"This matter concerns the life and death of the entire Ling family. To protect the whole family, I had no choice but to reluctantly imprison your father..."
After a moment's thought, Old Master Ling decided to tell Ling Muzhu the whole truth. He had not revealed it before because he was worried it would affect his imperial examinations.
Now it was time to tell Ling Muzhu the truth. Right or wrong, he believed Ling Muzhu was capable of making accurate judgments himself.
Conversely, continuing to hide this from Ling Muzhu would truly turn him into a pampered young lady, incapable of making sound judgments when faced with adversity.
Why not take advantage of the fact that Ling Muzhu was still at home, when he still had the time and energy to teach him properly, rather than letting others teach him when he entered society later?
After hearing everything, Ling Muzhu's expression stiffened. Previously, his eldest sister-in-law had only told him that his father had colluded privately with the Third Prince, intending to curry favor and build alliances. However, she had never told him that the Third Prince was also colluding with people from Xiliang.
That was treason! If such a major matter were exposed, and it implicated his father and the Third Prince in collusion, then the entire Ling family would be branded with the infamy of treason.
Such a crime, even with the merits of several generations of the Ling family, would be difficult to erase. How could his father be so foolish as to do such a thing?
What was most terrifying was that if his father knew that the Third Prince was colluding with people from Xiliang and still insisted on aligning with him, then... that was truly unfathomable. Thinking back now, he felt a chill down his spine.
"I am telling you this today after much careful consideration. Muzhu, you have grown up and must learn to bear everything yourself. Now that you know these things, you must make your own decisions. I will not stop you."
"Grandfather..." Ling Muzhu murmured a few words, but they stopped abruptly on his lips. For a moment, he didn't know how to make a choice. The burden on his heart felt like a thousand pounds, making it difficult for him to breathe.
Seeing Ling Muzhu like this, Old Master Ling sighed helplessly. The child had grown up, and he couldn't forever support him. Doing so would only harm him. Some things should be learned to be resolved by himself.
After a moment's hesitation, Old Master Ling took the token from his waist and placed it on the table: "The token is here. Muzhu, if you wish to see your father, go ahead."
After Old Master Ling left, Ling Muzhu's gaze fell on the token on the table. After a moment of hesitation, he reached out and picked it up. He lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before getting up and walking out.
Outside the ancestral hall, countless black-armored soldiers were still guarding. The leading officer was used to seeing Ling Muzhu. Since they were ordered to guard the ancestral hall, the second young master had probably come once every one or two days.
"Second Young Master, what are you sending this time? I'll help you deliver it."
Thinking that Ling Muzhu was going to deliver something, he asked directly.
Ling Muzhu took out the token in his hand: "My grandfather ordered me to come and see my father. Please grant me passage, General."
"Since that is the case, Second Young Master, please enter."
With Old Master Ling's token in hand, Ling Muzhu had a smooth passage and directly met the Second Master Ling.
As Ling Muzhu entered the dimly lit room and saw Ling Second Master standing by the window, looking much older, he couldn't help but call out, "Father..."
Hearing the voice, Ling Second Master was touched, thinking it was his hallucination. He sighed and did not turn to look back, as this was not the first time he had hallucinated.
With the black-armored army guarding the ancestral hall, how could Muzhu enter? It must be due to his intense longing for Muzhu during these days.
"Father... your son is here to see you!"
Seeing that Ling Second Master did not respond, Ling Muzhu called out again. Only then did Ling Second Master's body sway slightly, and he quickly turned to look back. The moment he saw Ling Muzhu, he was instantly overcome with tears.
"Muzhu... you... you're here?" His voice trembled slightly, and for a moment, he couldn't believe that what he was seeing was real.
He walked unsteadily to Ling Muzhu's side and tentatively reached out to touch him.
Upon confirming that the person before him was indeed Ling Muzhu, Ling Second Master could no longer control his emotions, and tears flowed uncontrollably: "Muzhu... it's really you, it's really you!"
"Father, it is your son. Your son has come to see you. How are you today, Father?"
"How can I be well being confined in this sunless place? Muzhu, if you truly care about your father, then beg your grandfather to release me!"
Ling Second Master tightly grasped Ling Muzhu's hand and pleaded repeatedly. If he remained confined in the dark ancestral hall, he would eventually go mad. He now even dreamed of leaving this accursed place.
Ling Muzhu slightly lowered his eyes and subtly withdrew his hand: "Father, I begged Grandfather for a long time before he agreed to let me see you. Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"This place is not suitable for talking. Go and beg your grandfather, beg him properly. He will surely agree to release me. Once I leave here, we can talk slowly about anything."
"Father, Grandfather will not let you leave. You should stay here peacefully. Perhaps when Grandfather's anger subsides, he will release you."
Ling Muzhu's tone was flat. He had already made up his mind about this matter. He also knew what kind of person his father was: stubborn and arrogant, pretending to be learned despite his limited academic achievements.
He was eager to find an opportunity to gain his grandfather's approval. If his father had not given up on his plans with the Third Prince, releasing him could ruin the entire Ling family, making him the greatest sinner of the Ling family. He could not do such a thing.
"Then... why are you still here!"
"I am here today only to tell you that I have passed the second-class."
Upon hearing this, a joyful expression finally appeared on Ling Second Master's face. He excitedly grabbed Ling Muzhu's shoulders: "Muzhu, you really... really passed!"
"Yes, Father, your son has indeed passed."
"Good! Good! Heaven has not abandoned my second branch. My own career has ended up like this, but my son is promising. My second branch still has hope!"
"Muzhu, since you have passed, your future is immeasurable. Go and beg your grandfather to help you with your official posting in the capital."