"Is something on your mind, Mother?" Qi Yue asked softly.
Xin Xiyao paused slightly, then smiled and asked, "Why do you ask that?"
"I've noticed that Mother seems quite restless these past few days," Qi Yue cautiously inquired. "Is it because of the Northern Di delegation?"
Xin Xiyao put down the flower branch in her hand and pulled her daughter to sit down by the window: "Yue'er, you've grown up, and there are some things your mother shouldn't keep from you anymore."
Qi Yue's heart began to race.
“About Xin Suiyun…” Xin Xiyao began slowly, her gaze fixed on the rain outside the window, “He is actually your aunt’s son, that is, your cousin.”
Qi Yue forced herself to remain calm: "I have a vague idea. I just don't understand why I've never heard Mother mention this aunt and cousin before?"
Tears welled up in Xin Xiyao's eyes: "Your aunt, Xin Xiwen, was my most beloved younger sister. Sixteen years ago, she went to war with the army and fell in love with Ashina Xiong, a general of the Northern Di, and gave birth to Suiyun. This relationship was not tolerated by the world. Your uncle died on the battlefield, and your aunt died of grief because of it."
Qi Yue grasped her mother's hand: "Then why did Cousin Suiyun become the Crown Prince's secret guard?"
“This was Her Majesty the Empress’s arrangement.” Xin Xiyao wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. “Suiyun suffered discrimination in the Northern Di. After the Empress learned of his existence, she discussed with me bringing him back to the Central Plains. However, he did not want to live as a relative of the Qi family and chose to become a secret guard to repay the Empress’s kindness.”
Qi Yue noticed her mother's evasiveness—she didn't mention the truth about the two children being switched at birth. Was her mother unaware, or was she deliberately concealing it?
"Mother," Qi Yue mustered her courage to ask, "Is my cousin Suiyun just an ordinary cousin?"
Xin Xiyao was visibly taken aback, her eyes flickering: "Of course, what other relationship could it be?"
At this moment, Qi Yue was almost certain that her mother knew the truth. This realization filled her with mixed feelings—her mother clearly knew that Xin Suiyun was her biological son, yet she still chose to protect her, her adopted daughter.
"Yue'er, what's wrong?" Xin Xiyao asked with concern.
Qi Yue forced a smile: "I'm just saddened by my cousin Suiyun's background. He deserved a better life."
Xin Xiyao sighed softly and pulled her daughter into her arms: "Everyone has their own destiny. Suiyun chose his path, and all we can do is respect his choice."
The rain pattered softly as mother and daughter embraced in silence. Qi Yue felt her mother's warmth, yet a pang of sorrow welled up within her. This embrace should have belonged to Xin Suiyun.
That night, Qi Yue tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The sound of rain pounding on the roof mirrored her pounding heart. Finally, she got up, put on her clothes, and decided to find Xin Suiyun to get some answers—did he know that her mother was hiding the truth? Did he resent her for taking his place?
Quietly slipping out of the Qi residence, Qi Yue headed towards Xin Rui's secret residence, guided by her memory. The capital city was deserted in the night rain, with only the occasional sound of patrolling soldiers breaking the silence.
Just as she was about to reach her destination, she suddenly heard the sounds of fighting coming from the alley ahead. Qi Yue's heart tightened, and she quietly approached, only to see several men in black attacking a familiar figure—Xin Suiyun!
Although his injuries had not yet healed, he was still agile, and two people fell to the ground in the blink of an eye. However, the enemy outnumbered him, and he gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.
Without thinking, Qi Yue picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at the men in black. This action distracted the enemy, and Xin Suiyun seized the opportunity to counterattack, taking down two more men.
"Hurry up!" Xin Suiyun shouted to her, his voice filled with an unusual urgency.
But it was too late. A man in black had already grabbed Qi Yue and held a knife to her neck: "Xin Suiyun, put down your weapon, or this girl will die!"
Xin Suiyun's eyes turned cold, and he slowly lowered his longsword. Just as the man in black was feeling smug, he suddenly flicked his wrist, and a hidden weapon shot out, striking the hostage-taker squarely in the throat.
At the same time, an arrow whistled through the air and struck Xin Suiyun in the shoulder. He groaned and knelt on one knee.
"Brother Suiyun!" Qi Yue exclaimed and rushed to his side.
Seeing this, the remaining men in black quickly retreated. Only the two of them remained in the rainy alley, blood mingling with rainwater spreading on the ground.
"How are you?" Qi Yue asked anxiously, checking his injuries.
Xin Suiyun was pale, but she forced herself to stand up: "Don't worry, let's leave here first."
Qi Yue supported him as they struggled toward the safe house. Rain soaked their clothes, and Xin Suiyun's blood stained her sleeves.
Upon arriving at the safe house, Qi Yue hurriedly treated Xin Suiyun's wounds. This time, he did not refuse her help, but simply watched her work silently.
"Why are you always so reckless with your own safety?" Xin Suiyun suddenly asked after the bandage was finished, his voice low.
Qi Yue looked up and met his complicated gaze: "Because I owe you too much."
“You don’t owe me anything.” Xin Suiyun turned her head. “None of this is your fault.”
“But if I weren’t here, you could have gone back to the Qi family and enjoyed the life you deserved…” Qi Yue’s voice choked with emotion.
Xin Suiyun suddenly reached out and gently wiped away the tears and raindrops on her face: "Silly girl, even without you, I would not go back to the Qi family."
This was the first time Qi Yue had seen such a gentle look in his eyes, and she was momentarily stunned.
“My Northern Di bloodline means I can’t live peacefully in the Qi family,” Xin Suiyun continued. “On the contrary, I can find my value in the position of secret guard.”
Qi Yue shook her head: "But that's so unfair..."
“There is no absolute fairness in this world.” Xin Suiyun gently held her hand. “Yue’er, I know you feel guilty for me, but there’s no need for that. Over the years, watching you grow up happily in the Qi family has already made me very happy.”
Qi Yue's tears welled up again: "But Father and Mother... they knew the truth, yet they chose to hide it..."
Xin Suiyun's eyes darkened: "They are doing this to protect you. If the truth is revealed, your position in the Qi family will be extremely awkward."
"I don't care about my position!" Qi Yue said excitedly. "What I care about is the rights you deserve!"
The rain gradually subsided, and the candlelight flickered inside. Xin Suiyun gazed at Qi Yue, a surge of emotion welling up in his eyes. Suddenly, he gently pulled her into his embrace.
The hug was brief and restrained, yet it made Qi Yue's heart pound like a drum.
"That's enough," he whispered in her ear, his voice as soft as a dream.
At that moment, Qi Yue suddenly understood that this seemingly cold-blooded bodyguard actually longed for understanding and care more than anyone else. And her own feelings for Xin Suiyun had unknowingly transcended guilt and sympathy.
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