Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

Ling Xi tossed and turned in bed, embracing the covers. Xiao Ce was drunk, but she wasn't. The intimate moments they had shared earlier kept replaying in her mind, refusing to leave.

"This is so annoying!"

After turning over for what felt like the umpteenth time, she finally couldn't help but mutter a curse and raised her hand to rub her throbbing temples.

Even though she was unwilling to admit it, she knew clearly in her heart that Xiao Ce had affected her heart tonight; at least ever since he left the room, he had been constantly on her mind.

She pondered over and over why he had made those intimate gestures towards her, wondering if he was truly drunk and out of control. When he didn't return for a long time, she couldn't help but speculate about what he was doing in Yunqi Courtyard, whether he was anxiously worried about Mu Wanning.

Silence reigned outside the window; even the howling wind had subsided. Only the crackling candlelight cast shifting shadows on her profile. This silence unsettled her.

He might not come back tonight. The moment this thought crossed her mind, her heart skipped a beat, followed by a feeling of emptiness.

She actually seemed a little bothered?

When this thought popped into her head, Ling Xi was startled. She cared about Xiao Ce? She cared that he went to Mu Wanning's place? How could she care about a man whose heart belonged to another woman?

But that flutter of emotion seemed to take root in my heart, growing stronger the more I suppressed it.

"impossible."

Ling Xi clutched the blankets tightly, desperately trying to convince herself that she must have been influenced by his kisses and hugs earlier. After all, she had never been so intimate with a man before.

Finally, amidst her repeated tugging, she unknowingly fell asleep.

When she woke up the next day, she sat up in a daze. The outside room was still quiet, just like it had been before she went to sleep the night before.

It turned out that he hadn't returned home all night.

Ling Xi couldn't quite describe her feelings. Although she was no longer as restless as she had been the night before, the emptiness she felt hadn't disappeared since she woke up.

"The princess is awake?"

Perrin brought in water and saw her sitting on the bed in a daze, and he became worried.

"Did the princess have a nightmare?"

Ling Xi shook her head, feeling that sleeping made her even more tired than not sleeping at all.

"I just didn't sleep well last night."

"Yes, the Crown Prince instructed that the Princess should not be woken up before he left, saying that she should rest well and then go to the palace with the Princess Consort to attend the banquet that evening."

By the way, I'm attending a palace banquet today. My brother should have arrived at the palace by now, preparing to attend the court assembly. I wonder how he will propose to the Emperor of Liang that he wants to take her back to Chu.

As she thought about it, Ling Xi rubbed her increasingly dizzy head vigorously, and suddenly seemed to remember something.

"Did the young master leave from Chuixing Courtyard today?"

"Yes, otherwise where would they leave from? I saw him leave with Lu Ming with my own eyes. It was still a bit dark then. I could tell from the young master's expression that he seemed a little tired, probably because he didn't get a good night's rest last night."

Perrin found her some clothes while answering her questions earnestly.

He didn't just not get enough rest; he probably stayed up all night at Yunqi Courtyard and didn't get any rest at all.

Forget it, what he does is none of her business. He can't control himself after drinking. Xiao Ce isn't exactly a good man.

In the main hall of Liang Palace, the morning light slanted in through the tall, wide windows, illuminating the court robes of the civil and military officials, making them shine brightly. Emperor Liang sat on the dragon throne, receiving congratulations from envoys from various countries and members of the royal family and court officials.

Ling Heng, dressed in an official robe from the Chu region with a jade belt around his waist, stood prominently among the envoys.

During the court ceremony, he stepped gracefully out of the procession, his posture upright and his demeanor dignified. Those who saw his face couldn't help but secretly marvel.

Many officials present had already witnessed the beauty of the Chu princess, but they never expected that the Chu prince would also be so outstanding and charismatic.

"As the new year begins, spring is celebrated throughout the land. On behalf of the State of Chu, I respectfully wish the State of Liang peace and prosperity, and hope that the two nations of Liang and Chu will forever maintain their alliance and jointly safeguard peace."

His words were respectful yet devoid of any flattery; each word was steady and measured, demonstrating both the dignity of the Chu Kingdom and the propriety of an envoy. He was neither servile nor arrogant, and everyone in the hall secretly glanced at him.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Liang's face was majestic, his eyes deep and scrutinizing, and a faint yet dignified smile played on his lips.

"The Chu envoy has traveled a long way to offer New Year's greetings, which demonstrates the sincerity of the alliance between Liang and Chu. Under the wise rule of Chu, General Ling is also exceptionally talented, which greatly pleases me. Since Liang and Chu are allied by marriage, they should be of one mind and support each other. I am also happy to see peace and tranquility between the two countries year after year."

After finishing the ceremony and rising, Ling Heng slightly raised his gaze and placed it directly on Xiao Ce, who was in the imperial clan's ranks in the hall, with a subtle scrutiny.

Xiao Ce also looked over at the same time. His eyebrows were cold and sharp, and his gaze was as deep as a cold pool. With just a glance, he had already guessed most of the deep meaning in the other's eyes.

He had been waiting, waiting for the day he would publicly propose a divorce and take Ling Xi back to the State of Chu. But that man seemed to have no intention of bringing it up today.

Xiao Ce's eyes held a hint of indifference, along with a subtle, almost imperceptible scrutiny and wariness.

The two were far apart and did not speak. In just that one moment of eye contact, undercurrents were already surging and sparks were hidden, as if they had already exchanged several blows across the distance.

In just a moment, Ling Heng turned his head away again.

"For the sake of the lasting friendship between our two countries, I have come to Jinling to pay homage to the emperor and also to convey the sincerity of our sovereign. I wish to negotiate with the Liang state to jointly establish a border market between Yecheng and Yongxing on the Liang-Chu border and to facilitate trade between them."

The Chu Emperor had not expected him to make such a suggestion. He tapped his fingertips lightly on the imperial desk, pondered for a moment, and then his brows relaxed, and he was overjoyed.

"Excellent! Establishing a border market is a very good idea. After the festival, I will summon my court officials and discuss the details with General Ling."

"Your Majesty is wise. This move benefits the country and its people, and the people of Liang and Chu will all benefit. Your subject awaits Your Majesty's command and will certainly do my utmost to live up to the high expectations of the two monarchs."

After speaking, he straightened up, his gaze meeting Xiao Ce's again from afar in the hall, still displaying the composure and dignity befitting an envoy.

Xiao Ce frowned slightly, instantly understanding that the man's purpose in coming here was to maintain diplomatic relations between the two countries by offering trade benefits instead of a marriage alliance.

Once the border market is established, and trade between Liang and Chu becomes deeply intertwined with mutual interests, his marriage to Ling Xi will naturally become unnecessary. At that time, this Crown Prince of Chu can then legitimately propose a divorce for his sister and openly bring her back to Chu.

What a brilliant, open scheme! The thought of this deepened the chill in his eyes.

This strategic move by the State of Chu is not something that can be accomplished overnight; it must have been planned for a long time. Since the marriage alliance, relations between Liang and Chu have been stable. Why would they go to such lengths to insist that Ling Xi divorce and return to Chu? Do they know she is unhappy in the Prince Rui's residence, or did she herself beg to go back?

Xiao Ce suddenly remembered the letters she had sent back to Chu, all of which reported good news and not bad news. It couldn't have been her own idea.

It seems that the Huan Prince's Mansion has indeed planted spies in Jinling. He recalled the Hongyue Tower, which had no flaws that could be found. Indeed, the greatest heroes are hidden in plain sight.

Xiao Ce's thin lips formed a cold, hard line, but his face remained expressionless, only a chilling glint flashed deep in his eyes.