Chapter 396: Free To Choose

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Mrs. Shen glanced at Song Rui and smiled.

Why did he have to make it so clear every time? Was he so afraid of her trying to rope him in?

“Rong’er’s favor is hers alone. I still have to thank you.” With that, Mrs. Shen looked at Sang’er.

Sang’er understood and immediately went to the inner room.

Soon, a tray was brought out.

There was an exquisite wooden box on the tray. One could tell with one look that the item inside was very expensive.

“This is a little token of my appreciation. Lord Song, please accept it,” Mrs.

Shen said.

Song Rui looked at the wooden box and hesitated for a moment before standing up to express his thanks.

“Thank you, Mistress!”

Mrs. Shen looked pleased and looked at Sang’er.

Only then did Sang’er bring the tray over.

Song Rui accepted the wooden box.

However, he simply placed it on the coffee table and did not immediately open it.

“Mistress, are you looking for me to discuss some matter?” After receiving the gift, he naturally had to ask what he was supposed to do.

Mrs. Shen became solemn.

“Mm-hmm,” she replied.

Then, she looked at Sang’er and the nanny.

The two of them immediately bowed to Mrs. Shen and excused themselves from the room.

Song Rui frowned and looked at the door. After hesitating for a moment, he didn’t say anything eventually.

When she saw this, Mrs. Shen smiled again.

“Lord Song, don’t worry. Sang’er will be standing guard at the door. No one will come in.”

Song Rui looked at Mrs. Shen and tried to contain himself. In the end, he didn’t argue with her.

“May 1 know why Mistress is looking for me?” he asked after that. His tone was no longer as gentle as before.

Although this Mrs. Shen was not much younger than his mother, there was still a difference between men and women. Her actions were way out of line in terms of etiquette.

When she noticed this, Mrs. Shen was not annoyed.

Instead, she asked Song Rui, “Does Lord Song know about the deal between the Empress and the Master?”

Song Rui was stunned momentarily.

“I know a little,” he immediately replied after that.

Mrs. Shen’s eyes flickered.

Thereafter, she told him about the agreement the Empress and Minister Shen had reached.

When Song Rui heard this, his expression remained the same.

Obviously, he knew about the part of the agreement that was related to him.

When she saw his reaction, Mrs. Shen was not too surprised.

“Lord Song, what do you think of this matter?” Mrs. Shen quickly asked.

Song Rui looked at Mrs. Shen.

Then, he cupped his hands to the left in her direction.

“The agreement between Minister Shen and the Empress is not something 1 can discuss.

“I am indebted to Minister Shen for his kindness in recognizing my ability. I will naturally follow his arrangements.”

Mrs. Shen’s eyes flickered as she cursed in her heart.

What kindness in recognizing his ability? If he really wanted to repay kindness, shouldn’t he repay her daughter?

Back then, it was her daughter who saved him and even recommended him to Shen Hongyu.

The reason he cooperated was that Shen Hongyu was willing to pave the way for him and ensure he had an infinitely bright future.

Even though she was cursing in her heart, Mrs. Shen still had a smile on her face.

“That’s right.

“However, we can still make some adjustments within the broad arrangements.”

As Song Rui looked at her, Mrs. Shen continued, “My elder brother has four concubine’s daughters. Among them, Concubine Wu’s daughter is the most favored.

“Although Qi’er is the child of a concubine, she is almost like a legitimate daughter in the Jia family.

“If Lord Song accepts Qi’er as your concubine, the Empress and the Jia family will definitely value her more.”

There were also differences between the concubine’s daughters.

Judging from how much Jia Qi was doted upon, the possibility of her elder brother marrying her off to Song Rui as a concubine was not high.

However, this matter was not without room for negotiation.

As long as Song Rui promised that he would make Jia Qi his second lawful wife in the future, and even replace Shen Lian…

Although Jia Qi was born of a concubine, her mother was the daughter of an official. Although the concubine’s father wasn’t a high-ranking official, her background wasn’t considered lowly among the concubines.

