Chapter 372: Operation Advance

Chapter 372: Operation Advance

Where were they going?

Of course, it was the small courtyard where she and Song Rui frequently met in secret.

Not long after Qin Xiaoyao arrived at the small courtyard, Song Rui received a message delivered by Nanny Hu.

Understanding why his wife was so anxious to see him, Song Rui sighed inwardly, quickly tidied himself, and headed to the meeting.

In the small courtyard, as soon as Song Rui arrived, Qin Xiaoyao pulled him into the room.

Facing a silent and expressionless Qin Xiaoyao, Song Rui looked at her for a while, and finally sighed.

He then stepped forward and gently pulled Qin Xiaoyao into his arms.

By now, Qin Xiaoyao's agitation had eased, and her expression had softened.

Yet, she remained silent, not speaking.

Unable to take the silence, Song Rui reached out and gently pinched her cheek.

"Jealous?"

"Didn't I already explain everything to you before?"

"The engagement with Shen Rong is just a temporary arrangement. I've already made all the necessary preparations, and I won't actually marry her when the time comes."

He had indeed made his plans.

Waiting for the right moment, he would arrange for Shen Rong and Meng Xuan to fake their deaths and escape.

Qin Xiaoyao glanced at Song Rui, her face still unreadable, but it was clear she was still upset.

"Imagine if you saw me getting engaged to another man, and a wedding was just around the corner. How would that make you feel?" she continued.

Song Rui's expression faltered.

Picturing that scene, his face immediately darkened.

Seeing his reaction, Qin Xiaoyao’s lips curled into a cold smile.

"See? You can't accept it either, right?"

She had always thought she could love him more and be more understanding.

But after this incident, she realized she couldn't.

She also wanted him to value their relationship as much as she did, without involving any schemes or deceit.

She trusted him when he said he had everything under control and wouldn’t marry Shen Rong.

Yet, she remained worried, feeling uneasy. It also felt unsettling.

Song Rui remained silent, and Qin Xiaoyao’s heart softened once more.

"Is revenge really that important? If you were to let go of everything—"

Before she could finish speaking, Song Rui’s gaze silenced her.

A moment later, Song Rui’s expression softened.

He patted Qin Xiaoyao’s back and lowered his voice. "It’s not about revenge; we’re both caught in this mess, and there’s no way out."

Qin Xiaoyao froze for a moment.

She felt like she was on the verge of understanding something, but it slipped away.

Song Rui didn’t elaborate.

"Give me five more days, and I’ll take care of Shen Rong’s situation," he promised instead.

Seeing her husband’s serious expression, Qin Xiaoyao felt a pang of guilt.

"Will five days be enough?" she couldn’t help but ask in a low voice.

Suddenly, she felt a wave of regret wash over her.

She realized that what she had said sounded a bit selfish. Her husband was already in a dangerous situation at the Prime Minister’s residence, and the plan with Shen Rong had been arranged long ago. Now, it had to be changed because of her.

What if her words put him in danger?

The more she thought, the more anxious she grew. Just as she was about to say, never mind, Song Rui smiled.

He gave her back another reassuring pat.

"It’s enough. I was inconsiderate before and didn’t think enough about you, my dear. Don’t worry, I’ll get things done within five days."

His wife was right. If the roles were reversed, he couldn’t bear to watch the person he loved get engaged to another man.

His wife had already sacrificed so much for him; he couldn’t let her keep worrying.

As for Shen Rong and Meng Xuan, he had already made arrangements. All that was missing was the right timing.

Previously, he had set the timing for the day he would marry Shen Rong.

Now, it was just a matter of advancing the timing.

At this point, since he had already entered the Ministry of Punishments, Minister Shen had already pulled him into the plan.

The sooner they sent Shen Rong and Meng Xuan away, the better.

After a moment of hesitation, Qin Xiaoyao finally nodded.

She really didn’t want her husband to continue bearing the title of the future son-in-law of the Shen family.

After leaving the small courtyard and returning to the Prime Minister’s residence, Song Rui made the necessary arrangements.

He also quickly took the time to meet with Shen Rong and Meng Xuan separately.

Meng Xuan agreed to cooperate with Song Rui’s plan without much hesitation.

Shen Rong, however, seemed a bit hesitant.

"Should we move in three days? Is it too soon?" She thought she was ready to abandon everything and elope with Xuanlang.

But now that the moment was here, she felt a sudden fear.

Afraid that the plan might go wrong, and afraid of truly falling out with her father.

"Delay could cause complications. The Prime Minister might act against Master Meng at any time. The earlier we move, the safer it will be for Master Meng," Song Rui said gravely.

Shen Rong's face fell.

"Didn't I already agree to the marriage? And yet, Father still plans to target Xuanlang?!"

Song Rui frowned.

"It's precisely because you agreed to the marriage that Master Meng is in greater danger."

Looking at Shen Rong, Song Rui continued, "Only by cutting off all hope can you marry without regret. Only then can the Prime Minister safeguard the family’s honor."

As he spoke, Song Rui glanced at Shen Rong's belly.

"Besides, your condition can't afford any more delays."

Shen Rong leaned back, instinctively covering her belly with her hand.

Her eyes flickered with panic.

But then, she steadied herself.

She looked up at Song Rui.

"Alright," she finally agreed firmly.

A smile finally appeared on Song Rui's face.

"Then, make arrangements when you return. Join Madam on the trip to Longshan Temple for worship in three days," he instructed.

Shen Rong nodded.

"Alright."

After finalizing the details with Song Rui, she left.

Watching Shen Rong walk away, Song Rui scanned the surroundings to ensure no one had seen him, before returning to the courtyard.

The three days passed quickly.

Early that morning, the Prime Minister’s residence dispatched a team.

The Prime Minister’s wife and the Prime Minister’s daughter went to Longshan Temple for worship.

As the future son-in-law of the Prime Minister’s residence, Song Rui accompanied them.

The group smoothly made their way up the mountain.

The Prime Minister’s wife asked for a fortune stick for her daughter and went to see the abbot for an interpretation.

But the Prime Minister’s daughter suddenly disappeared.

Realizing this, the Prime Minister’s wife immediately sent Song Rui to look for her.

After searching, the Prime Minister’s residence’s servants finally found the Prime Minister’s daughter on the mountainside.

Shockingly, their Miss was hand-in-hand with a scholar.

When her fiancé, Song Rui, appeared, she didn’t let go of the scholar’s hand and instead glared angrily at Song Rui.

The servants reacted in various ways.

Some of the older servants, who had seen Meng Xuan before, had their suspicions.

The newer servants, on the other hand, were baffled. Why would their Miss turn down such a promising match for a penniless scholar?

But the news spread quickly regardless.

Despite Song Rui’s failed attempts to persuade her, Madam Shen soon arrived at the scene.