Qi Yue blushed slightly: "I was just doing my best."

Xin Suiyun gazed at her, then suddenly knelt on one knee and took out a ring from his bosom: "Yue'er, half a year ago I proposed to your father, and he promised to marry us after my triumphant return. Now that I'm back, are you... still willing to marry me?"

Tears welled in Qi Yue's eyes as she nodded vigorously: "I'm willing, I've always been willing."

Xin Suiyun put the ring on her finger, and the two stood embracing, their shadows stretched long by the moonlight.

However, good things don't always come easy. Just as the two were immersed in happiness, discordant voices arose from the court.

Some conservative ministers were quite dissatisfied with Xin Suiyun's appointment, believing that he, being a former imperial guard, was unworthy of the rank of general. Some even secretly spread rumors that he was related to the Northern Di by blood and might harbor rebellious intentions.

That day, Qi Huaihe returned home from court with a solemn expression.

"Father, has something happened in the court?" Qi Yue asked with concern.

Qi Huaihe sighed softly: "Today, an imperial censor impeached Sui Yun, saying that he was a traitor who colluded with the enemy. The evidence is that his mother was a noblewoman from the Northern Di."

Qi Yue was shocked: "This...this is clearly a frame-up!"

"Of course I know it's a frame-up," Qi Huaihe said. "But public opinion is a fearsome thing. If this matter is not handled properly, it may be detrimental to Suiyun."

Qi Yue pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Father, I have a plan."

That evening, Qi Yue requested an audience with Empress Xin Jiuwei. With the Empress's introduction, she was able to meet the Emperor.

Inside the imperial study, Qi Yue knelt before the emperor and recounted Xin Suiyun's background and his achievements over the years.

“Your Majesty, although Sui Yun is half Northern Di blood, his loyalty to Your Majesty is as clear as day. Over the years, he has saved the Crown Prince from danger many times, uncovered Northern Di plots, and risked his life on the battlefield. If he truly had ulterior motives, why would he repeatedly thwart the Northern Di’s plans?”

The emperor pondered for a moment: "I know that Suiyun is loyal, but I have to consider the criticism in the court."

Qi Yue looked up, her gaze resolute: "Your Majesty, bloodline cannot determine a person's loyalty or treachery. Sui Yun chose to serve the Great Qi, and is therefore a subject of the Great Qi. If we question his loyalty because of his Northern Di bloodline, wouldn't that chill the hearts of all the foreign peoples who are loyal to the Great Qi?"

These words moved the emperor. The next day at court, the emperor announced in public: "Although Xin Suiyun has half Northern Di blood, his loyalty is evident and his military achievements are outstanding. I hereby bestow upon him the imperial surname, change his name to Xiao Suiyun, and enfeoff him as the Marquis of Zhenbei, as a sign of my favor."

This decision shocked the court and the public. Being granted the imperial surname was a great honor, meaning that Xin Suiyun had officially become a member of the royal family, and all the criticisms about his origins were dispelled.

When the news reached the Qi residence, Qi Yue wept with joy. Xin Suiyun—now Xiao Suiyun—came to visit, and the two smiled at each other, everything understood without words.

“Now, no one can stop us from being together.” Xiao Suiyun held her hand.

Qi Yue nodded, her eyes filled with happiness.

The wedding date was set for an auspicious day in March. Both the Qi family mansion and the newly built Zhenbei Marquis mansion were bustling with activity, preparing for this highly anticipated wedding.

That day, Qi Yue was trying on her wedding dress when she suddenly heard a maid report: "Miss, the Northern Di have sent a congratulatory gift."

Qi Yue was surprised and went to the front hall, where she saw Xiao Suiyun deep in thought, looking at a box of congratulatory gifts.

"What is it?" Qi Yue asked.

Xiao Suiyun pointed to an exquisite Northern Di garment: "This is a congratulatory gift from the new king of the Northern Di, who said it was to congratulate us on our wedding."

Qi Yue examined the garment closely and found a line of small characters on the lining: "Clouds follow the moon's shadow, life and death are intertwined."

She suddenly remembered that this was the inscription on Xiao Suiyun's mother's jade pendant.

"This is... your mother's belongings?" she asked softly.

Xiao Suiyun nodded, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "The new king of the Northern Di is my mother's nephew, my cousin. He sent this congratulatory gift because he wants to rekindle our old friendship."

Qi Yue grasped his hand: "What do you think?"

Xiao Suiyun was silent for a moment, then said, "Personal grudges are minor; peace between the two countries is paramount. Since the Northern Barbarians are willing to make peace, we need not keep them at arm's length."

Qi Yue smiled with relief. The man she loved had the world in his heart and was never blinded by personal grudges.

As the wedding date drew near, Qi Yue began to feel uneasy. One day, while taking a walk in the garden with her sister Qi Mingyue, she couldn't help but confide in her.

"Sister, I...I'm a little scared."

Qi Mingyue smiled: "What are you afraid of? Afraid that Sui Yun will treat you badly?"

Qi Yue shook her head: "He treats me extremely well. I'm just... afraid I can't be a good wife. He's the Marquis of Zhenbei now, and I..."

"Silly girl," Qi Mingyue gently patted her hand, "You're going to marry Suiyun, not the Marquis of Zhenbei. He loves you as you are now, why change it?"

Qi Yue pondered for a moment, then suddenly understood.

On the eve of their wedding, Xiao Suiyun sent a letter through a messenger. The letter contained only a few words: "Tomorrow at this time, you and I will walk hand in hand through this life. I look forward to it, I think of it, and I am overjoyed."

Qi Yue pressed the letter to her chest, her heart filled with sweetness.

The following day, the Marquis of Zhenbei held his wedding, and the whole city celebrated. Qi Yue, dressed in a bright red wedding gown and wearing a phoenix crown, walked out of the Qi residence accompanied by her parents.

Outside the mansion, a sea of ​​people had gathered to watch the grand wedding. Qi Yue recognized many familiar faces in the crowd: Qin Sang smiled and nodded at her, Xin Rui gave her a thumbs-up, and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess stood not far away, their eyes full of blessings.

Xiao Suiyun rode a tall horse to fetch the bride. He was dressed in a bright red wedding robe today, making him look even more dashing. When he saw Qi Yue in her finest attire, his eyes were filled with amazement.

"Yue'er, I've come to marry you." He reached out his hand to her.

Qi Yue placed her hand in his palm, and the two smiled at each other.

The wedding was held in the palace, presided over by the emperor himself. With everyone present as witnesses, they completed the grand ceremony and officially became husband and wife.

At the banquet, Xiao Suiyun held Qi Yue's hand tightly and whispered, "Finally, you are my wife."

Qi Yue's face flushed, her eyes filled with happiness.

The banquet lasted until late at night, and the newlyweds returned to the Zhenbei Marquis's residence. Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly, and the atmosphere was filled with joy.

Xiao Suiyun gently removed Qi Yue's phoenix crown and stroked her hair: "I've kept you waiting all these years."

Qi Yue shook her head: "As long as it's you in the end, it's worth waiting for, no matter how long it takes."

He lowered his head and kissed her lips. The kiss was tender and lingering, telling of years of waiting and deep affection.

The red curtains slowly descended, the candlelight flickering, illuminating the figures of the lovers embracing each other inside. Outside the window, the bright moon hung high, witnessing the couple's union.