[Childhood Sweethearts Have an End] (101-106) Author: No Cat Under Heaven

Author: No Cat Under Heaven
Word Count: 19011

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Chapter 101 Farewell

More than a month after becoming pregnant, Lin Ling began to vomit severely. She felt nauseous from the moment she woke up in the morning,
feeling weak all over and dizzy. The smell of any food made her feel nauseous. Coupled with her worry for Xia Xiao, she couldn't
sleep . Even though Xiao Ya took meticulous care of her every day, Lin Ling still lost a lot of weight in just over ten days,
looking extremely haggard. Her small face was so thin that only her large eyes were wide open in fear. Her complexion was sallow, and many blisters appeared
on the corners . She would always look at anyone who spoke to her with a startled expression, which made Li Yiyang feel extremely distressed.

Lin Ling went to the Crown Prince's residence, but the Crown Prince refused to see her. She then went to the Eighth Prince, who did see her,
but only told her that the Emperor's decree could not be changed. The gate of the Seventh Prince's residence had been sealed, and
all the servants and maids in the residence seemed to have disappeared overnight. Lin Ling was helpless. She often dreamt of
Xia Xiao's flesh being sliced off piece by piece, struggling to die in agonizing pain. How could such a cruel punishment as
slow If she had known this would happen, she would have preferred to die with Xia Xiao on Mount Jiuhua.

A few days later, Cheng Haoran returned. Cheng Haoran had been traveling all over the country for the past few months. The news of the Seventh Prince
's treason spread throughout the country in just a few days, and he rushed back to the capital as soon as he heard it.

As soon as Lin Ling saw Cheng Haoran, she rushed over to him, grabbing his arm tightly and begging him to save Xia Xiao. She said,
"Haoran, your biological father is the leader of the martial arts alliance. Please help me think of a way!" Cheng Haoran tried to calm Lin Ling
down, but she was only heartbroken. After thinking for a long time, Cheng Haoran told Lin Ling that the crux of the problem was mostly
with Xia Ying. He would stay at the Second Prince's residence for a while to see if he could find any clues, but
the chances of saving Xia Xiao's life were extremely slim, and he told Lin Ling not to have too much hope. Lin Ling said, "How could you stay at the Second Prince's residence?
Xia Ying is a terrible person." Cheng Haoran ruffled her hair and said it was nothing, then left. Xia Ying hadn't expected Cheng Haoran to come looking for him. He said, "Brother Cheng, it's an honor

to have you grace my humble abode." Cheng Haoran sat down. "Aren't you welcome?" Xia Ying laughed. "How could I not welcome you? I'm just afraid Brother Cheng wouldn't come without a reason." Cheng Haoran said, "Of course I have something to say. Xia Xiao is now a prisoner, and all that's left is the incompetent Crown Prince . My father and I both believe he's no match for you, Second Prince." "So that's what Brother Cheng wanted to say." Xia Ying took a sip of tea. "These past few days, your Jiuhua Sect has been quite hostile towards me. Why should I cooperate with you?" Cheng Haoran said, "It's human nature to seek profit and avoid harm. We all want to gain more benefits. Second Prince, cooperating with the Jiuhua Sect will make your grand plan come to fruition much faster." Xia Ying's gray-brown eyes stared at Cheng Haoran's slightly upturned phoenix eyes. He pondered for a moment and said, "Then... that depends on how sincere you are, Haoran." Cheng Haoran was annoyed, but his face remained calm. "Of course I'm sincere." Cheng Haoran stayed at the Second Prince's residence, hoping to extract some useful information from Xia Ying. The Emperor wouldn't want Xia Xiao's life for no reason; there must be a hidden reason. But Xia Ying wasn't a fool. He wouldn't say anything he shouldn't. Cheng Haoran couldn't reveal too much, so he could only deal with him insincerely every day. Xia Ying certainly wanted Cheng Haoran, but he couldn't force him because Cheng Haoran was Zhong Haoyu's only son. However, Xia Ying also enjoyed the thrill of the chase. Cheng Haoran, with his ethereal beauty and otherworldly aura, was the best prey he had ever encountered. He had never felt such intense desire for anyone before. He wasn't in a hurry; the world was his, so where could Cheng Haoran possibly go? Lin Ling arrived at Song Qi's husband's house wanting to see her, but Song Qi, upon hearing the servant's report, immediately refused to see her. The next day, as soon as Song Qi stepped out of the mansion, Lin Ling rushed over and blocked her way. Song Qi glanced at Lin Ling and said indifferently, "What do you want from me?" Lin Ling looked at her and said, "Can you find a way to let me see Xia Xiao?" "Are you crazy? How can I let you see him?" Lin Ling grabbed Song Qi's sleeve and said, "You are the emperor's most beloved princess; you'll find a way. I just want to see him; he's about to die." Song Qi pulled her sleeve away in annoyance. "Even if I had a way, I wouldn't let you see my seventh brother. I hate vixens like you the most!" After saying that, she strode towards the carriage parked in front of the gate. Lin Ling followed behind her, pleading, but Song Qi ignored her completely. The maid opened the carriage curtain, and seeing Song Qi about to get in , Lin Ling, in desperation, knelt down behind her. "I beg you, let me see him one last time. I'm pregnant with Xia Xiao's child; at least let me tell him this myself." Song Qi stopped getting into the carriage, turning back to look at Lin Ling kneeling on the ground, frowning without speaking . Lin Ling, disguised as a maid, followed Song Qi into the palace . She was too nervous to look up, simply following Song Qi forward. They wandered through the palace, passing through many gates, and then descended underground. Lin Ling heard the clanging of iron chains and shackles beside her, knowing they had entered the palace prison. A guard opened a heavy iron door secured with numerous brass locks. Lin Ling followed Song Qi inside. In the flickering torchlight, she saw a shirtless man chained to a The man's head was bowed, and several scabbed whip marks marred his body. Seeing that familiar chest, Lin Ling's vision blurred instantly. She bit her lip tightly, almost bursting into tears. Xia Xiao struggled to lift his head and immediately saw Lin Ling. His gaze intensified; he had thought he would never see her again. Song Qi coldly told the guard, "Get out." The guard hesitated, "Tenth Princess, this… is against the rules." Song Qi snapped, "I'm just with a little maid. Are you afraid I'll break you out of prison?" The guard hurriedly replied, "No, no. It's just that serious offenders aren't allowed private visits. I can't bear such a heavy responsibility." Song Qi sneered, "What's your name?" The man was too frightened to utter a sound. Song Qi roared, "Get out!" The guards bowed and left, closing the iron gates tightly behind them. Xia Xiao spoke in a hoarse voice, "Ling'er, is that you?"

Lin Ling looked up at Xia Xiao, covering her mouth and sobbing uncontrollably.

Xia Xiao looked at her intently. "Baby, why do you look so haggard? Did something happen?"

Song Qi said impatiently, "Lin Ling, stop crying, okay? Speak up! Do you think you can stay here
for long?"

Lin Ling wiped away her tears, a thousand words swirling in her mind, unsure where to begin. She thought for a moment and said, "Xia Xiao,
is there really no way to escape? Are you really going to die?"

Xia Xiao gave a bitter smile. If he had a way, why would he have let her leave him? "Ling'er, don't cry.
A heartless man like me, who starts something and then abandons it, is fine if I die. It's not worth your tears."

Lin Ling shook her head and said, "Weren't you going to marry Qiao Luo? Didn't you already form an alliance with the Qiao family? How did things
suddenly turn out like this?"

