Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

Ling Yue, who was standing to the side, noticed that Xiao Ce's expression suddenly turned cold. He slowly tightened his grip on his side, so much so that the veins on the back of his hand stood out.

Just as Ling Yue was filled with doubt, a sharp, anxious neighing of a horse suddenly came from not far away.

The group turned their heads and saw a crimson horse, for some unknown reason, startled and broken free, galloping wildly toward them with incredible speed and momentum, which no one could stop.

"Be careful!"

Qin Qi, who had been leisurely approaching, suddenly roared sharply, his expression one of utter panic. The galloping horse rushed towards them in an instant. Qin Qi reacted swiftly, grabbing Ling Yu, who was closest to him. Xiao Ce, on the other hand, instinctively reached out and pulled Xiao Chen'an to safety.

Ling Yue, who was standing closest to the center of the field, stood there all alone, too shocked to react.

The spirited horse reared up, its front hooves poised to charge straight at Ling Yue's small body. In a flash, Xiao Ce, as if possessed, forcefully pushed Xiao Chen'an, whom he was carrying, to a safer side. With a light step, he swooped down like a whirlwind, shielding the bewildered and frozen Ling Yue beneath him.

The next instant, the heavy hoof slammed down on Xiao Ce's back!

A dull thud suddenly rang out, and Xiao Ce's back jolted violently. A metallic taste surged in his throat, and he couldn't help but let out a low, muffled groan.

The startled red horse trampled over Xiao Ce, then let out another long neigh and galloped away like a madman, quickly rushing back into the depths of the arena.

The breathtaking scene lasted only a few breaths. The surrounding noise came to an abrupt halt, and after a deathly silence, gasps of surprise erupted from all around.

The guests in the stands, the guards and palace servants on the sidelines, and the young nobles participating in the competition were all horrified. People gradually gathered around the altar, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.

"It's Prince Rui! The injured person is Prince Rui!"

"Help! Help! Prince Rui is injured!"

"The imperial physician! Where is the imperial physician?"

……

Panic and hurried shouts rang out all around, and the palace servants and guards were thrown into chaos, their faces filled with fear.

Qin Qi released the still-shaken Ling Yu from his arms, rushed forward, bent down to check Xiao Ce's injuries, and his face had already changed color.

"Yizhi! How are you?"

Xiao Ce could no longer maintain his tense posture. He curled up slightly, his back hunched, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"I...I'm fine."

His previous dignified and proper demeanor vanished completely. Xiao Ce gently released Ling Yue from beneath him, his jaw clenched, his breathing heavy and rapid. Finally, he could no longer hold on and curled up on the ground in a disheveled state.

Ling Yue, whom he had shielded, was unharmed. Completely terrified, he sat on the ground, his small body blankly looking up behind him. Seeing Xiao Ce's red eyes and cold sweat beading on his forehead, Ling Yue forgot to speak for a moment, staring blankly at him with terror in his eyes.

……

The next day, at the Prince Rui's residence, in the Chuixing Courtyard. Morning light fell on the bedside table in the bedroom, and a faint smell of medicine filled the room.

The physician of the Du family stood bowing beside the bed, carefully changing Xiao Ce's dressing. His back was covered in large bruises, the bruises from being trampled by horses' hooves were swollen and black, a shocking sight.

Xiao Chen sat quietly on a small stool by the couch, his small body ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on Xiao Ce's back.

Consort Rui clutched her handkerchief tightly, her eyes filled with heartache. She stared intently at the hideous wound on the back, finally unable to suppress the bitterness in her heart.

"Ce'er, yesterday you deliberately hid it from your mother, saying it was just a minor injury, nothing serious. Is this what you call a minor injury?"

"Mother, I'm really fine, there's no need to worry too much."

Xiao Ce's back was stiff, and he dared not move too much, but he still tried his best to comfort her.

"Your injuries are so severe, how can your mother not worry? Whether you're alright or not, it's not up to you to be stubborn!"

She raised her hand and gently wiped the corner of her eye, then turned to look at the physician from the Du family beside her.

"Doctor Du, what is the true extent of Ce'er's injury? You must tell me the truth today, without hiding a single word."

Just as the physician from the Du family finished tidying up, he straightened up, bowed slightly, and looked solemn.

"Your Highness, the Prince was trampled on the back by a galloping horse, which is no minor injury. The internal injuries are far more serious than they appear on the outside. The surface bruising is deep, and the internal blood and qi are stagnant. Fortunately, the spine was not dislocated or broken. The current symptoms are weakness in the lower back, making it impossible for him to stand or sit upright for long periods."

"What about afterward? Will it leave any lasting health problems?"

Physician Du sighed softly, glanced at Xiao Ce's expression, hesitated for a moment, but still spoke truthfully:

"If you rest and recuperate with care, the blood stasis will dissipate quickly. However, whenever there is frost or rain, Your Highness's back injury will likely cause persistent pain that will be difficult to cure completely."

Xiao Ce's eyes remained calm, as if he had already anticipated this outcome and was not surprised at all.

Consort Ke Rui's eyes reddened as she listened, her heart aching as she looked at her silent son on the couch. Xiao Chen'an silently stood up from the low stool and walked over, raising his small hand to gently touch the corner of his grandmother's reddened eyes.

"Grandma, don't cry."

She looked at Xiao Ce on the bed, then glanced at Xiao Chen'an in front of her, and her throat tightened with emotion.

"Ce'er, now that your mother only has you and An'er by her side, you must not continue to neglect your health like this."

Xiao Ce's eyes flickered slightly. After a moment of silence, he replied in a low voice:

"I understand."

"I heard that you were seriously injured at the polo field protecting a child? Whose child was it that made you risk your life like that?"

The old princess was still troubled. She touched the corner of her eye with a handkerchief and looked at Xiao Ce, who was silent on the bed.

"Grandmother, the one Father is protecting is Xingxing's cousin."

Before Xiao Ce could speak, Xiao Chen'an immediately answered seriously.

"Qin Xing's cousin?"

After realizing what had happened, the old princess's expression changed abruptly, and a hint of displeasure appeared in her eyes.

"Yes, his name is Ling Yue."

"Could it be the Qin family's twin grandsons?"

"Grandmother, although Ling Yu and Ling Yue are twins, they look completely different."

Xiao Ce straightened his clothes and smiled as he looked at Xiao Chen'an, who was explaining to his mother.

"Your Highness, Young Master Qin has arrived and is currently waiting in the outer hall."

In the past two years, when Qin Qi visited Prince Rui's residence, he always went directly to the outer hall of Chuixing Courtyard.

"Did Ling Yu and Ling Yue come too?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen'an's eyes lit up, and he asked with a cheerful voice.

"Young Master, the two young masters of the Qin family have also arrived."

Xiao Chen'an had long forgotten about the fight with them the day before. At this moment, his face was full of joy, and he did not notice that his grandmother's expression had darkened.

"An'er, you may go out with Butler Mu first."

"Yes, Father."

Xiao Ce had already noticed the change in his mother's expression and sent Xiao Chen'an away first.