"Miss, are you alright?" Yun'er asked worriedly. "That Xin Suiyun is terrifying. He actually killed someone in broad daylight..."
Qi Yue shook her head, forcing herself to calm down: "Don't make a fuss about this, lest it spoil the joy of the full moon celebration."
She straightened her clothes and hair ornaments, took a deep breath, and then got out of the car and walked into the Duke of England's mansion.
The full moon celebration was reaching its climax, with the Duchess of England holding little Yao'an as she received blessings from the guests. The little guy was sleeping soundly, his face rosy, completely unaware of the excitement outside.
Qi Mingyue stood there, her brows showing both a mother's gentleness and a touch of heroism. When she saw Qi Yue enter, her eyes lit up, and she quietly beckoned her over.
"Why did it take you so long to get back?" Qi Mingyue asked in a low voice, then noticed that her younger sister's face was not right. "Yue'er, what's wrong? Your face is so pale."
Qi Yue forced a smile and handed the brocade box to her sister: "This is a gift for An'er. I hope he grows up safely."
Qi Mingyue took the box but didn't open it. Instead, she pulled Qi Yue aside to a quiet place and asked with concern, "What happened? You look like you've been frightened."
Under her sister's gentle yet firm gaze, Qi Yue finally couldn't help but whisper what she had seen in the alley.
To her surprise, Qi Mingyue did not show shock. Instead, she nodded thoughtfully and said, "I see. Your Highness is indeed very insightful."
Qi Yue looked at her sister in confusion.
Qi Mingyue explained, "The Northern Barbarians have been making trouble lately. Your Highness has already received news that there are Northern Barbarian spies trying to sneak into the capital during today's full moon banquet when there are many people and things are chaotic. Xin Suiyun was ordered to eliminate those spies and protect the safety of the banquet."
Qi Yue suddenly realized, but then a new question arose: "Then why didn't he just say it directly? Instead, he admitted to the crime of killing countless people, and... and even tried to scare me?"
Qi Mingyue glanced at her sister with a complicated expression and sighed softly: "Xin Suiyun is a very complicated person. He grew up in the Dark Guard Camp and has had extraordinary experiences."
She pulled Qi Yue to sit down on the veranda and whispered, "Did you know that Xin Suiyun originally didn't even have a name? It was His Highness the Crown Prince who bestowed upon him the surname Xin and the given name Suiyun. It is said that he was sent to the Dark Guard Camp at the age of five, where he trained for ten years and began to carry out missions at the age of fifteen. Over the years, he has handled many thorny issues for the Crown Prince."
Qi Yue's eyes widened in surprise: "Five years old? Sent to the Dark Guard Camp at such a young age?"
Qi Mingyue nodded, her expression grave: "The training in the Dark Guard Camp is extremely brutal; less than one in ten survives. Xin Suiyun not only survived but also became one of the best among the Dark Guards. It's inevitable that someone like that would have an eccentric personality."
Qi Yue recalled Xin Suiyun's cold eyes, and a pang of sorrow welled up in her heart. A five-year-old child, an age when he should be nestled in his parents' arms, was already struggling on the brink of life and death.
“I don’t understand why he scared you.” Qi Mingyue gently held her sister’s hand. “But Yue’er, you must remember that no matter what outsiders say, you are our Qi family’s daughter, the apple of your parents’ eye, and my most beloved little sister.”
Qi Yue's eyes welled up with tears. Her sister's words warmed her heart, but also made her more uneasy. What if one day everyone discovered that she didn't actually deserve this kind of love?
At this moment, Yao Xiuyan, the heir apparent of the Duke of Ying, strode over, his military uniform making him appear even more dashing. He first glanced tenderly at his wife, then smiled at Qi Yue and said, "Yue'er, why are you hiding here? Mother is about to take An'er to receive the guests' blessings, and you, as her aunt, cannot be absent."
Qi Yue quickly got up, straightened her clothes, and followed her sister and brother-in-law toward the main hall.
The full moon celebration was a grand affair. Little Yao An was carried into the hall to receive blessings and gifts from the guests. When it was Qi Yue's turn, she carefully placed the silver bracelet on her nephew's wrist and whispered a blessing: "May An'er be safe, happy, and have a smooth life."
Qi Mingyue stood beside her, her eyes full of tenderness. After the ceremony, she took Qi Yue's hand and whispered, "Thank you, Yue'er. This bracelet is beautiful; An'er will definitely like it."
A warm feeling welled up in Qi Yue's heart, and she temporarily forgot the fright she had just experienced.
After the banquet began, Qi Yue was seated at the family table with her mother, Xin Xiyao, and her sister-in-law, Xiao Chengyu. Xin Xiyao had a cool and aloof demeanor, maintaining a certain distance even in this festive occasion, but her gaze towards her youngest daughter was full of concern.
"Yue'er, you don't look well. Are you tired?" Xin Xiyao asked softly.
Qi Yue shook her head: "It's just a little stuffy, Mother, don't worry."
Xiao Chengyu continued, "There are indeed more people today. I'll accompany Yue'er for a walk in the garden later."
As they were talking, Crown Prince Xiao Chengji and Crown Princess Su Qingwan came to offer a toast. Xiao Chengji possessed a composed demeanor and already had the bearing of a crown prince, but his expression softened considerably when facing his family. Su Qingwan was gentle and poised, and standing next to the Crown Prince, they truly made a perfect couple.
"Is my cousin Yue'er feeling unwell?" Xiao Chengji keenly noticed Qi Yue's unusual expression.
Qi Yue quickly stood up to return the greeting: "Thank you for your concern, Cousin Crown Prince. I'm fine."
Xiao Chengji nodded, as if remembering something, and said to Xin Xiyao, "Aunt, things are not very peaceful in the capital today. I have increased the number of people protecting the Duke of Ying's mansion. After the banquet, I will send someone to escort everyone back to the mansion."
Xin Xiyao nodded knowingly: "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."
After the Crown Prince and his wife left, Qi Yue couldn't help but think of Xin Suiyun. The Crown Prince had sent him to eliminate the spies, which showed his great trust in him. But why had he treated her that way? The words "not of the Qi family" stuck in her heart like a thorn.
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