Chapter 398: Public Display of Affection
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
However, that was only the beginning.
When his wife’s business grew bigger and expanded widely, she would make a lot of money every day. How could he compare to her?
Prince Huaiyin noticed Song Rui’s expression and smiled.
This couple really did not let go of any chance to show off their affection at all times.
“Ahem… Why did you ask me out this time?” Prince Huaiyin brought up the main topic.
Song Rui became solemn and started discussing serious matters with Prince Huaiyin.
“Initially, I was going to use Shen Rong’s matter to drive a wedge between the old fox and Empress Jia.
“But now, the plan has failed.”
As he spoke, Song Rui told Prince Huaiyin about the agreement between Minister Shen and Empress Jia.
When Prince Huaiyin heard this, he raised his head to look at Song Rui.
He did not expect Minister Shen and Empress Jia to value Song Rui to this extent.
He had to admit that he had made the right choice by choosing Song Rui to infiltrate the Prime Minister’s residence.
“You received three beauties for free. Aren’t you tempted?” After listening for a while, Prince Huaiyin suddenly looked at Song Rui tauntingly.
Well, fine. He must admit he had the intention to test the other party.
Although he had not interacted much with Marquis Xiaoyao, he knew her personality.
If Song Rui really dared to be fickle and have a wandering heart… No matter how much Marquis Xiaoyao loved him, she would not tolerate it.
If the two of them separated because of this, would he still stand a chance?
Song Rui was stunned.
Then, he looked at Prince Huaiyin with some displeasure.
“If Your Highness likes them, I can give them to you after the matter is over,” he said in a deep voice.
Prince Huaiyin almost choked.
For a while, he could not give any reply.
Following that, Song Rui added, “My wife is the only one for me in this life.”
“The same goes for my wife.” As he said this, Song Rui gave Prince Huaiyin a warning look.
When he saw this, Prince Huaiyin immediately felt guilty.
He suspected that his devious thoughts had been seen through by the other party.
“Ahem… I was just joking. Brother Song, please don’t take it to heart.” Hence, he tried to smooth things over.
Song Rui once again looked at Prince Huaiyin in annoyance.
“Your Highness, please don’t make such jokes next time,” he responded in a deep voice.
The smile on Prince Huaiyin’s face froze.
“Ahem… okay. 1 will remember it,” he replied.
After saying this, Prince Huaiyin felt a little strange.
This rascal was really bold. To think that he dared to talk to him like this. Strangely enough, Prince Huaiyin himself did not find it repulsive.
“Let’s continue with serious business then,” Prince Huaiyin quickly said.
Song Rui nodded.
He then reported the situation to Prince Huaiyin.
“I’ve already promised my wife that I won’t marry Shen Lian.”
When he saw Prince Huaiyin looking at him, Song Rui added, “And I most definitely won’t marry Jia Qi and Sang’er.” At this point, Song Rui gave a sigh.
“My wife still doesn’t know about Jia Qi and Sang’er,” Song Rui continued.
Prince Huaiyin looked at Song Rui.
Then, the corners of his mouth could not help but curl up into a gloating smile.
“Then what do you have in mind, Brother Song?” he asked.
Song Rui glanced at Prince Huaiyin.
“What else can I do? Tell her the truth,” he said with a sigh.
As he spoke, he picked up the wine cup on the table and took a sip.
Upon seeing this, the smile on Prince Huaiyin’s lips deepened.
“What if Marquis Xiaoyao doesn’t agree?”
Song Rui looked at Prince Huaiyin in annoyance.
“There are no ifs. My wife would never agree.
“Besides, even if she agreed, I would never do it.”
Prince Huaiyin’s face stiffened at once
Song Rui glanced at Prince Huaiyin again but didn’t argue with him.
“So, Your Highness’s plan has to be brought forward,” he continued.
Prince Huaiyin’s eyes widened substantially.
