Chapter 1308: Chapter 1308: Days Are Numbered

The Song Family rejoiced over Song Lingzhao’s recent promotion, but someone else fell ill upon witnessing the entrance of the Ning clan into the capital; that was Mr. Ning.

At that time, he was lying in a low, damp courtyard, with a phlegm pot that had just been filled with foul substances beside him, gasping heavily on the bed.

"Sir." Zhang Zhi wiped his mouth with a warm towel.

Mr. Ning waved his hand, closed his eyes, and a line of tears slid down from the corner of his eye. In a hoarse voice, he said, "I am truly a sinner of the Ning Family."

Even when the Ning Family had retreated to their hometown to farm all those years ago, they hadn’t suffered such disgrace as today upon entering the city, greeted with filth, an unbearable stench.

Seeing the group dressed in tattered clothes, emaciated and skeletal, his heart felt as if it were being cut with a knife, especially since there were few familiar faces among the crowd, likely having died along the way.

Zhang Zhi didn’t know how to console him, so he cursed the Princess Consort Ji, that shrew, and even Emperor Chu in his mind. Without his indulgence, how could that old hag dare to humiliate people like this?

"Sir, let me brew you another bowl of medicine."

Mr. Ning shook his head: "No need, no medicine will help this body of mine. Have our people left the capital completely?"

Zhang Zhi nodded: "They have dispersed and gone to different places."

Mr. Ning, hearing this, couldn’t quite describe his feelings, only managing a bitter smile: "That’s good, that’s good."

Zhang Zhi opened his mouth, sighed deeply.

"You should leave too."

Zhang Zhi shook his head: "I said, wherever you are, I will be there."

"It’s unnecessary." Mr. Ning held his hand and said, "Following me would only mean a pointless death. Sooner or later, I must face Emperor Chu. You leave and raise Hong’er well for me. Although Tong Qian is loyal, he has many concerns. I entrust Hong’er to you."

Zhang Zhi furrowed his brows, remained silent.

"In a few days, Emperor Chu will surely pronounce guilt on the Ning Family, and then you should go."

Zhang Zhi’s throat tightened: "Sir, are you truly resigned to this? As you said, showing up would only mean a pointless death."

Mr. Ning laughed coldly: "If it had been those two years right after feigning death, I wouldn’t be resigned at all. But as you can see, with my current age and health..."

Zhang Zhi remained silent, glancing at his abdominal area.

That seemingly harmless grandson of Mr. Wu’s illness proved to be the quiet, biting dog, as the blade was actually poisoned, only sparing him due to its shallow penetration. At the time, to be safe, he swallowed detoxification pills, yet his body was still greatly damaged.

In addition, with his aging and these days of hiding and being consumed with worries, even proper rest was impossible. His illness had worsened repeatedly, leaving him significantly weaker and older-looking than just a few days before.

Time was running out.

These were the words that loomed in Zhang Zhi’s mind, though he said nothing.

His eyes couldn’t help but brim with tears.

"It’s not just back then when I faked my death, even now at this age, and with the lord at the fief, I wouldn’t be content. But, alas, the timing doesn’t favor me," Mr. Ning said helplessly. "People must know when to sacrifice, and I, Ning Hongde, am not one to fear loss."

"But if you just leave like this, it’s such a loss. Emperor Chu may not spare the Ning clan." To cut the grass, one must eliminate the roots; which emperor would be kind-hearted?

Mr. Ning squinted his eyes and said, "Rest assured, there is still a ready bargaining chip; saving one is saving one."

Those he could bring, he could also take away.

Zhang Zhi was taken aback, pondering the implication of his words, with a sense of shock.

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