Xin Suiyun shook his head: "The Crown Prince is supporting the Qi family's reputation. He can't let the marriage between the Qi family's daughter and a mere bodyguard become a laughing stock, so he must first elevate your status."

Qi Yue was stunned: "We're not married yet..."

“But the Crown Prince has already seen through my determination.” Xin Suiyun finally looked at her, his eyes gentle yet firm in the moonlight. “After that night, I confessed everything to the Crown Prince. I told him that if one day I could stand openly by your side, I would treat you with the respect due to a principal wife.”

Qi Yue's heart pounded: "You...you really said that?"

Xin Suiyun nodded: "I've said it before, some boundaries can never be crossed. Now that I've expressed my feelings, I won't back down. But..." His tone turned serious, "this path is far more difficult than I imagined."

Just then, a cold laugh came from the shadows: "What a devoted couple, truly touching."

Ashina Lu emerged from behind the tree, his eyes flashing with malice: "Xin Suiyun, you have indeed betrayed your own bloodline."

Xin Suiyun immediately shielded Qi Yue behind her, saying, "This has nothing to do with her."

"Irrelevant?" Ashina Lu laughed. "Minister Qi's daughter, what a good bargaining chip! Tell me, if I use her as leverage, will Qi Huaihe make concessions on the border issue?"

Xin Suiyun's eyes turned cold: "If you dare to touch her even a little, I will make you regret it for the rest of your life."

Ashina Lu smiled dismissively, turning his gaze to Qi Yue: "Miss Qi, do you know the true nature of this person beside you? His hands are stained with the blood of the Northern Di people, including his own relatives."

Qi Yue gripped Xin Suiyun's arm tightly, trying to remain calm: "I know better than you what kind of person Brother Suiyun is."

Ashina Lu raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Do you know how his mother died? She didn't die of depression, but was executed by the Northern Di royal court because she betrayed her people and had an illegitimate child with a man from the Central Plains."

Xin Suiyun's body was visibly stiff. Qi Yue sensed his pain and a surge of courage welled up within her: "That's precisely why he deserves even more respect. He wasn't blinded by hatred; instead, he chose the path of justice."

Ashina Lu sneered, about to say something, but was interrupted by footsteps approaching from afar. Xin Rui hurried over with a group of guards: "Prince Ashina, His Majesty requests your presence."

Ashina Lu glared at Xin Suiyun before turning and leaving. Xin Rui watched his retreating figure, his brows furrowed: "It seems the Northern Di people are really going to make their move."

Qi Yue looked at Xin Suiyun with concern, only to find him gazing at her with an unprecedented tenderness in his eyes.

“You just called me Brother Suiyun,” he said softly.

Qi Yue's face flushed, realizing the way she had addressed him in her haste. Seeing this, Xin Rui tactfully led the guards to a distance to wait.

Under the moonlight, Xin Suiyun gently held Qi Yue's hand: "Thank you for not believing his provocation."

Qi Yue shook her head: "I will always believe in you."

The two looked at each other in silence, a thousand words unspoken. Yet they both understood that the hardships ahead had only just begun. Ashina Lu's threats, the criticism from the court, and the secret of their origins stood like towering mountains between them.

But at least for this moment, they chose to face it together.

The autumn wind carried the distant sounds of a banquet. Two people from different worlds made a silent promise under the moonlight: no matter how difficult the road ahead, they would never walk alone again.

On the third day of the autumn hunt, before dawn, the camp area was already bustling with activity.

Today is the highlight of the hunt; His Majesty will personally lead his ministers into the forest for the hunt. Qi Yue was awakened early and nervously tidied her clothes.

The conversation with Xin Suiyun from last night still echoed in her ears, and Ashina Lu's threat made her even more worried. When she stepped out of the tent, she found her parents talking in hushed tones with solemn expressions.

"Father, Mother, what happened?" Qi Yue asked as she stepped forward.

Qi Huaihe and Xin Xiyao exchanged a glance and said softly, "The Northern Di delegation left the capital ahead of schedule this morning, but Ashina Lu is nowhere to be found."

Qi Yue was startled: "Could he still be at the hunting grounds?"

"The Imperial Guards are searching with all their might." Xin Xiyao held her daughter's hand. "You must stay close to me today and do not act alone."

The hunting horns sounded, and everyone prepared to set off. Qi Yue, mounted on his horse, couldn't help but search for Xin Suiyun. He was still by the Crown Prince's side, but seemed even more vigilant, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk's.

The hunting party slowly entered the dense forest. Qi Yue followed closely beside her mother, but she always felt a gaze upon her. When she turned around, she saw nothing unusual in the depths of the forest.

At noon, the group rested in an open area. Qi Yue dismounted to stretch her muscles and suddenly heard a familiar flute sound coming from not far away—it was Xin Rui's secret signal to her, indicating that there was something urgent to tell her.

She excused herself to go wash her face by the stream and quietly left the crowd. Following the sound of the flute, she arrived at a secluded valley, where she saw Xin Rui waiting with a solemn expression.

“Suiyun asked me to pass on a message,” Xinrui said in a low voice, “Ashina Lu is indeed lurking in the hunting grounds, and your target is very likely you. He told you to be very careful and not to trust any invitations made alone.”

Qi Yue's heart tightened: "Where is Brother Suiyun now?"

“He’s tracking Ashina Lu’s movements, hoping to stop him before he makes a move.” Xin Rui glanced around warily. “I have to go back; staying too long will arouse suspicion. Remember, don’t trust anyone.”

After Xin Rui left, Qi Yue was in a state of turmoil. She stood by the stream for a moment, about to return to the camp, when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her.

"Miss Qi, are you waiting for someone here alone?" a gentle voice asked.

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