Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

One month later, at Prince Huan's residence.

As the summer heat gradually subsided, the flower hall of Prince Huan's mansion, with its windows on two sides, let in a gentle breeze that swept through the banana trees under the corridor, filling the room with coolness. Ling Xi, returning to her homeland, felt refreshed and invigorated, no longer experiencing the oppressive heat of Jinling.

"Come here, Xi'er! This is a hibiscus cake that your mother made for you this morning. Come and try it. Does it taste the same as before?"

Princess Huan smiled, but her eyes were filled with tiny, glistening tears.

"it is good."

Ling Xi lowered her eyes and looked at the snow-white and soft hibiscus cake on the plate. She gently picked up a piece, and as soon as the familiar sweetness touched her tongue, the grievances that had been building up in her heart for a long time surged up. Her nose suddenly stung and her eyes instantly reddened.

"My darling Xi'er, why are you crying?! Did you suffer some injustice in Jinling?"

Princess Huan's heart tightened, and the smile in her eyes vanished instantly, leaving only heartache in her eyes.

"Xi'er, don't cry. Now that we're home, no one will dare to bully you anymore. No matter what grievances you suffered in Jinling, just tell your father."

King Huan sat upright, exuding an aura of authority. His plain robe conveyed composure and dignity, but at this moment, his calm and dignified eyes had lost all their sharpness, leaving only warmth.

Faced with the anxious and loving gazes of her father and mother, Ling Xi quickly composed herself, gently shook her head, and looked like she was both crying and laughing.

"No... I just miss my father and mother too much..."

The gentle smile on Ling Heng's face vanished completely, his fingertips tightened subtly, and a faint doubt lingered deep in his eyes.

Her return was too sudden, without warning, and without reason.

"Then Xi'er, stay at home for a few more days before returning to Jinling."

Princess Huan gripped Ling Xi's hand tightly, her eyes reddening again. Ling Xi felt a pang of guilt and hurriedly lowered her eyes, nodding slightly. She hadn't yet figured out how to explain to them, so she could only offer a vague response for now.

As King Huan gazed at the mother and daughter leaning on each other, his tense brows slowly relaxed, and his eyes were filled with doting affection.

Ling Heng, standing to the side, maintained an unchanged expression, but his gaze remained fixed on the subtle expressions on his sister's face.

"Xi'er, you've returned to Jicheng this time... don't you plan to leave?"

Ling Heng suddenly spoke up, his words hitting the nail on the head. His gaze was fixed on her, and he already had a firm premonition in his heart.

Ling Xi suddenly looked up, her guilty conscience and panic exposed in her eyes, leaving her speechless for a moment.

"Not planning to leave? What... what does that mean, Xi'er?"

Princess Huan was taken aback, and subconsciously released her hand, her eyes full of confusion.

King Huan also leaned forward abruptly, a hint of surprise appearing on his usually composed face. His gaze was fixed intently on Ling Xi, awaiting her reply.

Ling Xi quickly weighed the pros and cons in her mind, feeling that if this matter was to be resolved properly, it couldn't be delayed for too long. She composed herself, turned around, and gave a deep order to those behind her:

"Peilan, Granny Li, you two take the rest of the group and go downstairs first."

"Yes."

Soon, only the four people remained in the huge flower hall: Prince Huan and his wife, Ling Heng, and Ling Xi. The atmosphere gradually became more somber. Ling Xi took a deep breath and nodded heavily.

"Yes, this time I've come back, I have no intention of returning to Liang."

Ling Xi raised her eyes, the previous soreness gone, replaced by a long-simmering resolve.

The breeze in the flower hall suddenly subsided, leaving only a deep, heavy silence in the room.

Next, Ling Xi recounted the whole story of how Xiao Ce monitored her correspondence, how he protected Mu Wanning who poisoned his brother, and how he sent someone to assassinate his brother in Ye City. After she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became even more somber.

The King of Huan's face was ashen, filled with both rage and tenderness. The Queen Consort of Huan's face turned pale, unable to suppress her lingering fear. Ling Heng's brows furrowed with coldness, and all his previous doubts were finally dispelled.

"Are you sure everything you just said is true? Could there be some misunderstanding?"

Ling Heng frowned, a hint of doubt mixed in his cold gaze. The reason he didn't object to Ling Xi staying in Jinling was because after several interactions with Xiao Ce, he felt that Xiao Ce's feelings for Xi'er were genuine, and at that time he could also see that Xi'er had fallen for him sincerely.

"Yes, Xi'er, I originally thought that the second young master of Prince Rui would not have any true feelings for you, but after hearing your elder brother talk about it, it seems that it is not what we thought."

Princess Huan's tone was somewhat hesitant, as if she hoped there was some hidden story behind it.

Ling Xi lowered her eyes, her fingertips clenching her clothes, a layer of coldness spreading in her eyes.

"There's no misunderstanding. I heard him and Mu Wanning say it with my own ears."

He admitted it himself in the study back then, and every word he said reached her ears, so there was no misunderstanding!

"So, Xi'er wants a divorce?"

Ling Heng's expression suddenly turned serious, and the atmosphere around him became more solemn.

"Yes, brother, do you have any ideas?"

Ling Xi showed no hesitation, displaying a resolute determination to burn his bridges. Meanwhile, Princess Huan, standing to the side, was filled with anxiety, her gaze fixed intently on Ling Heng.

"Why bother thinking of any solutions?!"

King Huan slammed his hand heavily on the table, causing the cups and saucers to rattle slightly.

"How dare the Crown Prince of Narui humiliate my daughter like this! I will immediately go to the palace to see my elder brother, the Emperor, and request that he send an envoy with a letter of state to directly annul this marriage alliance!"

"Father, you must not act rashly. What Xi'er just said is without any evidence. If you propose a divorce on this basis, it will probably not work. Moreover, Emperor Liang has always valued his reputation. If you want to dissolve the marriage alliance smoothly, you must not find any loopholes in the Great Liang on the surface."

Ling Heng's brows furrowed with composure and solemnity, his eyes revealing a thoughtful and cautious demeanor. He slowly turned his head, his gaze falling upon Ling Xi beside him.

"You said yesterday... Xiao Ce went to the western border to rotate troops?"

"Yes, he set off a day earlier than me, saying he would return to Jinling at the latest within three months."

Ling Heng tapped the edge of the table lightly with his fingertips, pondered silently for a long while, and then slowly spoke:

"The best course of action now is to use the excuse that your marriage has broken down and you two are not getting along. If you can take advantage of Xiao Ce's absence from Jinling to persuade Emperor Liang to agree, that would be the best outcome."

Ling Heng frowned slightly, his tone becoming somewhat hesitant.

"However, I have heard that among all the royal family members of Liang, Emperor Liang values ​​Xiao Ce the most. He will certainly consult Xiao Ce himself regarding his marriage."

Ling Xi's eyes suddenly dimmed, and she was at a loss. Then, as if she remembered something, her eyes widened and a glimmer of light appeared in them.

"I have... the divorce papers that Xiao Ce gave me!"

"A divorce agreement?"

Princess Huan looked on in astonishment, and the others stared at her in confusion.

"He thought I was going back to Chu with my brother, so he made preparations in advance..."

Ling Xi's fingertips trembled slightly, her voice softened, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in her heart. At that time, he may have truly wanted to set her free.