"That's how the court is—the winner takes all, the loser is condemned. I've lost, and there's no chance of turning things around.
Ling'er, I can't do it in this life, but in the next… I hope I'm the first person to meet you, so we can
be together and never have to worry about all this mess again,

" Lin Ling cried. "What next life! You're so smart and cold-blooded. You were
willing to abandon me for the Qiao family's power, how could you lose? Xia Xiao, I don't want you to die. I'm already carrying your child.
If die, my child will be fatherless."

Xia Xiao was stunned. After a long while, he finally managed to say with difficulty, "…How could you have a child?"

Lin Ling stammered, "It was the last time. After I found out about your marriage to Qiao Luo, I was so flustered that
I completely forgot to take my medicine. Later... I found out I was pregnant."

Xia Xiao shook his head in disbelief. "How could you have a child? This shouldn't be happening."

Lin Ling wiped away her tears and said, "Don't you want my child?"

Xia Xiao looked at her with heartache. "Ling'er, I'm going to die, and you're carrying my child. What will you
do in the future? I've ruined your life."

Lin Ling bit her lip and looked at Xia Xiao without speaking. Her reason told her that this was the last time they would see each other, but
her heart couldn't accept it.

After a long while, Xia Xiao asked again, "Do you plan to be with Li Yiyang in the future?"

Lin Ling shook her head.

"Will you... keep this child?"

"Of course I will. This is my child."

Xia Xiao lowered his head. "Ling'er, don't be so sad. It's not good for the child. You have to take good
care of yourself in the future and don't let yourself suffer..." As he spoke, his voice choked with sobs.

Lin Ling couldn't help but take a step forward. Grabbing the cold iron bars with both hands, she said, "Xia Xiao, I
thought I would hate you for the rest of my life, but now I know I only want you to live. As long as you live well, even if
you marry another woman, I don't care. I think about you constantly every day. I don't know how to take care of
the child. I'm so scared. I can't manage alone. I feel worse than dead. I don't hate you anymore
. I'd rather die with you. Even in another world, at least there's no throne, no struggle,
just the two of us and our baby. I really don't have the courage. I can't live without you." Lin Ling
cried as she spoke, her body sliding down until she collapsed to the ground.

Tears blurred Xia Xiao's vision. He gritted his teeth and said, "Ling'er,
have you forgotten how I neglected and abandoned you to gain the Qiao family's power? Is someone like me worth this? After I die, I will have no
thoughts and will not miss you, so you must forget me too. You have a little life in your belly; you must
live well."

Lin Ling sobbed, "I don't want to. It's too painful. I can't bear it. Xia Xiao, being slowly sliced to death is so painful.
How can I let you die like that? I really can't bear it."

Xia Xiao knew that the more he said this, the harder it would be for her to let go. He hardened his heart, closed his eyes, and said, "Songqi,
take her away."

Songqi pulled Lin Ling's arm, trying to help her stand up, but Lin Ling clung to the railing, refusing to let go. How could she let go? If she
let go she wait for him? Lin
Ling cried until she was dizzy, looking at Xia Xiao through her teary eyes, desperate and in pain, she just wouldn't let go.

Songqi delivered a karate chop to Lin Ling's neck, causing Lin Ling to collapse limply into Songqi's arms.

Songqi used her shoulder to support Lin Ling as she stood up, looking at Xia Xiao and saying, "Seventh Brother, I'm leaving."

Xia Xiao smiled, "Songqi, thank you for bringing her… You've grown up now, don't be so willful in the future."

Songqi nodded, forcing back tears, and, supporting Lin Ling, walked to the door and knocked
on the iron gate.

A guard opened the door from the outside, looking at Lin Ling, who had fainted on Songqi, and asked in surprise, "Tenth Princess, this
…?"

Songqi glared at the guard, "What are you babbling about? I don't want her to hear too much. I just knocked her unconscious.
Quickly help her up, don't you have any sense!"

The guard hurriedly helped Lin Ling up while locking the iron gate again.

The gate slowly closed in front of Xia Xiao, and Lin Ling's pale, tear-streaked face gradually shrank and
disappeared. In the silent prison, Xia Xiao trembled, suppressing sobs. He knew he
was doomed , but Lin Ling was carrying his child. How could he leave her alone in the world
? How could he bear it?

Chapter 102 The Dust Settles

As the end of the month approached, Cheng Haoran learned from the Crown Prince that Xia Xiao's execution was scheduled for the 25th
. Cheng Haoran knew he couldn't wait any longer. He had discovered that Xia Ying had hidden some important documents
in a secret compartment in his bedroom.

That night, Cheng Haoran went to Xia Ying's room. Xia Ying had barely exchanged a few flirtatious words when
Cheng Haoran pressed a dagger to her throat. Several of Cheng Haoran's men silently entered and activated the mechanism of the secret compartment.
Xia Ying had never told anyone how to activate these mechanisms; how did Cheng Haoran know? Xia Ying had been rendered mute by
Cheng Haoran's acupoints and could only glare at him fiercely. The next time Cheng Haoran fell into his hands, he would make him wish he
were dead! After Cheng Haoran and his men ransacked the hidden compartment, they forced their way
out of the Second Prince's residence
, holding a dagger to Xia

Ying's throat. Xia Ying was shoved to the ground by Cheng Haoran, and by the time he got up, Cheng Haoran and his men had already used their light-footed skills to leap away. Cheng Haoran returned and carefully examined the documents, which detailed the number of Xia Ying's followers and their wealth.
The more he looked, the more alarmed he became. It turned out Xia Ying had bribed so many court officials; his accumulated wealth was almost
comparable . The soldiers he had secretly trained were enough to launch a coup. If Xia Ying ultimately failed to obtain the throne,
a deadly battle would be inevitable. However, among all these documents, Cheng Haoran still couldn't find any evidence
related .

Cheng Haoran gave everything to the Crown Prince to present to the Emperor, also telling the Crown Prince that Xia Ying had
attempted to kill Xia Xiao on Mount Jiuhua. He offered to personally testify as the young master of the Jiuhua Sect if necessary.
The Crown Prince took the evidence to the palace. Several hours later, he emerged and told Cheng Haoran that the Emperor was furious upon seeing
the documents. He tentatively mentioned whether the Seventh Prince's treasonous act might have been a setup by the Second Prince.
The Emperor, however, coldly stated that the evidence against Xia Xiao was conclusive and had already been announced to the world; there was no need for further discussion. With that, he
turned and left . Cheng Haoran was silent for a while and asked if there was any possibility of reversal. The Crown Prince said that a few days ago, Songqi had
run to the Emperor, crying and making a scene, and was scolded by the Emperor. Since the Emperor had made up his mind to take Seventh Brother's life, he
would never change his mind. I will try my best to see if I can bribe the executioner... to make him do it quickly and not let Seventh Brother suffer
so much.

Cheng Haoran had no choice but to go back and relay these words to Lin Ling. Lin Ling had completely lost hope and sat there
just shedding tears.

On the morning of November 25th, Xiaoya prepared water for washing her face and opened Lin Ling's door. There was no one in the room, and
the bedding was neatly folded on the bed. Lin Ling only left a note on the table saying that she wanted to go out for a walk alone and
that they should not worry. Xiaoya hurriedly told Li Yiyang and Cheng Haoran about this. The two of them did not say anything, but
they were both worried that today was the day of Xia Xiao's execution, and that Lin Ling might do something foolish. They led a large
group to search separately, but the imperial city was densely populated, and Lin Ling, disguised as a man, was deliberately trying to hide
. Finding her wasn't easy.

