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Chapter 62 Letter

With the emperor's permission, Song Song visited the empress dowager to pay his respect and chat on a set schedule of every 5 days. Every time he arrived, Li Shu was also there. The young prince would even bring him some rare snacks. He knew that Song Song couldn't see or eat anything strong smelling foods at the moment, so everything he brought always had a refreshing taste. Some were sour, some were spicy.

Grateful for the emperor's kindness, Song Song would make some food to send over as well. The old emperor also liked him very much. On days when he felt more energetic, he would tell Song Song some interesting stories from Li Xiao's past.

On this day, Song Song went out to examine the front of his store. As he passed a pastry shop, he went in and bought a bag of steamed cakes.

Recently, he was very gluttonous. As soon as he smelled any food, his stomach would get hungry. When he held the paper bag in his hands, very quickly he wanted to start digging in. However, it was a little inconvenient to eat on the side of the road, so he got ready to go back into his carriage. This was when he was caught off guard and blocked by the woman.

He had some knowledge of Xu Kou. She was the only daughter of Rong wangye, born in his old age. Rong wangye spent his whole life with the cavalry troops. He had an impressive military service history. To emperor Hong Ren, he was like a close friend. Therefore, before he passed away, he entrusted his own daughter to the emperor. Hong Ren did not disappoint his expectations, and recognized Xu Kou as his adoptive daughter. He personally managed her wedding. When Qin An married her, the ceremony at the prime minister's estate was spectacular without comparison.

Song Song wrapped up the steamed cakes again and gave her a smile: "Princess."

Xu Kou asked: "Could wangfei your highness, spare the time to chat with me?"

Song Song nodded his head calmly.

Xu Kou continued respectfully: "Thank you for the troubles."

The two of them went into Fuxiang restaurant which was nearby and found a secluded spot to sit. Song Song called for some snacks. He still held the steamed cake that he didn't have time to eat. Upon seeing this, Xu Kou was very understanding, and picked up her pastry to take a bite.

Seeing her starting to eat, Song Song no longer felt the need to be modest and opened the bag of steam cakes again to take a bite. His desire for good food fulfilled, his eyes shone with delight: "Why was princess searching for me?"

Holding a piece of cake with one hand, Xu Kou used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth. Her expression held some feeling of embarrassment and guilt. Song Song suspiciously watched her and saw her turn to retrieve a box from her handmaiden. She said: "I heard that wangfei's pregnancy symptoms are strong and you're unable to sleep well at night. The smell of incense is not good for the fetus. This jade can be placed at the bedside to help calm your nerves and clear your head."

This thing wasn't particularly costly, but it was given with consideration. Song Song examined it with some amazement. When he opened the box, he noticed that the jade seemed to carry a faintly refreshing odor that dissipated the gloomy mood in his heart.

Song Song said: "Princess, why?"

Xu Kou smiled and said: "Because of the emperor's decree, in my youth, Ping wang and I also had a somewhat friendly relationship. The emperor even wanted him to call me his elder sister. This jade isn't some rare object. If you can use it, then please accept it."

Ever since Li Xiao left, Song Song did have some trouble sleeping. He saw Xu Kou speaking so generously, so he also replied boldly: "If that's the case, then many thanks, elder sister."

Since Li Xiao called her elder sister, then Song Song naturally couldn't be disrespectful. When Xu Kou heard him, she smiled again. She looked like she still had something to say, but stopped herself, as if trying to decide where to start.

Song Song patiently waited. Xu Kou slowly said: "My husband is the 4th child of prime minister Qin. His name is Qin An. I don't know if wangfei has heard of him?"

"He is one of the well known businessmen in the capital. To have so much property and assets at such a young age, I've been looking forward to meeting him."

His face was full of sincerity, but it only made Xu Kou's expression even more awkward. Somewhat suspicious, Song Song carefully reflected. He shouldn't have said anything wrong.

After a while Xu Kou said: "My husband is the youngest in the Qin family. These years, he's been fascinated with business, so rarely got involved in political disputes. Not to mention, he's very easily scared and timid please don't laugh, wangfei, but he's even afraid of me."

