The wedding night? Running away from the wedding!
*
"The bride has arrived!"
With a long shout from the matchmaker, Xu Qingyao, wearing a red veil embroidered with a hundred children, was helped by Yuejian to step over the vermilion threshold.
Through the gap beneath her veil, she saw a five-colored brocade carpet spread on the floor of the hall—with a large "囍" character painted in gold powder in the very center.
Xiao Zhouyan stood at the other end of the "囍" character. Xu Qingyao could feel his gaze falling on her through the veil, so intense that it made her palms sweat slightly.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
Xu Qingyao took a deep breath and was about to bow when she suddenly felt her sleeve being gently tugged.
She tilted her head slightly and, through the gap in the red veil, saw Xiao Zhouyan's slender fingers carefully smoothing out a wrinkle on the cuff of her wedding dress.
"Second bow to the parents—"
The two bowed to Madam Xiao, who was sitting in the main seat.
It was a rare occasion for Madam Xiao to return home. She was dressed in a crimson gown, with only a simple jade hairpin in her hair. Tears welled in her eyes, and she felt a mix of emotions, including sadness and loneliness.
"Husband and wife bow to each other—"
As they both leaned down, Xu Qingyao suddenly felt a warm, large hand gently supporting her forehead. It turned out that Xiao Zhouyan was protecting her forehead from bumping it.
"Send them into the bridal chamber—"
With a gentle sway of the red silk, Xiao Zhouyan suddenly bent down and swept Xu Qingyao up in his arms. Amidst the laughter of the guests, she heard the steady heartbeat emanating from his chest, making her ears burn.
“General,” Xu Qingyao felt awkward even through the red veil, wishing she could bury her head even lower, “according to the rules, one should be led into the bridal chamber with a red silk ribbon…”
“Qingqing has just woken up and should not stand for long,” Xiao Zhouyan explained as he stepped across the brocade carpet scattered with five-colored flowers and fruits. His eyes reflected the candlelight as he lowered them. “Besides, the custom says that red silk is used to tie hearts together, but when I hold my wife, even our heartbeats are in sync.”
The system went crazy, suddenly popping up a bunch of notifications:
[Beep! Acquaintance achieved. Please claim your reward as soon as possible.]
[Beep! You have reached the "Mutual Understanding" level. Please claim your reward as soon as possible.]
[Ding! "Adultery" accomplished. Please claim your reward as soon as possible.]
...
[Ding! The "wedding ceremony" has been successfully completed. Please claim your reward as soon as possible.]
[Beep—Host has completed the beginner's mission. Please activate "Escape from Marriage Mode" as soon as possible.]
Xu Qingyao's head was buzzing...
Mute! Do not disturb! Thank you.
Okay, Do Not Disturb is now enabled.
The moment the door to the bridal chamber opened, the world finally fell silent.
Xiao Zhouyan gently placed Xu Qingyao in the Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons tent, his bright red sleeves brushing against the copper coins on her wrist, making a crisp tinkling sound.
“Madam, please rest a moment,” he said, his fingertips brushing against the beaded hair ornament on her head, pausing for a moment before withdrawing. “There are still soldiers in the front hall who need to be entertained.”
As the doors opened and closed, a cacophony of wine aromas filled the corridor, only to be abruptly cut off behind the heavy sandalwood doors.
[External environment detected as safe. Host, please begin querying information.]
Xu Qingyao clicked "Search".
Countless images flooded my mind like fragments of gold.
The pain in my head is less severe than last time.
She not only transmigrated, but she transmigrated into a book.
In the original story, "Xu Qingyao" is cannon fodder, and the worst of the worst.
In the original novel, the Fifth Prince, in order to seize the throne, won over the Duke of Wei's mansion and plotted to have Xiao Zhouyan and "Xu Qingyao" caught in disheveled state in a guest room at a flower-viewing banquet. Out of a sense of responsibility, Xiao Zhouyan married Xu Qingyao. Although he gave "Xu Qingyao" the status and power of a mistress, he had no love for "Xu Qingyao".
At a banquet, Xiao Zhouyan caught Xu Qingyao having a secret rendezvous with a man. Overcome by jealousy and possessiveness, he imprisoned Xu Qingyao and tortured her every day.
The original female lead, as part of the Second Prince's camp, helped the Second Prince seize the throne. The Fifth Prince was defeated, Consort Xiao committed suicide, and the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion was inevitably raided as a traitor.