At noon, imperial notices were posted in every notice area of the imperial city: the Seventh Prince, Xia Xiao, had been executed by slow slicing in the palace this morning at
9:00 AM , and his princely status was forever removed from the royal family.

Lin Ling squeezed into the bustling crowd, looking at the yellow paper. Besides sadness, she felt a sense of peace, a feeling of
relief . She no longer needed to hope for anything; Xia Xiao was dead, already dead.

Lin Ling reached the dark blue stone steps, rolled up her trousers, and sat down to soak her legs in the hot spring.

The last time she celebrated her birthday, she had come to this hot spring with Xia Xiao at night. It turned out the scenery here
was beautiful ; soft sunlight streamed through the gaps in the rocks and trees into the depths of the valley, and the chirping of birds could be heard. If
people truly had souls, had Xia Xiao also come here?

Lin Ling looked up at the flawless, azure sky above and softly asked, "Xia Xiao, are you there?"
Only the distant, tinkling sound of a stream answered her.

Lin Ling looked down at her still-flat stomach. "Baby, can you feel your father?"

One of Lin Ling's hands moved slowly across her abdomen. Her heart was shrouded in darkness, devoid of any sunshine. This was
her and Xia Xiao's child, but it wasn't Xia Xiao; Xia Xiao was dead. She was only twenty-one. What could she possibly hope for in the
decades ?

Lin Ling gently pushed herself up on the stone steps, stepping into the hot spring. The water flowed
gently , soothing her body as if Xia Xiao were embracing her. The water rose past her waist and then her
chest. Lin Ling touched her lower abdomen and whispered, "Shall we go find your father?"

She murmured to the baby in her womb as she walked forward, "Baby, you're inside me,
so can feel my feelings, right? Mother loves you too, but... I'm just so tired."

The hot spring water reached above Lin Ling's chin. She knew that one more step would take her away from this world that caused her so much pain. She
sobbed and closed her eyes. "Father, Mother, please forgive my filial impiety. Baby, please forgive my selfishness." Lin
Ling took another step, two steps... the hot spring water gradually submerged her beautiful hair, and she could no longer be seen on the surface
.

A man in black suddenly jumped from a tree into the water, grabbed Lin Ling's shoulders, and swam towards the shallower areas.
Lin Ling frantically grabbed the man's arm; the first thought that popped into her head was that Xia Xiao had come to save her.

The man helped Lin Ling to sit on the bank. "Miss Lin, are you alright?"

Lin Ling had only drunk a few sips of water and was fine. She looked at the man in black, panting, "Who are you?"

The man in black thought for a moment before speaking, "My other brother and I are
shadow guards sent by the Seventh Prince to protect Miss Lin." He snapped his fingers towards a tree, and another man in black silently jumped down
and stood beside them.

Lin Ling's eyes widened, her lips trembling as she said, "Xia Xiao sent you? Xia Xiao isn't dead?!"

"No, Miss Lin. When you left the Seventh Prince's residence, his orders to us were
to protect you until the throne was settled, until you found a good home, only then could we
leave."

Crystalline droplets slid down Lin Ling's face, whether water droplets or tears, it was hard to tell. She
said, "Find a good home? If I live alone for the rest of my life, are you two going to follow me forever
?"

The man in black said solemnly, "The Seventh Prince has shown us immense kindness. Even if it means protecting Miss Lin for life, we
brothers will fulfill our duty." "Duty fulfilled without complaint."

Lin Ling covered her mouth, her body slumping lower and lower, her face pressed against the cold, dark stone slab. Her voice trembled
as she said, "Xia Xiao, what did I owe you in my past life that you torment me like this? If you're so domineering
, why don't you just die? Why do you have to die?!"

Lin Ling cried uncontrollably. The two shadow guards knew she was pregnant, and
it wasn't appropriate for her to be outside soaking wet in the dead of winter. One of them took off his coat and draped it over Lin Ling,
while the other hired a carriage to take her back to the Lin residence. Then they disappeared again.

When someone you deeply love leaves this world, the pain may initially be intense, but it's not
always profound. To Lin Ling, the seventh prince, executed by slow slicing on the imperial edict, seemed
completely different from the Xia Xiao she knew. It was only with the passage of time that she gradually realized Xia Xiao was truly gone.
The pain was like having the roots of a tree slowly dug out of your body; Lin Ling simply couldn't bear
it . She sat there like a puppet every day, completely lifeless, only knowing... for the sake of the child in her womb.
She ate and slept. Cheng Haoran was very worried and found many precious herbs to brew a tonic for her to stabilize her pregnancy,
which Lin Ling obediently drank. Cheng Haoran said that her emotions would affect the fetus and told her not to continue like this. Lin Ling nodded after
listening , but she still acted the same way every day.

Gu Xiaomi often came to visit Lin Ling, and Li Yiyang and Cheng Haoran also accompanied her every day. In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had
passed. At this time, the end of the year was approaching, and Li Yiyang's family business was at its busiest. Cui Yuhuan's belly was also
gradually growing bigger. Lin Ling asked him not to stay at the Lin residence every day anymore, so Li Yiyang stopped coming every day. Anyway, Cheng Haoran was
here , and anyway... he no longer had any qualifications or status.

One day, it snowed heavily all night. The next day, the sun shone brightly, illuminating the snow-covered world with dazzling light. Lin Ling
looked at the snow-covered eaves and recalled the year Xia Xiao, dressed in a white cotton robe with gold-embroidered unicorns,
a white fox fur hat, and white fur boots, had come to invite her to ski. In the end,
they didn't even get to ski; Xia Xiao had kissed her so forcefully that her chin dislocated.

Lost in thought, Lin Ling saw Cheng Haoran walk in wearing a white cloak and say, "Lin Ling, the snow
outside is beautiful. Let's go for a walk; it's not good to stay cooped up at home all the time."

Lin Ling smiled slightly, "Okay, let's go for a walk."

Chapter 103 The Truth Revealed

The City God Temple wasn't as lively during the day as it was at night. Lin Ling and Xia Xiao used to sometimes eat their way from one end of the street to
the other , but that was usually after… strenuous exercise. She didn't have much of an appetite now, so she and Cheng Haoran casually
sat down at a tofu stall.

The tofu pudding stall was doing brisk business. An older woman was skillfully ladling bowls of tofu pudding from a steaming iron pot and
sprinkling on seasonings. She called out loudly, "Xiao Yao, we have customers!"

A young woman carrying a baby on her back ran up to Cheng Haoran and Lin Ling's table and asked with a smile, "
What would you two like to order?"

Cheng Haoran asked Lin Ling, "What would you like to eat?"

Lin Ling looked up at the woman named Xiao Yao and said absentmindedly, "Anything is fine." She recognized
the girl's voice. Her name was Xiao Yao. Wasn't she the Xiao
Yao that she and Xia Xiao had bumped into twice at Qinghui Garden?

Cheng Haoran said, "Then two bowls of savory tofu pudding, please."

Xiao Yao noticed that Lin Ling was just staring at her and smiled at her somewhat awkwardly. She went to the stove and picked up two
steaming tofu pudding, placing them on their table.

Cheng Haoran said, "Let's just grab something to eat first. There are plenty of other things to eat on this street."