Song Song had a flash of Qin An's meek and refined face, then took a glance at the beautiful yet galiant looking Xu Kou sitting in front of him. These two's reputations were outstanding in the capital. Everyone knew of Xu Kou's fiery and firm personality. Qin An being completely whipped by his wife was also well known. Song Song couldn't help but smile and say: "I have heard to some extent."

Xu Kou gave a side glance. The servant behind her immediately withdrew. Song Song felt a bit strange but he could also faintly understand her actions.

Just now, she said that Qin An was easily scared and timid, rarely got involved with political disputes. If he had to guess, she must have discovered something. Did she learn about the empress poisoning Li Xiao?

One thing Song Song remembered was that in the previous life, Li Xiao had killed prime minister Qin and Qin Ning, however, Qin An disappeared. Now that he thought about it, Li Xiao probably gave Xu Kou a more lenient treatment.

Song Song followed suit and also sent away his servants. Abruptly Xu Kou suddenly stood up and then kneeled down hard in front of him. Startled, he hastily tried to help her off the ground: "Princess, what are you"

"Although I'm only a woman, since youth I've been influenced by my father. My insight is brighter compared to the average person. Wangfei carries a miracle, and can also treat wangye's illness. If you said you were a god reincarnated, I wouldn't even be surprised. You have a virtuous heart. I don't beg you to address wrongs through kindness, but I swear, Qin An was definitely deceived to join the villainous plot. But now it's already impossible to stop halfway. He's too timid and thinks he can just muddle through his mistakes. My father taught me to face my mistakes, and follow my heart honestly. I've never done anything I regret in this life! When I learned of this matter yesterday, I couldn't eat or sleep and wanted to immediately apologize and beg for forgiveness from you. No matter what you decide, I won't have any complaints. However, I only ask you, please spare Qin An's life!"

She firmly bowed her head to the floor. Song Song was completely at a loss. He couldn't bend over to help her off the ground, so said: "Elder sister, you know that my body is not convenient so please get up yourself. If you have any issues, please explain slowly. I'm still very confused."

Raising her head to look at him, Xu Kou's gaze was burning: "Because wangfei is with child, I don't dare to upset you thoughtlessly. Therefore, I wrote you a letter of confession. Wangfei you can first take a look, but please be sure to prepare yourself."

She maintained her kneeling position, and handed over the letter. Song Song said helplessly: "You can get up first. Although I wouldn't be nice towards those who harmed me, I also wouldn't take my anger out on innocent people."

Xu Kou said softly: "I'm also in a difficult position today. If I say it out loud, I'm afraid it would make you unhappy. But if I didn't say anything, my conscious wouldn't let me rest. Please don't be too angry, be careful of your body."

She refused to get up, Song Song could only withdraw his hands and open the letter.

He only read two lines before his hands started shaking. Abruptly, he folded the letter close, his gaze landing on Xu Kou. After a while, he said: "I need to return first."

He stood up. Xu Kou looked worriedly at him, but surprisingly found Song Song's footsteps very steady. His expression didn't have any ripple. Only his pale white face exposed his inner mood. He opened the door and walked out. Xu Kou bowed with her head to the floor again. After a long time, she heard her handmaiden say: "Princess, wangfei already left."

Xu Kou dazed off for a moment and said: "Father always said that I should live as a candid and upright person but now, I've betrayed the Qin family."

In the letter, Xu Kou didn't write anything regarding Qin Ning and the empress's current activities. She only narrated subjectively from Qin An's point of view about a certain matter.

She understood that this letter could be used as physical proof that could lead to the extermination of the Qin family, but she really couldn't say the matter out loud to the pregnant Song Song. It's not because she wanted to save face, but rather because she was afraid she couldn't explain it clearly, waste her breath, and end up upsetting Song Song.

To express it in writing, she could somewhat gather her thoughts. Song Song could also read it slowly so he could be mentally prepared.

