Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

It turned out that he had only treated his brother because of Xiao Ce. Ling Xi stared at him blankly, momentarily lost in thought. But it didn't matter; it didn't matter whose sake it was, as long as her brother was alright.

"Regardless, it was Dean Lu who saved my brother. If Dean Lu still can't figure out what he wants this time, then Ling Xi will have to..."

"Then I'll owe you for now, and we'll talk about it when I think of something."

Ling Xi was interrupted by him before she could finish speaking. She carefully observed his expression, which did not seem like he was joking, but rather very serious.

"Alright... Then, once you have thought of it, please send someone to inform Ling Xi. Ling Xi will do her utmost."

She smiled slightly. Although she felt that Lu Baixu was acting a little strangely today, as long as her brother was alright, she would get him any treasure he wanted.

Lu Baixu nodded slightly, then moved to a table to the side and began writing the prescription.

Ling Xi took two steps toward the bedside and looked at Wu Shuang, who looked even more haggard than yesterday, and her heart stirred slightly.

She could see clearly that Wushuang's actions were no longer simply out of loyalty to her master; it was probably a sentiment that even she herself had not realized.

"Wushuang, go rest in the side room for a while."

Ling Xi suppressed her suspicions and glanced at her unconscious brother. Wu Shuang stood with his head bowed, his figure still upright, but the bloodshot eyes could no longer hide his exhaustion.

"That's an order."

Just as Wushuang was about to speak, Ling Xi spoke first, deliberately lowering his voice.

"Yes, Princess."

Wushuang said no more and bowed in agreement. Ling Xi then withdrew her gaze and looked around the quiet inner room. She hadn't seen Xiao Ce since she entered. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she turned to look at Wushuang, who was about to leave.

"By the way, where's Xiao Ce?"

Previously at Prince Rui's residence, Pei Lan clearly stated that Xiao Ce would come over after Lu Baixu arrived at Wanfang Pavilion.

"Just before the princess arrived, the crown prince received an imperial edict and went to the palace."

"Enter the palace?"

Ling Xi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. The Emperor of Liang was indeed diligent in his duties. Even during the New Year, he was not resting and had begun to summon people to the palace to handle affairs.

……

Inside the Liang Palace's study, Emperor Liang and Xiao Ce sat facing each other, playing chess. Beside the antique shelf beside the couch, a three-legged bronze incense burner held ambergris incense, wisps of smoke occasionally drifting in the breeze and dissipating into the air.

Both men lowered their eyes and focused intently on the chessboard, showing none of the usual aloofness and formality between ruler and subject.

Inside the vast hall, not a sound could be heard except for the clear, crisp sound of chess pieces falling onto the board, each sound fading into the silence and further emphasizing the tranquility of the hall.

The eunuch standing beside the Chu Emperor also held his breath and kept quiet, only slightly craning his neck, his gaze fixed on the crisscrossing chessboard, a perfectly appropriate kind smile on his face.

A moment later, Emperor Liang held a pure white chess piece between his fingers, which hovered above the chessboard for a long time without falling. He lowered his eyes and carefully examined the intricate chessboard for a while, then finally let out a soft sneer and casually tossed the white piece back into the ebony chess box. The porcelain piece collided with the stone, making a crisp sound.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me."

Xiao Ce's tone was calm and even, without a trace of triumphant pride.

Emperor Liang showed no sign of annoyance, merely glancing at him before accepting the hot tea offered by the eunuch beside him.

"Only you would never give in to me. When Mo'er played chess with me before, she always concealed her concessions perfectly, without me noticing at all."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ce's lowered eyelashes trembled slightly, and a trace of pain flashed across his deep eyes, which was quickly covered by a faint smile.

"Your Majesty, didn't you already realize this?"

"Stop trying to fool me! I can beat Mo'er seven out of ten times when we play chess, but I almost always lose to you. Your chess skills were taught to you by Mo'er herself, how could I not see that?"

Emperor Liang glanced at him, but there was no anger in his tone; instead, there was a hint of familiar regret. After speaking, he took a small sip of the hot tea in his cup and casually placed the teacup on the table.

Xiao Ce remained seated, upright and motionless, only his eyes were calm, as if lost in thought.

His elder brother used to sit in the same spot he was in now, playing chess with his uncle.

"Ce'er, do you know why I summoned you to the palace today?"

The Chu Emperor raised his eyes, his gaze falling heavily on him. His expression, which had been somewhat gentle just moments before, suddenly turned serious.

Xiao Ce paused slightly on the table, pondered for a moment, and when he looked up, his eyes were clear and bright.

"But... what about the unusual activity on the border of Qizhou?"

As the Vice Minister of War, he was naturally among the first to know the news. Over the past six months, the Jin state had been secretly garrisoning troops in batches on the border of Qizhou, and in the last two months, they had repeatedly provoked trouble. Their wolfish ambitions were already obvious, and war between the two countries was only a matter of time.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Emperor Liang looked at him, finally sighed softly, and a hint of difficulty appeared on his face.

"Ce'er, have you thought this through? You can serve the court just as well as you do in the Ministry of War. You don't necessarily have to go to the border and risk your life on the battlefield."

He knew in his heart that his nephew was intelligent and decisive from a young age, with first-rate wisdom and strategy. Once he made up his mind about something, he would forge ahead without hesitation.

"In the past, my elder brother shared the burdens of our father and uncle, wielding military power to secure the four directions..."

Xiao Ce pondered for a moment, then looked up at the dark sky outside the palace, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"My father is getting old and it is no longer suitable for him to go to the border. With my elder brother gone, I must step forward to share the burden with my father and my uncle."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liang let out a long sigh, his tightly furrowed brows remaining furrowed even slightly since the beginning.

"I naturally do not wish to hand over the military power of Liang to someone of a different surname. In the past, with your father and brother in charge, I was able to rest easy for so many years. Now, Mo'er..."

When the topic turned to his sore spot, Emperor Liang abruptly turned his face away, the wrinkles that had already crept up the corners of his eyes trembling uncontrollably.

"If I were to send you to the battlefield again, your father would certainly not allow it if he found out..."

"I have already informed my father of this matter."

Xiao Ce didn't finish his story. He had reported it, but his father didn't agree. He was scolded and kicked out of the study.

"Let me think about this matter some more. You may go back now."

Xiao Ce hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not speak again.

"Your subject takes his leave."

Emperor Liang looked up at his tall, handsome nephew and felt a sudden, dull pain in his heart.

The princes in the palace were either engrossed in literature or indulging in pleasure, and none of them were capable of taking up arms to defend the border, wielding military power, and supporting the defense of the Great Liang.

If any of the princes possessed even a fraction of Xiao Ce's martial prowess and courage, why would he have sent his third brother's only remaining son to a dangerous place to risk his life to protect the country?

"Ce'er, wait!"

Xiao Ce had taken a few steps when he heard the sound and suddenly stopped. He turned around and looked at his uncle, whose expression had become increasingly grave, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.