Lin Ling hummed in agreement, her eyes still following Xiao Yao's figure. Xiao Yao's appearance was as sweet as her voice
. She was short and slender, but the baby on her back was chubby and fair. The baby curiously
opened its eyes wide, sucking its fingers, looking here and there, occasionally waving its arms and making soft "uh-huh"
sounds. Whenever this happened, Xiao Yao would gently rock the child on her back, turn her head, and whisper a few words to soothe it. Xiao Yao
's clothes were very simple, and her hair was simply tied in a bun without any hairpins or ornaments. A strand of
hair fell across her cheek from her haste, but she didn't have time to fix it. She looked to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a
childlike air about her, but her eyes were remarkably calm,
a calmness that came from enduring hardship.

Cheng Haoran gently patted Lin Ling's shoulder. "Do you know her?"

Lin Ling shook her head, then lowered her head and picked up a spoon to scoop up a spoonful of tofu pudding. She remembered Xiao Yao saying her family sold tofu pudding
from a small stall, which is why the man named Zhang Junyi ultimately didn't marry her, and she didn't abort the child,
giving birth alone. Didn't she feel it was hard? Didn't she think about what she would do in the future?
Why was her gaze so calm and content? Could a child really redeem everything, making one forget
all pain? Was this child in her womb also a comfort left to her by heaven? It turned out she wasn't the only one in the world with
such misfortune. If Xiao Yao could be strong, could she be too?

Cheng Haoran thought Lin Ling was moved by seeing that woman raising a child alone, but
he had no idea about the case at Qinghui Garden. He didn't say much; he knew Lin Ling wouldn't respond to anything he said now.
He only silently promised in his heart that he would always be by her side and wouldn't let her suffer alone.

Although it snowed yesterday, the weather wasn't cold today. A thick layer of ice covered Luoshui Lake, and
trees along the shore were adorned with beautiful icicles. The two stood by the lake for a while. Cheng Haoran said it was too tiring
for her and she should go back. Lin Ling nodded and was about to leave with Cheng Haoran, but as she turned around, she saw
Qiao Luo walking towards them.

Qiao Luo also saw her and stopped.

Lin Ling had never disliked Qiao Luo. She felt that Qiao Luo was neither as arrogant and rude as Song Qi, nor as
dignified and quiet as Cui Yuhuan, which made people feel distant. Qiao Luo was a gentle and lovely girl. Today, she was wearing a
moon-white embroidered fur coat with a silver fur vest over it. Her face looked somewhat tired and haggard, and there was a bruise on her forehead
for some reason.

The two looked at each other for a few seconds. Lin Ling first lowered her head, tugged at Cheng Haoran's sleeve, and walked in another
direction . But Qiao Luo called out to her from behind, saying, "Lin Ling, I have something to tell you."

Lin Ling had no choice but to let Cheng Haoran go first, and she and Qiao Luo stood facing each other by the thickly snow-covered Luoshui Lake.

Qiao Luo said, "Xia Xiao has only been dead for a few days, and you're already with another man."

"Cheng Haoran is my friend."

"You don't need to explain anything to me. Who you're with is none of my business. I know you feel that Xia
Xiao wronged you. He kicked you out of the Seventh Prince's residence, and he said he would marry me, so you hate him. You might even
feel relieved that he's dead."

Lin Ling said calmly. "I don't feel relieved at all. What exactly do you want to say to me?"

Qiao Luo looked at the silvery Luoshui Lake where it met the hazy sky, her thoughts drifting far away.
She said, "I've liked Xia Xiao since I was little. He's six years older than me. When I was little, he was already tall,
handsome , and charming. In my eyes, no one was as good as him. Song Qi has a bad temper, and no one really wants to be
friends with her. I was willing to do that so I could see Xia Xiao more often. I've heard rumors for years about how
frivolous , so I always wanted to grow up quickly so I could become Seventh Prince's bride." Qiao
Luo paused and continued, "But then you appeared. I didn't want to appear ungentlemanly. I didn't want Xia..."
Xiao hates me. I never believed Xia Xiao would marry you; how could you be worthy of him? Later, he finally proposed.
Even if part of his reason for marrying me was to form a political alliance with my family, I was willing. Seventh Brother has always been good to me, and he
will continue to be good to me. I believe that one day he will love me as much as I love him. On my birthday, he gave
me a pearl necklace so beautiful I dared not touch it, and he even put it on me himself. I was so happy I almost
fainted; I felt I could never be happier in my life. But that happiness truly ended there.
The Emperor decreed that he was guilty of treason and to be executed by slow slicing. My father locked me in my room, refusing to let me see him . I foolishly banged
my head against the wall, determined to see him one last time. But when I finally saw him alone, I realized it would have been better not to see him at all. He was
chained to the wall, smiling as he said, "Qiao Qiao, I'm sorry." I said, "Seventh Brother, what have you done? Tell me,
I'll find a way to save you." He said there was no way to save him. I cried, saying, "If you die, I don't want to live alone." He
was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't need to do this at all, because he never liked me.
The only person he ever wanted to be with was you. I was just a bargaining chip for him to drive you away."

Lin Ling was stunned. She stared wide-eyed at Qiao Luo. "Why did he force me to leave? Xia Xiao... did he already
know he was going to die?"

"Do you know Xia Xiao's biological mother, Consort Xiao?"

Lin Ling thought for a moment and said, "Xia Xiao said his mother died when he was six years old, and that she was very much
favored by the emperor."

"Consort Xiao was more than just favored by the emperor; she was showered with love and affection. Xia Xiao told me in the dungeon
that he never understood why his mother was always so melancholy, why she was always crying alone. Now he
knows it's because the person his mother loved wasn't the emperor, and he wasn't the emperor's son at all. He was his mother's
illegitimate son with her lover."

Lin Ling looked at Qiao Luo in shock. "So that's how it is... No wonder she always thought the Emperor was plain-looking and not
nearly handsome as Xia Xiao. No wonder Xia Xiao didn't resemble any of the princes, only bearing a slight
resemblance to Song Qi. It wasn't because of blood relations; it was simply because the Emperor had taken a liking to a
palace maid who looked somewhat like Consort Xiao, which led to Song Qi's birth.

" Qiao Luo continued, "Back then, Consort Xiao already had a childhood sweetheart with whom she was about to be married. Who knew she would
suddenly be chosen to enter the palace as a celestial maiden? Consort Xiao's beauty was unparalleled. When she stood on the Star Gazing Platform,
all the officials below were stunned and awestruck, including the Emperor. The Emperor was completely captivated by her and broke
precedent by taking her as a concubine. The Emperor treated her extremely well, truly willing to spend a fortune to win her smile, yet Consort Xiao was always
sullen. The Emperor thought she was young and missed her parents, so he granted her permission to return to Jiangnan to visit her family. But this visit led to
disaster." It's likely that Consort Xiao and her childhood sweetheart both thought they would never see each other again, which is
why she couldn't control her emotions. Consort Xiao later became pregnant, unsure whether the child was her lover's or
the emperor's. As the little boy grew, his features resembled hers somewhat, but even more so her former
lover . Consort Xiao's secret rendezvous with her beloved was kept extremely secret; no one except her personal maid
knew of it. Yet, Consort Xiao remained anxious, constantly fearing that the affair would one day be exposed. She was originally a woman of gentle tenderness and romantic
nature Zi, completely unaccustomed to the infighting and power struggles among the concubines in the palace, became
increasingly She spent her days unable to find joy, longing for her former lover, and ultimately died before the age of thirty. This
was supposed to be a thing of the past, something no one should know, but secrets never stay hidden forever. Xia Ying, determined to find
fault with Xia Xiao, eventually led him to Xiao Shufei's former personal maid, where they interrogated and tortured her until
the . Xia Ying was overjoyed, knowing Xia Xiao was doomed this time, but instead of immediately telling the emperor, she
secretly plotted to increase her own... The forces wanted to defeat Xia Xiao and the Crown Prince in one fell swoop. Xia Xiao also noticed that Xia Ying had
been acting strangely lately. He had already planted his own people around Xia Ying and finally managed to find out some information,
but he refused to believe it and still went to Jiangnan himself. In Jiangnan, he saw his father, and the similar features
were so obvious that he couldn't help but believe it. Xia Xiao told me that if he wanted to live, he only had two ways: first,
kill everyone involved in this matter, but how could he kill his own father? Second, launch
a coup , but how could he... He wanted to turn his revered father, the emperor, against him, not to mention the bloodshed and
slim chances of a coup. He didn't want that. "

Lin Ling murmured, "So that time he suddenly left for more than half a month, he went to Jiangnan. Why did he
do that... Why didn't he tell me the truth?"

