Disclaimer: I'm translating this novel for fun. I can't promise 100% accuracy, but I'm doing my best to try to make this coherent. Leave a comment if there's anything confusing and I'll try to fix it. If you enjoy the translation and want to support me, tip me a Kofi at https://ko-fi.com/infinite

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 20 Impudent

For a second, madam Song wanted to rush up and tear off the skin on Song Song's face, throw it on the floor, and step on it a few times.

She wanted to yell at Song Song: Screw your 'good at understanding others'! This madam isn't like that at all!!

However, with Li Xiao by his side, and Mingxuan's shopkeeper and manager all here, this shiny label that Song Song gave to her, even if she didn't want it, she still had to wear it.

If Song Song was just pointlessly making a scene, then it wouldn't have been as bad. But Fuxiang restaurant originally belonged to the Fu family. Fu family's only daughter was already dead, leaving Song Song as the sole successor. If he was still a son of the Song family, then the business, by rights, can remain in the Song family. However, now that he was marrying into the King's estate, it's reasonable to add his mother's things into his dowry.

Madam Song suddenly felt she was too soft before. She should have killed Song Song a long time ago, then he wouldn't be jumping in front of her today so unbridled.

However. She can only imagine this, afraid to even reveal a bit of her frustration.

She forced herself to smile, knowing that after today, outside will spread quickly how she was considerate and how Song Guogong was fair and reasonable. When that happens, they would have no choice but to give Fuxiang restaurant to him. For a second, she actually hoped that Song Song would be magnanimous, stop while he was ahead, and only end up only buying that bracelet.

But how could Song Song do as she wished. He looked into her bloodshot eyes while opening another wooden box on the table. This box contained a set of wine cups and a container. His eyes shone slightly, focused on the dragon and phoenix sculpture at the top and said to Li Xiao: "Does your highness like this?"

"Allow this king to buy this set."

Even though Li Xiao was a lunatic, he was still humane. Madam Song just thought this and felt that she could save a little blood when she heard Song Song say: "You and I haven't wed yet. How can I use your money? My mother is the empress's sister and also the prime minister's daughter. My father has other businesses in addition to Fuxiang restaurant. My grandfather has pawn shops outside as well " His tone held pride. "My family is extremely wealthy, so there is no need for you to pay." (Note: The grandfather he's talking about is madam Song's father.)

Li Xiao saw his cute little expression, suddenly curved his lips.

Madam Song, however, detested his expression. She laughed weirdly, finally couldn't resist replying: "The king is also the current emperor's eldest son. with claims to the world, how can the Song family compare."

She didn't finish, Song Song abruptly changed face and reprimanded: "Mother, watch your words! The one who has claims to the world is his majesty, the emperor. What does this have to do with wangye?"

Madam Song felt a chill, then immediately shut up.

Li Xiao was born of the previous empress. Although he was the eldest son, the current empress was the crown prince's mother. If madam Song said that Li Xiao has claims to the world, where would the crown prince be placed? Before ascending the throne, even the crown prince didn't dare say that he has claims to the whole world.

Li Xiao's attitude towards Song Song compared to others was like the difference between heaven and earth. He shot madam Song a dark look and said coldly: "Looks like today, Song-er took a fancy to all of these prized items."

Madam Song knew inside that she said the wrong thing. Her brain didn't have time to consider when her mouth already started trying to appease Li Xiao: "Then we'll buy them all."

When Madam Song finished saying this, Song Song's eyes instantly lit up. He began grabbing all of the boxes without even a hint of hesitation. Seeing he couldn't hold them all, a momo by madam Song's side went up to help him. However, he immediately childishly threw himself at the stacked up boxes, saying: "My mother bought these for me, what are you doing?"

His pretty eyes stared at that momo, as if she was trying to steal from him, until Li Xiao reached out a hand: "How about if this king helps Song-er carry some?"

Towards Li Xiao, Song Song was very confident in. However, he still only divided him one box. He didn't hold back the happy expression on his face. When walking outside with the boxes in his arm, he even looked back and smiled at madam Song: "Many thanks, mother. Mother really adores me alot."

Madam Song haha laughed once, tightly twisting her handkerchief as she watched him leave. In her heart, she continuously cursed for him to trip over the doorstep and fall hard enough to become an invalid. Over here, she just finished thinking that thought when suddenly, she saw Song Song take a stumble.

Very casually, Li Xiao reached out and steadied him and all of the boxes in his arms. When Song Song stood firm, his eyes turned and looked back at madam Song again, and said with a soothing tone: "Mother don't worry. I'm very well."

Madam Song: "... ."

Who's worried about you little traitor!

(Note: The direct translation is 'eat inside but cling to outside' referring to how madam Song thinks he should be grateful because he was 'raised' by the Song family, but is helping Li Xiao instead now.)

She suspected that Song Song was intentional anyways.

Jin Mian stood to the side. His gaze remained on that man, who upon entering, used an overwhelming aura to envelop all of Mingxuan, slowly leave. His eyebrows lightly furrowed together again.

After Song Song carried away the things, the shopkeeper came forward to report the price. When she heard it, madam Song said inconceivably: "That much?"

"That's right. Did madam bring enough banknotes?"

