Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"One thousand one hundred taels."

She wouldn't add more; the Huan Prince's money didn't come from thin air. Ling Xi looked at the table in front of her; Qin Qi was watching her thoughtfully, a smile in his eyes.

Startled, she immediately looked away, her hand unconsciously touching her veil, fearing that the other person had recognized her.

"Since this young lady is so determined to have the Lingxiao Sword, I will not take what she desires."

Just as Ling Xi was mentally preparing for a long battle with him, he unexpectedly stopped bidding.

At this moment, Ling Xi felt even more strongly that he was deliberately raising the price. Sure enough, birds of a feather flock together, and Xiao Ce's friends couldn't possibly be any better.

The auctioneer raised his gavel, looked around, and finally brought it down.

"One thousand one hundred taels! Sold!"

She slowly rose, the dark gold thread flowing with the hem of her skirt, and walked gracefully to the front of the stage, ready to receive the precious sword she had just won.

……

The following day, Ling Xi's birthday gift to her brother in Chu appeared on Xiao Ce's desk.

Xiao Ce looked at the precious sword lying quietly in the long brocade box, his brows furrowed. He didn't reach for the sword, but instead picked up the letter beside him.

He quickly opened the letter and glanced at it casually.

It turns out that the sword was a birthday gift for her brother.

"Your Highness, how is it? Is there any problem with the sword that the Crown Princess sent back to Chu?"

Lu Ming checked the brocade box inside and out several times, but found no hidden compartments and nothing unusual.

Xiao Ce slowly shook his head, gradually loosening his grip.

"It's a birthday gift for her brother."

"A birthday gift?"

Lu Ming's shock was obvious; he felt that their Crown Princess was really generous.

"I heard that the Crown Princess spent a fortune at the Treasure Pavilion last night, bidding on the Lingxiao Sword, which hasn't been seen in decades. Could it be this very sword?"

Lu Ming couldn't help but glance at the sword a few more times; after all, it was a famous sword, worth a fortune.

"How much did she spend?"

"One thousand one hundred taels... of gold."

One thousand one hundred taels of gold?

Xiao Ce shifted his gaze back to the sword, lowered his eyes in silence, and concealed the strange glint in his eyes with his long eyelashes.

To celebrate her brother's birthday, she first pawned her dowry, and when she had raised a thousand taels, she still felt it wasn't enough, so she even took out her own money to make up the shortfall.

She, a princess of Chu, was indeed extravagant, so generous to her own brother. Xiao Ce's gaze toward the brocade box held a deeper meaning that he himself did not realize.

"Send it out."

"Yes."

Looking at his young master's usual cold expression, Lu Ming felt for some reason that he suddenly seemed even more gloomy.

Three days later is Xiao Ce's birthday.

He never liked crowds, and the Prince's Mansion would never hold a birthday banquet for him, but everyone would prepare birthday gifts for him every year, especially Xiao Mo, who would always prepare them carefully for him.

Ling Xi went for a walk in the garden after waking up from her afternoon nap. She overheard the maids sweeping and cleaning talking and learned that it was Xiao Ce's birthday.

She hurriedly returned to Yuehua Courtyard, told Peilan Wushuang to take the prepared gifts, and headed to Chuixing Courtyard.

She had had this treasure for several days, but she had been hesitant and pondering it repeatedly, feeling that giving it away so readily was somewhat deliberate.

Now that we have such a golden opportunity, we must seize it!

When they arrived at the main gate of Chuixing Academy, Ling Xi hesitated again. It seemed that their relationship was not one where they could exchange gifts.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally took a step inside. Before she could even cross the threshold, she was stopped by the servants guarding the courtyard.

"Princess Consort, the Prince is not at home today. He has gone to a restaurant to meet with friends."

She stood there, hesitated for a moment, and made up her mind to wait for him to return. If she missed him today, it would be difficult to find such a suitable excuse to give him a gift in the future.

The gift had to be handed to him in person to make a lasting impression; she had gone to great lengths to find this one.

The servants all knew that the prince and princess had always been at odds, but she was, after all, a proper mistress, and her status was undeniable. No one dared to be negligent, so they could only respectfully welcome her into the courtyard.

Ling Xi felt a little awkward coming to Xiao Ce's courtyard for the first time. It wasn't as extravagant and ostentatious as she had imagined; instead, it exuded a serene and simple atmosphere.

The spacious courtyard is paved with bluestone slabs, with two ancient pine trees planted on both sides. Their branches are strong and their shadows are sparse and crooked. When the wind blows, fine pine needles fall, and even the air is filled with a cool and refreshing fragrance.

Unlike ordinary mansions that are filled with brightly colored flowers, the courtyard is planted with only a few clumps of bamboo along the wall, their green leaves slender and untouched by any vulgarity. Occasionally, a few orchids are hidden among the stones, simple and elegant.

The main hall was spacious, with a few simple palace lanterns hanging under the eaves. They were unadorned, made of raw wood, exuding a sense of calm and restraint. It was very quiet all around, and even the servants in the courtyard moved around very quietly.

Standing under the pine trees, Ling Xi looked at the serene and spacious surroundings and felt a sudden tightness in her heart. Xiao Ce, who seemed distant and unapproachable, lived in such a quiet and secluded place.

Stepping into the main hall, a maidservant bowed and served hot tea.

She glanced briefly at the doorway and noticed that apart from the two seemingly honest and dutiful maids in front of her, the rest of the servants were all men.

This arrangement made things easier for Mu Wanning.

"Young Master, what time do you usually return?"

She was naturally very impatient, and after only taking a sip of hot tea, she couldn't sit still any longer.

"Your Highness, the Prince usually returns home after his shift ends. However, if he is meeting with friends, there is no set time."

No exact time? Ling Xi felt a lump in her throat and sighed helplessly.

My gaze shifted and I suddenly noticed several exquisite brocade boxes neatly arranged on the long table opposite me. The satin embroidery was exquisite, and it was clear at a glance that they were not ordinary items.

"What is that?"

A thought struck her, and out of curiosity, she got up and went over.

"Your Highness, these are birthday gifts that the Prince, the Princess, and Consort Mu sent to the Prince this morning."

Ling Xi approached, reaching out to open it and take a look, but then suppressed her curiosity and withdrew her hand.

The maids behind him breathed a sigh of relief. After all, no one dared to touch the prince's things, and if the princess wanted to see them, they couldn't stop her.

"You may leave now."

"Yes."

The two maids bowed their heads and left. Perrin couldn't help but look around curiously, while Wushuang stood straight to the side, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

"Princess, the Crown Prince Xiao's Chuixing Courtyard bears some resemblance to our Crown Prince Heng's courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Wushuang also glanced around and slightly agreed.

"The courtyards are similar, but their personalities are quite different."

Ling Xi thought to herself, "My brother is much gentler than Xiao Ce."

When Xiao Ce returned, as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, a servant came up to inform him that the Crown Princess had been waiting in the hall for a long time.

Xiao Ce frowned instantly. What was she doing here? As soon as he stepped into the main hall, before he could even lighten his pace, his gaze stopped.

Inside the hall, she rested her head on one hand and casually placed the other hand on the edge of the table, and fell asleep.