Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"My brother is getting married at the end of next month, so I have to go back. Also... there are our matters to discuss with our parents."

Hearing her gentle words, Ling Heng slowly raised his head from her chest and stared at her, his narrow eyes filled with disbelief and confusion.

"So, you're not going to leave me?"

Wushuang nodded gently, the panic in her eyes had faded, leaving only a gentle and clear look.

"Um."

That single word instantly shattered the fear and obsession in his heart. Ling Heng's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he looked at her helplessly.

"I'm sorry... I..."

The prince, who was usually aloof, calm and composed, was now showing such self-blame, weakness, and remorse, a sight Wushuang had never seen before.

Her heart softened, and she tentatively reached out to wrap her arms around his neck, tilting her head slightly to place a light kiss on his cool lips.

Ling Heng was stunned for a moment, his eyes filled with astonishment. But in an instant, he came to his senses, carefully reached out to support the back of her neck, and leaned down to kiss her back.

......

When the Qin family elders received the imperial decree of marriage a month ago, they tossed and turned all night in unease. They had finally found their daughter after many years of separation, and had not yet had time to make amends, but now they were being forced to send her to the Chu Kingdom, thousands of miles away. How could they bear to part with her?

More than the pain of separation from their own flesh and blood, they had other worries. A marriage arranged by family and country was not what their daughter desired, and they feared that she would silently endure and accept it for the sake of the Qin family.

The couple had already made up their minds after much deliberation that even if it meant being accused of disobeying the imperial decree, they would never allow their daughter to be forced into a distant marriage. They originally planned to find an opportunity to ask Wushuang what she was thinking once she returned. If she showed any reluctance, the Qin family would do everything in their power to fight for her freedom.

Before the two elders could even speak, Wushuang brought it up the very next day after her return.

Minister Qin and his wife suddenly realized that their daughter and the heir of King Huan of Chu were already in love. The heavy weight that had been hanging over their hearts for so many days finally lifted a little off their shoulders. But the thought of being separated from their daughter by thousands of miles again quickly made their relief return.

Less than three days after Wushuang returned to the Qin residence, the Chu Kingdom's betrothal delegation arrived in Jinling in a grand procession.

One group was a formally appointed official betrothal from the Chu court, escorted by a special envoy delegation; the other group was a privately appointed betrothal arranged by Ling Heng, escorted by the personal guards of the Huan King's residence. Both groups departed together and were delivered to the Qin residence simultaneously.

Thus, the new marriage alliance between Liang and Chu was finalized, and the diplomatic relations between the two countries were once again firmly bound by the bond of marriage. In addition, with full trade along the border, caravans from the north and south traveled day and night, and Chu's silk, porcelain, and famous tea were sold to Liang, while Liang's fine horses and medicinal herbs were continuously imported into Chu.

Trade brought prosperity to the city, marriage alliances stabilized the court, people lived in peace and contentment, the court maintained good relations with neighboring countries, wars ceased, and the hearts of the people were united. For a time, the northern and southern borders were peaceful and prosperous.

……

Five years later, on the border of Liang Kingdom, in the city of Ye.

"Uncle, you secretly brought my brother and me to Night City. Father will be worried if he finds out."

Ling Yu held the candied hawthorn covered in glistening sugar coating in his chubby little hands, chewing on the sweet and sour fruit while scolding Qin Qi with a stern face.

On Changping Street, the most bustling street in the night city, Qin Qi was accompanied by three children of similar age, each holding a string of bright red candied hawthorns.

"Just relax. Didn't I already talk to your aunt? I also left a letter for your father. Besides, your father is currently busy with military duties and rotations at the border. Don't you two feel bored staying in Yongxing City?"

"Leaving a letter is not allowed! Father repeatedly instructed us before he left that we must not leave Yongxing City even a step."

Ling Yu puffed out his cheeks and retorted, sugar crumbs sticking to the corners of his round mouth.

"Yue'er, is that what your father said?"

"Um."

Ling Yue nodded slightly. He remained silent the whole way, unlike Ling Yu who talked a lot.

"Alright, alright! I'll send you back tomorrow."

Qin Qi waved his hand, deliberately making a troubled expression.

"However, as long as Uncle doesn't complain that we've been eating sweets every day, my brother and I can play with you and Xingxing for a few more days."

Ling Yu's cheeks were bulging, and his words were somewhat muffled.

"Father, please grant Brother Yu's request! Xingxing wants to play with Brother Yu and Brother Yue."

"Hey, you little Yu, you've got a clever plan!"

"Didn't Uncle say yesterday that Mother would come to Night City to pick us up?"

Ling Yue quickly poured cold water on the idea. He looked a little thinner and more slender, but his temperament was much more composed than Ling Yu's. He had been quietly following by his side, only lowering his eyes and fiddling with the bamboo stick of the candied hawthorn in his hand.

"Haha, Yue'er has a good memory! Let's enjoy ourselves for a few days, your mother will arrive in a couple of days."

"Great! I can play with Brother Yu and Brother Yue!"

"That's great!"

Qin Xing and Ling Yu jumped for joy, while Ling Yue frowned as he looked at the candied hawthorn in his hand that was about to melt.

"Eat up, Yue'er! Why aren't you eating?"

Qin Qi noticed that the other two had already eaten half of their food, while Ling Yue hadn't touched a single bite.

Ling Yue pouted and frowned slightly.

"I told you I didn't want it when you bought it, but you insisted on buying it, Uncle."

"Hey, I'm telling you, you and Yu'er are twins, it's one thing if you don't look alike, but how come your personalities are so different too?"

Qin Qi had only met them twice before; this was the third time. The last time they met was a year ago.

"Daddy! I want a dragon-shaped sugar painting!"

Qin Xing called out crisply, and with her short legs, she ran towards the sugar painting stall across the street.

"Uncle! I want one too!"

Qin Qi chuckled softly, raised his hand to ruffle Ling Yu's messy hair, his eyes full of indulgence.

"Let's go! Let's buy some sugar paintings."

Ling Yue's face immediately fell again. She sighed helplessly and followed slowly behind.

It wasn't until evening that Qin Qi returned to the inn with the three children.

Qin Xing was already too sleepy to move and was fast asleep, nestled on Qin Qi's shoulder. Ling Yu and Ling Yue were on either side of him. Ling Yu, who had been talking non-stop, was now finally exhausted and drooping his head.

As soon as the group arrived at the inn, the sharp-eyed Ling Yu spotted Wushuang and Yang Luoying waiting at the door, and his spirits instantly lifted.

"Mother! Aunt!"

He rushed straight over, bent down on his knees, and steadily scooped the little guy into his arms.

"Mother, Mother! Yu'er misses you so much."

Ling Yu wrapped his arms tightly around Wu Shuang's neck, burying his head in her shoulder and refusing to let go. Wu Shuang gently patted his back, a soft smile spreading across her eyes, and then looked up and waved to Ling Yue, who was not far away.

"Yue'er, come here."