The Prodigal Son

When Qin Yu went to Song Zhuo's ward, he asked Song Xian about Song Zhuo's recent condition.

According to Song Xian, Song Zhuo can only drink some thin porridge every day, and his health is deteriorating day by day.

Before he returned, Zhao Luan had sent two people to help Song Zhuo with his meridians every day, and there was also an imperial physician waiting at the mansion at any time.

With the help of those two people, and the conditioning of the imperial physician's decoctions, Song Zhuo's spirits were still quite good.

However, everyone knows that Song Zhuo is just dragging things out one day at a time.

Soon, they arrived at the ward.

When they saw Song Zhuo, Qin Yu was taken aback.

Song Zhuo has changed a lot in just a few months!

His entire cheeks were sunken, and his originally gray hair had turned completely white.

Even though it's almost June, Song Zhuo is still covered with a thick quilt.

Upon seeing Qin Yu and Lü Si, Song Zhuo, lying on his sickbed, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Greetings, Prime Minister Song!"

The group bowed together in greeting.

"Alright, alright!"

Song Zhuo slightly raised his hand and asked with a smile, "Why did you two come together?"

Song Zhuo smiled and raised his hand to the two of them.

As soon as he raised his hand, Qin Yu noticed it.

That hand was like dried tree bark.

Qin Yu felt a pang of sadness and stepped forward, saying, "I ran into Lü Si when I went out. He heard that I was coming to visit Prime Minister Song, so he came along."

"Seeing you rascals all grow up, I can finally leave in peace." Song Zhu patted Qin Yu's hand and said earnestly, "We old folks are either too old or too dead! From now on, the fate of Da Ning rests on the shoulders of you young people!"

"Prime Minister Song, what are you saying?" Lü Si stepped forward to comfort him. "Prime Minister Song will definitely get better."

Song Zhuo smiled upon hearing this, "You can just keep me company and talk to me, but don't try to comfort me with these words. I know my own situation."

Get better?

How can things possibly get better?

He knew in his heart that as long as he didn't collapse, he could still hold on for a while.

Once you fall, you're not far from death.

Lu Si smiled sheepishly, unsure of what to say for a moment.

"Alright, everyone, stop standing and sit down!"

Song Xian arranged for the group to sit down and then ordered someone to serve them tea.

"No."

Song Zhuo stopped his son, "Take them to the courtyard outside for some tea. I have something I want to ask Qin Yu! Also, none of you are allowed to leave at noon. Stay and have a simple meal. Although I can't eat, I'll be happy to see you all eating."

"good!"

The group agreed and followed Song Xianqian into the courtyard.

As soon as the others left, Song Zhuo hurriedly pointed to a cabinet in the corner and instructed Qin Yu, "I've hidden half a jar of wine in that cabinet. Quickly go and pour me a cup!"

"Oh, this..."

Qin Yu looked at Song Zhuo, both amused and exasperated. "Prime Minister Song, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

So, he sent everyone away just so I could help him steal drinks?

"Nonsense! I probably don't have many days left to live, what's wrong with having a drink?"

Song Zhuo glared at Qin Yu. "You're drinking medicine all day long, you could vomit bile from your mouth! The imperial physician forbids me from drinking alcohol, but that bastard Song Xian treats the physician's words like a royal decree! Now, if I want a drink, I can only count on you! Hurry up, do I have to beg you?"

Now, he can no longer enjoy delicacies from land and sea.

All I can do is have a drink!

In his opinion, given his current situation, he can drink however he wants.

Drink while you can!

Even if I drink myself to death, it's better than dying from the torment of illness!

"Go ahead and try to screw me over!"

Qin Yu looked at Song Zhuo helplessly, "If His Majesty knew I helped you steal wine, he'd be furious with me!"

Despite saying this, Qin Yu still walked towards the cabinet.

On this point, he agreed with Song Zhuo's attitude.

Anyway, time is running out, so eat and drink to your heart's content!

What foods should I avoid?

Is it not a kind of luck to be able to leave freely and gracefully?

He opened the cabinet, peeked inside, and searched for a while before finally finding the half-jar of wine that Song Zhuo had hidden.

"It was hidden quite well!"

Qin Yu shook the wine jar. "There really is only half a jar. Did you secretly drink the other half?"

"Did the old man drink it, or did the rat drink it?"

A smug look appeared on Song Zhuo's withered old face. "I was thinking that after finishing this jar of wine, I should probably go! But recently I suddenly couldn't get up, so I don't have the chance to sneak a drink anymore..."

Qin Yu smiled, picked up a cup, poured a glass of wine for Song Zhuo, and brought it to his lips.

Song Zhuo propped his head up slightly and couldn't wait to drink.

After downing a glass of wine, Song Zhuo immediately broke into a satisfied smile. "Another one, please!"

"That's good enough!"

Qin Yu stopped Song Zhuo, "If I were to send you away, His Majesty would surely chop me to pieces."

"Half a cup! Just half a cup!"

Song Zhuo took a step back and gave Qin Yu a fawning smile.

Helpless, Qin Yu had no choice but to pour Song Zhuo another half cup.

After finishing half a glass of wine, Song Zhuo was finally satisfied, a smug look on his face. He sighed, "If only that bastard Song Xian were as sensible as you!"

"He can't bear to part with you, his old father."

As Qin Yu spoke, he sealed the half-full jar of wine back into its original place, jokingly saying, "After you leave, the rest of the wine will be buried with you!"

"Get lost! If you're going to be buried with me, you'd better at least produce a whole jar of wine!"

Song Zhuo glared at him with a smile, then asked with a chuckle, "Have you figured out what I asked you to think about before you left the capital?"

When this matter was mentioned, Qin Yu immediately felt ashamed.

He really didn't understand!

It was Zhao Luan who told him.

Seeing this, Song Zhuo pressed further, "Still haven't figured it out?"

"No!"

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled wryly, "I would appreciate it if Prime Minister Song could enlighten me."

He had already heard what Zhao Luan had to say, and he also wanted to hear what Song Zhuo had to say.

Song Zhuo was speechless for a moment, then shook his head and sighed, "It seems you're not suited for playing power games!"

As he spoke, Song Zhuo told Qin Yu about the even darker things he had mentioned.

What he said was almost identical to what Zhao Luan said.

However, he did not tell him to cultivate his own power base so that, if necessary, he could become the weapon in Zhao Luan's hand to eliminate the Shi family.

After saying this, Song Zhuo looked at Qin Yu and asked, "I heard from Song Xian that His Majesty has appointed Gao Dan as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Can you discern His Majesty's intentions?"

"That's something we can tell."

Qin Yu nodded slightly, "Your Majesty is trying to force Yu Jing to open up the salt route in Min at any cost."

"Oh, right!"

Song Zhuo smiled with satisfaction, then asked Qin Yu with a deep gaze, "Don't you think His Majesty is a bit too ruthless?"

"They always say, 'A little bit,'"

Qin Yu did not deny it, "However, I can understand Her Majesty! In her position, her first consideration is the overall situation, not the life or death of a few people."

"right!"

Song Zhu smiled in agreement, "It's just like a battle between two armies. Sometimes, to achieve victory, you have to sacrifice some people! Politics is about stability, not listening to your arguments about right and wrong!"

"I see!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly and sighed, "I must say, you people are truly unfathomable!"

Song Zhuo smiled, "After a few more years of training, you'll be like that too!"

"I hope you won't become a general who only knows how to bury himself in battle!"

"Remember this: enemies outside the battlefield are often more terrifying than those on the battlefield!"

"We must learn to fight with our heads down, but we must also learn to look up at the sky..."