Xu Qingyao died in the fire after the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion was raided.
On the battlefield, Xiao Zhouyan was tricked by the original female lead, who cut off his food supplies and besieged him for three months, resulting in the deaths of most of his soldiers. Xiao Zhouyan escaped this calamity and, with the help of the Eighth Prince, stormed the capital, ultimately welcoming the Eighth Prince to the throne.
On the day the palace gates were opened, the original female lead killed the second prince and opened the city gates to let the enemy army in, catching Xiao Zhouyan off guard.
When the enemy army entered the city, Xiao Zhouyan vowed to fight to the death and eventually drove them back. However, his injuries became more severe, and he died of illness a month later.
The Great Zhou Dynasty never recovered from this setback and was defeated by an enemy state in less than three years.
*
Xu Qingyao analyzed: "Judging from this, the female lead is definitely a spy."
[Congratulations, host, you guessed correctly, but there is no reward.]
"In other words, it won't be long before Xiao Zhouyan catches me having a secret rendezvous with another man," Xu Qingyao hugged herself tightly, goosebumps instantly rising on her skin, "and then... imprison me, torture me? And finally burn me alive?!"
[...Host, this is the plot of the original work...]
"So there's still hope!?"
Xu Qingyao asked with hopeful eyes.
[We hope the host understands that the plot has a powerful corrective ability.]
"Then why am I here? And why are you here?"
Xu Qingyao didn't believe it; the system was definitely just trying to scare her.
As the host suspects, I, like the host, am a variable in this world.
Variables...
A barely perceptible glint flashed in Xu Qingyao's eyes.
[To formally introduce, the system bound to the host is number "006," named the "Strongest Escape from Marriage System," and is ranked second in the "Strongest" series ranking.]
Xu Qingyao detected a hint of pride in the machine's tone.
"Wow, you're amazing!" Xu Qingyao exclaimed. "Who came in first?"
[...disappeared.]
"Can systems disappear too?"
【meeting. 】
"Hey, what do we do now? According to the schedule, when am I supposed to elope?" She sat down at the table and poured herself a glass of water.
Current detections indicate the surrounding environment is safe. The host has been issued the next task: "Escape the Bride."
"???"
This mission came so quickly?
She hasn't finished her water yet!
[Please don't give me a nickname! Call me "The Strongest Escapee System" or "006".]
"Okay, received it." Xu Qingyao said with a smile, "Did you forget something?"
Where is my newbie gift pack?
She deliberately tapped the empty teacup on the table to make a crisp sound.
The system suddenly started flashing like snowflakes.
System "006": It really forgot.
Please visit your "Personal Homepage" to view.
Xu Qingyao raised an eyebrow.
When she mentally clicked on the so-called personal homepage, she almost burst out laughing—besides a constantly spinning loading icon, there was only one line of small text on the screen: "This feature requires unlocking to view."
"System, explain this to me!" Xu Qingyao pointed at the page, laughing in exasperation. "Whose newbie gift pack needs to be unlocked? Is this even possible?!"
[System in operation...]
[System malfunction; bug has been fixed for the host. Please go to the homepage to claim your "New Player Gift Pack".]
After receiving the gift pack, Xu Qingyao checked her backpack. The previously empty backpack now contained several items:
"Sleep very well"*10, "One drop of fragrance"*5, "Never touch fragrance"*5, "So fragrant"*5.
So many fragrances...
"Is the person who created you a perfumer?" Xu Qingyao sighed, rubbing her forehead.
【no. 】
[The host does not have sufficient permissions to respond.]
Okay, okay, I'll take a closer look when I have the chance.
"By the way...can I leave today?"
Xu Qingyao touched the filigree gold phoenix hairpin on her head and the fine fabric embroidered with gold thread on her body.
Good things can fetch a lot of money.
[Xiao Zhouyan is approaching; the host is advised not to act rashly.]
Xiao Zhouyan?
"You've come at the perfect time."
Xu Qingyao revealed a mysterious smile.
*
"Squeak—"
The door opened.
The weather had turned cool, and the night dew was heavy. Xiao Zhouyan pushed open the door, and the smell of alcohol mixed with the dew on his body was much less. His wedding dress looked even more luxurious under the dim light.
He saw Xu Qingyao sitting upright by the bed, her eyes softening.
"Qingqing..."