At this time, madam Song really couldn't smile anymore. She grinded her teeth and instructed: "Bring someone and go to the Song estate to retrieve it."

She turned to go out and just happened to see Song Song sitting in the carriage looking over with a smile on his face. Her heart felt like it will be consumed in flames. She heard Song Song say warmly: "Wangye said he wants to bring me around to play. Does mother want to come?"

Who would want to go with you two!

Madam Song said emotionlessly: "Be careful on the road."

"Same for you as well."

The carriage left. Madam Song, who was helped onto her own carriage by her momo, suddenly grabbed her chest, feeling faint. The momo asked worriedly: "Madam, you"

Madam Song continuously took several breaths before she replied: "This Song Song, how dare he play games with me "

"Madam, don't be angry." the momo coaxed: "Gongzi was indeed a little too much here, but he's only rampant for the moment. The days are long. When our crown prince ascends the throne, he will definitely kill the mad king. When the mad king falls, gongzi will still end up at your disposal."

The crown prince was born of the empress, therefore her nephew. Currently the empress's father was the country's prime minister. The imperial tutor's estate and the prime minister's estate was divided into two factions, one to support the mad king, the other to support the crown prince. Both sides were evenly matched. However, now that the emperor decided to give up on the mad king, when he passes to the west and the imperial will is read, the crown prince will legitimately claim control over the nation.

The momo's words straightened her out. She instantly nodded and said: "You're right."

Although that's what she said, she still held some resentment and vented: "When he falls back into my hand, I will make him wish he were dead."

In contrast to madam Song's fury, Song Song really profited fully. He pushed the boxes into the king's carriage. Although the items weren't much in numbers, each was extremely valuable. The one that cost the most was an extremely beautiful gold figure of a chimera. Its body was embedded with jade and other gems, making it shine brightly. No matter the materials used or the production technique or the design, they were all only seen once in a lifetime, costing a total of 2000 white silver.

The items from Mingxuan often had large collection values. They were all valuable objects. If sold in the future, they could make a pretty penny. In the carriage, Song Song hugged the boxes unwilling to part, jubilantly laughed for a while, then suddenly heard a chuckle to the side.

Abruptly, he realized that he was being a little too impudent and hastily put aside the boxes, saying softly: "What we bought today, does your highness like them?"

"If Song-er likes them, then this king likes them."

Song Song pressed his lips together and nodded with restraint: "I like them all."

He looked down. Opposite of him, Li Xiao suddenly tilted his head, and looked at him like a little kid, from bottom to up: "What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Song Song felt just now he acted a little too beside himself with joy, and looked ugly like a greedy person. He didn't know if Li Xiao would get annoyed with him because of it.

Li Xiao sat straight again: "Did your father really say he will give you Fuxiang restaurant?"

Of course that's not true. Song Song swung his legs, and hummed with a little touchiness: "He has no other choice."

When he finished, he thought he sounded too arrogant again, carefully glanced at Li Xiao and said: "I only took back my mother's things. It's fair and reasonable."

Li Xiao nodded: "This king thinks, Song family's possessions should be yours too."

Song Song was stunned. Today, he already managed to obtain plenty of benefits. He thought in Li Xiao's eyes he must look like a person who was unsatisfied with small gains, give him an inch and he'll go for a mile kind of vile character who needed to exercise some restraint. But he what did he mean by saying this?

Li Xiao pondered for a moment then said: "Song Guogong's ancestors came from merchants. Before he became a baron, he was a good businessman. The property under his name is ample and some should be split with Song-er."

Great minds think alike. Song Song's eyes started shining. He said greedily: "Your highness really think so?

"No."

Song Song's greediness instantly withdrew. He placidly looked down, making a face. To be honest, in his eyes, everything the Song family owned should be his. His mother was the first to be married into the family. Originally she should have been the main wife. However, because the Qin family had power and reputation, madam Song forcibly stole his mother's position and expelled her to live in the courthouse in the corner.

In the previous life, Song Song did not contest or rob. He only wanted to live well. But now that he was reborn, his thoughts already changed extremely. He already experienced madam Song's maliciousness for one lifetime, already started to quietly suspect that his grandfather and grandmother's deaths were not as simple as it looked. If he really discovered that their deaths were related to the Song family

Of course, this kind of thoughts he didn't dare to let Li Xiao know. In Li Xiao's eyes, he only wanted himself to remain harmless and needing protection, not shrewd like a ****, already showing his sharp spikes even before being touched.

(Note: Don't ask me what is ****. The author blocked it out ahaha)

He was afraid of frightening Li Xiao, then his golden supporter would collapse.

"This king thinks, everything the Song family own should belong to Song-er."

Song Song looked up. Li Xiao took his closed hands and opened his palm, stretching his fingers one by one, saying slowly: "I'm very greedy. I want to take the best things in this world and place them in front of you."

He pulled up Song Song's hand up to his lips and kissed it lightly, gaze looking straight into his eyes, like he was weaving a fine net to wrap him up in, but also like he was looking straight into his heart's desires: "I will make you more pleased, make you more arrogant, and let you live in this world lawlessly."

"No need to secretly cover it up." He planned to spoil him rotten: "I like all of you."