Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

The warm autumn sun shone brightly on the courtyard of Prince Rui's mansion, and the two people in the master bedroom of Chuixing Courtyard were still sleeping soundly.

Ling Xi and Xiao Ce had a heart-to-heart talk until midnight, clearing up all the misunderstandings that had accumulated over the years, and finally fell asleep in each other's arms in the middle of the night.

But children are full of energy, and they can't stay up that late. When Xiao Chen'an, Ling Yu, and Ling Yue arrived at Chuixing Courtyard, they were ruthlessly stopped at the door by Lu Ming.

"Uncle Lu Ming, at this time on ordinary days, Father would have already gotten up long ago. Why can't we come in today?"

Xiao Chen'an frowned first, tilting his head up to question Lu Ming.

Lu Ming was inwardly groaning, but on the surface he could only force a smile.

"Your Highness, His Highness has indeed not yet risen today. Please ask the young master and the two young gentlemen to come back later."

Lu Ming is so perceptive! Yesterday, he knew that the princess was guarding the prince's room, and he was overjoyed for the prince. If a few little brats were let in now, he would be dead.

"And what about my uncle? My uncle gets up to practice martial arts every day before dawn, rain or shine."

Ling Yue, who was always perceptive, became suspicious, and her face turned noticeably colder.

"That's right! When we arrived yesterday, my uncle was already practicing his sword in the courtyard!"

Ling Yu, who was standing to the side, immediately nodded in agreement, still tightly gripping a small wooden sword in his hand.

Yesterday, when Qin Qi took Qin Xing away, the three of them were practicing archery with great enthusiasm. Little did they know that Qin Qi was taking Qin Xing back to the Qin residence.

Looking at the three clever and insightful young masters in front of him, Lu Ming felt a chill run down his spine and wanted to cry but had no tears.

"My three young masters, I dare not lie to you. His Highness has truly not yet risen. Please, Your Highness and the two young masters, move aside for now and come back later."

Xiao Chen'an glanced at the tightly closed gate, no longer believing Lu Ming's words. Ling Yue and Ling Yu had only stayed at the Prince's residence for two days and might not know the details, but he knew all too well that his father suffered from insomnia every night and had been getting up early every day for years. He had never seen his father still in bed at this hour.

"Uncle Lu Ming, tell me the truth, has my father's injury worsened again?"

His childishness had faded from his little face, replaced by deep worry. Upon hearing this, Ling Yue's brows furrowed instantly, and a sense of panic welled up inside him.

"What's going on?"

Everyone turned their heads at the sound, and saw the door being slowly pulled open from the inside. Xiao Ce was standing by the door, still carrying the lingering languor of morning.

"Father! You got up quite late today, and Uncle Lu Ming wouldn't let us in. An'er thought your injuries had worsened."

Xiao Ce slowly stepped out of the room, his gaze first falling on Xiao Chen'an in front of him, then looking at Ling Yue a few steps behind him, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

"I'm fine. You three go have breakfast first, I'll be there shortly."

"Uncle Rui, where is my uncle?"

Ling Yu tilted his head and kept looking into the doorway.

"Your uncle returned to the Qin residence yesterday."

"My uncle is really inconsiderate. My brother and I are still here, and he's already left all by himself."

Ling Yu pouted and complained, clearly unhappy.

"Let's go, let's not disturb Uncle Rui any longer."

Ling Yue verbally agreed and turned around, but his brows remained tightly furrowed, as if something was amiss.

"Lu Ming".

After the three children had walked through the corridor for a moment, Xiao Ce turned to look at Lu Ming, who was standing beside him with his head bowed.

Lu Ming's heart was pounding with anxiety. He was already prepared to be scolded, and he bowed respectfully, saying:

"What are your orders, Your Highness?"

"In the future, if we encounter a situation like this again, we should get rid of them as soon as possible."

Lu Ming was stunned on the spot, looking bewildered, and secretly exclaimed in his heart: The prince clearly only wants women and not children!

"Did you understand?"

"Yes! I will keep it in mind!"

Watching the prince turn and head straight back to his bedchamber, Lu Ming suddenly felt a pang of worry. The prince had vomited blood just yesterday; his body might not be able to withstand it…

Xiao Ce returned to his bedroom and saw Ling Xi lying quietly on the bed with the curtains half-drawn. His heart, which had been quiet for a long time, inexplicably quickened, and he walked to the bedside in a few steps.

Ling Xi's long hair was loosely spread on his pillow, her brows and eyes serene. He stood by the bed, his gaze fixed on her, a bittersweet feeling that had been suppressed for five years welling up in his heart.

The scene he had longed for for five years was finally no longer a dream. In the past, he had spent countless sleepless nights tormented by endless longing and regret, thinking that he would never have the chance to wake up and see her sleeping peacefully beside him.

His fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly as he gently stroked her soft temples and delicate, warm cheeks, the love he had suppressed for five years finally becoming uncontrollable.

He leaned down, supporting himself on his hands beside her, gently encircling her in his arms. Looking down at the person sleeping peacefully beneath him, his gaze darkened. After a long pause, he finally let go of all restraint, slowly lowered his head, and kissed her tenderly and with restrained affection.

The sudden warmth on her lips jolted Ling Xi awake. She opened her sleepy eyes, still groggy. Seeing the person on top of her, she instinctively raised her hand and gently pressed it against his chest.

Sensing her subtle resistance, Xiao Ce abruptly stopped. He didn't continue, but simply lowered his eyes and quietly looked down at her, a crimson hue spreading across his eyes, a hint of desire spreading across his deep gaze, his breath slightly hot as it fell on her cheek, filled with suppressed emotions.

Ling Xi gazed quietly at the person so close to her, her eyes still heavy with sleepiness, her mind still foggy, unsure of what to say.

Xiao Ce's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his eyes filled with even more desire, and he slowly lowered his head again. This time, Ling Xi fully snapped out of her daze and hurriedly raised her hand to press against his lips.

"What are you doing!?"

"Xi'er...I want you."

A deep voice flowed through her fingers, and warm breath fell on her slender fingertips, creating an extremely ambiguous atmosphere.

"No!"

Ling Xi raised her hand to push his chest, but considering his injury, she didn't dare to use too much force.

"Why not?"

Xiao Ce looked into her evasive eyes, a hint of urgency creeping into his expression.

"Xiao Ce, are you out of your mind? You just coughed up blood yesterday, and today you want to..."

"Xi'er, I've been thinking about this for five whole years, not just today."

He remained motionless, the urgency in his eyes fading, leaving only a heavy weight of affection and sorrow.

Ling Xi's hand, pressed against his chest, trembled slightly, but her reason remained clear.

"That won't work either."

Xiao Ce leaned back slightly, supporting himself on the bed, his fingertips gently caressing her waist. The intense passion from before had faded, replaced by a touch of roguish tenderness.

"Then I'll owe you for now."

Ling Xi's cheeks suddenly flushed, and she felt uncomfortable all over. She quickly pushed him away and sat up, but the next moment her waist tightened suddenly, and he pulled her back to him.

"Xiao Ce, I owe you nothing, and besides, we have no official relationship now..."

"Then I will set off immediately to Jicheng to propose marriage again."