Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"What...did you hear?" Ling Xi looked slightly embarrassed; she hadn't heard anything.

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and a hint of embarrassment crossed her face. Her thoughts had drifted too far, and she hadn't heard a word he said.

Lu Baixu looked up at her, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. Seeing her blank expression, he sighed softly. He withdrew his gaze and returned it to the Princess Consort Rui, who was lying peacefully on the bed. His tone was calm and steady as he slowly reiterated the doctor's orders, word by word:

"The princess fainted and became dizzy due to a sudden surge of anger, which has depleted her mental energy. She needs to calm her mind and spirit, and must not get angry again. The courtyard must be quiet and peaceful, and no noise or disturbance is allowed. Her diet should consist entirely of light and cooling foods, and she should avoid spicy, warming, and greasy foods."

"oh."

"Also, the herbal medicine must be taken warm at the prescribed times, three doses a day. I will come back for a follow-up visit in three days. Princess Consort... have you remembered everything?"

"Yes, I've noted it down. Thank you for your help today, Vice Minister Lu."

Ling Xi felt a little apologetic. It was the first day of the new year, and she felt it was not good to trouble him to come and treat her. However, she thought that since he was Xiao Ce's friend, it was not too much of a bother.

"Then I'll head back first..."

"Professor Lu...why don't you stay for dinner before you leave?"

Before he could finish speaking, Ling Xi blurted out without thinking. The words were barely out of her mouth when she regretted them. Inviting a man from outside the household to dine was already inappropriate, especially since none of the male heads of the household were present.

Lu Baixu was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to suddenly extend such an invitation. He looked up at the window, where the sky had already darkened somewhat, then turned back to meet the sincerity in her eyes, a gentle smile curving his lips.

"Thank you for your kindness, Princess Consort, but there's no need."

He calmly suppressed his smile, packed his medicine box, and slung it over his shoulder.

"A banquet is being held in the palace today. Shouldn't the Crown Princess attend?"

"I have already sent word to Xiao Ce. My mother and Mu Wanning are both bedridden, so I will not be attending the palace banquet today."

Lu Baixu nodded slightly upon hearing this, but said nothing more.

"Then... I'll see you out of the manor."

He nodded in agreement, and his gentle and refined manner made her feel slightly uneasy.

After Mu Wanning received acupuncture, his high fever subsided, and he was awake for a moment. He managed to drink a few mouthfuls of porridge, but soon fell into a deep sleep again. However, Princess Rui remained unconscious.

After a long day of activity, Ling Xi was exhausted, both physically and mentally. She only ate a few bites of food for dinner before heading to Xiao Ce's bath to relax.

As the warm pool water washed over his limbs, his tense nerves finally relaxed, and he was able to calm down and think things through.

Why was Mu Wanning drinking that strong Tusu wine alone on New Year's Eve? Doctor Du had previously said that she was troubled by worries and anxieties. But she was a perfectly good concubine of the heir apparent, with a loving husband, an adorable son, and a life of luxury and comfort. What could possibly be causing her so much sorrow that she had to drown her sorrows in alcohol and end up bedridden?

Upon realizing this, Ling Xi abruptly sat up straight from the jade wall she was leaning against in the bath, her heart sinking.

Could it be... that she is feeling uneasy because she moved into Chuixing Courtyard and took Xiao Ce for herself?

A strange sense of guilt arose in her heart. Although she had not done anything wrong and had always had a clear conscience, it seemed that Mu Wanning's misfortunes from the beginning were more or less related to her arrival.

However, marriage between families and countries was not something she and Xiao Ce could control. Fortunately, she would soon be able to return the position of Crown Princess to her.

Ling Xi slowly leaned back against the pool wall, then became puzzled again. What was going on with Princess Rui?

In Ling Xi's memory, she was always calm and composed in the face of adversity, so why was she suddenly so anxious? What was she so anxious about? What secret and important matters did she discuss with the two doctors from the Du family when she was sent away, that could cause her to be so flustered that she fainted on the spot?

Confused and bewildered, Ling Xi found herself increasingly unable to sort things out. Sigh! This Prince Rui's mansion holds so many secrets!

Enough! She took a deep breath, raised her hand to rub her throbbing temples. Anyway, she would be leaving the Prince Rui's mansion soon, so why bother thinking about so many things and only add to her worries?

After bathing, she went to Zhengyang Courtyard again. After all, Prince Rui and Xiao Ce had not yet returned to the manor, and it was only right and proper for her to go and see them one more time.

Princess Rui showed no signs of waking up, and the medicine was not yet ready, so she decided to wait for the medicine and go back to rest after Princess Rui had taken it.

She thought to herself that she had done everything so well that when she asked Xiao Ce for a divorce, it would probably go more smoothly.

She sat on a soft chair in the outer room, intending only to close her eyes and rest for a while, but she was exhausted both physically and mentally, and the surroundings were quiet. During the half hour she waited for her medicine, she unknowingly leaned on the edge of the chair and fell asleep.

……

As night fell and the moonlight dimmed, a few lamps cast their glow on the corner of the corridor. Xiao Ce stepped into the bedroom of Zhengyang Courtyard, and the first thing he saw was that slender figure sleeping soundly in his mother's bedroom, her hair propped up by her temples.

He entered the palace early in the morning. He hadn't seen her for a full twelve hours since last night, and he was actually looking forward to seeing her.

In the afternoon, he sent Lu Ming to wait for her and her mother outside the palace gates, but Lu Ming brought back news that Wan Ning and her mother were both bedridden. Since her father was unable to leave the palace, he returned alone, without even having dinner.

He slowed his pace, approaching step by step, deliberately minimizing the sound of his boots, afraid of disturbing her.

Looking at her unguarded sleeping face, he took another half step closer.

The candlelight flickered in the room, casting a soft, warm glow on her profile. Her black hair hung loosely, as if she had just bathed, held in place only by a single jade hairpin. A few stray strands of hair clung to her forehead. Her brows and eyes were relaxed, her long eyelashes were thick, and her lips were slightly pursed. She exuded a softness and weariness that came from letting her guard down, quiet and gentle.

He stood half a step in front of her, gazing at her quietly with his eyes lowered. The fatigue of the whole day quietly dissipated at this moment.

A strange sense of unease welled up in Xiao Ce's heart. His mother had always treated him coldly and had never shown him any compassion. And now that she was about to ask for a divorce, why was she wasting her energy by staying in his mother's room?

A strange tenderness welled up in his heart. He slowly bent down, carefully raised his hand, and gently brushed away the stray hairs at her temples with his fingertips, carefully tucking those strands behind her ear. The moment his fingertips touched her skin, his heart trembled slightly as he remembered the absurd things he had done to her the night before.

"Princess Consort, the medicine is ready..."

Just as he stood there, gazing intently, reluctant to look away, Granny Sun slowly entered carrying the freshly brewed medicine. Upon seeing the scene inside, she immediately fell silent and stopped.

Xiao Ce suddenly turned his head, his brows furrowing slightly, and gestured for Sun Mama to be quiet. Then he stood up and took the bowl of still-warm medicine from Sun Mama's hands. His fingertips touched the warm porcelain bowl, but he couldn't help but turn back and glance at the person sleeping soundly in the chair.