Qiao Luo lowered her eyes and said, "What good would it have done if he told you? He was so good to you, he
risked to protect you. He told me that Xia Ying hated him to the bone, and he was worried that even after he died, Xia Ying would not
let you go, so he told the emperor that he wanted to..." I proposed marriage, and you became the woman he abandoned, and Xia Ying
would never speak to you again. Xia Xiao said Xia Ying was definitely worried he would join forces with our Qiao family to launch a coup, and would definitely
tell the Emperor about Consort Xiao before our wedding. Therefore, he never really intended to marry me. He also said
Xia Ying had bullied you before, and he wouldn't let anyone who bullied you live in this world. He had already told the Crown
Prince , and secretly
transferred his trusted confidants, intelligence connections, and a large amount of money from his Seventh Prince's residence to the Crown Prince. He had planted informants among Xia Ying's people and had long obtained
evidence of Xia Ying's treacherous intentions and ambition to usurp the throne. He said that after he died, Xia Ying would definitely die at the hands of the Crown Prince, and told me to tell my father not to side
with . He also said that he had taken care of everything around him, that he owed no one anything, only that he was sorry to me.
He had treated me like a younger sister since childhood, but in the end, he used me. I cried then and said, "Seventh Brother, do you really
not like me at all? Why did you give me such a beautiful pearl necklace? Was it just to use me?
" Then he told me that the necklace... only represented his "I'm sorry."

Lin Ling was stunned, unable to speak. Many memories flashed before her eyes: him sending
the physician He, who had treated her since childhood, back home to retire; him forbidding her from managing the Seventh Prince's finances; him leaving her kneeling on the ground,
crying bitterly, before walking away without looking back; him holding her tightly, saying he was sorry and loved her; him saying the Crown Prince
harbored ill intentions so he had to marry Qiao Luo; him watching her retreating figure, saying, "Ling'er, take good care of yourself from now on..." That
year in the palace, she woke from a nightmare, and he held her hand, saying, "If one day I ignore you, it will be because..."
"I'm going to die." It turns out he had never changed; he was always the domineering yet deeply affectionate Xia Xiao, unwavering until death.

Qiao Luo spoke again, "Xia Xiao said he told me all this to make me give up completely. He said I'm a
good girl and will have a happy life in the future. He told me not to tell anyone else, especially not you. He
'd rather you hate him, so you could stop loving him and love someone else, so you could live a good life. I agreed then, but
today I still told you everything. He did so much for you silently, how can you be happy with another
man ? Lin Ling, he loved you deeply for the rest of his life, but you've lost him forever." After saying this, Qiao Luo turned and left. Lin Ling's blurry, silvery-white world shimmered brilliantly

in the sunlight . The sunlight warmed her. It turned out Xia Xiao had never betrayed her; she hadn't loved the wrong person. She was fortunate to have such a devoted lover; this life was enough. Chapter 104 A New Beginning The New Year arrived in the blink of an eye. Xiaoya pasted bright red Spring Festival couplets and hung festive lanterns at the entrance of the Lin residence. Holding a "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character, she stood on a stool, and no matter how she arranged it, Lin Ling thought it was crooked. She even wanted to stand on it herself to paste it, but Xiaoya quickly stopped her, saying, "My lady, what difference does it make if a '福' character is a little straight or a little crooked? What kind of time is this to be climbing up and down like this?" Lin Ling thought about it and agreed; she was already over three months pregnant, yet sometimes she would forget. Cheng Haoran invited her to his house to spend New Year's Eve with Uncle Cheng, but Lin Ling declined . Jiang Lei and Gu Xiaomi also invited her to the Jiang family's house for the New Year, but Lin Ling didn't go either. Now, only three or four servants remained in the Lin residence. Xiaoya insisted on staying at the Lin residence to accompany Lin Ling this year, no matter what. Lin Ling had no choice but to let her; after all… this was the only time. Xiaoya had grown up in the Lin residence, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she and Lin Ling were like sisters. They ate New Year's Eve dinner , talked a lot, and only went to sleep later that night. Lin Ling lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She listened to the crackling of firecrackers outside, touching her gradually swelling belly. She remembered last year's Lunar New Year, when she too had listened to the firecrackers alone, her heart pounding with emotion , unable to sleep. Later, Xia Xiao specially came back from the palace to watch fireworks with her… Suddenly, there were a few soft knocks on the door. Lin Ling sat up abruptly, her first thought being that Xia Xiao had come to find her. But she only heard Gu Xiaomi outside the door, "Lin Ling, are you asleep?" Lin Ling threw on a coat and got out of bed. Opening the door, she saw Jiang Lei, Gu Xiaomi, Li Yiyang, and Cheng Haoran standing outside. Lin Ling couldn't help but smile. It was as if they had all returned to their fourteen or fifteen-year-old selves overnight—the happiest, most carefree , and most unrestrained time of their lives. They had enthusiastically set off fireworks and had snowball fights together. Of course, when it came to snowball fights, Lin Ling was always the one hitting others; no one dared to hit her, a pregnant woman. They played to their hearts' content, oblivious to the approaching dawn . All the past partings and reunions seemed to have never happened. They were childhood playmates, unforgettable friends for life. Looking at Lin Ling's radiant smile, Li Yiyang said, "Ling'er, I haven't seen you smile like that in so long." Lin Ling looked back at Li Yiyang, "Boss, I'll be fine from now on, don't worry." After the New Year, Lin Ling quietly left alone, leaving a letter saying she was going to find her parents and asking everyone not to worry about her. Li Yiyang continued to take care of Cui Yuhuan and the Li family business as usual. His relationship with Cui Yuhuan had become cold; perhaps it would take many years for them to gradually improve. A few days later, Cheng Haoran bid farewell to his father and left the capital. He didn't say where he was going; he had grown accustomed to a nomadic life these past few years. Near Chang'an lies a small town called Qinglong. It's a peaceful and quiet town with a simple population. A couple surnamed Lin moved there a few years ago. They were well-off and kind, getting along well with everyone in town. Two months ago, their daughter came to town looking for her parents. The girl was pretty and gentle, not very talkative. She was widowed at a young age and heavily pregnant, a truly pitiful sight. Every evening, she would take a walk alone in the nearby fields. Her figure, gently touching her belly, walking slowly in the sunset, looked tender and beautiful. One evening, a very handsome young man suddenly came to town. Looking at the slender, softly called out, "Lin Ling." Lin Ling turned her head. "Cheng Haoran? What brings you here?" "I was worried about you being alone, so I came." "But how did you know I was here?" Cheng Haoran smiled. "If you really want to find someone, you can always find them." Lin Ling looked at Cheng Haoran and said softly, "Why bother, Haoran? I can't give you anything. I just want to raise my child properly. Why waste your life?" " Lin Ling, you're pregnant; someone should take care of you. Are there any doctors in this town more skilled than me?" Lin Ling looked at Cheng Haoran but said nothing more. Perhaps everyone has their own convictions. She knew she could never love anyone again in this life, but even if she told Cheng Haoran this, what difference would it make? If he were listening, he wouldn't have come here in the first place . After everything that had happened, let things take their course. He would leave when he wanted to. Lin Ling reached out her hand to Cheng Haoran, "Then can you take my pulse and see if my baby is healthy?" Cheng Haoran smiled, "How can I take a pulse here? I'll check your pulse properly when we get home." From then on, Lin Ling's evening walks were no longer alone; Cheng Haoran always accompanied her. The two no longer argued like they did when they were children. Lin Ling talked mostly about the baby in her belly. She said she hoped the child would be healthy and beautiful. She said her mother had already made several small quilts for the baby, and after the baby was born, she would learn to care for and educate the baby, letting the baby grow up happily. Cheng Haoran listened silently to Lin Ling's words. He didn't know if he could ever truly enter Lin Ling's heart, but being able to stay by her side like this was already enough for him. In May of the same year, the Second Prince Xia Ying launched a coup in the palace, attempting to usurp the throne. The coup was quickly suppressed, and Xia Ying was hacked to death in the palace. The Empress was also given a white silk noose to commit suicide. In June of the same year, Emperor Xia Ming abdicated, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, taking the title of Emperor Xia Xuan. This was a momentous event for the entire nation, and even in a remote place like Qinglong Town, the townspeople discussed it for days. Lin Ling was naturally relieved to hear this; she hoped that Xia Xiao's spirit in heaven could rest in peace. The baby grew day by day in her womb, and every fetal movement tugged at her heartstrings. Lin Ling eagerly awaited the child's birth.

