Chapter 155: Marrying a Man from a Book

Chapter 155: Marrying a Man from a Book

Qi Chengyun gave a bitter smile: "Actually, I don't want her to be a concubine either."

Qi Chengguang was shocked: "Unbelievable. We are princes—having a harem of wives and concubines is perfectly normal. Don't let her push you around and make you lose your princely dignity."

When Qi Chengyun appeared before Xi Qianyue with a haggard face, she was worried sick.

"How did you end up like this? Unshaven, with vacant eyes."

Qi Chengyun grabbed her hand: "Let's just get married, plain and simple."

Xi Qianyue laughed: "Oh no, this prince has lost his mind. When the Emperor and Empress Dowager come gunning for me, what will you do then?"

"Forget all that—I'll marry you first and deal with the fallout later."

Xi Qianyue kept thinking he was kidding, but the next day, An Jiu brought over a phoenix coronet and bridal gown, asking her to try them on to see if any alterations were needed.

"You can't be serious, right? This is a death sentence for me."

An Jiu said flatly: "I'll go notify Madam Zeng first and have her prepare the dowry."

Zeng Shi and Nanny Li nearly fainted too—what in the world was going on?

With such a huge stir, wasn't the Sixth Prince afraid of getting punished? Would Qian Yue be in mortal danger?

"Madam Zeng, since the Prince is dead set on this, you should prepare quickly as well."

Zeng Shi was both thrilled and anxious, never expecting the Sixth Prince to be so genuinely devoted to Qian Yue.

There was no need to specially prepare the dowry—it had already been put together beforehand. A careful check against the list would do.

She also wanted to hand Xi Qianyue the hundred-thousand-tael bank draft, but Xi Qianyue repeatedly refused.

"Mother, you know, marrying into that household like this—I can't tell if it's a blessing or a curse. Hold onto the bank draft for now, think of it as deposited with you. I'll ask you for it if I need it."

Zeng Shi had no choice but to keep it, and she added some of her own prized jewelry from the bottom of her trunk to the dowry.

Two days later was the lucky day. Everyone was stunned—no one had gotten any prior notice that the Sixth Prince would suddenly take a bride.

Though rushed, everything was ready, down to the last detail.

The capital's common folk once again witnessed Miss Xi's lavish dowry procession stretching ten miles, and everyone marveled at the sight.

Word had it that this Miss Xi had previously married into the Marquis of Changping's household, then divorced and come back home, and not long after, the Marquis's household had collapsed as well.

Was Miss Xi clairvoyant? Or was she a lucky charm? Once the lucky charm left, the Marquis's household fell apart too.

Members of the Yang family were also in the crowd watching, grinding their teeth in fury.

Their little house hadn't been spared either—it had ultimately been pawned off.

Now the whole family was renting a run-down little courtyard. Lady Wu had already sworn that if Yang Xingxian gambled again, she'd put rat poison in his food and personally do her own son in.

It scared Yang Xingxian so bad he didn't dare eat at home these days.

The Yang family had hit rock bottom, yet here they were watching Xi Qianyue marry into a prince's mansion!

Xi Jiaojiao burst into tears on the spot, cried again once she got home, then grabbed a broom and beat Yang Xingxian senseless: "It's all your fault, all your fault... I could've married into a good family and lived a good life too."

Lady Wu and the Yang sisters were used to it and kept their mouths shut.

The ministers who got the Sixth Prince's invitation were baffled, but they showed up half-doubting to offer their congratulations.

And sure enough, it was real!

Word was the Empress Dowager was so furious she smashed a cup in Shoukang Palace!

"His Majesty is unwell, and I've chosen to marry at this time partly to pray for his recovery and bring him good luck," the Prince explained.

The ministers immediately showered the Sixth Prince with praise—kind-hearted, virtuous, and truly filial!

Xi Qianyue, draped in the red bridal veil, was led by Qi Chengyun as they bowed to heaven and earth and were escorted to the bridal chamber.

After the veil was lifted, Qi Chengyun was stunned speechless: "Qian Yue, you're so beautiful!"

Xi Qianyue was a little shy and pouted: "Of course I'm the prettiest—did you just figure that out today?"

"Marrying you is the craziest, most regret-free thing I've ever done. I never thought I'd have the guts, and I never thought you'd dare to marry me just like that."

Qi Chengyun cupped her face and gave her a tender peck.

Xi Qianyue thought to herself—she really had been daring enough!

Marrying a man from a book, and a prince at that—a prince who defied the emperor's orders for her.

It was worth it.

Xi Qianyue took out her embroidered pouch and opened it up for him to see. Inside were locks of their hair and the star-shaped jade pendant he'd given her.

"Can you tell me now? Why the star-shaped jade pendant?"

Qi Chengyun pulled out his own pouch from his chest: "I have one too—mine is the moon-shaped jade pendant. Because your name has 'Yue,' which is the same as the word for moon, I took the moon one."

Xi Qianyue knew how to sweet-talk him too: "How perfect—you're in my heart, so I took the star-shaped pendant."

Suddenly she felt a little silly herself and cleared her throat: "Shall we drink the nuptial cup? Then you'll need to go entertain the ministers?"

The two downed the nuptial cup in one go, gazing into each other's eyes, seeing their own reflections brimming with love.

Suddenly, Xi Qianyue felt a sharp pain in her chest. She couldn't hold it back—a mouthful of blood sprayed out.

Qi Chengyun was horrified: "Qian Yue, what's wrong? Someone! Summon the imperial physician!"

Xi Qianyue collapsed into Qi Chengyun's arms, instantly unable to speak. Clutching her chest, she heard the system's voice: "Congratulations, host, on completing the task. You will now return to real life immediately."

Xi Qianqian jolted violently and opened her eyes, finding herself slumped over her desk, the computer on, the novel set aside.

Tears streamed down uncontrollably. What was happening?

How had she suddenly returned to real life?

That damn system—why did it kick in now of all times, right in the middle of her wedding!

Something occurred to her, and she frantically flipped open the novel—there it was!

On the day of his wedding, the Sixth Prince Qi Chengyun witnessed with his own eyes the Consort of the Sixth Prince being poisoned to death.

The nuptial cup had been laced with poison!

The wine pot was actually a twin-chambered one, with the Sixth Prince unharmed, but his consort poisoned to death.

Xi Qianqian was in tears, certain it was someone from the royal palace—maybe the Empress Dowager, or maybe Princess Zhaoyang!

The rest of the story was blank.

Xi Qianqian cried her heart out, yet her chest still ached so badly she could barely breathe.

She knew it wasn't a lingering effect of the poison; it was purely emotional.

She had been determined to marry him, and she got her wish, but it all turned out to be an empty dream!

As Xi Qianqian sobbed uncontrollably at her desk, she suddenly remembered the pouch.

She reached into her pocket and, to her surprise, pulled out the pouch!

It held their intertwined hair and the star-shaped jade pendant.

"System, are you still there? Are you still around?"

But there was no response at all.

"Damn system, utterly useless, and it dragged me back at the worst moment. What about the money I earned!"

Xi Qianqian felt somewhat dejected—no money either. If she had kept the earned banknotes on her at the time, could she have brought them into the real world?

She pulled herself together, washed her face, and opened a food delivery app to order some snail noodles.

Time to soothe her wounded heart first.