Compared to Shen Lian’s mother, who was a shameful kept-woman, Jia Qi’s mother was way stronger.

Song Rui’s eyes flickered.

When she saw this, a smile crept over Mrs. Shen’s eyes.

She thought to herself that he was indeed tempted.

Therefore, Mrs. Shen told Song Rui about Jia Qi’s situation.

“Elder Brother loves this daughter very much. He almost raised Jia Qi as a legitimate daughter.

“This girl is proficient in the four arts. She is not inferior to Rong’er.”

At this point, Mrs. Shen smiled again.

“Previously, everyone in the capital called her and Rong’er the twin beauties of the capital.”

Upon hearing Mrs. Shen mention Shen Rong, Song Rui’s eyes flickered again. When Mrs. Shen saw this, a hint of disappointment appeared in her eyes. “It’s a pity that my Rong’er doesn’t have the fortune and has let Lord Song down.”

Mrs. Shen looked at Song Rui as she said this.

“However, since the Jia family is going to enter into a marriage alliance with

Lord Song, perhaps 1 might be able to pull some strings and find you a good marriage match.”

Song Rui glanced at Mrs. Shen and then quickly looked away.

“Er…” he said hesitantly.

Mrs. Shen smiled. “Lord Song, you don’t have to worry about this.

“The matter of the marriage alliance between the Jia family and Lord Song was agreed upon by the Master. However, the Jia family can decide on the candidates for the marriage alliance.”

“As long as…” Mrs. Shen suddenly paused.

Song Rui immediately raised his head to look at Mrs. Shen.

Mrs. Shen then continued, “As long as Lord Song agrees to make Qi’er your second lawful wife when the time is right.”

She could put aside the issue of replacing his first wife for the time being.

Song Rui probably wouldn’t dare to answer even if she brought this matter up now.

However, Song Rui could fulfill his promise to make Qi’er his second lawful wife. Moreover, Mrs. Shen wasn’t asking him to do it now. Instead, she was asking him to wait until the time was right.

A look of hesitation swept over Song Rui’s face.

Then, he spoke again, “On Minister Shen’s side…”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Shen smiled.

“Lord Song, you don’t have to worry about the Master.

“It is the Jia family’s decision to marry Qi’er to you, Lord Song. It has nothing to do with Master,” she said with a smile.

Song Rui finally smiled.

He quickly got up and bowed to Mrs. Shen.

“Then Song Rui must thank you, Mistress!”

Mrs. Shen smiled and gestured for Song Rui to sit down.

“Lord Song, you are too polite.”

When Song Rui sat down, she looked at him and continued, “When Qi’er marries over, Young Master Song and our Jia family will be considered family.” A strange look flashed across Song Rui’s eyes.

This time, he wasn’t in a hurry to establish clear-cut non-affiliations.

Mrs. Shen felt pleased inwardly once more.

“In the future, I hope Young Master Song can treat Qi’er well.”

Song Rui quickly cupped his hands at Mrs. Shen.

“Song Rui will definitely obey your instructions!” he said with some excitement.

Mrs. Shen nodded in satisfaction.

After chatting with Song Rui for a while longer, she was ready to send her guest off.

Just as she looked toward the door, she suddenly thought of Sang’er.

As a thought popped into her head, Mirs. Shen changed her mind about seeing her guest out.

She looked at Song Rui and spoke again.

“Lord Song, what do you think of Sang’er, the girl working for me?”

Song Rui was caught off guard. He glanced at the door.

He noticed that there was a slight movement outside the door.

It was obvious that the movement came from Sang’er.

A look of bafflement flashed across Song Rui’s face as he looked at Mrs. Shen.

Mrs. Shen also glanced at the door before smiling at Song Rui.

“Sang’er has followed me for many years and has a gentle personality. If Lord

Song doesn’t mind, 1 can give Sang’er to you after you move into the new residence,” she said..

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