Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 715

By this time, news of Madam Sheng's disappearance had already spread throughout the Sheng household.

All that is known is that Madam Sheng took her servants to a temple on the outskirts of Ancheng to offer incense, and then disappeared without a trace, never to be seen again.

Sheng Min was frantic, having already reported the matter to the authorities and dispatched people from his own household to search everywhere.

Sheng Qiongluo was even more anxious. Qi Xuan had promised her the night before last to rescue Madam Sheng, but then there was no further news until today when he sent someone to tell her that Madam Sheng was not found in that dark dungeon at all, and that he had been injured while trying to break in and was now recuperating at home.

Sheng Qiongluo knew that she should visit Qi Xuan at this time, but she really didn't have the mind to care about him. Madam Sheng was most likely dead, and she couldn't think of any other way.

Just then, the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon the Sheng family arrived.

Sheng Min came out to receive the imperial decree and was quite surprised.

It was truly unexpected that Qi Xuan was so highly regarded that even the seriously ill emperor had to arrange a marriage for him.

Sheng Min had no objection to this, but he was currently preoccupied with the disappearance of Madam Sheng and his mind was not on Sheng Qiongluo's marriage. He simply accepted the imperial decree in a hurry and continued to busy himself with the search for Madam Sheng.

When the news reached Sheng Qiongluo, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning, as if the sky had collapsed.

A marriage bestowed by the emperor is something one cannot disobey!

Even if Madam Sheng were here now, it wouldn't matter if she disagreed!

The emperor is said to be so ill he can't get out of bed and hasn't been able to attend to state affairs for a long time, leaving everything to the crown prince. Why is he suddenly meddling in her affairs today and bestowing a marriage upon her?!

What is she going to do now?

If Madam Sheng were here, we could discuss things together and give her advice, but unfortunately Madam Sheng has already been arrested!

It's true what they say, misfortunes never come singly; all sorts of troubles have come at once!

Sheng Qiongluo paced anxiously in her room, her heart burning with anxiety.

Her personal maid, standing nearby, was also worried and cautiously advised, "Miss, why don't we just accept it... You're a suspect now, but if you marry Young Master Qi, it will prove that you have no designs on the position of Crown Princess, and at least you can protect yourself! With Young Master Qi's infatuation with you, your future will definitely not be bad!"

Sheng Qiongluo gritted her teeth.

She knew the maid was right, but she just couldn't accept it!

She didn't want to accept this fate!

Sheng Qiongluo said bitterly, "It can't be bad. No matter how good it is, can it have the dignity of being the mother of the nation? Only the position of empress is worthy of me. How can I swallow this insult of marrying such a fool!"

The maidservant said with difficulty, "But... Madam has already been arrested, and it might implicate you. You need to protect yourself first..."

Sheng Qiongluo still tried to be optimistic: "No, even if Mother couldn't withstand the torture and confessed, she would never betray me. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here now. The fact that the Sheng family is still peaceful means that everything should be fine!"

The maid still felt it was a tough situation: "Then what does Miss plan to do? This is a marriage bestowed by His Majesty; she can't refuse..."

A sinister glint flashed in Sheng Qiongluo's eyes.

"Just because we can't refuse doesn't mean there's no way. Even a marriage decreed by imperial decree requires both people to be alive before the marriage can take place. If they're both dead, what kind of marriage is that?"

The maid was startled: "Does Miss mean that Young Master Qi should die?"

Sheng Qiongluo said matter-of-factly, "Otherwise, am I supposed to die? This is the only way to escape the arranged marriage. That fool himself said he's willing to do anything for me. If he were to sacrifice his life for me, he would probably consider it an honor."