It was the fruit of her and Xia Xiao's love, the most important thing she had in this world.

The weather at the end of June was already very hot and humid. Lin Ling's belly was so big and round that she had to walk slowly, supporting her back
. She was somewhat reluctant to go out for walks anymore, but Cheng Haoran said it would be better to walk every day, as it would make childbirth
easier .

Cheng Haoran and Lin Ling strolled leisurely through the fields. The fresh scent of grass and earth
wafted in the summer breeze, but Lin Ling seemed oblivious to the charm of the summer evening. She frowned and said,
"Cheng Haoran, I'm almost ten months along. Do you think I'll give birth in the next couple of days?"

"Not necessarily. Some babies, even when they're full-term, still have to wait another ten days or so,"

Lin Ling sighed. "I might as well just be killed. Cheng Haoran, you don't understand, this feeling is like
a prisoner awaiting execution, not even knowing when the execution will be."

Cheng Haoran chuckled. "Lin Ling, you're going to be a mother. Be strong."

Lin Ling shook her head. "How can I be strong? I've heard it's excruciatingly painful. Some women
die from childbirth."

Cheng Haoran frowned. "Don't talk nonsense."

"Why don't you just knock me unconscious when I give birth? That way I won't feel the pain."

"Idiot, do you think the baby will crawl out on its own? You can't give birth if you faint."

Lin Ling sighed in frustration. That bastard Xia Xiao, you made me endure this pain to give birth to your child, and you
haven't even seen what the baby looks like…

The lush green fields were bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, tinged with a pale orange. A familiar
figure, bathed in a faint glow from the direction of the setting sun, walked towards her. Lin Ling stopped,
her eyes widening as she looked at the tall, slender figure. His eyes shone like stars, and the smile on his lips was both lovable and infuriating. Even if
he were ashes, she would recognize him. It was Xia Xiao, and he was alive, walking towards her step by step.

Lin Ling lifted her skirt and ran towards Xia Xiao. Cheng Haoran called after her, "Lin Ling, don't run!" But she couldn't hear him.
She ran quickly to Xia Xiao, stopping just a few steps away. She trembled, afraid to approach
him. She was so afraid that if she went closer, it would just be an illusion, or perhaps just a dream.

Xia Xiao strode over and pulled her into a tight embrace, whispering, "Ling'er, I'm back."

Lin Ling, mesmerized by the familiar musky scent emanating from Xia Xiao, touched his cheek through teary eyes
, saying, "You're not dead? Xia Xiao."

"I'm not dead, I've come to find you alive."

Lin Ling tiptoed and kissed Xia Xiao, her pink tongue eagerly exploring his mouth. Xia Xiao held her
head and kissed her deeply, a kiss both forceful and passionate—that was her Xia Xiao. Lin Ling wept uncontrollably as
she passionately . She sobbed so hard she could barely breathe. Xia Xiao
reluctantly released her soft, red lips, pressing his forehead against hers and murmuring, "Baby, I missed you so much."

Lin Ling clung tightly to Xia Xiao's neck, saying, "How could you not be dead? The Emperor decreed you were to be executed by slow
slicing and removed from the royal family."

Xia Xiao replied, "The Emperor spared me at the last moment. He said he didn't want my life, but
there will be no more Seventh Prince in this world. Ling'er, there are many things you don't know. I'll tell you slowly."

Lin Ling pushed Xia Xiao away, wiping away her tears. "I know, Qiao Luo told me everything. You… you
probably already had a plan to escape, but you just kept it from me. You've always been like this, I hate you so much!"

"I really didn't know I'd survive this time. I was already on the execution platform, I never expected Father would spare
me."

"Then why didn't you come to me right away? Do you know how heartbroken I was? If it weren't for your two shadow guards
saving me, I would have jumped into the lake and died long ago."

"Ling'er, you're carrying my child, of course I wanted to fly over to you immediately. But I can't let Xia Ying
know I'm still alive. He won't let me go. I have to help the Crown Prince get rid of Xia Ying before I can come to you."

"At least send someone to let me know! Do you know how heartbroken I am every day while pregnant?"

"I did think about it, but I was always afraid that if word got out and Xia Ying found out, everything would be for nothing.
Baby, I'm right here now. You can resent me, hate me, scold me, hit me however you want. I'm so
glad I'm still alive to see you, to see our baby."

Lin Ling bit her lip and approached Xia Xiao, hugging his waist and hitting and biting his chest, sobbing as she spoke.
"Xia Xiao, you're not dead, you really aren't dead. I'm heartbroken, you have no idea how heartbroken I am."

Xia Xiao lowered his head and gently kissed her face. "Baby, I know, I'm sorry."

Lin Ling, who was pounding her fists, suddenly stopped. Her face turned pale, one hand supporting her stomach, the other gripping Xia
Xiao's arm, her voice trembling, "Xia Xiao, I...I..."

Seeing Lin Ling's sudden change in expression, Xia Xiao's expression also tightened. "Ling'er,
what wrong?"

"My stomach hurts, I'm bleeding..."

Xia Xiao's heart jumped into his throat. He looked around, feeling dizzy, and shouted to Cheng Haoran,
"Cheng Haoran, her stomach hurts!"

Cheng Haoran quickly walked over and asked Lin Ling anxiously, "Did her water break?"

Lin Ling clutched her stomach, her body slumping to the ground, large beads of sweat instantly appearing on her face. She said...
"It hurts so much... I don't know."