He couldn’t believe that Song Rui would ask him to bring forward his plan just because of this.
Song Rui saw his reaction but chose to ignore him.
He continued, “Mrs. Shen is certain that the old fox forced Shen Rong to her death. Now that she sees that the old fox wants to bring his illegitimate daughter into the residence, she will not let the old fox off the hook.
“When she saw that she couldn’t win me over by herself, she began thinking of using the Jia family and the Empress.
“After this, if she can really convince Jia Kun to marry Jia Qi to me as a concubine, the Jia family and Empress Jia will inevitably have other thoughts.” At this point, Song Rui gave Prince Huaiyin a somewhat insidious smile.
Prince Huaiyin was stunned.
He thought of something and his heart skipped a beat.
“Are you saying that Empress Jia might let you replace Shen Hongyu?”
Song Rui glanced at Prince Huaiyin and took another sip from his wine cup.
“Why not?
“Shen Hongyu rose because of the Jia family, but now he has other thoughts.
“If there is a suitable candidate, it is not a bad idea to replace Shen Hongyu, isn’t it?” And he, Song Rui, was the most suitable candidate.
After all, Shen Hongyu was currently focused on grooming him.
Prince Huaiyin’s eyes flickered momentarily.
“How confident are you?” he asked Song Rui solemnly.
Song Rui was working for him all along. If he could get the support of Minister Shen and Empress Jia, with the help of all three parties, Song Rui’s career would definitely be smooth sailing.
As long as there was a suitable opportunity, it was not impossible to replace Minister Shen.
Song Rui raised his eyes to look at Prince Huaiyin.
“As long as Mrs. Shen can persuade Jia Kun, I am 90% confident,” he said with self-assurance.
Prince Huaiyin’s eyes lit up.
“If that’s the case, we can try,” he said.
Song Rui smiled.
“Leave the Imperial Court to me. As for the army’s end, Your Highness should speed up.”
Prince Huaiyin nodded.
“I will take note of this.” Then, he raised his wine cup to Song Rui.
Song Rui raised his cup in return.
The two of them toasted their first cup of wine.
“On Marquis Xiaoyao’s side…” Suddenly, Prince Huaiyin looked at Song Rui.
Song Rui looked at Prince Huaiyin with displeasure again.
“We agreed before that we wouldn’t let my wife get involved,” he said.
Prince Huaiyin smiled awkwardly.
“But, perhaps Marquis Xiaoyao is willing to participate?
“Brother Song has been hiding these things from her. In the end, when the truth comes out, she might be angry.”
The displeasure in Song Rui’s eyes deepened.
Prince Huaiyin stopped talking.
“Right now, other than Your Highness, no one knows about my relationship with her. Even if the truth is revealed, I, Song Que, will be the only one who will die. There’s no need to drag her along and take the risk with me,” Song Rui said.
Prince Huaiyin finally gave up the intention to test him and lowered his head to drink a cup of wine.
After a while, he spoke again. “It is Marquis Xiaoyao’s fortune to have Brother
Song as her husband.”
Song Rui smiled again.
“No. It is my blessing to be able to marry her.”
When he saw the smile on Song Rui’s face, Prince Huaiyin felt that someone had just openly displayed his affection in front of him again.
“The 18th of next month will be Emperor Father’s 60th birthday. There’s already news from the palace that there is going to be a big celebration.
“When the time comes, if you can please His Majesty with a congratulatory gift, it will be good for you,” Prince Huaiyin said as he changed the topic.
It was common for the Emperor to reward his officials when he received a gift that pleased him.
In the past, someone had been promoted by three ranks because he had given his Emperor Father a gift that he liked.
If Song Rui made good use of this opportunity, and with the help of Minister Shen and Empress Jia, it would be easy for him to be promoted.
Song Rui nodded.
“The old fox also mentioned this matter to me.” He even asked Song Rui to think about it carefully and prepare a special and meaningful gift for the Emperor..