Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

Three days later, Ling Xi finally woke up and heard two pieces of news.

The first piece of news: She's been placed under house arrest. Until how long? Until Mu Wanning gives birth. The order came from Princess Rui.

The second piece of news: Two days later, at the palace banquet, the Empress Dowager specifically requested her attendance, therefore, the Prince Rui's residence has granted her permission to leave the residence on the day of the banquet.

Having narrowly escaped death, Ling Xi now possesses an incredibly strong mentality. Since she is currently outnumbered and outmatched, she can simply endure and bide her time; what's so difficult about that?

After resting for two more days, Ling Xi's complexion had not fully recovered, and there was still a faint trace of illness between her brows, making it clear at a glance that she had not yet fully recovered.

Since the Empress Dowager personally requested her attendance at the palace banquet, she was not only the heir apparent of the Prince Rui's mansion, but also bore the dignity of a princess of the Chu Kingdom. Even if she was unwell, she could not lose any of her aura.

Ling Xi got up early in the morning, forcing herself to stay awake, and had Pei Lan put on heavier makeup than usual, just to cover up the undeniable haggardness under her eyes.

However, her appearance was already stunning, and this illness did not diminish her beauty in the slightest. On the contrary, her slight thinness added to her delicate and pitiful appearance.

A pink brocade dress with subtle floral patterns accentuated her snow-white skin, and paired with the pearl jewelry her former mother had prepared for her, she looked elegant and graceful, just the right amount of jewelry.

After the makeup was finished, Pei Lan, who had been by the princess's side every day, was so amazed by the princess's bright and delicate beauty that she was speechless.

From Yuehua Courtyard to the gate of the Prince's Mansion, Peilan couldn't help but praise it.

Ling Xi was already used to everyone's comments about her appearance; in the past, the ladies in the Chu palace would talk about her for a long time every time they met.

As she slowly walked out of the mansion gate with Pei Lan's help, Xiao Ce, who was standing by the carriage, subconsciously looked up, but did not see the same amazed expression on the servants' faces.

If a man doesn't like a woman, no matter how beautiful she is, it's useless.

What she didn't know was that just that one glance when she looked up had caused Xiao Ce's usually indifferent dark eyes to pause almost imperceptibly for a moment before quickly returning to their previous aloof demeanor.

Granny Qi, who was accompanying them, observed everything. She was well aware of the princess's allure to men and began to consider the matter. After all, the princess had already married into the Prince Rui's household; perhaps she could win over this cold and taciturn heir.

As Ling Xi approached, Xiao Ce unusually reached out his hand to her.

Is this... to help her onto the carriage?

Ling Xi was momentarily stunned. He glanced around and saw a large group of servants and maids around him. It seemed that he still had to put on a show.

Ling Xi recalled the two days she spent in the dungeon, and suddenly felt a pang of sadness. She deliberately ignored his outstretched hand and got into the carriage.

As soon as she sat down, Xiao Ce bent down and entered the carriage. Ling Xi subconsciously shrank back towards the carriage wall, trying to stay in a corner and leaving a large gap.

When she looked up again, she met his calm, unwavering eyes. He remained composed and unmoved, as if his gesture of reaching out had been merely a matter of courtesy.

He sat down on the other side of the carriage with an unchanging expression, then closed his eyes to rest, his expression indifferent, showing no intention of speaking to her whatsoever.

Ling Xi secretly pursed her lips and sighed inwardly. If only she had Wu Shuang's skills, she could find a secluded spot, secretly put a sack over Xiao Ce's neck, and give him a good beating to vent her pent-up anger.

At this moment, she did not know that Xiao Ce, who seemed cold and refined, was actually incredibly skilled in martial arts. Even if two peerless warriors attacked him together, they might not be his match.

Today is Ling Xi's second time entering the Daliang Imperial Palace. The last time was when she first arrived in Daliang and entered the palace to pay homage.

It seems that since they didn't get to see the Empress Dowager that time, they specifically asked for her name this time. After all, she is the Empress Dowager's granddaughter-in-law.

Civil and military officials and members of the imperial family had already taken their seats according to their ranks. She followed Xiao Ce and slowly stepped into the main hall, where the hall fell silent almost instantly.

The palace lanterns cast their glow, illuminating the silks and jewels adorning the hall, yet everyone's gaze involuntarily fell upon her.

She stood ramrod straight and walked steadily. Only Xiao Ce, who was beside her, could notice that she took each step very lightly.

The heavy makeup concealed most of her paleness, and her eyes drooped slightly, adding a touch of gentle charm unique to her illness. Her gaze swept lightly across the hall, neither humble nor arrogant, possessing both the dignity of a princess and the fragility of a sickly beauty.

She wore a pink floral dress with a soft sheen, and her pearl and jade jewelry accentuated her gentle features. Her bright and beautiful appearance was tinged with a delicate fragility, making her even more captivating than usual.

For a moment, whispers arose in the hall.

"Is this the princess of Chu? She truly is as stunningly beautiful as the rumors say."

"I'd only ever heard of her before, but seeing her in person today, she truly is stunning..."

"King Huan of Chu is truly generous, sending such a heavenly daughter to my Daliang!"

"It's her good fortune to marry the second son of Prince Rui! It's just a pity..."

The hall suddenly fell silent again, and Ling Xi knew perfectly well why.

She lowered her eyes calmly, her face expressionless. She wasn't here to show weakness.

Now that she has come to this palace banquet, she wants everyone to know that the princess of Chu is not to be humiliated.

She sat down next to Xiao Ce. When Xiao Ce's gaze fell on her face, he paused slightly and immediately saw the haggardness under her heavy makeup and the forced composure she was putting on.

"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived!"

The eunuch's high-pitched announcement rang out, and all the civil and military officials, as well as the women of the imperial family, rose in unison, bowed their heads, and stood respectfully awaiting orders.

Palace maids escorted the Empress Dowager, who was dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, as she slowly entered and sat directly on the phoenix chair to the left of the main seat in the main hall.

"Rise—"

Once the emperor was seated on the dragon throne in the center, the eunuchs announced his arrival in a loud voice, and everyone else responded respectfully, slowly rising to their seats.

"Today we hold this banquet to celebrate this prosperous era together. You are all pillars of the nation, members of the imperial family, and have worked tirelessly for the country. Today, there is no need for formalities. Let us drink and enjoy the music and dance!"

The Emperor of Liang slowly swept his gaze across the civil and military officials on the steps. His voice was not loud, but it carried the majesty of the supreme ruler and clearly resounded throughout the hall.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone bowed in unison:

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

The emperor nodded slightly and looked to his side.

"Let the banquet begin."

The eunuch announced the decree in a shrill voice:

"Let the feast begin!"

As the music began, servants entered in single file, carrying gilded food boxes and jade platters of delicacies, and placed them on the tables at each seat.

Ling Xi was already tired of this set of palace banquet procedures. She had attended too many such palace banquets in the Chu Kingdom, and the worst part was that she couldn't leave early.

Ling Xi tried her best to blend into the crowd. Although she was used to being free and unrestrained in front of her royal uncle, she also understood the principle that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, let alone in front of the Emperor of Liang.

Her father had repeatedly warned her that she could no longer act as recklessly as before while alone in Daliang. The mountains were high and the rivers were far, and they could no longer protect her as they had before.