

Looking at Meng Qingyuan's expression, Zhou Chu understood that he had probably guessed his identity. However, Zhou Chu did not say anything and did not reveal his identity. After all, the main reason for coming today was to inform Meng Qingyuan of Meng Ji's death. Meng Qingyuan and his mother certainly could not be absent from Meng Ji's funeral.

"I have come here today to tell you something."

Zhou Chu's smile vanished, and his expression turned solemn.

Seeing Zhou Chu's expression, Meng Qingyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he had a bad feeling.

"Lord Meng was sent as an envoy to the Yarkand Khanate, but was unjustly murdered by Said Khan of the Yarkand Khanate. His Majesty was furious and sent a large army to conquer the Yarkand Khanate. Now Said Khan has been captured alive by the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty and sent back to the capital. Lord Meng's remains have also been brought back. His Majesty has decreed that a state funeral will be held for Lord Meng in two days."

Zhou Chu said earnestly.

Upon hearing only the first two sentences, Meng Qingyuan's face turned deathly pale. He felt intense dizziness and a sense of unreality. At that moment, he desperately wished he was dreaming and wanted to wake up from this dream soon.

Meng Qingyuan spent most of his childhood in that small courtyard. Besides his martial arts and literature masters, his parents were the only people who accompanied him as he grew up. He always looked forward to his father visiting him, because Meng Ji would always bring him delicious food or fun toys.

In his eyes, Meng Ji had always been a loving father. Although he was sometimes a bit strict with him, Meng Qingyuan always knew that his father did it for his own good.

Half a year ago, when Meng Qingyuan learned that his father was going to the Western Regions, he was extremely reluctant to part with him. However, he was very sensible and did not show it. He knew very well that he could not stop his father's important mission. Moreover, his father was right. He had grown up and could not always rely on his father. In the future, his mother would still need him to support her.

He never imagined that this parting would be their last.

"Sir, this isn't true. Tell me, this isn't true, is it?"

Meng Qingyuan looked at Zhou Chu with a pleading expression, but he couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu patted Meng Qingyuan on the shoulder, sighed, but said nothing.

"Qingyuan, take a good rest at home these two days and spend time with your mother."

He Er, who was standing to the side, also sighed.

Seeing Meng Qingyuan's somewhat dazed appearance, He Er specially ordered two Imperial Guards to escort Meng Qingyuan home.

As soon as Meng Qingyuan opened the door, he saw his mother dressed in plain clothes burning paper money in the courtyard, and she burst into tears.

Meng Qingyuan suddenly realized that perhaps his father knew he would die there before he set off, otherwise why would he have entered the Southern Garrison Command?

"Mother, you knew all along, didn't you?"

Meng Qingyuan looked at his mother and asked.

The woman was not surprised when Meng Qingyuan asked such a question. The news of Meng Ji's death had been announced throughout the capital, and the woman did not expect to be able to hide it from Meng Qingyuan.

“When that official told me about it, I realized something was wrong. I asked him about it and found out that your father had asked for it himself. He wanted to emulate the Han envoy and sacrifice his life to expand the territory of the Ming Dynasty. In this way, he could secure a future for you and also make a name for himself in history.”

The woman could no longer hold back and broke down in tears.

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingyuan stood frozen in the courtyard. He couldn't help but recall Meng Ji's words and actions before he left. At the time, Meng Qingyuan thought his father was saying goodbye, but he never expected that his father was giving instructions for his funeral.

Thinking of this, Meng Qingyuan's tears, which he had been holding back, flowed again. He took the paper money from the woman's hand and kept putting it into the brazier.

"Father, why didn't you tell me back then? Were you afraid that your son wasn't mature enough to handle such a blow?"