Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"Heng'er, your marriage has always been your own decision. You don't need to sacrifice your own happiness and your life's most important matter just because Xi'er got divorced..."

Princess Huan frowned, her voice full of worry. She softened her tense tone and gently advised him.

"Mother, I didn't make this decision rashly. I... am in love with her and sincerely want to marry her as my wife."

Ling Heng, with a solemn and earnest expression, interrupted his mother's unfinished words. The moment his voice fell, he subtly glanced to his side and behind him.

Princess Huan's eyes were filled with surprise as she looked at her usually aloof son's suddenly passionate expression, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.

"Don't talk nonsense! Tell me yourself, how long did you actually stay in Jinling? Just a few months, and most of the time you were in Yecheng. Tell me, where did you find the time to develop any real feelings for someone?!"

King Huan slammed his hand heavily on the edge of the table, the dull thud causing the cups on the table to bounce slightly. His pent-up anger instantly broke through his restraint, and his eyes flashed with fury.

"Father will know in time."

Ling Heng's gentle gaze vanished as he met his father's angry rebuke with a deep voice, and he began to argue.

"Your father is right! Heng'er, your mother doesn't ask for anything else, only that your marriage be based on your own wishes and not treated as a game!"

The deep worry etched on Princess Huan's face remained unresolved. Ling Heng turned to look at her, his expression softening slightly.

"Mother, please rest assured, this is my own wish."

Ling Heng's expression showed no hesitation, and his tone was calm and resolute.

"But……"

"Mother...when have I ever lied to you? Father, I have other matters to attend to today, so I will not stay with you any longer."

After Ling Heng finished speaking, he bowed respectfully and then turned to leave. Wu Shuang frowned slightly as she looked at the still angry prince and the worried princess, but quickly followed him out.

……

Xueyinglou is a famous inn in Jicheng, famous for its high price.

Wushuang slowly surveyed the guest room, her gaze sweeping lightly over the tables, chairs, and screens, taking in everything around her with an indifferent expression. Only after a moment did she sit down.

"Brother, did you come with Prince Xiao?"

"Yes, I came on personal business this time and didn't bring many people with me."

"Oh, then why is Prince Xiao nowhere to be seen?"

"He's fast asleep in the next room. He's been drinking himself into a stupor these past two days; he's probably really heartbroken by the Crown Princess."

Wushuang paused, her gaze darkening slightly.

"Brother, has the Crown Prince explained why he and his wife divorced?"

"Who knows? I've asked Yizhi several times, but he won't say anything. Even if I wanted to get involved, I couldn't. Oh well, let's not concern ourselves with their affairs. The reason I called you out today is to tell you that we're setting off back to Jinling in two days, and you'll be coming with me!"

Qin Qi was extremely anxious, fearing that his younger sister would be left behind in Jicheng.

"it is good."

Wushuang answered crisply and decisively with a single word, without the slightest hesitation.

"good?"

Qin Qi had just been keeping a straight face and speaking in a tough tone, originally determined to use his words to persuade her, but he was completely taken aback when his sister agreed so readily.

Wu Shuang frowned slightly, a hint of doubt appearing in her eyes, and looked up to meet his surprised gaze.

"What's wrong, brother?"

"N-nothing, I thought..."

"What did you think?"

Qin Qi seemed a little flustered. He recalled Ling Heng's confident demeanor last night and secretly wondered what was going on. He had been worried all day and had thought of countless ways to persuade his sister, fearing that Ling Heng had already tricked her into agreeing to stay.

His gaze involuntarily lingered on Wushuang, trying to discern something from her expression. Wushuang's expression remained calm, showing no sign of anything amiss, as she sat quietly in her chair, waiting for him to continue.

"Hey! It's nothing. I thought you'd be reluctant to leave since you grew up in Jicheng!"

Qin Qi gave an awkward smile, casually concealing his earlier surprise and doubt.

"Reluctant to part with it?"

Wushuang repeated softly, pausing for a moment before a fleeting trace of melancholy crossed her eyes. A strange longing stirred within her, as if she were reluctant to part with something, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. In an instant, she cleared her mind of these thoughts, her expression returning to its usual cool and indifferent state.

"My elder brother, father, and mother are all in Jinling. Why should I stay in Jicheng? Besides, my brother and Miss Yang are getting married in the fall, so naturally I have to go back."

"Then it's settled. We'll wait for you outside the Huan Prince's residence after 7 a.m. the day after tomorrow."

Qin Qi felt a great weight lifted from his heart, his previous seriousness completely dissipated, and a bright smile returned to his face.

"Okay, sure."

Wushuang nodded slightly, her expression remaining calm.

……

The night was deep, and the candlelight flickered faintly in the bedroom of Qingyu Courtyard.

Ling Heng, as relaxed as he was in the morning, casually raised his arm, waiting for Wushuang to remove his outer robe.

He attended a public banquet tonight and didn't return home until after 5 PM. Wushuang waited obediently as always. She thought that since there were only two days left, and considering the young master's care over the years, she should do her best for the remaining two days.

Wushuang gripped the edge of the brocade robe and slowly pulled it down along his shoulder line. Ling Heng's gaze fell on the top of her head, a hint of loneliness hidden in his eyes.

He suddenly and silently took half a step closer, the distance between them abruptly shrinking. He still reeked of alcohol, a faint scent lingering around her.

Wushou paused slightly in his movements, but did not look up. He continued to remove the clothes with his eyes down, his hand speed unconsciously slowing down. He subtly took a half-inch back, creating some distance between them.

Ling Heng suddenly grabbed her hand, and took advantage of the proximity to move even closer.

"What are you hiding from?"

Wushuang's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, but her eyes remained lowered.

"I……"

"Two days left. Have you made up your mind? To stay or to leave?"

Even though she didn't look up, Ling Heng's gaze remained fixed on her.

Wushuang's hand, which was being held, twitched slightly, but she couldn't break free from his firm grip.

"I have to go back."

"Are you still leaving?"

Ling Heng clenched his fist, a dimness rising in his eyes, his voice low and tinged with disbelief.

"Um."

Wushuang nodded slightly, her expression indifferent as ever.

"You heard what I said to my father and mother in the front hall today, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Do you know who I'm marrying?"

Ling Heng's gaze remained fixed on her expression as he slowly pressed for an answer.

"I think I guessed it."

Wushuang thought about it seriously for half a day. When Ling Heng was in Jinling, he had never had any contact with any noble ladies in Jinling except for her.

"Since you already guessed it, why did you still leave?"

His tone revealed the emotions he had been suppressing for days, and the alcohol made his voice slightly hoarse.