This time, Mingting truly settled into the Ministry of Works, with his teacher and future father-in-law keeping a close eye on him. He behaved himself and focused on the task at hand.
Mingting stayed at the Ministry of Works for half a month, thoroughly explaining the principles, materials, and manufacturing process of the hot air balloon until Su Hengzhong finally allowed him to return home.
After returning, Mingting learned about Song Yi's visit.
During this period of time when he was away, Song Yi had recovered and come with Princess Dongyang, only to be driven away by He Gu and Jiang Xiao'e.
"Mother, Sister, were you hurt?!"
Mingting immediately checked on them.
"No, no." Seeing that her youngest son cared about her, He Gu was very happy.
"Mom is in good health. I chased them down the street with a cleaver! That liar even face-planted in the dirt!"
"Mom is so amazing. Such skill… truly a heroine unmatched by men!"
Mingting could fool He Gu, but not Jiang Xiao'e.
She still vividly remembered the day they'd rescued Mingting, he said, 'If it weren't for benefactor who saved me, I'd be reuniting with my mother in the underworld today.'
Mingting never mentioned his biological father, and though He Gu had been eager to adopt him, they hadn't pressed for details about his past.
Now, it seems that Mingting's biological father is indeed still alive, and it is very likely that he is Song Yi.
Jiang Xiao'e's skeptical gaze didn't escape Mingting's notice. He had no intention of hiding the truth from his family and straightforwardly revealed his origins.
"Then, will you go back? Will you acknowledge your father?" He Gu clutched Mingting's hand, "It's only right, that's your biological father. The bond of blood, the ties of kinship... they can't be erased..."
"Mom, I am your son, Big Sister's younger brother. Without you, there would be no me today. I have only one father, whose grave we visited not long ago. Have you forgotten?"
Seeing the reluctance in the old woman's eyes, Mingting set her mind at ease.
"Don't worry. The Emperor has already settled my status. That man drove my mother to her death. If I acknowledged him, how could I face my mother in the afterlife?"
"Good, good. No one can take my youngest son away from me."
Mingting knew Song Yi wouldn't give up, so he waited at home.
Sure enough, the next day, Song Yi really came, and Mingting blocked him at the door.
"I know what you want to say. Yes, I am Song Mingting."
Hearing Mingting's words, Song Yi was very excited, "Ting'er, your father has searched for you so bitterly…"
"Stop acting."
Mingting cut him off coldly, and the handsome boy stared at Song Yi with indifference.
"I won't acknowledge you. Give it up! The moment my mother died, my father died with her."
"However, if you really want to bask in my glory and take advantage of me, it's not impossible. Kneel before my mother's grave for eighty-one days, kneel until she comes back to life. If she forgives you, I'll acknowledge you."
"You…?!"
Song Yi was stunned. This was nothing like the heartfelt father-son reunion he had imagined over and over in his head.
'And what kind of nonsense was this unfilial brat spouting?'
'As a dignified Vice Minister of Rites, he wanted me to kneel before some peasant woman? Did this kid want him to become a laughingstock across the nation?'
'Besides, how could the dead come back to life?!'
Song Yi could see that Mingting had no intention of recognizing him, and his lips trembled with rage.
"I am your father! That's something you can never deny!"
"My father died a thousand deaths already. You say you're my father, so that makes it true? Go and sue me if you have the guts!"
Mingting suddenly grinned, his lips curling mockingly, his eyes filled with malice.
"Get the censors to impeach me for being unfilial! Hah, as if I'm scared of you! If that's not enough, go beat the grievance drum yourself and let His Majesty judge this personally! I wonder if you even have the face to stand before the Emperor!"
"You, you…" Song Yi had never imagined that beneath this young man's refined exterior lay such a wicked, shameless rogue.
'If not for his status as the Zhuangyuan, he'd be nothing but a street thug.'
"Take care, Minister Song. I won't see you out." Mingting waved dismissively at Song Yi.
"Don't worry. Out of gratitude for your… biological contribution, I won't kill you."
"Even though you caused my mother's death, killing you would be too merciful. I'll let you watch as I climb higher and higher… watch me become a marquis and prime minister, commanding the wind and rain, while you get not even a scrap of benefit. Doesn't that just make your blood boil?"
Puff…
Song Yi was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground.
When he lay on the ground with his eyes open, Mingting's voice still rang in his ears.
"Minister Song isn't that old, yet he's already coughing up blood. I wonder if it's retribution for all the evil he's done. Truly, the heavens see all… good and evil are accounted for, and no one escapes judgment!"
'Unfilial brat! Wretched son!'
Song Yi's eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Mingting, slapping the ground in fury.
After leaving Song Yi at the doorstep, Mingting closed the door and was in a good mood.
'Ah, the ancient times truly was wonderful… There was no recordings, no videos, no livestreams. I didn't have to worry about leaving evidence and could say whatever I wanted.'
'Insulting scumbags was so satisfying!'
Song Yi refused to let it go. After Mingting's family moved into their newly bestowed Count Zhongyi's Mansion, he was reported and the crime was filial impiety.
This storm had been brewing for a while, and Mingting had been waiting for it.
When Mingting was summoned to the palace, Song Yi stood there, pale-faced and pitiful. He told all the assembled officials that Mingting was his long-lost son.
This former Tanhua was good at making up stories. It was obviously he was the one who divorced his wife, but Song Yi said that his wife died early and his child was lost, and said that he had been looking for him for many years.
In this era that revered filial piety, a tearful father-son reunion was the heartwarming narrative everyone wanted, so many people stand on Song Yi's side.
"Count Zhongyi, what do you have to say?" Emperor Li looked at Mingting.
"Your Majesty, I truly don't know why Minister Song insists I'm his son." Mingting said with a pained expression, "My biological father passed away long ago from illness, and the Jiang Family records are very clear on this."
"Minister Song, could it be… you've lost your mind from longing for a son?!"
"You… you clearly admitted it before!"
Song Yi clutched his chest.
Ever since he vomited blood, he had developed chronic chest pains, especially when he heard Mingting say that his biological father was dead, he became even more angry.
"Minister Song, you can't just eat any random food, and you can't just say any random thing. That day, I clearly explained my origins to you. Why must you persist in harassing me?"
Mingting sighed.
"You can't even remember words spoken just days ago. It's obvious that you have a brain disease and are very confused. I know a rather skilled physician. Minister Song, would you like an examination on your head?"
In simple terms, Mingting's words meant, 'You're insane, so just get treated!'
"You…!" Even after witnessing Mingting's talent for twisting the truth, Song Yi was once again left speechless.
Song Yi knew that he could not win the argument with Mingting, so he knelt down directly in front of Emperor Li.
"Your Majesty, I request a blood test!"