Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"I...I suddenly feel a little hungry. Why don't we go have dinner first?"

She spoke rapidly, yet deliberately feigned a relaxed demeanor, managing only a slight curve to her lips.

"Physician Du, you may leave now."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After Physician Du bowed and left the room, the room fell silent. Ling Xi's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. Her hand, which had been tightly gripping Xiao Ce's sleeve, slowly loosened. She turned her head, but unexpectedly met his deep eyes. Xiao Ce's gaze darkened slightly as he stared intently at the person beside him, and finally let out a soft sigh.

"W-What's wrong?"

She felt a slight panic and instinctively looked away, not daring to meet his gaze, for fear that he would see through the secret in her heart.

Xiao Ce did not answer. He leaned slightly forward and stretched out his long arm to pick her up again. Ling Xi felt a sudden emptiness and instinctively let out a soft cry.

"What are you doing?!"

"I'll take you out for dinner."

He carried her steadily toward the door, walking down the long corridor, just as he had done many times before.

Ling Xi stared blankly at his cold profile, his faint scent still lingering around her nose, a pang of sadness welling up in her heart. Once upon a time, she was certain that this warm and reliable embrace would be her lifelong support.

"Xiao Ce..."

She called his name softly, her voice drifting gently in the evening breeze. He immediately stopped, tightened his grip on her, and stood beneath the pillar.

"What's wrong?"

Looking at his expression and features, Ling Xi blinked unconsciously, her eyes welling up with tears, her throat tightening slightly, and the words she was about to say were swallowed back down.

She shook her head, suppressing the bitterness surging in her heart, and finally slowly lowered her eyes.

"I'm hungry..."

"it is good."

As soon as Xiao Ce finished speaking, he quickened his pace and continued moving forward while still holding her in his arms.

When they arrived at the dining hall, as soon as Xiao Ce put her to a seat, Ling Xi noticed that on the white porcelain plate closest to her on the table were pieces of soft, translucent hibiscus cake.

Ling Xi paused, then turned her head to look beside her. Xiao Ce was taking a warm cotton towel and carefully wiping his fingers clean. Then he picked up a piece of hibiscus cake, leaned over, and offered it to her lips, his eyes filled with his usual tenderness.

"I specifically instructed the kitchen to make this; didn't you say you wanted to eat it?"

Ling Xi was stunned for a moment, then opened her mouth and gently bit off a small piece. The pastry was soft and smooth, but she couldn't taste any sweetness on her tongue. All that remained was a bitter taste rising from the bottom of her heart, slowly getting stuck in her throat.

"How is it? Is it the flavor you like?"

Ling Xi's nose tingled, her lips trembled slightly, and a thin layer of moisture instantly filled her eyes. She slowly shook her head and softly spoke:

"I still don't have much of an appetite, you eat it yourself..."

Xiao Ce put down the pastries, picked up his chopsticks, and gently placed a glistening crystal dumpling into her bowl.

"Even if you have no appetite, you should still eat something. In a few days I will be leaving for the western border to relieve the troops. I will not be in the manor then, so you must not continue to eat such perfunctory meals."

Upon hearing the words "rotation of guards," Ling Xi's heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly looked up, her eyes wide open.

"Are you going to the Western Frontier for troop rotation? How long will you be gone?"

"It could take as little as a month, or as long as three months. What's wrong?"

Seeing her bewildered expression, Xiao Ce assumed it was because she was reluctant to part with him. A faint smile instantly appeared in his eyes as he reached out and gently took her hand.

Ling Xi forcibly suppressed the turmoil in her heart, her mind racing as she searched for a suitable reason to leave. His absence from Jinling might be the best opportunity for her to escape.

"Xiao Ce..."

"Um?"

He looked up, his gaze still gentle and smiling.

Ling Xi took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and spoke softly:

"Xiao Ce, I... want to take advantage of the time you go to the Western Frontier to change garrisons and go back to Ji City."

If she wanted to leave, she could only do so openly and honestly. Xiao Ce wouldn't let her go now, and obtaining an imperial edict from the Liang Emperor was absolutely impossible. She could only return to Ji City first and then ask her father and brother for help.

A brief silence fell over the hall. After a long silence, Ling Xi looked up at him and saw obvious hesitation in Xiao Ce's deep, dark eyes.

Why do you suddenly want to go back to Jicheng?

He disagreed? Ling Xi steadied herself, her mind racing to come up with a reasonable explanation. Then, she hunched her shoulders slightly, feigning discomfort.

"I...miss my father and mother."

Xiao Ce's expression softened slightly. He gazed at her silently for a moment, then gently pulled her close to his shoulder.

"How about... I go back with Xi'er after I return from my shift?"

"No need. You'll be busy with court affairs after you return, so it's inconvenient for you to travel far. Besides... I don't want to wait that long."

"Then I will personally go to Jicheng to pick you up after I finish my business."

Ling Xi's fingers clenched slightly. She looked up to meet his gaze, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded, afraid that if she refused again, he would become suspicious.

"Alright, I'll send you a letter once I've decided on my return date."

Xiao Ce's eyes were deep, as if he was reluctant to part with her. After a long while, he spoke again:

"As you wish."

……

Five days later, at dawn, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Ling Xi was half asleep when she felt a warm, lingering touch on her lips. The familiar scent forcibly woke her from her deep sleep.

She opened her eyes groggily, and the first thing she saw was Xiao Ce's deep, dark eyes. He leaned down and pressed himself against her, his brows and eyes filled with the languor of early morning and intense tenderness.

She subconsciously raised her hand to push him away, slightly dodging, but Xiao Ce turned his head to intercept her. Sensing that she was awake, he deepened the kiss with a little more force.

As the warm touch slowly moved downwards, his hands began to roam restlessly over her body. Ling Xi suddenly snapped back to reality, forcefully turned her face away, and pressed down hard on his wandering hands, her strength carrying a hint of hasty resistance.

Xiao Ce barely stopped what he was doing, looked up at her, his phoenix eyes tinged with faint red marks, dark and frightening.

"Is the Gui water phase not over yet?"

"Um……"

Ling Xi's eyes darted around, avoiding his intense gaze. She simply nodded slightly and responded softly.

He slowly withdrew his hand, gently brushing away the stray hairs at her temples, then leaned down and placed a soft, restrained kiss on her lips.

"I'm about to leave, Xi'er, would you like to help me change my clothes?"

Ling Xi's heart tightened. She wanted to refuse, but when she turned her head, she caught a glimpse of the faint expectation in his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and she nodded as if possessed.

A glint of light flashed in Xiao Ce's eyes, his brows relaxed, and a faint smile spread across his face. Having received permission, he quickly got out of bed and found his own clothes.

Ling Xi slowly got up, still feeling the languor of just waking up. She slowly walked towards him and reached out to help him take off his nightgown.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze fixed on her face, letting her straighten his clothes. For the rest of the time, the room was silent, broken only by the soft rustling of fabric.