If the little ninth princess could marry Song Xiuyuan, then the current Prime Minister would belong to the fourth prince. Looking at it this way, her fourth prince had a greater chance of winning.
Thinking of this, Consort Wan felt that she had to win Song Xiuyuan for Xiao Jiu, no matter the method.
“Prime Minister, I’ve heard that not long ago, Miss Xue went to the official post and was personally escorted back by you, Prime Minister. Is this true?”
Song Xiuyuan’s gaze deepened. He hadn’t expected the news to leak out. He looked up at Consort Wan and said, “What does Your Highness mean by this?”
Consort Wan smiled. “What else could I mean? I’m just asking if Prime Minister knows that a woman’s chastity is very important. If everyone knows about this matter, do you think Miss Xue can still marry into the Song mansion safely?”
“Your Highness can speak directly, no need to beat around the bush.” Song Xiuyuan’s tone turned icy, and the surrounding atmosphere became more solidified.
Even Consort Wan felt the abnormal flow of air.
“What I mean is, if Prime Minister agrees to the imperial decree of marriage, then this matter will stop with me. Otherwise…”
Consort Wan gave a cold smile and said, “I don’t know who else will find out. I believe if His Majesty learns of this, he certainly won’t allow Prime Minister to marry Miss Xue. Perhaps even being a concubine might not be agreed to? After all, losing one’s virginity before marriage is not a small matter in the State of Yu…”
“Your Highness, are you threatening me?” Song Xiuyuan interrupted Consort Wan directly, looking at her with icy eyes.
“Threatening? Do I seem like such a boring person? I am merely making a transaction with Prime Minister.”
“A transaction?”
“Yes, as long as Prime Minister agrees to the imperial decree of marriage, then I will agree to Prime Minister marrying Miss Xue as a noble concubine.” For the daughter of a butcher, becoming a noble concubine was already very fortunate.
“Will Princess Jiu agree?” Song Xiuyuan asked.
“This princess agrees.” The ninth princess walked out from behind the curtain.
Seeing the ninth princess walk out, Consort Wan felt a sense of disappointment, wishing she could have done better. Seeing Consort Wan’s cold gaze, the ninth princess knew she was a bit anxious, but she really didn’t want to miss this chance again. She liked her ‘Brother Xiuyuan’ so much.
Song Xiuyuan smiled, but his smile did not reach his eyes. A sharp coldness gradually leaked from his gaze, and for a moment, the entire hall seemed to be filled with his chill.
Even Consort Wan, who had been in the deep palace for years, could not help but frown. This Song Xiuyuan.
The ninth princess had never seen such a Song Xiuyuan. At this moment, Song Xiuyuan was as majestic as a celestial being on high, looking down condescendingly, holding the power of life and death, as if he were ruling the world.
This kind of aura and majesty was like the aura of a king, radiating dominance.
Such a person seemed more like a king than the current Emperor.
The ninth princess took several steps back, only coming to her senses after collapsing onto the steps.
“Princess Jiu agrees, but I have not agreed,” Song Xiuyuan said coldly, his gaze so icy it could freeze everything.
Consort Wan frowned, “Prime Minister, aren’t you afraid I’ll announce it right now?”
Song Xiuyuan gave a cold, utterly chilling smile. He spoke in a very low voice, so low that only Consort Wan could hear, “Is that so? Then I will also tell Your Highness that I actually know that Your Highness seemed to have been pregnant when you left the Prince of Min Nan’s mansion back then. If this matter were to be revealed to His Majesty or the Prince of Min Nan, what do you think, Your Highness?”
Consort Wan trembled all over, and she uncontrollably took several steps back, her face turning deathly pale. “You… how could you…”
“Mother Consort, what’s wrong?” The ninth princess also noticed Consort Wan’s abnormality. She quickly ran over to help Consort Wan sit down.
Consort Wan stared at Song Xiuyuan intently, her heart already collapsing at this moment. How did Song Xiuyuan know? Everyone who knew about this matter back then had already died. How did he find out?
“It seems Your Highness remembers. Then I will tell Your Highness that if Your Highness accidentally lets it slip, or if I hear any rumors outside, I will not be merciful. Do you understand, Your Highness?”
Consort Wan trembled, offering no reply.
“Brother Xiuyuan, what exactly did you say to Mother Consort?” The ninth princess also sensed something unusual. After a few words from her Brother Xiuyuan, Mother Consort became so terrified.
Song Xiuyuan looked at the ninth princess, his gaze changing slightly. He stepped forward and said faintly, “Princess Jiu, you and I are not suited for each other. I am not worthy of you. Please…”
“Brother Xiuyuan, you must marry her, right?”
“Yes,” Song Xiuyuan replied.
The ninth princess’s eyes flickered. She bit her lower lip, suddenly raised her head, and asked, “Brother Xiuyuan, what if this princess is willing to be a concubine?”
Song Xiuyuan lowered his gaze. “Princess Jiu, I have promised her to be with her alone, for all our lives.”
The ninth princess was stunned, her gaze dimming.
“Your Highness, Princess Jiu, this minister takes his leave!” Song Xiuyuan said, preparing to leave.
“Prime Minister, you won’t speak of it, will you?” Consort Wan suddenly asked.
Song Xiuyuan stopped at the doorway, his cold voice echoing back, “As long as Your Highness does not force me, I will keep my word.”
Watching his retreating back disappear, Consort Wan collapsed onto the spot.
“Mother Consort, what exactly happened? What did you say to Brother Xiuyuan? You…”
“Xiao Jiu, you should go back first. I am a bit tired and need to rest,” Consort Wan said, holding her forehead.
“Mother Consort…”
“Chun Xia, escort the ninth princess back.” Consort Wan waved her hand.
Chun Xia stepped before the ninth princess, bowed, and said, “Your Highness, this servant will escort you back.”
“Your daughter takes her leave!” The ninth princess reluctantly departed.
Consort Wan stood up and walked towards the inner chamber. After a few steps, she was suddenly struck by darkness and fainted.
Song Xiuyuan left the palace and got into the carriage returning to his mansion. Bai Yu had already appeared inside the carriage.
“After I left, did anything happen?”
Bai Yu replied, “After you left, Consort Wan fainted. The imperial physicians diagnosed Consort Wan as being one month pregnant.”
Song Xiuyuan nodded. Suddenly, he seemed to recall something and said, “Go to the Prince of Min Nan’s mansion.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Oh, isn’t this Prime Minister? A rare visitor, a rare visitor.” By the time Song Xiuyuan’s carriage stopped, the Prince of Min Nan’s voice had already appeared outside.
Song Xiuyuan alighted from the carriage and glanced at the Prince of Min Nan, saying coldly, “Your Highness’s ears are truly no different from back then.”
The Prince of Min Nan chuckled a few times, his gaze wicked. “Prime Minister, I disagree with that statement. My hearing has always been good, how can you say it’s no different from back then?”
Regarding the Prince of Min Nan’s self-praise, Song Xiuyuan merely cast a cold glance at him and then walked directly into the Prince of Min Nan’s mansion without another word.