Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"Hmm...yes. By the way, where's Wushuang? I haven't seen her."

She quickly changed the subject, knowing that Perrin was forgetful and would soon forget what she was talking about.

"Oh, she said she's going to Ruyi Tower with Young Master Qin, and she probably won't be back until tonight."

Pei Lan went to the Qin residence with her that day; she knew about Wu Shuang's background.

Ling Xi then remembered that Qin Qi seemed to have mentioned a few days ago that Madam Qin would be holding her 40th birthday banquet next month. Today, he took Wushuang to Ruyi Tower, so he must have taken Wushuang to pick out a gift for Madam Qin.

"Princess, since Wushuang is now a young lady of the Qin family, will she continue to live in the Prince Rui's residence?"

"I don't know either."

Just as Ling Xi was thinking about this, Pei Lan asked, "It's not good for Wu Shuang to keep living in Prince Rui's mansion like this. Judging from Qin Qi's words, Madam Qin seems to be considering marriage for Wu Shuang as well."

Wushuang is eighteen this year, the same age as her, and has long reached the age to talk about marriage. But with her personality, what kind of man will Madam Qin arrange for her?

She couldn't help but think of her brother again. If her brother really didn't have those feelings for Wushuang, then it would be fine. But if he did, given Wushuang's current status, things wouldn't be any easier than they were before.

……

Carriages and horses came and went on Fengyang Street. Wushuang walked slowly beside Qin Qi, followed by several servants, each carrying an exquisite brocade box.

Qin Qi had a warm smile on his lips as he turned to talk to Wushuang. His eyes and brows radiated joy, revealing his affection for his younger sister.

Having spent this time together, Wushuang has gradually adapted to the warmth of this blood-related bond. The genuine smiles she has shown these days far surpass those of the previous ten years.

As the two walked to the intersection of Xiyong Street and Fengyang Street, Wushuang suddenly stopped. Qin Qi, whose attention had been on his younger sister, only turned his head slowly when he saw her stop.

Not far ahead stood a striking figure. Yang Luoying, dressed in a bright red dress, was particularly eye-catching. She glanced sideways, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, her gaze fixed on them. Her eyes held a complex mix of emotions, including surprise, confusion, and barely concealed annoyance.

Previously, Yang Luoying had scratched Wushuang. Although Qin Qi did not embarrass her in public, he privately reprimanded her after Ling Xi and the others left.

However, in Qin Qi's eyes, those words were just a few warnings within reason and not considered harsh words. But Yang Luoying was always proud and arrogant, and inherently noble and strong-willed. Especially since those rebukes came from Qin Qi's mouth, she was even more indignant.

Wushuang glanced indifferently at the person opposite her, then turned to look at her brother beside her, whose brows were slightly furrowed, and sighed softly. She had overheard the princess and the princess of Yongning County talking about the Qin family's intention to form a marriage alliance with the Yang family, so the person opposite her might be her future sister-in-law.

However, she had only spent a short time with her brother, and naturally, she felt no affection for her future sister-in-law, with whom she had only fought once.

Qin Qi leaned slightly forward, about to step forward, but Yang Luoying suddenly composed herself, turned around expressionlessly, and left without looking back.

Watching that resolute red figure disappear into the distance, Qin Qi sighed helplessly, stood still, and did not go any further.

"Brother, should we go and try to appease Miss Yang?"

Qin Qi turned around upon hearing the sound and saw Wushuang beside him looking at him calmly with a frank gaze.

"No need."

He slowly shook his head, his tone indifferent.

"She is stubborn and impatient, and I suppose she is still holding a grudge about the time I scolded her at the Brocade Pavilion that day."

A hint of surprise flashed across Wushuang's brows. She had thought that her brother must have sided with Yang Luoying that day.

"Your brother reprimanded Miss Yang that day? But at that time, you didn't know about my background. I originally thought..."

"I never imagined that in Yue'er's eyes, her brother would be such a person who can't distinguish right from wrong?"

A warm smile appeared in Qin Qi's eyes as he affectionately stroked the top of her head. Wu Shuang's heart stirred slightly, and a genuine smile unconsciously curved her lips.

The brother and sister were completely unaware that they were still unofficially siblings. Such intimate behavior would lead to serious misunderstandings in the eyes of outsiders, and Yang Luoying, who had just turned to leave, was exactly what they had misunderstood.

"Your Highness, over there on the street, it looks like Wushuang. Why isn't she with the Princess?"

On the other side of Xiyong Street, Qingyun, riding his horse, bowed slightly and reported to the carriage in a low voice.

The carriage curtain was suddenly lifted, revealing half of Ling Heng's handsome face. His gaze was fixed on the center of the street, where he happened to see Qin Qi affectionately placing his hand on Wu Shuang's head. Wu Shuang, on the other side, actually smiled.

Ling Heng's expression suddenly turned cold and gloomy. His originally deep and calm black eyes were instantly clouded with a layer of gloom, and his eyes became even darker.

"Let's go."

After a moment of silence, he gently lowered the carriage curtain, shutting out the view outside.

Two days later, inside Wanfang Pavilion.

Ling Xi lay languidly by Ling Heng's desk, casually playing with the inkstone on the table, her face showing a hint of sullenness.

"Brother, are you really leaving Jinling tomorrow? Can't you stay a few more days?"

She looked up at her brother, who was working at his desk, her words filled with reluctance and melancholy.

Ling Heng did not look up and continued what he was doing.

"With everything at the border market settled and trade between Liang and Chu officially commencing, what reason do I have to remain in Jinling?"

"But……"

"I'll ask you one last time, are you willing to come back to Jicheng with me? Given the current situation, if I petition Emperor Liang to take you with me, he should not refuse."

He interrupted her, put down his pen, looked up at her, and his usual gentleness faded, replaced by a serious and solemn expression.

Ling Xi pursed her lips slightly, her expression hesitant.

"You've already fallen in love with Xiao Ce?"

Seeing her hesitant expression, Ling Heng's gaze deepened, and he directly asked for her answer.

"Yes."

With a reply, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became quiet. Ling Heng frowned slightly and tightened his jaw.

"And what about him? I've heard that his child with that concubine has already been granted a title by imperial decree. Will he truly treat you wholeheartedly?"

Ling Xi lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment, then she had already made up her mind. She looked up at her brother with a calm expression.

"He will."

Since Xiao Ce returned, he has been busy for the past few days without stopping. She hasn't had time or figured out how to ask him about Mu Wanning and An'er.

When his fate was uncertain, she had already fully realized her feelings for him. Regardless of whether An'er was his child or not, she was prepared to accept it. And she was willing to believe the explanations he had given her before.