Chapter 404: Agreed

Chapter 404: Agreed

Alright, it doesn't matter if someone overhears. After all, his intentions are well known to Empress Jia and her faction.

But it's still quite a hassle...

"Your Highness—" Seeing that the Huaiyin King hadn't responded and had lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought, Chu Jin called out.

Such a significant matter, and the King seems so indifferent.

Finally, the Huaiyin King lifted his head and looked at Chu Jin.

"This matter, I have my own thoughts," he said.

The combat strength of the war flames, well, he has witnessed it.

It's not that he isn't tempted, but the benefits Chu Jin mentioned are out of his reach for now.

He'll wait until after discussing it with Song Rui.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Chu Jin's face.

"Yes," he said, then saluted the Huaiyin King with a fist salute.

"Dismissed," the Huaiyin King said, seeing Chu Jin still standing.

Chu Jin glanced at the Huaiyin King, cupped his hands in salute, and then withdrew.

Is the King unwilling to even discuss this with him, doubting Qin Xiaoyao's sincerity?

Although Qin Xiaoyao is close to Princess Xiangyang and often interacts with the one in the palace, she couldn't possibly side with them.

Forget it, speculating here won't help.

Better to first consult with his close friends and gather some information.

It would be best to get some information; if they don't know the reason either, then we should all persuade the King together.

In any case, we can't just stand by and watch the King lose a talent like Qin Xiaoyao.

The Huaiyin King, unaware of all this, shortly after Chu Jin left, sent someone to deliver a message to Song Rui to arrange a meeting.

That night, Yunxiang Fang was still bustling with guests.

In a private room on the third floor, the Huaiyin King finally met with Song Rui.

After paying his respects to the Huaiyin King, Song Rui sat down opposite him.

"What urgent matter does Your Highness have for this humble official?" Song Rui quickly asked, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction.

If they were discovered meeting in private, the consequences would be severe.

The Huaiyin King's eyes flickered, signaling Song Rui to take a drink.

Only after Song Rui picked up his wine cup did the Huaiyin King mention Qin Xiaoyao seeking him out and sending Chu Jin to him.

Upon hearing this, Song Rui's brow furrowed deeply.

The King of Huaiyin cautiously glanced at Song Rui and continued, "Given Qin Xiaoyao's nature, if I don't agree, she will likely find someone else to persuade me."

"If they are all reliable people, that would be fine, but what if—" What if she finds someone problematic, the trouble that could arise would not be small.

He would be fine, at most facing a bit more distrust.

But Qin Xiaoyao would no longer be able to remain neutral with Empress Jia.

Once that happens, Empress Jia would likely act against her quickly.

This would also contradict Song Rui's original intention of keeping her out of these matters.

"So, Your Highness intends to agree with my wife?" Song Rui looked at the King of Huaiyin with displeasure.

His words sounded lofty, but his intentions were impure.

The King of Huaiyin's face stiffened.

He smiled awkwardly.

"Given the current circumstances, I think—"

Before he could finish, a glance from Song Rui made him swallow his words.

After a moment, the King of Huaiyin felt a surge of anger, thinking Song Rui had overstepped, but then Song Rui finally spoke.

"Just agree with her," Song Rui said with a pained expression.

The King of Huaiyin's anger instantly vanished, replaced by a sense of guilt.

After all, when Song Rui agreed to help him, the sole condition he had set was to protect Qin Xiaoyao and keep her out of these matters.

But now—

"Please, Your Highness, assign her fewer perilous tasks and try to keep her neutral for as long as possible," Song Rui continued.

He understood his wife's nature best.

Since she insisted on helping him, he would allow her to get involved.

But he would need to make some arrangements with their household. Only then could they proceed without concerns.

"Alright!" The King of Huaiyin promptly agreed.

He picked up his wine cup again and drank with Song Rui.

The following day.

As soon as Qin Xiaoyao arrived at the military camp, Song Rui approached her.

Song Rui was all smiles, and as soon as he entered, he bowed to Qin Xiaoyao.

"Greetings, Marquis!"

Seeing Song Rui in good spirits, Qin Xiaoyao also smiled.

"What's the matter?" she inquired.

Song Rui's smile grew even wider.

"I have come to report on the task Marquis of Xiaoyao assigned to me yesterday," he said.

Qin Xiaoyao paused in surprise.

Suddenly, she remembered something, and her face lit up with joy.

"You mean," she looked towards Chu Jin.

Chu Jin smiled and nodded.

"The prince sent me to invite Marquis of Xiaoyao," he said.

Qin Xiaoyao's heart swelled with joy again.

She quickly rose from behind her desk.

"Let's go!" she said, marching out of the tent.

Chu Jin followed, smiling.

After exiting the tent, he hurried to catch up to Qin Xiaoyao.

"Marquis, the task you assigned me has been completed. About what you promised me yesterday—"

Qin Xiaoyao glanced sideways at Chu Jin.

She smirked, "What's the rush?"

"Once I have met with the prince and confirmed that you aren't lying, I will naturally fulfill my promise."

Hearing this, Chu Jin was not annoyed but instead smiled even more brightly.

"Deal!" he continued to follow Qin Xiaoyao toward the prince's tent.

When they reached the outside of the prince's tent, Qin Xiaoyao was about to ask the guards to announce her when the prince's voice came from inside.

"Come in," the prince said.

Indeed, the prince inside had heard the commotion outside and knew that Chu Jin had brought Qin Xiaoyao over.

Qin Xiaoyao marched into the tent.

Chu Jin, however, stopped not far from the tent and stayed behind.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Qin Xiaoyao smiled and bowed upon seeing the prince.

She thought she would have to wait three days for a response, but she didn't expect the prince to agree so quickly.

This matter, Chu Jin had handled brilliantly!

"At ease," the prince looked at Qin Xiaoyao and gestured for her to rise.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Qin Xiaoyao rose.

The prince, seeing Qin Xiaoyao in such high spirits, couldn't help but feel a little helpless.

"Marquis of Xiaoyao, please sit and speak," he said.

Qin Xiaoyao thanked him again and casually took a seat on a chair nearby.

After sitting down, Qin Xiaoyao noticed tea and snacks on the table.

Without hesitation, she helped herself, making sure she was well-fed and comfortable.

Seeing this, the King of Huaiyin felt a bit relieved.

Although this couple didn't show him much respect, they considered him a friend.

This kind of relationship sometimes made him feel quite at ease.

"Qin Xiaoyao, I've thought carefully about what you said yesterday," the King of Huaiyin spoke after a while.

Qin Xiaoyao immediately stopped eating the snacks and turned to the King of Huaiyin.

"What does Your Highness think?" Even though Song Rui had already given her the answer, she still needed to hear it from the King of Huaiyin himself.

The King of Huaiyin sighed to himself but managed to smile.

"I'm truly grateful that you're willing to help me."

"As for Song Rui—" the King of Huaiyin's eyes flickered.

"My husband is easy to deal with. If I go and talk to him, he'll definitely agree," Qin Xiaoyao quickly replied.

Her husband's situation is indeed unique, and it's understandable that the King of Huaiyin is concerned.