Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

On the winter solstice, Princess Rui hosted another family banquet.

When Ling Xi received the housekeeper's notification, her first reaction was that it couldn't be an ordinary family banquet. After all, the last Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet was to vindicate Mu Wanning's son.

However, Ling Xi still dressed up carefully. Since Mu Wanning's poisoning, Princess Rui and she had at least maintained a superficially acceptable mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship. This balance was the best for Ling Xi, and she naturally wouldn't break it.

Halfway through the family banquet, Princess Rui finally found an opportunity to reveal the main purpose of the banquet.

Ling Xi had been eating the banquet earnestly, never expecting that she would also have to bear responsibilities today as Xiao Ce's legal wife.

When Granny Sun brought the things over, Ling Xi immediately guessed what they were.

It seems that Xiao Ce did not like the concubines he selected last time, so Princess Rui has selected a new batch.

Ling Xi sighed softly. According to etiquette, Xiao Ce should participate in choosing a concubine, and as his principal wife, she should also participate. However, Princess Rui completely disregarded her suggestions.

"Ce'er, now that your elder brother is gone, the heavy responsibility of the Prince's Mansion will eventually fall on your shoulders. Continuing the family line is your inescapable duty."

Princess Rui spoke slowly and deliberately. Ling Xi glanced at her and saw her gently dabbing the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

She looked across at the other side and saw that Mu Wanning's eyes were also red, while Xiao Ce and Prince Rui had their brows furrowed.

"Since the Crown Princess is here today, it is your duty, according to etiquette, to carefully select a good concubine for your husband."

Before Ling Xi could react, Princess Rui changed the subject slightly, her gaze falling directly on her.

Ling Xi almost rolled her eyes on the spot. What kind of princess consort was she? She was just a figurehead. She didn't get a single benefit from the Prince's mansion, but she was the first to bear all this rubbish.

"Princess Consort...do you have some other ideas?"

Seeing that she had lowered her eyes and remained silent, Princess Rui's tone immediately became a bit somber.

Ling Xi raised her eyes and glanced at the person opposite her without making a sound.

Xiao Ce happened to look up at her, his eyes filled with an unreadable emotion. Ling Xi knew, of course, that he had no intention of taking a concubine, for the sake of his beloved Mu Wanning.

The mother and son disagree, yet she's being forced into a difficult position. What's the point of this?

"Your daughter-in-law has no other thoughts, but this matter... depends on your husband's opinion."

"Since you have no other thoughts, that's perfect. Today, the Crown Princess will make the initial selection, noting down those she likes, and then Ce'er will make the final decision."

Princess Rui gave her no chance to refuse. Before she could finish speaking, Granny Sun had already stepped forward with the portrait of the beauty and respectfully handed it to her.

Ling Xi's fingertips stiffened slightly, and she dared not look at Xiao Ce opposite her again, but she could still feel that burning gaze was still firmly locked on her.

Ling Xi inwardly groaned, for this had absolutely nothing to do with her! If anyone was to blame, it was her mother, who was solely concerned with the future of the royal family's offspring!

Ling Xi steeled herself and opened the portrait, pretending to carefully examine it, without ever looking up again.

In the end, Ling finally managed to pick out a few good-looking portraits for Xiao Ce from a pile of portraits, although she believed that Xiao Ce would eventually not like any of them.

When Granny Sun presented the portrait she had carefully selected to Xiao Ce, he showed no intention of touching it. As before, he picked up the white jade wine cup.

"This matter... shall be handled by the Crown Princess."

No, they weren't even that close. Why would he ask his own concubine to handle things?

Ling Xi suddenly looked up and saw a half-smile in Xiao Ce's eyes, which made her feel uneasy.

Looking at Mu Wanning again, she was drinking tea with her eyes down, as if Xiao Ce's selection of concubines had nothing to do with her.

Mu Wanning's composure was truly extraordinary, and Ling Xi gave her a thumbs up in her heart.

If her beloved were to take a concubine, she would inevitably make a scene.

Ling Xi could tell that Xiao Ce did not want to take a concubine, and Mu Wanning, as a secondary consort, had no say in the matter.

Wait! A thought suddenly flashed through her mind, making her fox-like eyes light up instantly.

Xiao Ce and Mu Wanning, one has no say and the other is unwilling to disobey his elders, so if she, the nominal wife with a say, helps them out, wouldn't Xiao Ce be extremely grateful to her?

He made up his mind instantly and started thinking of ways to help Xiao Ce and Mu Wanning get this done. That would be much more effective than giving them a few Lingxiao swords.

"Since Ce'er has said so, this matter will be left to you."

Princess Rui looked at her with a serious expression. Ling Xi calmed herself down, took a deep breath, and unconsciously tightened her grip on her dress.

"Mother, I would like to humbly offer my opinion on this matter."

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table turned to look at her. Princess Rui narrowed her eyes, remaining silent, her gaze filled with deep doubt as she awaited her next words.

"It's not that I can't tolerate others, but my husband is currently at a crucial stage in his career, focused on his work, and most of all, he dislikes any disturbances within the household. If more concubines were added to the household, it would inevitably distract him and hinder his future. Consort Mu has only recently given birth to my husband's eldest son, and he has not neglected his responsibility to continue the family line. In my opinion, adding another person at this time would be of no benefit to the household."

She completed the task in one go, neither humble nor arrogant, but her palms were damp with cold sweat.

Given her awkward position, she originally had the least say in this matter, even less than Mu Wanning.

The table fell silent for a moment, and no one spoke. Ling Xi couldn't help but look up.

Mu Wanning frowned slightly, his doubts evident in his eyes.

The doubt in Princess Rui's eyes gradually turned cold, and the curve of her lips tightened, losing all its gentleness. She didn't rush to speak, but instead slammed the teacup down on the table, the crisp sound of it hitting the table particularly jarring in the room.

Ling Xi bit her lower lip and looked at Xiao Ce nervously. His face remained calm, but his jaw was slightly tense, and his expression was unfathomable, showing neither joy nor annoyance.

"What she said makes some sense. Perhaps we should postpone the matter of taking a concubine for now. What do you think, Mother?"

After a long pause, Xiao Ce finally spoke, a faint smile appearing on his lips. Ling Xi suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and began to doubt whether what she was doing was right or wrong.

Ling Xi did not expect that Prince Rui and Princess Rui would not object in the end, and the matter of Xiao Ce taking a concubine was temporarily put on hold.

Even as she left, Ling Xi didn't see Mu Wanning show the slightest smile. In fact, her expression was even more solemn than before Princess Rui proposed that Xiao Ce take a concubine.

Ling Xi couldn't understand it at all. Shouldn't she be happy that Xiao Ce wasn't taking any concubines?

"Why did the princess try to stop the prince from taking a concubine today?"

It wasn't until they entered Yuehua Courtyard that Granny Qi finally spoke with a stern face.