The echo of Xiao Xun's words, "I'll be right back," still seemed to linger in Xin Jiuwei's ears. His departing figure from the Prince's residence towards the Ministry of War carried his usual composure and unquestionable authority, yet seemed imbued with an indescribable gravity. That gravity, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, rekindled ripples in Xin Jiuwei's heart, which had just begun to calm after the declaration of "fellow travelers."
Xin Yunzhou's return brought with it the biting winds and sands of the northern frontier and suppressed rage.
He burst into the prince's residence like a whirlwind as Xin Jiuwei, supported by Xin Kui, tried to walk a few more steps in the courtyard. His dark, close-fitting clothes were covered in dust from his journey, and his handsome, resolute face bore the weariness of a long trip. However, his deep eyes, strikingly similar to Xin Jiuwei's, burned with a burning anxiety and scrutiny. His tall figure almost blocked the corridor leading to the warm pavilion, and his gaze, like that of a hawk, immediately locked onto his sister, whose face was still pale and whose figure was slender.
"Weiwei!" Xin Yunzhou's voice was low and hoarse, dry from the long drive, but even more so, filled with undisguised heartache and lingering fear. He stepped forward, ignoring Xin Kui who was bowing beside him, and grabbed Xin Jiuwei's swaying shoulder. The force was so great that it sent a dull pain through her old wound in her chest, making her involuntarily frown slightly.
“Brother…” Xin Jiuwei looked up at her brother’s bloodshot eyes and taut jawline, and her nose stung with tears. Having survived the ordeal and seeing her loved ones, all her strength seemed to have a reason to crumble at this moment.
"Where are you hurt? How badly? Let me see!" Xin Yunzhou's gaze swept urgently over her entire body, finally settling on her still not fully free left shoulder and her obviously sickly face. His brows furrowed into a deep "川" shape, and the pressure around him suddenly dropped, carrying the iron-blooded aura honed on the northern battlefield. "Where is that bastard Qi Huaiyu?! Where is he?!"
“Brother, I’m alright.” Xin Jiuwei suppressed the throbbing pain in her chest and gently patted Xin Yunzhou’s hand, which was tightly gripping her arm, trying to soothe his rage. “The injuries are almost healed, but I need to rest. Qi Huaiyu… is locked up in the dungeon.” She paused, her voice lowering, “Your Highness… will deal with him.”
"Your Highness?" Xin Yunzhou snorted, his tone filled with undisguised doubt and suppressed anger. His sharp gaze swept across the heavily guarded prince's residence, exuding royal grandeur, before settling on his sister's pale yet undeniably beautiful face. His voice lowered further, carrying an almost gritted-teeth tone, "Is this how he protects you? Letting you take a knife for him? Letting you drag your body to chase after fugitives for the antidote? Xin Jiuwei! Do you know you almost lost your life!"
His questioning struck Xin Jiuwei's heart like a heavy hammer. She knew her brother was worried about her and was still afraid. But the scene of Xiao Xun falling in front of her, the poisoned dagger, the impulse to chase after him without regard for anything... these images intertwined, making it impossible for her to simply accept her brother's accusations.
“Brother, it’s not what you think.” Xin Jiuwei’s voice calmed down, carrying a certainty born from having experienced life and death. “The situation was critical at the time. If it weren’t for His Highness… I would be the one who fell. Taking the antidote was my own choice.” She raised her eyes and looked directly into Xin Yunzhou’s eyes, which were burning with anger. “I couldn’t watch him die.”
Xin Yunzhou was stunned by the unwavering determination in his sister's eyes and... a deep emotion he had never seen before. He stared intently at Xin Jiuwei, as if seeing his sister, whom he had protected under his wing since childhood, for the first time. Her eyes no longer held only gentleness and dependence; they contained a tempered resilience, an almost obstinate determination.
“You…” Xin Yunzhou’s throat bobbed, his chest tight with anger and worry, and he was momentarily speechless. His sister had changed. This change made him gratified by her growth, but he was also more heartbroken by the painful price she had paid for it, and he felt a deeper sense of vigilance and scrutiny towards the Sixth Prince, Xiao Xun, who had changed her so drastically.
Just then, a calm yet slightly cold voice rang out from behind them, breaking the heavy atmosphere between the siblings.
"General Xin, you must have had a long and arduous journey."
Xin Yunzhou turned around abruptly. In the shadows of the corridor, Xiao Xun was already standing there. He was still wearing his black princely robes, his posture upright as a pine tree, though his face appeared somewhat inscrutable in the shadows of the pillars. He walked slowly, his steps steady, his gaze calmly landing on Xin Yunzhou. His eyes were deep and unfathomable, carrying the imposing aura of someone long accustomed to a high position, yet seemingly without any hint of reproach.
"This humble general, Xin Yunzhou, pays his respects to Your Highness the Sixth Prince!" Xin Yunzhou took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions, and knelt on one knee according to etiquette. His voice was loud and clear, and his posture was respectful, but beneath his straight back and lowered eyelids, a surging undercurrent was clearly suppressed. Several of his close attendants behind him also knelt down in unison.
Xiao Xun's gaze lingered on Xin Yunzhou for a moment, then swept over the elite guards behind him, their faces weathered and grim. The harshness of the northern frontier had etched deep marks on these men's faces, forging their iron-willed loyalty. He nodded slightly: "General, no need for formalities. The soldiers of the northern frontier have served the country with great merit and hardship, and you have endured a long and arduous journey." His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying a comforting power.
“Serving the country is my duty!” Xin Yunzhou stood up and met Xiao Xun’s sharp gaze. “It’s just that I’ve been away from home for several months and was shocked to hear that my sister was in danger and seriously injured. I was extremely anxious and hope Your Highness will forgive my rudeness!” His words seemed to be an apology, but in fact, every sentence was a question—why was my sister injured like this in your presence?
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