After the prince of Zhenbei went missing, Princess Jingle, thinking of her beloved son, went to Huangjue Temple to draw a fortune stick, and knelt for a day and a night before she got the fortune stick to be interpreted by Master Kongming. Master Kongming told Princess Jingle that Chu Yuanchen had this disaster in his life, but God also left a ray of hope, if he could find a woman with great fortune, he could resolve this disaster.

The Queen Mother pursed her lips tightly and a layer of gloom appeared in her eyes.

She looked at Sheng Xiyan with a sneer, as if to say: You make the choice. Do you want to be the wife of your prince, or marry into the Zhenbei Palace and be a widow for the rest of your life?

Sheng Xiyan knelt down calmly.

The Queen Mother twisted the Buddhist beads in her hands one by one, calm and relaxed.

Nanny Chen, who was standing by, lowered her head and filled the empress dowager's cup with tea. In her opinion, it didn't matter if they were not legitimate wives. Zhao Yuanrou had made such a scandal before the marriage, and she had no family to rely on, so she would be inferior to her in the future. As long as Sheng Xiyan married, she would be the wife of the prince and the future marquis.

What could she get by marrying into the Zhenbei Palace? The Prince of Zhenbei has been missing on the battlefield for three months, and everyone knows about it. He is probably dead. By then, even if she has the title of "Prince's Consort", she will probably just be a lonely Buddha for the rest of her life.

If this Miss Shengda was a little smarter, followed the Queen Mother's wishes and won her favor, she would have a long time of good times in the future as long as the Queen Mother could protect her.

But she insisted on arguing with the Queen Mother, which only brought humiliation upon herself.

"Thank you, Queen Mother, for the marriage."

See, she knew it... Nanny Chen was stunned for a moment and raised her head in disbelief.

The Queen Mother's hand stiffened and the Buddhist beads almost slipped out of her hand.

After Sheng Xiyan completed the ceremony, when she stood up again, her back was straight and the pride in her eyes and eyebrows made her look like a plum blossom blooming in the cold wind, unyielding and unyielding.

She didn't give in! She would rather marry a dead man than bow to me!

This realization made the Queen Mother angry and upset, and she felt depressed, and even had an uncontrollable anxiety that came from seeing things get out of control.

Sheng Xiyan's almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright, as if responding: Queen Mother, don't go back on your promise.

The Queen Mother's already rising anger burned even more fiercely. After a few moments of silence, she spoke, uttering each word with pause, "In this case, I will grant your wish!"

Her expression was cold, and she almost gritted her teeth as she finished her words. Then she waved her hands, not wanting to see her again.

Sheng Xiyan was not surprised by the insult, and bowed and said, "I will take my leave."

After leaving Changqiu Palace, her rosy lips were raised high with a smile on her face. Her pretty little face showed undisguised ease and joy, as bright as the morning sun.

She raised her hands to cover her eyes, facing the dazzling sunlight and seeing her new life.

Sheng Xiyan returned to Xuanyu Pavilion again. As soon as she stepped through the door, several inquiring glances were cast at her.

The noble ladies present have all heard that the Queen Mother is selecting a principal wife for Prince Zhao. Although it is only a rumor in the capital, since even the Queen Mother is here today, perhaps the rumor is about 70% to 80% true.

The Queen Mother specially summoned Miss Shengda to come over. Could it be that she has taken a liking to her?

"Sister Yan, you're back."

Cheng Chuyu's eyes lit up, and he jumped over and took her arm, intentionally blocking those gazes.

"Let's go to the theater. You're back so late. It's almost over."

Cheng Chuyu and Sheng Xiyan are close friends and she knows that she is engaged. In her opinion, since Sister Yan is already engaged, the Queen Mother will certainly not arrange a marriage for her. These people are just overthinking!

"Sister Yan, this Chen Zhuangyuan is truly a rare infatuated lover in the world."

"It's a pity you didn't see that scene just now."

"Look, my handkerchief is all wet from crying."

…

Cheng Chuyu didn't ask why the Queen Mother asked her to come over, and just talked about the opera happily.

Until the song "Rouge Fan" was finished, Chen Zhuangyuan was enjoying the happiness of his life with two beauties in his arms. Then Eunuch Cao came again, and this time he brought the Empress Dowager's decree.

"Miss Shengda, please accept the order."

Sheng Xiyan knelt down first, followed by others.

Eunuch Cao read out the imperial edict, which first praised her for her "virtuous character, kind heart, and graceful manners", and then went on to "grant her marriage to Prince Zhenbei's son Chu Yuanchen as her principal wife, and the marriage will be completed today".

"I appreciate that."

There was silence all around, and some people even gasped.

"I accept the order and thank you." Amid many incredulous gazes, Sheng Xiyan thanked him in a soft and clear voice and took the imperial edict with both hands.

Eunuch Cao delivered his decree and then left.

As soon as he left, there were many more noises in Xuanyu Pavilion, and many glances of sympathy or pity fell on Sheng Xiyan.

Oh, Miss Shengda is so unlucky!

Everyone knows that the Prince of Zhenbei has died on the battlefield.

Although the body has not been found yet, if the person is still alive, how could there be no news?

This has not been just one or two days, but a full three months.

Thinking back to how the Queen Mother had specifically summoned Sheng Xiyan to talk to her just now, there was no longer any envy in their eyes.

Cheng Chuyu pursed her lips, subconsciously pinched her sleeve, and hesitated to say: "Sister Yan..." Aren't you engaged? How did you get into such a trouble?

Sheng Xiyan smiled at her without explaining anything.

This marriage was not in her plan, but when she thought about it, there was nothing wrong with it.

