Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"What if I wait a couple more days? But if it aggravates your injury, then it will be a loss."

"So, you were waiting for me in the courtyard yesterday, right?"

Xiao Ce reached out and firmly placed his hand on the back of hers, a faint expectation in his deep eyes.

"Um."

Ling Xi's eyelashes trembled slightly, she lowered her head slightly, and responded softly.

"Then I should go faster."

As he spoke, his fingertips gently caressed the back of her slightly cool hand, his eyes filled with deep affection.

Ling Xi felt a slight flutter in her heart. She gently withdrew her hand, pretended to be indifferent, picked up the piece of meat from the plate, took a small bite, and then gently put it back in its place.

Before she could even make a move, Xiao Ce had already picked up his chopsticks and steadily added another piece to her plate. She looked up at it, a hint of difficulty appearing on her face.

"I can't eat that much."

"You are too weak, you need to eat more."

"Where is my body weak...?"

Her voice suddenly weakened, and the moment she looked up, she met his meaningful gaze. She immediately understood the deeper meaning in his words, and her heart tightened. She quickly picked up the silver spoon, lowered her head, and hurriedly scooped up the bird's nest porridge, beginning to swallow it in small sips.

Xiao Ce put down his silver chopsticks, his eyes suddenly warming as if the gentle spring sunshine filled his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on the person before him.

……

Although Xiao Ce did not need to attend court, he had too many matters to report and hand over. After breakfast, he went straight to his study to handle official business.

Ling Xi didn't want to disturb him, but she couldn't stop worrying about his arrow wound. After thinking for a long time, she asked Doctor Du to come and examine him carefully.

When she led the physician into the study, Xiao Ce was engrossed in writing. Upon noticing the movement at the door, he immediately put down his pen, his gaze lingering on her, a tender affection filling his eyes.

The Du family doctor was stunned. In all his years at the Prince Rui’s residence, he had never seen the young prince so gentle.

"Your mother is worried about your injuries and has specifically instructed the Du family physician to give you a thorough examination."

This is not a lie; a few days ago, when the Du family physician took the pulse of Princess Rui, she had already given instructions.

"it is good."

He stood up calmly, extremely gently. Ling Xi suddenly felt that he had become far too easy to talk to since his return from Qizhou.

The royal physician carefully examined his wounds and took his pulse. After several examinations, he confirmed that his injuries had healed well and there were no hidden dangers. Only then did Ling Xi's heart finally settle down.

"Weren't you knocked unconscious by an arrow at that time? How did you manage to kill the Jin general in just a few days?"

After Physician Du left the room, she could no longer suppress the doubts in her heart.

"My unconsciousness at that time was not entirely due to the arrow wound, but rather because I had not rested for several days and was extremely exhausted. Moreover, I only slept for a few hours."

"Then why haven't we received any news of your safety for a full half month?"

"Naturally, this was to lull the enemy into a false sense of security and make them lower their guard, so that our army could set a trap and launch a surprise attack."

When discussing war planning, his gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a sharp and resolute air of strategic brilliance.

But Ling Xi was unhappy. His trick of deceiving everyone had not only fooled the enemy, but also all of them.

"Your Highness, please focus on your official duties. I will not disturb you any longer."

She had just taken a step when he suddenly grabbed her wrist, turned her around, and she fell steadily into his arms.

Ling Xi raised her hand slightly and pushed his chest, then turned her head away, too lazy to pay him any attention.

"What's wrong? Why are you unhappy?"

He lowered his head slightly and gently nuzzled her ear, his warm breath brushing against her cheek.

"You calmly strategize on the battlefield, but do you know how worried your mother is about you every day, unable to eat or sleep..."

"I know."

He continued to caress her temples, his voice languid and indistinct.

"Knowing you still..."

"And what about you?"

He suddenly looked up, his gentle eyes suddenly filled with deep emotions.

"What about me?"

Ling Xi was stunned for a moment. Their warm breaths mingled together, and she suddenly felt that he was too close to her. Her face flushed uncontrollably.

Are you worried about me?

She lowered her eyes, too embarrassed to say directly that she was so worried she couldn't sleep at night, afraid he was going to die, and even went to his bedside to cry late at night.

When no reply came, the hand around her waist suddenly tightened, the force carrying a hint of stubbornness.

"Does it exist or not?"

She looked up into his burning eyes, her heart stirred slightly, and she nodded gently as if possessed.

The next moment, he suddenly leaned down and captured her lips in his mouth, the kiss coming fiercely and passionately, without any restraint.

After last night's tenderness, Ling Xi had become accustomed to his scent. Although she was still a bit awkward and clueless, she responded to him earnestly.

But Xiao Ce was not satisfied with this brief taste of sweetness. He suddenly bent down, picked her up, and strode toward the desk.

When she touched the cool desk, she suddenly realized what he wanted to do, and in a panic, she subconsciously raised her hand to block his lips.

"Don't..."

He didn't continue his forceful and domineering approach; instead, he gently kissed her slender fingers, his movements tender and affectionate.

This teasing stirred Ling Xi's emotions, making her cheeks burn. She hurriedly turned her head to look at the door, fearing that Lu Ming and Pei Lan, who were guarding outside, would notice something amiss inside. She turned back, and with a sudden movement, pressed her hand against his restless lips.

"Xiao Ce, no!"

"Why not?"

He lowered his eyes, gazing intently at the helpless woman beneath him, his voice low and husky, his warm breath brushing against her palm. She felt a surge of panic, then glanced sideways at the door.

"Lu Ming and the others are still outside!"

She lowered her voice, afraid that someone would hear her.

"I told him to go away."

His tone was firm, and he made a move to turn around and give instructions, which made her heart skip a beat.

"No, no!"

She hurriedly reached out and covered his mouth again, afraid that he would really call for help. Xiao Ce turned around, gently pulled her hand away, and placed it firmly on the table, his gaze locking onto her lips.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything..."

Before he could finish speaking, he leaned down again and precisely covered her lips with his own before she could speak.

……

The moment Ling Xi stepped out of the study, her heart was still pounding wildly. When she saw Pei Lan and the others guarding the door, she panicked even more, fearing that they had overheard something outside.

At the same time, he cursed Xiao Ce in his heart. He said he wouldn't do anything, but it was all lies. Except for the last thing he couldn't do, he did everything he could.

"Princess, your skirt is stained with quite a bit of ink. Did the young master spill his inkstone?"

Back in her bedroom, Pei Lan noticed the ink stains on her princess's skirt, and she had clearly heard something fall to the ground in the study.

Ling Xi almost choked on the sip of water she had just taken.