Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

She carefully propped herself up from under the covers and slowly sat up, deciding to slip away quietly first to avoid embarrassing him if he woke up.

But she was sleeping on the inside of the bed, looking down at the person sleeping soundly beside her. After hesitating for a moment, she carefully stretched out one leg and slowly stepped outward, using her other hand to support herself on the edge of the bed. Just as she was about to move gently, the person who had been sleeping soundly beneath her suddenly opened their eyes.

She froze on the spot, her body suspended in mid-air, momentarily forgetting to move.

The next instant, she suddenly felt a tightness around her waist, as a steady and powerful force pulled her down.

"ah--"

She gasped softly, caught off guard, and fell face-first onto his firm chest.

"Where are we going?"

Xiao Ce's deep voice rang in her ear, carrying the languor of someone who had just woken up.

"I... want to get up."

Her eyes darted around nervously, avoiding his gaze. Xiao Ce frowned slightly, his dark eyes fixed intently on her.

Do you remember what I said to you last night?

Last night? What did he say?

She was suddenly startled, her brows furrowing in confusion. He had pestered her repeatedly last night, leaving her in a state of utter turmoil; she couldn't possibly remember what he had said.

His expression changed instantly; though he didn't show anger, he became noticeably more serious.

"Then I will say it again."

As soon as he finished speaking, he tightened his arms around her waist slightly, as if trying to convey the stubbornness and sincerity in his heart to her.

"Ling Xi, I'm not going to let you go."

Her long eyelashes drooped, and she lowered her eyes, not daring to look into his deep gaze. How could she not understand the deeper meaning in his words? It was just that her mind was still in turmoil, and she hadn't figured it out yet. She had returned yesterday in a daze.

"Let me go first."

He stared into her evasive eyes, his hand remaining motionless, showing no sign of loosening his grip.

As she struggled to get up, pushing against his chest and pulling back, she saw his brows furrow suddenly, a clear look of pain rising between his eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she remembered that he was still injured on his back. She quickly loosened her grip, and the anger in her eyes was instantly replaced by worry.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

He simply shook his head slightly and remained silent.

"Let go of me! You still have injuries on your back!"

Her brows furrowed, both anxious and annoyed, and he finally slowly released his grip on her waist. Taking advantage of the opening, Ling Xi immediately scrambled off the bed.

"I'm going to wash up first."

She turned around quickly and fled towards the bathroom, not daring to linger for even a moment longer.

Xiao Ce propped himself up on the bed and watched her flee in a panic. His brows furrowed even more, and his eyes were filled with confusion and melancholy.

Now that she's back, why does she insist on avoiding him, refusing to reciprocate his feelings, and refusing to give him any response?

When Ling Xi finished getting ready and came out of the bathroom, she found the bed empty; Xiao Ce was nowhere to be seen.

"Is the princess searching for the heir?"

Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, Pei Lan's voice rang out from the doorway.

"The young master has already gone to the dining hall. He specifically instructed that the princess should take her time preparing and not rush. He is waiting for you in the dining hall to have breakfast together."

Waiting for her to have breakfast? Ling Xi was slightly taken aback. When had Xiao Ce ever waited for her to have breakfast together?

Princess Rui exempted Ling Xi from the morning and evening greetings, and with no one in the mansion to supervise her, Ling Xi would sleep until she was well-rested every day before getting up. When Xiao Ce went to court, he would leave before dawn, and although he got up later on his days off, it was still a time that Ling Xi could never catch.

"That's not right, he didn't leave the residence today?"

"Hmm, it seems the young master has no plans to go out today."

She suddenly remembered that ever since she moved to Chuixing Courtyard, she had almost always stayed in Wanfang Pavilion during Xiao Ce's days off, as if she had never been alone with him in the courtyard.

If he didn't go out today, wouldn't it be extremely awkward for the two of them to be together in the courtyard day and night? Especially after what happened last night. Ling Xi's heart, which had just calmed down a little, instantly clenched again.

She lingered as she entered the dining hall. The hall was quiet and warm. He was dressed in plain clothes, his posture upright, sitting at the table. He looked up when he heard her voice, his gaze fixed on her, a faint smile curving his lips. Today, his gentle features were a side of him she had never seen before.

He stood up, walked forward calmly, and gently pulled out a chair for her, his movements delicate and considerate.

Ling Xi was stunned for a moment, feeling flattered. The gentle and considerate person in front of her was no longer the aloof and distant Prince Rui.

Seeing this, Qiuyue and Peilan, who were standing to the side, wisely refrained from taking another step forward and stood quietly to the side with their eyes lowered.

Xiao Ce reached out and took the white jade porcelain bowl, filled it with warm bird's nest porridge, and handed it to her. The warm aroma and sweet fragrance spread out, and her fingertips stiffened slightly as she hesitated before reaching out to take it.

"Um...aren't you going out today?"

She lowered her eyes, pursed her lips, and tentatively began to speak.

He sighed softly, gently placing the porcelain bowl in his hand on the sandalwood table, a hint of inquiry hidden in his eyes.

"I've taken a few days off."

She almost forgot that he was still injured.

"The Du family physician said that the wound on your back needs to be dressed daily. Yesterday...did you have your dressing changed?"

He rested his arms lightly on the edge of the table, his posture relaxed and at ease, a faint smile playing on his lips as he gazed intently at her.

"no."

His frankness and directness left Ling Xi speechless for a moment. After hesitating for a while, she bit her lip and spoke softly:

"After you finish your breakfast, I'll... help you change it."

"it is good."

He responded crisply and decisively, without the slightest intention of refusing. He lowered his eyes, picked up his spoon, and continued eating, exuding a rare sense of relaxation and gentleness.

Fifteen minutes later, Ling Xi arrived at the study door with a tray containing ointment and cotton cloth, looking hesitant.

He said he had to go to his study after breakfast and asked her to bring the medicine later. But isn't his study off-limits to everyone?

Lu Ming, who was standing guard outside the study, bowed respectfully, as if he had noticed her hesitation.

"Princess Consort, please come in. The Prince is waiting inside."

She nodded slightly, her lips pressed tightly together, but her feet remained still.

"The Crown Prince also specifically instructed that from now on, the Crown Princess may enter the study whenever she wishes, without needing anyone's permission."

Her heart trembled slightly, and she looked up at the closed study door, her eyes filled with astonishment.

She gently pushed open the door and looked up to meet his gentle gaze. He put down the folding book in his hand, a warm smile on his lips. The gentleness in his eyes made her heart flutter. She quickly lowered her eyelashes and avoided his gaze.

"Come over and have your dressing changed."

She gently placed the tray on the desk, making a very soft sound. He slowly rose, calmly walked around the desk, and stood in front of her, his long arm slightly raised, slowly opening his arms, clearly waiting for her to undress him.

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam."

His deep voice carried a faint smile, gentle yet with a touch of deliberate tenderness.

He's gone mad! What's wrong with Xiao Ce? He seems like a completely different person.