Xiao Zhouyan's voice, tinged with the slight intoxication of wine, spread a gentle warmth in the bridal chamber where red candles flickered.
The red veil was lifted, and Xu Qingyao's fingers, gripping the cuffs of her wedding dress, tightened slightly, her heart pounding like a drum. Her cheeks felt hot, and even her breathing became cautious.
"My husband," she replied softly, her eyelashes lowered, not daring to look him in the eye.
Xiao Zhouyan chuckled softly, his slender fingers gently lifting her chin, forcing her to look at him. His eyes appeared exceptionally deep in the candlelight, like a pool of spring water reflecting her image.
"Why aren't you looking at me?" His fingertips caressed her chin, wiping away the crumbs of pastry from the corner of her mouth. His voice was deep and gentle. "Next time you sneak a snack, remember not to leave any traces."
Xu Qingyao's ears burned, feeling a little guilty, but he stuffed a warm oil paper package into her palm.
She looked down and saw that they were several pieces of plum blossom-shaped sugar cakes, each petal inlaid with glistening honey—the very same Jiangnan pastries that Zuixianlou had recently introduced.
“You…” She froze, looked up at him, and her heart skipped a beat.
Overwhelmed with guilt, I cried out, "Oh God!!"
She swore this was absolutely the first and last time she would do something bad!
It was all to save her own life.
The red candle crackled and popped, illuminating the entire room. Xiao Zhouyan bent down to remove her heavy phoenix crown. As her long, flowing black hair cascaded down, his fingertips inadvertently brushed against the back of her neck, causing both of them to tremble simultaneously.
"Is it heavy?" he asked softly, gently stroking the top of her head with his palm. "I heard the craftsman used three pounds of pure gold..."
Pure gold...
Xu Qingyao's eyes brightened slightly, and she leaned closer: "General, this phoenix crown..." She shook her head, and the pearl hairpin cast delicate shadows in the candlelight.
Xiao Zhouyan's eyes darkened slightly. He suddenly reached out and put his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
Caught off guard, Xu Qingyao fell into his arms, her nose bumping against his chest, her breath filled with the crisp scent of pine and a faint smell of alcohol.
"They're all Qingqing's..." He included as well.
"Qingqing..." he called her name softly, his voice hoarse, "We haven't drunk the nuptial wine yet."
She then realized that she had been so focused on sneaking a bite to eat that she had forgotten about her important task.
Xiao Zhouyan chuckled and took two white jade cups from the table. The wine shimmered with an amber light under the candlelight. When they exchanged cups, he deliberately tilted his wrist, and the wine slid down her snowy neck and into her hair, leaving an amber mark in the candlelight.
"The Cold Dew on the sixth day of the tenth month..." As he bent down, the osmanthus sachet hanging from his belt gently bumped against her waist, "Indeed, it is most suitable for brewing spring nights."
Xu Qingyao's eyes were somewhat flustered; she felt something was wrong everywhere she looked...
He could only count silently in his mind, three... two...
Before I could even count to "one," everyone around me went silent.
She breathed a sigh of relief, thanking "Sleep Well" for saving her life!
The man beside her fell into a deep sleep.
After sweeping the peanuts and red dates off the bed, she laid the man down on the bed and covered him with a blanket.
I changed into some light clothes, packed my bags, and prepared to make my escape.
"System, check where there are fewer guards."
Southeast direction.
Guided by the system, Xu Qingyao stumbled and hid until she reached the southeast corner the system had indicated.
Using the building as cover, she looked around and waited for a while, but didn't see a single guard come over.
Excellent!
Xu Qingyao was overjoyed.
"System, which way do I go now? Do I need to use a VPN?"
[Warning! There are many fragments and debris on the wall reinforcements, and guards are watching from high places. Please find another way.]
Circumventing the Great Firewall won't work...
We can't just bury it underground...
An exit has been detected in the southeast corner.
[The surrounding environment is safe; the host may proceed.]
"Really?"
Filled with doubt, Xu Qingyao walked over to find the "exit" the system had mentioned.
Then we actually saw the exit.
"You're not talking about... a dog hole?!"
【Yes……】
"A dog hole in the dignified Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion?" Xu Qingyao complained. "I've never seen anyone in this mansion keep a dog."
[The host shall make the decision.]
Since we're already here...
Xu Qingyao took a deep breath and rolled up her sleeves.
It's just drilling a hole? She'll do it!
...
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