0p0 Chapter 322 Finally got what he wanted
Chapter 322 Finally got what he wanted
Xiangxiu said a lot, and Ling Jiawei scratched his head embarrassedly.
"Xiangxiu, what brings you here?"
Xiangxiu placed the food box on the table and gently scolded:
"I have come to see you on the orders of Her Majesty the Empress."
"It was her will, otherwise you wouldn't have come, right?"
Xiangxiu paused for a moment, then changed the subject.
"You said you're not good at drinking, but this time you not only drank but also hit someone. You've really grown a temper."
"If you're born hopeless, you might as well find some fun."
Xiangxiu was taking food out of the food box when she heard his words. Her hand stopped in mid-air, and after a moment's pause, she continued taking food out as if nothing had happened, saying casually:
"Come and eat!"
"I won't eat it, no one will care if I starve to death anyway."
Hearing his almost affected words, Xiangxiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Brother Ling, don't be like this. It's okay to make a mistake, as long as you correct it."
Ling Jiawei still shook his head.
"Since you don't want to marry me anyway, there's no point in me living. I might as well starve to death."
Xiangxiu turned to look at him.
“Brother Ling, you know what happened to me. I said I wouldn’t get married, and I really won’t…”
'I don't care...'
Ling Jiawei stood up from the bed, strode over to her, and just stared straight at her.
"Xiangxiu, I love you for who you are, and I want to marry you for who you are. I don't care about your past; it has nothing to do with me. I only care about what happened after we met. Xiangxiu, marry me. I, Ling Jiawei, hereby swear that if I ever dare to mention anything that makes you unhappy, may I be torn apart by five horses and starve to death in prison..."
His eyes were filled with sincerity, the kind of sincerity that made Xiangxiu unable to look him in the eye.
She kept twisting the handkerchief in her hands, tiny beads of sweat trickling down her forehead. She didn't know how to respond to him.
"Xiangxiu..."
He suddenly stepped forward and hugged her, his eyes instantly welling up with tears.
"Xiangxiu, I love you, I want to marry you. Marry me. If you can't bear to leave the Empress, after you marry me, you can still go to the palace to serve her as you are now. I will do my work, and after I finish work in the evening, I will come to pick you up and we will go home together. As long as I can see you every day and hold you in my arms to sleep every night, this is the life I want. Xiangxiu, don't refuse me, okay?"
Having said this, Xiangxiu's tears streamed down her cheeks.
She broke free from Ling Jiawei's embrace and looked at him seriously.
"Ling Jiawei, are you telling the truth? You don't care that my body isn't pure?"
Ling Jiawei shook his head vigorously.
"You will always be pure in my heart."
"You won't bring that up again?"
Ling Jiawei raised his hand as if to swear an oath.
“I, Ling Jiawei, hereby swear that if I ever mention that matter again, may God strike me down with lightning.”
Xiangxiu paused for a moment, then continued to ask:
"Can I really stay by Your Majesty's side? You won't force me to have children?"
Ling Jiawei still shook his head.
“My parents have already taken my sister back to the countryside. No one is forcing you to have a child, and no one dares to force you.”
Xiangxiu nodded in satisfaction.
"That's more like it. In that case, I can consider it."
Upon hearing this, Ling Jiawei happily stepped forward, picked her up, and started spinning her around in circles.
Their laughter seemed completely out of place in the dark prison cell.
Xiangxiu agreed to be with him, and he immediately felt his stomach growling with hunger, so he started eating heartily, while constantly stuffing food into Xiangxiu's mouth.
Although Xiangxiu wasn't hungry, she still found it delicious because Brother Ling fed her himself.
"Xiangxiu, let's get married tomorrow!"
Xiangxiu shook her head in distress.
"That won't do. Her Majesty said you'll have to stay in the prison for three days to learn your lesson."
"Go back and plead with her for me, and she'll be more accommodating. I want to marry you right now."
Seeing his impatient look, Xiangxiu chuckled.
"Look how anxious you are. Can the Empress change her mind so easily? In my opinion, you should stay here for three days to teach her a lesson and see if she dares to act recklessly again."
"Then you'll come with me?"
He looked up at her.
"As long as you are by my side, I am not afraid even if it is three days, three years, or thirty years, let alone three days."
"Hate."
Xiangxiu wrinkled her nose and glared at him.
"You smooth talker, I don't have time to keep you company. I have to go back and serve the Empress."
"Then don't forget to tell her about us. We'll get married as soon as I get out."
Xiangxiu, carrying the food box in her hand, glanced back at him, her face immediately turning bright red with embarrassment, and she ran away as if fleeing.
Ling Jiawei happily put his hands behind his back and paced back and forth, his mind filled with images of his wedding with Xiangxiu.
***
Three days later, Ling Jiawei walked out of the prison, and Xiangxiu came to pick him up in person.
When the two of them stood facing each other, they both wore relieved smiles.
He walked towards her, and she ran towards him.
The two of them embraced, looking just like a couple who hadn't seen each other in a long time.
On the way home, Xiangxiu leaned against him and said happily:
"Brother Ling, the Empress said that she will organize our wedding ceremony, but we can't rush it. Oh, and she also asked you if you want to invite your family to attend?"
Ling Jiawei held her affectionately, shaking his head vigorously.
"No need. They can take care of the orchids at home. Besides, it's a long way, so I don't want them to come."
"But I've already sent someone to pick up my mother; she's expected to arrive in about two weeks."
"Alright, if your mother is willing, she can live with us from now on. Anyway, the courtyard that the Empress bestowed upon me is very large. She can live here with servants to take care of her and live out her old age in peace!"
Xiangxiu nodded with a happy smile.
"Brother Ling, you're so good to me. My mother will be so happy to hear that."
"Silly girl, after we get married, you will be my wife, and your mother will be my mother."
"Yes, when we have the chance, let's go back to Yangshu Village together to visit your parents!"
"Alright, we'll go back after the wedding and everything is settled."
The sun is shining brightly today, and the breeze is gentle.
The carriage carried two people who longed for happiness, heading towards their home.
Half a month later
Xiangxiu's mother arrived in the capital, and Ling Jiawei and Xiangxiu's wedding ceremony was held as scheduled, witnessed by Wei Jianning and Lan Zhi.
During the meal, Xiangxiuniang looked around excitedly, as if she wanted to memorize everything so she could go back and brag to the villagers.
She never dreamed that her daughter would marry a high-ranking official of the imperial court, and that he was the Empress's elder brother. He not only had a spacious courtyard but also a bunch of servants to attend to him. This was something she could brag about for the rest of her life.
After Xiangxiu got married, she still came to the palace to serve Lanzhi every day. However, now that she was Lanzhi's sister-in-law, Lanzhi dared not let her serve her closely anymore. Instead, she arranged for her to have a position as a female official in charge of the palace maids. Her face was no longer melancholy as before, and she smiled every day, which made Lanzhi feel gratified.
This is enough to show that her older brother treats her very well, and I hope they can stay this close forever!