Chapter 379: Sever All Ties

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

When she saw their reactions, Qin Xiaoyao felt more at ease.

She then asked the two of them some more questions with concern before leaving.

It was night.

Song Rui, who had been busy with his errands outside for more than two days, finally rushed back to the Prime Minister’s residence overnight.

In Minister Shen’s study.

After hearing Song Rui’s report, Minister Shen’s face was as heavy as still water.

After a long while, he asked somewhat wearily, “Are you sure they are really Shen Rong and Meng Xuan?”

Although he hated Shen Rong for ruining the reputation of the Prime Minister’s residence and causing him to become the laughingstock of the whole capital, Shen Rong was still his daughter after all. He still felt very downcast when he learned that she was dead.

Song Rui was in a miserable state, and his face was full of sorrow.

Then, he bowed to Minister Shen and said disconsolately, “I’m sure. There is no doubt they are Young Miss and Young Master Meng.”

When he heard that, Minister Shen waved his hand wearily.

“Just bury her,” he continued.

Song Rui was stunned.

Then, he asked, “My Lord, aren’t you going to take a look personally?”

“Seeing will only increase my sorrow, so I might as well not go!” Minister Shen replied with his head lowered.

Then, without waiting for Song Rui to speak again, Minister Shen said, “Spread the news that Rong’er was infected with a serious disease and died suddenly. Three days later, the Prime Minister’s residence will hold a funeral.”

Song Rui paused again.

Then, he bowed and replied, “Yes, Sir!”

“You may leave.” Minister Shen finally gestured at Song Rui.

“Yes, Sir.” Song Rui then left the room.

As he turned back to look at the quiet study, Song Rui’s eyes flickered. After that, he left Minister Shen’s courtyard.

In the end, just as he returned to his courtyard, someone came looking for him.

The person who came was the head maidservant in Mrs. Shen’s courtyard, Sang’er.

“Greetings, Young Master Song!” The maidservant stepped forward and bowed to Song Rui politely.

“Miss Sang’er, please don’t stand on ceremony,” Song Rui quickly said.

Then, he asked, “May I know why Miss Sang’er is looking for me?” This was despite the fact he already knew why she was here.

Mrs. Shen was arrogant, and even her subordinates also thought highly of themselves.

This Sang’er, as the head maidservant of Mrs. Shen’s courtyard, was deeply trusted by Mrs. Shen. Although she was a servant of the Prime Minister’s residence, the guests and officials in the residence all had to extend her some courtesy.

Sang’er looked at Song Rui.

“Mistress sent me to inquire about news of the Young Miss.”

When she saw Song Rui’s troubled expression, Sang’er quickly said, “Young Master Song, you only need to tell me alone. After Mistress learns of this, she will definitely not make things difficult for you.”

This was what Mistress had promised in person before Sang’er left.

At present, Mistress could be said to have shed all pretenses of cordiality with Master.

Without Master’s protection, Mistress’s authority in the Prime Minister’s residence plummeted.

Things were different now, and she had to know her place here.

When she saw that Song Rui still did not respond, Sang’er’s tone softened again.

“Now that Master is angry with Young Miss, he will definitely not let Young Miss have it easy. Presently, in the residence, the only ones who truly care about Young Miss’s safety are Mistress and you, Young Master Song.

“When Young Miss did those things… she did hurt you, Young Master Song. But then she did save you before and introduced you to Master, thereby helping you arrive at where you are today, Young Master Song.

“I’m sure Young Master Song can’t bear to see Young Miss being persecuted to her death by Master like this, can you?” Sang’er asked.

When she saw Song Rui’s eyes wavering momentarily, Sang’er continued, “If Young Master Song is willing to reveal the information, Mistress will definitely remember the favor.

“Although Master is angry with Mistress now, Mistress is still the eldest daughter of the Jia family and the Empress’s biological elder sister.

