As she sewed, she suddenly heard a soft creaking sound at the window. She looked up alertly: "Who's there?"

A dark figure climbed in through the window, soaking wet and reeking of blood.

"Your Highness, do not be afraid, it is your subject." A familiar voice rang out, and Qi Mingxuan pulled off his mask, revealing a tired yet sharp face.

Xiao Chengyu was both surprised and delighted: "Why are you back? At the border..."

"The border is temporarily stable. His Highness the Second Prince has held the line, and Kumor has retreated thirty li," Qi Mingxuan said quickly. "I received news from the capital and, fearing something might be amiss in the palace, I rushed back."

He took a few steps closer, and in the candlelight, bloodstains could be seen seeping from the bandage on his arm. Xiao Chengyu's heart tightened: "You're injured?"

"It's just a minor injury." Qi Mingxuan looked at her intently. "Your Highness... can you answer my question from that day now?"

The rain pattered outside the window, and the candlelight flickered. He was soaked to the bone and looked disheveled, but his eyes shone with an astonishing light.

Xiao Chengyu gripped the needle and thread tightly, her heart pounding. After a long silence, she whispered, "What if I said... my heart is like yours?"

A dazzling light suddenly burst forth in Qi Mingxuan's eyes, as if a thousand stars had fallen. He took a step forward, but then stopped with restraint: "Your Highness, do you know... how long have we waited to say these words?"

“From the day Your Highness came of age, I saw Your Highness smile at the banquet and I have never forgotten it.”

"After Your Highness pleaded for the palace women, I know Your Highness is benevolent and kind, and I cannot change my mind."

"From the moment Your Highness frowned while practicing calligraphy, I regretted not being able to write for you..."

He spoke each word with a deep and affectionate voice, each word striking a chord in Xiao Chengyu's heart.

She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears: "Then why... do you never speak the truth?"

Qi Mingxuan smiled bitterly: "I was afraid... afraid of offending Your Highness, afraid that His Majesty would not allow it, and even more afraid... that Your Highness had no intention of doing so." He gently held her hand, "It was only when the border was engulfed in flames that I realized that if I did not say some things now, I might never have the chance again."

Xiao Chengyu felt the calluses and warmth in his palm and said softly, "That painting, 'Ladies in Spring Garden,'... I keep it in my pillowcase."

Qi Mingxuan's gaze softened, and he gently pulled her into his arms: "Yu'er..."

A soft sound came from outside the window. Qi Mingxuan instantly became alert and pulled her behind him protectively: "Someone's there!"

Before he could finish speaking, several poisoned arrows pierced through the window! Qi Mingxuan deflected them with a flick of his sleeve, shouting sharply, "Your Highness, be careful! They are Gu family assassins!"

Xiao Chengyu immediately blew the alarm whistle. In an instant, the guards who had been lying in ambush all around rushed in and engaged the men in black in a fierce battle.

Qi Mingxuan protected Xiao Chengyu as they fought and retreated, his arm wound reopening and blood staining his sleeves.

"Your injury!" Xiao Chengyu said urgently.

"It's alright!" Qi Mingxuan pierced the attacker with his sword. "Your Highness's safety is the most important thing!"

In the chaos, a cold light pierced straight for Xiao Chengyu's back! Qi Mingxuan, unable to react in time, shielded him with his own body—

With a "thud," the dagger pierced his shoulder blade.

"Mingxuan!" Xiao Chengyu exclaimed in shock.

Qi Mingxuan grunted, slashed the assassin with a backhand, his face as pale as paper: "Don't be afraid..."

At this moment, reinforcements arrived and quickly subdued the assassin. Xiao Chengyu helped Qi Mingxuan sit down and frantically tried to stop the bleeding, tears blurring her vision.

"Don't cry..." Qi Mingxuan raised his hand to wipe away her tears. "I said I would protect Your Highness."

Xiao Chengyu choked up and said, "Who asked you to work so hard!"

“Because…” he smiled slightly, “Your Highness has not yet given me a title.”

Xiao Chengyu burst into laughter through her tears and gently punched him: "What time is it, and you're still being cheeky!"

After this battle, the Gu family's influence in the capital was completely eradicated. The Double Ninth Festival banquet was held as scheduled. Although Xiao Xun had not fully recovered, he still insisted on attending to reassure everyone.

At the banquet, Qi Mingxuan was awarded the title of Academician of the Hanlin Academy for his meritorious service in protecting the emperor, and was betrothed to the Third Princess Xiao Chengyu.

When the imperial decree was read, the entire hall was astonished. Qi Mingxuan knelt to receive the decree, looked up at Xiao Chengyu in the audience, his eyes full of gentle smiles.

Xiao Chengyu's cheeks flushed, his heart filled with a bittersweet mix of emotions. The sweetness came from the fact that things had finally come to a happy ending, but the bitterness stemmed from the fact that the border was not yet pacified and the road ahead was still arduous.

After the banquet, she and Qi Mingxuan strolled along the lotus pond. The bright autumn moon reflected the sparse shadows of the withered lotus leaves.

"The border..." Xiao Chengyu asked softly, "Can it really be stabilized?"

Qi Mingxuan gripped her hand tightly: "Kumor is unpopular, and there are already dissenting voices within the Northern Di. As long as the Second Prince stabilizes the defenses, we can quell the internal strife in one fell swoop."

He stopped and looked at her intently: "Once the border is pacified, I will request permission to marry you. Your Highness... are you willing?"

Xiao Chengyu looked into his affectionate eyes and nodded gently: "I wish to grow old with you."

The moonlight, like water, elongated their embracing figures. The night sky, washed clean by the autumn rain, was exceptionally clear, foreshadowing that the storm would eventually pass and clear skies would surely return.