Chapter 408 - 408: Breaking off the Betrothal

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Please choose another worthy husband for her, Lord Jia.” Song Rui didn’t even dare to look at Jia Kun.

At present, Jia Kun was no longer as amiable as he was earlier. His entire face had turned ominously dark.

Great. So this guy was actually here to break off the betrothal.

Did this fellow Song Rui really think that he was some kind of big shot?

If it wasn’t for his first younger sister coming up to him and persuading him relentlessly, he wouldn’t have considered allowing Qi’er to be someone else’s concubine.

Yet, this fellow was really exceeding his expectations!

Before Jia Kun could reply, Song Rui mustered his courage and raised his head to look at him.

When he saw the ominous look on Jia Kun’s face, he quickly lowered his head again.

Jia Kun became even angrier when he saw Song Rui’s action.

“Do you know what you’re saying?” he asked in a deep voice. This guy honestly did not know how to appreciate favors.

Song Rui was silent.

A moment later, he bowed to Jia Kun again.

“I know,” he said.

“Impudent!” Jia Kun finally exploded with rage.

He picked up the teacup in his hand and threw it at Song Rui, hitting him squarely on the forehead.

Song Rui felt the pain and blood oozed out of his forehead, but he maintained his posture.

“Lord Jia, please calm down,” he said.

When he saw Song Rui’s reaction, the anger in Jia Kun’s eyes dissipated a little.

“Hmph! How can you expect me to calm down?” Jia Kun snapped in annoyance. “Do you really think that no one wants my Qi’er?”

“I wouldn’t dare…” Song Rui hurriedly bowed.

“Miss Qi’er is both beautiful and talented without peer. She is famous throughout the capital for this. It’s… it’s because I’m not talented enough to be worthy of Miss Qi’er.” As he spoke, he carefully glanced to the side.

Jia Kun finally noticed the situation.

Following this, he looked at the caretaker of the Shen family’s residence standing behind Song Rui.

The caretaker of the Shen family’s residence became frightened and quickly lowered his head.

He was just a tool who tagged along to keep an eye on things. He didn’t want to offend the Empress’s brother.

Jia Kun finally realized that something was not right.

His heart skipped a beat as he looked at Song Rui again.

“Alright. Since that’s the case, then the marriage between you and Qi’er will be called off.

“In addition, remember this, you with the surname Song. This is not the end of this matter.” With that, Jia Kun stood up at once.

“See the guests off!” After that, he left the hall first.

Song Rui came to break off the betrothal, but he brought a servant with him. Things were not as simple as they appeared.

Since his first younger sister was the one who pulled the strings, it was better for him to ask her about the actual situation.

As for Song Rui and Qi’er…

Since Song Rui had already come to break off the betrothal, there was no need to proceed with it.

Fortunately, the news of the Jia family marrying their daughter to Song Rui had not spread out yet. Thus, there was no mention that the daughter he was going to marry off was Qi’er.

In this way, his daughter’s reputation was not damaged.

After Lord Jia left, Song Rui and the caretaker of the Shen family’s residence were relieved.

The servants of the Jia family came in and offered to see them off.

Song Rui sighed and left.

The caretaker of the Shen family’s residence quickly followed.

On the way back, Song Rui closed his eyes to rest without saying a word, just like he did on his way here.

Did Jia Kun guess that he was held back by reasons that he could not reveal?

He had already given Jia Kun a hint, so he should have guessed it.

After this, he would not be able to meet Jia Kun again for the time being.

Mrs. Shen should be able to help him explain things clearly.

When he thought of this, Song Rui felt a little more at ease.

Perhaps it was not a bad thing after all for the old fox to ask him to do this thing that offended the other party.

Once the matter was done, the old fox would be at ease.

However, behind his back, Song Rui would still be working with the Jia family.

Soon, the horse carriage returned to the Prime Minister’s residence.

Song Rui opened his eyes and got out of the carriage. He didn’t say a word on the way back to his own courtyard.