Cheng Haoran bent down to pick up Lin Ling, but Xia Xiao pushed him away and picked Lin Ling up herself. He
glared at Cheng Haoran and said, "What do we do now?"

Cheng Haoran said, "Lin Ling is about to give birth. Take her home now.
The courtyard with the Lin family plaque is her house. I'll go call the midwife." After saying that, Cheng Haoran turned and ran away.

Lin Ling hugged Xia Xiao's neck, her breathing becoming rapid from the pain. She screamed, "Xia Xiao, Xia Xiao,
I'm in so much pain! Ah!"

Xia Xiao's legs went weak from her screams. He barely managed to calm himself and carried her quickly towards the Lin family's house. He said,
"It's okay, Ling'er, our baby is about to be born. Don't be afraid, I'm here, don't be afraid."

Chapter 105 The Baby's Name

Lin Ling was slender with a narrow pelvis, making it difficult for her to give birth smoothly. Xia Xiao waited anxiously outside
for two hours. Hearing Lin Ling's cries growing weaker and weaker, he finally rushed into
the delivery room . The moment he saw the basin of bloody water beside the bed, his vision blurred. Xia Xiao took a deep
breath, went to Lin Ling's side, and gently held her hand, whispering, "Baby, try a little harder, it'll be over soon ."
"It's coming, just a little more effort."

Lin Ling was on the verge of death from the pain of her unborn child, but Xia Xiao held her hand. He was alive again;
God had already been so kind to her, she was so lucky. Even though she felt like she was dying, she should keep trying.
Lin Ling's sweaty little hands gently grasped Xia Xiao's, and following the midwife's instructions, she tried to breathe deeply, push, and
breathe again.

Half an hour later, Lin Ling gave birth to a baby boy. The midwife cut the umbilical cord, cleaned the blood off the baby,
and then gave him a hard slap on his bottom. The baby immediately cried loudly.

The midwife carefully presented the baby to Xia Xiao. "Congratulations, husband, it's a boy."

Xia Xiao only frowned at the tiny, red baby before immediately turning his gaze back to Lin Ling
. Holding her hand tenderly, he said, "Baby, we'll never have another child. We'll never let you suffer like this again."

Lin Ling sobbed, "Yes, never again."

Outside the door, Lin Ling's parents and Cheng Haoran breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the baby's loud cry. The midwife brought the infant
out for them to see, and Mr. and Mrs. Lin looked at him with obvious affection. Cheng Haoran stared at the baby, eyes
closed and mouth agape, crying. He couldn't quite describe his feelings. Lin Ling
had finally given birth, and the man she loved was alive and back by her side—a happy ending for everyone. He… was always
just an outsider.

The baby grew more and more beautiful in just a few days. His reddish skin turned fair, his wrinkled little face softened
day by day , and his beautiful, dark eyes were exactly like Xia Xiao's. Lin Ling was in her postpartum confinement period,
and Dr. Cheng Haoran became the authority figure in the Lin family. He told her what Lin Ling should eat and drink, and Xia Xiao busied himself buying and
preparing it. Lin Ling was initially angry that he had kept such a big thing from her, but the joy of the baby's birth made her forget her
anger for a moment. Later, seeing him carefully holding the infant, how could she still be angry?

The two of them discussed naming the child and finally decided on the single character "Yuan.

" Lin Ling tried to pronounce it, "Xia, Yuan."

Xia Xiao thought for a moment and said, "No, it's Xiahou Yuan."

Lin Ling looked at Xia Xiao, puzzled.

Xia Xiao said, "The Emperor said that there will be no more Seventh Princes in this world, so the child can no longer have the surname Xia."

Lin Ling laughed, "Then you'll be called Xiahou Xiao from now on? Hehe, Xiahou Xiao, isn't that
the shameless handsome guy who flirted with me in the Yihong Courtyard back then? Tsk tsk, I was just a fifteen-year-old boy back then, and you
were still interested in that, really..."

Xia Xiao smiled and ruffled Lin Ling's hair, "I can't help it, who told you and Brother Lin to
hit it off so well the moment we met."

Lin Ling thought for a moment and then asked, "What is your biological father's surname? Should we tell him about our marriage?"

Xia Xiao shook his head, "He has never even seen me. When I went to Jiangnan, I only saw him
once . He has his own family and his own children. Such private matters of the royal family are best kept to a minimum.
I don't plan to tell him."

Lin Ling thought to herself that Xia Xiao was originally the noble Seventh Prince, but now he has suddenly become an orphan without parents. All his
former glory, wealth, and illustrious status are gone. He must be feeling very sad. Lin Ling held Xia Xiao's hand and said,
"Xia Xiao, don't be sad. You still have me, and you still have the baby."

Xia Xiao looked at Lin Ling and said, "Actually, this is good. I know you don't like life in the palace. Being born into the royal family
means you have no choice in many things. Now, being free like this is not bad."

Lin Ling hugged Xia Xiao's neck and whispered, "Xia Xiao, thank goodness you didn't die. Thank goodness the Emperor finally released you.
Otherwise, how would I have managed to raise the baby alone?"

Xia Xiao kissed Lin Ling's forehead. "Back then, the Emperor locked me in the dungeon. He picked up a whip and lashed
me hard, saying he would have me executed by slow slicing. I thought he hated me to the core and was determined to kill me. But now, when I
calm down and think about it, if you had given birth to another man's child, even if I were angry, I probably wouldn't have been able to
actually kill that man." "Child, because he is, after all, a part of you. I think... the Emperor truly loved my mother,
and now, he's probably heartbroken." Xia Xiao paused for a moment, then continued, "Ling'er, Xia Ying led his hundreds of trusted men in a desperate resistance in
the palace , and I killed him with a single sword through the heart.
I've finally avenged the wrong he did to you back then."

Lin Ling looked up at him, "Xia Xiao, you know that's not what I care about most. What I care about most is whether you're
okay, whether you love me. Do you think it's noble to drive me away and go to your death alone? Let me tell you,
if you dare to do something like that again, I will never forgive you for the rest of my life."

Xia Xiao smiled, "No, my darling. It will never happen again. We will always be
together ."

On the day the child turned one month old, the Lin family held a small banquet to celebrate. At the banquet, Xia Xiao
toasted , saying, "Thank you for taking care of Lin Ling during this time. Thank you for telling
the Crown Prince the information you obtained from the Second Prince's residence."

Cheng Haoran didn't say anything, raised his cup, and drank it all in one gulp.

Lin Ling said, "How could you down it in one gulp? You can't drink."

Cheng Haoran smiled, "It's alright, after all these years, my alcohol tolerance has improved."

That night, after Lin Ling had put the baby to sleep, she was about to undress and go to bed when there was a
knock Lin Ling thought it was Xia Xiao, but when she opened the door, she saw Cheng Haoran, who smelled faintly of alcohol.

Cheng Haoran leaned against the door frame, his handsome eyebrows slightly furrowed, his two almond-shaped eyes half-open, looking at her with a hazy,
drunken gaze.

Lin Ling said, "Haoran, is there something you need?"

Cheng Haoran lifted Lin Ling's chin and lowered his head to kiss her.

Lin Ling didn't move.

After a while, Cheng Haoran's hand holding Lin Ling's chin gradually loosened, and he slumped against
the door frame.

Lin Ling raised her head and said calmly, "You're drunk, yet you say your alcohol tolerance has improved, when you're clearly
the same as before." Cheng

Haoran's lips curled into a bitter smile. "You really don't react at all."

