Ming Qingda’s expression was filled with resentment: “I have been dealing with these pirates for nearly ten years, and I have cultivated some close confidants, but all my efforts have been wasted because of what my mother said.”

“Lan Shi, do you think your grandmother was right?”

Ming Lanshi frowned, not knowing how to answer this question. On the one hand, the existence of the pirate gang was indeed not conducive to the Ming family’s coping with this menacing crisis. On the other hand, these pirates had been loyal to his father for nearly ten years.

Seeing that his son was silent, Ming Qingda smiled and said, “Your grandmother did the right thing. When a crisis comes, you can give up anything.”

“These pirates are destroyed, and I don’t care that much. But it’s not because I have a big heart, but because I have another force I can rely on.”

Ming Lanshi was startled, then came to his senses and said, “Father is talking about the Jiaozhou navy, but don’t they always obey my grandmother?”

The Jiaozhou Navy also has a close relationship with the Ming family. As early as when the Ming family first established itself in the south of the Yangtze River, the two sides established an inseparable connection.

The old lady Ming was the Ming family member who had the closest relationship with the Jiaozhou navy.

Ming Qingda looked much more relaxed, and said with emotion: “My mother is old, and everyone knows that the future of the Ming family needs to rely on young people. How could the Jiaozhou Navy not understand this?”

Ming Lanshi listened obediently without saying anything, because he had no idea what to say at this moment.

The father and son left Ming Garden and walked along the quiet path back to the Ming family’s main hall. After thinking for a long time, Ming Lanshi said with concern: “Father, just when you were meeting your grandmother, there was a message from Suzhou City that the young imperial envoy wanted to see his son.”

Ming Lanshi believed from the bottom of his heart that this was a good thing, however, he still had to ask his father’s opinion first.

“Since the Imperial Envoy wants to see you, then you can go. But you must remember what to say and what not to say. You must know what to say.”

Ming Qingda’s eyes showed a hint of cruelty, and he looked at his son with such eyes without any hesitation, “This imperial envoy is a smart man, and what smart people like to do most is to win people’s hearts.”

Ming Lanshi lowered his eyebrows and said, “If it is true as my father said, the imperial envoy wants to get closer to us, what should we do?”

Ming Qingda asked solemnly, “How can someone who blatantly wants to destroy us get close to us?”

Minglanshi fell silent.

“Just remember, don’t believe anything outsiders say.” Ming Qingda put his hands in his sleeves and turned around. “Suddenly, there are some things that I haven’t explained clearly to mother. Father has to go there. You should come back early.”

Back at Ming Garden, Ming Qingda hurried in with an even more impatient pace than before.

Old Lady Ming was displeased to see him so flustered, and she scolded him, “You have lost sight of the etiquette I taught you before.”

When Ming Qingda heard this, he slowed down his pace, walked closer and said, “Mother, there is trouble.”

Old Lady Ming looked at her son with disgust and said, “If you have something to say, just say it now.”

“Lan Shi went out to meet the imperial envoy.” Ming Qingda said truthfully.

Old Lady Ming’s face darkened and she asked sternly, “What does he think?”

“Lan Shi thinks that the Ming family will not fight to the death with the imperial envoy, and all conflicts can be mediated.” Ming Qingda said with a hint of sinisterness. “He is a bastard who can’t see the facts. He still thinks that my Ming family is deliberately opposing the imperial envoy.” The old lady Ming was furious, and her chest heaved with anger.

Ming Qingda quickly comforted her, “Mother, please calm down. Lan’er was also confused for a moment.”

“I think you are the most confused one. You can’t even control your own son. What’s the point of raising you?” Old Lady Ming turned around, pointed at his nose and scolded.

“I didn’t discipline my son well, but don’t worry, mother. This matter will be properly resolved.”

Ming Qingda walked behind the chair, put his hands on his mother’s shoulders, and massaged her back.

Old Madam Ming’s flushed face eased a little, and just as she was about to continue speaking, a leather rope was suddenly tightened around her throat. The feeling of suffocation came over her like a storm, and the old woman’s face turned red and hot. She couldn’t speak at all, and could only struggle frantically with her hands and legs.

At the same time, he heard a heavy gasp behind him: “Mother, I am ruthless, don’t worry, I am not the kind of indecisive person, I will not let you down.”

There was endless fear in the old woman’s eyes. She wanted to say something but couldn’t.

The rope loosened a little, and Old Lady Ming did not suffocate to death immediately.

Ming Qingda slowly put his mouth close to his mother’s ear and said, “Don’t worry, I have sent away all the servants in the garden without exception. No one will disturb you.”

“Mother, don’t ask why. If you really want to know, it’s because you’ve lived too long and I can’t stand it anymore.”

“I have been growing up by your side since I was little. You have taught me everything. I dare not point my finger when you point it east, and I dare not stand when you ask me to kneel. I thought day and night that everything would be fine when I grow up. When I grow up, my mother will not let me live in humiliation. I didn’t expect it to be like this.”

“Seven years ago, the Ming family changed blood. Mother once said that I would soon become the new master of the Ming family. But seven years have passed, and I am still serving you, regardless of your scolding. Mother, you have really lived too long.”

The rope around her neck was tightened again. Old Lady Ming felt dizzy and her eyes were bulging out. She seemed to be teetering on the edge of hell, but she could still hear her son’s clear words.

“Mother is a kind person in the eyes of Jiangnan people. You always do all kinds of good deeds, but what about your son? He kills people, burns people, robs people, and even kills people who threaten you seven years ago. All of these were done by your son. I am covered in blood, but you are covered in glory. How unfair it is! Even so, you don’t want me to be the head of this family. Why?”

Ming Qingda asked angrily, lowering his head and staring at the dying old woman, his eyes showing fear and terror for the first time.

Ming Qingda felt particularly relieved. His arrogant mother was finally scared and finally thought that her son was a ruthless person.

“Mother, don’t worry that your son will be threatened after your death. The Jiaozhou Navy reached a deal with my son not long ago. They will fully support me. As for your biggest backer, the Princess, she can’t even find a way to survive.”

You have also seen that all those people in the inner library were killed, and Junshan has never come out. The forces that mother relies on are not reliable at all. Don’t worry, so my son will lead the Ming family to a new path.”

Ming Qingda happily spoke out what was in his heart over the years, but he didn’t know that the old woman’s body had already gone limp and she was motionless.

Ming Qingda was a little disappointed when he finally reacted. He had not yet finished telling his kind and amiable mother what was in his heart.

(End of this chapter)