After saying that, she turned and walked towards the servants of the Qi family who were waiting outside. Xin Suiyun watched her departing figure, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the wet flagstones after the rain. That night, two hearts finally opened up to each other, but the obstacle between them was clearer than ever before.
Xin Rui walked to Xin Suiyun's side and sighed softly, "It seems you two have already talked things out?"
Xin Suiyun didn't answer, but just stared in the direction where Qi Yue had disappeared, muttering to herself, "What am I going to do with you, Yue'er..."
The night was deep, and the road ahead was long. But at least in this moment, they understood each other's feelings, which was perhaps the first ray of dawn in the darkness.
A few days later.
The autumn air was crisp and clear, and flags fluttered in the royal hunting grounds.
The annual autumn hunting ceremony was held as scheduled, with dignitaries from the capital gathering in a grand spectacle. When Qi Yue arrived at the hunting grounds with her parents, she could see the Crown Prince's entourage already in place. Xin Suiyun, as always, stood guard beside the Crown Prince, dressed in black and with a cold expression.
This was the first time Qi Yue had seen him since they parted that night. Their eyes met briefly in the air before Xin Suiyun quickly looked away, as if the tenderness of that night had never existed.
"Yue'er, stay close to your mother today and don't get lost," Xin Xiyao whispered, her gaze thoughtfully sweeping over Xin Suiyun's direction.
Qi Yue nodded in agreement, but she had other plans in mind. She needed to find an opportunity to talk to Xin Suiyun alone; the unfinished conversation from that night was like a thorn stuck in her heart.
The hunting horn blared, and the autumn hunt officially began. The men rode into the forest, while the women chatted and drank tea in the camp area. Qi Yue excused herself to get some fresh air and quietly slipped away to a small hill at the edge of the camp, from where she could overlook the entire hunting grounds.
As expected, Xin Suiyun appeared at the foot of the hill in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. He looked around warily before quickly stepping forward.
“You shouldn’t have come out alone.” He said seriously, but his eyes betrayed a hint of concern.
Qi Yue looked directly at him: "We haven't finished talking about what happened that night."
Xin Suiyun sighed softly: "I thought I had made myself very clear."
"You said you had feelings for me that went beyond sibling affection, yet you rejected me." Qi Yue took a step forward. "I don't know."
Xin Suiyun avoided her gaze: "Precisely because I care, I can't let you get involved in my world."
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves approached from afar. The two quickly separated, and saw Xin Rui riding up on horseback, a playful smile on his face.
"Did I disturb something?" He dismounted and scanned the two men with his eyes.
Xin Suiyun immediately resumed his cold demeanor: "It is not safe for Miss Qi to be here alone. I was just about to persuade her to return to the camp."
Xin Rui raised an eyebrow and smiled, clearly not believing this explanation, but did not point it out: "Perfect timing, my aunt is looking for Yue'er, saying that several ladies want to see her."
Qi Yue was unwilling, but she knew she couldn't stay any longer. She gave Xin Suiyun a deep look, then turned and left with Xin Rui.
On the way back to camp, Xin Rui asked in a low voice, "Have you two made up?"
Qi Yue smiled bitterly: "We've never been on good terms, so how can there be any talk of making up?"
Xin Rui pondered for a moment: "Sui Yun is a bit stubborn, but he's not a bad person at heart. It's just that he has too much on his shoulders and doesn't dare to make promises easily."
Qi Yue was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Cousin, if you were him, what would you do?"
Xin Rui, unusually serious, put away his joking expression: "To be honest, I don't know. When it comes to matters of the heart, those involved are often the ones who are blinded."
Back at the camp, Xin Xiyao was indeed looking for her. Several noble ladies, upon seeing Qi Yue, praised her for becoming increasingly beautiful, and their conversations subtly inquired about her marriage prospects. Qi Yue responded absentmindedly, her gaze frequently drifting towards the distant mountains and forests.
In the afternoon, news arrived from the front that the Crown Prince had hunted a white fox, much to His Majesty's delight. According to custom, such an auspicious creature should be presented to a member of the royal family. However, when the Crown Prince ordered the white fox pelt to be presented, he unexpectedly announced: "This white fox pelt has a rare and beautiful color. I believe it is most suitable to bestow it upon Qi Yue, the daughter of Minister Qi."
The entire room erupted in commotion. Qi Yue looked at her parents, bewildered. She saw Qi Huaihe's solemn expression and a complex emotion flashing in Xin Xiyao's eyes. Under everyone's gaze, she had no choice but to step forward and express her gratitude.
As Qi Yue received the soft white fox fur, she noticed the Crown Prince's gaze subtly sweeping towards a certain direction behind her. Following that direction, she saw Xin Suiyun standing in the shadows of a tree in the distance, his expression unreadable.
This unexpected reward made Qi Yue the center of attention. There were envious glances and suspicious whispers. She felt uneasy; was there a deeper meaning behind this reward that she didn't know about?
At the banquet, Qi Yue was seated at a table with the royal women, a position even more prominent than some of the princesses. During the meal, Crown Princess Su Qingwan was exceptionally kind to her, frequently serving her food and inquiring about her preferences.
"This white fox fur is perfect for making a scarf; it would suit Yue'er's skin tone just right," the Crown Princess said with a smile, her eyes carrying a deeper meaning.
Qi Yue forced a smile, her mind filled with doubts. It wasn't until halfway through the banquet that she finally found a chance to slip out of the tent and take a walk alone under the moonlight.
As expected, Xin Suiyun soon appeared behind her.
"What do you think of what happened today?" Qi Yue asked bluntly.
Xin Suiyun was silent for a moment: "The Crown Prince is paving the way for you."
What kind of road should we pave?
“He knows my intentions and sees your determination.” Xin Suiyun’s voice was low. “This reward is a hint to everyone that you are valued by the royal family and is a preparation for possible future turmoil.”
Qi Yue's heart raced: "Does this mean he... supports us?"
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