The caretaker immediately went to see Minister Shen.

After a while, a servant went to Song Rui’s courtyard and asked him to go to Minister Shen’s study.

Song Rui had no choice but to go.

This time, Minister Shen looked more pleased.

After hearing the caretaker’s report, he was very satisfied with Song Rui’s performance.

“Alright. Don’t feel dejected.

“The matters of the Jia family are not all decided by the Empress’s brother.

“My agreement with the Empress still stands. Even if the Empress’s brother doesn’t marry Jia Qi off to you, he will find another daughter to replace her,” Minister Shen said with a smile.

“As long as the Jia family is still going ahead with the marriage alliance with you, they will not make things too difficult for you in the future.”

Song Rui raised his head to look at Minister Shen.

“Yes, Sir,” he replied respectfully.

Minister Shen nodded.

“Let’s put this matter aside for the time being. I still have something to tell you.”

“My Lord, please go ahead,” Song Rui replied.

“The matter of bringing Lian’er into the residence cannot be delayed any longer.

“1 have already communicated with the Mistress. The day after tomorrow will be a good day.

“I want you to make a trip to the manor and bring Lian’er back.”

A trace of annoyance flashed across Song Rui’s heart.

“Yes, Sir.” However, he answered with an expression full of joy.

When he saw this, Minister Shen was very pleased.

“1 heard that you’ve seen Lian’er a few times in your personal capacity?”

Previously, he was worried that Song Rui would miss that unfilial daughter, but now it seemed that he was thinking too much.

A good man did not need to worry about having no wife. Moreover, Lian’er’s talent and appearance were not that inferior to that unfilial daughter. Furthermore, Song Rui had him as his backing.

No wonder this fellow was so attentive to Lian’er.

Regardless of how sincere Song Rui was and how much of it was because of him, he was still quite pleased with Song Rui’s behavior.

Song Rui panicked momentarily.

“My lord…” He immediately tried to explain.

However, Minister Shen waved his hand and cut him off.

“1 don’t want to get involved in the matters of you young people,” he said with a smile.

“It’s just that the two of you haven’t officially gotten engaged yet, so it’s better to be more careful.”

Song Rui’s heart skipped a beat, and he felt relieved.

That was close. He thought that the old fox had found out that he had helped Madam Zhao fake her death to escape.

“Yes, Sir,” Song Rui quickly replied again.

He could not wait to “be more careful”.

It was just nice that the old fox had spoken. It would save him from being pestered by Shen Lian endlessly.

Minister Shen then seemed to recall something and asked Song Rui, “In addition, how’s the renovation of your residence?”

Since Song Rui was not marrying into the family, it would not be appropriate to let Song Rui continue to stay in the residence after Lian’er entered the residence.

“It’s almost done. After procuring the servants, 1 can move in,” Song Rui quickly replied.

Living in the Prime Minister’s residence meant living right under the old fox’s nose. There was almost always someone watching him.

Song Rui had wanted to move out a long time ago.

“Mm-hmm. Tell your people to hurry up.

“When Lian’er enters the residence, 1 will announce your engagement to the public as soon as possible.

“After that, 1’11 let the two of you get married as soon as possible.”

A wave of frustration swept over Song Rui.

“Thank you, Sir!” However, he still had to pretend to be excited.

Minister Shen nodded.

He then told Song Rui about some matters in the Imperial Court before letting Song Rui leave.

It was night.

After a busy day, Song Rui prepared to go to bed early, so that he would be in better spirits to meet his wife the next day.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Suddenly, there was a knocking on the door.

Song Rui looked irritated.

“Who is it?” Song Rui asked in the direction of the door.

“Lord Song, it’s me.” Sang’er’s voice immediately came from outside the door.

Song Rui frowned at once.

Suppressing the anger in his heart, he went to the door and opened it.

“Lord Song…” Sang’er’s face blossomed like a flower the moment she saw Song Rui.

Then, she tried to enter his room..