Lin Ling didn't speak.

Cheng Haoran rubbed his throbbing temples. "Lin Ling, I'm leaving tomorrow."

"...Where are you planning to go?"

"Wherever I want to go, Lin Ling," Cheng Haoran looked at her, his voice slightly slurred from the alcohol.
He said, "You must be happy in the future. If you're not happy, if Xia Xiao bullies you, come find me. You
can find me if you want."

Lin Ling smiled and said, "I won't be unhappy, Cheng Haoran. You should be happy too."

Cheng Haoran sighed softly, lowered his eyes, and said, "Lin Ling, close the door."

Lin Ling looked at Cheng Haoran one last time, tiptoed, and gently kissed him on the cheek. She said,
"Cheng Haoran, this is from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being so good to me." Then she closed the door.

The next morning, Cheng Haoran quietly left alone. It wasn't exactly leaving without saying goodbye, because he had already said goodbye the night before
.

After finishing her postpartum confinement, Lin Ling was overjoyed that she would finally no longer be kept like a sow in
a confined room . She happily put on her outdoor clothes and stood in front of the bronze mirror... then a very shrill
scream came from inside the room.

Xia Xiao rushed in from outside the door. "Ling'er, what's wrong?"

Lin Ling pointed a trembling finger at the bloated woman in the bronze mirror, her face pale. "
How did get so fat? How did I get so fat!"

Xia Xiao sighed helplessly. Women all gain weight after giving birth. Did she only realize she had
gained weight ?

Lin Ling pointed angrily at Xia Xiao, "It's all your fault! You feed me like a pig every day,
what are you up to?!"

Xia Xiao retorted, "Ling'er, how can you have enough breast milk if you don't eat well? Our son will go hungry."

Lin Ling stomped her foot angrily, "Is your son more important to you than me? How can I be
a beautiful bride looking this fat? Xia Xiao, I'm not marrying you!"

Xia Xiao quickly said, "Baby, don't be angry. Women are like this after giving birth, they'll
lose weight ."

Lin Ling frowned and said, "Then let's talk about it when I lose weight. I'd rather die than be a fat and ugly
bride like this."

Hearing Lin Ling's words, Xia Xiao couldn't help but feel bitter. Sexual intercourse is not allowed during postpartum confinement, and
although Lin Ling's body has recovered, he couldn't just openly
live with her in front of her parents. Fortunately, they were planning to get married this month anyway. Now, Lin Ling suddenly announced she wasn't getting married
, for such an absurd reason.

Xia Xiao walked over and hugged Lin Ling from behind, whispering in her ear, "It's been a year... darling,
don't you want to?"

Lin Ling blushed slightly and lowered her head, but after a moment of shyness, she firmly replied, "
No , I can only be a bride once in my life. I absolutely don't want to wear a wedding dress looking this fat. Xia Xiao, I'll try my best
to lose weight, don't rush me."

Lin Ling was a little glutton, and it was
painful for her to control her food intake and watch others eat. Sometimes, Xia Xiao couldn't bear it and would urge her to eat more, but Lin Ling would say with a stern face, "Don't you want to marry me?"
Xia Xiao could only helplessly struggle along with her. Lin Ling was hungry, but wasn't he hungry too? Lin Ling was originally his;
when would they finally be able to bow to heaven and earth and enter the bridal chamber? How tragic!

Chapter 106 The Wedding

Night The joyous day finally arrived. There was no grand ceremony or banquet. Xia Xiao, dressed in a bright red wedding gown
and carrying a floral bouquet, led Lin Ling through the main hall of the Lin family mansion to pay respects to heaven and earth, and to Lin Ling's parents. Then, the two stood facing
each other, and Xia Xiao bowed deeply. His Ling'er had finally become his wife. Lin Ling, her face covered by a red
veil gracefully bowed to Xia Xiao. From this day forward, she and Xia Xiao would hold hands and grow old together.

After the ceremony, Master Lin patted Xia Xiao's shoulder and said, "It wasn't easy for you two to be together
. You must treat Ling'er well from now on." Xia Xiao

replied earnestly and respectfully, "Father, I certainly will."

Lin Ling sat quietly and properly in the bridal chamber. Xia Xiao pushed open the door and walked towards her.

Lin Ling's heart fluttered. She had even given birth to his child, but the thought that
Xia Xiao was the one she had married made her feel different.

Xia Xiao approached Lin Ling and lifted her red veil. Lin Ling wore a magnificent, golden phoenix crown,
her eyes sparkling like water, her cheeks radiant with beauty, like a fairy descended from heaven. She looked up at him shyly.

Xia Xiao smiled and called her "Wife." Lin Ling smiled bashfully and gently lowered her head.

Xia Xiao walked to the table and filled two cups with wine. The two intertwined their arms and drank. Xia Xiao pinched
Lin Ling's pointed chin, which she had painstakingly maintained for over three months, and said, "Baby, you are the most beautiful
bride ."

Lin Ling smiled sweetly, adjusting the phoenix crown on her head, and said, "Xia Xiao, help me take this off,
it's so heavy."

"Still calling me Xia Xiao? Hmm?"

Lin Ling laughed, "Husband, will you help me take off the phoenix crown?"

Xia Xiao gently stroked Lin Ling's delicate skin with his fingers, "Of course, today I will not
only remove the phoenix crown, but also help my wife remove her clothes."

Lin Ling tilted her head and looked at him coquettishly, her crescent-shaped eyes and
the upturned making Xia Xiao want to devour her whole.

On the table, beside two red candles carved with dragons and phoenixes, sat a magnificent phoenix crown. On the large bed with red gauze curtains hanging down, Xia
Xiao used a wooden comb to gently comb Lin Ling's long, flowing black hair. He combed Lin Ling's hair, then helped her
turn around to sit facing him.

Lin Ling's face glowed with an alluring rosy hue, her long, fan-like eyelashes trembling slightly
. Xia Xiao's hands moved to her chest, unbuttoning her bright red silk dress layer by layer, removing her bright red
silk bodice. He then gently pushed her down onto the layers of silk. The sight of her snow-white breasts lying softly on
the red wedding dress made his blood boil. Only then did he truly understand what it meant for a moment of passion to be worth a thousand pieces of gold.
As Xia Xiao took off his clothes, he smiled and said, "Little darling, why are you so quiet today?"

Lin Ling replied in a barely audible voice, "My mother said a bride should be dignified and reserved."

"Silly boy, the ceremony is over, you can talk now."

Lin Ling half-turned, cupping her hands to her chest and tilting her head, "Well, I don't know what to say."

Xia Xiao leaned down, supporting himself with his hands beside her, "Baby, kiss me."

Lin Ling blushed, wrapped her arms around Xia Xiao's neck, and tilted her head slightly to kiss him.

Several years later, a low-profile sect appeared in the martial arts world—the Lingyi Sect. This sect specialized in
escorting various important items and trading intelligence, but never dealt with the imperial court. Those who wanted to cooperate with this sect...
Business here has high barriers to entry and even higher prices, but it's always swift and efficient, never making a mistake. The leader of the Supernatural Sect
is named Xiahou Xiao. It's said he doesn't have many disciples, but they are all highly skilled, and
he rarely needs to personally intervene. The sect's headquarters are located on the idyllic Liuyun Mountain, and after more than ten years of
development, it now has branches in various provinces. Xiahou Xiao is said to be a handsome man with an extraordinary presence,
around thirty years old, but in the martial arts world, he's always been known by name only, never seen in person;

his true nature remains just speculation.

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