The night was as dark as ink, and the sounds of fighting outside the courtyard grew closer. Qin Sang quickly blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness. Qi Yue gripped Xin Suiyun's icy hand tightly, her heart pounding like a drum.

“Miss Qi, I’m leaving Suiyun in your care,” Qin Sang said in a low voice, taking a short blade from her medicine box. “I’ll distract them, and you can take him away while I do so.”

Before Qi Yue could respond, Qin Sang had already vanished. The sounds of fighting outside the courtyard suddenly intensified, then gradually faded into the distance. Qi Yue knew that Qin Sang was creating an opportunity for them to escape.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her fear. By the moonlight, she saw that Xin Suiyun's brows were furrowed, as if he could sense danger even in his unconscious state.

"Don't be afraid, I will protect you," Qi Yue said softly, whether to comfort Xin Suiyun or to encourage herself, it was unclear.

She struggled to lift Xin Suiyun up, placing one of his arms on her shoulder. Xin Suiyun was much heavier than he looked, and Qi Yue gritted her teeth, practically dragging him toward the small door at the back of the house.

Just as they were about to reach the back door, the front door was suddenly kicked open, and several dark figures rushed into the house. Qi Yue's heart tightened, and she quickened her pace, but due to the heavy load, she stumbled and almost fell.

“There!” a rough, hoarse voice shouted.

Qi Yue disregarded everything else, pushed open the back door, and with all her might helped Xin Suiyun escape. In the darkness, she couldn't tell which way to go, and could only run forward by instinct.

The pursuers behind her were getting closer and closer, and Qi Yue's physical strength was nearing its limit. Just when she was about to give up, a strong hand suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her into a side alley.

"Don't make a sound." A familiar voice rang in my ears—it was Xin Rui!

Qi Yue was almost in tears: "Cousin, how did you find us?"

Xin Rui made a shushing gesture, and only after the sound of the pursuers' footsteps faded into the distance did he whisper, "Qin Sang sent someone to inform me. How is Sui Yun?"

“He woke up once just now, but quickly fell unconscious again,” Qi Yue said urgently. “We must find him a safe place as soon as possible.”

Xin Rui nodded: "I have a secret residence nearby. Come with me."

With Xin Rui's help, they quickly arrived at a secluded courtyard. After settling Xin Suiyun in, Xin Rui breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Qi Yue: "You were in great danger just now. The Northern Di people somehow found out Suiyun's whereabouts. If it weren't for Qin Sang's alertness, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Qi Yue wiped the cold sweat from Xin Suiyun's forehead and asked worriedly, "What kind of poison did he ingest? Can Miss Qin Sang cure it?"

“It’s a deadly poison unique to the Northern Di, called ‘Blood Kiss’,” Xin Rui said gravely. “Those poisoned will gradually die from blood clotting. Fortunately, Qin Sang has studied this poison and should have an antidote.”

Just then, Qin Sang rushed over, bearing some signs of a fight, but seemed to be unharmed.

“We’ve temporarily shaken off the pursuers, but we need to detoxify as soon as possible.” Qin Sang checked Xin Suiyun’s condition and took out silver needles and several packets of medicine from her medicine box.

Qi Yue and Xin Rui stepped aside, allowing Qin Sang to focus on the treatment. Watching Qin Sang skillfully administer acupuncture and prepare the medicine, Qi Yue suddenly recalled Xin Rui's special feelings for this female healer. In such a critical moment, the first person he thought of seeking help from was Qin Sang, demonstrating the depth of his trust.

"Cousin, you and Miss Qin Sang..." Qi Yue asked softly.

Xin Rui smiled slightly, her gaze falling gently on the busy Qin Sang: "Over the years, I have been waiting for her to accept my feelings. But she always rejects me on the grounds of our different social statuses."

Looking into Xin Rui's eyes, Qi Yue was deeply moved. It turned out that this seemingly carefree cousin also had such a devoted side.

“Miss Qin Sang is a good person,” Qi Yue said softly. “I believe that one day she will understand that the value of feelings far outweighs the difference in status.”

Xin Rui glanced at her gratefully, then his expression turned serious again: "Yue'er, there's something I must tell you. Your uncle may not have told you everything about Sui Yun's background."

Qi Yue's heart tightened: "What do you mean?"

Xin Rui lowered his voice: "Sui Yun is not only your cousin, he is the true bloodline of the Qi family."

Qi Yue was struck dumb, frozen in place: "This...how is this possible?"

"Sixteen years ago, Madam Qi and her sister gave birth at the same time," Xin Rui slowly recounted. "At that time, the Northern Di invaded the border, and Lord Qi was ordered to go to war, causing chaos in the mansion. The two ladies were waiting to give birth in a separate courtyard, and the midwife made a mistake in the rush and gave the two children to the wrong babies."

Qi Yue trembled all over, almost unable to stand: "So... I'm the one who was switched at birth?"

Xin Rui nodded reluctantly: "Yes. Sui Yun is your aunt and uncle's biological son, while your biological mother is Sui Yun's aunt, who is also his sister."

At this moment, Qi Yue finally understood everything—why Xin Suiyun always looked at her with such complicated eyes, why he said "it's not just about cousins," and why he cared so much about the Qi family's affairs yet was unwilling to return...

It turns out she was the imposter who took his place.

"He...he always knew?" Qi Yue's voice trembled.

Xin Rui sighed: "The Empress told him the truth when she brought him back to the palace. But he chose to remain silent, unwilling to disrupt your life in the Qi family."

Tears blurred Qi Yue's vision. She walked to the bedside, looking at the unconscious Xin Suiyun, and felt an unprecedented sense of guilt and heartache welling up in her heart. This young master of the Qi family, who should have been enjoying his parents' love, had become a clandestine bodyguard because of an accident, and even had to protect the one who had taken his place.

"Why...why didn't you tell me sooner..." Qi Yue choked out.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!