Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"You probably don't know that although Yizhi has always been aloof, he used to live a carefree life just like me. Back then, he was just the second young master of the Prince Rui's mansion. He relied on and respected his elder brother since childhood, but he didn't have to be as steady and composed as his elder brother. He could be young and reckless and take the wrong path."

But after his elder brother Xiao Mo left, he changed overnight, and the heavy burden of the Prince Rui's mansion had to fall on his shoulders. And as a member of the imperial family, he even… even had to arrange a marriage alliance with the Chu Kingdom. He initially neglected you and rejected you; I know you were heartbroken, but I also know how much bitterness he harbored. Later, he fell hopelessly in love with you, and this love will likely cause him even more torment than before for a long time to come.

Perhaps Yizhi did some things wrong, but he has suffered immense pain and torment because of them. So I want to ask you... please give Yizhi another chance.

Ling Xi hesitated for a moment, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she pursed her lips, ultimately remaining silent.

Even though he never says it, he has never let go of you in his heart. Today, when he heard that you were in Night City, he was seriously injured, but he still chased after you without hesitation...

"Stop talking!"

Ling Xi's hand, which was holding the door, trembled slightly, and her heart trembled as well. If he continued, she would really waver.

"He was seriously injured...it has nothing to do with me."

If he truly couldn't let go, why would he wait until now to think of finding her? Ling Xi bit her lower lip, trying her best to suppress the turmoil in her heart.

"Ling Xi..."

"If you have nothing else, I'm going to rest."

Qin Qi's jaw suddenly tightened, the light in his eyes gradually faded, and he finally slowly released his grip.

"Feel sorry."

He sighed softly, turned around, and slowly walked away.

Ling Xi closed the door with a blank expression, but her body seemed to be nailed to the spot. The moment she turned around, she slowly slid down the door panel and sat down. The pretense she had just been putting on shattered, and hot tears instantly filled her eyes and silently slid down her cheeks.

The next morning, the entire Qin family gathered in the dining hall. Madam Qin was all smiles, her eyes brimming with joy; the Qin residence hadn't been this lively in a long time.

Ling Xi only drank a few sips of porridge before losing her appetite. Ling Yue, who was beside her, had already noticed her reddened eyes. Seeing her put down her chopsticks, he silently placed a crystal meat dumpling on her plate. Ling Xi turned her head, a gentle smile spreading across her eyes, and gently placed her hand on the top of his head.

"Yue'er, you can eat by yourself. Your aunt doesn't have much of an appetite."

"Auntie, why are your eyes swollen?"

The sharp-eyed Ling Yu could always spot these subtle details immediately. Qin Xing, sitting next to him, immediately took out the silver spoon from his mouth and stared at Ling Xi with wide eyes.

"Did Aunt Lingxi cry last night? Xingxing's eyes always get red and swollen like this when she cries at night."

As soon as the two children spoke, all eyes in the room suddenly turned to Ling Xi.

"Perhaps it's because I haven't rested well these past two days while traveling."

Ling Xi calmly composed herself and explained in a low voice.

Ling Heng frowned slightly, instantly guessing the reason. He immediately turned to look at Qin Qi. Qin Qi suddenly met his gaze, his heart tightened, and he quickly buried his head to drink his porridge.

"Since you've come all the way to Jinling, please stay a while longer."

Madam Qin looked them over and quickly changed the subject.

"I've had the west wing prepared and everything is ready. Would it be alright for you and Yue'er to continue living there?"

With her son and daughter-in-law, daughter and son-in-law, and grandchildren all gathered around her, the house was bustling with activity, and Madam Qin could not hide the joy on her face.

Initially, she was not satisfied with Ling Heng as her son-in-law, after all, he had secretly tricked her precious daughter, whom she had finally found, into going to the State of Chu. It wasn't until he accompanied Wushuang back to Jinling twice, and Madam Qin saw how meticulously he cared for Wushuang, that she gradually became satisfied with this son-in-law.

Wushuang immediately saw Ling Heng's worry for Ling Xi and instantly understood his hesitation.

"Mother, Ling Heng has many military duties to attend to, so it may not be convenient for him to stay for long..."

"It's alright. The affairs in the military have been taken care of. So, as Mother wishes, I will stay here for a few more days."

Wu Shuang immediately turned her head, her eyes filled with surprise. Ling Heng quietly reached out and gently covered her hand under the table, a gentle smile curving his lips.

……

In the evening, inside the main room of the west courtyard, Wushuang was slowly tidying up her newly moved-in dressing items, but her thoughts had already drifted far away.

She was lost in thought when Ling Heng approached from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. It wasn't until the crisp scent of pine filled her nostrils that Wushuang snapped back to reality.

"What are you thinking about?"

His voice was deep and gentle, and he pressed his cheek against hers.

"I'm wondering why you agreed to stay with my mother."

"Back then, I forcibly brought you back to the State of Chu, and my parents still harbor some resentment towards me."

Wushuang let him lean on her, her neck gradually becoming infused with his unique scent.

"You don't have to keep it to yourself. I come back to Jinling every year, and I've been staying here for more than two months now."

"But Yu'er and Yue'er have only just arrived, so the two elders should enjoy a few more days of family bliss."

"But Xi'er..."

Wushuang naturally knew that Jinling was a place of sorrow for Ling Xi. Over the years in the Huan Prince's mansion, everyone tacitly understood and never mentioned people or things related to Jinling in front of her, for fear that she would be reminded of painful memories.

"Xi'er is no longer an innocent child. Continuing to run away will not be good for her."

Ling Heng's eyes were deep and dark as he gently stroked her waist with his palm.

"Perhaps she has never truly let go in these past five years."

Upon hearing this, Wushuang slightly broke free from his embrace, turned around to look at him, and her eyes held a hint of inquiry.

"you mean……"

"If you can't let go, then let her do as she pleases."

"As you please?"

"Alright, none of us can make a decision for Xi'er's sake."

"But......"

"Peerless..."

Ling Heng's tone suddenly turned serious, and his expression became more solemn. Wu Shuang was slightly taken aback and immediately stopped talking.

"What's wrong?"

She looked up at him intently, assuming he had something important to say.

"We haven't seen each other for more than two months."

Wu Shuang looked at him blankly, her eyelashes trembling slightly. The moment their eyes met, Ling Heng said nothing more. The next instant, a warm kiss suddenly covered her.

Overwhelmed by longing after two months apart, Ling Heng suddenly tightened his grip, pulling her firmly into his arms and drawing her close.

The long, lingering kiss carried a long-suppressed longing, tender yet possessive.

Wushuang's heart trembled slightly. She quickly sensed his urgency and completely abandoned all restraint. She reached out and softly wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her head slightly to gently respond to his affection.