Xin Suiyun looked out the window and said calmly, "I'm used to it."

Qi Yue recalled the life she had been pampered by her family for the past sixteen years, and compared it with Xin Suiyun's body covered in scars, a sense of guilt welled up in her heart again.

“I’m sorry…” she said softly, “If I hadn’t taken your place, you wouldn’t have had to suffer like this.”

Xin Suiyun turned to look at her, a hint of emotion in her eyes that she couldn't understand: "It's not your fault. Even if I had grown up in the Qi family, given my personality, I would probably still have chosen this path in the end."

Qi Yue asked, puzzled, "Why?"

“My Northern Di bloodline means I can’t live like an ordinary nobleman’s son,” Xin Suiyun said calmly. “In the Qi family, I might live a more miserable life.”

Qi Yue suddenly realized that Xin Suiyun's unwillingness to return to the Qi family was not only to protect her, but also because of a deep-seated contradiction about his own identity.

“But if Father and Mother knew you existed, they would be so gratified,” Qi Yue insisted. “Mother always cries when she talks about her deceased sister. If she knew her sister’s son was still alive…”

Xin Suiyun interrupted her: "Let's consider these things after we've dealt with the threat from the Northern Barbarians."

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the courtyard. Xin Rui rushed in, looking tense: "The Northern Barbarian delegation is leaving the capital tomorrow, but according to intelligence, they plan to launch an attack before leaving, and the target may be the Crown Prince or Lord Qi."

Xin Suiyun immediately sat up straight: "What are the specific details?"

"It's still unclear, but the Crown Prince has increased security." Xin Rui looked at Qi Yue. "The problem is, Yue'er must return to the manor as soon as possible. My aunt has become suspicious and sent people to inquire several times today."

Qi Yue bit her lip: "I can't leave at this time."

“You must go back,” Xin Suiyun suddenly said. “It’s too dangerous to stay outside. Back at the Qi residence, it’s heavily guarded and much safer than here.”

Qi Yue wanted to argue, but seeing Xin Suiyun's determined gaze, she knew it was pointless. She asked softly, "Then your injury..."

"I'm fine now." Xin Suiyun got out of bed and stood up. Although her face was still pale, her posture had returned to its former uprightness. "I'll take you back to your residence."

Xin Rui frowned: "Your body..."

“It’s alright.” Xin Suiyun interrupted him, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The atmosphere was heavy on the way back to the Qi residence. Inside the carriage, Qi Yue tried to speak several times, but didn't know what to say. Xin Suiyun closed his eyes to rest, but his tense body showed that he remained vigilant at all times.

As they approached the Qi residence, Xin Suiyun suddenly opened her eyes and whispered, "After we return, do not mention anything about me to anyone, including your parents."

Qi Yue asked, puzzled, "Why? They have the right to know the truth."

“Now is not the time.” Xin Suiyun looked at her, his eyes deep. “Promise me, Yue’er.”

This was the second time he had addressed her so intimately, and Qi Yue's heart skipped a beat. She nodded involuntarily.

The carriage stopped in front of the Qi residence. Xin Suiyun got out first, looked around warily, and then helped Qi Yue out of the carriage. His hands were warm and strong, quite different from his usual coldness.

The gates of the Qi residence opened, and Xin Xiyao strode out. Seeing her daughter return safely, she visibly breathed a sigh of relief. But when her gaze fell on Xin Suiyun, her expression changed slightly.

"Guard Xin?" Xin Xiyao's voice trembled slightly. "Did you bring Yue'er back?"

Xin Suiyun bowed respectfully: "Madam Qi, I am under orders to escort Miss Qi back to the manor."

Xin Xiyao scrutinized Xin Suiyun with a complex expression. Qi Yue noticed that her mother's gaze lingered on Xin Suiyun's face for a long time, as if searching for some familiar trace.

"Mother?" Qi Yue called softly.

Xin Xiyao snapped out of her daze and regained her usual composure: "Thank you, Guard Xin. Please come in and have a cup of tea."

Xin Suiyun politely declined, saying, "I still have a mission to complete and cannot stay any longer. Miss Qi has been safely returned, so I will take my leave."

He bowed and turned to leave, his back straight and lonely. Qi Yue watched him go, a pang of sorrow rising in her heart.

Xin Xiyao gently put her arm around her daughter's shoulder and asked softly, "Yue'er, what do you think of Guard Xin these past few days? What's his character like?"

Qi Yue's heart stirred, and she looked up at her mother: "He is a good person, but... he seems to be having a hard time."

A flicker of pain crossed Xin Xiyao's eyes, and she sighed softly, "Yes, that child... has really had a tough time."

At this moment, Qi Yue was almost certain that her mother was not entirely unaware of Xin Suiyun's true identity. This realization filled her with both relief and unease, as if she were standing on the edge of a huge secret, waiting for the right moment when the whole truth would be revealed to the world.

As night deepened, the Qi residence was brightly lit. Meanwhile, in the post station far to the east of the city, Ashina Lu, the third prince of the Northern Di, was deep in thought, staring at a map, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Xin Suiyun, let's see how you escape from my grasp this time."

On the third day after returning to the Qi residence, the autumn rain continued incessantly. Qi Yue sat by the window, watching the raindrops tapping against the windowpanes, but her heart was far from calm as before. Since learning the truth about her origins, she had come to see every blade of grass and every tree in the mansion with a different feeling.

This was once the home Xin Suiyun deserved, and this was once the warmth he should have enjoyed.

"Miss, Madam requests your presence in the flower hall." Yun'er's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Qi Yue composed herself, opened her umbrella, and walked towards the flower hall. The Qi residence in the rain had a unique charm, with pavilions and towers appearing and disappearing in the rain, but she had no time to appreciate it.

Inside the flower hall, Xin Xiyao was arranging flowers. Seeing her daughter enter, she gently beckoned, "Yue'er, come and help your mother see if this vase of flowers is elegant enough?"

Qi Yue approached and saw that her mother had arranged a vase of white chrysanthemums, simple and elegant, just like her usual taste. However, today, Qi Yue noticed a hint of melancholy between her mother's brows.

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