"Suiyun!" She couldn't believe her eyes.
Xin Suiyun was travel-worn, his armor still covered in battlefield dust. He pulled Qi Yue into his arms, his voice hoarse: "I'm back."
It turned out that the Crown Prince had sent him back to the capital to escort military equipment, with only one night's stay. Upon learning that Qi Yue was investigating Madam Zhou, he immediately rushed to meet her.
“You’re taking too much of a risk.” Xin Suiyun gently stroked her cheek. “Zhou Wenkang wields considerable power in the court. If he finds out you’re investigating them…”
Qi Yue leaned against him: "For you, for Da Qi, I have to do this."
Xin Suiyun gazed at her, her eyes filled with pride and heartache: "My Yue'er, you've really grown up."
The two embraced for a moment, and Xin Suiyun took out a jade pendant from his bosom: "This was found on a Northern Di general, and it is very similar to the one that Madam Zhou usually wears."
Qi Yue took the jade pendant and examined it closely. Sure enough, it was exactly the same as the one she had seen Madam Zhou wearing at the silk shop.
“This is a token of the Northern Di nobility,” Xin Suiyun said, “which is enough to prove that Madam Zhou’s identity is not simple.”
This discovery led to a major breakthrough in the case. Qi Yue immediately handed the jade pendant to Xin Rui, asking him to report it to the Crown Prince.
The following day, accompanied by Xin Suiyun, Qi Yue visited the Crown Princess again to inform her of her latest discovery.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess's expression turned grave: "If Madam Zhou is indeed a noblewoman from the Northern Di, then this matter is serious. I must inform Her Majesty the Empress immediately."
Through the Crown Princess's introduction, Qi Yue met Empress Xin Jiuwei. After hearing the whole story, the Empress immediately ordered secret surveillance of the Zhou residence and the silk shop.
Three days later, the Ministry of War meeting was held as scheduled. At the same time, Madam Zhou indeed quietly left the mansion and went to Qingfeng Temple in the west of the city—the "old place" she had arranged with her accomplices.
The guards, who had been lying in wait inside the temple, captured the Northern Di spy who was making contact and found the minutes of the Ministry of War meeting that Madam Zhou had passed on.
Caught red-handed, Madam Zhou confessed to her crimes without hesitation. It turned out that she was indeed a noblewoman from the Northern Di, who had been ordered to infiltrate the Central Plains twenty years ago and had been secretly passing on intelligence to the Northern Di.
Zhou Wenkang was unaware of this, but was dismissed from his post and imprisoned for negligence. Li Minzhi's remaining associates in the court were also wiped out.
After the case was closed, Xin Suiyun had to return to the front lines immediately. On the eve of his departure, he formally proposed marriage to Qi Huaihe at the Qi residence.
Qi Huaihe looked at the young man kneeling before him, then at his daughter beside him with a determined expression, and finally nodded: "When you return victorious, I will arrange your marriage."
Xin Suiyun kowtowed solemnly: "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle. I will certainly live up to your expectations."
Under the moonlight, Xin Suiyun and Qi Yue said their goodbyes in the courtyard.
"I don't know when we'll meet again after this separation," Qi Yue said reluctantly, leaning against him.
Xin Suiyun gently stroked her hair: "Once the war is over, I will return immediately and welcome you with a grand wedding procession."
He took out a ring from his pocket, simple yet elegant in design: "This was left to me by my mother, and I'm giving it to you now."
Qi Yue took the ring, tears welling in her eyes: "I will wear it every day, waiting for you to come back."
Xin Suiyun lowered his head and kissed her lips deeply. This kiss was no longer restrained; it was filled with the reluctance of parting and the anticipation of reunion.
Spring turned to autumn, and the border war was finally drawing to a close. Crown Prince Xiao Chengji led the Great Qi army to a great victory over the Northern Di, and the Northern Di king was forced to sign a peace treaty, promising never to invade the border again.
The good news reached the capital, and the whole country rejoiced. Qi Yue received the news at her residence and wept with joy. For the past six months, she had prayed for Xin Suiyun day and night, and now she had finally seen him return safely.
On the day the triumphant army returned to the capital, the city was deserted as everyone flocked to the city. Qi Yue stood on the city wall, watching the banners gradually approaching in the distance, her heart pounding like a drum.
The Crown Prince rode at the forefront on a tall horse, receiving cheers from the people. Behind him, Xin Suiyun, clad in silver armor, stood tall and imposing. More than half a year of battlefield experience had added a touch of fortitude to his originally cold face, but also bore the marks of the vicissitudes of battle.
His gaze searched the crowd, quickly locking onto the beautiful figure atop the city wall. Their eyes met, and time seemed to stand still. Qi Yue smiled at him, tears welling in her eyes. Xin Suiyun's usually cold lips curved slightly upward, his eyes filled with tenderness.
After the triumphant return ceremony, the emperor held a banquet in the palace to reward the three armies. Xin Suiyun was awarded the title of General Zhenbei for his outstanding military achievements and was granted a mansion. This was a rare honor in the history of the Great Qi Dynasty, that a former secret guard could be granted the rank of general.
At the banquet, Xin Suiyun was seated among the military officers, not far from Qi Huaihe. Their eyes occasionally met, and Qi Huaihe nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval.
Crown Prince Xiao Chengji came to Xin Suiyun's side and raised his cup, saying, "Suiyun, you have made great contributions in this battle. If you had not seen through the Northern Di's military conspiracy, the outcome of this battle would have been uncertain."
Xin Suiyun raised his cup in return: "It is all thanks to Your Highness's wise command and the soldiers' bravery that I dare not take credit."
Midway through the banquet, Xin Suiyun excused himself and went to the Imperial Garden. As expected, Qi Yue was waiting for him there.
The moonlight, as clear as water, bathed the two of them. After being separated for more than half a year, their reunion at this moment was all the more precious.
"You've lost weight." Xin Suiyun gently stroked Qi Yue's cheek, her eyes filled with heartache.
Qi Yue grasped his hand: "You look much more haggard. Have your battlefield wounds healed?"
"They've all recovered," Xin Suiyun smiled. "But you, you must have experienced quite a lot in the capital these past six months."
Qi Yue nodded and recounted in detail the investigation into Li Min's remaining associates and the case of Madam Zhou. Xin Suiyun listened attentively, occasionally raising questions.
"You did a great job." After listening to her story, Xin Suiyun sincerely praised her, "During my absence, you not only protected the Qi family, but also eliminated a major threat to Da Qi."
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