“Even Master himself would not dare to do anything to Mistress. When this matter is over, Master will definitely allow Mistress to come out.” In other words, Mrs. Shen’s status as the mistress of the Prime Minister’s residence would not be shaken.

If Song Rui knew what was good for him, he should not offend Mistress recklessly. Otherwise, when Mistress came out, he would not have a good ending.

Song Rui frowned.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke.

“It’s not that I’m unwilling to tell Mistress about the news of Young Miss, but…

“Minister Shen has given the order that 1 am not allowed to divulge anything.”

Sang’er’s eyes lit up.

“Don’t worry, Young Master Song. After Mistress learns of Young Miss’s news, she will definitely not reveal that the news came from you, Young Master Song!” she immediately said.

A trace of hesitation flashed across Song Rui’s face again.

“Young Master…” Sang’er called out anxiously.

Song Rui finally nodded.

Then, under Sang’er’s joyful gaze, he told her about Shen Rong and Meng Xuan’s deaths.

He also told her about Minister Shen’s refusal to see Shen Rong’s body and his request that Song Rui publicize the news of Shen Rong’s sudden death due to illness.

When Sang’er heard this, she stood rooted to the same spot in shock.

The Young Miss was dead?

Well, after falling from such a high cliff, the chances of survival were not high after all.

Nonetheless, she was still a little shocked when she found out that the Young Miss was really gone.

More importantly, how would Mistress accept this news?

The only person Mistress cared about was Young Miss. Now that Young Miss was gone, Mistress would probably go crazy.

At that point, the Prime Minister’s residence would truly be in chaos.

When he saw the head maidservant’s eyes darting around anxiously, Song Rui put on a sorrowful expression.

“I didn’t expect that Minister Shen wouldn’t even want to see Young Miss for the last time.”

“Sigh! If Mistress wants to see Young ATiss for the last time, she has to hurry.”

With that, Song Rui then told her where Shen Rong and Meng Xuan’s bodies were being housed.

“I can make the decision to delay the burial until tomorrow night.”

Sang’er finally suppressed her emotions and nodded gratefully at Song Rui.

“Fine. I will inform Mistress of this news when I get back.

“Thank you, Young Master Song.” Then, she bowed to Song Rui politely.

“Miss Sang’er, you’re welcome. If Mistress wants to see Young A^iss, you can send someone to inform me in advance. I can make some arrangements beforehand.”

“Mm-hmm!” Sang’er answered and bid farewell to Song Rui.

Before she left, she looked left and right to make sure that no one saw her before quickly disappearing into the darkness.

Song Rui watched Sang’er leave and waited for her to disappear before a smile appeared on his face.

Then, he turned around and returned to his room.

After a while, in Mrs. Shen’s courtyard.

Inside the originally quiet room, heart-wrenching cries of anguish erupted not long after Sang’er arrived.

After a long while, Mrs. Shen finally stopped crying after the nanny and Sang’er comforted her tirelessly.

Enduring the gut-wrenching pain in her heart, she gritted her teeth as she looked towards the courtyard of Prime Minister Shen.

“Shen Hongyu, you’re really ruthless… Just you… wait…” she muttered.

When they saw this, the nanny and Sang’er exchanged looks with each other, their eyes filled with worry.

“Please do not grieve too much, Mistress. Master confined Mistress in the room because he didn’t want Mistress to find out about Young Miss.

“If Master finds out that Mistress already knows that Young Miss has passed away, it will probably be even more difficult for Mistress to get out,” Sang’er advised.

“That’s right, Mistress. You still have to see Young Miss one last time,” the nanny also reminded her.

Only then did Mrs. Shen stop crying.

“That’s right. I have to see Rong’er one last time.

“Sang’er, go and look for Song Rui. Get him to make arrangements. I’m going to see Rong’er now!” As she spoke, Mrs. Shen stood up.

Sang’er and the nanny quickly pulled her back.

Sang’er lowered her voice, afraid that someone outside would hear their conversation.

“Mistress, don’t be anxious. Young Master Song has already agreed to help..”