Once, Song Song thought that he would definitely find out the truth behind his grandfather's death. He was even suspicious on whether or not this matter was related to madam Song. But he never thought that someone would jump out and use this kind of method to tell him the whole sequence of events from beginning to end.

Qin An was scared of Xu Kou because Xu Kou's personality was fierce. Her eyes couldn't accept any blemishes. She couldn't bear watching the way the empress handled things. However, madam Song was the empress's own sister in the end. Even Qin Ning and the prime minister kept silent. An 'outsider' like her had less reason to stand out and offer her opinion.

Qin An was timid. Yesterday he couldn't hold out to Xu Kou's pressure, and finally haltingly told her: "After Fu guoshang died, his business discontinued and most of it landed in my hands."

Xu Kou finally understood. She instantly asked: "The empress gave it to you?!"

Qin An smiled bitterly and nodded his head: "Eight years ago, father suddenly told me that he had some shops for me to deal with. Those shops had some old records that were very troublesome so I helped straighten it out. After that father said that in the future, those shops all belonged to me. He told me that they were assets left by a distant relative of the Qin family. That the relative had no children and because father saved his life, he entrusted over all of his shops and their associated property. However, other than me, no one else understood how to run businesses in the Qin family. Therefore, it was only expected for me to receive and manage those shops."

At that time, Qin An wasn't as timid as he was now. During his youth, he was full of spirit. He liked gold, silver, and precious jewels and when he made calculations, he didn't even need an abacus.

In the letter Xu Kou told Song Song: "However, since 5 years ago, he changed. His ability to calculate in his head was not comparable to before. His personality became more and more cautious. Often when he's sleeping, he would startle wake in the middle of the night. Before he wasn't scared of the dark, wasn't scared of ghosts, but suddenly within a short span, he no longer dared to walk around at night. Even if he had to travel within his own courtyard, he needed servants to bring several lit lanterns in tow."

Yesterday was when Xu Kou finally realized that 5 years ago was when Qin An learned that the property and assets in his hands came completely from Fu Guoshang. It was only that some of the shops were refurbished and changed in the middle, so very few people knew about it.

However, he didn't dare to tell Xu Kou. At that time, he and Xu Kou just had a child. He was afraid that if Xu Kou found out about this, she would leave him. He was also afraid that if the truth of the matter was exposed, it would cause harm to Xu Kou and the child. Not to mention he was still part of the Qin family. He still had to take into consideration his father, brother, and sister's well being.

Therefore, he can only make the best out of the mistake.

The person who first drooled over Fu Guoshang's wealth was madam Song. She hated Fu Xiang so plotted all sorts of schemes to make her leave Song Guogong. Although she was one step late in entering the Song family, she still managed to replace Fu Xiang as head matron. However, this wasn't enough for her. She always felt slighted because she felt that in Song Guogong's eyes, a merchant girl like Fu Xiang was better than her, the daughter of a government official. She believed that Fu Xiang's intelligence was all an act. Not long after the wedding, she began to frequently complain in front of her father and brother because she felt that Song Guogong seemed to like Fu Xiang, this fake, better.

She felt that her feelings were the real deal. However, towards her, Song Guogong only seemed to fawn over her for her family's status, he didn't really like her.

Not to mention, at that time Song Guogong also ran his own shops. Therefore, he would often come and go with Fu Xiang. Madam Song felt even more uneasy in her heart because she didn't understand anything about how to do business.

One day, she asked the empress: "If Fu Guoshang died, then would my husband receive part of his assets?"

The empress told her: "According to the rules, Fu Xiang's son would be the successor."

Madam Song recalled her own child. She only had the support of the prime minister, however, she wasn't the only child the prime minister had. Therefore, she had nothing to leave for her own child to inherit. When she thought of this, she realized that if Song Song managed to inherit Fu Guoshang's wealth, then Song Guogong would probably focus more time and effort on Song Song. How could her own children who had no right and no power gain his attention?

She became even unhappier: "Then what if Fu Xiang also died? How could a 10 year old like him inherit the properties?"

The empress looked pensively at her.

After that, the operation to target Fu Guoshang began.