Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

Ling Xi was speechless. She glanced at the closed study door, then at Lu Ming, who was looking down and motionless. She wondered if he felt guilty because he didn't look up at her again.

Well, who can enter and who can't is not something a guard like him can decide.

She didn't want to go into Xiao Ce's study yet! Ling Xi suppressed her discomfort and headed towards the bedroom.

The snow in the courtyard was still there, but she had lost all interest in it. She had just reached the bedroom when she suddenly stopped at the door.

When Mu Wanning saw her at Chuixing Courtyard, he seemed not at all surprised. In fact, he didn't seem to care much at all.

Or perhaps... she already knew, and came to find Xiao Ce today to cause a scene?

If things escalate, I wonder if Xiao Ce will soften his heart and send her back to Yuehua Courtyard.

"Princess! Princess!"

Ling Xi turned around and saw Pei Lan running excitedly from outside the courtyard gate. She didn't even know when the girl had left the courtyard.

"Princess, Princess...Young Master, the Young Master has arrived."

Xiao Ce? Isn't Xiao Ce in the study? With Mu Wanning.

Ling Xi frowned and looked towards the study, then pouted.

"Isn't the Crown Prince... in the study?"

"Oh dear! It's not Prince Xiao, it's our Prince!"

Perrin was both excited and anxious, and Ling Xi immediately understood.

"You mean my brother? My brother's in Nanjing?"

Ling Xi was overjoyed, and her excitement was just as overwhelming as Pei Lan's.

"Yes! It's Prince Heng!"

Wushuang, who was standing to the side, was closing her umbrella when she suddenly paused. The umbrella ribs lightly tapped against a pillar, making a very soft sound. She looked up at the courtyard outside, a fleeting, almost imperceptible glint in her eyes, and a faint upward curve appeared at the corners of her lips.

Your Highness, we have arrived in Jinling.

"Just now, Granny Qi sent someone to say that the Chu delegation arrived in Jinling last night and is staying at the Wanfang Pavilion arranged by the court."

Since the beginning, Perrin's lips hadn't fallen into a smile, as if everything had suddenly become clear with the arrival of Prince Heng.

"Let's go! Wushuang Peilan! We're going to Wanfang Pavilion."

The three servants, master and servants, took two umbrellas and went out.

Inside the study of Chuixing Academy, the air was thick with the scent of incense, creating a somber atmosphere.

Xiao Ce and Mu Wanning both looked even uglier than the other.

Mu Wanning leaned against the chair back, her fingertips trembling slightly, her usually proud eyes now veiled with a faint glimmer of tears.

"A-Ce, you don't need to hide it from me anymore."

She paused, her voice suddenly trembling.

"You made Dr. Lu Baixu and Physician Du keep it from me, but I know my own body better than anyone else."

Xiao Ce's eyes darted around for a moment, but then a resolute expression quickly masked the hint of panic in them.

"I will search all the famous doctors in Daliang, and I will definitely cure you."

His voice was deep and heavy, like a boulder pressing down, yet it carried an undeniable power.

The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier, constantly pattering against the windowpane and making a soft, pattering sound.

"A-Ce, I'm not afraid of anything, I'm only afraid that if I leave, what will happen to An'er? He's still so young..."

Mu Wanning choked up, unable to continue speaking, her eyes already red and swollen.

"An'er is the future heir of the Prince Rui's mansion. He will grow up surrounded by everyone's love. You don't need to worry about him. Just take good care of yourself. I will find a way to cure you."

Xiao Ce's eyes were dark and unwavering, burning with an almost stubborn light.

Mu Wanning shook his head and smiled, a slight twitch at the corner of his lips.

"A-Ce, you don't need to find another good doctor for me. Lu Baixu's medical skills are unmatched in the entire Daliang. Besides, you know I'm not afraid of death."

She was much calmer now, gazing wistfully at the falling snow outside the window, her eyes somewhat vacant.

"Ah Ce...you let that Chu Kingdom princess move into the Chuixing Courtyard?"

A moment later, Mu Wanning spoke again, his voice so light it seemed to float, carrying a hint of coolness.

Xiao Ce followed her gaze to the window, but did not respond. Instead, his right hand, which was resting on the table, unconsciously clenched.

"A-Ce... has he fallen in love with her?"

This time, Mu Wanning turned her head and stared straight into his eyes, as if trying to find an answer in them.

Xiao Ce's eyes flickered slightly, and he loosened his grip.

"You're overthinking it. I let her move into Chuixing Courtyard only to stop my mother from taking any more concubines for me."

Mu Wanning hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke.

"A-Ce, I just hope you don't forget that she is from the State of Chu."

Xiao Ce frowned slightly, a hint of coldness flashing across his eyes, as he inadvertently glanced at the increasingly dense snow outside the window.

"I know."

……

Xiao Ce saw Mu Wanning off at Chuixing Courtyard. He stood at the gate for a long time, watching her receding figure. A sense of helplessness quietly crept up his throat, making his throat tighten.

When he turned around, he found the courtyard to be unusually quiet, as if something was missing.

He glanced at the spot where Ling Xi had stood; the footprints on the ground had long been covered by the fresh snow, leaving no trace. The heavy snow continued to fall, but it seemed somewhat lifeless.

Just then, a snowflake landed on the tip of his nose, its coolness spreading. Suddenly, her words echoed in his mind: "You have to get soaked in the first snow to bring good luck."

He stood silently in the snow and glanced at the tightly closed bedroom door.

"Where is the Crown Princess?"

"The Crown Princess just left with her two maids."

Go out? He frowned. In this freezing cold and heavy snow, she hadn't fully recovered yet. Why was she going out instead of resting in the house?

Seeing his cold expression, Lu Ming hesitated for a moment before giving the truthful reply.

"Just now... the Crown Princess wanted to enter the study, but I stopped her at the door. Later, when she saw Consort Mu enter the study, the Crown Princess seemed a little displeased. Not long after, she hurriedly left with her maid."

Did she say where she was going?

Xiao Ce stepped onto the stairs, gently brushed the snow off his shoulder, and spoke in a slightly cold and deep voice.

"Never said that."

"Never?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will send someone to Yuehua Courtyard to check immediately."

"No need."

Having served Xiao Ce for many years, Lu Ming immediately realized that if the young master didn't care, he wouldn't ask any more questions.

Xiao Ce went straight back to his study, leaving Lu Ming behind, slightly troubled.

Given the Crown Prince's attitude towards his wife, will she be allowed into the study in the future? The Crown Prince's face was grim; he dared not ask.

……

"Gentlemen, if it is really inconvenient for me to go in, could you please inform him that I wish to see General Ling Heng of the Chu delegation?"

Outside the Wanfang Pavilion, Ling Xi pleaded with the guards for half a quarter of an hour, but the guards, strictly adhering to the rules, still wouldn't let her in.

"Princess Consort, please don't make things difficult for us. Unless the Ministry of Rites arranges a formal audience, privately meeting with foreign envoys is considered treason."

One of the guards looked troubled, clearly struggling to resist Ling Xi's persistent pleading.