Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

At that moment, he, who had never feared the world, was thrown into turmoil and dared not step forward. Later, Lu Ming found out that the man was her childhood sweetheart and cousin, and that the two families had already begun to discuss marriage. He immediately understood and inexplicably felt that the marriage fortune slip she had obtained in Jinling was for that person.

"Ce'er?"

Seeing his previously composed face suddenly turn deathly pale, Consort Rui couldn't help but feel worried.

Xiao Ce's hand, which was resting on the table, trembled slightly uncontrollably, and layers of intense pain covered his eyes.

"She has never cared about me, she will not have my child."

Xiao Ce's hoarse voice was filled with exhaustion and desolation, and every word was tinged with sorrow.

"No, Ce'er."

The Dowager Princess spoke with unusual certainty, each word ringing out firmly.

"My mother is absolutely certain that she gave birth to that child."

Xiao Ce suddenly raised his eyes, staring blankly at his mother opposite him, his dark eyes surging with overwhelming disbelief.

"My mother would never admit her mistake."

Consort Rui frowned, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

"Besides, you've already seen the child."

"I've seen him before?"

A storm surged through Xiao Ce's chest, his chaotic thoughts swirling rapidly. He had only seen those two children recently, and recalling his mother's unusual behavior towards them today, an unbelievable answer instantly appeared in his mind, causing his heart to tremble violently.

"What Mother Consort said is true..."

"That's the child you risked your life to protect at the polo field yesterday—Ling Yue. Now that I think about it, it was all destined from the beginning. You are his father, and it was only right that you protected him."

Xiao Ce's dark pupils suddenly contracted, his mind went blank, and his ears rang.

"Ling Yue?! Mother Consort, are you saying that Ling Yue... is my child?!"

His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice trembled slightly, and he confirmed this unbelievable truth with shock.

"That's right. That child is a spitting image of you when you were little. Your mother watched you grow up, and I would never be wrong. The moment I saw him in the courtyard today, I knew he was a member of the Xiao family. If you don't believe me, you can ask Granny Sun. How could your mother be wrong?"

As she spoke, she turned to look behind her. Upon hearing this, Granny Sun took two steps forward with a solemn expression. Xiao Ce raised his eyes and stared at her intently, eagerly awaiting her reply.

"Your Highness, everything the Dowager Consort said is true. This old servant also watched Your Highness grow up, and that child is exactly like you when you were a child. If you say that he is not Your Highness's bloodline, this old servant will absolutely not believe it!"

Granny Sun's tone was extremely firm, and her affirmative words struck his chaotic heart, stirring up a storm of emotions.

"How could this be... how could this be... he is clearly Ling Xi's elder brother's flesh and blood, a twin of Ling Yu..."

The words suddenly caught in his throat, and Xiao Ce's doubts began to rise. Why were the twins, who had completely different appearances and personalities, the exception?

"Think about it carefully. You've met Brother Ling Xi before. Doesn't Ling Yu resemble his father? Even if Ling Yue doesn't look like his father, there's no reason for him to look like you, Ce'er!"

Xiao Ce felt his blood surging, and his fingertips trembled uncontrollably. He repeatedly sketched the child's appearance in his mind, and all the doubts instantly connected, revealing the answer in his heart.

"But Lingxi clearly said... why did she give birth to my child...?"

Xiao Ce's throat tightened, and his voice trembled. He still remembered clearly what Ling Xi had said to him years ago: she said there was no affection between them, and that she wasn't wholeheartedly devoted to him...

Those resolute words, every single one, had haunted his nightmares over the years.

So it turned out that she had given birth to that child back then, and she was willing to keep his child! His heart suddenly ached and burned, the heat spreading through his veins, making his eyes red and his throat choked with emotion.

"Ce'er, Ce'er?"

Consort Rui looked at his distraught appearance, her eyes filled with worry.

Xiao Ce suddenly stood up, his fists clenched, his eyes dark and intense. The confusion he had just felt had completely vanished, replaced by an unwavering determination.

"Mother, I'm going to the Qin family."

"Ce'er! Calm down, don't be reckless!"

He turned and headed straight for the courtyard gate, completely ignoring the shouts coming from behind him.

Sitting in the outer hall of the Qin residence, Xiao Ce's earlier agitation and panic had slowly subsided. He had come impulsively, completely forgetting that the Qin family might not even know about Cai Lingyue's background. Who could he possibly ask for confirmation after his rash arrival?

"Yizhi, what brings you here?"

It's no wonder Qin Qi was surprised, after all, they had only returned from Prince Rui's residence less than an hour ago.

Xiao Ce's fingertips stiffened slightly, and his tense back slowly relaxed, leaving him feeling only melancholy and helplessness.

"Uncle Rui Wang!"

Ling Yu saw a gleam instantly light up in Xiao Ce's eyes, and he ran towards him with a face full of joy.

Ling Yue, who was right behind him, simply stood quietly to the side, glanced at him indifferently, and said nothing.

"Today at the manor, I saw that the two children really liked An'er's sandalwood bow, so I specially asked Lu Ming to buy two of the same ones and send them over."

Xiao Ce concealed the emotions in his eyes, a gentle, faint smile playing on his lips. Lu Ming, standing beside him, immediately stepped forward and handed him the small, prepared sandalwood bow.

"Thank you, Uncle Rui! How did you know I wanted this?"

Ling Yu's eyes suddenly lit up, unable to hide his joy. He quickly reached out and took it, gently stroking the smooth bow, his eyes full of delight.

Ling Yue, standing to the side, also glanced at Ling Yu, his eyes revealing genuine affection, but he did not share Ling Yu's joy and excitement.

He gazed quietly at the exquisite wooden bow, then slowly raised his eyes, his dark and clear phoenix eyes fixed on Xiao Ce. The little boy's brows and eyes were calm, but his eyes were filled with a faint doubt.

"Why didn't you just tell the servants to bring it? You're still injured, why bother making the trip yourself?"

Qin Qi's gaze fell on Xiao Ce, only noticing the lingering weariness between his brows, completely unaware of the unusual emotion in him. Xiao Ce was slightly taken aback by Qin Qi's direct question, and then glanced at Ling Yue's questioning, clear eyes. His fingertips quietly curled, concealing a moment of panic.

"It's nothing, just a minor injury."

Xiao Ce smiled faintly, then changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the sandalwood bows in the hands of the two children.

"The children have just received their new bows and must be eager to try them out. Why don't we teach them together?"

"Now?"

Qin Qi was stunned upon hearing this, his face full of astonishment. Only then did he belatedly realize that a strange feeling had arisen in his heart.

Xiao Ce knew his temperament all too well. He was always patient and only showed some gentleness and indulgence towards An'er. Today, he actually took the initiative to personally teach Yu'er and Yue'er archery, which was really unusual.