Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

It's him?

What is he doing here in the middle of the night? Ling Xi instantly recalled her dream and a wave of unease washed over her.

She took a deep breath, calmed herself, and walked quickly toward the courtyard gate.

The door hinges turned slightly, creaking open the silence of the courtyard, and she looked up to meet his deep gaze.

He still had the same cold and aloof demeanor as during the day, but a faint bluish tinge had quietly appeared on his chin.

He was still wearing the same plain robe he had worn during the day. It seemed that he had been staying in Mu Wanning's courtyard all day, without returning to his room, without changing his clothes, and perhaps without even a moment's rest.

Even with his calm and composed demeanor, he couldn't hide the weariness in his eyes.

"Your Highness...is there something urgent?"

Ling Xi unconsciously raised her hand and touched her bare neck again. The moment she saw Xiao Ce, it started to itch there.

Xiao Ce followed her movements downwards and saw the scars his mother had left on her neck earlier that day, still conspicuous in the moonlight. Her eyes were clear and sparkling with tears.

Xiao Ce frowned slightly, and after a moment he slowly spoke.

"Do you have any dragon bones here... that you brought from the State of Chu?"

"keel?"

Ling Xi was stunned for a moment. Thank goodness! Thank goodness! Xiao Ce wasn't here to cause her trouble.

For the first time ever, he spoke to her so calmly, without anger or questioning, which made Ling Xi feel quite uncomfortable.

"Yes or no?"

Seeing her standing there in a daze, not intending to respond, Xiao Ce's already lingering coldness instantly turned into an even more obvious impatience.

He frowned, about to speak again, when Ling Xi, as if waking from a dream, hurriedly replied:

"Yes...yes. Wait a moment."

After Ling Xi finished speaking, she turned around and ran quickly into the house, her clothes fluttering and carrying a faint fragrance.

Only after that slender figure disappeared inside the door did Xiao Ce slowly withdraw his gaze, a strange feeling suddenly passing through his heart.

From the moment he knocked on the door to the moment she answered and opened it, only a few breaths had passed. This amount of time was not enough for her to wake up from her bed, put on her clothes, get up, and walk to the courtyard gate.

She was clearly in the courtyard the whole time. What was she doing in the courtyard on such a night with heavy dew?

Xiao Ce stepped into this secluded courtyard. The moonlight was bright tonight, illuminating every plant and tree in the courtyard.

His gaze slowly swept across the empty courtyard. This was the first time he had set foot in Yuehua Courtyard. He hadn't even come here on his wedding day.

This place is located in the most secluded and remote corner of the Prince's Mansion. Normally, he would never even pass by it.

This place was originally an abandoned courtyard in the royal palace. After the marriage between the two countries was confirmed, the mother ordered Steward Zhou to tidy it up hastily and then settled her here.

The courtyard had neither rare plants nor exquisite furnishings; there were very few decent green plants, and it was blatantly desolate.

The owner, who had lived here for several months, never once considered taking care of it.

Ling Xi rummaged through the room. She remembered that her father had ordered the royal physician to prepare countless rare medicinal herbs for her, including the "dragon bone" that Xiao Ce had mentioned.

Dragon bone is a medicinal material unique to the Chu Kingdom, and it is only available in the Chu royal palace. It is impossible for ordinary people to find even a single piece, making it extremely precious.

The room was dimly lit, and it took her a long time to finally find it in a brocade box at the bottom of the cabinet.

Ling Xi opened the brocade box under the lamp and examined it carefully. Inside lay several pieces of pure white dragon bone, which looked to be of excellent quality.

Did Xiao Ce want the dragon bone to save Mu Wanning?

It seems so. But isn't the Frostless Poison incurable? Have they found a way to cure it?

With a "snap," Ling Xi slammed the brocade box shut and hurriedly ran out of the courtyard. She had thought Mu Wanning only had two days to live, so it was naturally a good thing that he could be saved. It would be truly pitiful if the child were born without a mother.

Xiao Ce had just sat down on the stone bench when he saw Ling Xi rushing out of the main gate, carrying a brocade box in her hands. She stumbled half a step as her skirt swept across the threshold.

It wasn't until she ran closer that Xiao Ce noticed the tension in her eyes.

"Have you found a way to save Mu Wanning?"

Ling Xi was breathing heavily, her long hair was slightly disheveled, and stray hairs clung to her cheeks. Her fox-like eyes were wide open.

Looking at her like this, Xiao Ce felt a sudden tremor in his heart. The lingering doubts he had about her vanished in an instant.

Her eyes were clear and pure, untouched by any worldly impurities, so clear that they were breathtaking. As others had said, "One glance is enough to captivate the soul."

"The Crown Prince?"

Seeing that Xiao Ce hadn't moved and was just sitting still in his seat, Ling Xi tilted her head, puzzled.

"Hmm. We've found an antidote, but we need dragon bone as medicine."

Xiao Ce extended his well-defined right hand and steadily took the brocade box, but his gaze remained fixed on her still slightly red eyes.

"This dragon bone is not given to the young master for nothing."

Xiao Ce stopped what he was doing and waited for her to continue.

"I have come to the Prince Rui's residence for a marriage alliance. I have no other purpose and will not affect any of you in the slightest. From now on, please do not make things difficult for me. Let's keep to ourselves."

"Um."

He gave a curt reply, his eyes deep and unreadable, then stood up nimbly and turned to leave.

"etc!"

Ling Xi suddenly called out to stop them. She spoke softly, but her tone was unusually clear and firm.

"I didn't poison Consort Mu. I need to make this clear."

Xiao Ce suddenly stopped in his tracks. The moment he turned around, his eyes met hers, which were fixed on him. There was no evasion in her eyes; they were clear as glass and held a hint of stubbornness.

Xiao Ce's gaze shifted downwards, and he saw the still reddened wounds on her neck, causing a slight stirring in his heart.

"Okay, I understand."

After saying this, he left Yuehua Courtyard without looking back, leaving Ling Xi with only his hurried departing figure.

He knows? What does that mean? The key question is, does he believe it or not?

Ling Xi grew increasingly angry. He was always cold and sarcastic, and even choked her in her dreams. Now he was acting like he owed her something?

If he hadn't needed her help today, he probably wouldn't have even come to her Moonflower Courtyard.

Ling Xi looked around at the simple courtyard, which couldn't even compare to the most secluded path in the central garden of the Prince's mansion. It seemed she would have to renovate it another day, after all, she wasn't short of money.

Not long after returning to her room, Ling Xi fell asleep quickly and slept until the sun was high in the sky before waking up.

She felt that perhaps it was knowing that Mu Wanning could be saved, or perhaps it was Xiao Ce's words "I know" when he left last night that finally put her mind at ease.

"Princess! Princess!"

Ling Xi was stretching when Pei Lan burst in, her nose still damp with sweat, and carrying a small porcelain bottle.

"What's wrong? What are you holding?"

After saying that, Ling Xi slowly got up, picked up the clothes she had prepared the night before, and began to dress herself.

"Oh, this was delivered early this morning by a servant from Chuixing Courtyard. He said it was a gift from the young master."

Xiao Ce? Ling Xi took the porcelain bottle, opened it, and smelled it. It was a medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Ling Xi touched her neck. It seemed he had taken her dragon bone and felt indebted to her.

"By the way, Princess! Consort Mu's poison has been cured!"