Life is hard for women in this world. She doesn't want to stay in the Sheng family, nor does she want to spend her whole life in a nunnery. She will have to get married sooner or later, and there is nothing wrong with marrying a husband who will stay with her till death. No, it should be said that it is simply too good to be true!

Sheng Xiyan was very satisfied with this.

The corners of her mouth curled up in a happy arc, and the joy in her heart almost overflowed.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment: Oh, Miss Shengda is too heartbroken and has gone crazy. She is so pitiful.

Cheng Chuyu was a little worried and tightened his grip on her sleeve.

At this time, a eunuch came over and said that the banquet was ready, and led the noble ladies from various mansions to the table for the banquet.

By the time we finished the banquet and left the garden, it was almost noon.

The Queen Mother did not show up during the banquet.

Originally, the rumors that the Queen Mother would choose a queen for Prince Zhao seemed to be just rumors.

After the banquet, the noble ladies left the garden in groups of three or four. The carriages of each mansion were lined up outside the garden, and waiting beside the carriages were their personal maids.

When entering the garden, all these people were left outside, and only a few princesses and county lords were allowed to bring their maids in.

Seeing Sheng Xiyan coming out, her maid Fang Fei hurried over to greet her.

Cheng Chuyu waved goodbye to her and said, "My carriage is there! Sister Yan, I will come to visit you in a few days."

Sheng Xiyan responded with a smile.

Fang Fei put the footstool in place and was about to help her get on the carriage when she suddenly shouted in surprise, "Miss, it's Prince Zhou!"

Sheng Xiyan got into the carriage without looking back and said, "Let's go."

"But..." Fang Fei hesitated for a moment, and Zhou Jingxun had already hurried to the front of the carriage.

He had changed out of his imperial guard uniform and was wearing an indigo-colored brocade robe, a belt with a white jade pendant carved with a lark pattern, and his jet-black hair was tied up with a black jade hairpin, which made him look even more handsome and elegant.

Fang Fei blushed slightly, bowed, and called softly, "Prince Zhou."

Zhou Jingxun didn't even look at her. Through the curtain, he asked in a deep voice, "Miss Shengda, what did you say in front of the Queen Mother?"

Earlier, the Queen Mother summoned Rou'er to talk. When Rou'er came out, her eyes were red. She didn't say anything when she was asked. When she was asked urgently, she just said, "Let's not meet again in the future," and left without looking back.

Zhou Jingxun was extremely anxious. After asking around, he found out that the empress dowager had just met Sheng Xiyan before and immediately understood what was going on.

It must be Sheng Xiyan who spread rumors in front of the Queen Mother!

At this time, the young ladies from various mansions were leaving the garden one after another. Zhou Jingxun's undisguised disgust immediately attracted a lot of sidelong glances. Cheng Chuyu also stopped and looked over.

Zhou Jingxun didn't care, and wished Sheng Xiyan would be embarrassed. He said in a sharp tone: "Ms. Sheng, you have to understand that you and I are only engaged. Even if you have entered my Zhou family, I can give you a divorce letter at any time for someone like you who talks nonsense!"

Fang Fei's face turned pale, and she said quickly: "Prince Zhou, you misunderstood..."

"Prince Zhou, please be careful with your words." Sheng Xiyan lifted the curtain, revealing a bright face. Facing Zhou Jingxun's resentful gaze, she said happily, "The Queen Mother has arranged a marriage for me with the Prince of Zhenbei."

What?

Zhou Jingxun was stunned.

Zhou Jingxun had always been dissatisfied with this marriage, and had never told anyone that he had a fiancée, so naturally no one would tell him about it. It was not until this moment that he knew that the Queen Mother would actually arrange a marriage for Sheng Xiyan? How could this be possible!

Sheng Xiyan looked at him with a half-smile: "If we really want to talk about our engagement, it's me who's divorcing you!"

She deliberately spoke the last four words in a loud and rhythmic voice.

Phew.

"That's right!" Cheng Chuyu clapped his hands and smiled, "Sister Yan has been granted marriage by Queen Mother Meng, so Prince Zhou should stop pestering her."

Cheng Chuyu raised his chin, not hiding his disdain for him.

During the banquet, Sister Yan secretly told her that the unlucky person who fell into the lake in order to compete with King Zhao for a daughter was Zhou Jingxun, the prince of Yongning Marquis. Zhou Jingxun had an engagement with Sister Yan, but he still made such an embarrassing scene in public, without caring about Sister Yan's face at all. He was simply not a good match!

No wonder Sister Yan doesn't want him anymore! He deserves it.

When Cheng Chuyu said this, the people around him suddenly realized that Prince Zhou and Miss Shengda had been engaged before, and that Miss Shengda had broken off the engagement with him, but Prince Zhou was still pestering her.

Zhou Jingxun was furious. He felt that everyone was pointing fingers at him, but he couldn't explain why. He and Sheng Xiyan hadn't called off their engagement yet! And Sheng Xiyan hadn't divorced him!

He had never been so embarrassed in his life.

Cheng Chuyu snorted lightly, turned around and got into his own carriage, looking disdainful of talking to Zhou Jingxun.

Zhou Jingxun could only stare at Sheng Xiyan. Just as he was about to ask her to explain herself clearly, the car curtain was dropped with a snap.

"Go home." There was no trace of nostalgia in Sheng Xiyan's voice.

The driver shouted and whipped the horse. Fangfei was a little at a loss and had to get on the car quickly.

Zhou Jingxun raised his hand to stop it, but the carriage passed him directly and almost knocked him down.

Zhou Jingxun's face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip from it.