Mingxi pouted, looking unhappy, “It’s you who’s acting strange. I called you so many times, and you didn’t respond. You’re not usually like this. Something must have happened, right?”
Not wanting her to worry, I shook my head as if nothing was wrong, “You’re overthinking. Nothing happened. I might just be tired and lacking sleep, so my spirits are low. Anyway, I just remembered I have something unfinished, so I’ll go out for a bit. Continue with your work.”
Without waiting for Mingxi’s response, I quickly turned and ran out of the laundry department…
In the imperial garden, I carefully searched the area where the clothes fell three or four times. Besides flower petals and fallen leaves, there was nothing else. Logically, in the inner palace, no one should pick up such an item!
But why can’t I find it?
“Stop searching. I’ve already had someone send those clothes to Jinyu Palace.”
Just as I was breaking out in a cold sweat, a strange yet somewhat familiar male voice suddenly rang out behind me, leisurely drifting into my ears!
” I looked up in surprise, unexpectedly meeting a pair of eyes as deep as an ink-black pool. I blurted out unconsciously: “It’s you?” Standing before me was none other than Qi Chenxuan, who had just inexplicably declared he wanted to marry me.
“It is me!” Qi Chenxuan smiled and replied: “From your expression, you seem quite surprised to see me again? You should know I’ve been waiting here for you the whole time, not taking a single step away!”
I was momentarily unable to process his words, my eyes wide open as I stammered: “You… knew I would come back?”
“Of course!” Qi Chenxuan said calmly: “Even a palace maid at the laundry service would be beaten for damaging clothes. Not to mention losing the beloved robe of the Imperial Consort, you would definitely return to avoid physical punishment. Guessing this wasn’t difficult.”
I tried to steady myself, attempting to sound normal: “Why… why were you waiting for me?”
Qi Chenxuan slowly smiled, looking completely harmless: “You’ve forgotten. You still owe me an answer!”
My body trembled, my gaze involuntarily wandering as I nervously looked at my toes: “Do, do I? Your Highness must be joking with me! I’m just a lowly palace maid. How could I possibly owe you anything?”
“You?” I gritted my silver teeth, wishing I could bore two holes in this guy with my eyes. He’s ruthless, using life and death to threaten me!
You should know that in this strange time and space, I have no attachments except my life.
Qi Chenxuan smiled and asked, “How about it? Are you going to marry me and become the most valuable woman of the entire imperial dynasty, or do you want to drift in the palace like a lonely ghost?”
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but shudder and angrily glare at him, “Qi Chenxuan, you’re ruthless! But don’t blame me for not warning you, after marrying me, you will definitely regret it!”
He didn’t care and grinned, “So, you’ve agreed?”
My face darkened, “Yes, I don’t want to die! So, you win, but I have conditions!”
“Go ahead,” Qi Chenxuan playfully raised an eyebrow, looking very interested in my “conditions”.
“First, I’m not some well-bred lady, and I don’t understand court etiquette. If you want to marry me, you must recognize this, and don’t expect me to obediently learn manners!”
You know, the most troublesome thing in the palace is the word “etiquette”. Just hearing it gives me a headache!
Qi Chenxuan just slightly raised his eyes and didn’t respond!
I impatiently urged, “Hey, speak up! Are you agreeing or not?”
But before my smile could show on my face, he directly answered, “Okay!”
“You really agree? Without even considering?”
Now I was the one unsure, wondering if my ears had misheard. But his smile clearly said, “I definitely agreed.”
I swallowed hard, secretly muttering: This prince is probably crazy…
Seeing me mumbling to myself, Qi Chenxuan even asked in a good mood, “Why did you stop talking? Or is this your only condition?”
“Of course not!” I answered urgently. Compromising so easily is not the style of Fei Xiaoran!
“Then?” Qi Chenxuan shrugged, looking all ears!
I cleared my throat and solemnly declared, “My second condition is that unless you divorce me, you are not allowed to marry again!” After saying this, I secretly felt pleased. After all, asking him not to marry again, even with my toes I knew it was absolutely impossible…
Of course, if he’s willing to divorce me and give me freedom, letting me leave the palace to find a way back to modern times, I have no objections!
“Okay! I agree to marry you!”
My answer, just as simple as his…
Since I understand I can’t avoid it, I might as well accept it generously! Fate is so dramatic.
I’ve already accepted crossing over, so what’s there to worry about by getting married now!
Just, the man who marries me will definitely regret it! If he thinks he can manipulate me just because I’m a palace maid, then he is gravely mistaken!
The prince’s wife, huh? Sounds pretty good…
At least I’ll have food and clothing, with a large group of servants to order around. No more washing piles of clothes! Maybe I can even earn some silver!
“What are you smirking about?” A warm breath whispers in my ear. I look up in panic, my cheek accidentally brushing against someone’s soft lips. In the end, our lips just touched, and my heartbeat suddenly went out of rhythm!
I cover my burning red face, jumping away from him. I point my slender finger at him, my voice barely concealing my panic: “You, you… why are you getting so close to me!”
Qi Chenxuan pouts, his handsome face showing a hint of grievance: “You’re the one who took advantage of this prince! I didn’t even say anything, so why are you yelling?”
I can’t help but shudder, glaring at him fiercely: “Don’t give me that! This is my first kiss! Who knows how many women this playboy has held before? So, no matter how you look at it, I’m the one at a disadvantage! But, I’m magnanimous, so I won’t hold it against you!
“
(Everyone [surprised]: Didn’t you date three men before? Where’s this first kiss? Protagonist [resolute face]: I have principles, okay? Before marriage, only holding hands, no kissing! Everyone [dizzy]: Wow, now we understand why you’ve always been dumped! Protagonist [resentful]: Cursing you all…)
Hey, are you still going to marry me?
I immediately opened my eyes wide, looking at him in surprise and asked, “You live outside the palace?”
That guy raised his eyebrows nonchalantly and said, “Yes, is there a problem?”
“No, no problem!” I shook my head vigorously like a rattle drum. Since this guy lives outside the palace, doesn’t that mean I won’t have to continue staying in the imperial palace?
Oh yeah! How great…
No wonder he was willing to agree that I didn’t need to learn any rules. Leaving such a place of right and wrong, of course I can do as I please!
Almost immediately, and impatiently, I grabbed his sleeve and asked, “Hey, so when exactly are you going to marry me?
Qi Chenxuan had a cunning smile on his lips, and instead of answering, he asked back, “And when do you think I should marry you?”
My head heated up, and I answered without thinking, “Of course, the sooner the better!” Because life in the imperial palace was truly… too boring!
As soon as the words left my mouth, I immediately regretted it. Qi Chenxuan’s eyes were full of laughter, and he said with a look of sudden realization, “So, you really want to marry me!”
“No, I don’t!” My face turned red, and I quickly retorted.
“Not?” Qi Chenxuan blinked, pretending to be confused, “If not, then why did you say you want me to marry you as soon as possible? Could it be that you’re shy and too embarrassed to admit it?”
Woman, you’ve provoked me.
