Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

"I'm sorry, it's all because of me that you got hurt."

Ling Xi was genuinely apologetic. Just as she was about to loosen her grip on her sash, he grabbed her hand.

"W-What's wrong?"

Startled, she suddenly looked up and found her hands completely enveloped by his large hand, which squeezed her so hard it hurt slightly.

And in his narrow phoenix eyes, the same complex and inscrutable emotions rose again, as if there was forbearance, loneliness, unspeakable feelings, or something else entirely.

"What's wrong? Does your wound hurt?"

Ling Xi felt extremely guilty. He was about to go to the border, and if he went with all his injuries, she would be committing a great sin.

Looking into his unwavering gaze, she felt a sudden pang of panic and quickly lowered her eyes. His seemingly affectionate expression was hard not to misunderstand, especially after he had risked his own safety to protect her.

"You...you're hurting me."

"sorry……"

He slowly released his grip, turned around, and sat back down on the couch.

Ling Xi felt a sudden sense of relief. Xiao Ce's sudden outburst had made her heart flutter, and she even had the illusion that there was a hint of deep affection in his usually deep eyes.

"Go inside and rest. Aren't we leaving for Night City early tomorrow morning?"

She looked up and saw him pick up a book and open it, his expression indifferent, not intending to say another word to her.

Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't utter a single word. She actually wanted to ask him why he protected her so much when the lighthouse collapsed, but after hesitating for a moment, she silently turned and walked into the inner room.

Without needing to ask further, Ling Xi already knew the answer. Although Xiao Ce was usually aloof, he was actually a good person. Even if it were someone else in danger tonight, he would have rushed to their rescue without hesitation.

She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep once again in his bed.

She didn't know how many times she had turned over, but when she noticed that the light in the outer room was still on, a strange obsession arose in her heart. She insisted that her insomnia was all because of the unextinguished light in Xiao Ce's outer room, and felt that it was too dazzling.

She let out a heavy, frustrated sigh, and in a fit of pique, rolled onto the inside of the bed, turning her back to the light.

When he woke up the next day, as usual, there was no trace of him outside.

Ling Xi sat alone in the dining hall having breakfast, and suddenly felt that the huge Chuixing Courtyard was empty and quiet, which made people feel uneasy.

"Princess, we must hurry. Prince Heng will be arriving soon, and his luggage is already prepared and loaded into the carriage. Any further delay will make it too late."

Seeing her slowly scooping the bird's nest porridge with a listless expression, Pei Lan couldn't help but urge her softly.

"oh."

She responded softly, her tone languid, but her hands moved slowly and deliberately.

After finishing breakfast, Ling Xi returned to the bedroom for a final check. The room was completely empty after she moved all her things. She opened the wardrobe, which was mostly empty, and suddenly couldn't remember if Xiao Ce had any other belongings in the room besides his clothes when she moved in.

She stood there, stunned, and suddenly realized that in the past month, living under the same roof, she and Xiao Ce had hardly exchanged a single word. Only in the days before her brother arrived in Jinling had they dined together a few times, but even when they sat facing each other, he remained silent.

With no trace of her in the house, it returned to the cold and empty atmosphere of the day she first arrived. Looking at the place where she had lived for a month, a strange emptiness welled up in her heart.

After they finished getting ready, they headed towards the mansion gate. As they passed through the corridor, they happened to run into Steward Mu and Physician Du, who were walking in a hurry. The two of them quickly bowed and greeted each other.

"The Crown Princess."

Her gaze paused slightly, assuming that something had happened to Mu Wanning again.

"Why are Butler Mu and Physician Du in such a hurry? Has something happened?"

"Your Highness, it is because of a sudden relapse of the Princess's old illness. She has been feeling unwell for the past two days, and this morning she felt chest tightness and shortness of breath when she got up, so she hurriedly took the physician from the Du family to examine her."

"If that's the case, then let's go quickly."

She nodded slightly upon hearing this, her tone indifferent. After they left, she couldn't help but look back one last time.

It's easy to guess without much thought that Princess Rui must have fallen ill from anger because Xiao Ce was about to leave Jinling for the border.

"I heard from Sister Yunying in the kitchen that when the eldest young master had his accident a year ago, the princess suffered a heart attack from the stress, which triggered her old illness. She was bedridden for two whole months before slowly recovering. How could the princess suddenly..."

"Let's go."

It's none of their business. The affairs of the Prince Rui's mansion are no longer her concern. Ling Xi turned around, resolutely stepped forward, and tried hard to suppress the unnecessary worry that had just risen in her heart.

"What's wrong, Princess?"

Perrin watched as his princess suddenly quickened her pace and became puzzled.

"She was dawdling over breakfast just now, and I thought the princess was reluctant to leave. But now she's suddenly acting like she's afraid she won't be able to leave."

"Let's go."

Wushuang quickly followed. She didn't understand what the princess was thinking, but she herself no longer longed to go back as much as before.

At the entrance of Prince Rui's mansion, Ling Heng, dressed in a smart outfit, stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his gaze fixed on the direction of the courtyard gate, his face no longer showing any trace of illness.

"elder brother."

Ling Xi walked out slowly, concealing the turbulent emotions in her eyes, and tried to force a calm smile at her brother.

Ling Heng took a half step forward, his gaze sweeping over her body. Seeing that her face was slightly pale and she looked obviously uncomfortable, he immediately frowned.

"What's wrong? Were you frightened last night, or did you hurt yourself somewhere?"

He already knew last night that something had happened at the Lantern Festival, and he also knew that Xiao Ce had been injured while protecting her.

"I'm fine, it's Xiao Ce who's injured."

Ling Heng's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this, but he did not ask any further questions.

"Get in the car."

"Um."

He reached out and steadily helped her into the carriage, then turned around without making a sound, his gaze sweeping lightly over the people accompanying her.

Wushuang kept her eyes down and followed behind Peilan without looking to the side. She silently boarded the carriage without showing any extra emotion.

Ling Heng's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly for a moment, then he quickly composed himself and turned to walk towards his own carriage behind him.

......

On the north gate tower of Jinling City, Xiao Ce and Qin Qi stood facing the wind, watching the Chu chariots and horses slowly drive out of the city gate.

"Yizhi, I really don't understand why you agreed to let the Crown Princess go to Ye City?"

Qin Qi turned to look at Xiao Ce, his tone full of confusion.

Xiao Ce's lips were tightly pressed together, his eyes fixed intently on the distance, letting the east wind lift his robes, remaining silent for a long time.

Even as the group gradually disappeared into the distance and vanished completely into the dust of the road ahead, his gaze remained fixed on the same spot, never wavering.