6 – She Got the Wrong Marriage Partner!
In her previous life, she had largely ignored Zong Zheng Ye’s existence.
Among the three princes, he was the least qualified to contend for the Crown Prince position.
After all, how could a mighty empire allow a cripple to hold power over the world?
But to be honest, among the three princes, the tallest and most handsome was actually this crippled Third Highness before her.
T Country had three princes.
The eldest prince and the second prince were born of the same mother.
The eldest prince, Zongzheng Mo, was mature, steady, and gentle in temperament.
The second prince, Zongzheng Ting, was notorious for his romantic escapades, charming and dashing.
As for this third prince, he was reclusive in nature, with many rumors circulating about him.
It was said that he had issues with his sexual orientation and preferred men.
It was said that he was sinister, ruthless, and cruel in his methods, with many appalling and depraved habits.
Three years ago, he was still a man with both legs intact.
Since a car accident left him disabled in both legs, his entire temperament had completely changed.
In short, the rumors about him among the common folk were almost mythical, but most were negative.
Lu Xiao Ning never expected that after being reborn, she would actually end up… married to this prince she had once looked down upon the most?
“The person I’m marrying is you? There’s no mistake, right?” Lu Xiao Ning asked.
As soon as she asked this, both Zong Zheng Ye and the accompanying staff beside him darkened their expressions.
Zong Zheng Ye raised his cold eyes, his sharp gaze scanning Lu Xiao Ning up and down as if radiating intensity.
When his gaze finally settled on her feet, the veins on his forehead immediately bulged.
This damned woman, she actually dressed like this to register their marriage with him? Did she not take him seriously at all?
“If not me, then who do you think it is?” Zong Zheng Ye raised his eyes, withdrew his gaze, and said coldly.
Lu Xiao Ning was taken aback for a moment and frowned.
“So last night, the person I slept with… was you, Third Highness?”
What do you mean, “the person you slept with”?
Everyone was astonished, their palms sweating nervously.
This girl had quite the audacity!
Just as everyone was silently praying that Zong Zheng Ye wouldn’t lose his temper, he finally spoke coldly and quietly, “It was me.”
“Oh, my god!” Lu Xiao Ning rubbed her forehead, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
So she had mistaken the person all along.
Seeing that she seemed somewhat disappointed, Zong Zheng Ye curled the corner of his mouth.
What did she mean by that?
Was she dissatisfied with him?
Did she look down on him for being a cripple?
His gaze turned fiercely back to Lu Xiao Ning, his voice devoid of any warmth.
“From today onward, remember, I am your husband.”
His tone brooked no argument.
Lu Xiao Ning’s delicate brows furrowed deeply, still not fully processing the entire situation.
If the person she slept with last night was Zong Zheng Ye, then why did Fo Shou offer her three million to bribe her?
Also, it was just a one-night fling—Zong Zheng Ye didn’t necessarily have to marry her, right?
However, before she could fully figure things out, Zong Zheng Ye had already coldly instructed the person beside him, “Wen Jing, help me inside.”
“Yes,” the man named Wen Jing immediately supported the wheelchair and pushed Zong Zheng Ye up the ramp.
The entire entourage immediately crowded around him as they headed toward the civil affairs bureau hall.
On the long stone steps, only Lu Xiao Ning remained hesitating.
Did she really want to marry a man who couldn’t even take care of himself?
But then again, it seemed she didn’t have the right to say “no,” did she?
After all, Zong Zheng Ye seemed determined to marry her, having even sent the betrothal gifts early.
After some thought, marrying him would allow her to enter the royal family at the fastest speed and get close to Zongzheng Ting.
Moreover, becoming a commoner Imperial Consort was also a very honorable thing.
After weighing the pros and cons repeatedly, Lu Xiao Ning finally made a decision.
Marry, then marry!
…
More than ten minutes later, Lu Xiao Ning walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau holding a small red booklet, following behind a group of people.
Zong Zheng Ye, sitting in a wheelchair, waved her over.
Lu Xiao Ning immediately walked over, her face beaming with a smile. “Third Highness, what is it?”
“What’s your name?”
What?
Lu Xiao Ning twitched the corner of her mouth. So this Third Highness with mobility issues didn’t even know who she was before marrying her?
Although surprised, she wasn’t particularly angry. Instead, she opened the marriage certificate, pointed at her name, and read it out character by character: “Lu, Xiao, Ning. Remembered?”
She looked like a teacher teaching kindergarten children to recognize words.
The onlookers: “…”
Zong Zheng Ye sneered but didn’t pay any more attention to Lu Xiao Ning. Instead, he instructed Wen Jing, “Push me to the car.”
“Huh? Your Highness, are you leaving already?”
“Behave yourself and wait for me to return.” Zong Zheng Ye sat in his wheelchair, not even turning his head, and spoke coldly.
But these words sounded very awkward to Lu Xiao Ning.
Behave herself?
Had she been misbehaving?
Could it be that he was worried she might go out and cheat on him?
Watching Wen Jing push the wheelchair into the luxurious Lincoln, close the door, and drive away elegantly, Lu Xiao Ning finally withdrew her gaze.
Beside her, the man who had picked her up in the morning still stood respectfully by her side.
He raised his hand, inviting her into the car. “Third Princess-Consort, shall we leave as well? Please get in.”
Third Princess-Consort… The change in address was way too fast!
Truly a well-trained royal employee with good judgment!
“Uncle, what’s your name?” Lu Xiao Ning turned her head and blinked at the man.
The man was startled by her sudden attempt to act cute, his expression stiffening as he twitched the corner of his mouth. “I am Gan Song, the steward of Third Highness’s imperial retreat.”
“Then I’ll call you Uncle Gan from now on!”
“Third Princess-Consort, I dare not accept such an honor. Please just call me by my name.”
“Alright! Gan Song!”
Lu Xiao Ning wasn’t one to be overly formal. She agreed cheerfully and strode toward the luxury car.
After getting in the car, she took out the marriage certificate again.
Had she really married into the royal family so easily?
“Gan Song, I’d like to ask, will you arrange a grand coronation ceremony for me later, right? Soon, won’t everyone in the world know that I’m a commoner Imperial Consort?”
“This humble servant does not know. It depends on His Highness’s wishes.”
“When will I be able to enter the Grand Palace and meet other members of the royal family?”
“This humble servant does not know. It depends on His Highness’s wishes.”
Gan Song repeated word for word like a parrot.
Lu Xiao Ning: “…”
Alright, it seemed she could only wait for Zong Zheng Ye to return.
“Since Third Highness is away, can I not return to the imperial retreat for now?”
“This humble servant cannot decide. His Highness’s wish is for the Princess-Consort to wait for him at the imperial retreat.”
“OK…”
Lu Xiao Ning gave up trying to communicate with Gan Song.
It seemed he was just a tool, unable to decide anything.
Finally, the car drove smoothly and arrived at a lakeside plain area.
A cluster of buildings resembling European castles but with a strong ancient charm appeared in Lu Xiao Ning’s sight.
She instinctively pulled out her phone and, as if on a sightseeing tour, began snapping photos of the magnificent building.
Who would have thought Zong Zheng Ye’s taste was so refined? This imperial retreat was ten thousand times more elegant than Zongzheng Ting’s den of debauchery!
Just as she was happily preparing to take a few more shots, Gan Song’s gloomy face suddenly appeared in the frame, startling her!