The Ferris wheel slowly rose, tears unknowingly blurring my vision. Looking at the two figures hugging below, my heart suddenly ached painfully. I thought I would no longer be heartbroken by such an unfaithful man, but I realized that when seeing such a scene again, I still couldn’t help feeling miserable!
I can’t tell how many times I’ve been dumped by men, and each time I happen to catch them in the act. Now, I’m more inclined to believe there isn’t a single trustworthy man in this world. Being heartbroken for such unfaithful men is truly not worth it, yet tears still uncontrollably fall…
When the Ferris wheel reached its peak, I fiercely wiped my face and angrily pointed at the sky, cursing: “Damn it, aren’t you blind? Why do you always give me such men? I, Fei Xiaoran, will never want a man again. If you dare give me such a man, I’ll burn three incense sticks every day!”
Before the words faded, the originally bright sunny sky suddenly turned dark with rolling clouds, and a lightning bolt crossed the sky, striking directly at me. I opened my eyes in terror, too late to react, feeling a numbness throughout my body before losing consciousness. In the last second before passing out, I couldn’t help feeling wronged, grieved, and unwilling: Why, why is this happening? I wanted the unfaithful men to be struck, so why am I the one being struck?
Dying like this, I truly, truly feel unwilling…
I don’t understand, what did I do wrong in my previous life?
Did I tangle the matchmaker’s red thread?
Or did I pull out the matchmaker’s beard?
Why, why does every relationship in this life not end well? Giving my whole heart, in the end, only receiving betrayal after betrayal, exhausted in body and mind, covered in scars!
Am I really, truly not worthy of love?
Or,
This world was never about true love…
…
“Besides, your son is perfectly fine. Where does he have any ‘cut sleeve’ tendencies? What mother would ever say such things about her own child?” As he spoke, he did not forget to cast a helpless and suppressed gaze, glaring fiercely at the person opposite him.
“I, I… I don’t know!”
The empress saw her carefully prepared speech being mercilessly punctured by him, and hurriedly turned her face away in embarrassment, her gaze shifting left and right, until she felt uncomfortable under his stare.
Only then did she involuntarily lower her voice and say: “Mother, Mother is doing this for your own good. If you would obediently attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet, would Mother need to go to such lengths?”
The so-called Hundred Flowers Banquet was a pretext for the empress to invite all unmarried noble maidens from the royal palace, hoping her only son would choose a wife from among them!
However, Qi Chenxuan could see through them at a glance, directly responding impatiently: “I’ll pass on the Hundred Flowers Banquet!” Such a matchmaking feast – he would never attend. The thought of those guys’ sniggering faces made him shudder!
Yet he was also clear that his mother would not let him off easily after arranging this for so long. His handsome eyebrows involuntarily furrowed as he said reluctantly: “Do I have to marry someone to make you feel at ease?”
“You little brat, you’re becoming more and more disrespectful! Everything I’ve done is for your sake, I…”
Hearing this, the empress was about to jump up and argue, disregarding her dignified status as the mother of the nation. But when she saw the impatience in Qi Chenxuan’s eyes, she quickly changed her tone: “No, no! As long as you agree to marry, Mother will never bother you again!”
“This is what Mother said!
Qi Chenxuan inexplicably showed a relaxed expression, then reached past the empress, directly pointing at someone behind her: “If Mother really wants to see me married, then fine, I’ve decided – I’ll marry her!”
And that “her” was the curious little palace maid hiding in the nearby flower bushes, watching their heated argument – me, Fei Xiaoran!
Is she the type you like?
“Huh?” The empress quickly turned around, easily spotting me in the distance. After carefully examining me, she hesitated and turned back, asking him: “Xuan’er, are you sure… she is your type?”
The so-called “type” here referred not to status, but to body shape.
Qi Chenxuan looked at my hurriedly escaping back, his lips curving with a devilish smile, a glimmer of interest in his eyes, “It’s nothing, just someone suddenly transforming from a sparrow to a phoenix, getting too excited!”
“Is that so?” the empress hesitated, frowning, thinking: That girl’s reaction seems like she doesn’t want to marry her imperial son!
Qi Chenxuan was only focused on the person running away and didn’t see the calculating smile on the empress’s face.
He confidently answered, “Don’t worry, she can’t escape! I’ve decided, I want her…”
The empress feigned concern, “But what if she doesn’t want to marry you? Are you planning to force her?” She knew her son well – the more unattainable something was, the more he would desire it! She hoped the girl wouldn’t disappoint her…
Qi Chenxuan was momentarily stunned. He had never considered this question. After a brief daze, he quickly regained his composure, “Mother, rest assured. I will find a way to make her agree obediently. Mother just needs to arrange the marriage!”
Whatever he wanted, he had never failed to obtain, including… a person.
…
Damn, I’ve caused trouble
I ran back to the laundry department, worried someone might be chasing me, occasionally looking back. Unexpectedly, I bumped into someone, hearing an “Ouch.” Turning around, I saw the palace maid Mingxi rubbing her forehead and frowning at me, “Xiamo, what’s wrong with you? You’re rushing about like you’ve seen a ghost! Be careful, or the supervisor will scold you!”
“Hehe…” I forced a smile, looking apologetic, “Sorry! I was walking too fast and didn’t see you. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!” Mingxi shook her head, glancing behind me to ensure nothing was amiss, then asked, “Weren’t you going to deliver clothes to Lady Summer? Why are you back so soon?”
“Oh no—”
Only then did I remember the clothes were still in the imperial garden.
If Lady Summer doesn’t receive her clothes, she’ll surely send someone to cause trouble!
I must retrieve them quickly. But I’m not sure if that mother and son have left.
I have my wonderful youth, many years ahead, and countless unknown experiences to explore. I don’t want to waste them within these high palace walls, fighting over love and favor. That prince who casually says he wants to marry me clearly isn’t a responsible good man. From now on, I’ll just avoid him!
Seeing my expression change, Mingxi anxiously asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen? You didn’t fail to deliver the clothes, did you?”
Lady Summer’s tyranny in the inner palace was notorious. Many maids had suffered under her, and the laundry department was no exception. Whenever it was time to deliver her clothes, everyone would make excuses, ultimately leaving it to me, the newcomer unfamiliar with the situation.
Following the principle that new employees should endure hardships, I had no choice but to take on this difficult task. I’d delivered clothes a few times before, allowing me to simply leave and go. But today, I’ve actually lost her clothes!
Oh my, that woman might torment me terribly! No, I must find and return the clothes before dark…
…
You knew I would come back?
“Xiamo, Xiamo?”
Seeing me muttering to myself, Mingxi grew increasingly anxious.
Her already small face scrunched up completely, losing all definition. After calling twice without response, she raised her voice and shouted, “Yan, Xi, Mo—”
“Huh?” I finally snapped back, looking at her blankly, “What?”
