Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

Only when she caught his unique, faint scent did Ling Xi truly confirm that it was indeed him who had returned. Trembling, she raised her hand and tentatively placed it on his lower back, hesitant to apply any pressure.

As if sensing her movement, Xiao Ce tightened his grip, holding her even closer, his burning longing for her pressing firmly against his chest, so that they were completely pressed together, without a single gap. Her fingertips trembled uncontrollably against his clothes, and she dared not pull away.

He gently pressed her head against his chest with his large palm, his chin pressed firmly against the top of her head, her cheek pressed against his collar, and she heard the steady, powerful heartbeat from his chest. Suddenly, her nose stung, and tears streamed down her face.

"I thought... I would never see you again."

She buried herself in his arms, her voice soft and muffled as she sobbed, pouring out all the torment and fear of the past few days.

Xiao Ce's heart tightened suddenly. He lowered his head and gently placed his warm lips on the top of her head, tenderly and devoutly.

"It's alright, it's alright..."

He comforted her gently, while her endless tears soaked through his clothes, burning his skin through the thin fabric.

Her previous forced composure and feigned calmness gradually shattered in his firm embrace, and her shoulders began to tremble uncontrollably.

Feeling the increasing dampness on his chest, Xiao Ce suddenly released his grip, creating some distance between them, and carefully cupped her face in his hands.

Ling Xi looked up blankly, her usually cunning fox-like eyes now brimming with glistening tears, on the verge of sobbing. He suddenly leaned down and gently kissed her cheek, wiping away her tears little by little, tenderly and restrainedly, from her cheek to the corner of her eye, and finally, steadily placed his kiss on her lips.

Ling Xi's eyes were still misty with tears, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and finally she slowly closed her eyes.

He noticed her subtle response, and his heart skipped a beat. The kiss between his lips gradually deepened, shedding the restraint and tenderness of before, revealing all the affection hidden deep in his heart, lingering tenderly.

When she was enveloped in warmth and moisture, Ling Xi suddenly opened her eyes and realized with a start that he had carried her into the bath. A sudden panic gripped her heart, and she quickly broke free from his embrace. Her body sank lightly into the water, and she subconsciously took two steps back, her chest heaving violently.

Xiao Ce stood rooted to the spot, his crimson eyes fixed on her, his breathing equally rapid. Their eyes met, and the only sound in the silence was their hushed breaths.

Suddenly, he wrapped his long arm around her waist and pulled her back into his embrace. Before she could react, his warm lips pressed against hers again.

Ling Xi had just come to her senses and pushed him away, but it was only out of momentary hesitation, not out of genuine resistance. This time, she hesitated before raising her hand to wrap around his neck, her movements a little awkward, as she slowly and proactively reciprocated.

Her response was like a spark, instantly igniting the intense emotions that had been suppressed in Xiao Ce's heart for a long time.

The hand that had been tightly gripping her waist slowly moved upwards, and with a light flick of his fingertips, he loosened her sash. Her clothes fell away layer by layer, and the cool air suddenly covered her skin, causing her to tremble slightly.

As if suddenly remembering something, she abruptly turned her head away, her eyes still filled with a lingering sense of confusion. Xiao Ce gazed deeply at her, tilting his head slightly, his expression a mixture of doubt and urgency.

The next moment, she rushed forward and reached out, frantically trying to tug at his clothes, her cheeks flushing slightly in the hazy white mist.

"Let me see your wounds."

He didn't answer, his dark eyes reflecting the concern on her face. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and pressed it firmly against his chest.

"I'm fine."

He said only that one sentence, then leaned closer again, not giving her a chance to say anything more.

……

The morning light filtered through the thin gauze curtains and gently fell on the foot of the bed. Ling Xi slowly awoke in a tranquil warmth.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes, her mind still hazy.

The steamy bath from last night, the tender embrace, his deep voice, the gentle kiss... all these scenes vividly appeared in her mind, so real they seemed tangible. But when she turned to look at the empty space beside her, her heart suddenly felt empty, and for a moment she couldn't tell if she was dreaming.

Yet a faint, clear fragrance of agarwood lingered around his nose, a scent that was unmistakably his own.

She tried to sit up, propping herself up on the covers, but suddenly felt a wave of weakness and soreness throughout her body, as if she had been running around all night and her body was falling apart.

When she struggled to sit up, she felt an unbearable soreness in her waist and legs. At that moment, she was finally completely certain that everything that had happened last night was not a dream.

A hint of weariness settled between her brows. She subconsciously raised her hand and gently massaged her aching lower back. The movement was languid and weak, and her face still showed signs of exhaustion.

"Princess, is your back bothering you?"

As soon as Pei Lan entered the room, she saw the princess sitting on the bed, frowning and rubbing her lower back. She looked listless and her brows were furrowed, clearly indicating that she was not feeling well.

As she got closer, she noticed that her princess's nightgown was half-open, the thin and soft material barely covering her figure and not at all concealing what lay beneath. Her fair and delicate skin was covered with varying shades of rosy blush, which stood out against her fair complexion.

Perrin suddenly stopped, his cheeks flushed red, and he dared not look at it any further.

The room was bathed in the soft, tranquil morning light, and the curtains hung down, making the atmosphere by the bed even more ambiguous and indescribable.

Last night, the young master carried their princess back to their room. Everyone in the Chuixing Courtyard knew what had happened between them, so there was no need to guess.

Pei Lan stood frozen in place, her eyes burning with desire. She was young and inexperienced in matters of the heart, unlike Ling Xi who had been taught about love and romance by Granny Qi. She only knew that deep affection between men and women was the epitome of tenderness and happiness; she had no idea that such things could also cause pain.

Pei Lan's heart pounded. No wonder the princess was frowning and looking like she was in pain. She quickly glanced at the mottled red marks on the princess's body and felt flustered and anxious. She hesitated whether to tell Granny Qi about the princess's injury.

"What are you standing there for? Come and help me up."

Seeing that she remained motionless and standing there blankly for a long time, Ling Xi frowned slightly and spoke softly with a lingering sense of languor and weariness.

Perrin snapped out of his daze, quickly composed himself, and awkwardly stepped forward to help her up.

Ling Xi got out of bed with her help, her whole body still aching.

"Where is the Crown Prince?"

"Oh... The Crown Prince is in the outer hall. The Princess and Consort Mu just came over."

"The Princess Consort has arrived? Why didn't you call me sooner?"

She let Pei Lan help her to her feet and slowly sat down in front of the dressing table. Only then did she see the marks on her body, glaring and conspicuous, all testament to the tender intimacy of the previous night.

Her breath hitched, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she quickly grabbed the jade comb and started combing her hair.