Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

The passionate and frenzied kisses continued until her breathing became erratic and her body went limp, before finally gradually stopping.

His forehead pressed against hers, their breaths mingling. He disturbed her entire mind, and he disturbed his own as well.

Ling Xi's chest heaved violently, unable to calm down for a long time. Even the hands that had been pressing against his chest had lost their strength, and his fingertips were trembling slightly.

A moment later, Xiao Ce stepped back a little and carefully cupped her face in his hands. Ling Xi looked up and saw that his usually cold phoenix eyes had turned bloodshot.

"you……"

Her lips were numb and her breath was unsteady as she managed to utter a single word before he leaned down again, preventing her from saying anything more.

A series of soft, tender kisses slowly descended, this time without the previous force and ruthlessness. He gently and tenderly pressed his lips against hers, again and again, each caress filled with careful and precious affection.

His unique, cool scent completely enveloped her. Ling Xi was utterly enveloped by his tender warmth. Lost in her passion, she forgot all her movements and passively succumbed to his gentleness, losing all her mind and spirit.

Before long, Xiao Ce suddenly opened his eyes, placed his hands firmly on her slender waist, and with a sudden effort, lifted her up. With their lips entwined, he held her soft body and walked step by step toward the bed.

Only when his body sank into the soft mattress and his heavy body pressed down on her did Ling Xi's dazed mind suddenly awaken.

She suddenly opened her eyes, the moisture still lingering in them, and a sudden sense of panic arose within her. She abruptly turned her head away, his hot, lingering lips brushing against her cheek, interrupted by her sudden movement.

He stood there stunned for a moment, then stepped back a little, lowered his eyes and stared at her. His phoenix eyes were already filled with intense desire, and bloodshot veins surged in his eyes. After only a moment of silence, he leaned down and pressed down on her again.

Ling Xi couldn't escape either way, and his lips always managed to lock onto hers precisely. In her panic, she raised her hand and placed her fingers on his lips, barely stopping his rude actions.

Her fingertips trembled uncontrollably, yet she couldn't utter a single word, only her eyes filled with panic and helplessness. She knew what Xiao Ce was about to do, and her body was willing to succumb to his tenderness, but her heart felt that she and Xiao Ce shouldn't be like this.

Her mind was in turmoil. She had never imagined they would do something so intimate. Last time, he was drunk in the bath, but today, he was perfectly sober. Was he doing this because he cared about her? But what about Mu Wanning?

A moment later, Xiao Ce slowly raised his hand and gently pulled her hand away from his lips. He felt the cold trembling of her fingertips under his palm. He stared intently at her frightened and wet fox eyes, and the crimson desire surging in his eyes gradually faded.

He turned over and lay on the inside of the bed, but he never let go of her hand, his fingertips gently stroking the back of her hand.

"I'm sorry, I startled you."

His slightly hoarse voice, tinged with a hint of guilt, drifted softly into the quiet room.

When he didn't receive a response from her, he didn't ask any more questions. He simply turned slowly to the side, stretched out his long arm, and gently pulled her into his arms.

The burning passion from before was gone. He tightened his arms slightly, holding her firmly in his embrace. His chin gently rested on the top of her soft hair, and the fragrance of her hair and the freshness of her body after her bath filled his nostrils.

"Ling Xi, now that you've come back on your own, I will not let you go again."

His deep voice was full of determination, gently landing on the top of her head. She heard it clearly; his words were like a vow, or a confession full of affection, each word striking her heart.

She leaned against his warm chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, but a wave of uncertain panic surged within her.

From beginning to end, she never once felt that Xiao Ce belonged to her. The person in his heart was Mu Wanning. This realization was clear and firm in her heart from the beginning to the end. She was just a passerby in this marriage.

His certainty at this moment only made her more confused. Could it be that a man could truly love two women at the same time? At this thought, a faint bitterness welled up in Ling Xi's heart.

At this moment, she was perfectly clear about her own feelings; in fact, she had been clear about them ever since she stepped into the carriage that day.

From the moment the carriage left the city, her mind kept replaying the gruesome wound on his back, the chaotic state of the Prince Rui's residence, and his impending journey to the border of Qi Prefecture...

But she didn't know why she stayed behind so recklessly, or what kind of result she wanted to achieve.

The scent of his clothes lingered around her nose, yet a bittersweet feeling welled up in her heart.

Mu Wanning had already captured his heart and borne him a child. She couldn't very well be the one to steal someone else's love. As for Xiao Ce's true feelings for her, she wasn't even sure.

The tenderness in his eyes at this moment was genuine, and perhaps some of it was true love for him, but this meager affection was probably drawn from Mu Wanning.

Nestled in his arms, she dared not move. Lost in thought, she slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. After a long day of travel, she was utterly exhausted.

Xiao Ce held her quietly for a long time without moving. Only when the person in his arms was no longer moving did he slowly loosen his arms, lower his eyes to look at the sleeping face in his arms. The emptiness and desolation in his heart was quietly filled, and the frustration that had been weighing on his heart for days also quietly dissipated at this moment.

He carefully withdrew his hand, gently brushing away the stray hairs from her forehead with his fingertips, his movements so tender as if afraid of disturbing her in the slightest. Then he leaned down slightly and placed a light, gentle kiss on her smooth forehead, his eyes filled with tenderness and reluctance.

After a long while, he finally composed himself, quietly got out of bed, and slowly walked towards the bathroom.

The next day, as dawn broke, Ling Xi slowly woke up. She lifted her eyelids and saw a handsome face. She was resting her head on his arm.

In her panic, she slightly raised her head and couldn't help but examine him closely. She had never seen Xiao Ce asleep before.

He lay quietly, his eyes gently closed, his sword-like eyebrows relaxed, his usual coldness gone, and a sense of peace and gentleness emanating from his eyes.

Ling Xi froze, not daring to move, staring silently without blinking. Suddenly, the lingering, passionate kiss from last night flashed through her mind, and her heart trembled.

She subconsciously raised her hand to touch her lips, where a faint tingling sensation lingered, as if his unfamiliar warmth and touch still remained.

He'd always been so cold and indifferent to her, so why did he suddenly become so passionate last night?

She slowly withdrew her gaze, recovering from her momentary daze, but a faint melancholy arose in her heart, indescribable and inexplicable, leaving her feeling utterly confused.