Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Not to win you over, then am I after your looks?
Song Zhiyu and Bao Datong stepped out of Chun Xiang Lou, watched Liu Wu leave, and Bao Datong asked, "What did the Third Prince want with you?"
"He said he wanted me to attend his wedding ceremony as a guest."
Bao Datong raised his eyebrows, nudged him with an elbow, and said, "Hey, not bad! Youāve just gotten married and already become someone they want to win over."
Song Zhiyu glanced back at Chun Xiang Lou and lowered his voice, "You also think theyāre trying to win me over?"
"What else? Think they care for your handsome face?"
"Get lost!" Song Zhiyu kicked him lightly.
Bao Datong murmured, "You better be cautious and not agree so readily. Your identity, well, it is a bit sensitive. If that person thinks youāve taken sides or are forming cliques for selfish gains, it wonāt be just your issue, but will involve all of Prince Dingbeiās Mansion and the Prime Ministerās Mansion."
He pointed towards the sky.
Isnāt that the truth? Noble children, even those who are reckless, have some political insight. Oh, except for those real idiots who are truly lost causes.
Look at Bao Datong being so perceptive, instantly grasping the advantages of Song Zhiyuās identity.
Song Zhiyu said, "You think Iām stupid? Ever since my eldest brother rose to power, Iāve been aware of their little schemes."
"As long as you understand. Well, Iām off then." Bao Datong patted his shoulder, not worried about his friend being trapped, since he had the so-called āthousand-year-old foxā of a Prime Minister for a brother.
Song Zhiyu stood in place watching his friend leave, and Si Xi stepped forward and asked, "Sir, shall we return to the Prince Mansion?"
"No, weāre going back to the Prime Ministerās Mansion!"
...
Song Zhiyuan was about to return to the main courtyard, but upon hearing his younger brother had arrived, he sat back down, watching his little brother come in and remove his cloak. Smelling the faint scent of wine, he furrowed his brows.
"Been out drinking?"
Song Zhiyu shrank back a little, grinning, "Just had a few drinks with Bao Datong and the others."
"Had them at a flower house?" Song Zhiyuan squinted, seeing the lingering smell of makeup as his brother approached.
Song Zhiyu stopped, raised his sleeve to sniff it, but couldnāt smell anything, and said, "Big brother, your nose is really sharp."
Song Zhiyuan threw a brush at him, "The Commandery Princess is out on duty while youāre out drinking and carousing, and you dare come here? Want to die?"
"Brother, my dear brother, I only had a bit to drink. The girls were invited by that fat Liu Wu anyway, I just kept him company. Oh, Iām a married man now, I know better than to fool around behind her back. Not unless I donāt fear getting beaten to death by her!" Maybe just fool around right in front of her, at most.
Song Zhiyuan sneered, "Good that you know."
Song Zhiyu dragged a chair over to sit down, saying, "Big brother, today they tried to win me over."
Song Zhiyuanās eyes narrowed slightly.
"It was the Third Prince." Song Zhiyu recounted Chu Hongzhengās invitation.
"What are your thoughts?"
"Of course, I canāt agree. I told him wherever the Commandery Princess goes, Iāll go there too." Song Zhiyu said, "Iāve remembered what big brother said, to listen to my wife."
He rested his hands on the table, wearing an expression that said, āGo ahead, praise me.ā
Song Zhiyuan said blandly, "Not bad. Good that you have this awareness."
Tch, thatās it? How dull!
"With the Princes getting married, situations like this will come up frequently in the future. Bear it in mind not to take sides. We donāt get involved in the power struggles for succession." Song Zhiyuan looked at him, "Especially you, as the son-in-law of Prince Dingbeiās Mansion. Though itās just a title without much weight, the Commandery Princess does care for you, so donāt bring trouble or inconvenience to the Mansion. Playing dumb can be quite effective."
Song Zhiyu felt the tone seemed a bit off, wondering if the eldest was praising or mocking him!