Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

She turned around lazily, pulled her hand away, and said nothing.

Xiao Ce lowered his deep eyes, concealing his fleeting doubt, and leaned closer again.

"What's wrong?"

He rested his chin on the crook of her neck and gently rubbed it.

"hot."

She responded languidly in a soft voice, letting him do as he pleased, her legs unconsciously swaying gently on the water's surface. The evening breeze, carrying the slight warmth of the lake, brushed against their clothes pressed together.

Xiao Ce's eyes narrowed instantly, only then noticing that part of her calf was submerged in the lake water. He leaned forward slightly, steadily supporting her knees, and scooped her up, holding her completely in his arms.

"What...are you doing?"

She was terrified and clung tightly to his neck.

"The lake water is bone-chilling, yet you dare to indulge in such coolness?"

His voice was very low, and his warm breath gently touched her ear.

"I just feel too hot... and besides, I'm not that delicate."

Xiao Ce smiled helplessly. He knew better than anyone how delicate she was. In the instant he glanced to the side, he saw that on her exposed fair calves, glistening water droplets meandered down her ankles and fell onto the bluestone, spreading out watermarks.

His gaze lingered on her smooth skin, his brows furrowing involuntarily. Before she could react, his large hand had already firmly grasped her slender ankle. He then lifted the hem of his wide official robe and gently wiped the water stains from her instep and legs with the smooth fabric. The dark patterns on the fabric swayed slightly with his movements.

The solemn court robes were now being used to wipe her feet. When Ling Xi realized what was happening, her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively curled her toes back, but he held them firmly in place, preventing her from moving an inch.

She continued to struggle, her eyes filled with a hint of anger and impatience.

"This is court attire, how can it be ruined like this? If others find out..."

"So what if I know? The court robes are for the court and the world to see, but you are hidden in my heart."

His eyes were deep and dark, reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun. He was gentle yet forceful, but his movements remained calm and slow as he wiped the water from her toes and the back of her feet.

After wiping away the last bit of water, he didn't immediately let go of her hand. His fingertips gently brushed against her delicate skin with extremely light pressure, carrying an almost imperceptible lingering affection.

"You must not indulge in the cold anymore."

His voice was low and indulgent, and it was especially clear in the evening breeze. A warm feeling suddenly welled up in Ling Xi's heart, and her previous awkwardness quietly disappeared. She nestled obediently in his arms, letting him treat her gently.

Why am I unhappy today?

He gently pulled down her skirt, completely concealing her fair legs, and then naturally pulled her closer to him.

Ling Xi nestled quietly in his arms and gently shook her head.

"Is it because of An'er's first birthday?"

He hesitated for a moment, then asked again softly. She still shook her head, gazing at the calm, still lake, feeling a void in her heart.

Princess Rui and Mu Wanning were handling Xiao Chen'an's first birthday celebration, so she didn't have to do anything, and of course, she didn't want to do anything. Xi Xin sighed. Although she had repeatedly reminded herself not to care about Mu Wanning and the child, a slight sour feeling would always rise in her heart from time to time.

Xiao Ce could easily see through her. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, a hint of hesitation appearing in his deep eyes. His lips moved, a sense of helplessness rising in his heart. His fingertips lingered on her cheek, but he remained silent for a long time.

"Xiao Ce..."

Ling Xi sat up straight from his embrace, bit her lip lightly, and looked up at him intently.

"Um?"

Every time she finally resolved to ask him directly whether An'er was his child, she would eventually back down. She always thought that if Xiao Ce truly cared for her, he would tell her, but he never did.

"Father!"

A clear, childlike voice suddenly came from behind her, abruptly interrupting her hesitation before she could speak.

The two turned around at the same time and saw Xiao Chen'an taking small, stumbling steps as he ran towards the lake.

Ling Xi quickly got up from his embrace, sat down to the side, and haphazardly put on her shoes and socks.

"Father!"

The little guy called out happily again, his steps becoming even lighter, and he rushed straight into Xiao Ce's arms. He opened his arms and steadily caught the tiny body. Xiao Chen'an nestled in his arms, giggling incessantly.

Ling Xi gazed at him quietly, clearly seeing the tenderness in his eyes, the doting affection unique to a father. A pang of sadness welled up in her heart. He was such a gentle and responsible father; if they had children, she imagined he would be just as kind.

"Mother!"

Ling Xi was lost in thought when An'er suddenly turned her little face and looked at her with a smile.

She was stunned for a moment, frozen in place, at a loss for what to do. This was the first time she had ever heard Xiao Chen'an address her like that since he had started speaking.

She knew that this must have been taught by Princess Rui. After Xiao Ce left Jinling for Qizhou, Princess Rui seemed to treat her differently than before.

Mu Wanning, however, still disliked her as always and would never allow his child to call her mother.

She curved her lips into a gentle smile and looked at the soft little one.

"Greetings, Your Highness! Your Highness's Wife!"

Xiao Chen'an's wet nurse and the old woman from Yunqi Courtyard hurried over along the bamboo path. They looked flustered and quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"How can you watch your child?! The lakeside is slippery and dangerous; how could you let him run around alone like that?"

The man, whose eyes had been filled with tenderness just moments before, suddenly turned pale, and the atmosphere around him grew colder, clearly indicating that he was angry.

Ling Xi gazed quietly at his suddenly cold and stern eyes, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn't seen him so cold and angry in a long time.

"Your Highness, please forgive me! This servant knows she was wrong!"

Both of them were terrified and quickly knelt down to admit their mistake.

"Father, Father, catch dragonflies..."

Xiao Chen'an's cheeks were chubby and puffed out, and his little hands were still softly clinging to his clothes. Xiao Ce's expression suddenly changed again.

"Father will catch dragonflies for An'er another day. Today, An'er, go back with your wet nurse."

It was unclear whether Xiao Chen'an truly understood; he first quickly shook his head, then slowly nodded.

"Take the child back; the same mistake must not be repeated."

"Yes, yes, this servant obeys."

The wet nurse and the old nanny quickly bowed and agreed, their voices filled with fear. The two carefully stepped forward and took Xiao Chen'an away, not daring to say another word.

"Xiao Ce..."

Only after the group had walked away did Ling Xi turn her gaze away and speak.

"What's wrong?"

He looked at her tenderly, his aura suddenly changing, his eyes filled with deep affection.

"You were really fierce just now."

He smiled but said nothing, propped himself up on the bluestone, picked her up and carried her into his arms, then turned and strode towards the Chuixing Courtyard.

I will never be mean to you.

"But my mother said that a man's words can only be trusted for a short time, and will always change over time."

"I will never change."

……