Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

Ling Xi stood quietly in the spring breeze. She was dressed in a plain dress and stood gracefully. Her expression was much calmer than before. She neither shed tears nor had her eyes redden. She just stood quietly, neither too close nor too far. She did not take a step forward or say a word to see her off.

Looking at Mu Wanning's grief-stricken appearance, she suddenly felt that Xiao Ce's previous explanations to her were no longer so believable.

There was resentment and worry weighing heavily on my heart, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside.

But she didn't want to distract him, so she could only suppress the bitterness in her heart and wait for him to come back so she could ask him again to get to the bottom of things. If he still kept it from her by then, she would give up on her feelings for him completely and go back to her Chu Kingdom.

Xiao Ce, clad in silver armor, gazed at her intently before quickly averting his eyes. He bowed respectfully, bid farewell to his parents, and then turned and mounted his horse.

A moment later, a loud bugle call sounded, iron horses neighed, and soldiers, fully armed and ready to go, lined up in formation.

Xiao Ce, on horseback, glanced back, his gaze lingering on Ling Xi for a moment before resolutely turning away, never looking back again.

With a slight movement of the horses' hooves, the procession headed west in a grand procession.

Princess Rui and Mu Wanning stood there weeping uncontrollably, while Ling Xi stood silently in the cool spring breeze.

For a moment, she suddenly wondered if her feelings for Xiao Ce were far less than those for his mother and Mu Wanning, otherwise why couldn't she shed a single tear?

It must be so! Ling Xi suddenly became certain of her idea. When she came to her senses and looked west again, that tall figure was already walking further and further away.

……

After Xiao Ce left Jinling, it took Ling Xi several days for her heart, which had been repeatedly disturbed by him, to gradually calm down. But after only a few days, she felt that the days were too peaceful.

In the past, Prince Rui's mansion, though not exactly bustling, still possessed the lively atmosphere expected of a noble royal residence. But ever since Xiao Ce went to the border, this vast mansion seems to have become utterly deserted.

She strolled through the garden every day, where flowers bloomed in succession, a riot of colors, yet they seemed to bloom with a sense of desolation. The garden's splendor was enjoyed by her alone all day long; she never encountered Princess Rui or Mu Wanning, even though she rarely saw them in the garden in the past.

For over a month, she indeed found it extremely boring, just as Xiao Ce had predicted before his departure.

Aside from occasionally going out to stroll around town or take a boat trip on the lake with Xiao Xiao, she spent the rest of her time alone in the courtyard, bored out of her mind. She didn't move back to Yuehua Courtyard; instead, she had Granny Qi move to Chuixing Courtyard as well.

At first, she felt a little awkward and was reluctant to go into his study. But sitting in the courtyard every day was too dull, so she would occasionally go to his study to read a few books.

And indeed, his study was filled with a vast collection of books, just as he had described. It contained everything from classics and historical texts to military strategies, poetry, and miscellaneous writings. All kinds of books were neatly categorized and arranged, filling the entire room's bookshelves. Many rare and priceless editions were casually placed on the shelves.

Later, she would often sit quietly at his desk, reading books, and unknowingly pass many boring hours.

Two months later, just as she had grown accustomed to this peaceful life, news of the formal war between the Jin Kingdom and Chu Jin reached Jinling, instantly disrupting the tranquility of the entire capital.

Since then, Ling Xi has had even less desire to go out.

The once bustling streets, the noisy taverns and teahouses, and the idle chatter among the people all revolved around this border war. Everyone was discussing this sudden war, and for a time, opinions were divided and people were filled with anxiety.

Most of them were optimistic, saying that the Great Liang was powerful and well-equipped, and that the Jin Kingdom, which was lying dormant in the western border, was just overestimating itself and trying to break a rock with an egg. They believed that at most three to five months, the Prince Rui would be able to quell the war and return to the capital in triumph.

However, many cautious pessimists were worried and quietly discussed the perilous situation, saying that the Jin Kingdom had been biding its time for many years, diligently training its troops and accumulating national strength. It was no longer the weak and small country it once was. Its initiative to declare war must have been planned for a long time and should not be underestimated.

What worries them even more is that the Prince Rui, who is leading the troops to meet the enemy, has been in the Ministry of War for many years and is familiar with military strategy and military and political affairs, but he has never had any actual combat experience in fighting the enemy. No matter how meticulous the court's plans are, they will eventually be no match for the ever-changing dangers on the battlefield.

Whenever Ling Xi heard these discussions, she felt uneasy, so she gradually stopped going out and stayed at home, just like Princess Rui and Mu Wanning.

It was at this moment that Ling Xi suddenly realized that her heart seemed to have changed, becoming like theirs.

Just two months ago, when she saw Xiao Ce off at the Xiyong city gate, she still felt that her feelings for Xiao Ce were still something she could let go of.

After Xiao Xiao failed to get anyone to come to her invitation three times in a row, she finally lost her patience and went directly to the Prince Rui's residence.

When Xiao Xiao arrived, she heard from the servants of Chuixing Courtyard that she had been reading in the study for days. This puzzled her even more. Ever since she met Sister Xi, she knew that Sister Xi was not a book lover, just like her.

She stepped lightly into the study and saw Ling Xi lying on the large desk, fast asleep, her forearm supporting her cheek and her head resting comfortably on a thick book.

Xiao Xiao smiled instantly. She knew that Sister-in-law Xi must be just like her, always getting sleepy when reading.

But she couldn't bear to wake her, so she tiptoed to the desk and casually pulled out a book from the stack of books on the desk.

Perhaps she made too much noise, because before she could put the book back in front of her, Ling Xi suddenly opened her eyes and slowly raised her head to look at her.

Caught off guard, Xiao Xiao's book fell to the desk with a "thud".

"Xiao Xiao? What are you doing here?"

Ling Xi rubbed her sleepy eyes, her tone carrying a hint of languid surprise as she woke up.

"Sister-in-law, you have the nerve to say that? I've asked you out three times in a row, and you refused to come out each time. I had no choice but to come to your door in person."

"I......"

Ling Xi hesitated. She didn't want to say that she didn't want to go out because she was afraid of hearing what people outside were saying.

"Sister-in-law, you're really something. You get sleepy as soon as you start reading, so why do you go to Brother Ce's study every day? I know! You must not be able to see Brother Ce, so you come to his study, sit in his seat, look at his books, and think of him. Am I right?"

Xiao Xiao's eyes darted around, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, and she moved closer.

Ling Xi was speechless for a moment. Just as she was about to speak in defense, Xiao Xiao picked up the book that had just fallen and brought it to her nose to sniff it gently.

"If you smell it carefully, even the books that Brother Ce often reads still retain his unique fragrance!"

Her eyes crinkled into crescents, and her tone carried a playful softness.