Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

When Ling Xi stepped into Linfeng Courtyard the next day, she was stunned by Wushuang's brocade dress and embroidered skirt. Most importantly, Wushuang was sitting next to her brother and their behavior was quite intimate.

Perrin was equally shocked.

Wushuang wore a lotus-colored brocade dress with gold trim, and a red-gold hairpin with kingfisher feathers was tucked into her hair. Her makeup was exquisite but not gaudy, with delicately drawn eyebrows and red lips, making her look every bit the noble lady of Jicheng.

The reason given by her elder brother was that Wushuang had already followed him when they were in Jicheng, but Ling Xi didn't believe a word of it.

If Wushuang had really followed her brother, her mother would not have been completely unaware, and even suspected that he might have homosexual tendencies.

Moreover, Wushuang is usually aloof and rarely looks at any man; she only loves fighting and killing.

Because of the presence of Liang officials, Ling Xi could not ask, but she knew that her brother must have his reasons for doing so.

However, although she had always known that Wushuang was a beauty, she really did not expect that she would be so bright and beautiful after dressing up carefully.

If one hadn't already known Wushuang, who would have guessed that the gentle woman quietly pouring tea beside her brother was actually a ruthless female bodyguard?

While Ling Xi was still in shock, more people arrived at Linfeng Courtyard, making quite a commotion.

The official in charge of the Ministry of Rites of Liang, with a beaming smile, led two beauties into the Linfeng Courtyard in a whirlwind.

"Young Master Ling! I have specially brought two beauties today to serve you. They have also been sent to the envoys of various countries. Please be sure to accept them, Young Master Ling."

He had barely entered the room when he bowed politely and smiled, his tone conveying no intention of refusing him.

Ling Xi then realized that her brother had probably made Wushuang pretend to be a concubine to avoid these troubles.

She glanced at the two beauties; their eyes were delicate and their figures graceful, far from ordinary. But then she looked at Wushuang sitting beside her brother, her eyes calm and her demeanor refined. The two beauties instantly paled in comparison, falling far short.

As she was pondering, her brother suddenly stretched out his long arm, put his arm around Wushuang's shoulder, and gently pulled her into his embrace.

"In my chambers, there are already beauties serving me."

His voice was languid, and his fingertips gently brushed against Wushuang's profile, carrying an imperceptible tenderness. The affection flowing in his eyes was neither unfamiliar nor fake.

"Since Lord Lin is so hospitable, I, the young master, will naturally not refuse, however..."

Ling Heng paused, then tightened his grip on Wu Shuang's shoulder slightly.

"Ordinary looks are not worthy of this young master's attention."

The meaning was so obvious that Ling Xi understood it instantly. This Lord Lin and the two officials accompanying him couldn't possibly not understand that her brother didn't like the beauty sent by Liang Guo.

Lord Lin stared intently at the person in Ling Heng's arms, caught in a dilemma. Such beauty was already rare, but more importantly, her aloof and unworldly temperament was something that would be hard to find even if one searched the entire city of Jinling.

"Lord Lin is busy with official duties, so I will not keep you any longer. I also need to have dinner with my younger sister."

Ling Heng spoke again in a low voice, his intention to dismiss him not too obvious.

"Then this humble official... shall take his leave now."

Ling Xi watched as Lord Lin of the Ministry of Rites of Liang left dejectedly, and couldn't help but look at her elder brother.

She had always known that her brother was arrogant and self-willed, but she never expected that, as an envoy to the Liang Kingdom, he would act as he did in the Chu Kingdom.

Ling Xi suddenly felt much more at ease, as if she could always be at ease as long as her brother was by her side.

At night, Wushuang tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. Perhaps she had exhausted herself before going to bed last night, so she slept relatively soundly.

Perhaps it was because she was not used to wearing that awkward makeup and clothes all day, and she was even more uncomfortable with the prince lying next to her.

Just as she turned over again, she suddenly stopped. The prince, who had been sleeping with his back to her, had turned around and was now facing her, his gaze fixed on her.

"Can't sleep?"

Wu Shuang froze instantly, forgetting to answer. In all her life, she had never shared a bed with a man, let alone exchanged more than a few words with an ordinary man. Her most frequent interactions with men were in the midst of sword fights, and usually, she ended up killing or maiming them.

"Aren't you used to being my concubine?"

Ling Heng's voice rang out in the dark night. Although it was spoken very softly, it made her heart tighten.

"As long as it can share the burden for the Crown Prince, I can get used to it..."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Wushuang felt something was off, as she felt the prince's question was awkward.

"Then get used to it as soon as possible."

In the darkness, she couldn't see the expression on his face, but she vaguely sensed that his gaze was still fixed on her.

"Yes."

She obediently agreed, subconsciously trying to see his eyes clearly, but the tent was dimly lit, and she could only make out a blurry outline.

She was staring blankly into the darkness when she suddenly caught the barely audible rustling of clothes outside. She sat up abruptly, her back straight as a taut bowstring.

"There's someone there."

The next second, she had already rolled off the bed, her movements swift and silent. Her fingertips quickly grabbed the coat from the hanger, and she neatly draped it over her body, completely changing her previous awkwardness and leaving only the alertness and sharpness that a guard should have.

Almost at the same time, Ling Heng also put on his coat and handed her a sword.

Wushuang took the sword, her fingertips touching the cool texture of the hilt. She felt its weight and smoothness, and the feel was excellent. Before she could even examine it closely, she realized that Ling Heng had handed her the Flowing Cloud Sword.

The two stood guard at the door, holding their breath, their auras barely concealed, only their eyes shining sharply in the dim light, staring intently at the movements outside.

In a short while, several dark figures silently crept to the door. Just as half of them entered through the door, the sound of sharp blades cutting through the air suddenly rang out.

Wushuang struck first, his longsword flashing with fierce swordplay as he thrust it straight at the leader's throat, his move swift and ruthless.

Ling Heng followed closely behind, striking the next assassin directly in the chest. The two, one on the left and one on the right, moved in perfect unison, without a single unnecessary movement. The two assassins who entered first didn't even have time to cry for help before they instantly fell to the ground.

Assassins lurked in the shadows, rushing into the house in droves, the clanging of metal against metal shattering the stillness of the night.

With unparalleled agility, Wushuang's swordplay was precise and ruthless, each strike aimed directly at vital points. Ling Heng calmly provided support, blocking the assassin's retreat.

Soon, the sounds of fierce fighting echoed through the courtyard.

The assassins inside the house were quickly dealt with, and the two men moved almost simultaneously, rushing towards the courtyard.

Wielding a longsword with no hands, she moved with the agility of a swallow, charging into the group of assassins and launching a frontal assault. Ling Heng stood guard behind her, constantly on guard against sneak attacks from both sides.

The assassins were all ruthless and skilled. Although Ling Heng brought few men, each one was a top-tier expert. Even with their numerical advantage, the assassins were powerless to resist. In just a quarter of an hour, the courtyard was filled with the corpses of the assassins.